Spring’s flashbacks

I know, I know – summer is finally here, but I would still come back to two very special events which took place during spring in my hometown, Prague. If you are our regular reader, I’m sure you have noticed how often I complain on czech music scene. So, I’m truly happy everytime when its announced a premier performance of some artist. And that’s exactly the case of two following events. Both took place in very interesting area, former factory in industrial part of Prague – called Meet Factory. It’s not entirely appropriate to marke this place only as club, it’s more something like a meeting point for various people, events, artistic instalations, exhibitions or presentations. Creative party promoters can conjure incredible party space!

Flashback no.1: LUNCHMEAT festival (March, 2010) – audiovisual fairy-tale!

I’m fan of audiovisual events. Really. And I’m sure you are too. I think it can be really stimulating when is the music in complete harmony with visual effects. And that‘s exact case of LUNCHMEAT festival, a newcomer in our party area. Space of Meet Factory is actually very convenient for visual instalations or various presentations. So, one of the main point of this festival was cooperation between US producer Nosaj Thing with French visual artist Romain Tardy aka Aalto. Aalto, member of AntiVJ team, came to Prague 14days before the festival to create special light stage-design and visuals for that event. Lunchmeat  was held on 9-11th March in NoD (more about presentations, discussions and smaller parties) and 12-13th March in Meet Factory (main part of the festival). For time reasons, this article will try describe and tell highlights of only Friday’s atmosphere.

For me, first great moment – Ghostmother performance. Imagine a group of people, in renaissance costumes, but playing on contemporary instruments! Oh, and I forgot – add to this an opera singer. And magician came also! Very very imaginative from the visual side. The music side maybe needs little bit tune couple details, but still, my respect. Have to emphasize the great utilization of all walls in Meet factory, it was pure visual orgasm! Like being inside all that pictures, just touch :o)

Time for short visit on second stage, currently playing ambient/noisy master Unclean. On the floor 4 old-computer are laid and industrial atmosphere is a bit daunting. Strange feelings, strange sound… So, back to main stage for Annie Hall!

Annie is nice, Annie is smart. She knows. This spanish lady showed sophisticated and dancing IDM which I won’t forget for long time. Plus great visual performance created by Pintaycolorea. Precize of details and sound elegance in one nice package are guaranteed by these two ladies. Women go! But during this show some sad feelings came across my mind, there wasn’t any atmosphere! Few people danced, most rather chatted or sit and looked around. Such a shame for these talented ladies… OK, let’s give some hope to another lady on the stage – Ikonika.

Former drummer, but currently proud artist of british Hyperdub, presented her music in „battle“ with visual artist called Video Jack. First lady of dubstep/garage gendre performed very quality mix and as well some pieces from her fresh album. Crowd finally gave more response and we were tapping to the beats. Unfortunately, tiredness slowly won, so time to say goodbye to this exceptional event. Fingers crossed for the next year to all people from Lunchmeat team, wish more visitors and quality artists and VJs as this year! Go, Lunchmeat!

Flashback no.2: SPERM festival (April, 2010)

Unlike Lunchmeat, Sperm definitely didn’t have any problems with number of attendees. Rather contrary actually. Festival took 3 days and you could choose from cocktail mixed of interesting presentations and movies, parties with cool&fresh (for Prague of course) names or workshops. After one-year break came re-birth this exceptional Prague event which definitely don’t have any fear of bringing new blood to our city.

FRIDAY

Stop 1: Floex and Liba presents soundtrack for expresionist movie „The Hands of Orlak“ (1924, Robert Wiene)

Slow start needed, extraordinary experience guaranteed. About 90minutes watching this psycho/horror movie about the pianist who had to undergo transplant of his hand – by criminal actually. That was little bit mind-blowing. Why am I using this word? Well, Tomas Dvorak and Jiri Libansky composed own soundtrack which was presented live during the movie. Live performace included piano, violin, scisors, fizzy and noisy instruments, clarinet… Very emotive. And I can say, not for everyone.

