Showing posts with label gigs. Show all posts
Showing posts with label gigs. Show all posts
Gilles Peterson Impressed...
get yourself down to Ronnie Scotts's this weekend - Roots Manuva with special guest Tony Allen on Friday (DJ set from the G Pizzle), and then brother darkness himself, the bPm DJ-ing on Saturday. See you there....
Final Day Beach Party @ WF Sete 2009
Lots of DJ's on rotation all day, found a spot by the dancefloor, chilling on a lounger, boiling hot.... lovely. Absolutely gorgeous people everyone, sun kissed skin on impossible bodies.... beautiful women everywhere you turned, everyone on the good vibes, a music lovers affair, fantastic!
Spent the whole afternoon drinking / chillin / dancing / people watching all afternoon... highlights included (but not limited to) Lefto dropping a nice mixed bag (that included Award Tour), and DJ Sub from Reprazent dropping a little drum'n'BASS (one crazy ass d'n'b remix of Human Nature!).... by the time the main man GP came on at 9pm, the beach was absolutely RAM UP!
Gilles smashed it as always with a trademark eclectic set... to hear Jill Scotts Golden played out on a beach in the heat was a REAL TREAT! Was also a nice upcoming downtempo track from Fat Freddy's Drop... all the hallmarks of some solid GP business really, exactly what you want :)
After Gilles came Simbad.... and so came some heavy dubstep / d'n'b / anything else that was gonna provide general chestplate business - bass was turned UP, and the main beach area in front of the DJ booth was POPPIN OFF!!! went in there a few times by the speakers, what a vibe, what energy... CRAZY!
HIGHLIGHT - Simbad dropping Thriller to a backdrop of moonlight glistening off the ocean - simply incredible!!!
At some point, Dean pitched up with a botle of voddo, we got a couple of bottles of wine, and then Dean balled in with another bottle of champs.... it was now gone midnight, i'd been partying for a solid 12 hours, and there was still another 3-4 to go!!
With the moonlight shining bright, we took a moment to raise a toast - Dean, Mike, Trist, and myself - sat on the sand looking out to sea, trying to soaking it all in.... what a weekend!
After that, was pretty blurry if i'm honest?! Carried on raving til the early hours, dunno what time we got back... all i know is that it was a 16 hour jamdown, and i gotta be at the train station soon - man I need some rest.
zzzzz
WF Day Three - Saturday Night
So after Jimi Tenor Live, i headed down to St. Christ for the last night at the pier - Fulgeance, Alex from Jazzanova, local cat Boozig, and Larent Garnier live. Linked Dean, Mike, Fab, and Lyndsey in the VIP and got our rum on...
So yeah, by the time i headed in the pit, Fulgeance was already playing - dunno much about this guy, but man was using two MPC2000's for his performance so props must go out... Tunes sounded heavy, super thumping, he was obviously loving it... and I totally understand why too - to plug your MPC into a system like that and have a play??!?! Man, i'd be buzzing too...
Next up was Alex from Jazzanova - he absoluted ROCKED IT! Sound system was cranked, and the b-line was tumping - it peaked at Plastic Dreams by Jaydee, and then again when he dropped the original demo version of Don't Stop Til You Get Enough (one of many MJ tributes throughout the weekend...). By this time, the crowd was heaving, everyone ready and up for it - everyone was waiting for Laurent Garnier.
Should point out that by this time, my camera had given up the ghost (hence no pictures).... well, it actually died during Jimi Tenor - battery ran out, and my travel plug adaptor decided up stop working. tried to find another one, but no joy... what a time for it to go, gutted, there was so much more i wanted to film. Still, at least I managed to get a sneaky minute of Jimi Tenor playing Global Party...
