The PUMA art festival came to the Centro Cultural Recoleta over the past weekend. Artists, photographers, musicians and DJs came together to present and create their work in front of the public. Photographer Natasha Ali was there and shares her vision of what went down.

Every year, the Cosquin Rock Festival puts on a block-buster multi-day show in Córdoba. Masses of people descend on the city in February to attend the many heavy hitters from around the globe. Luján Agusti shares her photos from the concerts.

The VIP area at a DJ David Guetta concert collapsed yesterday leaving 9 people injured. According to eye witnesses, there were around 30 people in the reserved area at the time.

The VIP space was located above a bar and when one of the beams supporting the structure ceded due to the public’s weight, some people fell. According to paramedics, the injuries sustained were bumps and bruises.

The gig took place in La Caseta, a beach in Mar del Plata, and gathered around ten thousand people. The show was not interrupted by the incident.

Originally from Bergen in Norway, self taught musicians Eirik Glambek Bøe and Erlend Øye have come a long way from playing the art house cinemas and university unions of ten years ago.

Finding themselves in the same musical frame of mind, they combined as acoustic pop duo Kings of Convenience and purposefully looked to develop a simplistic, stripped down sound.

Since then, ‘Quiet is the New Loud’ in 2001, ‘Riot on an Empty Street’ in 2004, and ‘Declaration of Independence’ in 2009, have each sought to satisfy the theory of less is more.

Having said before that if they ever strayed too far from what they originally intended to do they’d have to change the name, Kings of Convenience have succeeded in creating three ‘word of mouth classics’ without ever moving too far away from a formula that works.

Limiting themselves almost exclusively to two voices, two guitars and a sparing use of backing instruments, their intimate sound and laid back, easy charm has earned them a dedicated following in places you might not imagine.

With their first big tour of North America in 2005, Asia in 2006, dates in Mexico and South Korea in 2007 and 2008, and longer tours taking in several continents in 2010 and 2011, they’re also much more travelled than people might expect.

Currently in the middle of their first South American tour, The Indy caught up with Erlend as the band arrive in Argentina for the first of two sell out shows at La Trastienda.

The South American segment of your current tour combines Colombia, Peru, Chile, Argentina and a return to Brazil, where you played a one off date back in 2005. Tell us a little about how this leg of the tour came about. Has South America been on your mind for a long time?

Yes. We’ve tried to make it happen before, but the offers were very low – just enough to cover the airfare. But as years have passed, it seems more and more people have come to know our music, and promoters have slowly realised that we also have fans here. That said, the tour was mainly our own initiative.

With successive shows tonight and tomorrow night at La Trastienda, you’re one of the few European acts to play here besides festivals. Why do you think that is?

Many bands sit and wait for an offer to come in, and then it’ll most likely be a case of playing at a festival, because the festivals have bigger budgets and strong sponsorship backing. But we don’t have a manager, or travel with a big crew, so it makes touring in far away places more possible. Because we’re adventurous, and we have the freedom to make our own decisions, we’ve been able to travel to Argentina and other ”peripheral” places like Indonesia and Peru.

You’ve talked before about being musicians who are at once commercial and relatively unknown depending on where you are. Yet tickets for your concert at La Trastienda sold out in a surprisingly short time. Was that something you anticipated?

Well, we often have a strong self-confidence about our popularity, but then the local promoters have a low confidence, and then we start believing they’re right. But then the show always sells out. Experience is a comb life gives you when you’ve lost all your hair.

How did you gauge your following in Argentina and other places in South America when you were planning the tour?

Facebook is, of course, very helpful – and a very new tool for us. We’ve only been in control of our fan-page since this year. But we can also get a sense of our fan base from meeting fans at concerts in Europe who tell us that we have fans in their country.

All of your songs are written and recorded in English, but you seem to have a created a sound that’s very portable to countries where English isn’t a first language or maybe isn’t widely spoken. What do you think about this idea?

I think it has a lot to do with the fact that our English is easier to understand than the English of most English bands. Our lyrics have little slang and a big attention to pronunciation. And we don’t have the insider jokes that only English or Americans understand.

