The Herbaliser

-evil-duerr- · #1 (**permalink**) Oct 14, 06

Holy fuck, now this show was how show's are supposed to be done.
I was so blown away by all of the performances throughout!

It would have been nice if the beer situation wasnt so shit, but that still wasnt enough to cramp the evening.

10/10

-evil-duerr- · #2 (**permalink**) Oct 16, 06

shit, where's the love for The Herbaliser, guys???

now that im not so pooched, I can write a more cohesive review of one of the most amazing events I've ever been lucky enough to attend.

So my pals and I arrived at the plaza of nations around eight, and judging by the sonic ripplings which became more and more clear as we moved closer, I could tell this was going to be a night to remember. From a distance I heard the unmistakeable force that is funk music tearing through the open air like a galloping herd of starving elephants. One could not not help but grin ear to ear in anticipation of something ridiculously groovy hidden behind this flimsy metal wall which seperated the outside world from something completely different.....

"Holy fuck, there's a lineup..." I gasped in surprize, because for whatever reasons I was shocked to see such an enormous crowd for this kind of show, and even more surprised once we FINALLY got in! I guess I was just in awe of how many people in this city have excellent taste in music, the turnout really was incredible. The lineup was craaaaazy long, but the bombastic musical stylings of Five Alarm Funk kept hope alive, and our excitement soaring until finally making our way in.

I dont wanna make a novel or anything, so I'll just cut to the chase now.
To all who don't know, "Five Alarm Funk is a Vancouver-based, 12-piece rhythm machine that pounds out a delirium-inducing live show" http://www.fivealarmfunk.com/bios.html - for more information.

So this legendary style of music we all know and love as funk was being pounded out into the open skies of downtown vancouver on one of our last nice days before this week's rainfall, a beautiful farewell to one of the greatest summers I can recall. If that isn't cool enough, it was being played LIVE in front of thousands by an exceptionally talented 12 piece band that played with the precision and bravado of a symphonic orchestra.
FUNK FUNK and more FUNK, I was up to my neck in this FUNK. jesus murphy, despite just having paid 20$ for 3 dixie cups of molson canadian (which i had to acquire using these things called "beer tickets" haha) , this was one helluva good scene.

After downing a bit of beer and smoking some herb on the bleachers with the mates, I made my way to the dance floor. Only moments later the crowd was treated to the tantalizing teasing of a blonde bombshell belonging to none other than Sweet Soul Burlesque, backed up by sleezy jazz wailings performed by Five Alarm Funk. What was minutes earlier filled with a crowd of dancing groovesters and chatty socializers, suddenly transformed into a mob of cat calling rowdies and googly eyed grinners. The contrast was absolutely brilliant -now this is how you do god damn a show.

After that finished up there was a bit of down time before The Herbaliser had the stage. I took the opportunity to purchase some more overpriced beverages with my last "beer ticket". Wow... I thought it was bad at first.. but the beer situation had just gotten a little worse. By this time the lineup for drinks and grown into to a humongous clump of thirsty maniacs which were packed in so close together, that the people who finally got their drinks had to literaly squeeze and squirm to make their way back out - carefully balancing their little cups as if they were filled with liquid gold. It was annoying, but kinda funny too. And holy shit, you really appreciate a beer after having to go through such tribulation of getting one! After that episode, I decided that was going to have to be my last brewskie until Dieselboy @ Richards.

Soon after that The Herbaliser graced the stage. This phenomenal seven piece hip hop/funk/breaks/trip hop group was what I had been waiting for all night. Man, do I ever love listening to ninjatune records. And I really love seeing ninjatune artists spinning their ninjatune creations out....
But this was the first time I had ever seen it being created and brought together right in front of my stinking face. I felt a very Wayne's World-esque urge to drop down to my knees and cry " WE'RE NOT WORTHY!!!" , comparable to when I got to meet the founders of Ninjatune, Coldcut after their show at the Plaza earlier this year.
I smoked. I danced. I laughed. I screamed. I shared my joy and excitement with friends and strangers around me. Song after Song. Everything The Herbaliser played was delicious. Hard hitting rhythm, and passionate melodies. This performance was a sweet chocolate dessert that ate like a meal. You could eat this piece of cake for breakfast, and live off of it in the tundra. It was just that damn good. Words do not do it justice, and still I feel compelled to write about the experience!
BOOM - BAP, BA-DOOM BA-BOOM BAP !!!!
BOOM - BAP, BA-DOOM BA-BOOM BAP !!!!
BOOM - BAP, BA-DOOM BA-BOOM BAP !!!!
BOOM - BAP, BA-DOOM BA-BOOM BAP !!!!

it was a glorious evening.
Live Music from The Herbaliser and Five Alarm Funk; including the styles of Jazz, Funk, Hip Hop, Soul, Trip Hop, Breaks combined with the steamy Burlesque artistry of Sweet Soul Burlesque made for a truly awesome night out in vancity.
And it wasn't over yet, there was still much enjoyment to be had at Richards on Richards with Dieselboy and Dj Swamp........

WHAT A KICK ASS FRIDAY THE THIRTEENTH

-duerr

miss.myra · #3 (**permalink**) Oct 18, 06

Sorry, I just saw this.

I had an amazing time, I was so super glad I was able to go (THANK YOU SPECTRUM YOU ROCK I OWE YOU BIGTIME!)

There was so many people out having a good time! I got there in time just to see the herbaliser and they just put on such a great show (daaaaamn that marimba player is crazy good!)

basically probably one of the best shows I've ever been to.

oh and you're right, that beer situation was a fucking gong show.

bebu*funfun · #4 (**permalink**) Oct 19, 06

I got some last min promo tix...and i went with my bf not knowing who they were. and we had a blast! It was so awesome to smell a lil bit of shambhala in the air and even see the shambles fairy stand there. wooooo. the music was wicked and the crowd was fun... some tripped out girl on mush wouldnt stop bugging us, but we scared her off shortly. hot dogs were good, so i was a happy gal!