Visits

Saturday 19 May 2012

Brendan Benson @ Madrid Moby Dick Club 18 May 2012




Not too many people at the entrance of the venue even though it was 9 pm, opening time, and the small - though nice – look of the location suddenly reminded us the low level of acceptation for these great artist by the Spanish music consumers.

As we entered first in the line we had time to check the stage, at the height of one’s knee, the guitar pedals, instruments, guitars, keyboards, drums... and the setlists themselves on the floor (No surprises from Barcelona’s previous day set, where they chose Pretty Baby as show closer, instead of What Kind Of World). Everything was ready for Brendan and looked like no supporters were to play there.

But the show was warmed up by Young Hines, who is produced by Brendan and works for the same Readymade Records label as Brendan does... And most important he is a friend his. The explanation of the stage as it were for Brendan’s band is that Brendan’s band is the one to play with Young Hines. He sounded from noisy grunge, megaphone in – a friend’s hand- to rockabilly but powerful all the time and really was appreciated by the attendants. After the gig he did not hesitate go to the merchandising stand to greet his fans.
And a few minutes later “Mr. Folk Singer” Brendan Benson got onstage with –again- his band.
After greeting in Spanish, and no surprises, they started over with Light of the day. Like every gig with a certain level, the beginning was even more powerful than the previous show by Hines.
And this has become a golden rule: whereas the first must hit, the second song in the set must re-hit. And it did. Good to me was even more powerful especially the chorus by both guitarist/keyboarder/back vocals and bassist.

Then came a song introduced by Brendan as a “cover”. It was Hands, by the Raconteurs, band that yet not end up is living a nearly long latency. As the songwriter said it was a cover of this song that represents the two-faced sound of the Raconteurs, two first minutes melodic and soft and two other complex and twisted –even darker- in Jack White’s style.

Sitting pretty, but for the backing vocals by the guitarist doubling Brendan from time to time, we missed all the vocals in the song especially that one saying “I can't breath!”.

Brendan asked for the megaphone that was used by Hines before –no seriously of course-. It was the turn for Cold hands. It sounded very emotional and was very clapped by the public.

One of Brendan a song with the highest number of version, Metarie, came in one of its most popular versions, where the guitarist has to do the female back vocals.



Garbage day, was really good but even though strings were played by the guitarist/keyboarder didn’t have so many ornaments and didn’t fulfil the song as in the album (god bless, because it looked like the studio had hired a philharmonic orchestra or something).

Bad for me, was just great, but the public clapped in advance and Brendan agreed and said it never ends and when you think it’s over there is one more phrase. We do not agree, Brendan, that part is to be there. People must learn your songs better.

From The Alternative To Love album, What I’m looking for was not one of the strongest by the American author. Specially during this song we witnessed forgotten lyrics –for keyboarder’s laughs sake- chords in the wrong place.

But to solve the problem, A whole lot better came to show why it is one of Benson’s most wanted songs. The guitar at the beginning intro by Brendan himself was just awesomely played.

For Keep me Young Hines’ presence on the stage was claimed by the band. Hines’ back vocals where very good, but the drum fill in gave the drum player “A score” for the night.

What kind of world to soon for what we were expecting but cover the place with its innovating and dark sound.

It was followed by Crosseyed, and that is why we thought they could have mistaken the order, but it was played very solemnly and deserved the show main part closer.

As we knew, after a not too long break backstage with Hines they played encore.

They played an improvised song with Hines, mostly in “vocal style”,  Tiny Spark, and Pretty Baby with awesome back vocals by Hines.

Even though the location was not the best, a very good night and an excellent chance to see Brendan Benson live.






