ABlog http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog ABlog http://www.abconcerts.be/modules/core/layout/images/rss2.gif http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:47:17 +0100 Sat, 11 Feb 2012 22:47:17 +0100 en <![CDATA[Minneapolis, Mon Amour draws to a close]]> http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/minneapolis-mon-amour-draws-to-a-close?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog In August 2011 it was exactly 30 years ago since American rock band The Replacements released their debut ‘Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash’. A point of reference in musical history that AB has seized in the 2011-2012 season to present a number of concerts, film screenings, exhibitions and readings under the titled ‘Minneapolis, Mon Amour’.

On Thursday 9 February it's the turn of the young rebels from HOWLER. They're much appreciated by HUMO (**** for their debut ‘America Give Up’) and the single was Fresh on Pure FM.




On Tuesday 6 March it's the turn of folk-rock heroes THE JAYHAWKS. They're back with a vengeance - in their best line-up ever - and a masterful new album. What's more, CHUCK PROPHET from Green On Red will be playing in the support-act.

The Jayhawks::Mockingbird Time Teaser from Rounder Records on Vimeo.


The final evening of Minneapolis, Mon Amour is in the  hands of DARK DARK DARK. The fivesome from Minneapolis gave a magnificent concert with their acoustic instrumentation, in the intimate setting of the Musée during Les Nuits 2011. They mostly played work from their second album ‘Wild Go’ (also available with the extra E.P. ‘Bright Bright Bright’); a widely varied collection of songs whereby the voice of Nona Marie Invie becomes one with the first-class dreamy folk-pop.



Minneapolis, Mon Amour draws to a close written by Herman Hulsens in: Minneapolis, Mon Amour

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]]> Wed, 08 Feb 2012 13:57:00 +0100 http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/minneapolis-mon-amour-draws-to-a-close?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog <![CDATA[Rodrigo Leão, ex-Madredeus, finally in the AB!]]> http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/rodrigo-leao-ex-madredeus-finally-in-the-ab?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog His heavenly music always splashes and gurgles by enjoyably. From back when he played keyboard or synthesizer with Madredeus even.

But now our favourite Portuguese performer would seem to be seriously scoring with his more recent compositions!

There's the brilliant new CD and DVD: A Montanha Magica, a wonderfully crafted product, extremely tastefully packaged and especially (for those to whom it matters): straight to Number 1 in the Portuguese hit-parades! With O Fio da Vida as first, extremely fine single:

In between, Rodrigo Leão also provided the music for one for the best iPad Apps of the past year! More specifically, the 'Back In Time' App that The New York Times considered suitable for the Top Ten of 2011.

There is of course also, finally, on Thursday 9 February a concert with his Cinema Ensemble at 'AB em Bruxelas'!

 


 

Rodrigo Leão, ex-Madredeus, finally in the AB! written by Marc Decock in: Varia

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]]> Fri, 03 Feb 2012 13:35:00 +0100 http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/rodrigo-leao-ex-madredeus-finally-in-the-ab?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog <![CDATA[Huis 23 opens!]]> http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/huis-23-opens?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog Maybe you've already heard about it (or even seen it on TV): AB has a living room! It goes through life as ‘Huis 23’. Number 23 refers to the location in the Steenstraat 23 where the old ticket shop was situated above the AB Café. Huis 23 is a cosy place where we can receive guests in a relaxed atmosphere.


Huis 23 has 3 living-room-partners  - AB, Poppunt and Muziekcentrum Vlaanderen  - and all three will regularly organise activities.  Amongst other things, there will be readings, debates, film screenings, workshops and acoustic sessions taking place. But the space is also available to others in the music sector for press-days with artists, presentation of gold albums, music-DVD launches and much more. Music is the common theme but the possibilities are endless.


Geike, School Is Cool, Ashley Kahn (with a ready on 50 years of Impulse records), De Mens and De Nieuwe Snaar have already dropped by to “warm up” Huis 23, so to speak, and during Poppunt’s Muzikantendag there were interviews with the likes of Raymond, Admiral Freebee and Channel Zero. Muziekcentrum Vlaanderen then organised the launch of the “Plan of Action for Music in Flanders”. And last Sunday there was the very first 33 1/3 Classic Album Listening Session (Prince - Sign o' the Times).
All were test-cases that went exceptionally well and so today, 23 January 2012, we can officially declare Huis 23 open. None less than Flemish Minister for Culture Joke Schauvliege came to inaugurate this new musical meeting-place:

What is actually going on in Huis 23? Check the AB website regularly for planned activities but we can already mention the following items:

Wednesday 25 January: In conversation with David Bottrill, Wallace Vanborn and Floris De Decker
Wednesday 21 March: 33 1/3 Classic Album Listening Session: Public Enemy - It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
Thursday 12 April: 33 1/3 Classic Album Listening Session: Kraftwerk - Trans-Europe Express
Wednesday 25 April: 33 1/3 Classic Album Listening Session: Bob Marley - Exodus

