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Stay Up Late

October 22nd, 2008 · Posted by Skuds in Music · No Comments · Music

How long has this been going on?  Last night I half-watched Later Live on BBC 2 (the V+ was recording it so I wasn’t paying too much attention) and then an hour after it finished there was what I still think of as Friday’s show.  I especially wanted to catch the show this week because Amadou & Mariam were on it, and they did not disappoint.

The rest of the bill wouldn’t have tempted me, but I was pleasantly surprised by them.  I have never been too bothered by Keane, but I thought they were OK and improved by the addition of guitars. While still bemused by the presence of guitars in Keane I was faced with Bloc Party with Kele Okereke not holding a guitar.  Loved that song Mercury that they did – quite hypnotic.  Is it just me or are they heading in a bit of a Radiohead direction now?

This week’s unknown was thecockandbullkid. They were OK in the short show, but in the long show they sounded really 1980s – in a good way.  I don’t think I will be hunting their product down, but I quite enjoyed watching them.

Amadou and Mariam were great though. Can’t wait for their new album: this time it is not produced by Manu Chao but has Damon Albarn involved.  Even Jayne liked them and she rarely likes any music I like.  Tonight they are playing in London as part of the BBC’s Electric Proms in the Africa Express concert.  It is not being shown on normal TV but all 5 hours will be available ‘on the red button’ so I’ll be looking out for that.  What a line-up!  Amadou & Mariam, Baaba Maal, Rachid Taha, Toumani Diabate, Hard-Fi, the Magic Number, Johnny Marr and loads more.  Expect loads of interesting collaborations and more than a little improvisation.

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