Sonic Visions returns this weekend

The ever wonderful Sonic Visions Music Conference returns to Luxembourg this weekend bringing with it international acts from the likes of The Lumineers, Jake Bugg, Eivør and NAO as well as some of the best local acts around with Rome, No Metal In This Battle, Aamar, Josh Oudendijk and Napoleon Gold.

Along with the music there is the conferance where last year more than 300 music professionals, artists and musicians from all over Europe met and shared ideas & inspiration during the 3 days conference.

The 2016 edition awaits you with a series of hands-on workshops, theme-oriented panels with high-profile speakers and a bunch of networking opportunities where artists and professionals can find the information they need to push their project further. The topics, which are mostly treated from a DIY and artist point of view, will focus on creativity, technology, popular music education, digital media, sync & advertising opportunities for musicians or the live music markets in Germany, France and Belgium, to name but a few. As Rockhal and Rocklab are working in several networks on a European level, the conference will see a lot of high profile international music professionals come to Luxembourg once more.

Some highlights over the weekend include

Thursday – Rome – 21:30

Friday – No Metal In This Battle – 20:30

Saturday – Edsun – 21:00

A triumphant return to Luxembourg for Biffy Clyro

Scottish rockers Biffy Clyro returned to Rockhal once more on Saturday night as they continue to cement themselves as one of rock’s great live acts.

Now one of the biggest rock bands in the UK, Biffy took many years of hard graft to get where they are. Their initial post hardcore sound won them a devoted and loyal fanbase but not enough to break them into the mainstream, but without too many compromises they’ve managed to bring their original fans along with them on their journey to the top of the charts with their latest record “Ellipsis” landing top spot in a number of countries across Europe.

Having taken 2015 off to recuperate and record the new album, it’s been a busy year for the band headlining festivals and playing some of their biggest headline shows to date. So it was with great excitement that they were greeted as they arrived to the Rockhal stage in their uniform of choice, stripped to their waist (or “taps aff” as they’d say in their native Scotland) sporting a plethora of tattoos, opening with “Wolves of Winter” which marries together their power chords and anthemic choruses to great effect.

With a band that can veer from radio friendly singles one moment to crunching post hardcore the next, Biffy keep you on your toes never knowing what’s around the corner, from the heavy riffs of “The Golden Rule” which leans on their early material to the acoustic numbers of “Re-Arrange” and “Medicine” which had the crowd slowly swaying side to side with their phones in the air.

However, the acoustic numbers were few and far between as Biffy, who have perfected their arena rock sound without sacrificing their unique quirks, kept changing things up with some irregular time signatures and chord progressions keeping the attention of all at the Rockhal.

As much as the power and energy that exuded from the stage for the heavier tracks such as “On A Bang” and “Wave Upon Wave Upon Wave” got the crowd bopping their heads and jumping up and down, it was the big singles of “Many of Horror” and “Mountains” where the crowd really found their voice.

They finished the set on the more subdued acoustic “Machines” after which there were chants of “BIFFY CLYRO” reverberating around the Rockhal during the encore before the band returned to send the crowd home happy with a trio of “The Captain”, “People” and “Stingin’ Belle”, proving once more they’re one of the top live acts around fusing together raw energy with catchy pop melodies with ease.

Rockhal – 5.11.16

Billy Talent still at full throttle.

Returning to Luxembourg for the first time in four years, Canadian punk rock outfit Billy Talent had the Rockhal jumping on Tuesday night.

With the recent release of their fifth studio album “Afraid of Heights”, Billy Talent proved they’re still one of the main flag bearers for the punk rock scene with the 4,500 strong crowd chanting all night long whilst frontman Benjamin Kowalewicz stated “we’re here to prove that rock still means something to people, because it is everything to us”.

Since the release of their self-titled debut in 2003, Billy Talent have cemented themselves as a generation-defining rock band. Boasting more than one million albums sold in Canada and nearly 3 million albums sold around the world, the band have seen multi-platinum certifications for their records as well as numerous No1s across Europe and of course in their native Canada.

Having not lost any of their explosive energy the band burst onto the stage with “Devil in a Midnight Mass” wearing their trademark black, white and red attire. With the rest of the band not moving far from their spot it was left to Kowalewicz to charge around the stage like a tornado whipping up the crowd wherever he went. His barnstorming energy never let up all evening as they tore through much of the new album whilst leaning heavily on their two biggest albums Billy Talent II & III.

