Spero omnis tempus bonus habebant

Faber, Mel D

ADDIO LIVE 2024 presented by SPOON AGENCY & FM4, Arena Wien – Open Air, Austria 20240828

As we are starting to say goodbye to Summer, a perfect plan to do so is at another Arena Open Air concert featuring the Swiss singer-songwriter Julian Pollina with his project Faber and his band Goran Koč & Vocalist Orkestar Band, who just released “Addio” on July 7th. An album composed of 13 songs that reflect the creativity and songwriting skills of the author. A complex yet fresh mix of folk, classical, and dramatic staging.
The first thing noticeable when arriving at the venue and looking at the stage was the stands with what seemed to be soon holding a musical assemble, immediately building expectation over the presentation of the album above.

To begin the evening, Mel D together with Dino Brandäo presented what sounded like a promising new project. Immediately displaying a powerful voice, it was not a surprise that she had recently joined Faber’s band. At times she reminded me of the early years of Courtney Barnett with a pinch of Sharon Van Etten narratives. Coincidently, this same night was released her first single “Soft” composed of the song that bears the same name, and the chorable and powerful “Bring The Witches Back” closed her short and delightful set—looking forward to what is coming next for Mel D.

And finally, the main act, Faber. The band entered the stage first and began with an “Ouverture” that sounded intense, cinematic even Tarantinesque. The string trio in the upper left corner of the stands accompanied the sound to introduce the crowd to what would be a night full of musical virtuosity. The Swiss frontman entered the stage to sing the well-received “Du kriegst mich nicht zurück” followed by “Ayurveda” and again the string trio sounded powerful and sharp. After this strong introduction to the set, the Swiss saluted the excited crowd promising a set full of good songs, and definitely didn’t fail to comply with the promise.

The set could be better described as a party with a mix of sounds and rhythms. Faber was not afraid to experiment and play with different sounds and genres, accompanied by 8 talented musicians. The first set was composed of more than 25 songs that went smoothly and easily, one after the other. A brilliant “Caruso” cover displaying a soothing and embracing yet powerful voice, songs from previous albums like “In Paris Brennen Autos” from the album “Sei ein Faber im Wind” (2017). A crowd bursting with excitement, dancing, and choring “Tausendfrankenlang” from his first EP “Alles Gute” (2015). And from “I fucking love my life” (2019) songs like “Nie wieder“, the dialogue “Ihr habt meinen segen“, “Jung und dumm“, and the beautiful “Komm her” with a trombone and guitar solo to apparently close the night in a lovely fashion, Mel and Dino dancing to the rhythm of it.

However, this was the first encore of four, coming back each time with an overexcited and tireless crowd. The first encore was composed of songs from “Addio” the presented new album. Second encore, the band positioned themselves all behind the frontman to sing the harmonies to the song “Pirdutu cori” which, as a note, happens to be sung in the album together with the Italian singer Pippo Pollina, father of Julian. The audience asked for more and the band came out a third time to cover the famous “Bella Ciao” in the center of the Stehplatz. And lastly, for the fourth time, the band went out to harmonically sing and to say goodbye to their more than pleased fans.

Overall, a lovely evening full of talent and shows of virtuosity. Nine gifted and outstanding musicians. A show that I would describe as cinematic, with everything that the word can encompass.

Special thanks to Méi Lán for the photos and for introducing me to these talented artists.