Broken Social Scene, Here We Go Magic

Dearest Readers, I know what you are thinking, I am getting less and less critical of the photos I graciously take at gigs. Perhaps it is true but this time I wanted to show you two amazing artists - part of Broken Social Scene collective who gave a brilliant performance on 30th June 2010 in Forum. Brendan Canning and Andrew Whiteman who stole the show and perhaps did not let me enjoy the feel-good nature of the band. I only wanted to edit out all the noise and get to the core of their output. I understand that Broken Social Scene are a talented lot, however, as much as I appreciate their music, it never sticks with me for long. So back to the two - Andrew Whiteman has a captivating social persona - with feline or jerky moves, unexpected smiles towards the audience and ultimate guitar playing skills. A true joy to watch. Brendan Canning, on the other hand, is like a crazy artist, running around the stage and playing the bass. This is the part I really enjoyed.

Sadly, there were bits I did not understand, like banter courtesy of Kevin Drew about how the band are close to the audience and how they want to share the feel-good but at the same time, he gets a bit overwhelmed by the joy of the audience member on stage. On top of that, I do not consider him the best singer in the collective. And the girl with big hair was too much. And, Dearest Readers, I am only moaning here.

I do not want you to think I did not like the gig, I enjoyed the long long show thoroughly. I also thought Here We Go Magic were quite enchanting.

Chilly Gonzales, Charlotte Gainsbourg

I have been a huge fan of Charlotte Gainsbourg - both actress and a singer even though I know she is not a songwriter or my revered type of a talented musician. I loved her first album and really liked the second. As an actress, she was most puzzling in 21 Grams and recently, mind-blowing in Antichrist.

Little did I know that on 22nd June 2010 to Shepherd's Bush Empire she would bring along an amazing artist by the name of Chilly Gonzales who would brighten my day. First of all, he is a talented musician - effortlessly playing the piano or rather making piano beats. Secondly, he is an absolutely hilarious story-teller and performer with his angry Jewish rapper persona. Finally, I actually know Chilly Gonzales' songs - I think he was quite big in Poland in early noughties. Remarkably silly of me. Needless to say, I am looking forward to seeing him live again. And again, and again.

As far as Charlotte is concerned. First, I was amazed at how up-tight and uneasy she was on stage. Sadly, that her voice was too low in the mix did not help. The band sounded perfect but to me the show should have been all about her whispering/murmuring and it took the sound guy half of the gig to realise it. Luckily, when this was sorted out, the gig went fine, the artist relaxed, sang a couple of covers including Dylan's Just Like a Woman, a sad song that always make me cry. Charlotte would speak French forgetting that she is in England, her famous mum was in the audience, but even though I liked the gig a lot, I felt that the arrangements were too loud or innovative. An charming and lovable artist like Charlotte sounds most flattering on her own and not necessarily in fancy arrangements. But is is just me, my Dearest Readers.

Caribou, Mt Kimbie

Heaven again, 16th June 2010, a gig I had been looking forward to for quite some time. Somehow, I never got to see Caribou having missed a few opportunities.

First, Mt Kimbie - a decent live act, good electronic music. It was difficult to pull it off at a gig - an electronic live act - the audience did not come to dance and it is London so no one wants to dance. I appreciate Mt Kimbie but I was waiting for Caribou.

Caribou. Dearest Readers, I used to listen to the first album long time ago, enjoyed it but did not fall head over hill. With Swim, it was a different story. The album is one of my favourite albums at the moment, and I particularly enjoy it as a whole, with some melodies weaving through it, with a bit of soul, a bit of electronica or rather a lot. Perfect. Now here I am, in Heaven, slowly making my way to the first row. And I got what I did not dream of. The live show was better than the album. The sound was deeper, with a certain texture, and, last but not least, the musicians were talented. Especially the drummer. Initially plagued by technical problems, they absolutely delivered. It is a joy to see Daniel Snaith playing the drums, a strange flute, keyboard and singing. There was something in their act that I would call harmony, it was perfectly harmonious and also synchronised. I particularly enjoyed the drummer - who had would sometimes raise one stick and open his mouth, jumping on the stool, the bassist - who was very serious and with a great voice and, finally, the Caribou man - a perfectionist I would think. There are so many songs I liked much more live than on the album, which is unusual.

