It was nostalgia. Recognising the songs. Knowing that I’ve heard them but not really knowing them. It took me back to the time when I was a little child in the kitchen listening to what mother was playing on the LP player.
It was cool to see Ali Campbell and his UB40 live. Even though it was outside, and it was raining. The warm reggae music kept us warm.
Obviously, I recognised the big hits and could sing along to I Can’t Help Falling In Love, I Got You Babe and their version of Purple Rain. But the one I was really waiting for was Red Red Wine.
The song mother recorded on a tape back to back, on both sides. Those were the times 90 minutes of Red Red Wine. Surprisingly, or not, I do like the song. And a glass of red now and then.
D’Angelo is coming to Europe I heard. Oh that’s nice but I saw him in 2000 and he was great. It won’t be the same thing. He’s older, probably won’t have the same energy. I didn’t want to ruin the memories. So I didn’t get any tickets.
Then I heard of the extra concert and oh well, why not. He started the tour in Stockholm and closed it in Stockholm at the Filadelfia church. A funny venue but it was all right.
So there I was Friday night. The supporting act, Swedish soul singer Aleks sang a few tracks. Not bad at all but there was something missing. Back-up singers. Then there was a long wait. So long I started wondering if D’Angelo would really show up. More than an hour later and after lots of cheering, soundcheck. Playa Playa and he was there. Feels Like Makin’ Love. And then Devil’s Pie and Chicken Grease. Definitely, he still got the energy. The six-pack may be gone but he’s still hot. To die for.
Yes, I’ve seen the pictures of him not looking so good, so hopefully he won’t get back to that. I really hope he’s back now because the world need some good music. It was nice hearing some of the new songs and I’m looking forward to the album.
But hearing his old songs was like reliving one of the best concerts I’ve ever been to in 2000. And when he lighted the cigarette, everybody knew, Brown Sugar. And playing one single note to the beautiful Untitled (How Does It Feel), which the whole audience was waiting for. After that one note he stopped, took a breath and continued playing the piano to the part just before he’s supposed to start singing and he stops again. Teasing. He stands up, leans against the piano, puts his face in his hands. Emotions. Yes, he did go back and finished the song.
He might have been a little late but it was absolutely worth it. So worth it. I’m happy I saw him again and if I get the chance I’ll do it again. Because after listening to Brown Sugar and Voodoo, the only two albums released, the tracks sound so much better live.
It’s something different when you see musicians perform that have been around for a while, which I truly appreciated when seeing Sade Tuesday night.
I had the chance to see the amazing Sade perform live and I would do it again. Only thing is that it might be in another ten years time or so if they ever decide to tour again.
Now, that it’s been made clear to me that Sade is also the name of the band and not just the beautiful singer Helen Folasade Adu, I have to give credit to the band who’ve stuck together for so many years. Even though it’s the singer’s voice that I love.
So soothing, so serene. Perfect to relax and listen to before falling asleep, which did worry me a little bit. What if… but no, it wasn’t possible, it was a breathtaking performance. One of the best.
The deepness of her voice, the sax and guitar solos, the visuals with the curtains covering the stage (see image).
All the great hits and the new tracks. Not much talk between the songs, no need for it. She was very sweet and I was awestruck by her beauty. At 52 she’s a well conserved woman. No Madonna or Whitney Houston.
And no fuss about clothes, no spectacular outfits, just nicely tailored sophisticated pieces. The heels were changed to pumps then to bare-feet.
Favourite song? Don’t ask because there are too many. Best of the night? They were all good but the ones that stood out were Pearls, Sweetest Taboo with Sade bare-feet in a long white dress and red bra, Smooth Operator with an introductory video clip, great stage setting and was then followed by the mind-blowing Jezebel.
I was touched, it touched all my senses and definitely my heart – it was a night filled with lessons in love.
Isn’t it great when you can buy things for yourself and still help others? H&M are collaborating with a bunch of celebs in this campaign and 25% is donated to charity.
To be specific, the money goes to HIV/Aids education and prevention projects as it says on the tag.
It makes shopping so much more worthwhile. Look at what I picked up today – a really nice vest, perfect for these nice hot sunny days that we’ve had in Stockholm recently.
I will wear it with pride. And honestly there were some really nice stuff in the “Fashion Against Aids” collection. Thank you H&M!
See the collection and learn more at www.hm.com or click on the image below.
Expectations. Something I try to keep to a minimum but it all depends on the occasion. It can often result in disappointment. But I knew, Adele with her great voice, would be so much better live. Listening to her at home, I told my mum “Just imagine her singing live.”