Anyways, by this point, i was safely plotting backstage as the venue was now completely ram up - anticipation was high - France was so ready for man himself, Mr. Laurent Garnier. Due to lack of equipment / last minute rushing, it took them a good half hour to build and sound check a very elaborate setup - numerous laptops, about 40 banks of faders spread accross 3 control surfaces, couple of drum controller pads, a few synths.... and that was just for Laurent!! Worth mentioning there was also a fender rhodes (with a beautiful sounding wah wah), couple more synths, guitar, plus 3 piece horns, so this obviously wasn't a regular DJ set...
Can't say the music was 100% my bag, but similar to watching Carl Craig - an inspiration to watch a master of their craft command the stage. Music styles went right accross the board (house, d'n'b, techno, afro house).... everyone was buzzing, hype set. Watched it from up top, but did have to go in with Ekow down in the thick of it for the d'n'b number...
Gotta give props to Ekow - really cool guy, drummer with Jimi Tenor, member of Kabu Kabu, played with Tony Allen, & Wumi to name a few... proper safe... we had a proper mashup one!!! He's got his own record coming too Going For Gold, look out for that.....
Back to Larent Garnier - i'm so, SO gutted i didn't have my camera for this one as the crowd were just wild, without a doubt the most packed the venue has been over the whole festival. Mad energy, what a great vibe.
After Laurent, a local cat from Montpellier, the DJ known as Boozig. Didn't know much about this guy - rocked an electro influenced set that kept the crowd hype after Laurent Garnier, no mean feat.
Finished up about 6am, and thankfully managed to blag a lift back to the hotel - after walking throughout the day, and also with my rucksack, needed that ride... Finished up in the boulangerie over the road from the hotel, sitting outside in the blazing sunshine, eating some dodgy hotdog concoction?! Better get some zzzz, last day tomorrow, and you know it's gonna be BIG...
Day Three - Saturday daytime @ WF Sete
Another beautiful day in Sete, so decided to walk over to ACD beach today.... ended up taking well over an hour, but the sun was blazing, and the walk is along was the coast so all good. Excited to catch the bPm's set this afternoon at the beach, know he has the killer selections, man's ready to bogle!
When I got the beach, Aline & Da Vince were in the mix - really nice set, dropped a very sneaky downtempo house remix of Busta Rhymes & Missy Elliot's Touch It, loved that one, need to find it... anyone?!
Must have been around 5:30 when the bPm stepped up - no need to tell you he smashed it as always! Nice mixed bag from the darkness, had me and many others grooving from the get go. Highlights for me were Suges' We Belong To The Night, and Heatwave's Boogie Nights (a bit of a bPm signature!?)... yeah, loving the selections, hardest I've got down so far....
So after the ACD party, I walked to the Theatre De La Mer - once again, stunning backdrop, probably the most gorgeous music venue i have had the pleasure of being at.... nice food backstage too! oysters, great salads, fresh bread, pasta, couscous, rose wine.... Sophie dem arrived today - with the exception of Chif (missed you man), the crew was now complete
First of the two live music acts scheduled for tonight was Mocky - didn't know much about Mocky apart from what it said in the programme, but took a seat midway up, and tuned in. If asked to categorise the sound of Mocky, I'd have to say hip-hop / experimental / with a touch of folk?! What i loved about his set was the fantastic blend of instruments used for the performance - a sumptuous pallette of sounds, that compliment each other so well, it gives you a sound on the right side of sickly sweet - Upright Piano & Fender Rhodes (mk1 i think?), Flute & Vox, Viola, Upright Bass & Percussion (looked like Giovanni Congas...), and Drums (lovely 18" bass drum) & Vox... yeah, a perfect sonic to the visual backdrop.
After Mocky was the band I'd come to see - the wonderful Jimi Tenor live - rude, rude, RUDE!! A very close call against Soil & "Pimp" Sessions for the top show!? Three piece brass with Jimi going between keyboards and sax... killer bass player Patrick Frankowski with the most beautiful, warm sound.... Drummer Ekow Alabi Savage from Ghana, & percussionist Akinola Famson from Lagos, Nigeria - KABU KABU IN THE HOUSE, afrobeat, K I L L E R grooves, man these guys can play!
