Primavera Sound 2018 in brief, day 3

Without hesitation, we arrive to the third and final chapter of our quick chronicles of "our" Primavera Sound Festival 2018. Saturday 2nd of June was a pretty exciting day, intense and complete, with promising newcomers and surefire heavyweights. It was a full schedule... so let's begin!

The Good

Ms. Graham, indeed does ring a bell
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Third female afternoon in a row: Núria Graham and Christina Rosenvinge were the responsible of igniting our afternoon. The young Catalonian artist and her band were excellent (once again, we must add) showcasing the highly recommendable 'Does it Ring a Bell?' with stunning aplomb and confidence. She's great and, if there's some hope in the world and we're not completely deaf, she should hit big. She was followed by a veteran that was particularly expressive  and enticing at Seat stage. Ms. Rosenvinge showed charm, mystery, strength... plus an unquestionable knowledge of what does it mean being in front of a large audience, leading the way.     

Slowdive: We were a bit late to be in a front row position, but contrary to what was going to happen afterwards with the Arctic Monkeys, the sound was so powerful and the gig so fierce and tightly executed we were able to enjoy it even from a distant (and chatting) location. Like The National yesterday, you can't go wrong with Slowdive. What an unexpected, much longed, welcomed and special return to form this has been. Please keep coming...

 Rosenvinge, still a case to be resolved, luckily. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Bad

Too much Mordor (part II): History repeating with what happened the day before. Criminal sun, dust and too many people wandering around. And the collapse to leave the area was appalling after the Monkeys gig, although it has to be said that some of the blame should also rest within the public shoulders, not contributing at all to ease the circulation.

Arctic Monkeys: Arguably the biggest name of this year's edition... that was major disappointment. Not because of the band itself, that was impeccable (although not very engaging and with a setlist heavily focused in their last two records, not the most dynamic) but due to the strangely weak sound, hardly listenable from the far-yet-not-that-far location at Mango stage. For once, it was easy to understand that thousands of people weren't really into it, chatting and looking for things to do/go.

Rolling Blackouts C.F., pop waves (always) from down under. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Queen

Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever/Jay Som: Yeah, we're going to give an ex aequo this time. Because both bands provided us the most joyful moments of the Festival. First, the mighty Australians (probably the most featured band at this Blog with taking into consideration their short career to date) demonstrated WHY any good festival that claims to be so SHOULD have several Antipodean bands in their roster. Energetic, jangly and unstoppable. Later on, it was time for Melina Duterte and her colleagues to conquer the (not so big, kudos to everyone to chose the Americans instead of Lorde, you are hope) audience gathered at Pitchfork stage. There's a natural charm that can't be faked. The Californian quartet looked, acted and played like a genuinely fun, easygoing, bunch. The kind of people you would like to go for drinks and goof around. Add they have enough, lo-fi, quirky and immediately lovely, songs to knock you down, and we must assume the fact: here's a band to love. Two, to be more precise...

But WE like the bus! Fun with Jay Som. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Here are the links of the previous chapters! Day 1 and Day 2

Spanish Indie 26: suggesting the best national acts

Told you this section was going to be revitalised. These are two artists and a young band responsible of my favourite national releases of the year so far. Sure you'll enjoy!

Nacho Vegas. I could summarise this brief on the artist/band in just a solemn sentence: one of our most important artists of the last 20 years. But he deserves a longer account for such a strong career. Hailing from Xixón, Asturas, Vegas began playing at Eliminator Jr. a local noise band before founding the much revered post-rock combo Manta Ray, an adventure that lasted from 1994 to 1999, when he opted to began a solo career. Since then, he has released four albums and several singles, EPs and collaborative works alongside well-known musicians like Christina Rosenvinge or Bunbury, as well as lesser popular like the EP with Irene Tremblay (Aroah), or participating in soundtracks, setting music to the poems of Ramón Lluis Bande for the project Diariu, being part of Lucas 15, band that revisits the Asturian folklore. But that wasn't enough for him, so in 2010 he founded Marxophone, his own label/a musicians cooperative for self-releasing projects. Plus he also became part of Fundación Robo, collaborative platform where political activism and popular music join forces (yes, it can happen, luckily). His latest record to date 'Resituación' was released in Spring of 2014, but this January, Vegas came out with its companion, an immense EP entitled 'Canciones populistas'. Shifting gracefully between folk and rock, between humour and dark realism, between autobiography and post-modern references, always social and politically committed. One of our wittiest commentators. Our Phil Ochs. Our Ken Loach picking a guitar. Not just a celebrated songwriter or a big artist. Also a much needed one.