Huis 23 opens! written by Peter Deckers in: AB Huisreporter

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]]> Wed, 25 Jan 2012 13:53:00 +0100 http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/huis-23-opens?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog <![CDATA[Sioen. - Pre Listening Session New Album]]> http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/sioen-pre-listening-session-new-album?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog
‘SIOEN.’  (reads as Sioen dot) is a feast, it’s the start of a new era, it’s a new beginning. The album has a clear message and through its veins runs a “lust for life”.
“This album, probably for the first time, shows who I really am” (quid Sioen).
When he starts working on the album, some 2 years ago, Sioen decides to use everything that comes to mind. The result is 60 songs which he takes with him on a trip through Europe as he wanted to broaden his horizon and work with other songwriters..
It brings him to Hamburg, Berlin and Stockholm, to name a few of his stops on the journey. Together with these songwriters he goes through his songs and let them the choice of the song to work on. It’s the start of a new experience.
The different collaborations did have its effect on “SIOEN.” Each song has its own identity, this wasn’t the case in the past. Now, every song goes straight to the essence of what it wants to say.
One of the guidelines on this album ‘Don’t bore us. Where is the chorus?’ came from Peter Kvint, a Swedish producer and songwriter who made hits for Britney Spears, Heather Nova en Sheryl Crow. Sioen wrote one of the songs on the album with him and the two of them hit it off so well that Sioen asked him to also mix the album. It clearly made its mark on the result.
When he comes back to Ghent he involves Frederik Segers, maybe the best kept secret of Ghent, who gets the job of keeping the overview and making it into an album.

“I took my time for this album” says Frederik Sioen. “I may have about 10 versions of certain songs. It was a lengthy process but it never felt that way, probably because the start was always spontaneous. The production is very thorough and we took the time to do a good cleaning job.” Something new : only one of the songs on the album is solely written by Sioen. Something else that’s new : the piano, Sioen’s signature instrument, is still there but no more in the forefront. Not on the album and it won’t be on stage. Sioen has switched places. He took centre stage holding the microphone. He’s the man with the guitar. But for the those who wonder : no worries, there’ll still be a piano on stage….somewhere.

For the first time there was a big influence from outside and this could have gone the wrong way, but it didn’t and the result is still a “Sioen album”.
Sioen has the ability to combine “recognizable with sustainability” and this latest album is the best prove of that.
“SIOEN.” Is made by an artist that has found out what he does best and where others can give him a hand. That’s why there’s a “dot” behind the name : just Sioen, this is it!

Sioen. - Pre Listening Session New Album written by Peter Deckers in: Varia

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]]> Wed, 18 Jan 2012 12:02:00 +0100 http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/sioen-pre-listening-session-new-album?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog <![CDATA[AB Café/Resto is open again: drop by for a free Jupiler!]]> http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/ab-caferesto-is-open-again-drop-by-for-a-free-jupiler?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog In collaboration with our good friends from Jupiler, both the Agora and the AB Café/Resto were thoroughly renewed during the winter-break. You can head down to the AB Café/Resto every weekday at lunchtime for a tasty fresh soup, bread rolls, a lunch-menu and other warm meals. Of course you're always welcome in the AB Resto in the evening, prior to a concert, too.

By simply presenting your concert ticket for the day itself in the AB Café/Resto (so that's prior to entering the hall!), or by showing that you're logged into the AB Café/Resto via Foursquare, you can receive a free Jupiler.

From now on you can also enter the hall directly via the AB Café/Resto and for seated concerts (in the AB Theatre setup) places in the tribune will be held for you when you make a reservation in the AB Resto beforehand. You can do this via resto@abconcerts.be or the telephone number 02/548.24.55.

AB Café/Resto is open again: drop by for a free Jupiler! written by David Zegers in: Varia

]]> Wed, 18 Jan 2012 10:11:00 +0100 http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/ab-caferesto-is-open-again-drop-by-for-a-free-jupiler?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog <![CDATA[Huis 33 1/3: Album Listening sessions]]> http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/huis-33-13-album-listening-sessions?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog
The idea behind Huis 33 1/3 is as simple as can be: music lovers gathering to listen to a 'classic' album - uninterrupted and in the most ideal circumstances possible (technical equipment, surroundings,..) - always introduced by an adept of the album in question.


Since the arrival of the internet, the importance of individual songs has increased at the expense of the full album or CD. Listeners search for their favourite songs, download them and listen to them in shuffle-mode.
Thanks to new technology, the amount of music on offer has never been so great and pretty much every kind of music is only a few clicks away for anyone in the world. Gone are the days of searching in record crates for the album you always wanted, and we no longer have to fear that our local record store won't be able to get hold of that latest album by our favourite artist, who only pressed 2000 copies.


