Hey, anyone seen Broadcast live recently? I had the pleasure on Friday night here in Cologne and it was outstanding... don't want to talk much about the music because I guess most people who read this because of the subject line love it as much as I do... I saw them for the first time and didn't expect the music to be that handmade. Their setup was guitar, bass, drums, vocals, sometimes the singer (unfortunately I don't know her name) played guitar too and Keyboards. At far as I can tell there was no sequencing... which I think is incredible. Besides, they were such nice and decent people... even a bit nervous because I think it was their first show in germany and because the gig was part of the popkomm-festival and there was lots of press and everything. Unfortunately they didn't play 'Living Room', one of my favourite songs. But everything else was there. And it was perfect. If you can catch them live... it's a must-see, believe me.

Before Broadcast there were Tanga from Austria... good, but nothing outstanding and too trip-hoppy in my opinion. After Broadcast, Kreidler from Duesseldorf played, whom I really love. Often compared to Can and filed under 'post-rock', I'd say they play (for People who don't know already) sort of an ambient sound with the setup of real drums (their drummer is marvellous), bass guitar and two keyboard players/mixers. Although I'm very fond of their stuff on their lp weekend which is more melodic, I liked this show too. It was very ambient and repetetive and there were only a few melodies, but they had excellent sounds and beats. After one hour the big lights were switched on and they had to stop. Maybe they forgot time whilst 'raving'.

Last on was Jimi Tenor, who I didn't go for. But I must say he was really good if you like that kind of thing. "Fairly authentic dance pop", like Eric once mentioned as I taped him 'Outta Space'. I was really wondering about Jimi's set... only four people: two girls on bass and drums, a horn player and himself on keyboards and sax. And I thought something like 'Outta Space' being orchestrated with 10 people or so... and very funny how Tenor imitated and send up typical musician cliches and posing while playing the saxophone etc.

Okay, so tomorrow it's Kante, Go-Plus and Couch. More 'Selten Gehšrte Musik'. Life is cool.

Marco Trovatello. August 1997.