Saturday 5 May 2012

CRÓNICA DEL FESTIVAL MURCIA SOS 4.8 2012



Esto fue la 5ª edición del Festival Murcia SOS 4.8::

VIERNES 04 MAYO 2012

La banda para empezar el festival fue Perro, en el Escenario Jägermeister. El scenario segundo en lo que se refiere a tamaño y público (así como popularidad pero no necesariamente calidad) dio paso a la banda local Analogic que subió a escena en segundo lugar.
Abriendo el Auditorio Mondosonoro.com, desde Boston, Massachusetts, The Magnetic Fields ofrecieron un concierto introspectivo con ausencia de éxitos pero por lo general disfrutado por los asistentes que no dejaron un asiento libre.
A la vez, el cantautor asturiano Nacho Vegas calentó el escenario principal, Escenario Estrella Levante. Tuvo bastantes seguidores que recibieron su agradecimiento por serle fieles mientras el rey del pop (en su opinion Stephin Merritt, líder de The Magnetic Fields) estaba tocando unos metros más allá.
Después de un echar un vistazo muy rápido a La Estrella de David en el segundo escenario, volvimos al escenario principal con The Kills. Tocaron rodeados por cuatro percusionistas que nos hicieron a algunos pensar en Kraftwerk allí arriba con tales movimientos robóticos, aunque tenían más presencia visual que un verdadero papel en lo que sonaba. Las guitarras, por su parte, fueron muy vehementes y Fuertes en canciones como Heart Is a Beating Drum, Kissy Kissy, Fuck the People and Monkey 23, la que escogieron para decir adiós.
Ver a Hidrogenesse en el auditorio o a The New Raemon en el segundo escenario fue realmente imposible…
La razón es que era el turno de Friendly Fires en el escenario principal. La banda de disco funk británica y especialmente su frontman Ed Macfarlane bailaron e hicieron bailar a todos en un concierto que nos trajo su sonido en canciones como Hurting, Hawaiian Air y Kiss Of Live. Demasiados samples electrónicos, sintetizadores,… Pero bueno, así es su sonido, aunque de vez en cuando pensamos que el guitarrista Jack Savidge podía bajarse del escenario sin que nadie se diera cuenta.
Y el espectaculo de Kiko Veneno estaba en su momento álgido en el escenario del auditorio, que estaba abarrotado con gente de pie, bailando, haciendo palmas, y cantando, especialmente con canciones como La Rama de Barcelona y En un Mercedes Blanco. Era una verdadera fiesta con mínimos asistentes poco metidos en el españoleo.


Fuera en el segundo escenario, el Grupo de Expertos Solynieve no pudo hacer nada para mantener a su público mientras un río de personas marchaba al escenario principal.
Allí se podia ver el los dibujos de laser verde y palabras –esta vez en español- que están protagonizando el principio de los conciertos de Pulp en su Reunion Tour. Empezaron, claro, con Do you remember the first time? y continuaron con un no parar de éxitos: Mis-Shapes, Razzmatazz, Pencil Skirt, Something Changed, Disco 2000, Sorted for E’s and Wizz, F.E.L.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.L.O.V.E., I spy, Babies, This is hardcore.... A pesar de los años pasados, Jarvis Cocker con sus famosas poses hizo vibrar a la multitud con su música. El concierto acabó con Bar Italia y el megahit Common People.










Al llegar los últimos minutos de su concierto, Jarvis Cocker llegó a aludir los sonoros bombos que llegaban desde el segundo escenario… Pues bien, eran la banda local The Leadings que regalaron su sonido a aquellos que se sintieron con más ganas de bailar su electro clash antes que admirar la mítica banda de Cocker.

The vuelta al auditorio y no libres del escepticismo nos sentamos y nos quedamos boquiabiertos viendo la actuación performance de Enric Montefusco and Raül Fernández (líderes de las bandas Refree y Standstill) llamada Requiem. Quizás una persona que nunca hubiera visto un coro en acción habría quedado impresionada por su trabajo, pero no era –ni de lejos- una obra de arte de magnitud. En cualquier caso, valoramos que dieran un formato diferente en su actuación y el ambiente que cualquiera pudo vivir allí.
En el escenario principal otra vez, Gossip, desde Washington, U.S.A., difundieron si estilo una vez descrito como “voz soul o gospel” con “una especie de banda sonora punk funky” con canciones como Love Long Distance and Standing In The Way Of Control.
Después de esto, la música electrónica y dance tomó el control del festival con actuaciones como las de Buraka Som Sistema, John Talabot DJ Set, Simian Mobile Disco DJ Set y The Zombie Kids.
Respecto al SOS Club, debemos destacar la actuación de Yelle DJs (DJ Set) que parecía más un concierto de escenario que una sesión de DJs.


