Great to be back into the studio, after last weekend of April I spend at one of the best little music festivals to ever begin- I-SYNTH 1. Which held its first ever fore ray into a micro festival in Lille, France.
The micro festival was set to bring two English bands – Space Buoy and Tenek, into an event produced my French Electronic band Shiny Darkness; who just happen to be based in Lille.
This event was a sort of follow up to a UK gig that happened in Croydon in 2013, which inspired the idea of bringing Spacebuoy and Shiny Darkness together again with the mighty Tenek , courtesy of the germ of the idea from DJ Dave Charles. Dave Charles who had championed these bands for while now and was indeed, the glue for the Croydon gig and brought his style to Lille, as the main DJ for the weekender.
I-Synth 1 started technically on Friday, with a family like warm up gig at Le Comedia; which is a lovely quaint club in Lille, and was under a bar…which seemed to be the vogue for the weekend . Shiny Darkness hosted this night and welcomed the ‘early bird’ fans who brought tickets for the main event on Saturday. The night was a spectacular success in its own right because not only did Dave Charles prove the music, but was joined by Greg Dailliet from Pascal 99.4 FM; a local French Radio station – oh, and little me. Shiny Darkness put on a great set with old and new hits from people like Depeche Mode to Mesh, and a few cheeky covers….such as a tasty little Tenek cover. They were also joined by SpaceBuoy for a few tracks and Howard from Spacebuoy, joined Shiny Darkness later for another great Depeche Mode track and a surprise REM number.
Saturday Afternoon saw Tenek and Spacebuoy play a live PA at a massive music / book superstore in Lille- Le Cultura, and afterwards, the bands met with fans old and new, signed copies of there new EP’s and posed for picture…which caused quite some attention.
The main event I-Synth 1, Saturday Night was at yet another interesting venue Le Biplan – which is a large cellar bar under a trendy theatre in the heart of Lille; who’s 100+ capacity was tested that night. The night started with a side project from Shiny Darkness’s Sebastien Deruwez- ‘Electro Caution’, who provided a two piece techo flavoured sound that got some great interest.
Electro Caution were followed up with Shny Darkness, who almost raised the brick ceiling with Sebastien’s encouragement to show us your hands. Shiny Darkness treated us to some of their best tunes and introduced us to a taster track from their eagerly awaited new Album- so watch out news.
Just as people thought they were entertained enough, the room filled with the Orange statement sound that is Spacebuoy…who burst more juicy orange electro sounds through the room, that drew a super-fan to the stage; who almost out ‘Oranged’ Howard from Spacebuoy.
The night sped along faster then any Eurostar could wish for, and like a shot out of a gun were TENEK, headlining the night with yet another blistering set that made the brick cavern club rocked very hard…and a surprise encore request from the crowd made the night feel it was never going to stop…as the wee small hours called the night ended with such a buzz that the audience chatted and danced, till the club could legally not stay open for any longer, which led to the quiet streets being filled with an international mix of buzzing friends wondering off into the night, saying bring on I-Synth 2……… and you know, I think their wish.
A song that went down rather well in Lille, was from Vivien Glass’s Julius, and their sexy debut album got its release bank holiday Monday -Awake My Sleeper – I had heard it and I can tell you it’s a belter……
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VIrvmnNHiRU
My music pick for this week;
Wed 08 May Vampire Weekend – Troxy, London
American indie rock bands, Vampire Weekend, formed in 2006 and are signed to XL Recordings.
Thu 09 May The Pigeon Detectives – Dingwalls, London
Leeds indie band proving to be incredibly popular, wearing their Britpop influences with pride. They continue to maintain a populist laddish fanbase and their biggest hit to date is the student favourite ‘I’m not Sorry’.
Thu 09 May The Twang – O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire, London
The Twang is a Birmingham five-piece indie band. They are considered to be one of the most exciting and popular indie bands in the UK. They received widespread public attention at end of 2006 and have since been lauded by music critics for their Baggy influenced singles and unpretentious laddish image.
My Comedy show picks for this week……
Stand Up For NAPAC Stewart Lee, Mark Thomas, Mark Watson 8th May 2013 • Bloomsbury Theatre
Some of Britain’s top comedians are coming together at the Bloomsbury Theatre in support of NAPAC — a national organisation focused on supporting adults who have been abused as children.
Rory Bremner’s One Question Quiz – 10th May 2013 • Shaw Theatre
If you’re a fan of Radio 4’s “One Question Quiz” then get yourself down to the Shaw Theatre, where Rory Bremner will be joined by Andy Zaltzman, Nick Doody, multi-talented impressionist Kate O’Sullivan.
