Show Review: Camera Obscura @ De Balie, April 15th

Last night's show was planned at Paradiso, but for logistical purposes was moved to the nearby "De Balie". Definitely not a bad decision, because this venue -normally used as a theatre- perfectly suited the intimacy of Camera Obscura's show.

I really didn't have any expectations from the show, but I was pretty impressed. I can't really put my finger on what it is, but there's something about this band. Sure...one could argue that nothing happens on stage. The band just stands there performing some songs. The only member who shows some energy is the multinstrumentalist who played percussion, trumpet and at times guitar. I cant disagree with that, however, I argue that this stage presence complements the bands sound and style perfectly. Singer Tracyanne Campbell is the absolute star of the band. With a voice to die for she grabs your attention, almost like putting a spell on you. She made the slower songs sound so vulnerable and delicate that there was almost complete silence in the audience. A sight not often seen or heard at a show and it was beautiful. The faster songs sounded tight and more powerful than on record. Camera Obscura is definitely a band whose live show adds elements to their records. In fact, while travelling to work this morning, I played the albums Let's Get Out Of This Country and Underachievers, Please Try Harder and it's like I appreciate the band more...I get songs I didn't use to "get". It's definitely a plus to have these positive associations from the live experience!

Conclusion: definitely a great show. Intimate, fun and dreamy. As an encore the band played a decent cover of Abba's Super Trooper. Not bad. Not bad at all.

The band just released their fourth single (Tears For Affairs) of the album. Below you'll find all four video's from the Let's Get Out Of This Country album. Enjoy!

Video: Camera Obscura - Tears For Affairs


Video: Camera Obscura - Let's Get Out Of This Country


Video: Camera Obscura - If Looks Could Kill


Video: Camera Obscura - Hey Loyd, I'm Ready To Be Heartbroken

Show Review: I'm From Barcelona @ Melkweg

Zero percent pretentiousness, one hundred percent fun. That basically sums up an I'm from Barcelona show. Yesterday was no exception, though I have to admit that I liked last year's Utrecht show a little more. For instance, their were less Swedes (but I still counted 18) on stage than at the previous show and the Amsterdam audience was a little less excited (but still way more excited that normal at a sunday show).

The band's enthusiasm again was very contagious and you rarely see this amount of equality between a band and the audience. Although their setlist showed similarities with their previous show in the Netherlands, they played some other songs as well. At first I wasn't really (or really wasn't) into their Bryan Adams cover of Can't Stop This Thing We Started, but they managed to give this song a typical I'm from Barcelona sound. Singer Emanuel started the intro of Purple Rain, but unfortunately, they didn't pursue that one...

Adventure Kid, who made a techno 8bit version of their hit song We're from Barcelona delivered the after party, with bandmembers partying and dancing along with the audience...good times!

Download Adventure Kid's version of We're From Barcelona by clicking here!

Show Review: The Fratellis @ Melkweg

I'm under some bad spell considering shows lately. I wanted to go to the Hold Steady show feb. 10th, but it is already sold out. The same goes for The Fratellis show of last monday. My big brother thaNniSh did have tickets and was kind enough to write a short review [thanx!].

Costello Music was one of last years most enjoyable albums. Nearly six months after the release of their debut album, The Fratellis finally toured the Netherlands. Although it was in the Old Hall in the Melkweg and on a monday night, it was worth the wait! In comparision to Razorlight, this was definitely a band that seems to enjoy themselves on stage.

The first couple of songs were played very fast, which worked out well for some songs (Everybody Knows You Cried LastNight), but not for Flathead. The pa-da-da sing along felt victim to the speed - a shame! It was positive however to see the band expand their album tracks live. The crowd's reaction however was a bit tame; between songs it was almost completely silent.

Absolute highlight of the show was Chelsea Dagger. It was like everyone was waiting for this moment: the crowd went erserk..goosebumps! Surprisingly enough this was not the last song. It was followed up by Ole Black 'N' Blue Eyes after which an encore of three songs (including a semi-acoustic version of For the Girl) concluded the show.

3voor12 has put the Fratellis show in Haarlem of last week online here.

The 3 best shows of 2006

The Pipettes were totally fun live, the farewell show of Boy Sets Fire was suiting and intimate, the voice of Kate Jackson(the Long Blondes) blew me way, Islands and David & the Citizens were some of the pleasant surprises and singing along to Good Clean Fun was still fun in 2006, but these are the three best shows (in no particular order) I went to this year.

I'm From Barcelona @ De Helling (December 8th)
I was really anxious for this show with expectations at unreasonable heights, but I totally had a blast. Seldom did I have so much fun at a show and time never went by this fast at a show before (except for the Kiss reunion tour in '96 of course). My cheeks hurted from smiling all the time and I kept wondering why I didn't brought out more friends to this show. They would have loved it. Not a soul left the building without a smile!

