This is the line-up for Saturday at the 16th edition of the Soundedit Festival. On the 26th of October in Klub Wytwórnia in Łódź, we’ll have a chance to see the extremely sophisticated Nouvelle Vague, the melancholically hypnotic duo Smolik//Kev Fox and a special project “Band On The Run – Live”.
Nouvelle Vague was founded in 2003 by Marc Collin and the late Olivier Libaux. The French group’s name can be translated as “new wave” and this is key to understanding their work. The artists focused on covers of from punk rock, post punk and new wave songs, playing them in bossa nova arrangements. Joy Division, Depeche Mode, The Clash, XTC, Modern English, Killing Joke, Tuxedomoon, The Cure, The Undertones, Buzzcocks, New Order, Duran Duran, Echo & The Bunnymen, Yazoo, Blondie… Nouvelle Vague records include new versions of songs by these and many, many more artists. The group’s albums gained favourable reviews and increasing popularity. The artistic idea of combining seemingly separate musical worlds proved catchy and attractive. The sophisticated concept is so good that in interviews Marc Collin says: “I never thought that after twenty years audiences would still be buying records and coming to Nouvelle Vague shows”. The Łódź show will be their only concert in Poland this year, promoting their new album “Should I Stay Or Should I Go?”, released in February.
Smolik // Kev Fox – their debut album “Smolik//Kev Fox” was one of the best-reviewed albums of 2015. The artists received a “Fryderyk” in the “electronic and alternative” category for it. As of June 2017, the album has platinum status. In the concert version, these intricately constructed, melancholic melodies by Smolik and Kev’s unmistakable, mesmerising, powerful vocals take on a completely new energy. 2018 saw the release of an EP entitled “Queen Of Hearts”, whose recording session took place at the legendary Real World Studios in the UK, the recording complex owned by Peter Gabriel. The live premiere of the release took place as part of a “Live Session” at YouTube Space in Berlin. This autumn will see the second part of the tour promoting the duo’s latest album to date, “Belly Of The Whale”.
In 2010 Andrzej Smolik was awarded the Man with the Golden Ear Award.
To mark the “round” 51st anniversary of the release of the iconic album “Band On The Run” by The Wings, a group founded and led by Paul McCartney, a unique project “Band On The Run – Live” has been created. The special concert will feature an ensemble under the direction of Marcin Bors, along with guests: Gaba Kulka, Agata Karczewska, Łukasz Lach, Kev Fox and Maciej Werk.
Nouvelle Vague, the duo Smolik//Kev Fox and “Band On The Run – Live” will perform on 26 October (Saturday) during the 16th edition of the Soundedit International Festival of Music Producers and Sound Designers in Klub Wytwórnia (Łódź, ul. Łąkowa 29). Tickets are PLN 169 and are available at: bilety24.pl, going.com, ticketmaster.pl, wytwornia.pl and at the club’s box office.
Photos: organiser’s press materials