However, aside the many advantages offered, there is also a less positive aspect to this evolution: The (sound) quality of the music has been strongly reduced, often without us realising it.
Because the digital distribution of music has to take place quickly (what doesn't have to take place quickly these days?), a way was sought to make these files ‘smaller’ so that they were easier to circulate. By removing elements of the music that were 'inaudible' and compressing the songs, the music files (MP3s, amongst others) are reduced in size than thus faster to upload or download.


But it is due to this compression that a heap of information is lost. It's usually exactly these 'details' that give the music its unique character. The result is that the sound quality is reduced (depending on the level of compression) and sounds can be heard that were not present in the original recording. The most important of which are: a (metallic) bell-like sound, pre-echo, drop-outs, vibrations, the feeling of listening underwater, a hissing sound, grainy sound,…
In many cases though, the listener doesn't realise that the music doesn't sound as it was initially intended. Many are happy enough to listen to heavily compressed MP3s on their mobile phone, Iphone or MP3 player or to view YouTube video clips on a 8 X 5 cm screen with the sound that comes from their built-in (mono) speaker laptop speakers.


Many albums were created as an artwork in themselves and so deserve to be listened to in their entirety. A great deal of attention was often paid to obtaining the best possible sound quality, the artwork, the order of the songs, the mood of the songs and the ‘story’ the artist wanted to involve the listener in. In many cases, no effort was spared to record the albums in the best studios, in order to make use of the best sounding mixing tables, microphones, pre-amps, compressors, reverbs,  etc... All of this is completely destroyed in a few mouse-clicks.
In order to offer a counterweight to this manner of experiencing music, we came up with the idea of listening in group to an album in its entirety - without interruption and with the best possible technical means -and in this way experience the album as it was originally intended to be heard when it was recorded, mastered and released.

Huis 33 1/3: Album Listening sessions written by Peter Deckers in: Varia

]]> Wed, 11 Jan 2012 14:31:00 +0100 http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/huis-33-13-album-listening-sessions?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog <![CDATA[AB in images]]> http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/ab-in-images?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog

AB in images written by Peter Deckers in: Varia

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]]> Wed, 04 Jan 2012 11:56:00 +0100 http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/ab-in-images?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog <![CDATA[A late night show with Stijn after fDeluxe!]]> http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/a-late-night-show-with-stijn-after-fdeluxe?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog No tickets, only FREE for those attending fDELUXE!

Stijn was always from Antwerp, has been living in the centre of Brussels for a while though, and all Stijn fans know that he really grew up in Paisley Park. After all, there's no greater Prince fan than Stijn. (Except maybe Serge Simonart? He is indeed bigger!)

Stijn is coming to demonstrate something unique here: his enthusiasm! He's always done that of course, ever since his first small success 'Steentjes Gooien', through the exquisite CDs 'Euphoric', 'The World Is Happy Now’ and ‘Ten Danz', and especially during his infectious live-act: enthusiasm and  immense influence from Prince.

So STIJN is actually here to perpetrate a 'late night show with Prince': his own favourites from the immense Prince catalog - not necessarily the most well-known hits - plus an occasional own Stijn-creation!

We're curious, Stijn! Purple and tipsy from anticipation!

A late night show with Stijn after fDeluxe! written by Marc Decock in: Varia

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]]> Wed, 21 Dec 2011 12:49:00 +0100 http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/a-late-night-show-with-stijn-after-fdeluxe?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog <![CDATA[AB in pictures]]> http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/ab-in-pictures-2?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog

AB in pictures written by Wannabes rrrockfotogrrraphy in: Varia

]]> Mon, 05 Dec 2011 12:02:00 +0100 http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/ab-in-pictures-2?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog <![CDATA[Drums Are For Parades, Diablo Blvd. and Steak Number Eight roll dice for a spot on the bill]]> http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/drums-are-for-parades-diablo-blvd-and-steak-number-eight-roll-dice-for-a-spot-on-the-bill?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog There has been quite a bit of talent from the harder genres turning up over the last few months. That's why AB figured the time right to put 3 of Belgiums most impressive bands from that corner on one stage... and wouldn't one of those pleasant Sundays in the dark month of December be ideal? Yep, op December 18 we welcome to AB's biggest stage: AB Drums Are For Parades, Diablo Blvd. and Steak Number Eight. You don't have tickets yet? Then be quick to order them here.

Alex Agnew, Brent Vanneste and Wim Reygaert played a game of poker dice in order to decide the line-up. Take a look at how it went.



No further news from the metal front: Steak Number Eight is aiming for the United Kingdom over the coming months, where a tour will take them to London, Birmingham and Leeds. Drums Are For Parades just recently released a new song in their IMPERIVM series, namely the fiery track ‘Virgin Powder Pt 1’ containing the voice of The Silver Surfering Rudeboy (from Urban Dance Squad). Hear here.

Virgin Powder Pt. 1 - Drums Are For Parades feat. The Silver Surfering Rudeboy by drumsareforparades

Alex Agnew, the singer of Diablo Blvd. just released his comedy live DVD 'Alex Agnew - Larger Than Life', available from www.alexagnew.be.

