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Sunday, April 3, 2011

The Whitest Boy Alive-You Say Party We Say Party!

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Erlend Oye's electro outfit The Whitest Boy Alive leans more to the indie pop style than his better known Kings of Convenience alter ego but his charm and ability to communicate with the audience are a constant factor.This may not have been one of the most challenging of indie shows for the audience but it was definitely one of the most fun.as one comment on my video said 'A wonderful night....all people dance high' and the band did give the crowd a natural high in their 2 hour set.
I couldn't really make up my mind whether to go to this show but a friend had got some good seats so we decided to see if  Whitest Boy were as good or better live than Erlend Oye's other band, Kings Of Convenience.
First off,minus marks to Untitled Asia ,the organisers for having no crowd control.It's very annoying to find that late comers could just wander around at will when the show has started looking for their seats and blocking everyone else's view.Couldn't they at least let people wait till a break in the songs?
Also what's the point of having reserved seating if everyone can just rush to the front?Next time just say free seating and everyone will know what to expect.Don't get me wrong.It was hilarious the way everyone just charged forward but if only I'd known I coulda got to there first!

Ok how about the bands?The support act featured Analog Girl from Singapore,an electronic experimental artist who was given a warm reception for her electrodance beats. 
The Whitest Boy are one of the best live acts I've seen in Hong Kong but I still had a nagging feeling that the singalong ,arms waving,handclapping show backed by synthesised dance beats as well as a live drummer  was more pop than indie fare.Sure,the atmosphere was great and Erlend is such a charismatic performer nd lovl guy that it seems churlish to complain with a show full of big songs,geeky dancing and the rest but it still felt to .me like something was missing although most of he ecstatic crowd didn't agree.Party n dudes!

Tuesday, March 15, 2011

EF-Nordic postrock in Hong Kong

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A bunch of Hong Kong indie fans turned out in numbers for the first of this week's Scandinavian visitors ,Swedish band EF at The Hangout.Like most rock venues in the city it's quite small but the proximity of audience to performers can generate an intimate atmosphere that at times is electric.
The other plus point is that thereis none of the intrusive security measures seen at larger venues with security guards blocking your view of the band.
First on were Whyoceans ,a local outfit from whose melodic ,intricate guitar lines and ghostly vocals set the postrock mood for the main band.
If your only experience of Sweden so far has been Ikea or Stig Larsson then you missed a chance to check out on its more euphoric sid at this show..
Headliners EF are  on the less heavy side of the postrock spectrum,more aethereal Sigur Ros than earblasting Mogwai.They played a noisy,rhythmic but fairly melodic set full of crashing harmonies and intricate guitar figures which soon had the audience jumping around,clapping hands and generally enjoying some moody but uplifting Swedish postrock.
the band's latest offering should be available from local record store whitenoiserecords   


Hong Kong's next visiting postrockers the Besnard lakes are at Hidden Agenda  on the 17th March or alternatively head on over to HITEC to see the Berlin based electro outfit The Whitest Boy Alive if there are still any tickets left!