The stomping “Rusted from the Rain” and “Leave Them All Behind” took them down the heavier route whilst Kowalewicz asked the crowd to all raise their middle finger in the air as he dedicated “Kingdom of Zod” to the “homophobic, narcissistic, racist, misogynist liar, Donald Trump” with everyone more than willing to participate it had the crowd jumping around and even as the band drew the song to a close, chants of “F**k Trump” rang out around the Rockhal.

Kowalewicz also went onto to dedicate “White Sparrows” to Nick Alexander who used to work with the band, as well as all the others who were tragically killed at the Bataclan last year. The already poignant song took on a whole new meaning as it was delivered by an emotional Kowalewicz.

But the band were always going to leave the crowd on a high with the encore being filled with their mid 2000s classics “Try Honesty”, “Fallen Leaves” and their epic “Red Flag” which sent their legions of fans home after a triumphant end to a bumper holiday weekend.

Rockhal – 1.11.16

Fifth Harmony – Were they Worth It?

American pop group Fifth Harmony brought their 7/27 tour to Rockhal on Wednesday night as they continue to push to be the biggest girl group on the planet.

Formed on the second season of The X Factor USA in 2012, Fifth Harmony who all entered the competition as five individual performers found themselves being bunched together during the process to become one in a long list of manufactured groups in the shows history. This time however it looks to have worked as despite the fact that the girls finished third on that seasons show they have gone onto great success through album sales and streaming, notching up over two billion views for “Worth It” and “Work from Home”, cementing the group as one of the biggest girl bands around.

They arrived in Luxembourg at the tail end of their 7/27 world tour which started in June and has taken them over three continents, proving there is plenty of hard work required to be a success in the pop industry.

Taking to the stage in black leotards and a somewhat sparse stage production the five singers Ally Brooke, Camila Cabello, Normani Hamilton, Dinah-Jane Hansen and Lauren Jauregui had plenty of room to dance around the Club stage whilst the three-piece band were perched on the side almost as an afterthought. This was most likely because they would’ve been expected to play the bigger stage of the main hall but seeing that the tickets sold seemed to perfectly sell out the Club then best create a good atmosphere is the small venue than everyone rattle about in the big one.

The girls moved through their 21 song set playing almost every track they’ve recorded, with their vocals providing the real driving force of the the performance, proving that you don’t have to mime your songs to get a reaction from your adoring fans. And whilst some moments of their dance routines were choreographed the group looked to be independent of each other too at points, which only emphasised the similarities to act like All Saints and more recently Little Mix.

Their vocal harmonies worked well on the likes of “Miss Moving On” and “Sledgehammer” where the electro pop got the already vocal crowd screaming and singing away. They also have a number of clever pop songs with “Reflection” and “Boss” but “Not That Kind of Girl” which has clearly been influenced by Prince certainly stood out from the rest.

Like any pop group they also had their more introspective slow tracks as they sat on the stage riser at the back for “Write On Me” and the acoustic “Brave Honest Beautiful” where they pushed once more the idea that everyone is equal no matter their size, colour or religion, which is certainly an admirable message for their young impressionable fans.

They of course finished on their two smash hit singles “Worth It” and “Work from Home” which had every smartphone in the room out filming whist the young tweens throughout the crowd sang every word and even joined in with the dance routines before they left the venue to the waiting parents standing patiently outside as if their kids were coming back from their first summer camp.

Rockhal – 26.10.16

The winning formula of Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals returns

Friday night saw the Rockhal packed to the rafters as blues and soul fans filled the main hall for Ben Harper and the Innocent Criminals.

It has been seven years since Ben Harper was last accompanied by the Innocent Criminals on tour and it’s a welcome return for all, as Harper has arguably produced some of his most accomplished work whilst working with the band. With multi platinum albums and Grammy awards to his name Harper has been filling arenas for decades now and last night was no different. Having released his 13^th studio album (third with the Innocent Criminals), “Call It What It Is” earlier this year, there was a palpable anticipation in the crowd as they eagerly waited to hear some Harper classics, which will no doubt have been the soundtrack to some burgeoning relationships over a decade ago.

As the Innocent Criminals took to the stage there was a rousing applause only for that to go up ten fold as the man himself Ben Harper walked on a moment later with his trademark fedora tipped down creating the shadow slightly covering his face as they kicked off with “Oppression”. With the stage dark and moody for this reggae infused track it perfectly created the emotional and visual feel required around the song.