The floor in front of the stage quickly filled up, great energy, definate good times vibes, loved it. Special shout to the rhythm section on this one for playing the groove C O L D A S I C E !!! Highlight was the afrobeat laced Global Party from Jimi's latest release 4th Dimension. A really cool bunch of cats, had a long nater with the Eko (the drummer) backstage after the show, real real cool.
Again, as after the Soil & "Pimp" Sessions, I could have gone home a happy man, but there was Jazzanova followed by Laurent Garnier to come. I'd heard backstage that there were a few problems - Laurents gear didn't turn up, nor did Alex's records - apparently Alex was sat in his hotel frantically burning CD's trying to put his set together, whilst a mad scramble around Sete for wires for Laurent ensued....
LINKS
who is the bPm?
Suges on myspace
Chif Music
Mocky
Jimi Tenor
Kabu Kabu
Ekow Savage
Akinola Famson
The Weekend Has Landed - Friday - Soil & "Pimp" Sessions, Martyn, and Carl Craig
On to the music - we were it a little late, so unfortunately didn't get to see Elan Mehler play. As we arrived, Sebastien Schuller was just going on stage. I guess i'd describe it as a curious blend of indie / rock / electronic... some with vocals, some instrumentals.... felt right for the time and surroundings, yeah, nice.
After Sebastien we had Soil and "Pimp" Sessions - don't really have the words to describe these guys - simply AWESOME!!! The music, the vibe, the clothes, the players,.... just KILLIN!!!!! It's been a long time since i've seen a band for the first time, and been blown away... but man, these guys absolutely smashed it, a real force at work.
For those of you that don't know about Soil and "Pimp" Sessions, you need to - a six piece Japanese jazz band made up of Midorin (drums), Akita Goldman (bass), Josei (piano, keys), Tabu Zombie (trumpet), Motoharu (sax), and President aka Shacho (agitator) - put together, the stage exploded, they popped off!! Can't say enough good things about this band, so refreshing to see and hear... each player commands their respective instruments, and the sum of all parts just nails it... and to top if off, they're proper safe too! Check the video, check their myspace page, become fans.... trust me, have a listen.... so worth it, highlight of the festival for me, absolutely brilliant.
Anyways, after their amazing performance, i would have been happy to call it a night.... but obviously couldn't - scheduled for the main stage tonight was Dorian Concept, Martyn, and Mr. Carl Craig. Couldn't go straight though cause I had to slide back to get my earplugs and another memory card (filming Soil and "Pimp" Sessions cained my camera). Had a bit of a moment on the way back with the weather - that unmistakable smell of a storm brewing was in the air, and it started to rain. With all the venues being outdoor, that would've been a big problem... but thankfully it stopped, and we headed back to the main stage... at 1:30am.
As we walked down the pier towards the venue, a bass line started creeping in - a bass line that had Martyn written all over it!! Soon as we got in, had to roll backstage and get down on the stage! Some killer bits from Martyn as always, deep in it as always, i dig this guy and his music. His whole set had this infectious groove to it, one of them shoulder poppers if you know what i mean... couldn't stop getting down, rude, rude, RUDE!
And then to the main event - Detroits finest, the one and only Mr. Carl Craig. Straight off the bat, there was no messing - man went in DEEEEEP, and stayed there, proper chestplate business!! It's always awe-inspring to watch a master of his craft at work, and this was certainly the case for me watching Carl Craig. I sat backstage for over an hour watching him do his thing, working the crowd, and just going off! Maximum respect goes out, a true professional, an honor to watch.
Grabbed a pain au chocolate on the way back to the hotel, and strolled home watching the sun rise. It's now gone 7am, and I've been treated to some amazing music tonight. Thank you Soil and "Pimp" Sessions, thank you Martyn, thank you Carl Craig.