So, yeah this time I had high expectations, and only realised it when my friend told me she didn’t expect her to be that good. We all got goosebumps and I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about it.
She’s got a remarkable talent and I love her Cockney accent. When she talks, she’s just like any other London girl. I was wondering how it would be in between songs, remembering her youngish street yet mature style from being a commentator for X Factor’s Xtra Factor. She was very down-to-earth, cussing, joking and speaking her mind.
The night before the show she’d been to a bar, Vassa Eggen, telling she got very drunk and was the only one dancing to Beyoncé. And later she said that she still can’t work out what to do with her body when singing her more uptempo songs. She was very funny getting the audience laughing several times and it was fun to know about her personal experiences, the reasons why she had written some of the songs and who and what they were about.
Daydreamer, about her first love. Take It All, about someone she hates. My Same, about a friend she fell out with, which she’s friends with again now and that she normally doesn’t perform it but was fun to do it now. I actually had it as my ring signal a while back so I was very happy to hear it.
It was Adele’s first time in Stockholm and I actually don’t know how famous she’s in Sweden. Hearing the people around, I heard some German, French, English and English with foreign accents. And maybe that’s why she was in such a small venue. Still, it was sold out.
I absolutely loved it. It could have been a bit longer. One hour wasn’t enough for me and she could at least have come back out for one or two extra songs.
Still, I can’t wait for the next album and the next tour. At only 21, greater things will come for the amazing Adele and I’m keeping my expectations high.
Adele performing one of my favourites, Hometown Glory. Such a perfect song to start with.
Just read the terrific news that a wagamama restaurant is opening in Sweden 17 October. I like it a lot.
It will be perfect to have a hot noodle soup to heat up from the freezing cold weather that is approaching.
I haven’t been to the pan-asian inspired noodle restaurant that many times, but always had a good experience. The food is fresh and mouth-watering.
I tend to go for the noodle soups, feels like it’s their specialty. They’re served in deep bowls with a lot of ingredients.
The wagamama ramen, for example, has chicken, dory, prawn, kamaboko, tofu, mushroom, wakame and seasonal greens, garnished with menma and spring onion. It’s eaten with a wooden spoon but sometimes it’s good to use the sticks to roll the noodles.
It’s cooked in open kitchens, so if you like you can have peek of what’s going on. It’s served directly as it gets done, so you might get your food before your friend. Not that great because I think they could time it so it all gets done at the same time.
There are many options in the menu, too many, because they always get me confused, and there’s a good variety of rice and noodle dishes and some salads. And you always get free green tea when food is ordered. Great concept.
The furnishing is quite simple with long wooden tables and benches. A bit of a fast-food restaurant feel about it, so not very fancy.
But it’s about the food, I always have a good, healthy feeling after eating at wagamama. It’s nutritious, low-fat and tasty.
The restaurant will be located in the Waterfront Building near the Central Station in Stockholm.
Now that they’ve been so clever to bring a wagamama to Sweden, why not open a Nandos as well. Seriously.
At the beginning of summer I was desperate to go to a festival and with no money to buy tickets I signed up for a bunch of draws and competitions. I didn’t win any.
But luck has come my way anyway. Summer is full of festivals and some of them are actually free. Stockholm’s Kulturfestival started yesterday and it ends on Sunday.
The names of the acts may not be the most famous in the world but it gives life to the city. People can come and go as they want. Last night, I saw Lisa Nilsson. One of my favourite Swedish singers. Yeah, it’s her and Robyn, see previous post.
It was beautiful. Absolutely beautiful. Very soulful, very mature, very professional. The 39-year-old singer chose to dress her age (or older) in a knee-covering long-sleeve floaty dress. Quite impressive considering there are so many leggings and pants on stage these days.
And the singing? Great. Music is always better live. Actually, not always but this time it was. Credit to the band too. The trumpet player, especially, he just went on and on and on.
It started a bit slow, with slower songs to end on a more upbeat tone and more well-known songs. A bit of nostalgia for me who grew up in Sweden in the 90s to hear songs like Himlen Runt Hörnet, Vad Du Ser Är Vad Du Får and Varje Gång Jag Ser Dig.
It was also funny to hear about her escape to Rio de Janeiro to avoid the cold February blues in Sweden. How her bikini gradually minimised to the famous dental floss bottoms and where the men don’t care about tits and it’s all about bums.
Yes, it’s true. I could really relate to it having spent February in Brazil this year. And March, and April.
See Lisa Nilsson perform Varje Gång Jag Ser Dig at Swedish morning news show earlier this year:
