As we hit Berghain/Panoramabar to party, we need to decide a) if we're willing to stand in line for hours and b) if after those hours we can deal with a refusal. Luckily enough, we arrive in time and ride the line-ride with comfort & joy. After about 20 minutes and the sight of at least 40 people being refused, we enter the door, doing a quick finger victorydance. The happiness might sound a bit exaggerated knowing that we have never been refused before, but the changing doormen and their moods seem to be a insecure factor to a lot of people. Now you wonder why I would like to get in a club with such a ridiculous (is it really?) doorpolicy. Because it's not just a Berlin club, it's thé Berlin club. Of course, there's a wide range of alternatives, but they completely vanish at comparison.
Every weekend, the 18 meter high dancefloor of this former power plant is packed with about 1500 enthusiastic people trembling of pleasure while listening to the best minimal and techno tracks. But it's not only the music that makes the reincarnation of the former Ostgut-club a desirable venue, the entire ambience is developed to play and have fun. Swings, small make-out corners, diffent dancefloors, a coffee-/icecreambar, a garden and an unvisited darkroom. You name it, Berghain's got it. Therefore everyone is still anxious to get in the club, officially labelled as 'Bear'-place (one of the reason why chickclicks are always sent away).
You just want to be there. Have fun until the sun has come up and gone down again. No matter what.
http://www.berghain.de/
NOTE December 2th 2008
After several questions, I just want to clarify a few things I wrote.
Definition of Bear according to mr. Wiki:
Bears (family Ursidae) are mammals in the order Carnivora.
Definition of Bear (gay slang) according to mr. Wiki:
Bear is LGBT slang* for those in the bear communities, a subculture in the gay/bisexual male communities and an emerging subset of LGBT communities with events, codes and culture-specific identity. It also describes a physical type.
The bear concept can function as an identity, an affiliation, and an ideal to live up to, and there is ongoing debate in bear communities about what constitutes a bear.
A big group of Bears tend to be very hairy. Although this is not the case in Berghain, it's their hyper-masculine attitude that could classify them as Bears.
Definition of Bear according to me :
Camp Fairyland.
*Definition of LGBT slang according to mr. Wiki:
LGBT slang or gay slang in linguistics refers to a form of English slang used predominantly among LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) people.
Definition of Chickclick according to me:
A certain amount of girlie-girls behaving like chicks.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Saturday, November 29, 2008
Of my chest.
I normally refuse to write a negative review (as I stated in a Writers Note), because it feels like a waste of time. For both me and you. This time on the other hand my mental peace won't be reached until I get this of my chest. So writing about it, is the better solution.
After having seen several announcements on websites and in magazines, having read so many interviews, with the artist, being triggered by his artpieces and being mentally raped by the huge amount of advertisement on Kult des Künstlers, it felt like I couldn't miss the Jeff Koons exhibition in the Neue National Gallerie in Berlin.
While I was standing on the doorstep of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's impressive design, I could see Koons' first object: Balloon Dog. This huge porcelain Dog always makes me smile, so I entered the museum in a good mood. I bought a ticket and observed the 10 objects I could see, while standing in line. (I ám capable of enjoying a line-ride, for further reference see It's Bergtime.) However, I entered the space and realized a remarkable thing: that was it. No, I'm lying, there were 11 (!) objects to be admired. So I asked one of the 11 museumguards, where the other pieces were. 'Das ist alles, Fraulein', he replied. What?!?! So I paid 8 euro to see an exhibition that I could see for free from the outside. There were even two possibilities: a) from behind the thin rope line and b) through the windows on the 1st floor that serve as walls. Please forgive my language, but I felt screwed. I could spend even more time in the museumshop. While I was being pissed off, after I found out that I couldn't even touch ("Das ist Kunst, waren Sie noch nie in einem Museum?") or photograph the gigantic Celebration, I saw a man carefully capture the pieces from the outside on tape as well as with his gigantic, professional tele-lens ... for free. And now I must say that I truly hope this man was Koons himself working on his new project (aka "Watching the Suckers"), otherwise the entire event feels like a bigger waste of time.