My brother would agree, he saw Caribou a couple days later, in Poland. They are better live than on the album he texted, drunkenly excited. Sadly, Caribou gig was the final nail to my cousin's coffin, construction of which started at a metal festival in Austria - 500 cans of beer and 500 hours of pogo - Caribou being the 500th can and 500th hour of pogo.

They were filming the gig so I am hoping, maybe, one day.

Beach House, White Hinterland

I hope my reception of the gig was not influenced by how tired I felt on 1st of June 2010, a delayed arrival at Heathrow at 3am, waiting for the tube to open, coming home at 6am, destroying a pigeon nest on the balcony, going to work at 1pm and straight after work to Heaven. I was fresh after Primavera, where, as my Dearest Readers realise, I had seen Beach House as well. But Beach House are special. And deserve all the effort. Not so much White Hinterland, an act that that tried my patience but I might imagine that some of my Readers would enjoy it.

Anyway, it was all about Beach House that night, a band I treasure.

Sadly, Heaven is not a perfect venue, with the stage up high and far away. You look up. I took my camera which, I came to a conclusion, I hate even more than my camera phone but it is good for my 'roadie' shots - please see above Alex Scully before the gig. The gig was the band's 13th gig, as they duly counted, we have to trust them on that, and they were slightly apprehensive given number 13's notoriety. It was going fairly okay until one of the stage embellishments (whatever they are called) fell. Luckily, no one was hurt, but it was hilarious as I was looking in that direction, I could see the thing swirling and falling. So that was the sign of bad luck. The show was brilliant, with a new song and quite a few older songs which I thoroughly enjoyed. I always wonder how old Victoria Legrand is as her lyrics sound mature and on a very decent literary level, or perhaps it is just the French blood in her.

During this gig I turned my attention from the ever charismatic singer to the guitarist who I saw came to Panda Bear gig at Primavera, focused entirely on the music. I would not say he is immensely talented but there is a specific sound to his guitar and the way he moves that make him quite unique. I felt sorry that in Bush Hall I ignored his performance.

On the whole, Beach House, slightly exhausted I could tell, made an effort and played a great gig.

Primavera 2010

XX.
Black Lips.
Pet Shop Boys.
Panda Bear.
Beach House.
Pavement.

Dearest Readers, this is just the beginning of an in-depth review of Barcelona's Primavera. Above is a picture of my friend's sister with a random crap violinist on the beach.

Okay, I am starting with this post, so I and my Dearest Readers remember. Above is a collection of random least crap pictures I took. I have quite a few good Beach House photos but perhaps another time. Another post.

Pavement - it was a fantastic gig with a lot of singalong fans, I was in the second row and could not move, I felt like it is 2003 Radiohead gig in Berlin where I almost died. Lots of people crow-surfing and a general joy. I am sure Stephen Malkmus was drunk (he was drinking during the show) with this devil-may-care attitude, throwing his guitar around. But oh yes, it was a memorable show.

HEALTH - I know they are not really playing but there was something ecstatic about their music, a certain entrancing rhythm, I was not really looking forward to this show but it turned out to be amazingly good fun, I would say it was one of my highlights. And they spoke Spanish.

Panda Bear - Panda Bear was an angry bear, the visuals were not working, they were trying hard to fix the problem, with no luck. He performs with a tension, utterly focused on the music, the quiet songs work surprisingly well. Needless to say, a cult following.

Pet Shop Boys - great karaoke show, a big big show. I am glad I saw it.

Beach House - what is there left to say other than that they were awesome.

Black Lips - curious, a closing party - I think they must be very popular in Spain. Their show was a no-limits experience, with naked buttocks, crowd coming on stage and carrying the singer around. Most curious.

To be continued, Dearest Readers.

Double Dagger, Ganglians, Real Estate

No photos of Real Estate, Dearest Readers, as my mobile died in Cargo on 18th May 2010 before they came on stage. And Double Dagger were the best anyway (that's the non-hairy men in the above pictures).

