Like every year, Melkweg is preparing to welcome the Gay Pride 2019 by promoting cultural events in style. Last night the historic building hosted Chinese Man, a French band active since 2004 and now known worldwide.
Influenced by hip hop, funk, reggae, trip hop and more, the band reached its peak with the release of the album Shikantaza which, with its oriental and psychedelic sonorities, allowed these young artists to occupy a prominent place in the history of contemporary music. The Marseillaise trio is composed of High Ku, Sly Dee and Zè Mateo, who have managed to produce high quality music becoming, in a short time, the bastion of musical experimentation. The Chinese Man Records, their independent record label, is a real community that connects performers from all over the world and around which gravitate not only musicians, but also directors, photographers, graphic designers, etc. During their concerts, in addition to use electronic equipment, Chinese Man are usually accompanied by singers that make the show even more addictive.
When, at around 20:30, the performance started in the concert hall called Max, the line at the box office was still very long and a lot of people had poured into the street. Indeed, in addition to Chinese Man’s gig, Melkweg had planned another interesting musical event for yesterday. At the same time but in another room (the OZ), the American band Easy Star All-Stars was performing their reggae-style reinterpretation of a famous Pink Floyd’s album, renamed for the occasion The Dub Side of the Moon.
It is worthwhile to add something about Melweg’s history. Founded in 1970 as a youth cultural center, over the years it has become one of the main reference points of Amsterdam’s pop culture. It organises music, film and art events, bringing together internationally renowned artists with budding ones. The wide range of events that this cultural institution offers gives it the opportunity to be appreciated by an audience as varied as socially engaged. Melkweg is in fact a no-profit organisation with strong cultural and social purposes. which is also involved in European projects. Its headquarter is located behind Leidsplein, one of the most famous squares in the Dutch capital, but its initiatives can take place in different locations of the city, such as Rabozaal and the Sugar Factory. Federica Veccari 28th July 2019