Later on today i get to see Jimi Tenor live, followed by Jazzanova on the main stage, finishing with none other than Mr. Laurent Garnier. Oh, and the bPizZaaM is playing on the beach - yep, It's gonna be another big one.....
LINKS
Soil & "Pimp" Sessions on myspace
Soil & "Pimp" Sessions @ Victor Entertainment
Martyn on myspace
Theo Parish and Diplo @ Phare Du Mole, Sete
First night of Worldwide last night, so i'm bit fuzzy today... walked down there with The bPm, and Naomi, about half hour from the hotel... beautiful venue right by the sea, backstage up by the lighthouse... real cool.
On to the tunes, on to Mr. Theo Parish - some gorgeous music, Detroit in the house! Just a shame that the sound wasn't tumping as hard as is should have (man bought his own mixer, but didn't get to sound check it...). But some heavy tunes, nice to hear a 2 hour set played off vinyl... really great energy from Theo, deep stuff man, feeling it!!
After the Parish came Diplo.... if I'm being honest, i don't know how hard i was feeling his set? Don't get me wrong, there were a few killer tunes, but overall, wasn't really FEELING it if you know what i mean. Whole set played off Serato too.... hmmmm!??!?
But yeah, a nice little opener, nothing too mad, setting the tone for the rest of the weekend. Don't think i'll be saying the same about tonight - Dorian Concept, Martyn, and Carl Craig - for me, it's all about Martyn right now, loving his sound... Just hoping there's not another four in the morning walk home and realising The motherf*cking bPm had lost the hotel key moment....
PLANES, TRAINS, AUTOMOBILES.... A BUS, AND A SUITCASE WITH BROKEN HANDLE
Made it to Luton Airport this morning after a night of running about, trying to get everything ready.... 3 hours sleep, then a drive to Luton Airport at 7:30am, not much fun.... but I'm off to Worldwide Festival, Sete, so all good!
The sun is shining, and it's an absolute heater in London - got off the bus (from the supposed local the car park) to find the handle on my wheelie suitcase bust up... so I'm hunched over trying to wheel it without a handle looking like a proper chief! A £2 bottle of water and a £1 ziplock bag for security later (yes, they've for got wise to the game and started charging for them...), I managed to fix up a little string /carrier bag solution to the suitcase handle.... yes, this is a proper ghetto move, and i look like an even bigger chief.... but I'm a chief with a handle....
Landed at Nimes Airport to cloud and drizzle, but still very humid. Pretty small airport, guess quaint is the word.... a little vending machine for coffee, and three trolleys at the whole place.... yeah, quaint...
Found out that the station is actually in the town rather than anywhere near the airport, so was gonna be a bus or taxi ride. Met some fellow Sete revelers at the airport who spoke french, so chilled with them whilst looking for a way into town, cool cats...
After finding the only bus into town was full, had to order a cab into central Nimes.... sounds like a fairly simple ting, but fast forward an hour, and we were still chillin out front waiting for a cab - even the peeps who worked at the airport had started to leave...
Anyways, the madcap taxi driver finally arrived and got us to the station in one piece... just... bought my ticket from the machine, ran to the platform to see my train slowly crawling out of the station - sheeeit! I would say it's looking like one of those journeys, but the sun is back out, and Ryan didn't f*ck up, so I'd say I'm doing alright.
Quick coffee, few snaps, and i'm on the next train as i type. Trains here are decent, definately a step up from the Silverlink... beautiful views, super smooth...
another half hour, and I'll be in Sete ready for the madness to begin.
Gilles Peterson Worldwide Festival 2009 - here we go....
Worldwide Festival, Sete
heading out to Sete, France for the Gilles Peterson Worldwide festival tomorrow morning... internet access permitting, will be posting sights & sounds both here, and on www.holdboxflat.com ... so yeah, tune in all weekend for the goodness....
peace
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