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Gogol Bordello (09/09/10) - Vogue Theatre, Vancouver, B.C)
| Message Board > Show Reviews > Gogol Bordello (09/09/10) - Vogue Theatre, Vancouver, B.C) |
| WestCoastWeasel User Info... |  Checking out a show at a venue you’ve never been to always ads to the flavor of the evening. When the main act is a band that you’ve also never seen but have heard nothing but the highest of praise for, it’s even better. That act was Gogol Bordello, our gypsy friends from afar. While the Vogue theatre may not be the first place I’d pick for such a rambunctious show, it certainly wouldn’t be the last. The assigned seating arrangement was constricting to some degree, but everyone was guaranteed a decent view of the multi genre, multi ethnic, multi talented ensemble that came before him or her. Apostle of the Hustle was just finishing their set when I sat down in my upper balcony seat. The group is normally a quartet, though what I caught was simply a duo. The pair of musicians, one guitarist/vocalist and drummer had a Spanish tone and style about them. Though my intake was brief, it was an intriguing one indeed. Seven of nine members of Gogol Bordello took their places and wasted no time before cracking out the hopeful tune “Ultimate” as the starting point for their set. Utilizing accordion, violin and congas combined with a typical arrangement of standard live instruments—the dynamics were full tilt. Gypsy punk is the term used to describe the hybrid genre, encompassing traditional Roma music with other styles of “rebel” music. In this case, dub and punk rock are two commonly favored. The two remaining members appeared, to dance for our viewing pleasure. The two girls rounded out the wealth of talent to perform a personal favorite, “Wonderlust King.” Eugene Hutz, front man and true showman switched his guitar to a banjo, and let his reverberated voice ring out for my favorite, though unknown song of the evening. The guitar solo had amazing soul, and topped the song off nicely. Hutz stopped to address the crowd, introducing a new song about the tearing down of a thousand year old church in Turkey. He called on us to educate our neighbours in the appropriately titled “Educate Thy Neighbour.” A healthy tension between instruments could be heard throughout. One piece had a moving dub feel, reminiscent of “Land Down Under” but Men at Work. While dub styling’s set the tone one minute, arrangements quickly shifted to ska-punk the next. Even beautiful, acoustic mariachi melodies were heard. The brawling crowd erupted when the raucous “Start Wearing Purple” began. They kept up with Huts, never missing a single note. Security’s attempt to remove a singing fan from the stage that had her arm around Hutz was ineffective as it was clear the two were in cahoots. Mr. Hutz returned to the stage, solo, to begin an acoustic number “Illumination”, only to be later joined by the rest. “Punk Rock Parranda” was the second song of what may have been the longest winded encore I’ve witnessed in ages. The extended rendition of “Undestructable” was wonderful but the length slightly abused. Once again, reintroducing the dancers, one with a marching band drum, the other clapping symbols were perfect for an evening closer. Hearing “this is my life and freedom is my profession” left us all with a grin, nodding with optimism ...Weasel Was Here - Sun, 18 Oct 2009 10:19pm Edited: Mon, 19 Oct 2009 1:26am | ||
| k8 User Info... | ya it was a good show - Tue, 27 Oct 2009 1:34pm | ||
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