However, that was soon followed up with “Diamonds On The Inside” as instantly the light show kicked into action with the lights hitting off every corner of the venue sparking away as the track would suggest. It was instantly evident there is a joyful energy among these self-proclaimed brothers on stage, as they interacted with each other with laughter and the occasional nod throughout the evening, looking so at ease and happy to be sharing the stage once more.

Harper proved why he is one of music’s most dynamic musicians, alternating from acoustic to electric and then some slide guitar, whilst blending together the southern blues, soul and of course reggae. He even began to laugh and talk of just how much the Innocent Criminals love their reggae, before suggesting that they need to do a reggae album, which drew cheers from the crowd. All of that before kicking into the all out reggae of “Finding Our Way” which had the crowd sway away like only reggae can.

With “Morning Yearning” and “Roses From My Friends” they broke up the set with the intimate solemn moments stripping it all back and letting Harper and his velvet vocal tones take centre stage. It’s those vocals that have become his signature sound, so it was great to hear the pain and joy that her can conjure with such warm smooth vocals.

As the night progressed so did the jamming as the band all ran out solos with percussion, bass and of course Harper on guitar taking it all up a notch such as on “Faded” as the crunching guitar filled the Rockhal once more.

With the energy emanating from the stage it was hard not to get caught up in it all, so lets just hope it doesn’t take another seven years for Harper and the Innocent Criminals to collaborate again, as it’s clearing a winning formula.

Rockhal – 21.10.16

Theatrical display and rousing rhythms from PJ Harvey

Tuesday night saw a welcomed return of eclectic English singer songwriter PJ Harvey as she thrilled the Rockhal crowd.

With a plethora of awards to her name PJ Harvey has been the darling of the critics for many years now and with the release of her ninth studio album “The Hope Six Demolition Project” it looks like the music buying public have caught up, with this becoming her first UK No1 album. Never one to she away from a political stance or tackle some unfashionable narratives Harvey took on war torn and run down communities with visceral clarity on this record as she once more set herself away from the pack.

With a sense of theatre peppered throughout the performance Harvey paraded onto the stage with her nine-piece band consisting of big bass drums and plenty of brass as they ushered in the prison-gang blues of “Chain Of Keys”.

Playing almost all of the new album, the set was punctuated by double percussion and plenty of brass throughout with Harvey taking up the saxophone as her instrument of choice when not up front singing the likes of “The Community of Hope” and “Near The Memorials of Vietnam and Lincoln” which inhabited a unique place where folk storytelling met rock’n’roll, ska, blues and jazz. It’s this unique sensibility that has always kept Harvey out on her own evolving with every album.

The likes of “Let England Shake” and “The Ministry of Social Affairs” brought an energy and haunting depth whilst building the rhythm around the percussion, handclaps and brass. She even found space for the solemn intimacy of “When Under Ether” and “Dollar, Dollar” where you could hear a pin drop within the crowd as Harvey’s electrifying magnetism captivated all within the Rockhal.

But whilst Harvey has taken her fans through a journey of alternative gothic storytelling over recent albums, she delved into the back catalogue to remind us that her inner punk is never far away with “50ft Queenie” which still packs the same punch as it did on its release back in 1993 whilst “Down By The Water” and “To Bring You My Love” still encapsulate the crunching dark swagger that epitomized her sound of the mid 90s.

With nine albums worth of eclectic material to draw from it was always going to be difficult for Harvey to please all in the crowd and whilst there could’ve been a few more in the set from some earlier albums, they way in which the new album was handled live has opened it up in a new light. I suppose all we can hope is that Harvey doesn’t look to slow down her output anytime soon.

Rockhal – 18.10.16

Daughter – Still doing the right thing

Sunday can sometimes be an odd night for a show but Daughter seem to fit the slot perfectly as they closed the weekend off in style at den Atelier with their dark brooding melodies.

Having released their second album “Not to Disappear” earlier this year, the London trio Daughter have built on their indie folk, dream-goth sound, returning with an altogether fuller edgier record whilst still maintaining the melancholic intimacy of the first.

Opening up proceeding on a lighter upbeat note was the indie pop of Dan Croll who threatened to breakthrough as a household name with his infectious debut single “From Nowhere” back in 2010. His rendition last night was a sparser acoustic affair most likely due to his stripped back set up with just guitar and keyboards flanking him. As well as some clever reworking of old material such as “Home” which took on a Fleet Foxes sound with the harmonies, there was plenty of new tracks getting an airing too. Having recently signed to Communion there looks to be a new album on the horizon for this still yet promising artist.