The thing that really made my night was the toilet smelling like peachcandy.
http://www.smb.museum/smb/sammlungen/details.php?lang=de&objID=20&n=1&r=19
http://www.jeffkoons.com/
After having seen several announcements on websites and in magazines, having read so many interviews, with the artist, being triggered by his artpieces and being mentally raped by the huge amount of advertisement on Kult des Künstlers, it felt like I couldn't miss the Jeff Koons exhibition in the Neue National Gallerie in Berlin.
While I was standing on the doorstep of Ludwig Mies van der Rohe's impressive design, I could see Koons' first object: Balloon Dog. This huge porcelain Dog always makes me smile, so I entered the museum in a good mood. I bought a ticket and observed the 10 objects I could see, while standing in line. (I ám capable of enjoying a line-ride, for further reference see It's Bergtime.) However, I entered the space and realized a remarkable thing: that was it. No, I'm lying, there were 11 (!) objects to be admired. So I asked one of the 11 museumguards, where the other pieces were. 'Das ist alles, Fraulein', he replied. What?!?! So I paid 8 euro to see an exhibition that I could see for free from the outside. There were even two possibilities: a) from behind the thin rope line and b) through the windows on the 1st floor that serve as walls. Please forgive my language, but I felt screwed. I could spend even more time in the museumshop. While I was being pissed off, after I found out that I couldn't even touch ("Das ist Kunst, waren Sie noch nie in einem Museum?") or photograph the gigantic Celebration, I saw a man carefully capture the pieces from the outside on tape as well as with his gigantic, professional tele-lens ... for free. And now I must say that I truly hope this man was Koons himself working on his new project (aka "Watching the Suckers"), otherwise the entire event feels like a bigger waste of time.
The thing that really made my night was the toilet smelling like peachcandy.
http://www.smb.museum/smb/sammlungen/details.php?lang=de&objID=20&n=1&r=19
http://www.jeffkoons.com/
Friday, November 21, 2008
Holy Hercules!
That's all I can say after a night of Electronic Beats in the Postbahnhof. Boys screaming like girls and girls wanting to be boys for a night. Fashionable dress-up parties mingled with the audio nerds. Stamping feet (high heels or not), clapping hands, good old moshpits, non-stop dancing and even some stage-diving from the Electroclash queen herself. For me, an unseen event in Berlin until now.
Santogold, the well-known upcoming star, mesmerized every single person in the venue. With two golden elastic-girls breakdancing on her side (WOW!), the NY singer made the night really start. Munk, the Munich band, had already performed and even though the four bandmembers had done their act, they were completely blown away by the following act. Santogold was hot. Her songs definitely reminded me of M.I.A. (with whom she toured) and her style clearly shows her punk background of Stiffed, but Santi White (her real name) has created her own original sound by producing with the Strokes, Lilly Allen, N.E.R.D. and many others. One should definitely keep an eye on her, as she is more than an equal opponent of the contemporary diva's.
After a short pause to regain our breaths, the next act was introduced by a girl with a blue face in a cute/ridiculous dress wearing a red teddybear head-hat. Jumping on stage like a ten year old, she was exactly what the crowd needed. More, more, more. After being pumped by a sing-a-long party song, we finally exclaimed the words.
We want Peaches. We want Peaches. We want Peaches.
And then it started. The band, disguised in Lucha Libre masks, made its entrance. Running around as winners, they prepared the stage for their herm mom. But her readiness to perform surprised us all. She didn't need any warming-up. She was ready! Kicking off with the hiphopish part of her repetoire, she was still wearing her strawberry outfit. Breakdancing with her legs wide. But the longer she played, the more of her outfit seemed to vanish. And once she removed her wrestling mask, the true identity of the former elementary school teacher was revealed. The rockstar appeared with a Venecian golden face with matching Blockhead. Naughty looks combined with dirty lyrics, a powerful appearance and sexy outfits. That's all we wanted.
But we received more. We got some balls. Or more explicit, one lit ball or clitoris, it depends on what your preference is. A light on her crotch, worn over her skincoloured catsuit .... And as she started to Fuck the Pain Away the crowd finally came.
