The New Wine, Lars Vaular, Casiokids @ Hove Festival.
Tromøya, Norway 23nd June 2009
Pretty Ravy from The New Wine ’09 vintage
I would think that it’s almost impossible to stand still, never mind sit, when these four boys from Bergen decide to not only bless us with dancable indie-pop, but actually start raving on Hovescenen at around five o’clock Tuesday afternoon(!). But they did, or at least they tried to in the beginning. With practically perfect sound and a mosh-pit slowly filling up, The New Wine dished out number after number that deserved both a darker sky and a bigger audience. Nevertheless, they managed to impress, even when playing for less, and churned out that sound that makes you want to undress — and jump around like crazy.
And within the third song their performance was a joy to behold, including a little-too-short raving session where Stian Iversen dropped his vocals to join the keys for little while, a few more dreamy indie diamonds with definite sing-a-long potential and a cheeky nod (or heartfelt tribute) to electro-heroes Daft Punk. I’m both impressed and won over by this performance. Wine is definitely the new black.
Shades on, hats off
Norwegian hip-hop’s new wonderboy and the new Bergen-wave’s only rapper, Lars Vaular, is touring this summer with his band of misfits and old rockers, and my God, hip-hop live hasn’t sounded this refreshing and vital since I saw… Well, I can’t remember. He’s already received lots and lots of critical acclaim for his D’e Glede, but even though I love his record, the live show makes me feel like he should record it again, with the band.
Managing all the way not to sound like neither a nu-metal act nor The Roots, Lars Vaular Band, including synths, drums, guitar, bass and a hyperactive Girson Dias as backup rapper/stage buddy/crowd warmer, is what hip-hop sounds like when it meets a slightly off, kinda new wave, almost punky attitude and delivery. The onstage chemistry is spectacular and when they manage to get a bunch of people from all over Norway to scream out that they’re from Bergen (Even me. I’m from Oslo. It ain’t exactly kosher), you know they’re doing something right.
Most of his songs have the potential to become at the very least minor radio hits, but his Big One, this year’s summer hit (saved for last, of course) blew this show, this crowd, this whole damn festival away. When “Solbriller På” finally started, with great help from the audience, the whole tent exploded. Never have I heard a Norwegian hip-hop crowd so enthusiastic for a local act, dancing and sing-a-long commenced and panties and sunglasses were thrown on stage. Kudos (Props!).
To finish the night off for the Norwegians, were bigheadded Casiokids, playing for the over-enthusiastic crowd who managed to pull themselves away from The Killers. Dancing, dancing to the Casio-orchestra. By their side was a bunker full of Untz Untz DJs. Ratatat then completed our night.
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