Project Arts Centre,
12 points music festival - February 2013
For a measly 40 euro I was able to enjoy, what could possibly be the greatest festival of 2013, I only hesitate because its February and who knows what the rest of the year may bring. The music was experimental, inspirational & spiritual, it ranged from the sublime (piano of Nikolas Anadolis and the angelic voice of Olivia Trummer) to the ridiculous, (but brilliantly Koenigleopold). The Wednesday start to a festival may not seem ideal, but the capacity crowd would beg to differ.
Mopo had the privilege of opening and their lively intro soon had the crowd in full swing, a gutsy three piece led by a blond pixie on sax, capable of playing two instruments simultaneously (now if that isn't talent what is!).
Olivia Trummer Trio followed on and her angelic voice and piano melded with the double bass and drums to create a musical masterpiece, the exquisite voice and funky beat left the crowd reeling for more.
And more there was, Ozma were the third band out, a four piece from France who were technically brilliant, honed and passionate and provided a real gloss to the end of a very fine first day.
Thursday opened with Sarah Buechi's Thali, a Swiss singer (& band) capable of combining traditional Indian music and jazz, an ever evolving butterfly that seems to have the world at her feet.
The Soil Collectors were the second group of the night, an impressive three piece and their music was haunting, spiritual and tender (think lone wolf howling on the prairie) There creative genius marks them as one of the groups of the festival and one to watch out for.
Oko were the final act on the Thursday, an irish band with its feet in both the jazz and electro pop scene, their sounds were more mechanical and gritty then usual organic sounds and contrasted well with the previous bands of the night.
Hanna Paulsberg Concept opened up for us on Friday, a tight four piece band from Norway. Mature, composed and flawless they set the standard for the music to come.
Nikolas Anadolis was out next (the only solo artist) he is a staggeringly talented pianist from Greece, he performed effortlessly throughout and had the audience calling out for more.
The last act of the Friday was Koeniglopold from Vienna, for this you have to think Sacha Baron Cohen (Borat) meets Laurel and Hardy (yep there are two of them) colliding with some musical instruments! They are both extremely talented and seem to thrive on the ridiculous (in a good way) almost challenging each other to play their musical instruments badly. How many rapping jazz musician do you know! check these guys out if you get the chance.
Saturday and final day, I have to admit it was becoming a long week, a great week, but it was starting to overwhelm the senses and I was starting to wonder how it would all end.
Enrico Zanisi Trio were first out, piano bass and drums combining nicely, solid jazz from the Italian trio. The only mistake was admitting that their airline had lost their guitar, but had managed to find them a replacement, (two string broke moments later and not a roadie in sight).
Cactus truck were out quickly after, a three piece from Amsterdam and they were loud bright and vibrant, not what the Saturday night softies were expecting from the audience reaction, but the punky cactus truck have real gusto and if your not afraid of a power performance, definitely one to check out when you get the chance.
So how do you end the music event of the year, simple you bring out the big guns, in this case it was to be the Beats & Pieces Big Band, 14 members and all the previously missing instruments of trumpets, trombones and horns that you could find. This is a well refined band with true sounds, a band that really enjoys what they do and you cant help but get swept up with the wave of euphoria, a big ending to a big festival and long shall the memories linger.
Gerry Godley was artistic director, MC and general host for the nights, he gave out free goodies, continually plugged the follow up night club (free in with wrist band) and provided general security to stop us storming the stage! Knowledge guru, cocktail namer and the glue that binds.
Things that made me laugh, smile / feel important -
Mopo shameless plugging their cd at the merchandise desk, its nice to see a band willing to meet its audience, sign their vinyl, and provided buttons/badges to make you feel like your part of the experience.
Koenigleopold for providing the light relief, I just wish I could have understood all the lyrics
Isabel Sorling (member of soil collectors & seated in the audience during Koenigleopold) for her braying infectious laughter....she had three rows of the audience in stitches all by herself.
Group/band members sitting in the audience, rubbing shoulders with the little people and generally supporting the cause. (Linda, Sarah, Matthias, Lionel & Isabel - the few I managed to spot anyway) read more