You’ve previously expressed a fondness for old bossa nova and once performed a cover of ‘Garota de Ipanema’ in Portuguese. Besides João Gilberto, are there other Latin American musicians or styles that you find particularly inspirational?

Our inspirations come from so many places it’s hard to trace them now. We don’t really know much about Argentine music, but as far as we know, no young bands in Argentina are working with tango effects. It seems like a dead form of music. But that’s the same story with Brazil and bossa nova. There’s been no great heir to that tradition since the 80s.

Eirik has said that he prefers to keep music as a passion, and in that respect hopes to remain indefinitely amateur, whereas you’ve compared music to carpentry in a professional sense. In between albums, you’ve each taken time away from Kings of Convenience to pursue personal interests and solo projects. What do you enjoy about those independent outlets, and how has it been coming together as a duo again?

Well, I can tell you Eirik has changed his mind about that. When he realized what a normal job means, or working as a psychologist for that matter. But we’re very aware of the line between having fun with the band and feeling like it’s a job. We never want to become numb to it, so for that reason, other projects are important to keep Kings of Convenience special for us.

And finally, you said ten years ago that you expected to find love on the road, and that you also thought you’d die travelling. This time around it seems you’ve got different goals. Is there anything specific you hope to see or do in the South American countries you’ll visit on this tour?

We just visited the Andes mountains near Santiago, which was amazing. And we’re looking forward to seeing Buenos Aires.

Last night around 120,000 people enjoyed a concert by one of the biggest names in opera – Spanish tenor Plácido Domingo. The concert began soon after 8pm on a stage set up next to the Obelisk on Avenida 9 de Julio. Many people arrived hours early to get one of the 22,000 seats. Their early arrival was rewarded by a sound check by Domingo himself along with his singing colleague, Argentine soprano Virginia Tola.

Before the main show, Domingo gave an impromptu concert together with the Colón’s choir in the theatre itself, paying homage to the workers. He performed a song with the tenors, said he hoped to return next year to sing a full opera and, with much emotion, kissed the stage.

Arguments between the theatre workers’ union and the Teatro Colón management have meant that the theatre is temporarily out of action. During the concert, Domingo said he hoped the two parties could soon reach an agreement and referred to the orchestra and choir as the real pillars of the theatre.

The programme included arias, duets, operettas, tangos and pop songs. Domingo was accompanied by 160 musicians from the Colón orchestra and choir as well as the Buenos Aires Philharmonic and the National Symphony Orchestra. He also displayed his ability as a conductor.

Arguably the prospect of a bar named after a cricket-like insect isn’t as appealing as it could be but this place is worth looking up if you’re in downtown Buenos Aires and looking for something to get the weekend underway.

Like everything in Argentina Saturday nights get off to an unhurried start, with barflies cluttering the bar and gradually filling up as it gets later and the music gets louder. Things really get going from around 12.30am with DJs and bands playing until the early hours of the morning.

German, a bartender at La Cigale says that idea is that musicians and revellers are “cara a cara” or face to face and gigs are something of an intimate affair upstairs in the live music area. Later the band members mingle with the crowd downstairs.

Marketing itself a touch of Paris in South America the bar claims to make the best Mojito in town and when its founders arrived from Europe they undertook to provide locals and travellers with the best cocktails in Buenos Aires. While that’s a tall order to fulfil, there is no doubt that at the very least they are some of the strongest and most exotic tipples on offer.

As well as a robust selection of wines, beers and classics like Margaritas and Pisco Sours there are also more mysterious offerings like the Latin Lover (Tequila, cachaca, lemon, lime, pineapple), Tiger Milk (Bacardi, horcheta, pineapple) and ‘Be Like Water’ (Baileys, Tía Maria, pineapple, banana).

It’s also worth mentioning that in case you’re brave enough to try a shot named after a cockroach, this is the place to pick up a Cucaracha slammer (Tequila, Tía Maria, contreau)…and the best of luck with that.

Too many cockroach slammers and you’ll probably be wanting to soak up some of the goodness with a little snackette. Luckily there are plenty on offer. The food menu offers a simple selection of picadas and nibbles to share and the kitchen is open late.