Obviously, the Upset the Rhythm crowd knew better than to come close to the stage for Double Dagger, I did not. Happily at the front, I experienced this most unsettling performance with a leader absolutely oblivious to how deathly cables can be according to health and safety authorities. The singer was also oblivious to the fact that the creepy Spanish guy does not appreciate when someone is singing straight in his face and casts a spell on the offender. Hypnotic, dangerous, primal Double Dagger are live. And, I am afraid, live only. Go and see them.

Ganglians and Real Estate were good, I enjoyed the gig but, worryingly, I do not remember much. Double Dagger dominated the evening.

Roy Harper, Joanna Newsom

11th May 2010 at Royal Festival Hall I was not expecting a catharsis. To start with, I had an awful headache and memories of Somerset House where I enjoyed Joanna Newsom immensely but the feeling did not last till the end of the gig. There was something in her voice that got annoying after one hour.

Now I realise what an ignorant I was. First of all, I knew next to nothing about Roy Harper whose tiny little performance blew me away, tore me into pieces, brought tears to my eyes. And I was far from the first row, as you can clearly see from the above pictures that feature candle lights as musicians. Joanna being the brightest light with her instrument. Terrible photos.

And then came Joanna, and I have to admit, it is hard to play after Roy Harper has left the stage. At least in my eyes. Nevertheless, the petite harpist poster girl for many (almost a month later I will meet a random music fan at a gig who will show me a picture of himself with smiling Joanna from ATP, she is smiling because someone from her team has just asked her 'are you sure you want to have a picture with this guy?') won my cold heart with her arrangements, mature voice and funny banter. I listen to her latest album which I was allergic to before the gig.

But oh Roy, what a fantastic story teller.

CocoRosie, Light Asylum

On 4th May 2010 I had the pleasure to see CocoRosie live in one of the most creepy venues for a girl from pan-catholic Poland. Trust me, it is hard to get rid of fearful respect for churches. Light Asylum were an interesting electro act with mighty mighty vocals and catchy tunes.

CocoRosie delivered a wonderful theatre-like performance, dressed as mysterious water creatures also known as pirates or sirens with a boombox guy, a pianist and a drummer. They mainly played songs from the new album, making fun of British accent, one CocoRosie half being smiley and outgoing, the other mischievous and slightly grumpy. It will not escape my Dearest Readers that once again I have little or no recollection of the gig but I love CocoRosie with all my heart. If you search the web, you will find an in-depth review of the following night performance written by my friend and not just miserable photos and uninformative reporting of mine.

Leafcutter John, Mandelbrot, Lina Lapelyte

I would like to start as if this post was not delayed by well over a month and it is early May and not mid-June now. But the truth is, I neglected my Dearest Readers so only now do they find out that on 29th April 2010 in Cafe OTO I went to Keung aka Mandelbrot's album launch. I felt slightly nostalgic since Mandelbrot and Lina were one of my first London scene experiences but back to the gig. Lina is a talented experimental violinist and yes she incorporates a naked foot in her performances, most enjoyable. Mandelbrot performed with a drummer, an unforgettable show of a musician who is entirely devoted the the art, a true perfectionist of guitar noise. By now Dearest Readers must have realised that I do not remember many details as it was over a month ago and I had a couple of beers and cycled to the venue with a friend who insisted that she did not know rode code only to prove that she indeed did not by heading straight onto the oncoming traffic. No casualties.

Leafcutter John was most creative with a variety of non-instruments, encouraging the audience to join him, provide ideas for improvised lyrics. To Leafcutter John's disappointment, all lyrics proved to me melancholic even though he tried to be cheerful. A lot of fun.

Finally, they all played together but my favourite was Mandelbrot, even though I seem to be unable to explain why.

LCD Soundsystem

Brixton Academy, 23rd April 2010 - I managed to take a million of absolutely awful photos with my famous camera phone. Firstly, because at the beginning of the gig I was not sure what to do with myself, following a not so great YACHT, there came LCD Soundsystem and I was not quite sure whether to party away or just watch the show unravel. Secondly, because I firmly and perhaps naively believe one day I will take really good photos, considering that I am in the first row and have an eye for detail. Thirdly, I was eagerly anticipating the not so inconspicuous balloons. Little did I know that the balloons would fall at the very end of the gig. That was not the only suspense as the gig was built around a momentum of a total rave to bring the audience to a quiet end of a ballad to New York, sweet.

