Primavera als Bars 2013: Big Summer + Les Sueques

As it happened last year, the Primavera Sound Festival warms-up the city with a series of local concerts in pubs and unusual places before the big event takes place. Here's a very quick chronicle of yesterday's double gig, courtesy of our beloved friends from El Genio Equivocado, with two exciting bands from their roster!

Big Summer. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Big Summer. C3Bar, Barcelona, May 3rd
El Genio Equivocado latest signing is by far their most international combo, sounding intensely contemporary and full of promise. With their debut EP "Bone and Arrow" just out now, the young trio (a quartet on stage) presented live a noteworthy set of songs that, unfortunately, muted into something much more rockier and noisier than what they have recorded on CD. It's understandable they wanted to sound heavier on a venue that was quickly packed and chatting was constant (for once, I can understand). But their indie-rock charms, at least to me, are in the great melody lines that tunes like "Real Thing" or the mind-blowing "Morning Sun" have, a sun-soaked affair that immediately recalls to the great Real Estate. In that sense, an excess of volume like what they choose Friday reduces the impact of their music, kills a bit the magic of their graceful tunes. Nevertheless, Big Summer is a band to follow closely.

Les Sueques. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Les Sueques. C3Bar, Barcelona, May 3rd 
And the second gig was also my second time watching Les Sueques in two weeks, when they were the support band for Allo Darlin' at the 24th Barcelona Guitar Festival. With the venue completely full, at least at the front rows, the quartet quite an exciting show. Without the sound issues they had at the BARTS Espai Club their pop-punk sounded filthier, messy, carefree and playful. Guitars, screams, occasional and intriguing odd sounds coming from theremins and other toys, and the magnetic stage presence of lead singer and bassist's Blanca, the band had fun, and so did the public. Riot girls with a bunch of addictive tunes -"Ningú" sticks in your head like a hammer, "Beix" makes you shake you head mercilessly, "S.F." knocks you out-, and a healthy dose of humour.

A weekend full of music (part I)!

Just woke up on what it has to be a lazy Sunday after two days full of music. Here's a summary, divided on two posts, of what we have seen and done the last 48 hours.

24th Barcelona Guitar Festival
As a coincidence, we had a double date on Friday 19th and Saturday 20th with this Festival that during several weeks offers all kind of concerts. Friday was supposed to be a very special gig for me, the first chance to see personal favourites Allo Darlin' live. But unfortunately the night turned out a bit disappointing.

Les Sueques. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The night at BARTS Espai Club, a small but quite pretty venue counted started so promisingly thanks to the good vibes transmitted by the support band Les Sueques, another emerging act of the great label El Genio Equivocado (look for them at the Spanish Indie section of this blog very soon). Songs a bit chaotic, a bit undefined, but full of intrigue, potential and challenge. Pop-punk with a dark, sardonic side (somewhat sad that half of the audience only seemed to be there for the jokes), sharp guitar lines and a quartet with a lot of promise.

Allo Darlin' at BARTS. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

With a venue so packed the space was became a bit uncomfortable, Allo Darlin' started their gig and quickly exposed the contradictions of the night. So many irresistible indiepop songs in their short career, a natural charm and the feeling they were having a good time cannot hide the fact sound was pretty average (only exception of Paul Rains' guitar lines) in particular with thevocals. But that wouldn't have been such an important factor. The problem was, that at least to me, this was one of the best examples I ever suffered of how live music is being ruined by postureo: irritating people that is just there because they think "being indie is in/cool", posers, fakers that just have the feeling they have to be there although they don't really care. I'll post on that soon.

Jane Joyd at Music Hall. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

It was a very different thing the next day at Music Hall. Jane Joyd arrived to Barcelona, amazed us, and confirmed what a great artist she is. Surrounded by a fantastic band (kudos to the drummer, a real beast, the keyboardist and the powerful trumpet) and ignited by her disarming voice, the songs were a real impact. Sure, the music proposal can be "too much", and that intensity could be a bit extreme for a full album. This is not the sort of music you are looking to listen each day, it requires some will from the listener. But if you do, you'll be greatly rewarded. Don't miss the chance to see Jane Joyd live.

You can read the second part of this post, on the Record Store Day held yesterday, coming right now here!