Along with some trembling movements, the audience was trying to regain its German reserved dignity. But it was 1.30 am and it was too late. Hercules and the Love Affair were ready for some booty shakin'. Some mixed funk and techno tunes were introduced only to be taken over by 2008 disco. The band of eight projected so much fun that we couldn't hide our Saturday Night Fever movements. And transgenderism continued. Girls who are boys who like boys to be girls. But let's not forget the brass section, which blew us all away. Voices and instruments mingled until nothing could be recognized as an original sound. It was one long funky set, without a pause. And the Dutchie went wild: heavy breathing, WiLd dancing, coughing. I definitely heard a Whoohooo, but it was too late to run for cover, fatherfucker!
Santogold, the well-known upcoming star, mesmerized every single person in the venue. With two golden elastic-girls breakdancing on her side (WOW!), the NY singer made the night really start. Munk, the Munich band, had already performed and even though the four bandmembers had done their act, they were completely blown away by the following act. Santogold was hot. Her songs definitely reminded me of M.I.A. (with whom she toured) and her style clearly shows her punk background of Stiffed, but Santi White (her real name) has created her own original sound by producing with the Strokes, Lilly Allen, N.E.R.D. and many others. One should definitely keep an eye on her, as she is more than an equal opponent of the contemporary diva's.
After a short pause to regain our breaths, the next act was introduced by a girl with a blue face in a cute/ridiculous dress wearing a red teddybear head-hat. Jumping on stage like a ten year old, she was exactly what the crowd needed. More, more, more. After being pumped by a sing-a-long party song, we finally exclaimed the words.
We want Peaches. We want Peaches. We want Peaches.
And then it started. The band, disguised in Lucha Libre masks, made its entrance. Running around as winners, they prepared the stage for their herm mom. But her readiness to perform surprised us all. She didn't need any warming-up. She was ready! Kicking off with the hiphopish part of her repetoire, she was still wearing her strawberry outfit. Breakdancing with her legs wide. But the longer she played, the more of her outfit seemed to vanish. And once she removed her wrestling mask, the true identity of the former elementary school teacher was revealed. The rockstar appeared with a Venecian golden face with matching Blockhead. Naughty looks combined with dirty lyrics, a powerful appearance and sexy outfits. That's all we wanted.
But we received more. We got some balls. Or more explicit, one lit ball or clitoris, it depends on what your preference is. A light on her crotch, worn over her skincoloured catsuit .... And as she started to Fuck the Pain Away the crowd finally came.
Along with some trembling movements, the audience was trying to regain its German reserved dignity. But it was 1.30 am and it was too late. Hercules and the Love Affair were ready for some booty shakin'. Some mixed funk and techno tunes were introduced only to be taken over by 2008 disco. The band of eight projected so much fun that we couldn't hide our Saturday Night Fever movements. And transgenderism continued. Girls who are boys who like boys to be girls. But let's not forget the brass section, which blew us all away. Voices and instruments mingled until nothing could be recognized as an original sound. It was one long funky set, without a pause. And the Dutchie went wild: heavy breathing, WiLd dancing, coughing. I definitely heard a Whoohooo, but it was too late to run for cover, fatherfucker!
Wednesday, November 19, 2008
"And here he is ... Mister ... Eli ... Paperboy ... Reed!"
The program said 9 pm, but as we enter the Roter Salon at 9.45 pm, the venue is almost empty. The former jazzclub, normally packed from front to back, contains no more than ten enthusiastic fans and a bunch of german lost souls. Or at least, that's what they seemed to be until they prooved the complete opposite only 10 minutes later. My mom, sisters and boyfriend find a nice spot to sit and while they're sipping their drinks, I humm them some Reeds songs. Unexpectedly my sister joins in. "It's no coincidence I'm here....".
As The True Loves start playing, one of the trumpet players walks up front. He grabs the mic and shouts: "For you tonight will be playing Eli... Paperboy... Reed!"
There goes the young man, who's been standing next to me in the crowd for a few minutes, he jumps on stage, while shaking his legs as if snakes are crowling up. No time to loose, the first song has already started. This enthusiastic puppy (in the industry) has the voice of a seventies retired soulsinger performing a rockmusical.
Even though he doens't seem to get the audience excited straight away, the initial stiffness melts as ice as soon as the band decides to entertain themselves. They're having fun (although, in my humble opinion, Mr Reed over-exaggerates in trying to hide his insecurities by making fun of the other bandmembers). But it works. The people get greedy as they want experience the same gusto, and there they go: the first petticoats are up a bit higher than necessary. Feet start shuffling, fingers are tapping, some even whistle along. It is definitely not my way of partying (I miss naughty looks being exchanged), but the Germans are having a great time!
