Live music in Poland: IGF 2021

Last week I went on my first foreign business trip in almost two years, to the Internet Governance Forum in Katowice. Around the conference the Polish host country showcased a lot of music worth mentioning.

Somewhat sceptical I went to the official opening in the symphony hall right next to the conference centre. Both are a sight to see for themselves, especially the latter. As this blog is about music, I will return to the symphony hall, where the Polish National Radio Symphony Orchestra resides. It played a one and a half hour show that was broadcasted live on national television. All announcements were made in Polish. Because of this, for us non-native speakers, it was a bit of a guess what was coming up; each time again. The backbone of the programme were compositions by Polish composers, so I understood from the opening words in English before the show, from which I picked up the names Gorecki and Chopin. The name of the street leading from the conference centre and parallel to the hall is named after Gorecki by the way.

The programme was incredibly varied. The orchestra was enlarged with a drummer, bassplayer and guitarist, who did not get a solo spot in a real hard rocking song with a hardrock singer. That one went by me, as it would have been the logical moment to give him his moment to shine. Also there were two synthesizer players who did get a dominant role later in the programme, as well as a more modern keyboard than the grand piano.

I have no clue as to what I've heard. I can only be surprised how diverse the concert was. From classical work, to dead serious and super modern, a film score and from digital work with the synths showcasing, onwards to an African beat by a singer from Cameroonian descent playing his bass guitar as a lead instrument. A classically trained orchestra can truly rock. In the final, long song it all became mixed with a traditional quartet from Zakopane's mountains, the Cameroon singer as lead vocalist, the rock section and the orchestra all going fully at it. Not that I liked everything I heard that evening, but I definitely had an open mind to take it all in. The orchestra was able to impress me regularly in what it tried and achieved to do.

Who also rocked in Katowice was me. On Music Night the IGF/ICANN band plays but due to the pandemic was reduced to three men who had never played together until the evening before the show. We cranked out 16 songs of which I had never played 12 on a stage before. In Michal we had found a tremendously good drummer. Thomas and I sang the songs and played guitar. Nearly all famous songs from the 80s and 90s that are easy to sing along to and thus easy to learn in a short period of time. With me brining in three songs stemming from the 60s. Even some solos I learned just in the few days before the conference. It is an open, bottom up process how the IGF is constructed and so is the band. Singers can come on stage and sing along. Only women though dared to do so and so we heard Marta sing Pink Floyd's 'Wish You Were Here', a beautiful duet by Courtney and Julia in 'Come As you Are' and later a punk sung version of the same song in the encore.

Playing live and, so I learned after the show, broadcasted live on You Tube, is so much fun. Something everyone playing music has so dearly missed. It was my second band gig in almost two years.

Around the IGF band, that goes by the name of Gems, played a more professional Polish cover band, specialising in more modern songs like 'I Will Follow'. As I had a late meeting, I did not hear more than a few songs, but it did give me pause: Do we have to follow this tight musical machine? After one evening of practice? As you could read above, there was absolutely no need to worry. People wanted to party and party they did, from 'A Hard Days Night' to 'Fight For Your Right (To Party)'. It can all be viewed here: https://youtu.be/pntuDFUgNRI?t=2909. We are on circa 47 minutes into the recording.

During the closing ceremony there was more music. Traditional music during a dazzling dance performance by Slansk. I found myself wondering half of the time how is it possible that these people do not bump into each other or lose their way? This was top sport, not just a little folk dancing. It was a mix of modern dance woven into the traditional form of dancing around the Maypole. Again not my thing but certainly worthwhile to look at and be amazed.

The finale was for a traditional brass band playing brass band songs. The band was good as the harmonies in the music were very well noticeable, but again far from my taste. And a bit long. We all wanted to go home once past 7 PM. But, after having organised such a flawless event, I can forgive the Polish host easily. In fact I played with the director himself and hope to do so again next year. A Polish, Swiss, Dutch band can't be beat.

Thank you again Poland for a great week. Also in the professional sense, but that is another story and not for a music blog.

Wout de Natris