October 17 - 20
This was the first time A2A was organised. Four days of conferences and workshops, and four nights of live music, where upcoming bands had the chance to present themselves at the Showcases. During the daytime the panel and workshop topics included the basics of the music business (contracts, publishing, etc.) as well as debate and discussion about current trends in (live) music, recording, and technology. A lot of international know-how gathered and shared information and networks during these days.

One of the goals during these days, was the foundation of the European Music and Media Alliance (EMMA). Because of some doubts about the birthright of EMMA, and uncertainties about the benefits, (accept the "together we are strong" argument) it's decided that some workgroups are going to work out the needs and set up a framework.

Maybe due to a lack of publicity, the number of visitors at the showcases was minimal. Still for the first time, this event can be called a small success. For the bands however, it was a pity to play for such small audiences. Talking about bands, here's an impression of some of the things that were happening in the evenings.

For more information about A2A visit: www.a2a.nl 
or www.a2amusic.com

   
  
A2A showcases. 
 
  
oktober 19th, Amsterdam
Being here for only two nights, I must have missed a lot of bands, and being late at the first venue wasn't too good to start.

Just in time to pick up the last couple of songs of LABERINTO in the Melkweg. I was told it was a shame that I did not know this band yet. 
Experimental? Must be, I didn't get a clue. Maybe due to circumstances, but this cannot have been their best performance. I heard a lot of positive things about this band. Where Sepultura stopped, they are said to have picked up; with a less dark-voiced singer, and musicians who should know what they are doing. 
Being progressive and very heavy doesn't mean it has to sound like the musicians are playing together for the first time and they are swimming in a pool of noise.

The next band was SLICE from Canada, also in the Melkweg. 
Strongly recommended during a convention in the daytime; this should be very "hot". 
After a couple of minutes it was clear: it's all right, but hot? Urban Dance Squad already did this years ago. 
The charming heavy-weight singer tries to get the small audience going, and some people are getting more into it. 

A pleasant surprise was ZORNIC from Belgium, in Amuse. A handful of people was there to see and hear a possible next Muse.
 

 
Rock- and wave-based lo-fi brought by a disarming three-man band, with enthusiasm and honesty. A solid rhythm section and an anti-hero guitarist/singer give their best.

The final act this night was THE APERS from the Netherlands. 
The Cave is a small venue and that contributed to a good atmosphere for the small amount of people present. 

Four young puppies (no offence) playing straightforward rock in the way the Ramones used to do it. 
The stage is so small you can hardly take a step aside without wounding your fellow bandmembers, but these guys move and act as if they are playing on a stadium stage. 
One, two, three's, leather jackets, a continuously smoking guitarist, and two minute rockers, with filthy guitars and harmonic vocals. The encore of badly performed covers should not have been played, but disregarding this, and the fact that these guys will probably never get the status they pretend to, it was fun to see them.   

The next night, Friday, the first band was TENK from the Netherlands, playing in the Cave. Gothic kind of metal, with an effective guitarist and rhythm section.
  

  
This time it's not the guitarist who steals the show, but a cello player who really adds something to the sound. Beautiful female vocals complete this band. The singer looking a bit uncertain in her way is cute, but there is no need for that. 
The compositions could use a bit re-structuring, and the vocals could carry it to an even higher level. The different mood switches in the music, the participation of the band members, as well as their convincing fun in playing was catching.

Still in the Cave, the next band on stage looked like: here's comin' some good ol' rock, the way they don't make it anymore. JEWEL IN THE MIRE: long hair, worn off jeans, and Gibson guitars. 
All right, it's rock & roll, the singer has got a good voice, and they've got a visual rock & roll attitude. This would have been a great band would they have had more conviction and fire in their music, especially in the sound. 
It's also a pity, when you have two guitars, not to use them in a way they can add something.

To stay with the traditional rock, Amuse was the stage for MR VEIN from Canada. American mean stream from a very capable band. 
Steady drums, solid, groovy bass, combined with a good voice and a guitarist who seemed to be very skilful. 
Still, why that polished sound? When you are a rock band, you don't want to be invited to play at wedding parties. 

Then SAY NO MORE, also from Canada, on the Amuse stage. 
  

  
Traditional rock again, but now the way it should be played. Pure energy burstin'out of the rhythm section, a singer looking like a hobo who's trying to convince his audience he has to be president, and a guitarist who is playing solos the way I thought only Joe Perry was capable.
  

  
Somewhere in between the Black Crowes and Pearl Jam, a band who is trying to set the stage on fire, need I say more?

(Review: Cor, 
Pics: Marcia)

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