Tribute nights are viewed as a competition between bands, because we can finally see musicians playing the exact same songs, just better. Occasionally, the competition results in good, a-type rock, and this was the case with the Ian Curtis Tribute Night, mainly because Ian Curtis’ droning take on punk has been extremely influential on the local music scene.
Worm is Green, the atmospheric emo band, put forward their well-travelled rendition of Love Will Tear Us Apart to a strong response. The Pollock Brothers, famous in Iceland for their participation in the local punk scene two decades ago, were able to perfectly capture the sound of early Joy Division. And Singapore Sling, who have burned up their karma, reputation and line-up, somehow came on stage with the best sound of the night, and the most chemistry on stage. Chemistry in the Ian Curtis pointless self-destruction sense of the word.
As we write, we have just gotten word that Thurl Ravenscroft, the voice of Tony the Tiger, died at the age of 91. Perhaps in that tribute, Hanoi Jane and Sólstafir, bands that we felt put a good amount of energy and thought into their shows but went under-appreciated, might win.
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