Los insaciables pudieron enlazar la noche con el día en el OFF FESTIVAL (Sala Teatre).


SÁBADO

18:00 Oso Leone Escenario Jägermeister

19:00 Parade Escenario Jägermeister

19:15 Yuck Escenario Estrella Levante
20:10 Antònia Font Escenario Jägermeister
20:30 Bigott / Grupo AIE en Ruta Escenario Estrella Levante

20:45 Matthew Herbert : One Pig Auditorio Mondosonoro.com
21:25 Klaus & Kinski Escenario Jägermeister

22:15 Mogwai Escenario Estrella Levante

22:55 Delorentos Escenario Jägermeister

23:30 Miqui Puig y la Original Jazz Orquestra (OJO) del Taller de Músics Auditorio Mondosonoro.com

00:15 The Flaming Lips Escenario Estrella Levante
00:15 El Columpio Asesino / Grupo AIE en Ruta Escenario Jägermeister
02:00 La Casa Azul Escenario Jägermeister

02:15 Love of Lesbian Escenario Estrella Levante

03:30 CSS Escenario Jägermeister

04:00 Feed Me DJ Set Escenario Estrella Levante
04:45 YALL Escenario Jägermeister


SOS Club by Ron Brugal
12:00 Angelpop 13:30 Daniless 15:00 Virginia Diaz
16:00 Tomás Fernando Flores 17:15 Electric Gramophone
18:30 Thug Ladies 19:45 Meneo live
20:45 Pional live 21:45 Kosmos
23:15 2PIASDJs 00:30 Mathew Herbertt DJ Set
02:00 Brodinski 03:30 Fuck Norris
04:45 Cupcake

OFF FESTIVAL (Sala Teatre)
06:30-07:45 Cansei de Ser Sexy (CSS) DJ Set
07:45-09:15 Eme
09:15-10:30 Cardopusher
10:30-12:00 Fuck Norris
12:00-14:00 Iván Serra
14:00-16:00 Dubpaper




MURCIA SOS 4.8 2012 MUSIC FESTIVAL REVIEW



This was the fifth year for Murcia SOS 4.8 Music Festival.

FRIDAY

The band to start the fest was Perro, at Escenario Jägermeister stage. The second stage as far as size and public are concerned (as well as popularity, but not necessarily quality) gave way to local band Analogic that got onstage in second place.
Opening Auditorio Mondosonoro.com music hall stage, from Boston, Massachusetts, The Magnetic Fields offered a concert introspectively focused, with lack of hits but generally enjoyed by the attendees. The hall had no vacant.



  
At the same time, Asturian songwriter Nacho Vegas warmed-up main stage Escenario Estrella Levante. He had a number of followers that received his thanks for being loyal to him whilst the king of pop (in his opinion Stephin Merritt, leader of The Magnetic Fields) was playing a few yards far.


After having a very quick look at La Estrella de David on the second stage, we got back to the main stage with The Kills. They played surrounded by four percussionists that made some of us think of Kraftwerk up there with such robotic movements, but they had more visual presence than the actual role they had for the sound. The guitars, on the other hand, were really vehement and strong in songs such as Heart Is a Beating Drum, Kissy Kissy, Fuck the People and Monkey 23, the one they chose to say goodbye.


Watching Hidrogenesse in the music hall or The New Raemon on the second stage was virtually imposible…
The reason was that it was the turn Friendly Fires on the main stage. The british disco funk band and specially frontman Ed Macfarlane danced and made everyone dance in a concert that brought us their sound in songs like Hurting, Hawaiian Air and Kiss Of Live. Too much of electronic samples, synthesizers, … well, that is their sound, but from time to time we though guitarist Jack Savidge could get offstage and no one would notice.


