BLOG: LIVE GIGS 14 December 2009

Hello People of Bishi World;

The national obsession with the Karaoke TV left me totally flummoxed. I had, point blank, refused to be drawn in to some media frenzy. I vowed not be a slave to Cowell’s empire and am soooo glad the debarcle is over.

Instead, I spent time watching some of the most unique live acts around in the world today.

I was very lucky to bump into The Grizzly’s in Clerkenwell, with classical wunderkind Nico Muhly. The tickets to their LSO show were like gold dust, so it was great to be sneaked in, the place of Beth Orton. {Sorry Beth!} The gig was all four part Harmony Perfection with some Early Disney-esque lavish arrangements courtesy of Mr. Muhly.

Think The Beach Boys meets George Bruns & Benjamin Britten. Sound likely or am I confusing you?

They were supported by the fantastic St. Vincent. Her show tune/prog/indie inspired debut album, ‘Actor,’ is one of the most original records I’ve heard in years. The definitively rich and often grungey textures were as effectively arranged on loop stations and guitar fx. Often alone onstage, she absolutely captivated the room.

U Srinivas played recently as the Sadler’s Well’ as part of the Svapnagata Festvial, curated by Nitin Sawhney and Akrahm Khan. He’s an Icon of Carnatic Music, the first to make the Electric Mandolin a Classical instrument.. A child prodigy, he has worked with the likes of John McLaughlin and Michale Nyman.

Alec Empire returned to the London for a knock out show with Nic Endo comprising of ATR hits and new solo material. My friends were dancing the Charleston {it works surprisingly well with those hardcore beats} and didn’t stop all night. I moshed so hard once at an ATR gig, I ended up in bed for three days! Alec seemed really happy when I told him this!

The experimental drawing club, ‘Heavy Pencil,’ served as a backdrop for the superb Simon Bookish and his band of saxophonists. There were tables everywhere of live illustrators with webcams beaming their creations all around the ICA Auditorium. As Bookish performed from his recent album, ‘Everything/Everything’ the illustrators would interpret his lyrics in real time. I’ve seen nothing quite like it and the event was as unique as the music.

Enjoy the videos….Thanks for all your support for my new video!
Bishi
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