Bandabardò
22/07/2006 - Live @ Marcon Festival (VE)

THE REVIEW

“Attention, Concentration, Rhythm, and Vitality…”

I've just returned, it's 2:44 in the morning, and the first thing I felt obliged to do is to write a few lines to capture the moments of this evening. What rhythm, what vitality, and where could all this come from if not from the captivating energy of Bandabardò?

Truly a great show tonight in Marcon (VE) where the Florentine band was celebrating their 900th concert. The songs are the usual ones, with a few new additions, but this hour and a half of performance swept me away with immense strength and vigor.
The rhythm is as always: folk, a touch of rock, ethnic sounds, and almost gypsy melodies. There's a sense of Parisian, Spanish air, and rhythms typical of southern Italy: all this in a single celebration, in one unique manner—that of the Band. Just like the rhythm, their vitality has remained the same, indeed instead of waning over time, it has become even stronger and more exhilarating.

On stage, they explode and the audience goes wild, they're energized and with every note, they indulge in lively and nimble dances: everyone hugs, hops, raises their arms in the air, and sings at the top of their lungs. Their smiles and enthusiasm at a thousand percent can only envelop everyone. I had been eagerly waiting to attend another Bandabardò concert, and I must say that all my expectations were not disappointed.
The evening was most enjoyable and despite the suffocating sweltering heat of the night, I couldn't help but dance and jump to the rhythm of their dynamic and poetic music. There were also some critical comments regarding Italy’s post-election situation, along with some delightful moments of recreation and fun.

When the concert was about to end, the band's sound engineers and collaborators impersonated waiters and in a few seconds set up a small bar on stage complete with tables, chairs, and a tablecloth (strictly blue and white checkered). So before the grand finale, the group could refresh themselves: cigarettes and wine for everyone, with a toast to the audience. Unfortunately, they didn't give us an encore, but we all know it's not their fault, the festival's organization is quite rigid.

And now, in my own finale, given the hour, it's only fitting to say: “… if I relax, I collapse”. Martina