reLISTEN #14: Live Recordings
Let's discover five captivating live recordings.
While nothing comes close to the actual experience of live performed music, recordings—if done well—offer a glimpse of the magic and power.
In a long-gone era, amateur recordings of concerts, the so-called bootlegs, were a big thing—despite their abysmal quality. Today, however, people use social media and videos to satisfy their urge to create a lasting token of live music.
And not only the amateur's quality has significantly improved, but also professional endeavours have benefitted from technical advancements. Therefore, live recordings aren't as shoddy as they used to be.
While dusty pieces of live recordings may have a nostalgic value, modern attempts certainly better capture the feeling of live performances.
I Paid 200 Pounds to See The Rolling Stones and Remember Nothing
This is one part cautionary tale, part music appreciation, and part time-capsuled memory of a late-stage teenage mind. It all happened exactly a decade ago.
The year 2013. I, aged 22, was about to start my studies in journalism and decided to travel by train through Europe for a month. It was a surprising, sometimes strange, but inspiring trip that filled almost an entire notebook worth of recorded experiences, moments, and thoughts.
On July 3, the train left Zurich Main Station at 9:33 am for Paris for a journey that would end in London.
A day later, I picked up the most expensive concert ticket I'd ever bought (until then, at least). The Rolling Stones live at Hyde Park—Silver Circle access. 200 pounds I paid, and again 180 for two regular tickets I would later hand over to my aunt and uncle who travelled to London too.
My 10 Favourite Songs of 2023 So Far
So far, I have curated 90 new songs this year for Weekly5. Here are ten of my personal favourites.
Our playlist curation Weekly5 is currently in its summer break. So far, I have selected 90 tracks in 2023. So, it's the perfect opportunity to reflect and rewind.
While I still enjoy every song in the playlist, some stand out. Songs that I listened to a lot and became part of my personal heavy rotation.
Although I've tried to limit myself, I once again couldn't help it. That's why it became a top ten, which already was hard to pull off. And if you're curious about the other song recommendations, browse through Weekly5's archive here.
TOMPAUL – Porto
Launching full of anticipating brass waves carried throughout the verses by Tom Paul Fischer's longing voice, Porto switches into a different gear in its instrumental parts with a dark and mysterious synth hook and a deep beat.
J Mahon – Deadstar
Deadstar is a thought-provoking reflection on how musicians often romanticize self-destructive behaviour. Despite its intricate nature, this indie-rock track is skilfully crafted and will undoubtedly linger in your mind long after you've experienced it.
June Recap
Check out five of our favourite tracks in the last couple of Weekly5 editions with ANGER MGMT., Yet No Yokai, Luna Morgenstern, Bully, and Maria Basel.
Platform Wants to Expose Violence and Abuse of Power in Music Business
Starting as «DeutschrapMeToo», the project shifts to make violence and abuse of power visible in the German music business.
Two years ago, activists started to collect reports of sexual violence in the German rap music business. Since then, the «deutschrapmetoo» project has gathered a database of 70 artists accused in said reports—some of them multiple times.
The recent news and allegations against Rammstein and their frontman Till Lindemann sparked the project's expansion. Under the new name «Music MeToo», they now expand their work into all of Germany's music business.
After a review, they want to publish the testimonials anonymously on a new website and their Instagram channel.
Further down the road, they plan to offer education and information on discrimination and corresponding contact points. The activists also want to make other experiences—such as racist discrimination or transphobia—visible.
Fight Against Discriminating Structures
Behind the project is an alliance of «deutschrapmetoo», the awareness agency «Safe the Dance», the community «Queer Cheer», the networks «Music S Women*», «Music TH Women*» and other activists.
«It's not just one genre, not just one band, not just one industry. The grievances are overarching, and sexism and sexualised violence are present everywhere,» they write on their Instagram.
Furthermore, they highlight the structural issues around the topic:
«It is not only individual perpetrators or individual acts that constitute the problem. It is deeply rooted structures that run through every public and private sector of society that urgently need to be changed.»
