Swide has been embracing the theme of festivals the last few months and Mood Swings doesn’t want to feel left out. This week he brings you 3 sounds to bring the outside in.
There are two acceptable August activities: sunbathing on a beach and dancing on a beach. I tend to prefer the former as I do more than enough dancing during the winter season, but there are loads of festivals around the world that make for a good excuse to get off that chaise-longue and find a good spot in the crowd.
Whether it’s Seth Troxler or Ellen Allien at the Plages Electroniques in Cannes or The Kaiser Chiefs and Metronomy at Arenal Sound in Castellon, Spain, there’s more than enough going on for everyone to be satisfied.
I usually don’t have a passion for festivals, I’m not a big fan of crowds. I find it hard to enjoy the music while doing my best not to be trampled.
That’s probably why I enjoyed Fujiya & Miyagi’s concert at Traffic festival three years ago so much – there where about 50 people in a square that could hold at least 800. Of course that’s not the only reason; the group played as if they had a full house in front of them, wasn’t let down by their early placement in the line-up and gave a real show.
Fujiya & Miyagi - Knickerbocker
Another group I loved seeing live (the only group I saw more than once) is Franz Ferdinand. The Scottish ensemble has been quiet for quite a long time now; guitarist Nick McCarthy started a side-project called Box Codax and released an album on german label Gomma, while the group’s leader Alex Kapranos has been doing some (great) remixes and has produced the first album of British band Citizens!
Franz Ferdinand - Bite Hard
This said, the best live performance I have ever seen is, hands down, the show that only Róisín Murphy knows how to put together while also delivering great music. I am going to have to contradict my previous statement as I have seen her perform three times…sorry Franz Ferdinand.
She not only is a talented singer but really knows how to work a crowd. I remember that during the length of the concert she changed about 12 outfits – without ever leaving the stage. And, of course, there’s her awesome dance moves.
Roisin Murphy - Cry Baby
PS: This is Róisín doing an acoustic session while busking in the streets of Covent Garden in London – this is what I call talent.
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