SLOW TRAVEL BERLIN
Michael Gira, Kantine am Berghain, 8pm
Shortly after new wave music arrived on the scene in the 70s, a counter-movement – no wave – emerged. Espousing the beliefs of underground punk culture, no wave was opposed to the commercialization of music. A handful of bands participated, but one of the most prevalent was New York City’s Swans.
Though Swans had more than two dozen members, its only constant has been lead singer and guitarist Michael Gira. And when the band broke up in 1997, Gira stayed active, putting out albums as a solo artist and under the name Angels of Light. He also formed a label, Young God Records, which put out his own music and that of other musicians.
In 2010, Swans reunited and has gone on to release three albums, with another projected for later this year. In the meantime, Gira is touring on his own during the month of March before Swans go on a tour in the spring. His show in Berlin is the last night of the solo leg. Natalye Childress
Kantine am Berghain, Am Wriezener Bahnhof, 10243 Berlin; S+U: Warschauer Straße; admission €18.