In a report by German «Tagesschau», the project founders state that the protection of offenders is a big topic in the music business. Many people work for the artists at festivals and concerts—from management to stage builders. That's a lot of people who could witness potentially abusive behaviour. «What you can say in any case: These assaults can only happen because very, very many people look away, deliberately look away, again and again.»
Francesco Tancredi returns to Negative White
Photographer Francesco Tancredi is one of the most revered and long-time contributors to Negative White. Now, he has joined the team again.
In late 2009, the Swiss band Spencer played a small concert in Zurich. Francesco Tancredi captured the gig and provided the photos to the very first article ever published by Negative White.
Francesco joined Negative White in 2011 and became a dedicated core team member—someone who also covered concerts that weren't in his personal music taste. So, I'm thrilled to announce that Francesco Tancredi once again joins the platform as a resident photographer.
Francesco—or Franco, as everybody calls him—is a metalhead with every fibre. And like his favourite artists' music, his visual style is visceral and energetic. The photographs feel dynamic and full of movement, as if they are shot for an action movie poster.
I'm looking forward to collaborating with Franco again, and I'm especially excited about his contribution to Negative White ahead.
Here's a taste of Franco's previous work for Negative White with photos of Behemoth, Jennifer Rostock, System of a Down, Amon Amarth, The Prodigy, Arch Enemy, Eisbrecher, Alexisonfire, and Lamb of God.
Universal Music Halts Collaboration with Rammstein
Universal Music stops collaboration with Rammstein, according to reports.
According to a report from «Süddeutsche Zeitung», the label Universal Music stopped the collaboration with Rammstein after allegations against the band‘s frontman Till Lindemann.
«We are convinced that a full clarification of the allegations, also by the authorities, is absolutely necessary and must also be in the interest of the entire band. After the allegations became known, we have suspended the marketing and promotion activities for the band's recordings until further notice,» a Universal spokesperson told the newspaper on Thursday.
Further, the company said: «The accusations against Till Lindemann have shocked us, and we have the greatest respect for the women who have spoken out so courageously in public in this case.»
The label's announcement is significant. Universal Music Group, the world's biggest major label, has been working with Rammstein since their 1995 album Herzeleid.
Janosch TroehlerNegative White
On Wednesday, it was reported that the public prosecutor’s office in Berlin had initiated preliminary proceedings against Till Lindemann.
According to the public prosecutor’s office, the investigation was initiated ex officio and based on several reports by third parties that were «not involved in any of the offences». There were allegations «in the area of sexual offences and the distribution of narcotics».
The public prosecutor’s office did not provide any further information concerning the personal rights of the potentially injured parties and the accused.
Till Lindemann rejects the accusations against him, his lawyers announced legal steps.
New Look and Features
We have reworked our website to reflect the future of the platform. Here's what you need to know.
You may have noticed something different about our site if you've been here before. We've made some changes to ensure that our visitors get the best possible experience and can easily find the wealth of content we offer.
You'll be pleased to know that as a valued reader and subscriber, there are some helpful features that you can take advantage of.
Dark Mode
Some people like to read in dark mode—especially later in the day. You can now easily switch between light and dark modes by tapping the moon or sun icon on the top of the page.
Sharing
If you enjoyed one of our stories and wanted to share it, the experience was painful: The only option was to copy and paste the URL. Now, our articles feature sharing options for several popular social media sites and messengers.
As we strive to provide high-quality written and visual reporting around music, the music business, and their relationship to society at large, the design of our website should reflect the said goal.
The new design balances structure and white space with more subtle but playful elements to provide a great experience.
While we could go down a more exuberant, experimental road, we consciously opted against it. The purpose of a visual design—at least in the context of a content platform like Negative White—is to provide as little distraction as possible: no flickering animations, no fancy special effects.
In that sense, our website now presents itself in a rather traditional yet clean way.
We hope you appreciate and enjoy Negative White's new look.