Babylon Circus played the Melkweg last night, and it was great. They’re a huge (ten-piece?) French ska/reggae group with truly astonishing energy on-stage.

They played the Oude Zaal in the Melkweg, sold it out and filled the floor with a dense and chaotic swirl of maddened enthusiasts. We were upstairs on the miraculously uncrowded mezzanine (which turned into Smokers’ Corner as the gig drew to a close), so nobody threw beer on us or pushed us over or fell on top of us. (In a sense I think we didn’t get the real Babylon Circus experience.)

The music is high-energy but also highly scripted and polished. The latest album (Belle étoile) I think overdoes this a little, and so loses some immediacy. The same songs live, though, got that spark back.

The live show is also hugely scripted, with theatrical clowning woven into the songs. On one side of the stage the guitarist is taking a break and tucks his instrument under his chin violin-style for a chorus in mime; on the other side the sax player is threatening to shoot the trombone (with his sax, of course), who has been arguing some point with much gesticulation but is now edging off the stage with his hands held up very still and pleading; one singer, meanwhile, who started the show in a tailcoat, has progressively unbuttoned his shirt to the navel, while the other is trying to get to the front of the stage but is continually being beaten back by the cheers from the crowd (who have caught the joke and scream every time he looks like making it). It’s manic and ridiculous and very very fun. If you have a chance to see them live, I heartily recommend it.

Kiwi alert: they’re playing at WOMAD, March 12th. Get there and rock with them.

Hello all. Here’s your chance to see some great music and make a difference in a young child’s life during the holiday season.A dedicated team of volunteers has organized 3 concerts that will feature different styles of music with good ol’ rock n roll (bands Kick Ass and Club Ugly), hot pickin’ bluegrass (The Devil’s Dream string band), and swing jazz world folk tunes (The Kaluza Collective featuring mandolin mania). Please help spread the word for this worthy cause as the goal is for everyone to bring a NEW unwrapped toy for donation to the sick kids’ hospital. During the the 3 weeks we’ll collect the toys at the shows and then on Dec 6th they will be taken to the kids. Please open your hearts to make a difference. Attend the concerts and show a child in need that love, laughter and happiness can brighten someone’s day. Many thanks in advance for your support. 190 toys is the end goal so let’s make this happen together. Forward this to as many people as you know who can help. I’m picking up flyers and posters today. We need grassroots help to put up and hand out flyers so any volunteers to pass these out or ideas of where we can put them is welcomed. All the best.
Jeff Cardey

Apparently this Jeff bloke is a hot mandolin picker, as well as a “leuke gast”. I’m for sure going along, anyone else keen?

Gig details: Cafe “The End”, Nieuwebrugsteeg 32, at 8pm; Friday 14th (rock ‘n’ roll), Saturday 22nd (bluegrass), and Saturday 29th (worldjazz). Cover charge is a child’s toy. A new one, don’t go stealing some teddy on your way to the gig.