Ö÷²¥´óÐã Electric Proms: Radio Luxembourg and Sam Isaac.
Radio Luxembourg at Electric Ballroom, at the Electric Proms.
Testing... testing. One, Two!
Hello all! I'm Bethan Elfyn. I was Huw's long-suffering co-host on Radio One, Wales but in the last two weeks have become chief boss lady of the new Introducing, Wales show on Wednesday night. My home page is HEREÌý
Yay! Now we are better acquainted, let me begin my new blogging life. It was a really hectic week of gigs last week from In The City in Manchester to a flying visit mid-Los Campesinos tour in Brighton, to the opening night of the Ö÷²¥´óÐã's Electric Proms.
I was curious to see how Welsh psychedelic popsters Radio Luxembourg would go down to a predominantly goth audience at the Electric Ballroom for the Suzie Sioux gig. No offense Suzie or said goths, but sunshine infused pop might not have been the best musical starter.
The crowd were surprisingly warm towards them, and the Aberystwyth band's "special" electric proms moment involved being joined on stage by the cult figure of North Wales based producer David Wrench on the melatron - what is one of them please? Everyone seemed very excited about it!
It's not the most comfortable gig I've seen the band play but then perhaps the Electric Proms isn't about making bands comfortable, its about that musical 'moment' and creating something exciting out of the live performance. You often hear about bands moaning about playing the same songs over and over on tours that last years, so here's a break from the old routine.
I was also up last night in London to see Sam Isaac and Edwyn Collins. It being Edwyn's first gig since his recent illness the atmosphere of the night was respectful and touching from the off.
Sam had been working with Martin Ward on special string arrangements of his songs, and despite my cynicism towards this sort of corny experiment, it really worked. It largely worked due to Sam's clever song structures and natural twists and turns, and rather than over-produce something for this setting the string quartet and Sam's new touring buddies/band were a perfect partnership of tender musical harmony. Apart from the one very rude man who decided to whistle a jolly jig during one such stunning moment, it had quite a startling effect on me. Sam you have a new fan!
Edwyn on the other hand, was a legend and I danced and clapped a lot.
My evening ended listening to a live 1950s-style bluesman in the backroom of a kebab shop.
Tonight I'm out to DJ and host the first night of the Ö÷²¥´óÐã Introducing tour, taking 5 artists around 5 UK cities. Sam Isaac, Radio Luxembourg, The Riff Raff and Riz Mc, and New Cassettes. Its a school night, but I really hope Cardiff will kick off the tour in style!
For all the Electric Proms footage go to Electric Proms homepage
