Because the second midsummer competition “Farm on Hearth” approaches, legendary performer Andrius Mamontovas doesn’t conceal his anxiousness that his acoustic live performance on the massive stage of the competition will likely be fairly a musical problem. We’ll see him on the massive stage solely with a guitar and it is going to be one of the vital memorable presents for competition contributors who admire cozy and sensual live shows. A. Mamontovas recalled the historical past of Lithuanian festivals, named probably the most memorable ones and shared his ideas about his newest live shows.
I’m wondering what festivals imply to you, how do you fee them and which of them do you keep in mind from earlier occasions?
All festivals are a celebration the place numerous totally different leisure takes place in a single place, numerous good music sounds, totally different artists play and individuals who consider in the identical concept collect. In Soviet occasions, maybe the one competition that was actually common amongst younger folks and no less than considerably much like trendy ones is the physicists’ competition FIDI. There was not a lot selection. FIDI was good in that we might hear bands that weren’t on TV. One other competition I keep in mind is the Celtic music competition in France, the place we participated in 1990 with the group Fojë. It was a extremely spectacular huge occasion that I keep in mind as the primary good music competition I ever attended. Then I visited France for the primary time, we spent per week on the Atlantic listening to bagpipes and rock music. It’s true that at the moment there have been already rock marches in Lithuania, in addition to the “Lituanica” competition. I might say that this competition was the primary clear signal of the brand new interval. Later, the variety of festivals elevated. Now we will select a competition based on our pursuits and id. After the pandemic, some festivals are remodeled, new ones take their place. And it is an ongoing course of that is enjoyable to observe. I am additionally completely satisfied to see the emergence of the Farm on Hearth competition.
You named Rock March as one of many strongest festivals of that point. Do you’re feeling that by collaborating on this competition you personally contributed to the collapse of the Soviet Union?
Maybe this was the widespread mission of individuals of my era – to interrupt free from the dictates of the Soviet Union, grow to be an unbiased state and be a part of Europe. Rock marches have been to us what the Web is to at present’s youth: they unfold messages that reached all folks, in order that they felt that they weren’t alone of their thirst for freedom. That there are tens, a whole lot of hundreds of individuals round who need the identical factor. The best work and that means of rock marches was to convey this message.
Perhaps proper now you miss stronger concepts, festivals with a deeper that means?
Sturdy concepts most likely seem when there’s a want for them. In spite of everything, not all festivals will be for freedom. The rock march achieved its mission. Its copy is inconceivable and not is sensible. Now we live within the actuality of the warfare in Ukraine, so the principle message is said to the assistance that we may give to Ukraine.
Do you suppose music has the ability to fire up issues, to assist resolve them?
Folks can do this type of work. And music is only a device – an acceptable emotional background, emotional reinforcement and help. Every part else is made by folks, moreover, music can also be a human creation. Music can deliver us collectively for a typical objective, however music alone will not do it for us.
What makes St. John’s Day particular for you?
St. John’s Day, like different conventional Lithuanian holidays, primarily marks a change in nature. After Christmas, the times begin to get longer, and after St. John’s Day, the nights get longer. It is a certificates of cosmic transformation – belief or escort. We welcome longer nights or accompany longer days. How does one select.
Inform us about your latest live performance tour in Europe. That is your acoustic live performance, the place you’re alone on stage, with out different musicians. I’m wondering if the identical will be anticipated on the competition?
I am at the moment taking part in alone. Due to this fact, my live shows are considerably shorter, extra acoustic and far more intimate. Talking concerning the tour each in Lithuania and overseas, I can say that my live shows have been held in small, cozy halls. I carried out in Rome, Geneva, Milan, Good. Additionally in London. All these live shows are supposed for Lithuanian communities who miss communication in Lithuanian after the pandemic. And live shows are a great way for everybody to collect in a single place and chat.
Why do you like smaller live shows to arenas recently?
A giant live performance is a present with a lot of lights and plenty of sound. In such a live performance, you possibly can’t speak to the viewers between songs, react to a line from the corridor. When solely 100 folks take heed to you within the corridor, the contact is totally totally different – a lot nearer, extra intimate. I actually missed such communication. It’s attainable to carry a live performance thrice a yr in huge arenas and do nothing the remainder of the time. Nevertheless, this format doesn’t work for me. I’m a musician and I need to stay the lifetime of a musician: journey, play, talk, meet totally different folks, get to know my listeners extra intently.
Can one thing comparable be anticipated on June 23? on the upcoming St. John’s Pageant “Farm on Hearth”?
I’ll begin the live performance a part of the “Farm on Hearth” competition. It is going to be an enormous problem for me to play for such a big viewers alone. And if we speak concerning the repertoire, I all the time attempt to embody my outdated songs, those that the viewers all the time desires to listen to, and naturally I current new ones – those that I need to play myself.
What would your viewers profile be like at present? Did the youthful era additionally uncover and love Andrii Mamontovas?
Sure, I additionally meet youngsters at live shows. These whose dad and mom listened to my or Fojë’s music at dwelling. Kids have an interest to see who’s singing right here and why their dad and mom take heed to his music.
One in every of your live shows on the finish of the summer season for the primary time in historical past, it should happen on Gediminas Fort Hill. How did you give you the concept of holding a live performance in such a spot?
That is superb for me! And on the similar time, it’s paradoxical that we often don’t discover what is correct in entrance of our nostril. All my life I see Gediminas Mountain in entrance of me. As a toddler, we used to play at its foot with our pals, and I by no means thought in my life that it will be attainable to carry out right here. When my buddy, who organizes this live performance, got here to Vilnius, the primary query arose: wouldn’t it be attainable to play on prime of Gediminas mountain. It began with an concept, we lastly received permission, and on the finish of the summer season I will be doing a historic live performance there. Till then, see you on the Farm on Hearth competition!
Photographs: Joana Suslavičiūtė
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– 2024-05-17 10:17:36