The music was great: the band swinging and Eli's voice refreshing as well as reminiscent. Normally I'm quite easy going. As soon as I see my family swing along, I'm sold. But this time the mellow atmosphere didn't really do it for me.
That doesn't mean we didn't have a lot of fun. But we had to heat the venue ourselves. No more tapping, this asked for real charleston legs. As The Satisfier kicked off, I was more than content. We did it.....
NOTE
This is not the first time I've experienced a lower level of enthusiasm at a concert in Berlin and it shouldn't influence me, but I do notice that the reaction of the crowd has a great impact on my experience of a show. Their stiff attitude (and I don't judge stiffness) almost seem to lower the venue's temperature.
As The True Loves start playing, one of the trumpet players walks up front. He grabs the mic and shouts: "For you tonight will be playing Eli... Paperboy... Reed!"
There goes the young man, who's been standing next to me in the crowd for a few minutes, he jumps on stage, while shaking his legs as if snakes are crowling up. No time to loose, the first song has already started. This enthusiastic puppy (in the industry) has the voice of a seventies retired soulsinger performing a rockmusical.
Even though he doens't seem to get the audience excited straight away, the initial stiffness melts as ice as soon as the band decides to entertain themselves. They're having fun (although, in my humble opinion, Mr Reed over-exaggerates in trying to hide his insecurities by making fun of the other bandmembers). But it works. The people get greedy as they want experience the same gusto, and there they go: the first petticoats are up a bit higher than necessary. Feet start shuffling, fingers are tapping, some even whistle along. It is definitely not my way of partying (I miss naughty looks being exchanged), but the Germans are having a great time!
The music was great: the band swinging and Eli's voice refreshing as well as reminiscent. Normally I'm quite easy going. As soon as I see my family swing along, I'm sold. But this time the mellow atmosphere didn't really do it for me.
That doesn't mean we didn't have a lot of fun. But we had to heat the venue ourselves. No more tapping, this asked for real charleston legs. As The Satisfier kicked off, I was more than content. We did it.....
NOTE
This is not the first time I've experienced a lower level of enthusiasm at a concert in Berlin and it shouldn't influence me, but I do notice that the reaction of the crowd has a great impact on my experience of a show. Their stiff attitude (and I don't judge stiffness) almost seem to lower the venue's temperature.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
WRITERS NOTE
Just for the record:
I'm not mesmerized by every band I see.
I just believe in the positive approach of life.
Plus, I don't waste my time nor yours on discussing every single shitty thing I get to experience.
I'm not mesmerized by every band I see.
I just believe in the positive approach of life.
Plus, I don't waste my time nor yours on discussing every single shitty thing I get to experience.
Elbow
Widely respected by bands like Radiohead, Blur, Snow Patrol, U2 and many others, I couldn't believe that I had never (ssshht) listened to this band. It was one of these typical musical examples of living under a rock for years. Fortunately, I was persuaded to go and see Elbow yesterday.
We entered the impressive building of the Columbiaclub during the first song and I can't remember the last time I turned into a soft egg that quickly. Maybe twenty notes had come out of Guy Garvey's magical throat, but that was all I needed. The only thing I clearly remember from this concert is the floating feeling I experienced for more than an hour.
The members of this Mercury-prize winning Mancester rock band have been playing together for more than 18 years, which can heard directly if you listen to them. The sound they produce is a creation of their obvious synergy. I still couldn't understand how I had managed to not know their music, but then slowly, some vague recognition appeared. I started remembering things I didn't know I knew. First melodies, than lyrics, I knew this band. I tried to let it rest, but as soon as I got back home, I googled their entire existence.
And there they were, back in my mind: Elbow.
The singles 'Any day now', 'Asleep in the back' and 'Newborn'.
The accoustic kittens version of 'Independent Woman'.
Their 'Fallen Angel' in Michael Winterbottoms 9 Songs.
The trailersong of the new Coen Brothers' Burn after Reading.
