Last year, I had the chance to catch the Avett Brothers blow the doors off the Hoogland Center with their unique bluegrass punk pop, and I thought, "Wow, I'll never see a musical performance this good in Springfield again."
That was, until I saw that Boban and Marko Markovic were bringing their world-renowned and legendary gypsy brass band to Springfield. For many years now, I've found myself growing more and more interested in world music, and especially of the music coming out of the Balkans. My first experience with this music was through the westernized reinterpretation of the Secret Chiefs 3, a multi-genre musical force that combines esoteric philosophies and theological themes with music flavored from all over the world.
Then, I discovered Fanfare Ciocarlia and Taraf de Haidouks. Finding numerous live recordings of these bands online, I immediately fell in love with the Gypsy brass band sound. Its pace, its tempo, its wavering between pure bliss and absolute heartbreak. Gypsy brass music, for me, is an emotional experience.
Shortly after I discovered Gypsy brass band music, I discovered Boban Markovic and the many iterations of his Orkestar. Well known as one of the premiere musical forces of the world music scene, and arguably the best Gypsy brass band on the planet, they have a following all over the world.
I was worried that I would never get the chance to see any of these incredible bands live because their US tours are often short and contained to larger, metropolitan areas like Chicago and New York. Then, I read that through the workings of numerous arts organizations in Chicago the Boban i Markovic Orkestar would be making an appearance in Springfield. I was amazed. To most people this would be nothing. To me, it was a lot like learning that the Rolling Stones were passing through town. I got tickets as soon as I could, and I braced myself for the experience of a lifetime.
The show was this past Sunday, and it was amazing. Simply beautiful. As I said previously, the music is very emotional for me, and I often found myself feeling very uplifted and very overwhelmed by the uptempo numbers they played. This is one of the most important requirements for me for good music: it has to move me.
I've been to many live music performances in my life, and never, ever have I been so blown away as I was during the Markovic Orkestar show. I would go see them play every day for the rest of my life if I could. It was like a religious experience.
Thank you Hoogland Center. You've given me two of my most memorable musical experiences. Who would have thought?
P.S. I was disappointed at the low turnout of people under 50 years old at the show. I hear a lot of people in my peer group complain that there's little to do of a cultural nature in this town. This was a top-notch cultural experience, and it only cost $15. I was surprised to see so few younger folks in the crowd. It's not everyday that the best of anything in the world comes to Springfield.
4 comments:
It’s interesting that you mention your disappointment with the under 50 crowd at the show. I had similar feelings when we saw Robbie Fulks. He has a good following among people in their forties and thirties that extends beyond the country crowd into the indie, and even the punk scene.
I’m wondering if the problem isn’t a Hoogland thing. Perhaps it has a reputation for theatre and NPR-type entertainment. And maybe even when they do bring in acts that a younger crowd likes, they’re put off by seeing them in such a venue. I have a feeling that if Fulks had played at the old Underground Tavern he would have drawn a much more diverse crowd.
I could be wrong. I hope I am. There’s certainly nothing wrong with the Hoogland. You got your music, you got your beer, who cares if there aren’t any neon beer signs on the wall or video golf in the corner.
Anyway, glad you enjoyed the show. I’m not familiar with that particular genre of music, but I’ve always loved brass, especially at high volumes.
Dan, I suspect you're right. I suspect that a lot of people have seen some of the productions at Hoogland and have, in some capacity, written off future events there. I don't doubt that Robbie Fulks would have had a better turnout at Underground Tavern. As for Boban Markovic, I can't really think of a better venue in town. I do think a lot of people ignore Hoogland Center because it has that NPR air, which to me is a good thing and the very reason I keep it on my watch list.
Being a part of the "Younger Crowd" it is definitely the Hoogland. I would much rather see a show at some place like "The Planet" or somewhere smaller and more personal. I did want to see Boban after hearing John talk about it on here, but I am currently broke and could not afford it. I really think Springfield needs an all-purpose music venue/youth center, but that is a whole different issue.
It's so interesting to me that the Hoogland Center seems to be a problem for younger people. I don't know if I'm just beyond the threshold where I can't imagine the Hoogland Center being unappealing to me. I can't help but think it wouldn't matter to me where the show were being held if I really wanted to see the band. If Foo Fighters wanted to come through town and have their concert in the checkout area of the Hobby Lobby on the Wabash, I'd probably go see them, despite the overpowering fragrance of dried flowers.
I think there's also a problem with the acts. A lot of people are unwilling to give an act they've never heard of $15 of their money and 2 hours of their time. People are a lot more likely to go check out a band they know and like than one they've never heard before.
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