Music in the Garden
- ArtsySuzie
- Jul 19, 2020
- 3 min read
Updated: Aug 21, 2021
When the sun shines, it's time for music in the garden. These are a few of my favourite gigs....
Guvna B for Stabal
Royal Albert Home
So much to choose from Kaiser Chiefs, K T Tunstall, Nitin Sawhney, Ashley Henry, Guy Chambers playing Robbie Williams in the style of Sans-Saen and Chopin, the exquisite playing of Alexis fFrench and Beethoven 250 with Isata Kanneh-Mason + Eldbjørg Hemsing.
Sheffield Jazz Tony Kofi Trio
Sheffield Jazz and the Globe are doing some great live gigs. This was extraordinary - Sheffield to London featuring Tony Kofi, Alina Bzhezhinska and Joel Prime. Saxophone, Jazz harp! and drummer with more percussion and drums than I've had hot dinners. Such a lovely vibe between them all and kudos to the sound crew for getting it all to work. Plus you can have a chat and a post-gig drink with the Trio afterwards. Also JAZZ HARP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! and best gig pun ever...impending sense of Zoom.
The Globe: The Often Herd
I'd never heard of this, but in easing Lockdown times, worthy trying cos a live gig! Not a fan of country or folk, but some really romantic, wistful, beautiful bluegrass tunes from the Often Herd with a bit of a jazz twist.
Dan Tepfer/Aaron Diehl Duo
Not one, but two pianos! and some amazing improvisation including Bach.
The Globe and Jazz Coop: Zoe Gilbert https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kE-HY2rsjcE
Philharmonia Sessions: Sheku Kanneh-Mason plays Sans:Saen
Wondeful Sheku playing Sans-Saen, and sublime, uplifting, soaringly romantic second half of Vaughan Williams Fantasia on a Theme by Thomas Tallis.
Looking forward to Philharmonia Sessions, as much of a treat as the Lunchtime Lives from Wigmore Hall.
Ronnie Scott's The Return Sessions
Are brilliant - Reuben James, Kansas Smitty, Mark Kavuma and the Banger Factory, Liane Carrol (and her unique and funny interpretation of My Baby Just Cares For Me), Tony Kofi and more to come. Catch these livestreams on YouTube or Facebook while you can!
Glasto on the BBC
What a selection! Loving Muse (Knights of Cydonia on repeat), but so many others - Ezra Collective, Coldplay, Shakira, Michael Kiwanuka, Beyonce, Groove Armada, cooler than cool Oasis and seemingly Noel Gallagher starting the trend in Pastor chic checked shirts and chinos, Florence and the Machine, the impeccable Nile Rodgers and Chic, Kasabian, Ed Sheeran, The Killers (with their unexpected Brit mates and the Morrissey scream)! Kylie! Blur, Lionel Richie! cheekily very sweary Foo Fighters but loving the audience-Foo banter (10 more songs anyone?!!!) Damon Albarn preempting PE with Joe by making the sweatiest of sweaty Glasto audiences run! and the strain of the security team as they keep the Blur singer from becoming a blur and vanishing into the sweaty ones. Also bemused how there was one immaculate guy amongst them all - surfer Timotei anyone?! The sweary folk and many styles of Mumford and Sons! The thoughtfulness and yet really bad words of Dave - why use such terms about women? Dave and Stormzy competing for who can have most flames and steam jets on stage. Stormzy is a conundrum - I was uncomfortable with the gangs and guns culture - suddenly he's moved onto ballet, gospel and disco, and appreciating the gospel choir! But a strange appreciation and total sexualisation of black and brown women at the same time - if a white guy was doing this, would it be wrong? It's more positive than the women grinding behind rappers in whoops the budget ran out for your clothes tiny coverings, but is it right to still be talking about a sister as utterly sexual, tho a sexual equal? We're all whooping along like it's empowering, but is it? Isn't the overt sexualisation and bizarre stereotyping of both black and brown men and women in this area causing all kinds of ongoing social/cultural problems? Serious flames and fireworks for the Lord tho, or not, it's about watching your enemies burn =) Confused but can't deny the drama. Is this reality or is this marketing men fantasy? I like Coldplay Chris and Stormzy sharing a piano stool tho! Stormzy you confuse me, but I respect your desire to make the world a better place by putting your money alongisde your words, truly promoting Black Lives Matter. My mind is being messed with - one minute he's glorifying gang/prison culture, especially for the young, then it all goes Disney as he dances with a short child and the gang gives a piggyback! Then more gangs and guns, then dance with Stormzy! I'm confused - I guess my rap is more Public Enemy, using your voice to make a point and fight the power. The set really is a set piece tho.
I'm also enjoying the changing fashion; various gonks being waved in time to the music; how many people can balance on one person's shoulders; the banners, the immense quantities of facial glitter for Ed Sheeran, the random men in pants appearing in shot and how the sets can sometimes resemble the Wicker Man...
For those missing festivals everywhere... Let's go, Glasto!
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