Tag Archives: band

Glitches, Halcyon Nights, Aldgate East

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Aldgate East is not an area I know well – I normally avoid this end of the District Line. However, for one night only, I made the journey east in search of the indie electro band, Glitches, and their wacky secret gig.

This chilled out three piece brand their sound as “organic imperial grooves”. Music geeks may have heard their most familiar tracks ‘Warm Seas’ and ‘Leper’ on John Kennedy’s Xposure Show on XFM. The regular music event ‘Halcyon Nights’ showcases several upcoming bands, with Glitches as the final headlining act. Halcyon XII took place at the boys’ digs, that is a dowdy hard-to-find flat in Aldgate East. Luckily we could hear the clicking drums from the street otherwise we would never have located them.

A clammy but cheerful crowd had gathered inside, each person clutching a can of beer. Photocopied pages were stuck casually on the walls and bright lights flickered on the band members’ faces. I preferred the more upbeat tracks, ‘Leper’ has an addictive rhythm and uplifting melody. Glitches play catchy music that is easy to listen to. The mellow vibe has gained them many fans, and they are often flown overseas to entertain international followers.

Glitches: coming to a festival near you, sooner than you think.

http://glitchesmusic.co.uk/

Kooza, Cirque du Soleil Premiere, Royal Albert Hall

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Sitting in the great Royal Albert Hall on 8th January with Jeremy Clarkson on my right, Darcy Bussell on my left and Holly Valance (avec Candy Bro Beau) behind,  I felt sure that I had the hottest ticket in London. Next morning I was reassured further by my mother’s reports from the Daily Mail website… celebrities turned up in their masses to the Cirque du Soleil premiere… well why would you turn down a golden ticket to see the greatest circus show in the world?

Kooza is a story of opposites: love and hate, life and death, fear and wonder. Loosely based around the world of a clown, the narrative begins and ends with notions of innocence and trickery. Like most of the Cirque shows, the storyline is enigmatic and rather nonsensical and soon becomes lost. In fact it is impossible to focus on anything logical when your eyes and ears are so involved in the acts on stage, praying silently they’ll survive the next jump.

As ever the production is beautifully realised, perfectly poetic and looks magically surreal from start to finish. They create another world that feels so far removed from everyday life, and gives every audience member a few hours of euphoric escapism. Music is played live on stage by an energetic band of musicians, adding to the dramatic climaxes. The Royal Albert Hall provides an epic canvas for the production and the stage has been customised wonderfully to allow for the extensive set design. Stephane Roy evokes memories of colourful carnivals and circuses of yesteryear, claiming it is “a genuine return to the roots of Cirque du Soleil”.

There is a good mix of talents exhibited in Zooza with the familiar ‘circus’ traditions all displayed through the acts: mind-bogglingly strange contortionists, a daring trapeze artist and miraculous tightrope walkers/ cyclists/ dancers. The clowning around became a little tiresome, especially at the start while we waited for the final arrivals from the red carpet to take their seats. When you consider the virtuosic gymnastics, it is hardly surprising that the comical acts pale in comparison.

The most electrifying act of the show is undoubtedly the huge ‘wheel of death’. A staggering, scary, revolving metal contraption balanced and set in motion by two incredibly brave men. As one runs faster the other jumps, twists and clings to the spinning wheel, seemingly moments away from a distrastrous fall. The crowd gasped and I felt my palms grow sweaty and my throat dry as each turn increased in difficulty and danger. I loved the final Teeterboard act too. A talented group of performers take it in turns to catapult from a giant seesaw, hurtling up into the air, sometimes with precarious stilts attached to their feet, they land immaculately after numerous flips and turns.

Cirque du Soleil continues to push the boundaries of human capability with yet another hit show of fantasy, thrills and breathtaking acrobatics, all whilst creating a display that is visually inspiring and musically exquisite. I never fail to be amazed by this impossibly brilliant company. Bravo.

Kooza continues until 14th February, more information and buy tickets here.

Ragtime, Regent’s Park Open Air Theatre

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There is something enchanting about hearing music in a park, it sends tingles down your spine and is particularly affecting. This passionate and energetic production of Ragtime benefitted enormously from the wide open space… the music flowed freely and the show felt more captivating and inclusive.

This production is revived by Timothy Sheader (who has previously won the Olivier ‘best musical revival’ accolade three years running) – he presents a show that is impressively resolved. Regent’s Park has developed quite a reputation with its musical masterpieces: recently Hello Dolly, Into the Woods and Crazy for You have all received rave reviews on this chameleon stage.

The narrative of the present show, based on the EL Doctorow novel, is not always clear. The story begins at the clearing of a rubbish heap, a boy is tuning a radio until the mellow soft hum of ragtime music begins seeping from the speakers. The next three hours offer an overview of America a decade before the First World War. The spotlight is on three families and their quests for happiness and life satisfaction: an immigrant, Tateh and his daughter, Coalhouse Walker (a Harlem pianist), and an incongruous Wasp family.

I found Stephen Flaherty’s music hauntingly touching, with very human melodies. The sadness of the uneven rhythms and the lurching tunes can’t fail to transport the listener. My favourite moment came with the song ‘Daddy’s Son’ sung by the very able Claudia Kariuki (as Sarah): a dreamy song that seems to resonate through the whole park. The cast, spurred on by the tremendous band, work together as a team and I thought the chorus numbers were particularly strong. Of the lead roles it is Rolan Bell as Coalhouse Walker and John Marquez as Tateh who impress particularly: kind, bold men trying to make their mark on the world. David Birrell is less believable as Father despite giving a great performance as Theseus in the parallel show, A Midsummer Night’s Dream.

This production is not without awe-inspiring tricks… Harry Houdini (Stephane Anelli) escapes from a straight-jacket upside down in the air, and Evelyn Nesbit (played by smiley Katie Brayben) swings high over the stage on a precarious swing. It is a balance of these highs and lows that make this show so appealing, capturing our attention from start to end and teaching us a little history along the way. And despite the melancholy nature of this musical, Sheader ensures the audience leaves the theatre feeling spirited and touched by the tale of Ragtime.

Ragtime continues at Regent’s Park until 8 September, book here.