Television
Live@alberobello 20\5\2005

It's around 5:30 PM, and I hurry to pack my backpack with everything I need. On the other side of the Terra di Bari, among the trulli of Alberobello, there are the Television, damn it! I don't want to miss them. Their only date in Italy at the Experimenta Festival. It's said they chose it because they were fascinated by the trulli. For those coming from New York, who could blame them, "what artists these guys are" I think as I read the news. So, I jump into my 500, hoping it holds up for the journey, and I pick up my partner, not so used to concerts and especially to Television, whom I introduced her to for the occasion.
We arrive, and I immediately ask where Piazza Indipendenza is. From afar, you can hear them warming up. My ears give me a start, it's them, damn it!!! They don't let us in, so we take the opportunity for a little tour among the trulli. Not before sneaking a peek at Tom Verlaine and his companions. In the end, we get in, the atmosphere is quite intimate, like an amphitheater, for the few, but the good ones.

It's shortly after 9:30 PM, and finally, four little men in their fifties come on stage without any star airs. What artists. A childlike joy grips me and my very curious partner. It starts with a track from their second album, of which you'll forgive me, I really don't know the name. They exude class and a unique style, and my ears are grateful, the audience is mostly composed of young people and then some nostalgic 50-year-olds. It's just a pity they didn't let me bring in a beer bottle; I had to down it in a hurry, but it's my third one I think, and that's fine... Heartfelt applause.
The second track is Venus, and I'm about to melt with my partner who exclaims, "I know this one!" That strange sensation overwhelms you when seeing your idols in the flesh... a mix of deep amazement and disillusionment seeing them so human and almost banal in their physicality. More applause, the audience is in a composed intellectual frenzy. They're the Television, not Vasco.
The evening continues in a magical atmosphere, a splendid setting and destiny conspires... the full moon illuminates the scenery. Tom Verlaine exclaims: "there's a really nice moon tonight". A shiver runs through me. There it is, Marquee Moon with its crooked and minimalist charm. Tom's voice is still nasal and intriguing even if it seems to have lost some zest....but it doesn't matter... Between one gem and another comes an unexpected cover of "Knocking On Heaven's Door". The concert is nearing its end. The four leave the stage, and we call them back loudly for the usual encore... They return to the stage with their aloof and sober manner but deeply fascinating... and they offer us a version of "Satisfaction", which to my slight disappointment will be the only encore...damn these artists... But there's no time for regrets.

With the joy of having seen Television possibly for the only time, in a wonderful evening and setting, we hurry to reach the exit... there's the concert poster to pry off, damn it... Our 500 is still there, tireless, ready to retrace the Terra di Bari guided by a moon more splendid than ever.