[read a review in Dutch by 3voor12 here]

Okkervil River @ Rotown (May 13th)
The combination of intimate songs, rocking songs, emotional songs together with the sheer class of the musicians made this a memorable evening. Far to few people attented this show, but I was more than impressed. I liked Okkervil River before the show, but I'd never really got them until this show. Now they're one of my all time favorites.

I will never forget the 50 or 60 year old dude in the audience who sang along to every word, giving some other old dudes faith that they would also still be cool at that age...

The New Pornographers @ De Helling (May 14th)
It's hard not to fall in love with this band. On record, this band makes the finest (power)pop songs you'll ever hear. Live, these songs sound even better. With a beautiful intro working up to an extreme climax, their version of 'The Bleeding Heart Show' was my favorite live moment of 2006. This band doesn't have a cool image or a lot of personality on stage, but they don't really need with songs that good.

This show was so awesome that it turned my show going buddies Pete Moore and Jen from skeptical yet openmindend to awestruck and fans for life.

[read a review in Dutch by 3voor12 here]

So...what were your favorite shows of 2006?

Show Review: I'm From Barcelona @ De Helling

The I'm From Barcelona show of last night was much anticipated at FTC Headquarters. Before the show I was already certain that this was going to be quite the experience...and it was.

Moss (from Amsterdam) had the pleasure of opening for these crazy Swedes and they did it well. No matter the style of music, it's always nice to see good musicians at work and that was definitely the case at hand. I expect to hear more from this solid indierock/pop band that will release their debut album through Exelsior in a few months.
The main dish: I'm from Barcelona! I was afraid that the band would show up at minimal strength, but from the number of microphones on stage it was obvious that they were with plenty: I counted 20 Swedes. They played a festival in France the night before and after a 12 hour busdrive they were anxious to play. From the Barcelona intro (Freddy Mercury style) until the last song, this band was all over the place. My expectations were high, but actually I enjoyed myself so much more than expected.

First let me try to paint a picture of the setting: a dozen instruments (ukulele, tuba, flute, xylophone, keyboards etc.), bubble blowing and so many people on stage that you don't know where to look. They seem to perform with only one goal: giving the audience as good a time as they're having themselves. Their enthusiasm is so contagious that in no time you find yourself participating with handclaps, hip shaking, headbopping, handwaving, almost dancing (I'm not a dancer) and smiling...lots of smiles. In fact...I don't believe the grin lost my face during the show, which went by much too fast (time flies when you're...exactly).
Though I wished they played more songs, I liked what they did with the ones they did play, adding elements, slowing and speeding them up and stretching them out. They added the chorus of Madonna's 'Like a Prayer' at the end of 'Rec and Play' and played a new song that was inspired by the fascinating though akward documentary Grizzly Man. After telling the audience that the bubble making machine was broken and some people started chanting "We want Bubbles", singer Emanuel Lundgren created a new song ("We want Bubbles") on the spot. Another example of his improve skills was replacing the "damn!" in the song 'Oversleeping' with the Dutch translation "verdomme".

This band should be added to your must see list. Sure, it might be a little to happy for your taste, but I guarantee that you have a great time. It was a shame that so few people decided to come to this party (I don't believe attendance reached more than a 100), but in the end everyone was standing as close to the stage as possible, smiling and dancing. Not a soul left the building dissappointed and for one evening the world seemed a happy place (Ok, I can't believe I've just said that...).

I don't know...you just had to be there I guess! By the way, I found this awesome acoustic video (thanx to LaBlogotheque) which you might like.

Video: I'm From Barcelona - We're From Barcelona


[photography from the band's website, NOT from last night's show...]

Website | MySpace | Buy@Insound

Show Review: The Long Blondes @ Rotown

It might have been a good idea to buy tickets in advance, because there was already a long line standing outside of Rotown when we got there. Luckily we were in time to still get in.

De Nieuwe Vrolijkheid, invited by the Long Blondes themselves had the honours to open for a sold out crowd. This young artpop band from The Hague didn't impress me. It's great that they try to be original, but last night their act lacked the personality to pull it off. Technical difficulties and weak vocals (couldn't tell whether this was the band or the sound guy) didn't help them either.

Up next: The Long Blondes. If you haven't heard their single 'Once and Never Again', you haven't been paying attention (at least not to this blog hehe). The first thing I noticed was the personality of singer and born performer Kate Jackson. She grabs your attention without asking for it and she can sing...boy can she sing!!! I can't remember when I was this awe struck by the voice of a female singer at a show. Every note was full on and with so much conviction; she truly held nothing back. The played boredom of the (female) guitarist en bassist seems to suggest: it's all about Kate, never mind us. But in this case, it's the tightness of the band that provides the opportunity to shine for Kate Jackson.

Now I have to admit that my likeness to this bands is limited to certain songs. This is the kind of band I skip certain songs of. Their set last night was enough to keep my interest, not to short and not too long. The Long Blondes are fun live!

Video: The Long Blondes - Weekend Without Makeup

Website | MySpace | Buy@Amazon

Show Review: Strike Anywhere, the Loved Ones @ Bibelot

Some observations from last night's show in Dordrecht.