Oddly the seating is reminiscent of a train station waiting room and is rather at odds with the old colonial architecture. Other than that La Cigale is an elegant little shindig with deep blue walls, checkered floor tiles and a long sweeping bar topped with under-lit red glass mosaic tiles. A black wrought iron staircase with dark wood banisters curls up to the upper floor and there is a white stone balcony looking down onto the street below for smokers.

Upstairs, plum-coloured curtains and glitter balls suspended over the room with DJs and bands playing make for an intimate gig space in the early hours of the morning.

“We have everyone in here – from 20 to 60-year-olds, there’s a real mixture and muy buena onda,” says German.

Don’t fret if you can’t make it for a Saturday – the bar offers a busy agenda with different vibes on every night of the week except Sunday. Los Lunes están de moda with acoustic sets and local musicians are a good option if you’re kicking your heels on a Monday night, Tuesday is the Noche Frances and Wednesdays are dub nights. Meanwhile if you’re interested in emerging local talent Thursday’s your night to hear new Argentine bands.

With a mixture of local and international clientele, a steam of bands and DJs passing through its doors and cocktails to knock your socks off, La Cigale is a sassy little number – give it a whirl!

It’s coming to that time of year again. Romance blossoms in the city as spring arrives and the sun shines. Pretty flowers appear, the birds are tweeting, and the butterflies are fluttering about town.

However, romantic hopes will be crushed by the pounding of drums, as the Pepsi Music Rock festival officially kicks off the countdown to summer and festival season in Buenos Aires.

Bon Jovi kick-started October and got the musical ball rolling at River Stadium by blowing away the crowd with sounds of rock bellowing out of the venue.

Every year, summer in the south calls for international bands to make their way down to Argentina, and this year is no exception. As other countries go through economic crisis, many Buenos Aires music venues, stadiums and concert halls have been fully booked and will be boasting some of the world’s finest artists this year, crossing over all music genres.

Buenos Aires summer months of music are made up of a hint of folklore, an essence of electronica, a pinch of pop and indie, a dash of reggaeton and a high dosage of rock so that you, me and the bumblebees can boogie to the music that most tickles our fancy.

Don’t know what to go and see?

This is the ultimate guide to international music festivals over the coming months, and how to buy tickets for the hottest concerts and festivals in the capital.

 

1) Pepsi Music Festival: 13th-23rd October www.pepsimusic.com.ar

Definitely a favourite amongst summer festivals, as this series of concerts take place along the Costanera Sur. There are a range of acts participating this year including one day of Reggae, but the main theme is tough and entitled, ROCK.

Biggest names in the line-up: Rage against the Machine, Queens of the Stone Age, Yo La Tengo, Green Day, Massacre, Moltov, Los Cafres, Andres Calamaro…

 

This is by far the grandest music festival to hit Argentina this year after the momumental celebrations for the Bicentenary which were held during the winter months. A definite must.

Venue: Costanera Sur, España 2230

 

Tickets: Prices range from $100-250 per day depending on what you choose to see. The concerts are sectioned; some take place indoors in specific venues and some outdoors on various stages. Choose the bands you want to see and book fast! Tickets are flying! Outdoor tickets: www.tuentrada.com.ar Indoor tickets: www.ticketek.com.ar

 

 

2) Hot Festival: 19th-20th November

 

Also taking place along the Costanera Sur, and catered to a more Indie-pop/rock crowd, this two-day festival hosts the likes of: Massive Attack, Stereophonics, Scissor Sisters, Mika

Be sure to take kitch sunglasses and dress hippy-chick as only the coolest cats will attend.

Venue: Costanera Sur, España 2230

Tickets: Prices range from $190-$420 and can be bought online at: www.tuentrada.com

 

3) Creamfields Festival: 23rd November www.creamfieldsba.com

 

Creamfields BA re-installs itself to celebrate its tenth year of popularity in Argentina as it returns to the city after having a two-year pause.

After last year’s flop and controversial last minute cancellation, one of the worlds biggest dance festivals, originally from the UK, will play host to some of the hottest dance DJs, creating a temporary Ibiza bubble in BA.

