Eurosonic 2007

January 14th, 2007 by J-One

Traditionally every music year starts with the Noorderslagweekend in Grunn’. Starting at thursday and friday (pdf-alerts) with the Eurosonic-festival and the saturday Noorderslag itself. While Noorderslag is an all dutch-party, Eurosonic is a showcase festival for the new lightning of musicians from Europe. The ideal place to check what will be hot (or not) this year!

During Eurosonic in every lousy bar with a stage there are performances. In total more than 100 bands made their waiting in two days. So it is very important to prepare yourself and to plan a route in advance (including backups). Otherwise your ending up in queues and missing that essential gig. Below a report of the route yours trully has followed. Do you want a complete coverage of the Noorderslag Weekend? Check out the 3voor12 site!

Eurosonic: Day One
Eurosonic: Day Two

Day One

Johnossi (Huize Maas, front)
We got a John, we got an Ossi. What’s that spell. Johnossi. The proof that only an (electric driven) acoustic guitarist and a drummer can make nice music. Despite the minimal use of instruments, the sound is very diverse. In the café setting of Huize Maas their music came fully to their right. A nice opener of the Eurosonic festival and definitely a band which we’ll hear from!
Verdict: w000t

Planningtorock (USVA)
The next band, Planningtorock, is hailing from Germany, although the sole member Janine Rostron was born in the UK. Over a layer of electronic beats/music she screams/sings. Fine for twenty minutes, after that the repetive sound begins to annoy and the use of the visuals and attributes don’t make up for that. Just a rivella with an somewhat bitter aftertaste!
Verdict: w00t

Dirty Love Letters (Buckshot Café)
During EuroSonic there was also Grunn’ Sonic, a showcase festival of local bands. Dirty Love Letters is a funk band with an nice rythm section. A solid sound which is a little let down with the use of raps. Although it adds to the diversity of the set, the tracks with “normal” singing were more enjoyable.
Verdict: w00t

Lo-Fi-FNK (USVA)
Straight from the couch of “Praatjesmakers” comes Lo-Fi-FNK. Luckily the workinspection had a day off, otherwise these youngsters had no chance to perform. But nevertheless, the music they bring sounds very mature. A set full of (old school) electropop, which lays easy in the ears. And with an smile around our face we leave the USVA to continue our Eurosonic route! (audio, rm-alert)
Verdict: w0000t

Super Elastic Bubble Plastic (De Spieghel)
The first disappointment of the evening was the queue for the Islaja gig (audio, rm-alert). So we had to change our route and we went to Super Elastic Bubble Plastic. In a crowded “Spieghel” the band played plain simple guitar based music. Nothing more and nothing less. Well played but after three tracks you know the score, so we left the Spieghel for the next band.
Verdict: w00t

Mau Mau (Stadsschouwburg)
This year Eurosonic had their spotlights pointed at Italy. Mau Mau is an Italian band which brings the music from around the world. A uptempo Manu Chao, so you can describe Mau Mau. With musical influences from Africa the sound is very diverse and very danceable. Advise for the next time: leave the intermezzos between the tracks behind and just play! (audio, rm-alert)
Verdict: w000t

The Staggers (De Spieghel)
Rock & Roll according the books. Just that! Nice for 15 minutes after that The Staggers will only satisfy the rock & roll die hards.
Verdict: w00t

Leningrad (Stadsschouwburg)
Klezmerrock at its best! Leningrad from (surprisingly) Russia delivers a klezmer sound what’s soaked with vodka. Not the home made stuff, no the Russky Standart quality we’re talking about. With 14(!) men on the stage and an enthusiasic crowd, there was something special happening at the Stadsschouwburg venue! Great gig! (audio, rm-alert)
Verdict: w0000t

Enter Shikari (Vindicat)
One of the acts tipped by the knowers was Enter Shikari. In the bunker of Vindicat (don’t google), since WOII still left in old style, Enter Shikari played a mixture of eurohouse, trance, trash, grunts and hardcore (punk). What at first sight looked very promising was in reality a big disappointment. The Spinal Tap of the hardcore scene? Despite a very energetic presentation at stage, the flame didn’t reach the public (except for a few brainless moshers). (audio, rm-alert)
Verdict: wOt?

Pages: 1 2