Drums Are For Parades, Diablo Blvd. and Steak Number Eight roll dice for a spot on the bill written by Herman Hulsens in: Varia

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]]> Wed, 30 Nov 2011 12:15:00 +0100 http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/drums-are-for-parades-diablo-blvd-and-steak-number-eight-roll-dice-for-a-spot-on-the-bill?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog <![CDATA[ABXPO: Daniel Corrigan live photography from First Avenue]]> http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/abxpo-daniel-corrigan-live-photography-from-first-avenue?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog Photographer Daniel Corrigan got involved in the profession in the fall of 1980 at the University of Minnesota where he studied under David Goldes, James Henkel, Linda Brooks and Gary Hallman. From 1981 to 1983, Corrigan worked for the Minnesota Daily as darkroom technician and carrying out general assignments for the newspaper. He later became chief photographer for the Daily's art and entertainment supplement, from 1983 to 1985. Corrigan has worked as freelance photographer ever since, specializing in performance photography. He is best known for his work in the mid ’80's, with performers from Minneapolis such as The Replacements, Hüsker Dü, Soul Asylum, Babes in Toyland, Prince and many others. He is currently in-house photographer for the AB's local counterpart in Minneapolis, the First Avenue/7th Street Entry concert hall.



In August 2011 it was exactly 30 years since that debut ‘Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash’ by American rock band The Replacements saw the light of day. It is a point of reference in musical history that AB makes good use of to present a number of concerts, film screenings, exhibitions and readings in the 2011-2012 season, all under the title ‘Minneapolis, Mon Amour’. That homebase Minneapolis now appears to have been a free port for idiosyncratic musical developments, far removed from hip cultural hubs like New York and San Francisco. Aside from indie-rock (the already mentioned Replacements, Soul Asylum, Hüsker Dü), hip-hop is also a highlight there. Labels like Twin/Tone and Rhymesayers and concert hall First Avenue (just call it the local AB) all play an important role in this unique tale.

ABXPO: Daniel Corrigan live photography from First Avenue written by Herman Hulsens in: Minneapolis, Mon Amour

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]]> Wed, 30 Nov 2011 09:41:00 +0100 http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/abxpo-daniel-corrigan-live-photography-from-first-avenue?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog <![CDATA[Customs report]]> http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/customs-report?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog

Customs report written by Sam Sulmont (AB Huisreporter) in: AB Huisreporter

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]]> Wed, 23 Nov 2011 15:34:00 +0100 http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/customs-report?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog <![CDATA[FONAL ART & ARCTIC ACCENTS]]> http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/fonal-art-arctic-accents?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog Fonal Records was established in 1995 and run from the forests around the Finnish city of Tampere (‘The Manchester of The North’) by creative all-rounder Sami Sänpäkkilä. The label houses a wide range of Finnish bands and performers who are mainly to be found within the electronic and electro-acoustic music genres.
 
That Fonal is more than your everyday label is quickly evident when you see their website. Not only do they offer performers a vast artistic freedom but they also issue posters, gadgets and clothing, they let the performers design their own artwork and offer them the opportunity to use the label's own - analogue furnished - SS-Palace recording studio. The most important names on Fonal are: Kemialliset Ystävät, Tomutonttu, TV-Resistori, Islaja and Sami’s own musical project Es.

Leading British monthly The Wire wrote of this unique label: “Fonal have created a body of work that’s admirably nationalist, willfully weird and, in it’s own odd way, as easily recognizable as that of more aggressively curated labels such as Kill Rock Stars or Touch or Southern Lord.”

More Fonal music to go along with the expo at the ABresto? Not here. But check out these euh fine Finnish concerts under the Arctic Accents banner:

UNIKO: Kimmo Pohjonen, Proton Quartet & Samuli Kosminen on monday december 5

VÄRTTINÄ on saturday december 17

 

And this doublebill in the ABClub:  KALLE KALIMA PENTASONIC & RINNERADIO on tuesday december 20!

Kiitos, kiipis & kisses!

 

 

FONAL ART & ARCTIC ACCENTS written by Marc Decock in: Arctic Accents

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]]> Fri, 18 Nov 2011 14:18:00 +0100 http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/fonal-art-arctic-accents?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog <![CDATA[10 AB Sessions for 10 years of Poppunt]]> http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/10-ab-sessions-for-10-years-of-poppunt-6?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog PAPER FOX

 

THE PILOT LIGHT

10 AB Sessions for 10 years of Poppunt written by Peter Deckers in: Varia

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]]> Fri, 18 Nov 2011 10:00:00 +0100 http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/10-ab-sessions-for-10-years-of-poppunt-6?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog <![CDATA[10 AB Sessions for 10 years of Poppunt]]> http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/10-ab-sessions-for-10-years-of-poppunt-5?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog TOUR

 

 

D-TURN

10 AB Sessions for 10 years of Poppunt written by Peter Deckers in: Varia

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]]> Thu, 17 Nov 2011 11:03:00 +0100 http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/10-ab-sessions-for-10-years-of-poppunt-5?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog <![CDATA[Giana Factory to collaborate with the hottest new Belgian act - School is Cool]]> http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/giana-factory-to-collaborate-with-the-hottest-new-belgian-act-school-is-cool?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog

School is Cool’s stunning debut album ‘Entropology’ went gold in Belgium and their memorable live performances are now turning heads also outside their native land. The SPOT team fell in love with the Antwerp act back in September. The word spread quickly in Denmark and things eventually led to the band befriending the Trentemøller-endorsed female-trio Giana Factory.

