Even for the most adventurous there are extended times one will spend at home or if home is on the road then times when one is not traveling. Although I make a point to get out of Chicago at least a couple of times a month, I have been on an extended period of time where I have not traveled overseas.
This does not mean one has to live a life without adventure. One way to offset a lack of overseas thrill is to travel locally. Another way is to get out and see music that represents other cultures.
Many perceive world music as lame, but there are many groups that will blow your mind when you see them live. Those that think world music is not cool have not been exposed to the right kind as one will not hear this type of music on local radio stations.
Over the past two weekends I have had the pleasure of seeing a lot of live music. Two weeks ago I was granted a press pass and covered the Summer Camp Music Festival in Chillicothe, Illinois. Last week I went to the German Mayfest in Lincoln Square on Friday and the Do Division Fest on Saturday.
One of my favorite acts at Summer Camp was Gaelic Storm.
At Mayfest there was a traditional German band on hand that got the crowd going.
Then on Saturday at the Division Fest I caught the band Dengue Fever play. Dengue Fever is an alternative rock band who has a Cambodian lead singer that incorporates some traditional Khmer music with American rock.
Even though I have not left the boundaries of Illinois and have never been farther than three hours from downtown Chicago, I feel like I have been to Ireland, and then made a stop in Bavaria, and then headed to Phnom Penh before returning to Chicago thanks to the wonderful world music I have been exposed to.
Now, thanks to Youtube and this post you can travel the world also.
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I’m guilty of listening to primarily US and Canadian musicians, but now that I’m living in Germany I’m making an effort to get to know some German musicians and am really enjoying it, some are really good and it’s fun when you can actually sing along.
I also watched Eurovision Song Contest for the first time which features groups from European countries and was hooked.
Laurel recently posted..Blue Footed Booby
An easy and inexpensive way to “see” the world and fun, too.
santafetraveler recently posted..Photo of the week- flower power
Well-said!
Pola recently posted..Travel experience: Gypsy Jazz in Paris
Interesting connection here…makes us readers want to expand our musical horizons..
Cheers..
Charles Higgins recently posted..Hard Rock Cafe – great theme- service- and the best Hot Fudge Brownie
It’s hard to believe some people would consider world music “lame” What a shame… But what is world music anyway – tribal beats from Africa? Or pop music from Finland?
I recently explored Paris by going to its gypsy jazz clubs. Since the music was born there, it was a great experience to be there and retrace steps of many musicians. Plus it forced me to go to some areas I otherwise might not have thought of.
Also, a trip to Nashville a few years ago opened my eyes to honky tonk. Too bad the country music that you hear on the radio is much less exciting. But the trip got me to look beyond what is served to me and explore on my own.
Your post goes to show that we’re lucky to have great music variety in ChiTown, that’s for sure. 🙂
Pola recently posted..Travel experience: Gypsy Jazz in Paris
World music is a pretty nebulous title. I guess it is anything not from this country that is not mainstream. That is quite a big genre.
I love honky tonk and old country music. It definitely is not what it used to be. Gypsy jazz in France sounds amazing.