Places of notes
By Guy Wilkinson | theage.com.au | 17 February
Image: AFP
One of the great perks of travelling is getting the opportunity to soak up local cultures.
Of course this extends to music and many cities throughout the world have earned a reputation as the place to go to sample a certain genre. Whether it's hardcore punk or bass slapping funk you're into, there's a place that personifies your musical style. Here are a few cities throughout the globe famed for their musical prowess.
Music style: Indie.
Place to go: Manchester.
Why: Dubbed "Madchester" in the late 1980s because of its thriving dance and indie music scene, the city still holds certain kudos as a breeding ground for influential bands. Pioneered by artists such as the Smiths and New Order, the indie scene really took off in the early 1990s with outfits such as the Stone Roses, the Charlatans, Happy Mondays and, of course, Oasis, the self-proclaimed "best band in the world", all making a name for themselves on the world stage. Although what eventually became known as the "Britpop" era more or less died out in the late '90s, its legacy survives to this day. There are still many live music venues around the city and a sense of pride still prevails among those who live there.
See Manchester Evening News, or ents24.com
Music style: Dance.
Place to go: Ibiza, Balearic Islands.
Why: This is one island that will take some beating if clubbing into the small hours is your idea of fun. The dance music scene really comes into its own here during summer (May-September) when big-name DJs flock from around the world to weave their magic at the island's clubs. Whether it's trance, break beats, electronica, house or even banging techno that gets you going, there will no doubt be a club here that specialises in it. Some of the most famous clubs in Ibiza include Es Paradis, Pacha, Manumission, Privilege, Space and Eden, all of which have attracted the biggest names in dance music, from Carl Cox to Judge Jules. The clubbing scene here isn't so much limited to wild weekend living; it's more a full-time way of life.
See http://www.ibiza-spotlight.com and follow links to clubs, or http://www.digitalibiza.com.
Music Style: Jazz.
Place to go: New Orleans.
Why: After Hurricane Katrina many feared even the great musical traditions enjoyed here would be washed away, along with the floods. Thankfully, the world-famous French Quarter, home to many of traditional New Orleans music venues, made it through the worst and the birthplace of jazz lives on. The city's heritage with jazz, dating back to the 18th century, has since spawned a host of musical legends, including Louis Armstrong. Arguably the best time of year to visit is between late April and early May when the raucous New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival (often referred to as Jazz Fest) takes place. An annual event since 1970, the festival aims to be a celebration of all types of music associated with the region, including country, blues, gospel, R&B, blue grass, Cajun and, of course, jazz itself.
See http://www.neworleansonline.com, or http://www.neworleanswebsites.com, which contains links to 30 live music venues.
Music Style: Punk rock/ska.
Place to go: Tokyo.
Why: In Tokyo there is sometimes a palpable undercurrent of rebellion towards the stricter elements of Japanese culture. The music scene is no different. Since the 1990s the unusual blending of musical styles now known as ska or j-ska has been enjoying a growth in popularity. The music, best described as a fusion of Jamaican-born reggae and English punk rock, rose to prominence through bands such as Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra. Today there is also a huge punk rock following in Tokyo, with a popular subculture still prevalent. Bands such as the unusually titled Three Michelle Gun Elephant helped further the trend set by those English bad boys the Sex Pistols.
See http://www.japan-guide.com and follow the links to entertainment.
Music Style: Classical.
Place to go: Vienna.
Why: This was the city to play host to many of the great classical composers during Europe's golden age of classical music in the 18th century. Legends such as Ludwig van Beethoven and Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart would freely roam the streets, sporting tights and frilly wigs as they dreamt up their next masterpieces.
Today both classical music and opera are deeply ingrained in the city's culture. Along with Florence (for opera) perhaps, Vienna enjoys its reputation as the ultimate place to come for concerts of this nature. Performances take place frequently at the Wiener Musikverein Golden Hall, home to the Vienna Philharmonic Orchestra, as well as the Vienna State Opera House, the Hofburg (imperial palace) and the Vienna Konzerthaus. The Vienna Mozart Orchestra even makes the effort to dress up in historical costumes. Although perhaps a little kitsch, it does make it all too easy to imagine oneself living in the city at a time where astounding musical talent must have seemed almost commonplace.
See http://www.classictic.com; http://www.virtualtourist.com and follow links to Vienna concerts.
Music Style: Blues.
Place to go: Austin, Texas.
Why: Along with Chicago, this region has produced some of the finest blues maestros ever to have lived. The area first became a haven for blues musicians after the Great Depression hit in the 1930s, sending a number of African American workers towards Galveston and Houston. A new breed of the musical genre was soon born. Guitarists such as Lightnin' Hopkins and T-Bone Walker hailed from this area. With others, they helped entrench a musical style that has long since become synonymous with Texas and the city of Austin.
After suffering a brief lull in popularity during the 1970s, Texas blues underwent a monumental revival in the 1980s, thanks to artists such as Stevie Ray Vaughan, Z.Z. Top and the Fabulous Thunderbirds. Today there are still live venues where you can duck in and sample some smokin' guitar licks.
For further details check http://www.austinlivemusic.com, or http://www.austintexas.org/music.
Music Style: Flamenco.
Place to go: Madrid.
Why: Seeing a flamenco performance live is utterly mesmerising. From a male perspective, watching a female flamenco dancer in action is said to be enough to ensure you'll die a happy man, but in truth the musicianship is also astounding. A heady mix of powerful stamping, hand claps, graceful twirling and ridiculously fast guitar runs, flamenco is now very much a part of Spanish culture.
Although the historical origins of this genre can sometimes be hazy, it is thought to have originated in the region of Andalusia before spreading to other parts of the country. Flamenco became a product of the fusion of different towns and cultures as it continued throughout the years. Today there are thousands of flamenco shows taking place around Spain on any given night of the week - and at any time throughout the year - but Madrid is the place to enjoy some of the best.
See http://www.gomadrid.com; www.spanish-fiestas.com.
Source: The Sun-Herald
First published by TheAge.com.au on February 17 2008
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