Reverberating Cathedral

We know of fundraisers that collect cash for people in distress in different parts of the world. This one was for the destitute in Somalia. The venue was the Uppsala Cathedral, one of the oldest, most traditional landmark in Sweden. Music was the emalagmate to get to people with cry for help. The evening was called 'The Light-Dark' or 'Ett Ljus | Morkret' in Svenska.

The evening was cold but surprisingly pleasant considering its November. Me and a bunch of friends from my block and from Flogsta decided to reach the venue early to get decent spots. I was thinking the weather would be too cold so we dressed in layers, just to be warmer. Little did I know, that it was inside of the church. The same place where people pray and try and connect with the almighty or the like of it. There were handouts with the itenerary of the evening. The songs that the band would play and also the lyrics to each song, apart from the instrumental ones. There werea variety of 12 timeless numbers in all from the Icelandic Bjork to Engel. Well, timeless ones were actually covers of Led Zeppelin, Neil Young, Pink Floyd. The songs were in order of play- 'Rockin' in the free world' by Neil Young, 'Joga' by Bjork, 'A whiter shade of  pale' by Procul Harum', 'In the light' by Led Zeppelin, 'Angels' by Robbie Williams, 'Listen to your heart' by Roxette, 'Life on mars?' by David Bowie, 'The great gig in the sky' by Pink Floyd, 'Engel' by the jarring Rammstein, 'Sound of Silence' by Simon and Garfunkel, 'November rain' by Guns'n'Roses and 'Viva la vida' by Coldplay.

 I thought that the songs had mostly some religious essence in one way or the other. We were intrigued about the song by Rammstein. For those who haven't heard it, its by a German heavy metal band. The ones that can leave you wondering if you are dead or alive, in the end. The Gothic, abrasive feeling to the original was well masked by the choir singers in chorus. It did give me some creeps though. It was my first time listening to loud live music inside a Cathedral. Pictures will appeal more

 A quiet gathering patiently waits. As the church bell marks the start of 7 PM with the bells, we knew the gig would start at the end.

 One of them beautiful Chandeliers.

 The Neil young started fine and melodious.

The lighting during the rendition of Bjorks 'Joga' was well matched with the vocalist. Was very much impressed. No music like that from a quality live band who know what they are doing. 

Bass and lead guitarists.

 Whats a fundraising concert without the messengers interlude. The message was read out in Swedish but some one with common sense could guess that it was about Somlia.

 Was truly blown away with the cover of 'The great gig in the sky'. It was the girl in the picture on far right who sand the topsy turvy of a song by Bjork and the singer from the Pink floyd hit. As challenging as it was, the girls voice hit all notes with an impressive degree of precision and control. Not trying to sound like Simon Cowell, but, she can sing!

The intense fiddlers with their Maestro who was also the Pianist when the need came.

 The lightsets were a sight on their own. Set the mood just right for a wonderful show.

 The Drummer rocks the Led Zeppelin tune, originally by John Bonham

 

A view of the choir members as they sing in unison, 'Engel'.




Everyone enjoyed it. One could tell from the applause they showered them. Considering the band was made of 12 members, plus the choir singers, it was a show to watch. Hope the hit their ideal expectations in donation from the attendees. Short, artistic and eventful the show was, I thought.