With its trademark selection of rock, pop and alternative performances, Go Teatru Unplugged has built a reputation as the best place to enjoy a blend of established and upcoming acts in one hard-to-beat line-up. This year is no different, and audiences can look forward to six unique performances in one jam-packed evening. The shows will be held on 3, 4 and 5 December.
Jonathan Shaw, who originally dreamt up the concept for the show in 1998 with co-founder Nirvana Azzopardi believes it has achieved something of a cult following with a high percentage of repeat guests year on year.
“The show does evolve a little each edition based on the feedback we receive from audience members, but on the whole we keep it fresh by inviting a variety of new and well-loved acts to take part each year. Its format is largely responsible for its success, as with six short and diverse sets everyone is bound to find something that just what they fancy,” he told The Malta Independent.
The 13th edition will be presented by the highly entertaining Pawlu Borg Bonaci, frontman for the band Fakawi, and will feature upcoming singer Megan Balzan (this year’s ‘young talent act’) accompanied by Rosetta De Battisa; Chasing Pandora; award-winning band Beige; Glee-inspired choir The Blast; London-based band Fraser and the Renzo Spiteri Terra Project featuring vocalist Peter Grech.
Speaking about the event, renowned percussionist Renzo told this newspaper: “I’ve watched Go Teatru Unplugged grow from its first edition to an annual event with a very strong following that entices new audiences into the Manoel Theatre. There is something about Unplugged that makes me want to be a part of it every year, and I will be launching an exciting new project at this year’s edition.
“The Terra Project is an idea that's been dwelling in my brain for quite a while. As a musician I draw influences from a lot of elements around me spanning from the most industrial to more earthly (terra) aspects. Hence the use of so many different materials in my percussion arsenal! The idea of this project is to explore music that has been influenced by 'earthy' matters like the sea or particular locations around us. It features a mixed ensemble of musicians so the music is not just percussion-based. This, for me, is the start of a new journey.
Apart from myself on percussion there's singer Peter Grech (formerly of Hidden Sun), Jes Psaila playing guitar, Liz Conrad on cello, Mark Attard on piano and Clifford Smith on bass. We are six musicians on stage for Teatru Uplugged but I want to think of the project's format as a flexible one. Since all performances at Teatru are quite short I decided to concentrate on one particular aspect, and that is water/sea: the tunes that we will perform will focus pretty much on this element,” he said.
On Saturday and Sunday, an after party will be held at Premier in Valletta. Tickets for the event can be obtained from the Manoel Theatre box office.