Monday, 14 November 2011
Saturday, 22 October 2011
Herman Dune at Rough Trade East
Dearest Patient Readers
I know you have not heard from me in a while but I was prompted to resurrect my good old blog after another amazing Herman Dune show this month (I hope to post all my oustanding pictures so bear with me and you shall hear from me with regards to Union Chapel).
Needless to say, Herman Dune were amazing and very kind. Informing the crowd of a 10-5 minute delay and then playing an almost an hour long gig filled with songs of joy and longing.
I hope my dearest Readers did not miss their show. The UK tour is over but hopefully they will be back.. In 4 years time.
Thursday, 1 July 2010
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.
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.
Wednesday, 23 June 2010
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.
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.
Saturday, 19 June 2010
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.
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.
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.
Monday, 14 June 2010
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.
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.
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