Barbacane pub has hosted several music events in its lifetime, from blues/jazz bands to soft rock and electro/percussion/saxophone collaborations. This week’s event showcased Ciaroscuro, the rock band whose most recent gig in Hamra was added to their list of positive feedback as the band prepared for their last show of 2010.
The pub is a cozy place that fits some 30 well seated people within its stony walls in the Old Souk of Jbeil and it was almost packed tonight.
The band’s 100 minute setlist might have just needed a selection of upbeat songs, but their performance wasn’t too bad at all, given the few sound difficulties. They managed to sustain a certain amount of energy during the first half of the show, but that wasn’t the case during the second half, since the similar downbeat songs started to get to the listeners, who had already dined, drank and were on the verge of a nap breakdown. The band started a couple of jams at the point in response to some crowd requests (the band ought to have played Sweet Home Alabama to wake everyone up before the finale).
Regarding the style, I believe that the band should have considered playing more exciting bluesy rock songs, say The Doors, Led Zeppelin (although they played Baby I’m Gonna Leave You) or Deep Purple. These songs would have brought life into their setlist, in the same manner that The White Stripes‘ Seven Nation Army became a pub favorite for its energetic sing-along vibe. They could also focus more on their vocalist’s strength: The Doors, David Bowie, Radiohead and Oasis.
