GIG REVIEW: Christine and The Queens at Melkweg, Amsterdam
I first stumbled the French Christine and The Queens at Lowlands festival earlier in 2015. I was walking towards another stage and literally had to stop because I heard amazing beats from the stage. So when I saw she was giving a concert in Amsterdam I bought tickets straight away, so I could see her perform a full set where she was the headliner.
Christine, (real name Héloïse Letissier) has a very unique way of performing. The show was a visual feast full of movement and strobe lighting, and it was definitely not only about the music. She is much better live than by listening on Spotify by the way. Together with her dancers she has a modern choreography which is more about moving the whole body and not your typical "hip hop" or "pop" style moves.
Since I had already been blown away once, it was hard to be blown away for the second time, since I already had a first impression and therefore expectation of the amazing performance. The Lowlands stage was much bigger and the screens were also bigger so the light show had more impact.
Christine is a curious being. She reminds me of a younger version of Camille, my favourite French singer who is crazy in an eccentric way. She is openly queer and sings about gender fluidity (read this interesting interview!) and is just an inspiration that you can be good as yourself.
Photos by Podium Info (because my phone literally died and erased itself during the concert! It never happened to me before but I was so sad)
More about Christine and The Queens:
GIG REVIEW: Ariana Grande at Ziggo Dome, Amsterdam
I love Ariana Grande so much! The first time I saw her perform was at the MTV EMA 2014 in Glasgow, and she was definitely the highlight of the awards.
It was one of those awkward things where I knew none of my friends would want to go to the concert with me, so I asked on Facebook if anyone would come with me... a friend said her 14 year old daughter would go with me! Well that was better than no one!
On the day of the concert I was extremely sad because I was having a problem with my relationship and I didn't want to talk before the show. I just wanted to enjoy myself and then deal with it. But it became complicated and I was upset on the tram on the way there. Trying to wipe away my tears before meeting my 14 year old friend! We met at Bijlmer and there was another Dutch festival going on at the same time (Oranjefeest or something really trashy) and Burger King was so packed we had to go find food somewhere else. And it was raining so we were running to the food trucks trying to find a cheap burger (ugh).
We got in and found our seats. I went to get drinks and also wanted to buy some merch. The sweaters were all sold out in small sizes so I just bought some tiny badges, and shared half with my friend. She took the Japanese ones.
I loved the concert! I really loved the dancers (Brian and Scott Nicholson), and especially the string players (my favourite: the violinist Chysanthe Tan who I have been following on Instagram and Twitter every day during the tour). Ariana was amazing as expected. She's such a talent.. ever since I saw her YouTube video singing Imogen Heap's Just For Now with the loop machine I have so much respect.
After the show I was tweeting with Chrysanthe Tan and Adrienne Woods (the cellist) mocking Adrienne for poking the air with her bow off-beat. Chrysanthe stuck up for her saying that she was just doing it a different angle and she was 'slicing the air' instead of 'stabbing'. hahaha I know they thought I was annoying.
I'm openly an Arianator and have been and will be promoting Ariana forever. Even if she licks a donut... I don't care. I'll defend her :)
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.