The more I read about them, the more signals started travelling my brain and the more I started appreciating the concert in retrospect. The way they played, their 'old-fashion'-style fans (they were definitly more devoted back in the old days), the warm atmosphere (even though it was literally bloody hot as well), the amount of fun they seemed to have on stage. It was one of those concerts that remind you of your first concert. Mine was Pink Floyd and although the two had almost nothing in common, for a moment I felt as if I was eleven years old again.
It was one of those classic examples of you had me at "Hello!".
Must-see/hear:
www.elbow.co.uk
www.myspace.com/elbowmusic
Elbow's cover of "Independent Woman" (Destiny's Child)
http://www.rathergood.com/independent_woman/
We entered the impressive building of the Columbiaclub during the first song and I can't remember the last time I turned into a soft egg that quickly. Maybe twenty notes had come out of Guy Garvey's magical throat, but that was all I needed. The only thing I clearly remember from this concert is the floating feeling I experienced for more than an hour. The members of this Mercury-prize winning Mancester rock band have been playing together for more than 18 years, which can heard directly if you listen to them. The sound they produce is a creation of their obvious synergy. I still couldn't understand how I had managed to not know their music, but then slowly, some vague recognition appeared. I started remembering things I didn't know I knew. First melodies, than lyrics, I knew this band. I tried to let it rest, but as soon as I got back home, I googled their entire existence.
And there they were, back in my mind: Elbow.
The singles 'Any day now', 'Asleep in the back' and 'Newborn'.
The accoustic kittens version of 'Independent Woman'.
Their 'Fallen Angel' in Michael Winterbottoms 9 Songs.
The trailersong of the new Coen Brothers' Burn after Reading.
The more I read about them, the more signals started travelling my brain and the more I started appreciating the concert in retrospect. The way they played, their 'old-fashion'-style fans (they were definitly more devoted back in the old days), the warm atmosphere (even though it was literally bloody hot as well), the amount of fun they seemed to have on stage. It was one of those concerts that remind you of your first concert. Mine was Pink Floyd and although the two had almost nothing in common, for a moment I felt as if I was eleven years old again.
It was one of those classic examples of you had me at "Hello!".
Must-see/hear:
www.elbow.co.uk
www.myspace.com/elbowmusic
Elbow's cover of "Independent Woman" (Destiny's Child)
http://www.rathergood.com/independent_woman/
Wednesday, November 5, 2008
Gay Marriage ... Man?
Not only the United States are celebrating the promise of a new era: as far as my language skills reach ( a coverage of almost all of Western Europe), I read about Obama, being thé mainsubject in all newspapers. While this victory took place, a major loss remained fairly unnoticed at the other side of the Atlantic Ocean. While the majority overhere celebrates, a minority and their like-minded fellow Americans are caught in mixed emotions.
The approval of Proposition 8, banning same-sex marriages, will change the California Constitution in a such fundamental way - restricting the right of equality - that it will amount to a constitutional revision. This happened only six months after California's high court judged that same-sex marriages were supposed to be legalized in California. Straight after that decision pro's and contra's started the most expensive social issue campaign the USA have ever seen.
And now the Pro's of the ban, who received full support from the State Utah, got what the wanted. They restricted the rights of their fellow Americans and are proud of it.
This huge step back in the realization of equality, however, will not be accepted. Ever since the defeat on tuesday, people throughout the State have been marching the streets with signs of disagreement. And they will show that all of Obama's people will indeed 'can!'.
For extra info, please read:
http://www.noonprop8.com/
photo by Rick Loomes
The approval of Proposition 8, banning same-sex marriages, will change the California Constitution in a such fundamental way - restricting the right of equality - that it will amount to a constitutional revision. This happened only six months after California's high court judged that same-sex marriages were supposed to be legalized in California. Straight after that decision pro's and contra's started the most expensive social issue campaign the USA have ever seen.
And now the Pro's of the ban, who received full support from the State Utah, got what the wanted. They restricted the rights of their fellow Americans and are proud of it.
This huge step back in the realization of equality, however, will not be accepted. Ever since the defeat on tuesday, people throughout the State have been marching the streets with signs of disagreement. And they will show that all of Obama's people will indeed 'can!'.For extra info, please read:
http://www.noonprop8.com/
photo by Rick Loomes
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