KING DUDE + LISA CUTHBERT + GERWALD
Köln – MTC Club

ITA
Il 15 marzo è passato per Colonia King Dude, all’anagrafe Thomas Cowgill – gentiluomo e satanista di esperienza e innata eleganza. Il concerto, seppur contornato da un pubblico per la maggior parte meritevole dello spettacolo di cui ha goduto, è stato oggetto di scherno e ignoranza da parte di alcuni presenti che non hanno proprio capito una cippa di quello che stava succedendo (evito il francesismo per non essere tacciata di essere la solita terrona, dai più educati).
Ad aprire lo spettacolo svoltosi all’MTC Club, venue graziosa e appagante dall’atmosfera old school, ecco Gerwald, cantautore autoctono dall’animo oscuro e gentile che ha deliziato i presenti con alcuni pezzi acustici (splendida la nera “Gretsch”, e adorabile la voce), sentiti e malinconici: in chiusura la cover di “Ain’t No Grave” (l’autore manco lo scrivo, se non lo conoscete vergognatevi) ha spezzato il cuore della sottoscritta.
Negli intermezzi del live a tre atti, alcuni giovani black metallari (ribattezzati con garbo i tre porcellini, dentro e fuori metafora) hanno dato il peggio di sé facendomi ricordare come mai sono tanto felice di non avere più vent’anni: agitando nel vento i propri bicchieri inneggiavano a Satana attendendo la “dark lady” sul palco e fregandosene altamente della musica.
Leggono Satana e Satanassi e corrono senza capire. Ah, la bella gioventù moderna.
Lisa Cuthbert (familiare nel timbro, e nei contenuti) ha eseguito la sua performance in un ambiente adatto e d’atmosfera. Candele, drappi e proiezioni hanno reso la sua esibizione ancora più toccante. Purtroppo, il film proiettato dalla Cuthbert ha contribuito a far esprimere al peggio alcuni trogloditi presenti. Si trattava di “Madgalene” di Peter Mullan, pellicola del 2008 su quei maledetti istituti cattolici per “giovani donne reiette” gestiti da perfide suore e al limite della decenza umana. Molti non hanno saputo guardare dietro la nudità, prendendo in giro e riferendosi alla proiezione con un fake funny fuori luogo “nun porn”. Ma va bene così. La musica vince sempre.
Il terzo atto della kermesse ha visto King Dude salire sul palco ubriaco, e molti presenti “ooooh, è ubriaco!”. Eh già, inneggiano al rock’n’roll e si stupiscono che su un palco qualcuno ci possa salire anche da ubriaco. A parte lo stato di ebbrezza, il concerto è stato bello: Mr. Dude se l’è suonata e cantata in armonia sfoggiando il suo fascino musicale (e non) a metà tra l’eleganza apocalittica europea e il tipico fare sornione e affabile dell'”ammerregano”. Insomma King Dude – sempre di nero vestito – sul palco ubriaco ci può salire, lo spettacolo regge lo stesso… D’altra parte l’anno scorso sempre a Colonia c’è salito con una mano rotta, sul palco. E fonti autorevoli mi assicurano che se ne sono viste ugualmente delle oscure, sataniche, ironiche belle.

In fede,
S.H. Palmer

ENG

There are not too many people in the club (MTC Club), and the atmosphere seems to be relaxed. As always @ MTC young people and old school rockers are together in the crowd, trying to have a good music experience. As always, I am silent. Walking among the people, waiting for the next artist on the stage. I’m obviously waiting for King Dude, but I know it would take some time.
My first good impression has been the first support, at the beginning of the evening. This big guy with his black “Gretsch”, a soothing masculine voice and a lovely taste was so fine on the stage in his own simplicity. He was fine, and emotional. Like the situations has demanded. His name’s Gerwald (aus Stuttgart). Impressive.
In the meanwhile I took a look around, and what I saw – actually – started becoming a little weird. Young people in black metal suites, waving horns and fluttering drinks. Everything fine, nothing to say… but something was a bit odd, I had that sensation, at least. Among those other feelings.
On the stage then, Lisa Cuthbert, dressed in black, playing a KORG, perfectly placed in the scene. With a warm-hearted voice and strong visuals she made up a dark atmosphere. I was very moved. It was very intense. The film screened was “The Magdalene’s Sisters” by Peter Mullan: a true story based movie about the “Magdalene’s laundries” which were catholic structures for the redemption “fallen women” as they called them. I knew the movie, I saw it with my friends Siria and Marco some years ago. It was very painful for me, as a woman, see that. And it was strongly emotional on Sunday watching at it during the show. And and and… here we go, let’s get the weirdo started: some people didn’t understand basically anything. And – fair to say – Lisa made a brief explanation about the visuals at the end of her performance. Some metal toddlers were laughing at those “nun porn, with not too beautiful women” as they were watching at a parody of Tod Browning’s “Freaks”. I found it inappropriate and also a bit sad, I need to say that. But everything was beautiful and a lot of people we’re enjoying the sonic moment with me as well.
Finally King Dude took place on the stage. He was drunk. He was very drunk, but the performance has been good. Some people can do that, of course and at least he can and could. I’m very impressed, totally impressed. I’m impressed positively: King Dude is a good songwriter and an old school rocker, I listened to him the first time as “Love” was out, and until now I found his work always worthy to be listened (“Fear” has also a wonderful “package” and I find my white vinyl creepy dark and lovely, indeed). The feeling I have… is that a lot of people in the crowd haven’t understand. I’m happy to have seen this concert. I found this situation comfortable and do not think that only because it was a solo concert, it had to be boring.
I enjoyed it. And other people too.
Mr. Cowgill is a charming, funny man with a wonderful voice, and a lot of sense of humor, between his European-flavoured elegance and his typical American style of communication: he expresses himself, his music is indeed what he is, inbetween (apocalyptic) neofolk and old school Americana. This is what I think, and this is what maybe some persons should remember.
In general. In life, and not only talking about King Dude.
Top concert. But please, Dude… take care of yourself!

Faithfully yours,
S.H. Palmer