A music extravaganza

Good things come to those who get the tickets, indeed. Two outings this week, first up on 26th were Long Blondes in a very crowded top room at Clwb Ifor Bach. The Steel City theme extended as far as support from Yorkshire rapper Kid Acne, who was new to us but hilariously entertaining! Quite a few similarities with Arctic Monkeys (although I'm not sure I've ever seen any Monkey wearing a flat cap).

The main set started off with current single Century. The majority of the set was from forthcoming album Couples, plus some very old favourites that didn't make Someone To Take You Home (I assume so, as we didn't recognise them), with only Lust In The Movies and Giddy Stratospheres (last song of the set) making it. Excellent show, my only real criticism that it was too short and there was no encore! Although the encore problem was due to the venue and an album launch for someone else!

Second outing on 27th, back to The Point to see old (or rather young) favourites The Subways, back with a new album and another enjoyable show. An exceedingly full Point, and I expect the Coal Exchange would have been a sell out if it was still open. The first support band were instantly forgettable (The Culprits, according to The Subways website), but the second, Cage the Elephant, were much better, even a couple of Jaggerisms from the lead singer. Definitely worth a second look.

The Subways set was, I think, meant to be mostly new songs but quite a few 'oldies' were slipped in, including Oh Yeah, Mary, City Pavement and the encore was Rock N Roll Queen after new single Girls and Boys. First song of the set was a new one, California, which M and I heard at their last Cardiff show along with another new song, Shake Shake; other newbies included Alright, and I Won't Let You Down (I think that title's correct). The end of the show was brilliant, great crowd atmosphere (read: very sweaty!) but on reflection the earlier part of their show didn't seem to please as much as previous shows. That may be the new songs -a cursory look at their myspace only lists a sample of Girls and Boys & the rest is older songs. I think we'll reserve judgement until the new album All or Nothing comes out in June.

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Pigeon Funk

Notes on a very random purchase. Earlier today I acquired Venetian Snares 'Rossz Csillag Alatt Sz ü letett ' purely on the basis of the language and artwork. Its certainly something different - and most definitely not pop. After a bit of searching: Venetial Snares is, according to Wikipedia, the performing name of Aaron Funk, who seems to specialise in experimental tracks in odd time signatures. Article here . The sleeve notes for this album (whose title is Hungarian for 'Born under a bad star') poses the question: what if, for just a day, we could both be pigeons? Interessant. Apparently this concept (a day in the life of a Hungarian pigeon) is non-typical of Venetian Snares sound, but one could ask, does Mr Funk do 'typical'? On first listening, the sound of this CD mixes classical/traditional Hungarian sounds and breakbeats. but aside from that? Definitely a 'listen for yourself' artist; try the website , fan site or myspace .

Angela Hewitt Week, 14th-20th May 2012

I just received information from a friend about Angela Hewitt Week in Ottawa, 14th-20th May as declared by Mayor Jim Watson. Ms Hewitt is performing with Chamber Players of Canada on Friday 18th May; there will also be An Afternoon With Angela Hewitt on 20th May at the National Arts Centre hosted by the Canadian Friends of the Trasimeno Music Festival .

Musical discoveries in Oslo

Last week I finally had the opportunity to visit Oslo with M. Amongst all the sightseeing and visiting friends, we managed a couple of musical activities. By way of an odd prologue, Thursday evening (autumn equinox) there was a torchlit riverside walk along the Akerselva river into downtown Oslo, complete with random but interesting sound, light and music installations along the way, including a few singer-songwriters, choirs and fire-eaters! light installation on Akerselva Friday evening we went to the Oslo Konserthus to see the excellent Oslo Philharmonic featuring Janine Jansen performing Britten's Violin Concerto Op. 15. From our cheap seats behind the orchestra, we enjoyed the Concerto - including the odd macabre bits - and the opening work, No 1 from Leó Weiner's Hungarian Folk Dances Op 18. For our ears the concluding work, Dvořák's Symphony No 8 was something of a let-down - too formulaic and predictable after Britten. No negatives from Saturday af...

PrettyInScarlett

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