The Indie Anthology 13: essential songs

Back with the Anthology after Primavera Sound 2012, but the first song is still directly related with the Festival. It's a song to pay my modest and particular homage to the best concert I saw at Primavera, and one of the most special I've been part of in my whole life (so far). Needless to say, the song is an absolute classic. And the "open door" for a newcomer into the world of this criminally underrated and mythical band.

Song: September Gurls
Artist: Big Star
Year: 1974

It was unique from start to finish. Big Star's Third, the tribute seen at Primavera Sound, was the best example one could use to show everyone why music matters. Extraordinary musicians willing and thrilled to be part of the event. You could see it in their faces, gestures, happiness and concentration in their expressions. Why such an impressive indie cast wanted to homage Big Star with such a combination of respect and joy? What do the songs of these forgotten band have? A genuine passion, adopting different forms: from the sweetly gorgeous to the poignantly ragged. Tenderness and desperation encapsulated in stunning power-pop/pop-rock "pills", as confessional and revealing as powerful and uplifting. I'm just discovering Alex Chilton's music but I'm already haunted."September Gurls", their most famous tune, summarizes Big Star's magic, and it was the mandatory end of an incredible night (bonus points it was sung by one of my heroes, R.E.M.'s Mike Mills). Welcome, Big Star.

Primavera Sound 2012: a personal overview

An EXTRAORDINARY Festival

I gave myself some time in order to clarify ideas and not write in "a rush", and with a little more perspective, I have to say this overview now is so easy to do.

I missed Wilco, Beach House, Yo La Tengo, half of The Cure show, Saint Etienne, Rufus Wainwright, The Afghan Whigs, Spiritualized and many more... In which other Festival could you miss such names and still say it was an extraordinary experience? I believe that very few, if any. Only at Primavera Sound you'll have such a never-ending line-up (and I'm not including the already impressive offer during May, prior to the Festival itself). I could demand no hip-hop, metal bands or way less electronic proposals, but these are just my personal tastes. The truth is that the Festival is such a unique opportunity of hearing so many bands/artists in few days I feel any debate about the quality of the PS is nuts, and any comparison with anything that's made in Spain, is simply ridiculous. 

Last year there were some sure-fire names (Pulp, The National, PJ Harvey) that made it unforgettable, but this 2012 edition has been even better. This year I have discovered The Wedding Present and Baxter Dury. Lee Ranaldo, Sharon Van Etten, Real Estate gave astounding concerts, confirming the greatness of their latest records. The Walkmen were great again. Kings of Convenience surprised me with a joyous performance, a pure pop delight. And I was lucky enough to be part of a once-in-a-lifetime music experience: the Big Star’s Third tribute. All this music wonders in a much more comfortable Festival (part personal experience avoiding as much as possible the Mini stage or sacrificing headliners, part an evident improvement on the management of the Fòrum space by the organization), with better sounding in all stages (few exceptions) and almost always in very good company.

Only have minor complains (e.g, Flatstock was disappointing, matter of taste again), majority of them having nothing to do with Primavera, but with the conduct of people. My only real worry/doubt for the organization is the Arc de Triomf (massification, and weird line-up on Sunday), although I do understand the Festival’s goal of opening itself to the city. Because, despite not everyone seems to get it (maybe they just want to create controversy), for me it’s obvious: the Primavera Sound Festival is a gift for indie music lovers, and a reference, a very prestigious symbol for Barcelona. In fact its so unique it should be declared a fundamental part of the Catalonian Cultural Heritage. And as music is universal, also part of the World Heritage.

A small collection of pictures from the Festival. Photos: Bloodbuzzed.

For Spanish readers, here are the links of the articles on the Festival written for www.suite101.net. Hope you like them!

Wednesday 30th May
Thursday 31st May
Friday 1st June
Saturday 2nd June
Sunday 3rd June

Primavera Sound 2012 in brief, day 5

Last report of the Primavera Sound. Here's Sunday's quick review!

The Good
At Ciutadella: A relaxed way of enjoying music. The line-up for Sunday at Parc of Ciutadella was very attractive, and despite the amount of people was notorious, the atmosphere and vibe was nice and inviting. Cosmen Adelaida (friendly people), Girl Names gave nice performances, and the always exuberant tunes (so happy to see the impressive audience they gathered) of Veronica Falls was indeed a fantastic closure of the gigs at such an original venue.

