 15/10/2008 Planet Notion rarely looks forward to next week. Next week represents misery and squalor; long hours and microwave meals; money worries and lethargy and everything else and nothing else. Woe. Nothing but woe. But even Planet Notion, the eternally down-beat, has broken into a smile; albeit, a semi-smile. Why? Because the BBC Electric Proms returns next week. Taking place from Wednesday 22nd – Sunday 26th October, across venues in London and Liverpool, a total of 60 acts will perform. Seeing as Planet Notion is excited about at least 70% of the line-up, we figured we’d bring you a top 5 list of the best events taking place on each night.
Wednesday 22nd: A lot happening on this night. It was a toss-up between Burt Bacharach (w/BBC Concert Orchestra) and Tony Christie. Planet Notion opted for Burt Bacharach because his version of ‘I Can’t Take My Eyes Off Of You’ gives us a warm sensation, deep in our gut. Unless that was the Chilli Con Carne washed down with Raki we had last night. A pianist and composer, the hit singles that Bacharach wrote make for some impressive reading. Dusty Springfield sang The Look of Love, Bacharach wrote it. Aretha Franklin sang Walk on By, Bacharach wrote it. B.J. Thomas sang the Academy Award Winning Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head (see video), Bacharach wrote it. Course, everyone forgets that Bacharach wrote most his stuff with Hal David, but hey-ho…
Must See: Burt Bacharach with the BBC Concert Orchestra: London Roundhouse (Main Space) Tickets: £5.00.
Other highlights: Homecoming kid Tony Christie on the Liverpool Royal Daffodil Ferry. Tickets: BY INVITE ONLY.
Thursday 23rd: What, with Planet Notion picking Burt on the Wednesday, we figured we’d go for something a bit different on the Thursday. Yeah. Figured we’d go for Keane. The reason we’ve picked Keane is because they’ve got balls bigger than Cantaloupes and the lead singer looks like an extra from a Peter Jackson movie. You’re probably wondering why we think that Keane have balls. “Where’s the evidence?” I hear you cry. Take their new album: Perfect Symmetry. The band decided to change the whole manic depressive soft-rock theme of previous albums in place of some happy-clappy, 80s style synth-pop. David Bowie’s a fan of Keane’s new found kahunas and frankly, so are we.
Must See: Keane at London Koko. Tickets: SOLD OUT
Other highlights: Milanese; Rolo Tomassi; 2 Hot 2 Sweat. Liverpool BBC Merseyside – Peel Night. Tickets: BY INVITE ONLY
Friday 24th: Interesting one this. Producer, musician and composer Nitin Sawhney, produced an album called London Undersound. It’s one of those political type ones, looking at the effect of the Iraq War and the 7/7 bombings on cultural relations in London. Nitin gathered together a load of renowned artists to represent a different voice from London on each track. These included Paul McCartney, Natty,Reena Bhardwaj,Rox,Natacha Atlas and Anoushka Santar. One of the most poignant messages that come across is that London’s a pretty non-judgmental place as a whole, and that the majority of people have accepted the diversity of cultures in the capital… Nitin Sawhney will be joined by the London Undersound Orchestra and a selection of the album’s collaborators on the night. Should be fascinating.
Must See: Nitin Sawhney (plus guests) with the London Undersound Orchestra at London Roundhouse. Tickets: STILL AVAILABLE
Other highlights: The Last Shadow Puppets; Stephen Fretwell at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall. Tickets: £5.00
Saturday 25th: Best night of the bunch. Well, so say we. But the highlight of the night has to be the 30th Anniversary of Saturday Night Fever, baby. A film that made 65% of the world horrifically vain, and did more for the cosmetic and beauty industry than Kate Moss and co ever will. It also had a mighty fine musical score, including the Bee Gees’ Stayin’ Alive; so who better to perform on the night than Robin Gibb? Joining the Bee Gees member will be Ronan Keating and Stephen Gately. Hell, Sharleen Spiteri, Gabriella Cilmi and even Bryn Christopher will be there to perform! And, um, Sam Sparro will be there too. The event will be musically directed by Oscar-Winning composer, arranger and producer Anne Dudley.
Must See: Saturday Night Fever at London Roundhouse (Main Room). Tickets: STILL AVAILABLE
Other highlights: Justice - Film and DJ Set at London KOKO. Tickets: FREE
Sunday 26th: Planet Notion confesses to being a horrific liar. Tie us up, shove a Granny Smith in our mouth and feed us to the Guinea Fowl. For Sunday contains the most exciting event of any night. This is major - almost as big as the 1969 moon landing… but not quite. It’s Oasis performing at the London Roundhouse with support from Glasvegas. Hell, screw Glas Vegas - its OASIS PERFORMING AT THE LONDON ROUNDHOUSE! Cue much jumping about by Gallagher fanatics and a very busy phone-line. Oasis recently achieved their 7th number one album with Dig Out Your Soul and sold-out their promotional album tour in minutes. I heard some guy down the pub (who gets a kick out of showing everyone his Oasis leg tattoo) saying he had to get his ticket on the black-market. True story. Anyways, Oasis will be performing songs from the new album, including new single The Shock of the Lightning.
Must See: Oasis with support from Glasvegas at London Roundhouse (Main Space). Tickets: £5.00
Other highlights: Pete and the Pirates; General Fiasco; Pull in Emergency; Chew Lips. BBC Introducing at Proud Galleries London. Tickets: STILL AVAILABLE
For further information on the BBC Electric Proms, including events and artists not included in this feature, artist blogs, and information on registering for tickets, CLICK HERE. |