School is Cool singer Johannes Genard comments: “I like the fact that Giana Factory have this garage rock feel, even though they use electronic sounds. I really like their sound actually. We are definitely looking forward to working with them!"

Giana Factory's Lisbet Fritze adds: "When we were asked to do this collaboration we did not hesitate... we love experimenting with new ways of playing music especially with new friends! We like the idea of musical collaborations, that you can keep on evolving and remixing the music in different ways - both on recordings and live."

Giana Factory to collaborate with the hottest new Belgian act - School is Cool written by Kurt Overbergh in: Varia

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]]> Wed, 16 Nov 2011 15:17:00 +0100 http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/giana-factory-to-collaborate-with-the-hottest-new-belgian-act-school-is-cool?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog <![CDATA[10 AB Sessions for 10 years of Poppunt]]> http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/10-ab-sessions-for-10-years-of-poppunt-2?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog CODY AND THE ALBATROSS

ASTRONAUTE

10 AB Sessions for 10 years of Poppunt written by Peter Deckers in: Varia

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]]> Wed, 16 Nov 2011 14:09:00 +0100 http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/10-ab-sessions-for-10-years-of-poppunt-2?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog <![CDATA[10 AB Sessions for 10 years of Poppunt]]> http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/10-ab-sessions-for-10-years-of-poppunt-3?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog J. KEENS BALLOON FLIGHT

NEWTOWN

10 AB Sessions for 10 years of Poppunt written by Peter Deckers in: Varia

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]]> Tue, 15 Nov 2011 11:46:00 +0100 http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/10-ab-sessions-for-10-years-of-poppunt-3?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog <![CDATA[10 AB Sessions for 10 years of Poppunt]]> http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/10-ab-sessions-for-10-years-of-poppunt?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog STOOMBOOT

 

EVERYMAN

 

10 AB Sessions for 10 years of Poppunt written by Peter Deckers in: Varia

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]]> Mon, 14 Nov 2011 12:41:00 +0100 http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/10-ab-sessions-for-10-years-of-poppunt?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog <![CDATA[ABXPO: 'Seven Years with Atmosphere & Rhymesayers']]> http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/abxpo-seven-years-with-atmosphere-rhymesayers?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog

Photographer Dan Monick followed the scene around hip hop label Rhymesayers for 7 years and compiled countless photos in the book ‘Seven Years with Atmosphere & Rhymesayers’. Rhymesayers will be appearing at a sold out AB on Friday 11 November with a whole series of performers: Atmosphere, Brother Ali, Evidence, Blueprint and Grieves & Budo.


In August 2011 it was exactly 30 years since the release of debut ‘Sorry Ma, Forgot To Take Out The Trash’ by American rock band The Replacements. It is a point of reference in musical history that AB makes good use of to present a number of concerts, film screenings, exhibitions and readings in the 2011-2012 season, all under the title ‘Minneapolis, Mon Amour’. Homebase Minneapolis now appears to have been a free port for idiosyncratic musical developments, far away from hip cultural hubs like New York and San Francisco. Aside from indie-rock (the already mentioned Replacements, Soul Asylum, Hüsker Dü), hip-hop is also one of the highlights there. Labels like Twin/Tone and Rhymesayers and concert hall First Avenue (just call it the local AB) all play an important role in this unique tale.

ABXPO: 'Seven Years with Atmosphere & Rhymesayers' written by Herman Hulsens in: Minneapolis, Mon Amour

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]]> Tue, 08 Nov 2011 21:17:00 +0100 http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/abxpo-seven-years-with-atmosphere-rhymesayers?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog <![CDATA[Zornik: The fans]]> http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/zornik-the-fans?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog Why are people queuing for a couple of hours to watch the Zornik show:

 

 

Sam

 

Zornik: The fans written by Sam Sulmont (AB Huisreporter) in: Varia

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]]> Wed, 02 Nov 2011 12:59:00 +0100 http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/zornik-the-fans?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog <![CDATA[AB in pictures]]> http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/ab-in-pictures?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog

AB in pictures written by Peter Deckers in: Varia

]]> Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:31:00 +0100 http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/ab-in-pictures?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog <![CDATA[Bon Iver]]> http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/bon-iver?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog Upon arrival I am approached by a stylish Parisian woman.
“Do you ave extrrra tickit?”

