Last Saturday, it was October 22nd, I went on a very special concert, or perhaps I should say a show. Gregorian, a group of 8 singers singing modern songs as Gregorian chants were kind enough to make a stop in Maribor and bring heaven to my eyes and especially ears. I know Gregorian for quite some time now and I got to know them because some years ago I came across their remake of Join Me (In Death), a famous song by my all time favourite rock band HIM, written by none other than my personal favourite singer, songwriter and composer, Ville Valo.
And of course, thanks to the Internet it was not hard to hear some of the other remakes they have done and they all sounded amazing. In other words: they didn’t ruin any song and they even made some, I personally don’t really like, much more likeable.
The show started a few minutes after 8 o’clock (to me it’s a very big plus that they weren’t running late) as 8 incredible singers, dressed as – not hard to guess – monks stepped on stage. What was the biggest surprise to me is that they were accompanied by a live band, consisting of a violinist, bass player, guitar player, drummer (mad drummer, with very awesome drumming skills, remember Animal from Muppet Show?) and a keyboard player. They started off with Metallica’s Nothing Else Matters, a great prelude to the concert. In the two hours we had a chance to hear some great songs, for example Losing My Religion (R.E.M), Join Me (HIM), More (Th Sisters Of Mercy, hell yea, Sisters!!!), Blue Monday (New Order), In The Air Tonight (Phil Collins), Bring Me To Life (Evanescence). Those are the songs I was most pleased to hear live, but they also did some U2, Coldplay, some of their original work, from which The Forest was superb, and of course, the famous Carl Orff’s O Fortuna. Several times they were accompanied by Sarah’s Brightman’s younger sister, Amelia Brightman, who also brought some of that extra energy to the stage.
All in all, the guys & and girls did a great work, their sound was flawless, their stage presence energetic and mystical at the same times and their set list pleased all crowds, from youngsters liking Evanescence to those who were teenagers in the 80s and enjoyed the music of whether Collins or The Sisters. What made their show a true show and not just a concert was a mixture of light show and their choreography, spicing it up with some fireworks, lasers and one really big and pompous explosion.
So if you are a fan of Gregorian chants, this is something you absolutely must see, if you get the chance too. When I was leaving the hall I felt excited, happy and a bit sad at the same time, because I had a great time, but when you’re having a great time 2 hours just aren’t enough. Next time I will have the chance to see them again, I’ll be there for sure!
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