The Hardest Working Band in the Universe: The Church live in New York

The Church performing their new record Untitled #23, Priest=Aura and Starfish (from top to bottom).
More than impressive, monumental, a Byzantin mass, a feast for all senses: The Church played their THREE albums Unitled 23, Priest=Aura and Starfish in one evening, taking short breaks between sets, to come back in new outfits and with even grander verve and melodies, with stunning stamina and everlasting power. As if they would have to prove that they are not just the best, but also the hardest working band in the world. Now guys, go back to Australia and relax a little in the studio... a new record before Christmas, please?

We Loyal Royally Received in New York

Only a handful Swiss bands have the guts to pack their instruments and cross the ocean to come and play in New York. We Loyal from Basel are one of the brave exceptions. They traded the mostly posh swiss concert spaces, where rock music is still often limited to weekends, with the dingy back rooms and cellars of bars in Manhattan and Brooklyn, and found an attentive audience in a vibrant new wave scene. We went to their show at Cameo, the lovely space behind the Lovin Cup Cafe in Williamsburg. We Loyal fitted the white, spheric sculpture of the decoration with their mystic pop, reminiscent of New Order, sad Depeche Mode, Gary Numan. Titillating synthesizers and pulsating bass lines embrace the cooly understated vocals. Great sound to cruise under the lights of an urban landscape at night, played with verve and passion. The three boys are back in Basel now, but promise to return soon for a longer period. Bitten by the Big Apple Bug, i guess.