Unplugged 2014
After being allowed passage by the serious security at the basement door, we made our way to the common room, in which we enjoyed one of the most musically-talented nights ever.
Last week, I gave you guys a taste of just three bands taking the stage at Unplugged. Though this time, after a week of gathering collective opinions from fellow students, I can put forward a full-blown review about each and every band. Yes, here you have it. The official Unplugged 2014 Review;
Strings; As the opening act, they surely set standards. Their sound wasn’t too different from usual acoustic performances, but these girls managed to grasp a style of their own. They were definitely an awesome pair to listen to.
Mawx 3.142;
They were amongst the first bands in the line-up and, their fluent and coordinated strumming immediately exposed their competence. From electric to acoustic, their sound elated the crowd as Biffy Clyro’s well-loved chords and lyrics started to weave themselves amidst the excitement.
Angels of Atlantis; Angels of Atlantis emitted a soothing resonance; the crowd was stolen away in their sound waves. Their voices were eloquent, and harmonised. Surely, they were one of the most enjoyable acts to grace the night.
Remedy; One of the most prominent features of Remedy, was their articulately strummed guitar chords. They are all talented musicians with different capabilities, which helped light a new hue on Sam Smith’s and Ed Sheeran’s medleys of romance.
Serendipity; As usual, the group of 8 incredibly talented singers, once again gave acapella a new depth. The usual zeal shone in them, and the authentic sound gave away their creativity and collaboration skills.
Central Strip; As expected, these amazingly proficient lads gave an ecstatic performance. Their sound was definitely brimming with originality - their profound expertise wowed the crowd and left it begging for more. Their hard-work and dedication brought their music stream to life.
Avalanche of Legends; If the opening credits weren’t enough to rile you up for a fantastic series of songs, how about that incredibly woven vibe that circulated in the crowd? AOL was a splendid act to watch, and a great listen, too. They showed some of the best perseverance. Classical favourite, Kryptonite, was covered in the most elaborate and immaculate ways. Gianluca Bezzina graced the crowd with his presence and made it all the more enjoyable.
Emergency Exit; EE chose some of the most difficultly ranged songs to cover. Crazy, originally by Gnarls Barkley, has the most complex melodiousness to muster. However, despite this reality, the band members made it work. They vocally, and instrumentally, managed to piece this intricate composition into a work of their own, gradually helping them move towards their meticulous depiction of Sam Smith’s I’m Not the Only One.
Reformed;
As their pianist so stated, “We’re the stupidest band on Earth, but we make it work.” His words, not mine. Their sound managed to enthrall the crowd with its upbeat rhythm and out-of-the-box keyboard infusions. They portrayed The Fray’s How To Save a Life, in a softly sentimental method with the lead’s vocals being the perfect accompaniment to the underlying hurt of the song.
The Dubliners;
After a memorable trip to Ireland, and developing a family-like relationship, this group of indie-connoisseurs displayed one of the best mellifluous bonds at Unplugged. It was clear they enjoyed performing. Every band member’s presence was of utmost importance, and that is what relayed an adept representation of their chosen songs.
The Hose Pipes; If this year’s line-up didn’t reflect upon our school’s incredible capabilities, meet these high-spirited lot. Their music was captivating - their rhythm was in sync. There were indeed one of the most pleasurable acts to witness and certainly managed to keep the audience pumped, despite being towards the end of the setlist.
Drew; Andrew Scicluna’s performance was simply jaw-dropping. Never have we seen such a dexterous range of vocal wonder. His meticulous alternations between crescendo and diminuendo perfected his one-man act. The crowd was head-over-heels for his top-notch performance. He was close to immaculate in demeanour.
CRG; This particular duet lit a whole new different shade on When I Was Your Man. The male vocalist’s act of desolation made the performance all the more realistic and, the female vocalist’s hearty voice aided in grasping the mass’ attention.
Zen; The playful ukulele strumming away in the background, gave Vince Joy’s Riptide a completely diverse impression. The vocalists and the musicians, brought the lyrics and the upbeat piece together. From their bright smiles, as well as their playful demeanor with one another, they definitely portrayed the reality that they truly were having the times of their lives up on stage.
Band Named Bob; Their name gives them away, doesn’t it? This band was one of the most fun acts to watch. Along with their music taste and their expertise, they oozed flair. Their guitarists strummed away to their heart’s content, reflecting their endearment in their music. They appreciated every minute of their stage-time, and were one of the most uplifting performances to play at this year’s Unplugged.
Undivided; Nothing and Learn to Love Again, two of the most amorously angsty songs to over-ride our playlists, were brought to life. The cajon in the background gave the pieces a magnetic flow which complemented the vocalists’s melodies articulately.
The Knots;
A beautiful exhibition of authenticity was given away in their act. They were one of the most charismatic bands in the line-up. They dared to be different and indeed, got a much-deserved response.
The Fridays; Crazy in Love was given a zest of feisty, capable euphony. They were yet another acapella group - but with a twist. They diverged their voices into a mess of ups and downs, giving the crowd a new taste - and a new aspect - to the genre.
Emma Marie Sammut