I have to disappoint her and save some face by lying in French about a concert that is to take place in Amsterdam next week.
She takes her mobile phone to find out about it and I disappear.
There are people everywhere waving 'need ticket' notes, asking the same question of every passer-by.
Someone tells me he's been begging for a ticket for two hours already. An unfortunate who'd give a fortune.
I enter the venue and notice from the balcony that the average Bon Iver fan is good-looking.

One of them is holding on to a self-made construction: “Bon Iver, we love you”.
She's right too.
  

Sam

 

Bon Iver written by Sam Sulmont (AB Huisreporter) in: Varia

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]]> Tue, 01 Nov 2011 12:45:00 +0100 http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/bon-iver?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog <![CDATA[Presentation of guitar to winner of Chic Le Freak competition ]]> http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/presentation-of-guitar-to-winner-of-chic-le-freak-competition?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog On Saturday 1 October the winner of our Chic Le Freak will finally receive his prize guitar. That is almost 4 months after the concert and the competition. That's how long Quentin (or Kent1? or Kwinten?) has had to wait for his personally autographed Nile Rodgers Fender Stratocaster. As if, all that time, he'd won an air-guitar!? While in fact, according to our customs office on August 26, we're really talking about a 10 kg package valued at hundreds of dollars.  A pretty serious box that, following sufficient phone calls and mails and €167,35 import taxes, finally landed in the AB and arrived at a contented Quentin. Yep, next time it would be best to have the guitar ready on the day of the concert itself! The Chic concert and the competition were a funky and fine enough party to maybe repeat again sometime in the future. After all, Nile rhymes with smile!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Presentation of guitar to winner of Chic Le Freak competition written by Jotie Boone in: Varia

]]> Wed, 26 Oct 2011 16:00:00 +0200 http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/presentation-of-guitar-to-winner-of-chic-le-freak-competition?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog <![CDATA[AB Café/Resto: some things new]]> http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/ab-caferesto-some-things-new?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog

AB Café/Resto launches a number of changes to make life easier for those who'd like to enjoy a tasty bite before a concert or would just like to come enjoy a refreshing drink.


First of all, AB Café will be open longer.
The café is now open to the public every weekday from 11:00 am until midnight, so also during concerts. On Saturday you can head to the AB Café from 5:00 pm until midnight. AB Café is closed on Sunday. Take a look here for the AB Resto opening hours.


As of today, you no longer have to go around to the main entrance to get into the concert after your meal in AB Resto. From now on you can enter the venue directly from AB Resto. Ask permission from the person serving you your meal.


Last but not least, AB Café/Resto is also a member of EVA (Ethical Vegetarian Alternative) and participates in the campaign Thursday = Veggie Day. Read all about it here.

AB Café/Resto: some things new written by Katrien Molenberghs in: Varia

]]> Wed, 19 Oct 2011 17:11:00 +0200 http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/ab-caferesto-some-things-new?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog <![CDATA[Multimedia presentation Ashley Kahn - 50 years of Impulse]]> http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/multimedia-presentation-ashley-kahn-50-years-of-impulse?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog AB is extremely proud to be one of the very few European countries included in celebrating the 50th Anniversary of legendary jazz label Impulse. The ‘A Contemporary Exploration of John Coltrane & Johnny Hartman’ programme with McCoy Tyner and José James has already been announce and now we're able to welcome none less than American journalist and writer Ashley Kahn.
 
Ashley Kahn has previously written pieces for Rolling Stone, Mojo and the New York Times. He is also author of reference works like ‘A Love Supreme – The Creation Of John Coltrane’s Classic Album’ and ‘Kind Of Blue - The Making Of The Miles Davis Masterpiece’. Kahn is the man behind ‘The House That Trane Built. The Story Of Impulse Records’ too.
 
In AB, Ashley Kahn will be giving a ‘clinic’ on 50 Years of Impulse. The focus will be upon ‘First Impulse: The Creed Taylor Collection. 50th Anniversary’, a CD-box released earlier this year that is a bundling of the first 6 albums the label released. Of these, especially ‘Africa/Brass’ (The John Coltrane Quartet), ‘Blues And The Abstract Truth’ (Oliver Nelson) and ‘Out Of The Cool’ (The Gil Evans Orchestra) have become genuine classics that the renowned Penguin Guide To Jazz exuberantly rated ****. Creed Taylor is then the founder of Impulse who gave the label a face.
 
Ashley Kahn let's you hear music, has a powerpoint presentation at hand and allows the audience – that's you – to fire questions. We already saw him do it convincingly at the renowned North Sea Jazz Festival earlier this year.
 
No single jazz fanatic – and certainly no Impulse-fan – may miss Kahn’s presence. Admission is free of charge. 

Where and when?
On Monday 31 October in Huis 23, Steenstraat 23, on the first floor abover the AB Café at 6pm SHARP. In that way, people with tickets for McCoy Tyner will have no problem seeing the concert after the clinic.
 