And Kiko Veneno’s show was at its highest moment in the music hall stage, crowded with everyone standing, dancing, clapping and singing, specially with La Rama de Barcelona and En un Mercedes Blanco. It was an actual party with the fewest not-keen-on-spanish-stuff attendees.



Outside on the second stage Grupo de Expertos Solynieve could do nothing to keep their public there a stream of people walked to the main stage.
There you could see the green laser drawings and words -this time in Spanish- that are starring the beginning of Pulp’s gigs during his Reunion Tour. They started, of course, with Do you remember the first time? and went on with a hits-non-stop: Mis-Shapes, Razzmatazz, Pencil Skirt, Something Changed, Disco 2000, Sorted for E’s and Wizz, F.E.L.L.I.N.G.C.A.L.L.E.D.L.O.V.E., I spy, Babies, This is hardcore.... Even though years went by, Jarvis Cocker with his famous poses made the crowd shake to his music. They gig ended with Bar Italia and megahit Common People.

Reaching the last minutes of his performance, Jarvis Cocker even allude the loud beat coming right from the second stage… Well they where local band The Leadings that gave their sound away to those that felt more like dancing to their neon electro clash rather than admire Cocker’s mythical band.

Back to the music hall and not too free from scepticism we sat down and gobsmacked watch the performance Enric Montefusco and Raül Fernández (leaders from bands Refree and Standstill) called Requiem. Perhaps a person that never saw a choir in action could be impressed by their work, but it was not –by far- a high magnitude art work. Anyway we value their giving a different format in their performance and the ambience any could enjoy there.
On the main stage again Gossip, from Washington, U.S.A., spread their style once described as “soul or gospel voice” with “a sort of funky punk soundtrack” with songs like Love Long Distance and Standing In The Way Of Control.
After this electro and dance took control of the festival with sets like Buraka Som Sistema, John Talabot DJ Set, Simian Mobile Disco DJ Set and The Zombie Kids.
Concerning SOS Club, we must highlight the performance by Yelle DJs (DJ Set) that seemed more of a gig on a stage than a DJs session.
They insatiable ones could beam night and daytime in the OFF FESTIVAL (Sala Teatre).


SATURDAY

18:00 Oso Leone Escenario Jägermeister

19:00 Parade Escenario Jägermeister

19:15 Yuck Escenario Estrella Levante
20:10 Antònia Font Escenario Jägermeister
20:30 Bigott / Grupo AIE en Ruta Escenario Estrella Levante

20:45 Matthew Herbert : One Pig Auditorio Mondosonoro.com
21:25 Klaus & Kinski Escenario Jägermeister

22:15 Mogwai Escenario Estrella Levante

22:55 Delorentos Escenario Jägermeister

23:30 Miqui Puig y la Original Jazz Orquestra (OJO) del Taller de Músics Auditorio Mondosonoro.com

00:15 The Flaming Lips Escenario Estrella Levante
00:15 El Columpio Asesino / Grupo AIE en Ruta Escenario Jägermeister
02:00 La Casa Azul Escenario Jägermeister

02:15 Love of Lesbian Escenario Estrella Levante

03:30 CSS Escenario Jägermeister

04:00 Feed Me DJ Set Escenario Estrella Levante
04:45 YALL Escenario Jägermeister


SOS Club by Ron Brugal
12:00 Angelpop 13:30 Daniless 15:00 Virginia Diaz
16:00 Tomás Fernando Flores 17:15 Electric Gramophone
18:30 Thug Ladies 19:45 Meneo live
20:45 Pional live 21:45 Kosmos
23:15 2PIASDJs 00:30 Mathew Herbertt DJ Set
02:00 Brodinski 03:30 Fuck Norris
04:45 Cupcake

OFF FESTIVAL (Sala Teatre)
06:30-07:45 Cansei de Ser Sexy (CSS) DJ Set
07:45-09:15 Eme
09:15-10:30 Cardopusher
10:30-12:00 Fuck Norris
12:00-14:00 Iván Serra
14:00-16:00 Dubpaper