Invisible Harvey. Hiding behind this curious name borrowed from the classic movie starred by James Stewart and his giant bunny lies Barcelonian Dimas Rodríguez Gallego, screenwriter, film director and guitarist in La Banda Municipal del Polo Norte. But he didn't have enough, so a few years ago started a solo music project. One that, appeared from out of the blue on late December 2015 with digital single 'La Puerta Giratoria', and now has a flamboyant debut album, of the same title, thanks to our beloved El Genio Equivocado. Recorded last year, Dimas blends charming indiepop with skilled songwriting, with a heavy presence of lush and unique instrumentation, including his inseparable string duet (Joan Gerard Torredeflot "Joange" and Núria Maynou). Surreal (check his lyrics), romantic and dreamy. A haunting record honoring the tradition of El Niño Gusano. Pop in Wonderland.

VLIVM. Hailing from Tortosa, Tarragona, the band (that you can pronounce as Valium) is the project of two brothers, Nacho and Estebi Romero, who started playing during the summer of 2014 and put a couple of demos at their bandcamp. But at the beginning of 2015 things got more serious, with bros getting into the studio to record their debut album and, once finished, recruit friends Aleix and Blai to become a real band and be able to play gigs and properly defend the songs of 'Sailing Forever', out now via the much needed Discos de Kirlian. Between jangle-pop and dreampop, there are familiar places (the Sarah Records vibe, the lo-fi spirit, the magnetic use of the twelve string guitar) but a genuine, honest essence completely of their own. One to watch closely.

Primavera Sound 2015 in brief, day 1

You find us right in the middle of Primavera Sound 2015' week so, it's time, like we did on previous editions, to begin our quick chronicles of each day of the Festival. To begin with, our particular opening day!

The Good

Heavy-pop: Our beloved friends Las Ruinas were the responsible of opening Primavera at the Forum on Wednesday. Yes, it was pretty early on a working day, so the crowd was mainly composed of familiar faces And yes, it wasn't the best of their gigs (seen them a dozen of times) but what a great way to start a Festival! A band that combines talent, playfulness and attitude. Plus songs, many many songs: 'El Olivar', 'Secundarios del mundo, uníos!', 'Ramón y Cajal', 'Cerveza beer', 'Un regalo', 'OVNI'...

Edu Chirinos, heavy-pop champ. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Bad

Christina Rosenvinge: I do believe Rosenvinge's career, at least since 'Tu labio superior', deserves to be followed. But the gig at Fòrum was... flat, sadly. An understatement compared with the records, subtle and precious pop, combined with awkward moments of distortion, noise or unnecessary howls.

Cristina Rosenvinge, lady Dolores. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Queen
Cinerama: Can't be impartial if we talk about David Gedge: we like him so much. But it was the first time seeing Cinerama, after the show at Apolo at the line-up presentation was ruined because of people too worried about grabbing another free beer and chat, showing no respect for the band playing. Questions arised before the gig: Would the Fòrum be the right place for such a delicate and rich proposal, chamber pop with half a orchestra live? Would people behave (the entrance on Wednesday was free for everyone interested)? Luckily, the answer to both questions was yes, a categorical yes. David crooning, flute and trumpet embellishing instantly attractive tunes... Haunting 45 minutes of great pop. Did we say we love David Gedge?

Dress up to pop with Cinerama. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Brief of the first "big day" of the PS15, Thursday 28th, coming very soon here!

Spanish indie 6: suggesting the best national acts

After a long hiatus with this section, we are back with new proposals. Enjoy!

Reina Republicana. Born in 2009, but really active in 2010, after two singles (one with Las Robertas) and several changes in the line-up (initially it was formed by members of Kokoshca, Tristessa and Half Foot Outside), by the end of 2011 they released their first, self-titled, LP. With the new voice of Maite Rodríguez, and the help from Banin Fraile, Florent (Los Planetas and Los Pilotos), Guille Mostaza (Ellos) y Paco Loco, the album flourishes as a wonderful collection of shiny indie-pop tunes. Here's great pop for everyone, from shoegazers to La Buena Vida fans or c86 lovers. Hail to the queen!.

Christina Rosenvinge. It was a matter of time Ms.Rosenvinge had a space here. Musically active since "la Movida Madrileña" (80s) she pursued a very personal career, working with Lee Ranaldo and Steve Shelley (Sonic Youth) during the 90s-early 2000s. Back to Spain from NY and from English to Spanish, her latest albums, the excellent "Tu Labio Superior" (2008) and "La Joven Dolores" (2011), have consolidated her status as a national indie muse. My advice? Check the exhaustive boxset, just out now, "Un Caso Sin Resolver", and enter the world of this unique artist.
Christina Rosenvinge - Mi Vida Bajo el Agua

Cosmen Adelaida. You'll always find interesting groups on El Genio Equivocado's roster, a Spanish label with a special nose to detect and recruit talent. Like this band born in Madrid in 2007, that after two EPs, at the end of 2011 released "7 Picos" their mini-album debut, an impressive and highly addictive small collection of the most diverse indie-pop. Ranging from gorgeous twee-pop (irresistible girl-boy vocals) to creeping guitars on a grunge style, to synths and loops that recall names like Stereloab, Cosmen Adelaida has created a unique pop caleidoscope. Band to follow closely.