I've found that the biggest thing that sparked my interest in World and World Beat, was the live performances.

Unlike many rock bands, World shows seem to convert the most virgin listener.

My French friend went with me to see Swåp in Denmark having never heard them before and being a Buzzcocks fan, ended up buying 2 of their cds the first time he ever heard them.

It was the same with me for many aritsts I've followed the last 5 years.

How many actually get to see the live the bands they like or advocate, and how often?

Please discuss, because in the states they are a scarce commodity, and the minimalistic, and the singer songwriter stuff of late bores me to tears to sit through live, and I'd like to know other's opinions and what they get touring through their towns and at nearby festivals festivals.

I saw Swåp a year ago and quite liked them, bought their Mosquito Hunter album then... Though they're by far my favourite folk artist... Maybe a bit too traditional for me, don't know... I saw a few others live too... I really liked Gjallarhorn's gig, first time I saw somebody play a didgeridoo... impressive... But although I'm a bigger fan of Garmarna, I didn't like their gig that much, it was good yes, but I expected more... The drums seemed too loud, which made the singers voice come out less good... Maybe it was just because the sound in that concert hall was bad, I don't know... But all in all, I've been way more impressed by world artists on cd than live...

My drummer and best friend saw Garmarna and weren't impressed either. Said they used a lot of pre-recorded stuff, and the musicians just sat there while the tracks were playing.

Showmen wise, the eastern european bands are always a bit theatrical and moving about and being a bit commical.

For the most part it's just really exotic instruments and really talented players I think that make the show's very impressive for me.

Varttïnä is very animated on stage.

Limpopo a Russian folk rock band walks around on stage on their hands, and do these crazy men's dances.

For the most part Scandinavians aren't very fun to watch though, even though they sound great.

It was the British guy from Swåp that kept them lively, the Swedes were a bit reserved, but that's typical Scandinavian temperment.

Oh yeah Värttinä was definitely more lively... But I prefer Garmarna's and Gjallarhorn's music...

Well I must admit not having too many world bands live... There are quite a good world/folk festivals in Belgium, but I didn't manage to go to one as of yet...

I can't wait for the Euro Festival phenom.

Living in Denmark, that was one thing that was quite a spectacle.

Maybe the Eastern Euro bands just drink more.

not world beat, but good world fusionish type stuff: don cherry - eternal rhythm (live)



closer to free jazz i guess

Wrong section to mention them, but a Swedish band called The Concretes played at the Glastonbury festival this year. The singer (don't know her name, but very easy on the eye) was probably the shyest frontperson I've ever seen. She looked absolutely terrified. The rest of the band were very laid back, not apparently enjoying themselves at all, but she really looked like she would rather be anywhere but on that stage. Nice songs though, in an indie pop kind of style.

Thom

Well I was able to see Gotan Project in Detroit Michigan a year ago. And although their music is more downtempo than world they still play some traditional instruments and their live show had so much energy it put their album to shame. Besides seeing one or two world artists in our state each year, the selection is extremely small. Its easier to fly to another country to catch a show.