Two years after the reunion tour that sold out almost everywhere, Hammill, Banton and Evans are ready to return to Italy. To tell the truth, Peter Hammil was also in our country last November, for three dates in theatres, obviously crowded, in the tour of his latest album Singularity. VAN DER GRAAF GENERATORAt the end of the 60s they began to make their way with their very particular musical vision, completely unclassifiable, they let elements of jazz, electronic, classical, blues and soul music seep in, but they completely transformed them, they played experimental music in the widest possible sense of the term, they were a rock quartet, but without guitars, they used instruments such as organ, flute, saxophone, piano, which they themselves modified to produce sounds that were then enriched with refined overdubbing effects. Unbelievable things in an era where 16-track recording is used. Albums like PAWN HEARTS (1972) and STILL LIFE (1976) capture the essence of a band that nevertheless expresses itself best in the live dimension. In fact, between 1969 and 1978 the VDGG spend entire years on particularly demanding tours - they have their own hard core in Italy, an adoring and vast audience.
The live performances are visionary streams of electronic music ploughed by the peculiar voice of Peter Hammill and accompanied by the obsessive drums of Guy Evans. An incredible experience that in some years led the various members of the group to seek respite in solo experiences (to which, however, often collaborate also the other VDGG). Peter Hammill is certainly the one who over the years has gained the most visibility with an always original and varied musical production that in October 2004 brought him a Tenco Prize career.
VAN DER GRAAF GENERATOR
Saturday 22 July - Piazza San Francesco - UMBERTIDE (PG)
Entrance 20€ + prev.