As Daughter took to the stage the lighting was as dark and foreboding as the music to come. They took up their position and barely moved from the spot all evening but this wasn’t a show of high energy stage props but of high intensity and emotion. Opening with the swirling and haunting beauty of “New Ways” they certainly set the tone for the evening. It’s impressive that with such delicate breathy vocals Elena Tonra can hold the attention of such a crowd and yet not get drowned out by the thundering drums or reverb heavy guitar at any point.

After driving through emotional renditions of new tracks like “How”, “Numbers” and “Alone / With You” of which the latter starts “I hate sleeping alone”, this gives you an idea of the atmosphere they create but yet it’s the sharper edge shown off on the heavier, more assertive versions of their older material from “Home” and “Youth” which feels bolstered and buoyed up by the bands newly discovered self-confidence. Even as they played the very first note of “Youth” the crowd cheered, resulting in the band laughing away at just how well the crowd knows the song, then Tonra was joined on harmony duties from the audience throughout the song, leaving her clearly moved, with the shy and endearing frontwoman smiling and quietly saying thank you.

By the time they hit the end of the set with “Shallows” and said it was their final song, there were boos and cries of “again, again, we want it again”. Unfortunately, however for this crowd there was to be only the encore left but they were treated to the band rocking out as heavy as they had all night with “Fossa”. Their sharper, grander sound is a perfect match for the bands dark brooding storytelling and this clear progression can only bode well for the future direction of the band as a whole.

den Atelier – 16.10.16

Hairspray and spandex at the ready for Steel Panther

Rockhal welcomed 80s hair metal parody act Steel Panther on Tuesday night as a sold out crowd partied like it was, well the 80s again.

Known for having the longest running weekly show on Hollywood’s Sunset Strip, Steel Panther had been thrilling crowds from the turn of the century at their local before touring the world took priority. Support slots with the band they parodied such as Guns N’ Roses, Mötley Crüe and Judas Priest helped to propel them from small club novelty act to the globe trotting act they are today.

With their attention to detail it was no surprise that the sold out crowd at Rockhal got into the spirit of things with plenty wearing full 80s style big wigs, spandex trousers and bandanas. Then as the band ran out on to the stage sporting leather trousers and waistcoats we were transported back to the 80s when metal ruled the world.

But this joke can only work if they sound like the real deal and that they do. Having played together since the late 90s they’re probably a tighter band than many of the metal acts back in their hay day. But this was as much a comedy show as anything else with plenty of hip thrusts to all the woman in the crowd along with period-piece misogyny and sexism at every opportunity, it certainly isn’t one for the easy offended.

With almost every song about groupies and drugs, they of course have a track called “Party Like Tomorrow Is The End Of The World” as they continued to delve into the hedonistic sleaze of the day. Whilst the rest of the band took on the larger than life persona, bass player Lexxi Foxx took to his hairspray and hand held mirror between songs pruning himself whilst the industrial fan in front of him meant his long flowing locks were constantly in motion. But if that wasn’t 80s metal enough, then what show would be complete without a ten-minute guitar solo as Satchel ran through classic riffs from Sabbath to Deep Purple.

As they neared the end they invited all the woman on stage to join them for “17 Girls In A Row”, getting into the spirit of things they all jumped around the stage singing into the mic whilst of course sporting plenty of denim waistcoats and tight neon pink tops of their own. If you’re up for letting loose and taking it all at face value it’s lots of fun, just don’t come to the show and try look any deeper than that, as it’s all about partying, shredding some riffs and screaming out some comic lyrics, hair metal style.

With a new album set for release early next year I’m sure we can imagine more of the same, but how much longer can this go? Well The Darkness initially called it a day after two albums but they wanted to be taken seriously. As for Steel Panther, they look set to continue down the road of the outrageous and as long as their shows continue to be 80s nostalgia parties to their fans, then I’m sure they’ll continue to sell out for a long time to come.

Rockhal – 11.10.16

Médecins Sans Frontières Luxembourg celebrate with “Music For Good”

Rockhal welcomed some of the best acts of the Luxembourg music scene on Saturday night as Médecins Sans Frontières Luxembourg celebrated their 30th anniversary.

The Luxembourg section of MSF was created in 1986 and now they have 26 employees who work within MSF Luxemburg to raise awareness within the local population on humanitarian issues, collect the necessary funds to finance interventions and oversee MSF volunteers who go out in the field. It also has 62 volunteers and more than 26,000 active donors who allow MSF to continue its mission. Since 2009, MSF Luxembourg has been using this expertise for the development of medical research in the field through operational research units in Luxembourg.

