Festival report: Accelerator
Håkan Hellström has done it. The Hives as well. Moneybrother was still unknown when he did it. Loney, Dear has done it twice, counting this occasion. Done what you say? Played on Accelerator – The Big One of course. Or the Accelerator Festival as they call it these days. But what's so special about that you might ask? Great bands plays gigs all the time, right? The thing with Accelerator is that you get to see the stars of tomorrow today. Håkan Hellstöm played in 2000, The Hives in 2001 and Moneybrother in 2002. None of those bands had the stardom they have today, they where all artists on the rise. That's what makes the Accelerator festival so exciting, they have the perfect mix of really hot and great bands, both native and foreign. This year's line up includes the return of José González, Jens Lekman and The Tough Alliance. Peter Bjorn and John will play their super hit "Young folks" and Victoria Bergsman will introduce you to her new project Taken By Trees, proving that there's a life after The Concretes. To name a few things. But don't worry, IAT has its tentacles everywhere, and provides a full report from all three days in both Göteborg and Stockholm. Enjoy!
- Christian Stenbacke
Göteborg
Text and photos by Christian Stenbacke.
[ingenting]
I was wrong. In the festival preview I listed [ingenting] as one of the must-sees. I also wrote that the band has its ups and its downs; the gig at Accelerator Göteborg was surely not one of the ups, in fact, it was even worse than just a regular down. There's one thing that I can't stand, and that's when a band or an artist takes the audience for granted. Replacing Kate Nash at the last minute, [ingenting] suddenly got the chance to play one of Sweden's most credible events, but what do they do? Nothing. Singer Christopher Sander looks bored out of his mind, the rest of the band does try; but the energy just isn't there. And quite frankly, bands might need to rehearse from time to time. There are far too many technical errors to my satisfaction tonight. But then again, they do have the most marvellous songs. In my head I can hear perfect versions of "Julia" and "Suzanne (vi kan inte gå hand i hand)", even though they're not, because I want to. I really like this band, a genuine pop band singing in Swedish, and doing it well, but there's a limit to everything. And no "Punkdrömmar". The one song that could have made things somewhat right again. Oh well. Next time perhaps.
José González
When the first notes of "Crosses" echoes through the room I get goose bumps. Every single hair on my body seems to be on the rise. The song may have a couple of years on its neck by now, but it longer belongs to José González. It belongs to us. To the world. To everyone. Those where the words of Michael Stipe of R.E.M. when he introduced "Losing my religion" last time I went to one of their concerts. I believe you can use that phrase for most José González songs, the man has his way of stripping the music bare of nothing else but raw emotion. Even though it has been more than four years since the release of "Veneer", the songs still sound vital and fresh. But there's a new element in the live show this time around, the usually solitaire man from Göteborg is no longer alone. After at couple of songs, José is joined by Yukimi Nagano (known from her collaboration with Koop) on backing vocals and Erik Bodin on the bongo drums. Everything very subtle and gentle. Still, it brings a somewhat new dimension to the music. And the new songs… Perhaps nothing in the same class as "Crosses" or "Heartbeats" (a song he did not play tonight, unfortunately), but I have no doubt that "In our nature" (release date September 26) will be something to look forward to. Until then, make sure to catch José live if you have the opportunity, it's worth every penny.
Stockholm
Text and photos by Martin Eriksson.
Loney, Dear
The greatness of Loney, Dear lies not just within the amazing songwriting of Emil Svanängen, but in the chemistry between Emil and background vocalist Malin Stålberg. Watching Emil and Malin together makes you remember why people start bands in the first place. In contrast to Interpol's Paul Banks and his crew (playing later the same day), there is warmth about the whole performance. Watching Malin smiling as she sings and the band mates constant glancing at each other, you understand that these people were born to do what they do. In the afternoon sun, Loney, Dear made a terrific show, including a finale with up-beat versions of several songs from the albums.
Taken By Trees
Victoria Bergsman totally lives up to all expectations. Her performance is fragile, yet with some kind of power that leaves the crowd stunned and completely silent during the eclectic show. Backed up with several solid names (Björn Yttling, Jens Lekman, Erland Oye), Victoria's performance gave us proof that her talent didn't go down the drain with the split-up of The Concretes. (And no, she's not dull.)
Peter Bjorn and John
Although major parts of the crowd sadly left after playing you-know-what-song, Peter Bjorn And John made a great performance. Showing the ones of us who stayed the whole concert that the people begind the blog-movement "Stop Peter Bjorn and John" really should be going after someone else. There's lot of crap out there. PB&J is not included.
José Gonzáles
Backed up by talented companions on percussion and background vocals, José did a stunning afternoon show. When playing his cover of Massive Attack's "Teardrop", a girl in front of me broke into tears. Seeking solace in her boyfriend, she buried her head into his lap. The boyfriend: "it's ok. I cried when I heard it the first time as well."
And finally, the no-no of the day:
There is no way I can understand the hype of The Tough Alliance. The final concert of the festival was so crowded that I didn't even have a chance to shoot any pics. People gave up an amazing concert by Bright Eyes to stand in a 20-minute line to get a glance of two morons singing/miming to mediocre beats. No, I just don't get it.