How to register? 
Registration is obligatory and can be organised via info@abconcerts.be Please mention ‘Clinic Ashley Kahn’ in the subject line. Also clearly state the number of persons with whom you will be attending.
Please note: there is a maximum capacity of 50 people. So be quick

Multimedia presentation Ashley Kahn - 50 years of Impulse written by Kurt Overbergh in: Varia

]]> Fri, 14 Oct 2011 11:03:00 +0200 http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/multimedia-presentation-ashley-kahn-50-years-of-impulse?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog <![CDATA[About 'hall-busting-concerts'... Or about SBTRKT, El Fish, Gotye,...]]> http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/about-hall-busting-concerts-or-about-sbtrkt-el-fish-gotye?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog It is rare for a band to be billed in the AB Club and then, due to the huge demand for tickets, re-housed to the AB Box. Then to bust out again to the main hall - and this phenomenon, it seems, is the new trend for the autumn.


(Masked man) SBTRKT scores unadulterated ‘hall-busting hat-trick’ at AB.

This year AB has taken a good hard look at the whole post-dubstep generation. Let’s say artists who take much of their inspiration from the (very recent) legacy of Skream, Benga and Burial and inject a shot of pop into the genre. This spring we got to see Mount Kimbie and Jamie Woon and this autumn we are hosting James Blake and SBTRKT.

We saw post-dubstep sensation (and masked man) SBTRKT live at work earlier this year at the Eurosonic showcase festival, where we got a good taste of him. A few months later his debut album appeared and was praised to the skies by all. His club show -  planned for Tuesday 11 October – sold out within a couple of weeks and was relocated, due to the huge demand, to the AB Box, which is three times the size. But even that venue turned out to be too small and the concert was moved to the main hall.

It had been a long, long time since a band had scored such an ‘unexpected hall-busting hat-trick’. Only the Irish band The Script had done it before, in February ’09.


More ‘hall-busting concerts’…

Looking at the autumn calendar, however, it suddenly seems to be something of a trend. Both Anna Calvi – who played the AB for the first time last year as the opener for Nick Cave’s Grinderman – and the Apparat Band have had to re-house to the main hall due to the huge demand for tickets.

‘The Belgians’ – for whom we always have a soft spot – are doing really well too. It so happened that the reunion of El Fish – initially planned for the AB Box – struck gold and sold out effortlessly last weekend. And let’s not forget the new band Intergalactic Lovers. Demand for their AB Box concert tickets outstripped supply and they were upgraded to the main hall. But the biggest hall buster of all involved AB artist Gotye (AB as in Australian-Belgian), who had a world hit when the gig was announced and blasted from the AB BOX to the main hall in barely a quarter of an hour (adding another two sell-outs not long after).

Long live the audience!  - that’s you! – is what we say! Because every artist wants to get his/her music across to the broadest possible audience...

About 'hall-busting-concerts'... Or about SBTRKT, El Fish, Gotye,... written by Kurt Overbergh in: Varia

]]> Wed, 05 Oct 2011 12:20:00 +0200 http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/about-hall-busting-concerts-or-about-sbtrkt-el-fish-gotye?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog <![CDATA[A Tribute to Alan Lomax on tour]]> http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/a-tribute-to-alan-lomax-on-tour?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog This AB creation is crossing the country in the coming months with no fewer than 10 concerts (see bottom of page for dates). On the bill again are The Golden Glows (who reinterpret the prison songs recorded by Alan Lomax and his father John A. Lomax) and Roland (Van Campenhout) who brings to life the best of Lead Belly, the blues legend discovered by the Lomaxes, father and son.

At some venues you will also be able to see Alan Lomax’s brilliant documentary, ‘The Land Where The Blues Began’, and/or get to listen to Blue Flamingo 78s. Check the specific websites for all details.

Go to ABTV to watch the original concert.

Still more news from the Tribute to Alan Lomax camp. The American band Chatham County Line (who licked off the tribute at the Feeërieën 2009) return to the AB on Wednesday 2 November for an exclusive performance at the ABClub. Chatham County Line are from Raleigh, North Carolina and deal in bluegrass. Expect plenty of harmonies and acoustic playing. Jack White of The White Stripes (deceased) is already a fan. How about you?



