Live On Stage In Bangkok
Over the years I have enjoyed live performances a lot, but by now I avoid big names in large concert halls, just not worth it.
The last big shot artist concert artist I attended was of Carlos Santana at the Impact Arena in 2003.
Despite having expensive tickets for seats (*) we still saw Carlos as a small action figure on stage...
The massive video screens on both sides of the stage provided a much better view, but I couldn't escape feeling that I might as well watch the show on DVD in comfort at home...
Nothing wrong with the music, but the overall atmosphere with guards making sure that everybody remained seated, sorry, not my cup of tea.
I prefer smaller hole-in-the-wall places such as Adhere 13th Blues Bar.
Shooting live performances with a mobile phone isn't easy, often only 1 or 2 pics out of 10 are salvageable...
Despite those odds I took a deep dive in my digital archive and came up with the following!
Usually you can find Banglumpoo Blues Company (in whatever configuration) giving a good show.
Other bands perform here too.
Of course they perform covers mainly, but at least you are up close to the musicians and that's what makes it work for me.
I can't remember how many times I have dropped by here!
At least I have been seldom disappointed.
Some bands dedicate themselves to only one group or performer, which can be very tricky.
One of the better tribute bands in town is The Midnight Ramblers.
Here they perform several Stones classics at The Speaker Box.
This is from a performance in 2021.
They even did a cool version of '2000 Light Years from Home'!
Relatively new for me is Buddha & Pals, a bit larger restaurant/bar.
There I saw Nurse & Her Jazz Cats twice, cool!
This venue itself is pretty special as well.
A local gypsy quartet, The Loner Manouche, performs there from time to time as well.
Django Reinhardt, anyone?!
Last year I saw them for the first time at Bangkok Mojo, another tiny venue.
And last night I was back at Adhere!
Hearing classic Bob Marley songs that have been covered to death is not really what I was looking for, but the use of some electronic trickery made up for that.
And watching Aotto Siam Reggae Jam performing there with tiny kids dancing was odd, to say the least!
Next was Mongkolkwan who played a bit more modern psychedelic blues, pretty cool!
They even covered Robben Ford's version of the old blues standard 'Chevrolet'.
At the end of their first set, we called for the bill and returned home...
(*) Standing in front of the stage is my preferred place!
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This is great, KK. I recall you took me to one of these places many years ago, and I was verry impressed by one act performing a Tom Waits cover very well, and I could have reached out and touched that performer's guitar.
Yes! Thank you so much for this post, Koen! I love those places and can't wait to get back there. I liked your namind descriptions of the different bands and venues snd the photos, of course!