The Bright, third win by knock-out!

The Bright. Music Hall, Barcelona, March 3rd

The Bright at Music Hall.
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Being this the third review of a concert from The Bright you should know by now this blog loves them. Saw them twice on 2011, first in the intimacy of a FNAC store, having just discovered their album (I insist, check "Soundtrack for a Winter's Tale", you won't regret it), and left me longing for more. A naturally charming couple, with disarmingly honest and powerful folk-rock. The second show arrived in November, at Sidecar. Despite repeating the duo format, this was a proper gig, proving that besides songs, Myriam and Aníbal have the needed live presence.

Myriam at Music Hall
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

So, after two concerts, was there anything new to offer? Yes sir, a lot more than I could imagine. Finally the duo arrived to Barcelona with a full-band format. The place, Music Hall, proved to be a pretty venue with a good sounding, and the promise of new songs were incentives enough to be excited for. But the start wasn't easy.

You can have a small audience but succeed. But having a small, very cold and distant audience seems too big adversities against any band. And, at least during the first songs, The Bright struggled to battle that sort of apathy among the public. Which is frustrating, because "Rocking Chair" or "Losing Your Way" were amazing in their electric versions, and the new tune "Rotten Crops" is among their best so far.

Playing the haunting "Eyes"
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

But this couple from León have "that something" and they were relentless in their effort to connect the hesitant public, using "Private Garden", "Coffee and Wine", "Waving Flag" and "Soundtrack", that is, heavy-fire, to reach the halfway point of the gig. And to round off this turning point of the gig, they offered a wonderful rendition of a Bob Dylan's song. The audience finally showed up. The Bright "rescued" them.

The setlist of the gig
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

From there on, the concert vibe changed and the Bright offered gem after gem, showing us their diverse but equally brilliant music. From the stunning rendition of Neil Young's "Cowgirl in the Sand" (it might sound like an heresy to many, but what a difference is hearing it from Myriam's' voice), to the playful versions of Johnny Cash and Led Zeppelin, the rockiers "Dirty Town" and "They'll Go Away" or the mesmerizing "Eyes", taking benefit of the silence on the venue, to create a moment of haunting beauty.

So, third time, third knock-out win by The Bright!

The Bright, great music against all odds

The Bright. Sala Sidecar, Barcelona, November 26th

The Bright at Sidecar
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

My second time seeing The Bright live was full of circumstances against this lovely duo of Spanish musicians from León. First, their concert was scheduled at the height of the Primavera Club 2011 week that I've been covering daily (you can check it here, posts on the blog will follow this week), so the risk of being too tired to add another concert was obvious. Second, they didn't bring a full band with them, so the gig could have been too similar to the one that I enjoyed on that rainy day of May at FNAC. And third, part of the audience at Sala Sidecar didn't give a damn for the concert, talking all the time and showing no respect for the artists and the public that were there to hear them. But Myriam Gutiérrez and Aníbal Sánchez were capable of beating all this challenges, offering another needed dose of their bright (sorry for the easy joke again) and warm music.

Myriam at BCN. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The start wasn't easy. The noisy and disrespectful crowd dominated the small venue, and despite Myriam and Aníbal efforts to offer sure-fire winners from their lovely "Soundtrack for a Winter's Tale" it was clear there was an obvious disconnection with the audience, also from the very first row from where we were. Luckily, the couple had enough munition with them to slowly conquer the public. "Rocking Chair", "Soundtrack", "Your Private Garden", "Waving Flag", the wonderful "Odd Towns" and "Coffee & Wine", etc. In total, nine of the twelve tunes that compose their debut album were played at Sidecar. And as the momentum was growing, they took the occasion to introduce three new tunes, a couple of them sounding astonishingly amazing, easily among their best. And aside the tunes played there's another factor that allows the couple downing all barriers: a natural, unforced attitude and charm. They played with confidence and honesty, being capable of captivating the Barcelona audience in a very similar way that their music does. With serenity and a haunting grace.

The great duo in action
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

There was also time for three versions, from Lucinda Williams, Johnny Cash and Led Zeppelin, the latest being one of the highlights and turning point of the night. Plus, of course, the inclusion on the setlist of the excellent "Cowgirl in the Sand" from Neil Young, that serves as a superb closer of their album, and that they chose to end the gig on a very high note. By that time The Bright had already overcome all the obstacles, and proved they are a duo with genuine talents. Hoping for a new gig soon (with a full band) in which I'll be able to stay longer next time to chat a bit with them and get a picture with the two!

An intimate afternoon with "The Bright"

The Bright. FNAC Diagonal, Barcelona, May 31st

Tuesday was a lovely afternoon despite the heavy rain, as I had the chance of seeing The Bright playing live (for free). It was an intimate, acoustic set, just Miryam, Anibal, their guitars and their unforced, genuine and natural charm. For almost 45 minutes they offered a good taste of their absolutely recommendable album, "Soundtrack for a Winter's Tale", some additional songs, and a funny version of Johnny Cash's "Ring of Fire". They even came back to "stage" with an unexpected encore, as the small crowd didn't want to leave.

In a time so much paraphernalia surrounds music industry, it is so refreshing to see and hear a band to go "back to the bone" of music, it's so rewarding to watch a group just worried about what matters: the music. While they are not reinventing the wheel with their classic folk-rock, they do have a kind of spark playing. During the afternoon, when Miryam's voice tore down she reached a touching climax several times, revealing that she's not just a pretty voice, she's a fantastic singer. And live, they confirmed what we already knew from the album. They have an style, but they can show different sides: an eerie, countrified approach sometimes, a smoky, folkish some others, or a more upbeat, poppier side. What matter's of course, is that The Bright have tunes to defend these approaches, take gems like "Odd Towns", "Coffee & Wine", "Your Private Garden", that we heard on Tuesday, as examples.

My only regret is that I didn't have the time to chat with them for a second, or to ask for a picture. But they promised to come back, so I do hope I will have the opportunity soon. Really looking forward to see them with a full band! Don't miss the chance of seeing this brightly (I know, easy joke again) brilliant duo.



*Aside from the pics, I will update this post with a couple of videos soon!