A tribute to Alan Lomax on tour with The Golden Glows & Roland

14/10 GC De Muze [Meise] - 20:00 - www.demuzevanmeise.be
24/10 CC Ter Vesten [Beveren] - 20:15 - tervesten.beveren.be
4/11 GC Het Koetshuis [Roosdaal] - 20:30 - www.koetshuisroosdaal.be
18/11 CC De Mol [Lier] - 20:15 - www.lierscultuurcentrum.be
9/12 CC Ter Dilft [Bornem] - 20:30 - www.terdilft.be
23/12 Cultuurcentrum [Mechelen] - 19:00 - www.cultuurcentrummechelen.be
19/1 De Warande [Turnhout] - 20:15 - www.warande.be
25/1 Cultuurcentrum [Brugge] - 20:00 - www.cultuurcentrumbrugge.be
26/1 De Steiger [Boom] - 20:15 - www.desteigerboom.be
30/1 Cultuurcentrum [Hasselt] - 20:00 - www.ccha.be

A Tribute to Alan Lomax on tour written by Herman Hulsens in: Alan Lomax

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]]> Wed, 05 Oct 2011 08:53:00 +0200 http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/a-tribute-to-alan-lomax-on-tour?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog <![CDATA[Zornik hands out presents]]> http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/zornik-hands-out-presents?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog Tickets for the anniversary concert by Zornik in the AB on Saturday 29th October are selling like hot cakes. Hurry to our website to snap up one of the very last tickets. 
 
It was in the stars that Koen Buyse’s band would also be giving away presents. 
 
You can download the new single ‘Running After You’ for free until the 6th of October here.
 
What’s more, until 3 October you can help decide the iTunes track listing of their Best Of via the Studio Brussel website. Go to this page and choose the songs that will end up on this collection.  

Zornik hands out presents written by Herman Hulsens in: Varia

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]]> Tue, 27 Sep 2011 14:07:00 +0200 http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/zornik-hands-out-presents?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog <![CDATA[AB's Artists in Residence]]> http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/abs-artists-in-residence?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog THINGS ARE GOING AMAZINGLY WELL FOR ‘AB A.I.R’ or AB'S ‘ARTIST IN RESIDENCE’ PERFORMERS.
For a while now, AB has been running an Artist In Residence programme whereby we assist talent from Belgian soil. AB assists the (often unique) performers wherever possible. Let's just say: wherever it's most (musically) needed. That can vary from needing a professional press photo to be used by the band, studio recordings to serve as the basis for a demo, the opportunity to rehearse in AB to tighten up a set or to play as many shows as possible in AB (often as support act) in order to make themselves known to as broad an audience as possible.
The likes of THE SEDAN VAULT, TAPE TUM (from which a number of members would later ensconce themselves in THE VIOLENT HUSBANDS), BLACK BOX REVELATION, THE BONY KING OF NOWHERE and SELAH SUE have previously been Artist In Residence. However, this year something remarkable is going on…
2011: Year of returns for A.I.R.
2011 would seem to be the year of reaping benefits for the performers in our ARTIST IN RESIDENCE stalls. Earlier this year SELAH SUE played the AB Main Hall three times. Just to be clear: that was three times for a sold-out hall... that means for no less than 6,000 fans. That is definitely a historic record for a debutant in AB.
All is going well for Flanders' coolest rock ’n roll duo BLACK BOX REVELATION too. Even before their latest album was to be released, the Main Hall shows on Thursday 3 and Friday 4 November were sold out in no time. The other side of the Atlantic Ocean is in for it soon...
Lastly, you also have THE BONY KING OF NOWHERE. Bram Vanparys presented his second album ‘Eleonore’ earlier this year in a sold out AB Club. Later this year – more specifically, on THURSDAY 6 OCTOBER – The Bony King ventures the switch to the Main Hall (AB Theatre). There he will present (in the good company of AMATORSKI, AN PIERLE, KISS THE ANUS OF A BLACK CAT,…) the soundtrack he wrote for ‘Les Géants’ by Walloon film-maker Bouli.
 
ARTISTS IN RESIDENCE FOR 2011: SARAH FERRI + DRUMS ARE FOR PARADES + JAN SWERTS.


This year AB embraces three performers, of which SARAH FERRI and DRUMS ARE FOR PARADES had already been disclosed. Songwriter Sarah Ferri will also be releasing her lively debut ‘Ferritales’, the launch is planned in AB for February 2012 and at the Feeërieën she already had the entire audience in the palm of her hand.
DRUMS ARE FOR PARADES is mainly active behind-the-scenes. The band has been making use of the AB studio to work on (not so evident) recordings with a number of artists. Chris Goss (Queens of The Stone Age) was the most apparent guest but this year Rudeboy (of the late Urban Dance Squad) and artist Michäel Borremans are to follow.
The latest name in the A.I.R. firmament is JAN SWERTS. We've already been working behind-the-scenes with this minimal pianist from Limburg for a year now. His self-released debut ‘Weg’ received highly commending reviews all-round. AB is assisting him with the switch from ‘recording-artist’ to ‘live-artist’. Here the focus is on composing a live band, made-to-measure for Jan Swerts. None less than Nicolas Rombauts (contrabass player with Dez Mona) serves as ‘conductor’ and he'll be putting together an excellent live band with Jan Swerts. You'll hear more about this soon. Promised!

AB's Artists in Residence written by Peter Deckers in: Varia

]]> Fri, 23 Sep 2011 10:10:00 +0200 http://www.abconcerts.be/en/about-ab/ab-blog/p/detail/abs-artists-in-residence?utm_source=blog-en&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=blog