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Give my love to the city, Ron

It’s the year 1987. I’m sitting at the sea, sipping my fruity cocktail (with a little umbrella of course) and enjoying the last of the sun’s rays. This is more or less what I see, when I close my eyes while listening to The Sonnets. Internationally the Swedish band is taking over. In Switzerland you can hear them tonight in the intimate surrounding of Abart. So that I’m not alone in my fantasy, I have 2 x 2 tickets to give away. Oh, and the warm-up is taken care of by Blush from Basel.
E-Mail me for tickets
Thursday 8 pm, Abart

Hive celebrates its fifth birthday this weekend and like all birthdays it’s a time for reflection and celebration. Over the two-day party Hive brings back some of the djs who’ve made the past 5 years worth celebrating. Friday has, among others, Kollectiv Turmstrasse, Johnny D and Luna City Express. Whilst Saturday is devoted to techno with Len Faki, Marcel Fengler and Matias Aguayo who have all been a constant presence during Hive’s formative years.
Friday & Saturday 11 pm, Hive

Take one-part White Stripes, one-part preacher and two parts crazy and you’ll get yourself a Reverend Beat-Man. This one-man blues trash band plays rock ‘n’ roll like the devil herself was after him. Often joined on-stage by cigarette smoking nuns this is a show unlike any you’ve seen before or will likely see again. If you’re looking for something to jolt you out of your February slumber, get to Helsinki and be revived.
Friday 9.30 pm, Helsinki Klub

Komplex 457 is a new concert venue in town. Looking at its future band bookings it has some pretty good names coming up but Saturday is the opening night. Entrance will be free (you just need to prove you’re over 18!) and, as this is an opening party, they have some djs to keep you entertained. Adam Beyer and Joel Mull from Sweden (yes, more Swedes and even more to come) and Gregor Tresher from Germany will be bringing the techno sounds. And just in case you missed it the first time – entrance will be free.
Saturday 11 pm, Komplex 457

So, you’ve been out for a Saturday night and it’s 2 in the morning. Where’s the one place you want to be? A strip club, right? Under normal circumstances the Vegas Club may not be your venue of choice for an after-party but this weekend the strippers go and the clubbers arrive. Downstairs is a cosy lounge and bar whilst upstairs the club is taken over by a selection of fine local djs playing house/techno. With no curfew in sight, the dancing doesn’t stop until you drop. Or at least until the ladies want their poles back.
Sunday 2 am, Vegas Club

I told you last week about the Artist in Residence programme at Moods. This week Christian Weber has chosen another couple of great experimental artists. Matthew Welch plays the bagpipes…hold on, don’t stop reading!.. but uses electronic and orchestral influences and has played in the Brooklyn alt-rock scene. Neal and Jack and Me is the second act of the night and uses the poetry of Dorothy Parker over a four piece band led by Adrian Weyermann, lead singer of successful late 80’s Zurich rockers, Crank.
Tuesday 8.30 pm, Moods

Did you hear a loud sound yesterday between 1.30 and 3 pm which you couldn’t identify? This wasn’t your neighbour’s burglar alarm. It was the test of the 8230 sirens all over Switzerland, which takes place every year in the first Wednesday in February. If you heard it, then it’s all good. It means you’d hear it in case of an emergency (like a war or so). If you ever hear the sirens at any other time, turn on the radio DRS to find out what it’s all about. Or check the heavy phone book you received on the last page – there you’ll also find some instructions so you know what kind of alarm you heard. If in doubt, just head to the cellar. It’s a good opportunity to check if you’d be comfortable there – otherwise I recommend turning it into a wine cellar. And yes, I’m aware that these traditions must seem very funny to you. But we’ll keep them anyway. Even if it’s just to give you something to write home about.

Restaurant Camino compiled a series of special evenings throughout the year called Camino & Friends. For each of these evenings they invite a chef. This time, it’s David Martìnez, chef of Greulich. As you can tell by his name, he’s originally from Spain. So if you’re in need of some Spanish passion and sun, you shouldn’t be disappointed. 4 courses including wine, coffee and water for 129 francs per person.

More music from Sweden. Although you really are in Switzerland, which definitely isn’t the same. But back to the music. The Swedish singer/songwriter Lykke Li teases with her new single I Follow Rivers from her album, which comes to the shops today. The song is more mystical and darker than her previous songs. But it goes well with her northern roots. Watch video.

Director Kevin Macdonald asked people all around the world to film their personal 24th of July and to upload the film on Youtube. From this, he created a cinema-length movie. Premiere was last week in London and further screenings are not confirmed yet. But you can already watch some of the short films online: Life in a Day.