January 2008 Circ Bover

The first night of San Sebastian was preceded by a visit to the circus. Circ Bover, who are based in Mallorca, had been on at Parc de la Mar in Palma from mid December. A small company of around a dozen, they get you smiling from the moment you walk in. The two clowns help to get everybody in the right mood, along with setting the scene for the evenings entertainment. A very light hearted but extremely professional bunch of young performers that keep your attention throughout.

Having seen the show in Sineu (I think), not long after they first started this tour back in November, I have to give them all a pat on the back for the way they have improved their performances, a very slick show.

If you had to pick a star of the show it has to be Raffa the clown, whose antics had the child in front of us wetting himself with laughter from the off, but he also helps to make the show flow. There is not a point throughout where you are looking at your watch, apart from the break when you want them to come back out and give you more!

This was their last night at Parc de la Mar and their last show until March and even though they obviously had some friends in the audience they received a standing ovation at the end of the evening and it was much deserved.

I'll be looking out for them when they return.

Jan 19 San Sebastian night 1

The annual San Sebastian celebrations in Palma this year produced a bit of a dilemna, well for us foreigners anyway. Once everybody had worked out what was on where, we were spoilt with the choice of 2 great English bands of the 70's and 80's, Echo & The Bunnymen or ELO. My decision was made easier as the band on before Echo was Sterlin. A local band with lead singer Adela Peraita's who has been described to me, by a well known bar in Sa Pobla, as having "the voice of an angel". Their music does not disappoint, playing original rock ballads with catchy tunes and good lyrics. If you come across their album "Destroy", I strongly recommend it.

After a short break to sort out the stage, the main act Echo & The Bunnymen appeared. Even though there had been good reports of the band it was difficult to know what to expect. It had been over 20 years since these guys had been at the top of the tree so you tend to be a bit dubious. But it didn't take long to realise that lead singer McCulloch and guitarist Sergeant had not lost a bit of their original style and swagger. With music from their underated last album Siberia along with the classics that you all know, including seven seas, The killing moon and bring on the dancing horses from their early days the audience was rocking to this great free show. The square, Joan Carles II, was jam packed and a lot of those were Brits, plus we heard a good contingent of scousers speak up when requested. I bet there were a few wheel-less cars in Palma that night :-).

A great music night in Palma, but the oranisers have got to get themselves sorted out. You wait for good concerts and along come two on one night. By all accounts the ELO concert was very good, even though there were none of the original members, they were almost the real deal. But no Mr Blue Sky!