Some of these include some of electronica’s finest, such as the likes of Paul Van Dyke, Faithless, Fatboy Slim, Carl Cox, and David Guetta, amongst others.

Venue: Autodromo de Buenos Aires (Av. General Paz y Av. General Coronel Roca)

Tickets: Tickets cost $170 + $17 booking fee and can be purchased online at:www.multiticket.com.ar

 

4) Buenos Aires Jazz 2010: 3rd-8th December www.buenosairesjazz.gov.ar

 

Following great success in 2009 and 2008, the international Jazz festival will return to the capital in December this year for its third run, celebrating a spectacular mix of musicians from around the world.

The festival invites national and international jazz artists to participate in large open concerts, to small intimate gigs creating an ambience to suit all tastes.

Original music, nu-flow jazz, acid jazz, jazz in Spanish, electro-jazz and more mixes will be heard all over town. Just pick your style and go and enjoy, as many of the entry-fees are a bargain and sometimes free.

Venue: Various concert halls, theatres, small venues and open public spaces around the city. 

 

Tickets: Tickets are currently not yet on sale, but for more information on the event and to see who played last year, check out: www.buenosairesjazz.gov.ar

 

5) Aires Buenos Aires Festival: 8th January-20th February 2011 www.airesbuenosaires.gob.ar

 

If you stay in BA and fancy a variety of music concerts during the summer months, Aires Buenos Aires will be a good choice as it provides national rock, folklore, tango, jazz and blues.

Held in intimate spaces to museum gardens and other great open air venues, such as the Anfiteatro along the Costanera Sur, it’s the perfect festival to take your picnic blanket, thermos and mate to chill-out and enjoy.

Aires Buenos Aires also provides small theatre shows, poetry readings, tango dancing and activities for the kids throughout January and February.

Last year the likes of David Lebon, Juana Molina, Javier Calamaro, Don Vilanova, Miranda, Las Pelotas and Luis Salinas were some of the artists who attended.

Venue: Various concert halls, cafes, theatres, small venues and open public spaces around the city.

Precise events and dates are to be confirmed, but for more information on the festival and how to get tickets, check out: www.airesbuenosaires.gob.ar

If you are not in town for any of the above dates, the two big venues worth checking out for concerts throughout the year are:

 

1) Luna Park Stadium (Av. Madero 420) www.lunapark.com.ar

 

October and November put gig lovers in a musical sweet shop filled with brimming jars of sugary favourites at Luna Park. From rock to soul/jazz to reggaeton, this venue will blast with brilliance presenting the following acts:

Dave Matthews Band: 14th October

Limp Bizkit: 26th October

Caro Music Reggaeton Fest: 28th October

Norah Jones: 8th November

Smashing Pumpkins: 18th November

Pavement: 22nd November

Jeff Beck: 28th November

Tickets: Prices start from $100 and can be bought online at www.ticketportal.com.ar or by calling 5353-0606, or by popping down to Luna Park’s box office, (Av. Madero 420) which is open from Mon-Fri 10am-7pm – Saturday 12pm-7pm.

2) River Plate Stadium www.cariverplate.com

Bon Jovi took to the stage on 3rd October, representing part of ‘The Circle Tour’, and the next big contenders at the famous football stadium to kick off summer music are:

Paul McCartney in his ‘Up and Coming Tour’: 10th November. McCartney is going to be one of the largest gigs to hit BA, as Argentine Beatles fans will confess. There has been McCartney frenzy since the news hit that he was to give a concert after seventeen years absence. The most expensive tickets have hit the $6000 mark, and hardcore fans have already grabbed the best seats. If you want to go, best to book soon!

Jonas Brothers in concert: 13th November. The teen heart-throbs will be playing a concert to remember as they stop in BA on the last leg of their Latin America Tour. If you are looking for a good dose pop, this is a definite must.

Tickets: Prices start from $100. Tickets are only available online at www.ticketek.com.ar or by calling Ticketek: 5237-7200

It is also worth noting the following:

1) The box office at the stadium is exclusive to football match sales only.

