GIG REVIEW: Rudimental at adidas headquarters, Germany
Every year at the annual adidas Global Brand Conference (GBC) there are always top guests and often a top performer on the opening day party line-up. Last year Kanye West was the special guest (and I'm still gutted that my manager told my team not to come because there was nothing exciting going to happen.. yeah..).
This year's theme was 'theme park'. It was so cool! Usually we sit in a huge exhibition hall all week and then the party happens there, DJ or musicians up the front, and us on the dance floor. This year, the whole adidas campus was transformed into a playground for all of us, with a ferris wheel, food trucks, and different games and fun activities to try. It was the first year that it really felt like the event was for us, and not us just stuck in a big conference hall with presentations all week.
There was even a stage, and as adidas employees, we had the opportunity to audition to perform in front of all our international colleagues. After a Russian band played, I saw my Amsterdam colleagues up there DJ'ing and then the special guests of the festival.. I mean conference.. Rudimental from the UK! Our London EIM team is the best!
I'd been following Rudimental for a few years already, and it was the first time I saw them live. They were so impressive and brought so much energy to the crowd, especially with the live musicians and a whole gang of singers all decked out in adidas Originals gear. Such a cool way to end the opening party. Thank you adidas!
Check out more about Rudimental:
Official website: http://www.rudimental.co.uk/
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/RudimentalUk
GIG REVIEW: PHOS album launch at Bitterzoet, Amsterdam
Eveline Vroonland, former solo artist and amazing vocal looper (check out Doin' It Right - Daft Punk cover) is now under the moniker PHOS, a three-piece electronic wonder under the spell of producer Skiggy Rapz. Their album launch was small, but intimate with a supportive network of friends and music appreciators. There was no loop involved, but new tunes to get used to. I told Eveline afterwards that I missed her loop, and she said maybe soon she'd bring it out again. From our last conversation at the Volkshotel opening party, she said she felt restricted standing behind a machine pressing buttons. It's obvious she loves to feel the music through her whole body by the way she moves from head to toe. It's a magical movement to watch and adds to PHOS' performance. I wish PHOS all the best in their new adventure.
Thanks to Croque-Bulle for the great company and for some of the photos below.
GIG REVIEW: Jessie Ware at Paradiso, Amsterdam
Jessie Ware is a funny character. I find her very down to earth, wearing KLM air stewardess-like heels (i.e. very practical). She was even making fun of a couple in the front of the crowd for making out during her song! It's something I have seen also in other UK artists, such as Adele, music so serious but as soon as they open their mouth, you're cracking up with laughter.
Jessie Ware's new album, Tough Love is really really good. This kind of electronic-pop is really popular right now, but she gets it right and the album is really well produced too.
Something really freaky I saw was a man's head reflected in the drummer's transparent barrier but it totally looked like a theatre prompter. hahaha I was speaking with a colleague just recently about this phenomenon as I didn't know such a job existed!
GIG REVIEW: Elliphant at Paradiso, Amsterdam
If there's someone who rocks a stage with just her and one DJ, it's Elliphant. Seriously. And for playing in Paradiso small hall with a crowd so tiny, her energy filled a sold out stadium. And my date for the evening Camille and I danced like we were at a dance festival. It was a crazy good vibe and set. I'm really impressed by Elliphant and her spontaneous and filterless energy is hard not to catch.
