Forget synthesisers, forget electro/dub-step remixing and watch this. I will happily listen to debates about why the aforementioned styles are actually amazing, but deny that this is real talent and I'll almost certainly from that moment on consider you innately twisted in the head. Sorry. I may well try and have a calm, civilised conversation with you about the issue, but my judgement will have been made.
Perhaps one reason that I find this performance so spine-tinglingly memorable is that this song has special meaning to me, but listen to some other masterpieces from Bon Iver's 'For Emma, Forever Ago' and I trust you will find my adoration to be justified. Heads up for 'Re: Stacks' and 'For The Wolves: Act I and II', especially the realistic firework-like drums at the end of the latter that embody the very explosion of feeling that first attracted me to this band.
Whoever Justin Vernon's 'Emma' is he clearly has a lot of emotions tied up with his memories of her, expressed in the release of these heartwrenching songs. Clearly three months of solitude in a Wisconsin log cabin with only a guitar for company can result in great things. This performance stands out for me because of the raw charge of passion that, regardless of the cliché, genuinely gives me goosebumps. Justin's tortured howl of 'And now all your love is wasted? Then who the hell was I?' towards the end, serves as yet another ruthlessly honest expression of his very human love-fuelled anguish. We've all been there. Enjoy.
Tuesday, 8 June 2010
Sunday, 6 June 2010
'I like them black girls, I like them white girls, and I like them Evolution girls!'
With a line-up to be reckoned with at only £25 for a weekend of live music, the word 'Evolution' had been buzzing around college amidst the haze of post-exam revelry for weeks. An usual setting for a festival, reminiscent of a carpark as opposed to a lush green field, the music was spread between three stages bordering the quayside, encompassing a wide range of genres from hip-hop legends De La Soul to innovative Manchester dance trio Delphic. A mass of excitable teenagers primarily around the age of 15 swarmed over the beer-can littered concrete, upon which two delightful young ladies were sighted engaging in a rather hilariously embarassing catfight. So much for the hippy idealism of 'make love not war'. However, despite the evident downfalls in festival ethos, the atmosphere of anticipation was tangible as the crowd surged forward towards the stage repeatedly in an effort to get that bit closer to the action.
Although acts such as Dananananaykroyd and The Futureheads, with their addictive up-beat rhythms, created a distinct level of hyperactivity, it was the charismatic Calvin Harris who stole the show with lively hits such as 'Ready For The Weekend' and 'I Get All The Girls'. Compared with earlier acts, Calvin proved himself a real showman with an on-stage energy that transformed his fans into a whirlwind of screaming, dancing, jumping lunatics, myself most definitely included. Paolo Nutini followed as the Sunday headlining act, toning down the atmosphere created by his support with chilled out guitar pop that perfectly accompanied the summery vibe as the sun set over Newcastle.
Monday saw starry-eyed girl of the moment Ellie Goulding drawing a large crowd of adoring 'Lights' lovers whom she did not remotely disappoint. Despite some technical microphone problems at the start of her set, Ellie powered through her top-selling latest album with 'Guns and Horses' and 'Under the Sheets' inciting a huge singalong response which almost drowned her own vocals out, rendering the microphone somewhat unnecessary anyway. Wearing an unpretentious outfit of blue jeans and a black strappy top, Ellie clearly wanted her music to speak for itself. Banging her drum with passion and looking like she was born to perform, she roused envy in the vast majority of females watching her set. A natural and likeable performer, Ellie proved herself as one of those people we could all so easily hate but just can't help loving.
Upon being turned away from the dance stage where Delphic were to headline due to rioting over crowd limits on the bridge, it was time to investigate arguably the most 'festival-like' of the stages, Ballast Hills. Here, folk and roots music was the order of the day and shockingly there was real grass to be seen. The Swedish three sisters Baskery showcased their talent on the acoustic guitar, banjo and upright bass, with cheery songs easy to indulge in a bit of country-style jigging to, whilst in another tent a circus act wowed its audience with acrobatic and dance acts.
Overall the weekend was a memorable one for all the right reasons, as fun was undeniably had with several artists performing exhilerating sets. However, Evolution's 'urban' nature regrettably denied music-lovers that vital spark of magic found at the likes of the more traditional festivals. Admittedly you can't really expect too much from a festival based in a city, but I'd swap the tarmac for the muddy fields any day.
Calvin Harris playing Evolution Festival, 30/05/10.
Although acts such as Dananananaykroyd and The Futureheads, with their addictive up-beat rhythms, created a distinct level of hyperactivity, it was the charismatic Calvin Harris who stole the show with lively hits such as 'Ready For The Weekend' and 'I Get All The Girls'. Compared with earlier acts, Calvin proved himself a real showman with an on-stage energy that transformed his fans into a whirlwind of screaming, dancing, jumping lunatics, myself most definitely included. Paolo Nutini followed as the Sunday headlining act, toning down the atmosphere created by his support with chilled out guitar pop that perfectly accompanied the summery vibe as the sun set over Newcastle.
Monday saw starry-eyed girl of the moment Ellie Goulding drawing a large crowd of adoring 'Lights' lovers whom she did not remotely disappoint. Despite some technical microphone problems at the start of her set, Ellie powered through her top-selling latest album with 'Guns and Horses' and 'Under the Sheets' inciting a huge singalong response which almost drowned her own vocals out, rendering the microphone somewhat unnecessary anyway. Wearing an unpretentious outfit of blue jeans and a black strappy top, Ellie clearly wanted her music to speak for itself. Banging her drum with passion and looking like she was born to perform, she roused envy in the vast majority of females watching her set. A natural and likeable performer, Ellie proved herself as one of those people we could all so easily hate but just can't help loving.
Upon being turned away from the dance stage where Delphic were to headline due to rioting over crowd limits on the bridge, it was time to investigate arguably the most 'festival-like' of the stages, Ballast Hills. Here, folk and roots music was the order of the day and shockingly there was real grass to be seen. The Swedish three sisters Baskery showcased their talent on the acoustic guitar, banjo and upright bass, with cheery songs easy to indulge in a bit of country-style jigging to, whilst in another tent a circus act wowed its audience with acrobatic and dance acts.
Overall the weekend was a memorable one for all the right reasons, as fun was undeniably had with several artists performing exhilerating sets. However, Evolution's 'urban' nature regrettably denied music-lovers that vital spark of magic found at the likes of the more traditional festivals. Admittedly you can't really expect too much from a festival based in a city, but I'd swap the tarmac for the muddy fields any day.
Calvin Harris playing Evolution Festival, 30/05/10.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)