Veronica Falls. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

With Cosmen Adelaida. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Nacho Vegas on screen.
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Nacho Vegas: Not a fan, but was intrigued with the chance of seeing him live at Arc de Triomf. Probably in front of the wrong crowd, and not with the best vocal performance I'm sure, but what a tremendous lyricist he is. "Cómo Hacer Crac" is terrific (and necessary).

The Bad
Joe Crepúsculo: Being this a personal blog this is of course just my opinion, but I don't understand what is he doing at Primavera Sound. Well, as a matter of fact, I don't think he deserves any of the credit he has. Terrible terrible music. Cheap, derivative electronic sounds with atrocious vocals. Hard to forget, like nightmares.
Weird Arc de Triomf: I already said that, regarding what happened on Wednesday, the massification at Arc de Triomf has been one of the few negative things of the Festival. Masses aside, to me, the order in which the artists played yesterday was also quite weird, with three singer-songwriters on the afternoon-night slots, while the more danceable/playful one (tastes aside) performed earlier in the afternoon. That arguable line-up, mixed with the rain, and a vast amount of crowd just worried about the conversation or the next drink/cigarette, made me decide on missing Richard Hawley.

Music under the rain at PS12.
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Queen

In order not to make an overlong post, please allow me to reserve the final remarks for another post: a personal overview of the whole Primavera Sound. Find it here.

Primavera Sound 2012 in brief, day 4

The amazing Sharon Van Etten.
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

As promised, here's the next chapter of the Primavera Sound Festival, Saturday's review!

The Good

A great day of music: I was lucky to enjoy 3 great concerts on Saturday. First, Sharon Van Etten. After meeting her the previous night, I have to say her performance was magnetic. Still have goosebumps when I remember how powerful sounded "Serpents". Please don't miss the chance to listen her. Second, Kings of Convenience (read below). And third, Real Estate, who gave a fantastic, superb gig. I enjoyed their performance so much that they made me forget completely Beach House was playing at the same time. What an incredible record is "Days".

Real Estate. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Nice record fair: In between the Chromatics and Mujeres, we spent some time at the record fair. It is small, and prices are a bit high in general terms, but some Spanish labels were super friendly. The people of El Genio Equivocado (I didn't have the time to go back and buy some stuff, my bad!) and Subterfuge were specially kind.

The Bad

Lisabö storming Ray-ban's stage.
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Lisabö, Chromatics and Mujeres: The first two weren't really bad concerts, just that they are not my taste. Well, in the case of Chromatics, it was the confirmation I don't get (aside the "Drive" soundtrack factor) their hype at all. With the exception of the Neil Young cover, to me the gig was unremarkable, and I don't think they sounded great live. Must be me for sure, because they gathered a huge audience at Pitchfork stage. The case of Mujeres was different. Their album is excellent, and I assume their music style has to be rougher, edgier live, but it was hard to hear what they were singing or enjoying their melodic lines.
Overlaps again: BEACH HOUSE. I missed Beach House. Enough said.
Chaos at the Auditorium: Its ok to make a queue (waiting for Father John Misty), completely understandable considering the venue and the amount of people. So, if you are there for almost 30 minutes, being among the first ones on the line, its quite irritating to see how, out of the blue, security staff decide entrance is going to be different this time, and many people who were there way after you on the line gets in before you.

Kings of Convenience, at the end
of their gig. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Queen
Kings of Convenience: Of the trio of "mandatory" gigs for the day (the other two being the aforementioned shows of Sharon Van Etten and Real Estate), this was the one with lower expectations for me. I like the Norwegian's music, but I always have the sense they are a band to enjoy in "small doses". Otherwise their records become a bit repetitive for me. Besides, I had serious doubts about how their intimate proposal would fit at the main stage of the Festival. Soon I realised my fears were unjustified. They first excelled as a duo, winning the audience with their friendly and natural attitude, and a crystal clear sound that allowed the crowd to enjoy their superb talent to create unforgettable melodies... and when the acoustic/mellow tunes were on the verge of being "too much"... Kings of Convenience became a full band, almost, a "funky" group for a couple of songs, giving a much needed impulse to keep the vibe of the gig alive. Needless to say their show was a total triumph. Everyone who was there had a smile on his/her face after the gig ended.

