As one of the only shows in Malta to have kept its annual appointment with audiences for more than a decade, GO Teatru Unplugged must be doing something right.
With its trademark selection of rock, pop and alternative performances, it has built a reputation as the best place to catch 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 formula seems to work extremely well,” says Go Teatru Unplugged co-producer Jonathan Shaw, who originally dreamt up the concept for the show in 1998 with co-founder Nirvana Azzopardi. “It has achieved something of a cult following with a high percentage of repeat guests year after 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.”
The 15th edition will feature Scar, Fire, Peter, Papps and Friends, Alex Alden, Skarlet and Duo Kukkanja. Additionally, it will be presented by the highly entertaining duo Gordon and Rodney.
Go Teatru Unplugged 15 will be held at the Manoel Theatre, Valletta on the 7, 8 and 9 December 2012. Tickets cost €8, €15 and €18 and can be purchased online from www.teatrumanoel.com.mt, by e-mail to [email protected], or by calling 2124 6389. Early booking is recommended
SCAR AT TEATRU UNPLUGGED
The Malta Independent on Sunday spoke to one of the bands participating in this year’s Teatru Unplugged, Scar.
What's the latest lineup of Scar?
Konrad Pulé on rhythm guitars, pianos and vocals, David Cassar Torreggiani on lead guitars, Michael Scicluna on bass guitars, Arda Baykurt on percussion. For Teatru, we always try something different and we will be joined by Philip Zammit on cello and Anne Marie Camilleri Podesta on harp ... yes harp! This is something we have wanted for quite a while, and it's happening this time!
What's the latest thing you've released?
Our latest single is called White Lie and it has been nominated for the Best Song award for 2012 at the Bay Music Awards. This song is taken from our latest album Breaking Radio Silence.
What direction has the band taken in recent years?
In Konrad's case, he's been trying to teach his one-year-old son to play drums, David has been trying to break the world record for writing the longest song in history with his project Elder Water, Mike bought a new car, and Arda has been jamming with practically every musician you can possibly think of in Malta.
Have any personal events that may have happened in the band members’ lives impacted your song writing in any way?
Everything happening around us affects the music we write. We have some new stuff we are working on, and we are really look forward to getting into the studio to finish it off.
What have been the most popular releases by Scar over the years?
From our live shows Stolen gets a great reaction but I'd probably say that Red Carpet has been our biggest hit. Using the didgeridoo on the song works very well live! White Lie hit number one on the charts for a number of weeks and that was great for us as we had been out of the scene for a while. We also picked up a few fans from our ESC entry in 2007 and Konrad's superman guitar solo effort.
How do you compare your music and attitude now, with when you first started out?
Dave started around 50 years ago and not much has changed except his hairline. When you first start out you dream about the rock star life. We now live in a world of ‘Bieberfever’. Today we just do it because we love it.
What are your feelings about performing at Teatru Unplugged?
This will be our fourth appearance and we still get as excited about it as though it were our first. Not many can experience performing at the Manoel so we take it as a real honour and prepare harder for this than any other gig. The feeling of anticipation waiting by the side of the stage as the presenter introduces the band will be a moment to treasure.
Apart from the harp, can we expect anything else that’s unusual from the band during these performances?
Apart from adapting our songs to an unplugged feel, we don't want to give anything else away!
What are the plans for band in the future?
We'd like to get back in the studio and work on new material for a third album as well as pick up a few more live performances. As for the very long term… we hope that all rock stages will be wheelchair accessible for us to be able to get on them to perform!