melkweg2009muziek /dans /theater /film / fotografie /media /events

Despite the somewhat sombre note on the spring of 2009, the quality and diversity of music in Melkweg was
extraordinary. Before the summer there were smashing shows by Katy Perry, Lily Allen and - to a superlative
degree - the first performance by Lady Gaga in the Netherlands, who met and surpassed the raised
level of expectation. The Prodigy presented their new CD in February and all available tickets were sold out
within six minutes. For the ‘secret’ show by superstar Robbie Williams on 8 December no tickets were for
sale in a conventional way.
One performance in August drew all attention because the name of the band was not announced; yet everyone
wanted to go see it. It turned out to be Them Crooked Vultures, in which members of Led Zeppelin, Nirvana
and Queens of the Stone Age play together.The most remarkable Dutch performances of last year all came from
the hiphop scene. January saw the breakthrough of Kyteman’s Hiphop Orchestra and September witnessed
the retirement of the 20-year-active Nederhop pioneers Osdorp Posse with two concerts that were
sold out a long time coming. Pete Philly and Perquisite made for the Dutch highlight in the Rabozaal with
yet another sold-out hall, for their farewell concert.
As a side note, Melkweg has also programmed concerts of up-and-coming bands in the Sugar Factory very
regularly since last year, a welcome expansion of our options to offer a stage to new talent.
Dance music, as collected in Melkweg’s KLINCH platform, performed splendidly; up-and-coming and established
names such as Paul Kalkbrenner, Pantha du Prince, Apparat, Chris Cunningham,
Boys Noize, Laurent Garnier and Josh Wink testify accordingly.
The dance/theatre department of Melkweg had also looked forward to the Rabozaal with anticipation. André
Gingras with THE AUTOPSY PROJECT and Ann Van den Broek with I SOLO MENT were among the first
players of the new hall. In addition, Melkweg devoted attention to Finland and China: ENSILUMI / FIRST SNOW
showed an overview of contemporary, Finnish dance and CHIN-A-MOVES showed productions of three different
Chinese choreographers.
The photo gallery housed two very special projects with TROTS (PRIDE) and RELIGIOUS CURAÇAO, RITUALS &
TRADITIONS drawing inspiration from the fact that 2009 was proclaimed the ‘Year of Traditions’ in the Netherlands.
In the Media Room, the project BREATHING CLOUD by Dorette Sturm garnered much attention. The large,
pink cloud breathes and produces sound, thereby resembling a living organism.
The Cinema focused on cult films, animation and music films in 2009. In this light, cult director John Waters
was present to introduce his film POLYESTER. A new addition was the monthly series ANIMATOR: THE PREVIEWS,
a preview of the latest Japanese Anime releases on DVD. Music film festival MUSIC 4 YOUR EYES saw its second
edition take place in September with a great number of premieres.
20 JUL Lady Gaga, foto: Barbara Croes 07