Lissen Festival 2012 Review

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Lissen Festival

Friday 21/Saturday 22 September 2012

Senglea Football Pitch, Kordin

Festivals dedicated to music in the Maltese language aren’t exactly something novel, you might say, but when the line-up is as distinctly diverse and top notch as the one JG Promotions (aka Justin Galea) put together for the Lissen festival, there’s no denying this is a definite first. Featuring 8 acts spread over two evenings, Lissen kicked off with veteran singer-songwriter Vince Fabri treating all present to a selection of acoustic ramblings, punctuated with a taste of Brown Rice (and some nostalgia) for those who remember that 80’s TV show. Particle Blue’s electronically-charged set provided one of the festival’s several highlights; the effort to translate their repertoire into Maltese especially for the occasion worked a treat. Extra special was the inclusion of a couple of (Claire Tonna’s father) Brian’s early works.

KażinSka’s customised trek through popular band marches, peppered with a little Ska for extra flavour, the combo’s upbeat approach and vibrant personality were the perfect warm-up for the next band. Malta’s leading renegade folk outfit Brikkuni rounded off the evening with a set which, despite frontman Mario Vella being under the weather, proved as vigorous as ever. The male backing vocalist could do with toning his act down a bit, but other than that the set brought the night to a fitting close.

Saturday kicked off with reserve act Duo Kukkanja stepping in for Danjeli, whose computer decided it too was under the weather. A fine opener brimming with the comic interventions one expects from Delli and Justin paved the way for new act Brodu to present their eclectic, at times forceful but largely flowing set. Next up was Maltese hiphop act Sempliċiment Tat-Triq. Famed for not mincing their words - and believe me they didn’t – their set was as hard-hitting and intense as expected, with added impact coming from Frans il-Ħamallu and Genio l-Majċa. Last but not least, Plato’s Dream Machine served up an energized set of their rowdy punk-folk anthems, yet another genre alongside all the others to truly put Lissen in a class of its own. Music aside, a little more attention to the sound and more people turning up to support initiatives like this would have made it all even better!

Michael Bugeja