We decided to take up an invitation from family and spend a few days in the capital. Earlier, spying an advertisement in the weekend newspaper for a concert by one of my favourite musicians, Haruomi Hosono, who was playing in the capital, we purchased tickets for that evening. I was very excited.
This is the street in the town on which we are staying, this being the view of the street as we left to get the bus to the train station.
One of the pleasant views from the train. The train journey is very comfortable and quick, but not cheap.
Reading one of the free rags, every little helps when buying prime British cuisine.
The area in the capital we stayed at - Pekham - is presently very fashionable and deservedly. Someone doing some renos below, with what looks like some pro-Euro/anti-Brexit graffiti perhaps.
Pekham Levels is an acclaimed development which has transformed a multi story car park into a multi purpose art space with studios, galleries, bars and concert venues. If only they would do this sort of thing to the car parks in my home town.
The roof has sculptures, installations, a bar and a fine view. Given they were serving Estrella Damm it was just like being back at Sonar.
The Isaac I know is not an idler.
Among the lively streets is this oasis of calm, a bounteous garden lane with small houses.
Music goes down at this pool hall.
Fabric stores also abound, this one with fine collection of Dutch Wax prints. The nearby store Rye Wax has traded well on "wax'' 's other meaning
I don't know who 'President Holland' is.
... but they made this one in the President's tent.
Given the weather acid house now wears shades.
We have long been fond of the Barbican, the venue for tonight's concert. We spent much time taking photos, as we have done on previous visits.
Related to the 'crack den'.
Even the toilets are beautiful.
The concert was part of a Light in the Attic showcase, with Willy Thrasher and Linda Saddleback opening, and they were killer. Utterly minimal - nothing but chants, maracas, and few chords, but delivered with such force it was totally maximal. They played this:
Hosono oddly wasn't headlining, as in playing last, but played second, we guessed because as a septuagenarian he may favour early nights. Whatever, he and his band of crack Japanese jazz/session players were super tight and funky as hell. Hosono's drummer in particular was outstanding, enacting a fluid dance of sorts with his brushes and sticks. The first few numbers took on the tropical hues of his prime seventies material, and that he opened with 'Peking Duck' had me thrilled.
He also did a latin-tinged cover of Kraftwerk's 'Radio Activity', which began with the warning jingle heard at Fukushima, played through Hosono's keitai.
He also did a lovely soft-jazz version of 'Sportsmen'.
For the final number he brought some of his 'old friends' on stage, Ryuichi Sakamoto and Yukihiro Takahashi for an impromptu YMO reunion, belting out an incredible version of 'Absolute Ego Dance'
Acetone followed and we loved them too.
One of the warmest and most enjoyable concerts I've ever attended, made even greater by the brilliant but disparate programming.
We wandered happily around the intoxicating hall spaces, intoxicated.
Out in the night, in the city proper, these sorry pets looked our way.
No comments:
Post a Comment