Entertainment For Lively Minds
Mad Music Band Night
Posted by mcmrbt on 29 December 2011 - 3:59pm.
When:
23/12/2011
Where:
Roger's Cafe, Belfort, France
Comments:
A local after-school music club puts on a band night in a local dive. Three euros at the door, a stamp on the hand, and then you descend into what should be a dark and smoky bar, except all the smokers have to keep trooping back upstairs.
Acoustic acts begin the night, with a pretty blonde girl who sings a series of covers, starting with KT Tunstall and ending with Lady Gaga. The next three acts do more or less the same.
First electric act is an all-girl rock band (though one of the teachers fills in on drums). They look fabulous, but I want them to have better material. These French teenagers are all singing in English, and they could do so much better if they were more aware of the possibilities. The singer struggles with some of the landfill indie numbers they do. She's got a voice that would suit something by Miranda Lambert or Tift Merritt.
Final act features wife's godson Pierre, and a brunette who can really sing, but once more I'm disappointed with the material.
The Audience:
They're not listening, so why do these bright, enthusiastic kids bother with the crowd-pleasing covers?
A skinny drunk with a very broken nose is very enthusiastic - especially when the prettier girls are playing. I distrust his motives, however.
Food & Drink:
I was on the pokey pola because I was driving. I bravely ordered a round of drinks in French, though the barman clearly understood English. This is always a risk. I once tried to order a "pizza campagnarde" and ended up with spaghetti carbonara.
It Made Me Think...:
That I would go home and make Pierre a mix CD of material that would do justice to their great singer's voice. It just might change his life.









