Friday, June 29, 2018

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 194

Back after our Japanese adventure! This week, in addition to recovering our sleep due to jet lag, we have caught up ourselves with the latest musical releases and band discoveries. So, without further delay, here is our new TOP TEN JUKEBOX! Many new bands, others that have already been listed on the blog as The Molochs, Smokescreens, or Petite League and many great songs to enjoy the weekend as it deserves. Oh, and stay tuned we will unveil soon our favorite albums and songs of this year so far. Remember, all the songs are available at our Soundcloud. (Join Us!)



Saturday, June 9, 2018

The Bloodbuzzed Jukebox Week 193

As told you, this June is about to be special for us, between books, good music (this weekend you can find us at the Barcelona Independent Sessions Festival 2018) and... holidays in Japan! So, before we pack for travelling to the land of the rising sun (we'll be off for a couple of weeks, but we'll come back strong, with the best of the year so far lists) we leave you with the weekly 'dose' of TOP TEN JUKEBOX. Another playlist full of new discoveries to keep you going through the end of Spring. Have fun and remember, all the songs are available at our Soundcloud . (Join Us!)



Tuesday, June 5, 2018

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

Monday, June 4, 2018

Primavera Sound 2018 in brief, day 2

No time to waste. Here's the second round of our traditional briefings of what went on for us within the Primavera Sound Festival 2018. Friday 1st of June came with several "big names" and a few promises to be confirmed so let's begin!

The Good
A great female afternoon: The combo of Waxahatchee-The Breeders is just a fantastic way of beginning a Friday afternoon. The band of Katie Crutchfield, which includes her amazing sister Allison (what a wonder when their two voices intertwine) and the great Katie Harkin (Sleater-Kinney, Sky Larkin), gave us a top-notch show, passionate and powerful. We love 'Out of the Storm' and believe the future couldn't be brighter for them. The day kept getting better and somewhat linked, because after Waxahatchee it was the turn of the Deal sisters, who are so genuinely fun and lovely you really don't care about the initial false steps or little bloopers. Their gig, like the weather, got warmer and warmer, ending in a memorable, gigantic, way. A big big love for both bands.   
Waxahatchee, sister's act. Photo: Bloodbuzzed
That band from Ohio: Luckily, we've seen The National in many different occasions and much better, smaller venues now, so we didn't bother about getting in a front row (if you want to be in a closer position for a gig in Mordor, you must sacrifice the previous or next one) position. From the distance, it's pretty obvious the gig wasn't going to be that special for us, but still the band was impeccable and unafraid of getting into their latest and more experimental 'Sleep Well Beast', or deliver a setlist generous in ballads and downtempos. In our opinion, highlights were a rougher 'The System Only Sleeps In Total Darkness', 'Fake Empire' and finale 'About Today', all stunners, as well as newbie 'Rylan' sounding promising. They never disappoint.
Matt Berninger meets the digital age. Photo: Bloodbuzzed
The Bad
Too much Mordor: After several editions without ending there that much, this PS18 we have spent too much time within Seat and Mango stages, the clearest symptom this year's line-up wasn't that appealing for us. Mordor is hell. No way to hide from the sun, too many bored people being there because the headliner "obliges" (meaning endless chat) and too many bar zones (meaning more human traffic of bored people). Add the issues of leaving the area, which is something that the organization has to improve. There's a Festival in Mordor and another one, much more pleasant, out of it.
Charlotte Gainsbourg: You know when you go somewhere because you have a reminiscence (not confirmed) that once you enjoyed it? It also works with records & artists. And usually, it's a mistake. That was the case.

The Queen
Father John Misty: It was in 2012 and Mr. Tillman opened the day (Saturday) at Auditori, very early in the afternoon. The venue wasn't full by no means, and he was doing a show on his own, acoustic guitar and dark sense of humour. How times have changed! On Friday he was accompanied by a full band and an orchestra, clearly one of the headliners of Friday line-up. And deservedly so. The show was arresting, flawless and enjoyable from start to finish. A performer at the top of his game, doing wonders with a song book that at Seat stage sounded like a collection of classics. Folks, the man has it. Probably the gig of the Festival. Must-see in a smaller venue as soon as we can. 
When pure comedy turns into pop. Photo: Bloodbuzzed
Don't go anywhere, the final chronicle of the PS18 on Saturday 2nd, coming very soon at the Blog!

Sunday, June 3, 2018

Primavera Sound 2018 in brief, day 1

The Primavera Sound Festival (PS) 2018 is almost over! So, here we are, pretty exhausted (again, the not very recommendable combination of daily work and Festival), but ready to being with the first round of our traditional quick chronicles of our experiences there. What follows is our take of Thursday 31st, with a note on Wednesday's fail. Let's go!

The Good
The War on Drugs: Yeah, the millennial era might be all about synths, danceable (or kind of) grooves and that sort of shallow urban pop-indietronica that fits so-well with glasses & clothes advertisements, but dammit if the best gig of the day wasn't full of guitar riffs & solos, plus the urgency and the mystery offered by the most iconic and traditional instrument of rock history. Adam Granduciel and Co. just nailed it. Terrific band, terrific tunes.
The War on Drugs, lost in the dream of rock. Photo: Bloodbuzzed


The infinite, powerful worlds of Laetitia Tamko
Photo: Bloodbuzzed
Two more female artists to follow closely: On a pretty "empty" day (to a poignant level compared with previous years, something that has been the sad trademark of this PS' edition, with the exception of Saturday) the gigs of Vagabon and Amaya Laucirica were very welcomed. Keep an eye on them...

The Bad
(Missing) Spiritualized: Is it that hard to make some sort of announcement or use the Festival App properly to let the people know how are the tickets needed for the Auditori selling? The organization could easily avoid extremely long queues and the understandable anger from concertgoers. We were the unlucky ones that missed grabbing a couple for a matter of minutes, so pretty frustrating to wasteone hour and half waiting for nothing...
Not made for this times: We'll try to keep the rant short and try not to repeat ourselves that much. The millennial age is just killing music. It should be about the songs, the artists that make it and the feelings these tunes bring to you, not about your looks (by the way, Mango?), your selfies, your constant, irrelevant & discourteous chatting, or the amount of beers you can drink... Raise your head and look at the stage, not to your smartphone. It's MUCH MUCH more interesting...

The Queen
The Twilight Sad: In terms of sounding, the Scotts show couldn't compete with The War on Drugs's one. Unfortunately a recurring trend within the Festivals and gigs, bass (and/or rhtym section) are too heavy in the mix burying vocals for the sake of power, that happened with The Twilight Sad. But we were compensated, extraordinarily, with something even more important and meaningful: real, intense, touching, unadulterated emotion. Coming straight from the heart and the boundaries that not even the death can take away. Humans talented and passionated enough to be in front to of a stage, and with the humanity, the guts and kindness to open their hearts out in front of us to pay tribute to a lost beloved pal. Goosebumps and tears. James, we're sure you did your friend proud. Thank you.
The Twilight Sad, Keeping Ourselves Warm. Photo: Bloodbuzzed

Stay tuned, the second chronicle of the PS18, covering Friday 1st, is about to come!