+ Matt and Kim + Mariachi El Bronx

There are many of us for whom music is an irreplaceable part of life - we rely on it to take us out of sadness, the pressures of poverty, of youth and age. Mixed with alcohol it seems to be a remedy for just about anything. Be it a rapid fire of notes exploding in catharsis all over the major key or an obsessive marathon of soul-searching sounds crawling around minor - it all appears somehow more solid and present in our lives than materials. At it’s best music connects us to a feeling as large as the whole universe itself. Of course, sometimes when sober, we can say, “Well, after all, its just music…” Yet everywhere you’ll go, in every culture, you’ll see it’s major royal presence.

People will often talk of experiencing a concert as being the best thing they’ve seen in years. In Gypsy mythology they say it is memorable because the devil visited that room, others say the other guy was there. But one way or another they all link it to supernatural. Considering its power, it is not impossible to think of music making as a sacred art discipline.

And so goes the philosophy of gypsy punks Gogol Bordello: NYC based Eastern European immigrants who have become the toast of the town due to their frenetic stage shows in the city’s Lower East Side venues. Much of their sound is inspired by traditional Gypsy music, incorporating accordian and fiddle mixed with elements of cabaret, punk, dub and the avant garde.

Led by charismatic Ukrainian Eugene Hütz (DJ Hütz), the band formed in 1993 when Hütz first immigrated to the US. Their first single was released in 1999, and several full-length albums have followed since. 2006’s ‘Gypsy Punk’ was produced by underground hero Steve Albini and furthers Hutz's sonic cocktail of foot-stomping, music with chaotic, anthemic punk. Their latest album ‘Super Taranta!’ released in July 2007 on SideOneDummy Records was charted at number fourteen on Rolling Stone’s list of the top 50 albums of 2007. The album is as explosive as the band’s live performances and Hutz’s lyrics are a particular highlight of the record; often controversial, always impassioned and sometimes hilarious. Each song is delivered with melodic punch and accordion. However no matter how genius any album that Gogol Bordello release may be, nothing can compare to seeing this band perform live. Their energy emanates from the stage transforming the crowd into a stomping, dancing crazy-fest! It has to be seen to be believed!

Gogol Bordello will be performing live at Manchester Academy on Saturday 8th May.