And last but not least, Sunday's report coming next!

Primavera Sound 2012 in brief, day 3

Ms Laura Marling.
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

With Sharon Van Etten.
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

More Primavera Sound Festival, here's Friday's June 1st quick review!

The Good

The "fan" moment: Before leaving the Fòrum, I had the chance of saying hi to Sharon Van Etten, who was very gentle and kind. Great way to end the night. Here's the pic to prove it!

The Auditorium day: In 2011's edition I didn't get into the Auditorium, so I was really looking forward to do it. As recommended by Jeremy Jensen from The Very Most, Nick Garrie was ace (except one song near the end, when the sound, literally, faded for a long while). Following him came Laura Marling, who also gave a solid show, although being a bit cold with the audience. And the best was yet to come...

The Chameleons. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Chameleons: Sure, the looks are not the same (time takes its toll in all of us) but Mark Burgess and Co. played a very solid show. Was nice to hear such epic tunes live.

The Bad

I Break Horses: Awful sound, the gig was totally ruined for me and we decided to leave cause our ears were hurting. Shame because their record is so wonderful.
Overlaps again: On this day I missed Lower Dens, The War On Drugs and and hour of The Cure. Not the worst day, but still.
The Cure: Nothing bad to say about their gig. I was among the ones that didn't watch in its entirety, but I have the feeling, judging from the area where I was sitting, that many many people got tired of such a long performance. Sure devoted fans won't say the same. Just my impression..
Ray-Ban Unplugged: It's a very nice idea, but in such a huge Festival, I doubt you can really enjoy this sort of intimate performances. I couldn't enjoy Beach Beach's show due to the amount of people and heat.

All-stars playing Big Star tunes.
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Queen
Big Star's Third/Sister Lovers: One of the most haunting music experiences of my life. I admit I was going because the idea of watching a 3 hours gig from The Cure was too much for me (like them, but not such a devoted fan) and because R.E.M.'s Mike Mills was one of the guest stars playing. But from the very beginning (I arrived while they were at soundcheck/arranging things) I could feel something was going to happen. It was fun, emotional, sincere, passionate. Wilco's Jeff Tweedy enjoying himself singing "Kizza Me", Teenage's Fanclub's Norman Blake teaming with Mills for the joyous "Jesus Christ" and Hot Chip's Alexis Taylor making an irresistible rendition of "Femme Fatale", Sharon Van Etten and Django Haskins doing "Holocaust", and many many more... I was a privileged witness of an unforgettable music session, played by incredible musicians celebrating the songs of Alex Chilton and his superb band. Thank You Primavera Sound for introducing me into Big Star in such a unique way. Thank You Friends.

Saturday's report following very soon!

Primavera Sound 2012 in brief, day 2

Doble Pletina. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

And following the first post on the Primavera Sound Festival development here's the second part about what happened on Thursday 31st, now at the Parc del Fòrum.

The Good

Mr Dury. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Spanish twee-pop: I was looking for Doble Pletina's gig, and they didn't disappoint me. On the contrary, I ended their show with the feeling I finally found a band that does justice to twee-pop in Spain. Lovely.
Sound quality: All stages sounded really well. Cheers for that!
Great afternoon: Doble Pletina, Baxter Dury (another nice discovery, they reminded me Blur, and Baxter is a charismatic frontman), Archers of Loaf (I was just making time) and Lee Ranaldo. Diversity, with great sounding and seen in a comfortable way. That offer is what makes the PS unbeatable.
Beirut: A music obligation that I finally saw live. It wasn't a completely satisfying gig, but still, debt paid.
The Bad

Massification: I know that compared with last year's edition this problem has improved, but moving from or to the Mini stage (named Llevant in 2011) is a nightmare when the headliners gigs start. I'm sure I'm not the only who is deciding about the "overlaps" having in mind distances, and in particular, avoiding that stage.
So-so night: Linked with the previous one and what I wrote on the post about the first day. Too much people is just at PS just for the sake of "being there" and is annoying for the ones that are there for the music. Beirut's and Franz Ferdinand's gigs (although for latest one we were keen with the idea of watching it from the distance, in a more relaxed way) were a bit dull due to the combination of masses, tolerable levels of discomfort but many annoying people, constantly chatting or moving around when the song was unknown/known for them.