2) There have been rumours that the venue might change for the gigs listed above, due to complaints about the noise coming from the public as they left previous gigs. For the moment, this is hearsay, and the only thing that has changed is that people are not allowed to jump while in the standing section. It might be best to get the jumping out of your system whilst in the queue, as not to offend.

In the city where nothing seems to stay the same and Tango reigns supreme, the regular ‘Conciertos del Mediodía’ have accomplished the impossible in running for five decades straight. The yearly 16 concerts, aimed at giving regular citizens the opportunity to hear world-class music, are free of charge and open to the public, as they have been for the past 50 years.

Music to Everyone’s Ears

Fifty years ago, President Jennette Arata de Erize created the Conciertos with the idea that students, retirees, housewives, workers and people with little free time should be able to enjoy a free live concert in the middle of the week as a way to relax and experience a part of culture that might have been closed to them otherwise.

Classical music is the highlight of the production, but tango, jazz, ballet and percussionists also grace the stage. Events are hosted by the Teatro Gran Rex, which seats 3,500—more than the Teatro Colón—and the line of onlookers anxiously awaiting the opening stretches around the block for hours long before the show begins.

Apart from the waiting line, Executive Director Gisela Timmerman says booking has always been an issue, but not because the Conciertos have any trouble finding acts. “We have so much more than we can do,” Timmerman explains. “We have the trust of the audience and the artists and so everyone wants to play here.”

“There is always trouble,” Timmerman says, “that’s the great success of these fifty years. Through war, hyperinflation, and government upheaval we always had the sixteen concerts.”

But don’t think the shows are just a mild-mannered charity event. In 1982, ballet composer Jorge Donn’s passionate performance of a bolero made him a national hero and blocked traffic in front of the opera house on Corrientes for hours with countless people waiting to catch a glimpse of the star.

For the last show of 2009, the Buenos Aires Philharmonic Orchestra played an hour of Tchaikovsky’s best. Considered one of the most prestigious orchestras in Latin America, the BA Philharmonic was founded in 1946 and holds regular concerts every year.

The Argentine National Symphony was established in 1948 under President Juan Domingo Perón in order to “constitute the pitch of universal resonance that our music needs, while providing the most effective means of popular education in the arts.”

Discover Tchaikovsky and other great classics for free in Buenos Aires. The 16 concerts run from April through November every year. The next concert, Wednesday 14th July, features the Veracruz Youth Symphony Orchestra. Teatro Gran Rex, Av Corrientes 857, 1pm. Arrive early as once the show has begun no entry is allowed, and as the shows are free, there is rarely a seat left anyway. Make sure to switch off your phone or run the risk of being reprimanded by the elderly! Check out www.mozarteumargentino.org/mozarteum for more information and the upcoming schedule.

Sunday afternoons are a lively time in Buenos Aires. With the San Telmo antiques fair and several city festivals there is rarely a shortage of activities to involve yourself in, but if you find yourself in search of a more relaxed Sunday event, look no further than the Rose Garden. This spring the Rose Garden (Rosedal) is hosting ‘Sonidos en el Rosedal’ or ‘Sounds in the Rose Garden’, a free open-air concert series held every Sunday at 5pm until 20th December.

Highlighting classical, folklore and jazz music, the concert series is part of Ciclo Cultural, a group of events sponsored by YPF. It is meant to bring residents into the garden to enjoy and appreciate the hundreds of blooming roses and immaculate garden available to them.

A serene retreat secreted within the chaos of the city, the Rose Garden provides a nearby escape, and on Sundays a place to enjoy the sounds of Argentine music. I was lucky enough to see a performance by Quineteto Ventarrón, a group of musicians who played several classical tango and milonga pieces. Playing underneath a giant banyan tree, the band performed for a crowd of around a hundred, lounging in the shade and relaxing in their seats. The concert was brief, only running for 40 minutes, but was a sufficient break in my Sunday afternoon.

Upcoming performances include Gabriel Herrera Cuarteto (6th December), Guillo Espel Cuarteto (13th December), and one final classical concert set for 20th December, with the artist still to be announced. The Rose Garden is located within Parque Tres de Febrero at Av. Libertador and Sarmiento.