Really great to be here on many levels– one of the world’s great cities and only being here a little while (like anywhere) really lets one get a sense of what the town is really like– neighborhoods, people, customs and traditions, how people live and work and play here, not to mention why so many people visit here . . . Berlin has something going on all the time, that’s for sure– and in our little interest-area of great music, there has been a lot of that lately– Pearl Jam last week and Patti Smith last night. We all went out to a venue we had never seen– The Zitadelle on the edge of town, open air and basically the courtyard of a castle, complete with a moat that everyone crosses to get into the concert. Patti and her band were in top form and one forgets or fails to realize how many great, great songs she has written and performed over the years and then there you are, in this poetically perfect setting hearing song after song of incredible power and force and grace. Then toward the end of the set and again in the encore, the R.E.M. guys all played with the band, and to me, People Have The Power never sounded better– a fun and very special night for the people and stage and off.
Check out the photos at the bottom of the post by Dewitt Burton and watch a video clip of the band playing People Have The Power
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Patti is in Europe another month with a bunch of shows in Italy, France and Spain mainly. What a show– go see it if you can.
Bertis
p.s.: Please have a look at the video below in which Michael does the introduction for a local educational initiative we are very excited about called Whatever It Takes. Led by our long-time friends at Family Connection/Communities In Schools, the Whatever It Takes initiative is pulling the Athens community together so that all children in Athens will be healthy, safe, engaged, and on track for post-secondary education:
Whatever it Takes Athens, Georgia from Whatever It Takes on Vimeo.
Saturday night at The Fabulous 40 Watt Club, there will be a concert featuring three outstanding Athens bands and benefiting Whatever It Takes (working so that all children will be healthy, engaged, and on track to graduate from post-secondary education).
For just $6 ($8 under 21), you get to hear 3 great bands at Athens’ most famous music venue — having a great time and helping a great cause!
WHEN: Saturdayy, July 10, Doors open at 8 p.m.
WHERE: The Fabulous 40 Watt Club
WHAT: Benefit concert featuring
***THE HEAP***
***GRAPE SODA***
***THE SECOND SONS***
BENEFITING: Whatever It Takes witathens.org
These three excellent Athens bands promise a good show for all:
The Second Sons was created by Clarke Central students and won the battle of the bands
Grape Soda plays danceable experimental pop music
The Heap is “Athens’ best indie-soul band,” fronted by the great vocals and bass of Bryan Howard, fusing multiple music styles (soul/r&b/blues/jazz/rock/funk).
p.p.s. Go Germany! Berlin is rocking already– can’t wait til tomorrow night