To help celebrate the incredible work the MSF Luxembourg have done over the last thirty years and to shine a light on the organisation to a new audience they, along with Rocklab, brought together some of the most original and exciting music coming out of the country at the moment.

Opening the evening was young rapper La Releve who won his chance of playing the event after impressing the judges at Screaming Fields earlier in the year and you can understand why. He was joined on stage by another rapper for the night as the duo prowled the stage spitting out rhymes over hip hop loops and beats.

Following them was Edsun who has made quite an impression with his almost performance art piece at Rotondes a couple of months back. Last night he once more managed to command the attention of the crowd with his smooth R&B sound and carefully choreographed dance moves which brought another element to his stage show and is what sets him apart from his contemporaries.

After some R&B it was time for indie folk favourites Seed To Tree who once more delighted the Luxembourg crowd with a rousing performance, as their blend of indie folk is perfectly delivered by Georges Goerens as he continues to grow as an ever charismatic frontman. Songs which have already started to become old favourites such as “Wandering” and “Take My Hand” were punctuated by a new track “Berlin Mood” which continued down a similar path whilst adding a slight country twang to proceedings. With this teaser of what is to come, I’m already looking forward to more new music from the band.

Finishing up proceedings last night was the sun drenched electro of Sun Glitters. By the time he took to the stage the audience realised that this minimal electro could be best appreciated whilst sitting down on the Rockhal floor allowing for the warm electro glow to wash over them as the stuttering beats were punctuated by choppy samples. Normally at his shows Victor Ferreira aka Sun Glitters uses abstract visuals to compliment his sound but last night, with a nod to the event, he used images of the MSF team hard at work out in the field where they look to make the biggest difference. This nice touch by Ferreira topped off a wonderful evening of some of the brightest musical talents in the country.

If you’re interested in lending support for Médecins Sans Frontières or just keen to know more, just click here for more details.

Rockhal – 8.9.16

Bryan Ferry – Still got that sax appeal

The ever cool Bryan Ferry serenaded a sold out den Atelier on Friday night with more than his fair share of Roxy Music classics.

From the minute Bryan Ferry announced himself to the public with the pioneering Roxy Music he was one step ahead of the curve. Whilst at the forefront of the glam rock days they still pushed the boundaries of the experimental and electronic sound helping shape the face of pop music for decades to come. Although it didn’t hurt that he had the pop star looks and rock star cool that not only had the teens screaming but their parents too.

First up was Sandra Van Nieuwland who gained notoriety competing in the third season of The Voice of Holland. As you might expect for someone who picked up most of the hype from that season’s show her vocals were impressive but as far as the rest of the set went, it was all a bit safe. Maybe preconceived expectations of a Bryan Ferry’s support didn’t help.

Someone who has never been accused of being safe is Ferry and as the lights dimmed and the band took to the stage and one after another you realised he isn’t for scaling back the band these days as the 10-piece outfit all looked around to find their spot on the crowded Atelier stage. Then Ferry walked on as dapper as expected in a suit with the top couple of button on his shirt undone keeping it suave as always.

Opening the set with the title track of his latest album “Avonmore” which came across as sleek as anything that succeeded it with the driving funk bass and soaring sax, it had all the hallmarks of Bryan Ferry. Considering this is still the Avonmore tour there were only a couple of solo Ferry songs with “Driving Me Wild” and super smooth croon of “Slave To Love”.

After the short burst of his solo work at the start of the night it was almost all Roxy Music from then on, with “Oh Yeah” taking on the effortlessly suave and charming sound before “Take A Chance With Me” had Ferry grinning from ear to ear. Ferry said little to crowd all night but instead let the music do all the work as well as his exceptionally talented band who drifted in and out of solos all evening, taking the songs on abstract directions we’ve come to expect from the Roxy Music sound.

Along with the glam and funk there was the melancholic and atmospheric sleaze of “In Every Dream Home A Heartache” which slowly built before unleashing its prog-rock throttle for the crescendo. Apart from the ever emotional cover of “Jealous Guy” it was Roxy Music to the end with “Love is the Drug” and “Virginia Plane” before finishing to rapturous applause on “Both Ends Burning”. Having left the stage with no encore Ferry still keeps it cool, none of the ego chanting required here, just hip shaking hits spanning 40 years will do.

den Atelier – 7.9.16