Learn By Example

After three failed attempts to make it to see Example live, iTunes Festival finally delivered what I've always missed out on.
The music gods really had it in for me last night trying to prevent me yet again from witnessing Example perform with one of my thongs having a plugger incident (aka my 'flip flop' broke). Luckily there was a Sainsbury in the general vicinity and after some blu tac and scotch tape artwork, I emerged feeling ready for a gig... and a little like Neil Buchanan.

Yasmin

Starting the night was songstress Yasmin. With her sparkly pink jacket taking my eye, I was wooed by her vocals and also spent most the set pondering where on earth she is from. Her accent was a mixture of English, Aussie and American it sounded like - baffling myself and my plus one for the evening. Not having heard her music before, we found ourselves happily swaying and watching with mouths wide open at her soothing voice - plus she's an epic stunner.

Wretch 32

After a cheeky drink and a few hot chips, we headed back inside for Wretch 32. Bringing on special guest Josh Kumra to perform his new song 'Don't Go', you can immediately tell that BBC have hit the nail on the head predicting Wretch 32 will be a big hit in 2011 by nominating him for BBC's Sound of 2011 - he is simply one succulent rapper.

Example

And finally - what we were all waiting for, a dynamite set from Example. With a set that was like a smooth rollercoaster ride through emotions and excitement levels, this guy some how takes you for the a spin with ease, comfort and confidence on the stage like I've never seen before. Casually giving a shout out to his Mum and responding in a cheeky manner to the crowd when booing the VIP section, Example is leading the way for artists and their interaction with crowds.

Starting the set off with 'Skies Don't Lie' from his third album Playing in the Shadows, Example moved through every track without one dull moment. A constant high, he casually went through to a couple songs from his second album Won't Go Quietly getting the crowd to show him their dirty faces.

The ambience of the crowd was swayed by every song that started up - at one point creating an atmosphere that made me feel as though I actually WAS in Ibiza. Pulling out 'spirit fingers' left right and centre, Example would say JUMP and the crowd would respond HOW HIGH????

Cleverly experimenting with some new tracks from his third album such as 'Skies Don't Lie', 'The Way', and 'Natural Disasters' falling perfectly in line with the rest of the set - playing new stuff can always be a risky move especially at free gigs but not for this kid.

Saving his most renowned hits until lucky last, 'Kickstart' and latest number one hit 'Changed the Way You Kiss Me' were absolute crowd pleasers with everyone going completely nuts for it. Although I couldn't dance as hard as I hoped, I know there is definitely going to be a next time as he is 100% worth it.

Can this guy dance? Definitely not! But my god you can't take your eyes off him regardless. Rapping, singing, and great conversation... what more can you ask for. You can follow Example on twitter for constant (and I mean constant) updates on where he is and what he's up to.

Like A Parallel Universe

Vula Malinga

Metropole Orkest - a jazz/pop orchestra from the Netherlands which has been around since 1945 and is the biggest hybrid orchestra in the world. 
Basement Jaxx - a house music duo which began in the 1990's and are now an international chart topping sensation.

Le Gateau Chocolat

Now mesh the two together and you have one mind blowing parallel universe where hits you've stomped your feet to over the years has a classical make over to bring out the crescendos and diminuendos in a whole new light.

This form of rare cross over was created by Basement Jaxx's very own Felix Buxton and Simon Ratcliffe with the help of their star singers and performers - Miss Vula Malinga, Miss Sharlene Hector, Brendan Reilly from California, Lisa Kekaula from The Bellrays and Le Gateau Chocolat in all things outrageous.

Starting off the evening with "Raindrops" couldn't have sounded more harmonious and sweet on the ear if it the instruments were lined with cotton candy and icing.

Pulling the best hits from all albums and giving them a whole new zesty sound, Basement Jaxx had the civilised audience up on their feet swaying to "Do Your Thing" and "Bingo Bango".

Watching the ladies jump up and get their domineering stature throughout "Good Luck" was invigorating full chorus belting out "Red Alert" was simply ecstatic.

Sharlene Hector & Brendan Reilly

Compelling costumes for all involved was definitely noted. Mainly Brendan Reilly in complete pirate/medieval from the waist up however in sweatpants to keep him warm and... comfortable? Unfortunately completely out staged by the elegant ladies in their enormous gowns and to finish the ensemble off we had Le Gateau Chocolat doing more costume changes than all the dances from a Kylie Minogue concert put together; embracing lycra full pieces like no other.

One of my favourite hits was "If I Ever Recover" with only one word suitable for the orchestral remake - beautiful.


To complete the evening, a full blown brass band jamming away while salsa dancing through the crowd outside the hall to prepare the audience and get us in the mood for a night of Basement Jaxx doing a quality DJ set. I couldn't have asked to bring in me into my 24th year of living. Happy Birthday to meeeeee.

Fighters and Foosters

Dave Grohl

Probably the biggest statement ever made on Edie & Her Tambourine - Foo Fighters were the greatest gig I've ever been to... FACT!

It was just a casual Monday night and I headed to the infamous iTunes festival to witness what I thought would be a cool, teen-ravaged 'free' gig for Foo Fighters. Little was I to expect that I would have my mind completely blown by probably the most charismatic man in music - Dave Grohl.

Not only did he introduce his humble band to the crowd and have a chat (reminding us Taylor Hawkins is JUST the drummer), he also had friends Roger Taylor & Brian May from Queen come on stage and jam with them PLUS Lemmy from Motorhead also join in the fun.

Highlights of the gig included Dave Grohl's witty banter and rockstar stealth moves such as suddenly appearing at the back of the Roundhouse on the bar ripping it up on his guitar; and stopping midsong to stop a fight which had broken out in the crowd to throw the trouble maker out of the gig. His zero tolerance to stupid behaviour was applauded by the entire audience with Grohl claiming we came here for a good time and to dance.

Surprisingly, their latest hit Rope was the second song played in the set - something I wasn't expecting but I'm also OK with the choice. Best of You really got the crowd going to the point where it was almost as if we were the ones guiding the band to continue playing to song. It was mesmerising to say the least.

Rumour has it Seasick Steve and Jimmy Page were also in the crowd... I didn't manage to get a glimpse but that's ok because the Fooey's were busy taking my breath away. Here's my excited report back to Sydney for Triple M.

Taylor Hawkins with Roger Taylor and Brian May