James Murphy is a talented musician, with a great voice that can go a long way up high. He is also supervising but also most appreciative of his band and he loves and individualises the cheering crowd, at least the front row. They never get used to the praise - this is not what you hear every day. The keyboard did not work during the first show so they pretended to start the gig again and played the song in full, with keyboard.

I like to think that if I was famous one and had gigs in front of huge crowds, I would be happy and never ask people to buy my records. Unless my boss told me to, that is.

Bear in Heaven

Dearest Readers, I have no idea why but I was late for the Record Store Day at Rough Trade East on Saturday, I did not go to Vashti Bunyan the previous Sunday for reasons far from unknown and far from pleasant. Unrelated to the tragic plane crash that killed the head of state together with my candidate from the left. But I am back on track, on 20th April 2010 in Rough Trade East I somehow managed to see Bear in Heaven live. I was not sure how their songs would translate into live music but I can tell you, the three men are doing a great job. First of all, it is well played and electronic parts are not a mere playback. Secondly, the drummer rocks. Thirdly, there are two moustaches - owners of which either can sing with ease or play the guitar or bass and sport an inimitable Mexican look, a classic. Dearest Readers will know by now that it was a feast for eyes and ears alike. There is some kind of longing in their music and despite of what their manager of whoever I overheard saying, it was not just a tiny promotional gig. It was a great performance, with a band that was making jokes about the ash cloud and a traditional remark about buying records. And they played one more song. I love Bear in Heaven.

Phoenix

Roundhouse, 29th March 2010, Phoenix, quite an autobiographical gig, my Dearest Readers will soon realise. I listen to the radio in the mornings, and one morning some time ago, the presenter was raving about Phoenix, a band of my early 20s tune of the year and quite an album with great instrumental songs recently. I also remember quite clearly a young video director showing me photos of their instruments with a logo of the band, so proud. So the band turned out to be fantastic, with this unnecessary moment of curtains going down just before an encore. The crowd was absolutely mad, the singer would go into the crowd, singing all the catchiest tunes as you can imagine. My favourite moment was when the two guitarist were playing, you can tell there is a great experimental potential in the band, sadly or not overshadowed by great, almost anthem-like, songs. And one of the guitarist has the most face dominating lower-lip imagined, fascinating.

Supporting were Two Door Cinema Club, a band most likely making a great impression on the youthful crowd. I remained passive.

So my Dearest Readers must be wondering where is the autobiographical part. Well, early in the show, while I was taking photos with my most reliable camera-phone, I got a text from my best friend about a terrible flu in Poland that left her pregnant. This gig was a Requiem for my Youth.

Twilight Sad, Take a Worm for a Walk Week

Dearest Readers already know that was not the first time I had seen Twilight Sad, in fact, a gig in Relentless Garage on 24th March 2010 established me as a proper groupie of this Scottish art group (I could not help the art). So here I was, in the first row, waiting. Take a Worm for a Walk came first (last picture above), with cool tattoos and beards, a lot of shouting and not so great guitar skills but, me being quite sentimental about my youth, wandered off to all the garage bands in my teens, all the dodgy gigs I went to when I was young and, I like to think, musically underdeveloped. Anyway, this band was really refreshing, with the singer grabbing his balls and eating his fist, singing the famous male choir bit from Annie Lennox' 'No more I love you's' . Real fun, I would like to reiterate, I loved the tattoos.

Then came a terrible band, Wild Palms, please do not let me go into details of how awfully full of himself the singer was. And the only bright spot was the strangely attractive drummer. Do not even ask. I do not know.

