Other than some glitch that wouldn’t make me stop dancing (no matter how many times I clicked “stop animations”, it would start up again), I had a very nice time at yesterday’s big opener for VLE. I don’t know what the final peak number of attendants turned out to be (was it 32, did I hear?) but I know it was very well attended and a quality performance.
The first performer to take the stage was Junivers Stockholm. Personally, his style of music isn’t my favorite; the phrase “if you like that sort of thing” comes to mind when I think of what to say to anyone who didn’t make it to the show to hear for himself. It was a lot of techno background and effect-pedal tricks which made for lengthy, meandering songs. Kind of like the longer intros into newer Pink Floyd songs, only to me it was like the song never quite began. Again, this is my personal taste in musical style and not meant to disrespect Junivers’ musical ability. The guitar playing was clean and harmonious, the sound quality very good. Technically very good, stylistically not my cup o’tea.
Next was Zorch Boomhauer, whose performance was a sharp contrast to the previous one. He didn’t have dancing girls or an electronic orchestra or effect pedal; it was just him and his guitar and his own original songs. I can best describe his voice as a blend between Cat Stevens and Jimmy Buffet, with the addition of a charming accent when he speaks. I have to brag a little: his suit and hair were my own creation, commissioned by Shai a few weeks before his performance.
So the performances seemed to me to be a fascinating contrast: the first felt more image than substance, the second more substance than image. All in all, a fine opener. I think VLE is/will be a fine starting point for musicians in OL, but I hope it doesn’t take the attitude of becoming the only venue.
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