* Going to shows when you're tired is a bad idea.
* Bibelot, located in an old church, is a beautiful venue.
* This was the first time I had to pass a metal detector to enter a show. Luckily I wasn't stabbed to death, like at other venues.
* Churches are made for preaching, not for rocking. Well...there was some preaching. The sound however was really bad, but that's what you can expect with that acoustic.
* Support act The Real Danger was pretty good, solid cover of the Jam's 'In The City'!
* The Loved Ones were ok. They have some really good songs, but their songs really really sound the same. Watch their video for 100k below.
* Pretty lame crowd...
* I've seen Strike Anywhere once or twice before and their show was as energetic as the previous ones. Their sociopolitical hardcorepunk is done well and they show a lot of passion, but I wasn't really feeling it.
* Going to shows when you're tired is a bad idea.
* Don't judge a venue by its appearance.
* ...
* ...
* Actually, this evening wasn't that bad...or good...average

Show Review: David and the Citizens @ Rotown

I like going to shows. Most times, these are shows of bands that I already know and like, but last night I decided to check out a band I'd only heard a couple of songs of: David and the Citizens. The songs that I had heard were ok, nothing that special actually: just plain decent indierock. Therefore I didn't have high (if any at all) expectations for this show.

We were a bit late and missed the beginning of the set, but from the first song to the last this band this band was...really good! I was somewhat surprised by it, but these four sympathetic and humble Swedes put on a great show. With conviction they brought their songs with an energy I was missing in the songs I've heard from them before. Their pop/rock songs filled with the occasional trumpet and keyboards won the crowd over easily (imagine a lot of headbopping and dancing...). The singer told how they played the streets of Rotterdam in the afternoon (awesome!), which got them some money and food. From the number of people in Rotown (much more than I'd expected) I believe that also got some people wanting to check them out.

So, if you ever get the chance to see this band...please do! You won't regret it. For now, watch the two video's below! Click here to check out more of their songs.

Show Review: Samiam/The Draft @ De Helling

Monday isn't the best night for a show...it's not as bad as lazy sunday evening shows, but still...it's monday... Though I was pretty excited to finally see one of the best poppunk bands around, this night might've just as well turned out to another dissappointing monday night show. Luckily I got my money's worth last night in Utrecht.

I haven't really listened to the debut album ('In a Million Pieces) of The Draft yet. With three members of the great Hot Water Music this is a band that definitely deserves more interest from my behalve. Last night they showed that there is life after HWM. They are blessed with one of the best singers in punkrock today, while musically I think they can be seen as a more accessible (not better though) version of HWM. They played a solid set and I'm listening to their album as we speak. However, singer Chris Wollard was so stoned that his between song speeches sounded more like the late Steve Irwin than anything else. I'm glad it didn't affect his singing voice (which really was great), but it was actually quite lame...

Up next: Samiam.
What I like about this band? They write good songs. There's no image. Just 5 guys playing good music and that's exactly what they did yesterday. Starting off with one of the best opening lines I've ever heard on a show ("Here's some songs we know") they came out strong, opening with some classic Samiam songs. They finished their set strong too and although some people might say that the middle part (with some new songs en some slower songs) was kind of dull...I loved every minute of it. This is the poppunk I love. Heartfelt, well written songs sung passionately by (again) a great vocalist. This band has the gift to make you sing along like these songs are a part of you.

Thus...a 'unmondaylike' show. Samiam's 'She found you' has been stuck in my head. Check out the video below.

Samiam on MySpace

The Pipettes@Rotown

Last night I went to the Pipettes show in a sold out Rotown. With the buzz that have been surrounding them for the past half year, I was quite curious to see if this retro/bubblegum/indie/popband lived up to the hype. I've enjoyed their debut album 'We Are The Pipettes' quite a bit, but I didn't know how I would feel about the choreographed dance moves and if the band would be a cool indiepopband or a lame-ass radio popband live. Thus, my expectations weren't that high.


Eventually, I guess it took me three songs to get it into it. From the moment they started "Your Kisses are Wasted on Me" throughout the end of the show, I had a smile on my face. I'd never expected them to be so much fun live. The three Pipettes were determined to give the crowd an enjoyable evening and they succeeded. The crowd went from headboppin' to handclaps to dancing. Well ok...only some people danced, but everyone seemed to have a great show.

Some other observations:
* the vocals were totally on key...these girls can really sing, great harmonies!
* the choreographed dancemoves were actually pretty awesome
* the backing band (the cassettes) stood anonymously behind the the three girls, but played flawless. The drummer's hairdo was actually even worse than mine.
* Rose Pipette might be the cutest girl in indiepop
* the Pipettes live are much more enjoyable than on album
* clap your hands if you want some more? We did!

So yeah...I had a pretty cool night in Rotterdam yesterday! There is only one problem...their songs have been stuck in my head all day now...



Fabchannel will broadcast tonight's Amsterdam show live. It will probably be archived, so check Fabchannel if you're curious.

The Pipettes on MySpace