For a Better Effect, Add a Pinch of Storm

Kerekes Band: Zsombor & Csaba

Band: Kerekes Band

Venue: Zöld Pardon, Neumann János utca 2, 1117 Budapest

Time: June 4, 2012 - 8.00 pm

Entrance fee: 400 HUF

It turns out that lightning bolts and a downpour can turn an almost cancelled concert into one of the craziest experiences lately. With only a small crowd of people gathered under those huge umbrellas, nobody expected the concert to actually happen. However, with a short delay, the Hungarian ethno folk Kerekes Band did give a memorable show. The thunders in the background fit perfectly, not even the cheerful tunes of their music were diminished by the rain.

The first bravehearts to get closer to the soaking stage

Before continuing, though, I'd like to note down a few things concerning the blog. As you may have noticed, it took me a while to do a new post. This was mainly because the semester is just coming to an end, so there is a lot to be done. I also have to think about the future of the blog, as I won't be spending much time in Budapest over the summer, and in the next half a year. However, I do want to continue writing about the concerts I go to. After considering all this, I've decided that it wouldn't make sense to start a new blog. Instead, I'll continue writing here, even though the future concerts I attend may or may not be directly connected to Budapest or folk genre. Hopefully, I'll manage to make this change bearable. :)

Now, back to Kerekes Band. Honestly, I was not quite familiar with the band before attending their concerts. My only knowledge was of their existence. Nothing more. But isn't promotion part of the reason why concerts are done in the first place? I'd say so. That is how I came to know this band. They come from Eger, where they were formed in 1995! I won't write about their history here, as it's not the point of my writing, but I do highly recommend to read their History and Prehistory pages on the Kerekes Band Website. They're, well, hilarious.

Kerekes Band

The show started a bit after 8 pm, while people were still standing in the back, under the huge white patio umbrella, which was already starting to leak. As the show was getting more intense, the rain was trying to break its own records at pouring, while the fans found themselves being pulled closer to the stage with every note. The music was mainly instrumental, with distinctive flute and violin sounds, and a few exceptions to the instrumental part. The flutist, Zsombor, took the role of a singer during some parts, most memorable being the song Ethno Funk.

Fonogram Award for Kerekes Band

They ended the show by presenting their awards, which they received in April for their newest album, What the Folk?. This award is called Fonogram Awards, being a Hungarian version of Grammy. The winning category was the Best World Music Album of the Year.
Congratulations, Kerekes guys!

Check out the concert gallery.