From taxi cabs to bandstands: Alternative sessions
The internet is a great thing. So is video content. One day some smart genius combined those things and came up with YouTube, a website that has now turned into a global phenomenon. Bands and websites have also cottoned on to sites such as YouTube and have tried to utilise it as fully as they can. Another feature of web video has the constant supply of ‘alternative sessions’ – i.e. live performances from talented musicians in a unique setting. There are quite a few of these kind of things around but I’d thought it would be a good idea to point you towards the best ones.
The Takeaway Shows:
The Takeaway shows are the staple of well-respected French music blog La Blogothèque. This series of videos is the one that arguably kicked off the whole ‘alternative sessions’ vibe and is still the best. It shot to prominence all over the internet when the Arcade Fire agreed to perform Neon Bible, the title track of their second album, in a lift at the Olympia in Paris. After this, they exit the leave and onto the floor of the main hall, surrounded by many fans as they perform an unplugged version of Wake Up. The clip would later appear on the band’s Miroir Noir DVD, directed by Vincent Moon (who shoots most of the videos that appear on La Blogothèque).
http://www.dailymotion.com/videox1jgpp
The Black Cab Sessions:
The Black Cab Sessions is the London equivalent of the Takeaway Shows but always shot in one principle location – the back of a taxi. Many new artists have performed for this website including Fleet Foxes, Slow Club and Amanda Palmer. Perhaps the most surreal video so far in this series has been Brian Wilson’s appearance. The back of the cab is filled with seven people in total, including a very uncomfortable cameraman and sound recorder. It’s because of this ramshackle nature that makes some of these videos very entertaining to watch. Here he is performing That Lucky Old Sun and California Girls:
Bandstand Busking:
The art of bandstand busking, something that has been lost in recent years, has been rejuvenated thanks to this series of videos. These busks for the most part take place in London and Crazybobbles, friend of The Musical Chairs and supplier of the above photo, has been to a few of these including Alessi’s Ark, Emmy The Great and Hauschka (so far the first artist to bring a string quartet with them as he sits on the steps of the bandstand playing his ickle toy piano). Other bands of note include Of Montreal and The Acorn. One hopes these sessions will shine brightly in the summer, providing we get any sunshine at all. Here is Emmy The Great with First Love:
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Posted on March 30th, 2009 by Max
Filed under: Features, Gigs
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