Stop 2: SPAM presents Karel Gott Prager

Moving to another room, taking a seat and waiting for another big moment. Project SPAM wasn’t presented at many places. Actually, you can count it on fingers of one hand. But SPERM festival is special, so it deserves special projects. Large table, three guys with three iMacs – Vladimir 518, David Vrbik and Ondrej Andera – and large screen behind. 60 minutes Audio/visual compliment for lifetime achievement of architect Karel Gott Prager can begin. Mix of great composed music and 3Dmodels of finished and as well never built objects is very impressive, can say impressive as well the fact that this architect is either hated or adored by people. And it’s understandable because if you have ever been in Prague, maybe you asked yourself what is the strange building next to National museum?  Prager’s buildings looks like from grey industrial future and it’s obvious that not everyone can handle this…

Stop 3: Cristian Vogel

After previous serious stuff is coming time to party! And that’s work for Cristian Vogel. This seasoned DJ could create perfect atmosphere and seemed crowd really enjoyed his set. Couple people still sit and enjoyed colorful vizualization behind Cristian, but I was standing and couldn’t believe how cool was the sound that evening.

First day was great. More thoughtful, more sitting, more easy way. And that was good, because it was neccessary to save lots energy for the most anticipated moment of the festival – Saturday.

SATURDAY

10pm, running over train tracks (Meet Factory is close to railway station) and watching big crowd in front of the „club“. Little bit early for this long queue, crossed my mind at the doors, but whatever. It’s actually really nice to see such an interest of people in new music. But I guess that the most came to see Dan Deacon’s show. He’s legendary.

First hour is just about worming about people – they are everywhere. It’s almost unbelievable! Two stages, one dedicated dubstep gendre, second one more to house/electro/Dan Deacon. Intentionally writing „Dan Deacon“, because you can’t classify him. Dan knows how manage and speak to crowd, he control light master, sound master, you – without you notice it. His show starting when he takes the microphone and convenes crowd close to him. He is standing in front of his set up (which is not so large – Casio piano and couple machines around, everything very colorful – as Dan’s music) and encourages us. Suddenly starts something what I hardly classify as one musical gendre, its electro/techno/break/whatever mix of sounds and Dan’s breath. Ouch, that’s strong cup of tea, even for me. But I’m tough and waiting. Around Dan dancing his loyal (gruppies?) fans and seems like lots people really enjoy this crazy trip. Suddenly music stops and Dan speaks to the crowd. Everyone listen and after 5 minutes again – mix of all gendres which you can know… And I’m done, I need some air :o)

After  short appeasement of my soul, I’m going back – this time to the second stage to listen at least for a while Boxcutter. What a nice suprise! He is playing nice melodies on his bassguitar and seems like he really enjoys the friendly atmosphere around. Well done, well done, this performance is more into garage/2step with very gentle start, but slowly coming „little hell“. Incredible!

But quickly move to main stage for live act of Pantha du Prince. On the left side of stage is already shinning a picture of his last album and Pantha, wearing a hood, just coming and opening his Apple laptop and starting to play the first song. Pleasant feelings are spill out across the crowd. If you think that it’s impossible to dance/jump on 120bpm, catch Pantha somewhere! But when comes my most favorite „Saturn Strobe“, I’m almost crying. Uf. On the air, now!

Morning is slowly approaching, but we are still dancing on beautiful house waves of german Jacob Korn. Perfect time for perfect house stuff. No more words needed, just smile on the face and move to the rhythm. Yummi, yummi!

And in this moment, Sperm ends for me. Unfortunately, I didn’t have more energy for Sunday’s programe. But I’d like to say big THANKS to all people who have been involved in this festival. Great work and wish you luck to next year!

More infos on:  www.sperm.cz and www.lunchmeat.cz

Text by Simona Hypsová

Images for Sperm festival: Hana Makovcova (Saiha) & Tomas Martinek (r2-d2) from techno.cz crew
Pictures for Lunchmeat festival: Tchunia from poslouchej.net crew