Hope Sandoval. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

No mercy for the press: That long and very slow queue under the criminal sun was the worst thing ever. Wouldn't be easier to allow the press to pick our accreditation during the previous days, as the rest of the attending public?
Overlaps: Missed The Afghan Whigs, Wilco, Spiritualized due to overlaps. That hurts.
Mazzy Star: Really awaiting for this gig, and it was a complete disappointment. Just my opinion, but to me Hope Sandoval sounded tired and cold. Lifeless gig.

The Queen

Lee Ranaldo: If on Wednesday the "indie myth" I discovered was The Wedding Present, on Thursday I was blown out by Lee Ranaldo. I started checking his album "Between the Times and the Tides" just a couple of weeks before the start of Primavera, and my addiction was growing steadily. But after seeing him playing now I'm totally converted. What a guitar maestro, what a stunning performance. What a great record, to me a crossover between R.E.M's and the softened version of  Sonic Youth's guitar style. Mesmerizing.

Friday's brief coming next!

Primavera Sound 2012 in brief, day 1

This morning I can make a quick post about how is it going the Primavera Sound Festival so far... To start with, the "Opening Day", Wednesday 30th!

The Wedding Present at PS
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Good
Barcelona-Primavera Sound: From many points of view, "opening" the Festival to the city is a great decision from the organization. And the location, Arc de Triomf, is an excellent choice for a free, open-air gig.
Discovering Myths: The first one on a Festival that so far is being great in that area. Didn't know what to expect from the Wedding Present, but after the gig all I can say is that I was happily impressed. On research mode since now on!
Sound quality: Past edition at Poble Espanyol was quite disappointing in that sense. Major improvement at the Arc de Triomf.

The Bad

View from the Arc Triomf on Wed. 30th
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Massification: Of course, one "collateral damage" of "approaching" the Festival to Barcelona is the risk of massification. The Arc quickly became overcrowded, and with the extremely hot weather, it was a bit too much. And sorry to say, there was a vast amount of people just "showing-up", something usual about this city, extremely worried about how it looks and not about what it does, not giving a s*** about the music, and frustrating the ones that were there to hear the bands with their constant chatting, shouting or, plain stupid behaviour. We gave up after the first songs of the Black Lips as we were too pissed by people.
Discovering new bands: Not really impressed with No More Lies (ages away from my tastes), and Jeremy Jay, sorry.

Fabulous The Walkmen
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Queen
The Walkmen: What a band. Great performance, with Hamilton Leithauser being a thunderous performer again. New songs from "Heaven" sounded amazing, and even the silly people (as mentioned on the previous paragraph) couldn't frustrate enjoying such a powerful song like "The Rat". My only complains. They didn't played "We Can't We Beat", a song I can stop hearing and that the gig was too short! We want you back in Barcelona"!


Thursday's brief coming very very soon!

My Primavera Sound 2012 playlist!

Primavera Sound Festival 2012 is finally here! Music, music and more music, with some additional parallel activities starting today. With the format of a playlist, here's a little sneak of what I'm going (or at least expecting to) to hear during this week. See you around, I'll keep you informed!

1. Hey Jane- Spiritualized
2. Heartbreaker- The Walkmen
3. Turn On the Water- The Afghan Whigs
4. Waiting on a Dream- Lee Ranaldo
5. September Gurls- Big Star
6. Postcards from Italy- Beirut
7. Trellic- Baxter Dury
8. Fade Into You- Mazzy Star
9. Devil's Spoke- Laura Marling
10. Hollywood Forever Cemetey Sings- Father John Misty
11. Eleanor Put Your Boots On- Franz Ferdinand
12. Don't Do Me No Favours- James Hunter
13. Misread- Kings of Convenience
14. It's Real- Real Estate
15. Don't Fall- The Chameleons
16. Hoop of Love- Dominant Legs
17. Get Myself Into It- The Rapture
18. Love Song- The Cure
19. In the Aeroplane Over the Sea- Jeff Mangum
20. One Day- Sharon Van Etten
21. Starry Eyes- Veronica Falls
22. Hearts- I Break Horses
23. Tonight the Streets are Ours- Richard Hawley
24. Ahora Sabes- Odio París
25. Into the Black- Chromatics
26. Música para Cerrar las Discotecas- Doble Pletina

Spanish Indie 9: suggesting the best national acts

New proposals in this section thanks to a new, fundamental release, and some promising Spanish acts that will perform next week at Primavera Sound. Hope you enjoy!

