A group of top indie musicians will join forces to perform a series of concerts that feature classic Canto-pop songs from the 1980s and 90s. The mini-concerts - Replay and Rewind @ LOLL - are organised by 3721 Productions. They will be held at the trendy coffee shop LOLL (1/F, 1 Cannon Street) in Causeway Bay on February 4 at 10pm, and on March 4 and April 1. The bands that will be performing include Salty Soggy Sour, Vibration, Caffeine Park, Sway Dog, inLove and Monogel. 'I think it is interesting for each band to interpret these songs in their own style,' said Chris Ho of Vibration. In the first concert, Salty Soggy Sour - the Pancakes' new outfit - will play adaptations of Alan Tam Wing-lun's classic Canto-pop songs in a groovy, refreshing style that is remarkably different from the originals. Vibration will lend their down-tempo, chill-out style to the melancholic ballads and dance tunes of Prudence Lau Mei-kwan in the second concert. 'These songs were strongly influenced by western and Japanese pop music,' said Ho. 'Many of them were cover versions [of foreign songs]. As they were well selected and the lyrics were touching, they were very popular at the time.' These songs have made a lasting impact on the indie musicians, whose coming-of-age coincides with the golden age of Canto-pop. 'Even if we haven't listened to these songs for a long time, we can sing along to their melodies right away and, once we start playing them, we feel very happy. I think it's because we have all experienced that era and its music. The songs give me a cosy feeling,' said bassist CM of Salty Soggy Sour and Monogel. Compared with today's pop songs, the Canto-pop of 10 or 20 years ago reflected society better, said Ho. The lyrics were more meaningful and elaborate and focused on a wide variety of issues. 'I think the lyrics of the 1980s and 90s represented well what was happening in society. The pop songs nowadays are tailor-made for karaoke. The lyrics have to be very sad and are mostly about lovers splitting up,' said Ho. 'But the world is about more than just singing karaoke and sad [romances].' Tickets priced at $100 (one drink included) are available at LOLL, the Panic (2396 2608) and the Panic 2 (3598 6218). Visit www.3721productions.com or www.cmgroovy.com for more information.
