I have to admit, I’d never experienced an adrenaline rush at the ballet before, that is until I went to see William Forsythe’s ‘In the Middle, Somewhat Elevated’ with electronic composition by Thom Willems.

The current programme at Het Nationale Ballet, Theme & Variations brings together four generations of choreographers in a tribute to George Balanchine, master of modern ballet.

The final piece and Forsythe’s virtuoso ode to abstract dance left me on the edge of my seat in pure captivation. The piece was originally choreographed for the Paris Opera (1987) and is a Dutch National Ballet premiere at Het Muziektheater Amsterdam until April 20.

We love our friends and when it’s time to highlight them we’re always down for a bit of savage promotion. So on that note, let me introduce you to Gohan, young talented Parisian composer that has just remixed “Divisive” the latest single of We Have Band (you gotta check out this album by the way, it’s awesome). Gohan is part of this new breed that goes beyond “fidget-dance brainless-house-music” and proposes a more sentimental approach to electro. Also part of this scene is Mondkopf (another young french cat) that Gohan has also remixed. You can find out more about Gohan and his tracks, mixes, remixes and influences on his blog peur bleue.

http://www.myspace.com/gohanmusikk

Last night I packed up my camera and headed on over to the Paradiso to check out the talents of the young Patrick Wolf, and I’ll certainly say one thing for him, he has some serious stage presence!

As you might expect from a typical Wolf gig he managed to go to town on a wide variety of instruments including the ukulele, piano and viola making the evening a veritable smorgasbord of musical diversity. Interestingly enough whilst performing his final song he even managed to slip out for a full costume change before running back out on stage to the applause of his adoring fans.

For those of you who are new to Patrick, he’s well known for combining electronic sampling with classical instruments, Wolf’s styles range from Romantic folk to techno-pop.

Firstly, I have to admit Grace Jones was not my list of things to see and it was a toss up between seeing her and The Artic Monkeys who I have heard put on a pretty amazing live show. But as bad as this sounds I chose to Grace Jones purely because I had exhausted my veto rights and Olly (not Dolly, but Olly for Olga, the better half of Rogers) had a few left to spare. And as much as I don’t want to admit it, she was right. For me it was the performance of the festival and a reminder that nothing beats pure talent. Another example of talent shining through is Them Crooked Vultures. I know this is the second post in a row that includes them but they again proved that they are worth the hype. Another group that really impressed me was Fever Ray. Their show was like watching that scene in Close Encounters of the Third Kind where the aliens landed, performed, then flew away.

Also, next time your at a festival in Holland please think of the zwervers and don’t crush your cups.

Just when I had given up on rock these two pearlers come along that you must check out. The Dead Weather includes members of  The White Stripes, The Raconteurs, The Kills and Queens of the Stone Age. The clip for Treat Me Like Your Mother is awesome! Think it can’t get any better? Think again. I’m of to see Them Crooked Vultures tonight. Members are Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age and Eagles of Death Metal, Dave Grohl from the Foo Fighters and Nirvana, and John Paul Jones from Led Zeppelin.

PS. It’s now the next day and I have to say that Them Crooked Vultures were amazing! Go see them if you get the chance.