Los Punsetes. Every music scene needs a group like them. Careless, free, fun and brave enough to say what everyone thinks. But even Los Punsetes needed to move on. The band hasn't lost their ability to write verses that feel like punches in the face (hear "Los Tecnócratas" or "Tráfico de Órganos de Iglesia"), but its indeed a farewell to the lo-fi/humorous spirit. "Una Montaña es Una Montaña", their third album, out now, sounds terrific, urgent, more dense and full, with a heavy presence of guitars lines and drums, in a great production from El Guincho. The drift from punk-pop to space-rock style like Los Planetas fits them incredibly well. Los Punsetes are back. Better than ever.

Beach Beach. The great record label La Castanya has hit the spot again with this group from Mallorca. With "Tasteless Peace", released on March, following their first EP “Leeuwnehoek”, Rau Riutort, Tomeu Mulet, Àngel Garau y Lluís Cabot, are confirming the promise: a great, utterly enjoyable dose of sun-baked lo-fi tunes devoted to the 90s American indie-rock, with echoes of Pavement, hints of punk and an occasional tropical vibe that recalls Vampire Weekend, always with guitars and percussions smelling like summer. A great option to see them live at Primavera Sound this week.


Mujeres. Our third proposal is also going to be playing next week at Primavera Festival. And its an option that should be very carefully considered, as with their second album, "Sof Gems" out since March by Sones (another very good label), the band has perfected their proposal to a knockout garage-rock with traces of surf and classic sounds that makes them being not only at the top of their game, but also on the forefront of the national independent scene. Their music is ridiculously addictive, as all the good music should be.
Mujeres "Soft Gems"

More Primavera Sound als Bars with Partido!

Few days before the Primavera Sound Festival begins! Here's another taste of some the previous gigs coming next week!

Partido. Absenta Bar, Barcelona, May 22nd

Partido at Absenta Bar.
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Among the names listed for the Primavera als Bars, a great parallel activity prior to the start of the Festival, I was looking forward to this gig, as the impression they gave me live at Festival Plaça Odissea last year was terrific. Then I checked what was available in their web and confirmed the feeling of having discovered a "real band", with a solid music proposal in their hands/mind. On Tuesday, Víctor Partido and company reinforced that impression.

Close-up of Victor Partido.
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The Absenta Bar, a very tiny venue for the amount of crowd gathered for the gig (can't imagine the level of discomfort and sweat of the people in the corridor) become something comparable to a sauna. But Partido were capable of making us focus just in the music. Sure, their proposal is not going to shake the foundations of music in terms of originality, but their folk-rock, deeply rooted into the Americana style, is not that frequent in Spain, and most importantly, it is played with an honesty and passion that makes the band stand out from the majority of their peers.

Another pic of the gig.
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The most rewarding for me was realising how much care and work there's on the songs. In particular on melodies, which their new album, "Leaving All Behind", just out now, is plenty. Thanks to that, tunes like "Jesus" or "Not Full of Anger" or the great "Carnival", can mute, evolve, go in many directions, amplifying their folk-rock ground. Traces of Wilco, The Jayhawks, Neil Young, but also from Big Star ("Happy Birthday" is a colossal song) or Mojave3. Great referral names, I know. But the comparisons are deserved. Partido is an excellent band. Go check "Leaving All Behind" as soon as you can. And watch them live if you have the chance. You'll thank me.

Flatstock, gig posters at Primavera Sound

Flatstock. The World of Music Posters
La Virreina Centre de la Imatge, Barcelona, May 15th-June 3rd

Primavera Sound has added a very interesting parallel activity to this year's Festival: Flatstock, a touring show of concert posters, that will take place on the Parc del Fòrum from the 31st May until the 2nd June. The exhibition, the biggest of this type to visit Europe, includes the work of more than 30 artists from Europe and the USA, is organised by the American Poster Institute (API), an NGO dedicated to promote music posters since 2002.

View of the exhibition. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Nice Beirut poster. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

At the entrance.
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

The fair is complemented by the free exhibition "Flatstock: the world of music posters" , part of the San Miguel Primavera a la Ciutat activities.at La Virreina Centre de la Imatge. The selection of more than 70 works, chosen by Flatstock and The Poster Collective, is a nice warm-up for the forthcoming fair at the Fòrum. Love the idea, as I believe visual arts are a great addition to music (you already know how much I criticize the bands/artists that don't care about their album artworks, for example).

I can't say I was very impressed (my personal opinion, I know this is just a matter of taste) by the selection exposed at La Virreina, with only a couple of posters that I liked. But I'm sure the full fair next week is going to be a fantastic parallel activity... and a serious threat for any budget! Hard to resist the temptation of a great concert poster hanging on your wall!

Primavera Sound 2012: a timetable's drama

The long awaited (and quite troubled) Primavera Sound 2012 timetables are here. Being honest, I expected some tough overlaps, but not to this extent. What a drama. Still pending on a couple of things, like the Primavera als Parcs or the Apolo bands on Wednesday night, but for the first attempt, this is what my PS 2012 looks like:

Wednesday, May 30th, Arc de Triomf
19:00 Jeremy Jay
20:00 The Wedding Present plays Seamonsters
21:20 The Walkmen
22.40 Black Lips
Pending on when will the shows at Apolo start, because I would like to see Chairlift. But very happy The Walkmen has been added to the line-up!

Thursday, May 31st, Parc del Fòrum
17:00 Doble Pletina (Vice stage)
18:20 Baxter Dury (San Miguel stage)
20:40 The Afghan Whigs (San Miguel)
21:50 Mazzy Star (Ray-Ban stage)
23:15 Beirut (Mini stage)
01:45 Franz Ferdinand (San Miguel stage)
First chapter of the "drama". Before The Afghan Whigs I don't have any "mandatory" band but then the headaches begin.Will have time to see the full show of The Afghan and be also on the first row for Mazzy Star? Wilco and Dominant Legs (maybe partially) will be sacrificed for Beirut, and I'm afraid I won't be able to watch Spiritualized because of Franz Ferdinand either...

Friday, June 1st, Parc del Fòrum
16:00 Nick Garrie (Auditori)
17:15 Laura Marling (Auditori)
18:50 The Chameleons (Ray-Ban)
20:30 I Break Horses (All Tomorrow's Parties)
21:45 Big Star's Third (Auditori)
02:00 The Rapture (San Miguel)
After Laura Marling, I won't have time for Jeff Mangum as I will go for The Chameleons, then I will have to decide between I Break Horses and Lower Dens (exactly the same hour). And then, major disaster: Christina Rosenvinge, The War on Drugs and half the show of The Cure will have to be sacrificed for Big Star's Third (can miss seeing R.E.M.'s Mike Mills again). Before The Rapture gig, I guess I will decide between M83 or Codeine.

Saturday, June 2nd, Parc del Fòrum
18.10 Sharon Van Etten (San Miguel)
20:30 Kings of Convenience (San Miguel)
22:00 Real Estate (Pitchfork)
23:15 Chromatics (Pitchfork)
00:45 Yo La Tengo (Mini)
I highly doubt I will be able to make for Jeff Mangum at 19:00 at the Auditorium, which would be the desired options, I guess I'll end watching Veronica Falls (which I was hoping to see at the Primavera al Parc). But the frustration will be nothing compared with the tragedy that follows: Real Estate or Beach House?

Sunday, June 3rd, Arc de Triomf
20:00 Nacho Vegas
21:10 Yann Tiersen
22:30 Richard Hawley
Probably be there before, but the fact I would rather die instead of hearing Joe Crepúsculo again makes me very very careful about it.

As I said, this is just a dramatic draft version. Allow me  to heal the wounds with "We Can't Be Beat", another mesmerizing tune from "Heaven", the forthcoming album of The Walkmen. Goosebumps.

May is the month of music!

I haven't been posting that much lately due to work and, more pleasantly... several activities, the majority of them including music. Because May is the month of the music! With the Primavera Sound Festival (a post on the dramatic timetable is imminent, once I figure out what to do with the overlaps) about the arriving in less than three weeks, Barcelona celebrates spring with several free gigs throughout the city centre.

Promo poster.
Lemons not included.
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Steven Munar & The Miracle Band
Sifó Bar, Barcelona, May 10th 

Among the most remarkable parallel activities that Primavera Sound offers there's the San Miguel Primavera als Bars, basically a series of free shows, from May 8th to the 26th, at several pubs around the city centre. Basically a nice way to warm the atmosphere before PS arrives, and also an attractive way to discover new bands and new places to enjoy live music while having a drink.

Steven Munar & Band at Sigó Bar.
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

In our first Primavera als Bars gig we listened Steven Munar & The Miracle Band, a local band with a curious combination of folk and pop, sometimes sounding like a less metaphoric Leonard Cohen, others like a very restful version of The Go-Betweens. They started the gig in an acoustic format, opening with a version of "Where the Wild Roses Grow" from Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds, another name that easily comes to mind when you hear Munar and Co.

Although pleasant, the acoustic songs started to look a bit repetitive. But luckily, Munar welcomed his full band to the pub stage and the gig evolved into something more rewarding. Echoes from a Mediterranian Dylan or The Byrds without Rickenbackers, with the very nice addition of the saxophone and some great guitar parts. Still a bit too folkie if compared with their album sound ("Break the Rules" is pretty recommendable), they aren't groundbreaking, but definitely an enjoyable band, with a solid performance live.

Manos de Topo. Festival Plaça Odissea, Barcelona, May 11th

Branca, in-between "howlings".
Photo: Bloodbuzzed

And yesterday night, we headed to the Maremagnum, the Barcelona Port area, where the shopping and leisure mall celebrates the 6th edition of its free and open-air (next to the sea) music festival. An oddity in principle, if you consider the equation of good indie bands and a shopping mall, but a surprisingly positive reality.

After the dispensable The Last Dandies, a photocopy of many many photocopies pretending to sound like the The Strokes (yes, still in 2012), it was time for Manos de Topo. "If you hear this song in reverse, you'll hear instructions to drop 300 bombs into an European Central Bank meeting, but if you play then in a normal way, it is just a love song" said a more-bearded-than-ever Miguel Ángel Branca (making him look even crazier than usual). They are that sort of band: love them or hate them. We choose the first option, of course.

Because despite the sound wasn't spectacular, in particular affecting his vocal performance (too much noise) they are not only an eccentric/funny band, with a very peculiar lead voice (euphemism to define the singer)  looks and lyrics. They are an eccentric band with a very peculiar lead vocal, looks and lyrics with amazing songs, like "Mentirosa", "Tus Siete Diferencias", "Haz Tu Magia", or the immense "Es Feo". And live, the number of songs that excels increases, like "Lógico que Salga Mal" or "Tragedia en el Servicio de Señoras". That's why we love them.

More music tonight!

First confirmations for Primavera Sound Festival 2012

The 2012 Festival's rumble has officially started. Benicàssim Festival shot first with The Stone Roses, and today the Primavera Sound organization confirmed the first seven line-up names for the twelfth edition of the Festival in Barcelona, from the 30th May until 3rd June, and first in Porto, the following week.

Honestly, for me this initial round has been a bit disappointing, especially if compared with last year. No offence, the seven names are great indie proposals, some cult artists indeed, but Björk and Neon Indian are not my taste, Codeine's slowcore is not very appealing in principle, and with Yo La Tengo I have never been capable to maintain my interest further than a few songs. On the good side, I'm intrigued with Guided By Voices, that I'll hear thoroughly and Other Lives, on my Discoverer radar the last months. Sure, I should be excited by the confirmation of Jeff Mangum, but as it has been announced in the PS forum, he will play at the auditorium twice, like Sufjan Stevens did on May. So having the chance to see him seems unlikely... I was hoping for Mazzy Star, Feist or Beirut. Umm my PS12 sweepstake hasn't started in a very promising way. Well, no worries, so many names have to be announced... it will get better!