I always imagine that before the gig, the band throws three buckets of water on the singer to sober him up. That is why they always take some time before coming on stage. So when they finally did, I felt how detached from the band you are in Relentless Garage, Scala and Lexington were perfect, you could almost touch them, I could see what Andy was doing etc. But then I realise, it is good they are so far as they have a real groupie now, and I am not a groupie at all, there was a girl throwing herself, singing, taking pictures, going absolutely mad in the second row. She obviously missed the boat with the first row, but it did not stop her. She was full on, and I felt I was coming second, not much passion in me. Especially that I could clearly see that there is something sad and worrying going on in the band. Tension between the drummer and the singer who was willing to improvise. I was hoping that the drummer was angry because he had to sell merchandise all evening but I do not think this was the case. Anyway, a good gig. Twilight Sad are a great band with lots of ideas. Even when they borrow a bass player from Take a Worm for a Walk Week, and even when the drummer makes mistakes (never before), it is worth seeing them live. I think I already mentioned I love them.

Memory Tapes

On 13th March 2010, Dearest disappointed with me Readers, in Cargo, a band Memory Tapes graced the Shoreditch crowd with their skilfully crafted pop songs (yes, I felt the urge to include shoreditch crowd and skilfully crafted in one sentence). Sadly, their output was not what I expected, and, as usual, I am not impressed with laptop's performance. Especially, when it sits at the core of the production. Yes, the guitar, yes, the drums, yes, the vocals, but, trust you me, the pre-prepared electronic beat, press play, play-back killed the joy for me. Perhaps I was standing too close, perhaps I did not drink enough Japanese beer before the gig, I would not know.

So, I will retire to my stereo and play Memory Tapes at home, where it works.

Beach House

Essentially, Dearest Readers, my aim was to deliver this splendid review of a gig that brought tears to my eyes, mainly, Beach House in Bush Hall on 17th February 2010. I shall not go into details of how difficult it was to get to the venue considering that Liverpool station was closed and there seemed to be no other way that the strange way to get to the west part of London. Oh joy. Arriving just in time for folky Lawrence Arabia, which was a strange way to start the evening musically but slowly progressing to the front row only to forget myself staring at Victoria or rather Victoria Legrand's hands and, how fetishist of me, boots. I completely forgot that there was Alex on guitar and a man unknown on drums. I was mesmerised.

Dearest Readers, I quite liked the album, but I feel I understand it better after the gig, and consequently, love it as it should be loved. There is unbelievable dreaminess and warmth about Beach House, and there is something I like to call musical talent. Bear with me for a second, while I explain. Talent can be a burden, you do not need talent to please Undula's ear, sometimes an idea is enough but with Beach House - there is plenty of talent and one idea that spans across the albums and live music. There are recurring musical themes and they do it so well.

I can tell my Dearest Readers are losing patience and, in all probability, have no idea what I intended to express apart from the standard what a great band. But it certainly was an event of the brought tears to my eyes kind. I did not want them to go.

One more word about Victoria Legrand who is an immensely charismatic person, entertaining the audience during the slider quest, controlling the musical output, playing the keyboard with closed eyes (I know I know, I am easily impressed) and being ultimately, but ultimately, sexy.

Dearest Readers, please go and see for yourselves.

Vampire Weekend

After a terrible support whose name I shall not name on 16th February 2010 in Brixton Academy, my Dearest, there came the four youngsters to deliver perfectly performed pop act, full of joy and honesty. To be fair, I am not Vampire Weekend fan, but to see a band succeed without being boring is a treat. Needless to say, the cover photo girl's eyes were black/blue/red making this photo even more disconcerting to me. Dearest Readers can probably tell this is the third review in which I have failed to put my heart and soul. Or perhaps I shall name the support - Fan Death. An awfully untalented dancer/singer/individual without any idea about what to do on stage, painful to see.

Depeche Mode

How come, how come, dearest Readers, I got to see Depeche Mode so late in my life. 16th December 2009, O2 Arena. Arriving quite early, we managed to get to the front braving the completely drunk part of the audience who kept falling over, this part of the audience was so wasted that the remaining part of the audience ejected the drunk part within half an hour. Joy to see.

So they came on stage and they ruled my world. I do not think I have mentioned before that I am not that young and early 90s music tends to take me places. They are great showmen, great musicians, I have to see them again.