Went to the Barbican this evening to see two bands who ended up feeling like a future for music. First was the Portico Quartet, doing a free gig in the foyer. Absolutely hypnotic. I first encountered them via a miscellaneous twitter, then saw them on a few last.fm lists, and delicious tags which led me to their myspace page for a quick listen. That took me to the Barbican, that led me to buy the CD. (And to think about buying a hang, though that seems tricky) That seems like a future for the music industry, doesn't seem a bad future. Just not a lot of role in it for large record companies.
I'd heard a bit about The Bays before too, always fancied them, never made the effort to go. I'm very glad I went this evening, it was magnificent stuff and Andy Gangadeen is my new drumming hero. They make smart use of web stuff too, you can get downloads of their sets etc, but the very clever thing they do is not record. They're entirely a live, improvised experience. Every night is different and it really feels special. It's an important lesson; in an incredibly mediated age, people will also value spectacle. I'm hoping to see them again. Lots.
funny. we went there today to see the old mexican movie los olvivafos and stayed afterwards to see portico quartet. great band, i saw them a year ago playing on southbank for some money, i knew they would go somewhere, really enjoyable!
the most interesting part of the evening was barbican itself though. it was the first time for me there and its stunning. such a cool version of a 70s utopia. but completely unpractical and resembles more a maze. still love it. you have to admire this vision of a perfect small city for the future human.
Posted by: Waldemar | July 16, 2007 at 12:05 AM
Yeah, the Bays are really great, and their vision about music is very nice; I first heard on them on Marry Anne Hobs' show on Radio 1, and then downloaded some of their stuff; hope to see them live sometime, it sure must be a great experience.
Posted by: Alex Rosu | July 18, 2007 at 08:14 AM