Valued values ​​and new ones on the heels. Review of the final show of the “Music Bank” / Article

The poll “Muzikālā banka” has long been a compact opportunity to look back on Latvian pop music on an annual basis. Looking back at the survey’s 22-year history, almost all of the winners’ songs, including “Heart Burns Unusually”, “You’re Approaching Yourself”, “The Last Letter”, “Depot Next Depot” and others, are now considered classics of Latvian popular music.

In 2021, there was not one big radio hit to be prematurely crowned the winner. We felt well that pop music is a reflection of the current time, and the turbulent music of the current world events has made the music more muted and solemn. And most of the stage costumes of the “Music Bank 2021” were in dark colors, without appearances, but won the songs, which were also played visually.

Outlining the top of the finale, The Key to Victory in “Where God’s Sleigh Slides” was largely a visually and movement-wise performance that made the song even more powerful. The song is appropriate for this time, when we think a lot about the existential – about life and death. The imagery of the song “Where God’s Sleigh Glides” allows it to be perceived as a fairy tale. The song comes to mind with the musical contrasts between the voices and the instrumental parts.

“Other Boys” with the song “Limousine on the Chalk” was also a success, as they had taken full advantage of the stage by organizing a brilliant party there. This new group is creative, purposeful and mentions experienced pop music artists on the heels of the upcoming generations.

The listener of pop music likes proven values ​​- singer Don has a stable place in the top of pop music, which is once again confirmed by the third place in the song “It is written in the sky (Milky Way)”. Don’s strength is his voice – emotional, well-managed, the performance was ascetic.

But this time, Don is beaten by fourth place winner Ivo Fomins with the song “You are me” with his loyal supporters. The singer did not attend the concert due to illness, but also remotely proved how influential the voice of his generation is.

In fifth place was “Shaman” – a duo of Aija Andrejeva and ZeBrene, who is well remembered with her easy-to-repeat song. Duets are a good way to cross your musical and artistic strengths and also to expand your audience.

The song “Vai” – Intars Busulis, “Subscription Orchestra” and “GG Choir” dancing composition – remained in the sixth place this time. The song “Vai” revealed the mastery of the musicians, Busulis is still on the stage like a fish in the water, but the song lacked a part that the listeners could keep in mind when humming. Therefore, the sixth place.

This year the final concert took place again in Daugavpils and I was very happy to be a live spectator. Of course, it should be noted that watching a live concert of a television show is very different – you can only see the set from one side of your seat, while television viewers have a better view. Being in a concert brings emotions to life, while watching TV or a computer at home, the surrounding stuff or Twitter’s wit distracts. Given that Muzikālā banka is a television show, I would like to see more interdisciplinary collaboration in the future. TV gives you the opportunity to present your song more differently – with the involvement of costumes, movements and other stage elements, thus gaining a longer resonance.

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