What concert did you attend in 2018?

kuma posted:

Ardbeg10y posted:

 

 

p.s. Interestingly, according to the RCO next year's schedule, he's booked next year on 15 June to conduct a Bruckner's 4th. Perhaps he changed his mind about taking sabbatical after he turns 90...

Not only that, he is also on the list for Bruckner 7, May 9, 10, 11 2019 in Berlin.

In the concert program:

'Dirigent des Abends ist Bernard Haitink, der sich nach der Pause Anton Bruckners Siebter Symphonie widmet'

So he does have a break but apparently not too long.

That's a good news!

Perhaps he'd still conduct in Europe but probably not crossing the big pond.

Just came back from a concert with the Dieter Ilg Trio playing Bach. Was quite ok, while I can do with a bit more motion in a jazz concert. The bass solo from Dieter was by the way not from this earth, fantastic. Will publish the pictures tomorrow.

Two pictures of the Dieter Ilg concert...., a fine bass player, and by the way also the pianist is exceptional...., the drummer was sometimes too loud...

21st November, and to Café OTO in Dalston, the epicentre of lOndon's avant-garde scene, to see up and coming trumpet sensation Jaimie Branch play the first of two nights.

Backed by cello, double bass and drums, Branch gave the audience two hour-long sets of breathtaking musicianship and daring improv. The first set was based around her wonderful debut album "Fly Or Die"; the second, a brand new suite called "A Prayer For America" (as a Latino, you might be able to guess that Jaimie is not much of a Trump fan).

The crowd wenr mad, and the quartet came back for an encore - a high energy piece called "Fly Like A T-Bird", based around Steve Miller's "Fly Like An Eagle".

This might well have been my gig of the year. Utterly superb.

Both nights were taped, so I am really looking forward to hearing the results.

Any band that comprises the rhythm section of the EST (Dan Bergland and Magnus Öström) with Scandi keyboard wiz Bugge Wesseltoft was always going to be an intriguing prospect, and so it proved when we went to see Rymden, the aforementioned trio, at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on 22nd November.

We had brilliant seats - third row, dead centre - so were able to observe the interplay between the musicians, as well as Magnus' intricate percussion work. There was some grumbling in the foyer afterwards about bombast (which I felt was musical explosiveness) and the use of a light show. While I don't think Rymden quite achieved the heights of the EST, they look like being an exciting live prospect. 

The band's label recorded the first tune they played, "The Odyssey", which is available on Spotify now:

https://open.spotify.com/track...Img4j5RcajC_mWGLDRjw

To the Corsica Studios in London's Elephant & Castle (23rd November) for a storming show by yet another up-and-coming British jazzer, clarinet player Arun Ghosh.

A hugely energetic, genre-busting set, the night was only slightly spoiled by some over-officious jobsworths at the door and in the venue.

Review here: http://www.londonjazznews.com/...corsica-studios.html

Kevin-W posted:

Any band that comprises the rhythm section of the EST (Dan Bergland and Magnus Öström) with Scandi keyboard wiz Bugge Wesseltoft was always going to be an intriguing prospect, and so it proved when we went to see Rymden, the aforementioned trio, at the Queen Elizabeth Hall on 22nd November.

We had brilliant seats - third row, dead centre - so were able to observe the interplay between the musicians, as well as Magnus' intricate percussion work. There was some grumbling in the foyer afterwards about bombast (which I felt was musical explosiveness) and the use of a light show. While I don't think Rymden quite achieved the heights of the EST, they look like being an exciting live prospect. 

The band's label recorded the first tune they played, "The Odyssey", which is available on Spotify now:

https://open.spotify.com/track...Img4j5RcajC_mWGLDRjw

Hope to be able to see them in the coming year. I think they form an interesting combination which can only grow on longer interplay.

[@mention:13111295364991225] - that's my feeling too. I think they will be quite something in a year's time, if they get enough playing time.

24th November and last of a hectic run of LJF gigs. This time it was to The Cockpit Theatre, a small venue in Marylebone that specialises in fringe productions and jazz in the round. This particular evening we were treated to a two-set show by Jah Wobble and his brilliant band, The Invaders Of The Heart (Wob's son Charlie Wardle also guested on one number, playing a japanese instrument I couldn't identify).

