Tour Announcement - Joan as Police Woman

Yes, yes, Joan Wasser is coming to London - 4th October at Union Chapel. I was so excited when I found out that I decided to post the above still from the most unimaginative video for the most imaginative and beautiful woman. See you there, my dearest readers!

Leszek Kolakowski

Leszek Kolakowski - a great man who spoke about philosophy in such a way that my teenage mind could grasp it - died today at the age of 81 in Oxford. The end of an era.

Fever Ray

What can I say other than once again the citizens of London were subjected to the beauty of a spectacle courtesy of Fever Ray. This time at a venue much less flattering as regards the sound quality but much more intimate and appropriate for the mysteries of Fever Ray. So Shepherds Bush Empire on 16th July turned into a place of wonder. What else can I, a lifelong worshiper of anything The Knife, say this time? Apart from stating the obvious - in terms of Fever Ray experience, the venue worked well as far as ambiance is concerned, less well in terms of sound but we shall forgive. For Fever Ray delivered a magnificent show, with laser lights, mist, orange lampshades, shaman costumes, minimalistic hand gestures and, last but not least, music of the forgotten but advanced tribes. My dearest readers will be surprised at the quality of the above picture, as this time, I employed my life-long enemy, a compact camera unable to deliver in spite of its isos and pixels and what not. Compact, useless. Anyway, no words or poor pictures can express the beauty of the show and its utter uniqueness, including bringing torrential rains to London. Fever Ray, the rainmakers.

As much as I would like to share with you my thoughts about the non-album songs they played or what songs they actually played, as some readers, I fear, accuse me of being non-specific in my reviews, I cannot. I simply forget myself and will never become this girl who was standing next to me at Dan Deacon gig typing in her Blackberry 'green skull, meditation about death and friendship, frenzy' - she probably created a true to life review. As a matter of fact, the only matter of fact in my review, I will never be like her.

Waiting For Godot

On 14th July I was most kindly invited to go to see Waiting for Godot at the Theatre Royal Haymarket - splendid interiors and most uncomfortable seats. Dearest readers will be disappointed to find out that it has been a good few years since I last graced a theatre with my presence. Music halls, comedies galore. But a classic - not a single one in ages. I have read the play in question a few times, it is one of my favourites so, needless to say, I was anxious to see it. I was not disappointed, it is a great performance. But this is not my interpretation - I understand it was subtitled a tragicomedy in two acts but for me it is a tragedy and a tragedy only. And each time I have read it and, hopefully, will - it will remain a sad and hopeless story for me. That is just the way I am. Drama-savvy.

TV On The Radio

There was something lacking on 13th July in Brixton Academy, in the evening. It was the big TV On The Radio supported by The Noisettes night. And all I can say it was okay, but I did not like it. Blame it on the flu I brought with me to the admired by many venue. The Noisettes is not my cup of tea but TV On The Radio could have done better than that. So what was lacking? Definitely, interaction. Less definitely, sincerity. They seemed so fake and inconsistent. I do not know, maybe I do not really like TV On The Radio that much so I will leave this analysis before my dearest readers write me off as an ignorant.

The Twilight Sad

Oh joy, The Twilight Sad in ICA on 9th July. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I could not go to 93 Feet East last time. So ICA would have been my fourth and not merely third time, dearest readers forgive me my boastful attitude. But if there is one band I would recommend, that would be The Twilight Sad. Not. But by making such statements, my only intention is to hype and overhype them so that you, my dearest readers, could discover the beauty of their music. First of all, their image changed dramatically, I am bad with names and faces but the visual transformation of two members was stunning and impossible to ignore. Luckily, the drummer is still skilfully same and the bass guitarist takes off his shoes for the duration of the gig. And the singer is as insane looking as before. But the apparent changes, the guitarist - no hair but beard and lead singer no hair but same crazy eyes. So now my dearest readers may think I focus too much on the looks or that I am a modern groupie though I am not, or I wish I was not. In the front row, as always, amazed at the size of the audience and mesmerized, endlessly mesmerized. Needless to say, or as above mentioned, they have a great drummer. Also, the guitarist responsible for the unique sound with his cool detached attitude and unmatching trainers is as great as the drummer. And then, last but not least, the singer, who is as great as the drummer and the guitarist, with his crazy eyes and playing with the mic stand which once resulted in him breaking one and promising to pay it off with his christmas money. Apologies if I fail to say anything sensible about the bassist or the member-non-member as they were located too far and I focused too much on the above mentioned triangle of musicians.

But, seriously, The Twilight Sad previewed some of the new songs so now I am looking forward to the new album. Apart from that, they seem to be more mature and conscious of the sound.

To sum up, I am proud to be their fan. Even though they were loud and I recklessly did not protect my ears. Friday in a jar glass courtesy of The Twilight Sad. You love, you forgive.

We Were Promised Jetpacks

As I always wanted to use the phrase I will use it now, even though I realise it is not quite appropriate but you will forgive me, much hyped We Were Promised Jetpacks sailed all the way to London to open for Twilight Sad in ICA on 9th July 2009. And the phrase in question is, obviously, much hyped in case of doubts. They are good and interact with the audience, cracking hokes, the singer has a voice of a giant singing in a well, so strong. As much as I wanted to enjoy this gig, I could not as I was anxiously awaiting my dearest The Twilight Sad. So dearest readers forgive me if I overlooked We Were Promised Jetpacks or could not report what they joked about as, being a foreigner, I find Scottish English cute but difficult to understand. But they were friendly. Friendly fishermen.

Nice

Apologies, my dearest readers, I was busy being a host and then holidaying in Nice. But, for the time being, I am back. And I managed to miss St Vincent, naughty naughty.