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Rating: After the real-time coverage via SMS of the event (when will we get MMS images, staff?), here is the offline summary. Beware, as you read, there are a few references from one dimension to another, in fact, speaking of which... this Frequenze Disturbate 2003 really seems to exist in a parallel dimension: the environment is for insiders, every person you meet is here out of passion, everyone is willing to exchange a few words to share experiences and especially listening - there are those who work in internet radio broadcasts and experience firsthand an Italian music scene that from here seems anything but niche, and since the broadcast is called loser, it couldn't not be present... - there's such an average quality of listening that it makes you forget the existence of the dramatic holiday soundtrack that radios serve up... - besides loser, the elite of Italian weblogging is present, everyone speaks in internet jargon... - some play in this edition, some played in the previous edition, all around the town... - finally the town is Urbino, a marvel, next year I'll rent an apartment and stay a bit longer...
Anyway, let's go in order: the person guiding me to reach the Fortezza Albornoz after a grueling climb plays in Jennifer Gentle, who participated in the 2002 edition of the festival. What do they play? Post-Rock, similar to Giardini di Mirò, who are just on stage when I finally reach the entrance.
The GdM have an impeccable sound, I can't get involved immediately... but it's obvious they are seriously good, the next day I exchange a few words with the bassist and find out when they'll be in Milan, so I have time to "digest".
I am Kloot instead captivate me from the first listen. They are a bass-guitar-drums trio from Manchester, with pop-rock songs that are jewels of intelligence. The singer is a perfect frontman, constantly joking, notable are "To You" and "Twist", new album coming soon...
Beck instead is more and more an enigma, what's his real identity? He had this crisis after breaking up with his long-time partner, maybe he joined Scientology, but in the end, I'm not bothered by that, rather, what kind of musician does he want to be? Sea Change was not just another step of a musical eclectic path where he rearranges everything he likes with an ironic touch... in Sea Change there's no irony! The voice has a different setting, and the songs - splendid even live - are simply bare.
The concert surprisingly opens with a party vibe, even if it seems something is missing, I can't tell if it's truly like that or if it's the confusion of seeing a Beck different from what I expected...
Loser seems lazy in its blues rendition, but it's still the only effort to adapt to the new style, finally, the right energy is found with Hotwax, leading to the most entertaining moment where Beck performs an unlikely mix from Beyoncé to Nelly, seasoned with Queen and Justin Timberlake, turning everyone into a fan of chart-topping hip-hop. I later discover online that the "minestrone" moment is a regular feature of the European tour, known as "funk megajam": a summer compilation of that would be in order!
Pause and then a stunning exit with the whole band in fluorescent white suits on Devil's Haircut, followed by a couple more guitar-embellished songs, including a cover of the White Stripes.
Not everything convinces, but some moments were truly unforgettable.
The next day I arrive with the Broadcast, interesting, but too similar to Stereolab, they make up for me never having seen a concert of the originals.
For La Crus, low audience response, and I join in, despite there being something beautiful from the old repertoire...
What to say about the Notwist? Not exactly young, but yet another embodiment of "emotional" electronics is certainly a new star, not to mention that live, the acceleration on the electric part further enriches the excellent studio material.
Brilliant finale with the singer who, not exactly having a cool style, places on the 2 Technics 1200 on stage a remix of Pilot with "Last Night A Dj Saved My Life"... bastard pop made in Germany... and there's who the DJ was!
Until next edition...
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