The set was almost entirely instrumental, with a bias towards jazz choons and film themes, plus a few PiL and IotH numbers thrown in. Top stuff, and The Wobster is becoming more affable - like a twinkly naughty uncle - as he gets older.

Will be attending this bash tonight. ????

Sunday, 9th December, and to the glorious setting of Glyndebourne, Sussex for the annual Christmas Concert, with conductor Jack ridley, chorus master Matthew Fletcher, The Glyndebourne Chorus, the Glyndebourne Tour Orchestra and the Glyndebourne Youth Orchestra.

Programme 1 consisted of a selection of "operatic showpieces", including Handel, Mozart, Verdi, Strauss, G&S, Offenbach, Tchaikovsky and Ponchielli.

The second half consisted of traditional mas music, carols, etc.

Very enjoyable, although I though the orchestra was rather too hesitant; I'd rather they attacked the material more with a bit more gusto.

Still, it was all very civislised and the mince pies were very nice!

Thursday, 13th December and to The Indigo at the 02, a much nicer venue than its big brother in the same dome. This was to see what was being billed as the "last ever' full band gig by The Pretty Things (these days, just Phil and Dick), accompanied by a certain Mr Gilmour and (boo!) Van bloody Morrison. As you can see from the setlist below, it was a very long gig, stuffed to the gills with greasy R&B, psych, blues and even a bit of whimsy.

 While Gilmour was ace, as you would expect, Van bloody Morrison, what is he for? All he did was standing there looking fat and grumpy, while occasionally growling into a microphone and forgetting his words (or where he was). Still even this overrrated curmudgeon couldn't ruin what was a thoroughly enjoyable evening. "LSD" was for me a real highlight.

Edit this setlist | More The Pretty Things setlists

PROGRAM

Stravinsky Concerto in D for String Orchestra
Prokofiev Violin Concerto No. 2
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6 (Pathétique)

PERFORMERS

Michael Tilson Thomas /CSO
Nicola Benedetti violin

Cuty Nicola made a CSO debut. She was just so adorable!! I thoroughly enjoyed her rendition of Prokofiev VC2. Chicago audience loved her performance. I hope she'll come back soon!

MTT's Tchaikovsky, OTOH, was just ok. this 3rd movement was probably the best part and you can see the audience went wild. For me, tho, he went for a superficial expected direction and it was missing that real gravitas especially on the final quiet movement. The final note had no impact as well as the 2nd movement lacked irony. I felt that he went for a conventional expected approach.

Stravinsky'a Concerto in D was quite nice, however. Very rhythmic and the band was right on the money.

Kevin-W posted:

 

Thursday, 13th December and to The Indigo at the 02, a much nicer venue than its big brother in the same dome. This was to see what was being billed as the "last ever' full band gig by The Pretty Things (these days, just Phil and Dick), accompanied by a certain Mr Gilmour and (boo!) Van bloody Morrison. As you can see from the setlist below, it was a very long gig, stuffed to the gills with greasy R&B, psych, blues and even a bit of whimsy.

 While Gilmour was ace, as you would expect, Van bloody Morrison, what is he for? All he did was standing there looking fat and grumpy, while occasionally growling into a microphone and forgetting his words (or where he was). Still even this overrrated curmudgeon couldn't ruin what was a thoroughly enjoyable evening. "LSD" was for me a real highlight.

Edit this setlist | More The Pretty Things setlists

From that fine photo, it looks like Dave has lost a bit of weight...?

Stevee_S posted:

From that fine photo, it looks like Dave has lost a bit of weight...?

Indeed Steve - perhaps Polly put him on a weight reduction programme just before Xmas?! No sex for you, Daveyboy, until that gut goes!

To the Shepherd's Bush Empire on 15th December to see how my girls have been getting on as backing vocalists on the Alabama 3 UK Winter Tour 2018.

Ese and Sheena have not only been providing backing vox but they've also been given some time at the front of the stage, and the band have also been performing Ese's own "Silver Spoon". I hadn't had a chance to catch any of the tour dates before the final one at Shepherd's Bush so it was with some excitement I took my seat at the side of the stage. It was a great show - the A3 have lost none of their energy over the years and Larry, Jake, Steve, Rock and co were very generous towards the girls.

Great show and I enjoyed catching up with old faces like Aurora Dawn and the Rev Be Atwell at the aftershow party. 

You can see a vid of the performance of "Silver Spoon" above.

kuma posted:

PROGRAM

Stravinsky Concerto in D for String Orchestra
Prokofiev Violin Concerto No. 2
Tchaikovsky Symphony No. 6 (Pathétique)

PERFORMERS

Michael Tilson Thomas /CSO
Nicola Benedetti violin

Cuty Nicola made a CSO debut. She was just so adorable!! I thoroughly enjoyed her rendition of Prokofiev VC2. Chicago audience loved her performance. I hope she'll come back soon!

 

 

Love Nicola Benedetti, I have seen her a few times at Symphony Hall Birmingham, always good value.

Nice Morton.

I hope to see her again. I really enjoyed her playing. I was disappointed she did not play any encore, tho. 

But she looked so genuine and looked much younger than in a photograph!

Penultimate gig of 2018 for me was at the Railway Tavern in Tulse Hill - a benefirt for Lambeth Green Party, as well as that organisation's Xmas social.

Playing were, of course, Ese and her Vooduu People. On this occasion they consisted of Pharoah on drums, Gabor on bass and Sheena on backing vox.

A great two-set show, with the emphasis on improv in the second half.

SET 1: I Don't Mind (Pop version) - Up In Smoke - Where Did I Go Wrong? - Dub - Family Affair - Police & Thieves [Junior Murvin song]  -Grey -  I Don't Mind (Jazz version) - She Said [Plan B song] - Keep On

SET 2: Jam - Rap - Dub - Jam 2 - Jam 3 - Alien - Peace Of Mind - How To Spot a Sociopath - R.E.S.P.E.C.T. [Aretha Franklin song] - Vampire - Fly Away [Lenny Kravitz song] - Silver Spoon - Crazy [Gnarls Barkley song]

Kevin-W posted:

Penultimate gig of 2018 for me was at the Railway Tavern in Tulse Hill - a benefirt for Lambeth Green Party, as well as that organisation's Xmas social.

Playing were, of course, Ese and her Vooduu People. On this occasion they consisted of Pharoah on drums, Gabor on bass and Sheena on backing vox.

A great two-set show, with the emphasis on improv in the second half.

SET 1: I Don't Mind (Pop version) - Up In Smoke - Where Did I Go Wrong? - Dub - Family Affair - Police & Thieves [Junior Murvin song]  -Grey -  I Don't Mind (Jazz version) - She Said [Plan B song] - Keep On

SET 2: Jam - Rap - Dub - Jam 2 - Jam 3 - Alien - Peace Of Mind - How To Spot a Sociopath - R.E.S.P.E.C.T. [Aretha Franklin song] - Vampire - Fly Away [Lenny Kravitz song] - Silver Spoon - Crazy [Gnarls Barkley song]

Kev, I luv catching your sarf London gigs on here like the  Railway Tavern, Tulse Hill so many of them are old haunts of mine from the late sixties through to the seventies, great memories from decades ago and good to know the scene(s) are still going...  

Final concert of the year was on 28th December at the famous Hootananny in Brixton, where Ese, Basile, Pharoah and Sheena were (surprisingly) making their E&TVP debut.

Syd, a French fan of the band, came over from Strasbourg to catch the show and shot the video above.

Apart from the sound man dicking about, this was the perfect way to end the year - with a high-energy show.

Setlist: Up In Smoke - Fairytale - I Don’t Mind - Alien - Grey - Where Did I Go Wrong? - Dub - Family Affair - Keep On - Peace Of Mind - Silver Spoon

Already in the beginning of the year I joined Shoshin in the Golden Saloon of Hafenklang in Hamburg. One of those concerts by accident, that is, heard just one song (Thanks But No Thanks) in the radio, and decided to go there.

Hafenklang is a pretty small location and Golden Saloon does not take more than something 100  people, so pretty easy to be in almost first row. And, damn, for just two guitars and drums they make pretty pressure with unexpected clear sound even live.