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Evocative surroundings: Bokor Mountain Magic at Mansion |
Bokor
Mountain Magic Band will be performing a late-night set of
1960’s-inspired Cambodian rock’n’roll at FCC – The
Mansion. DJ Oro will be on-hand to provide truly authentic
sounds of the Cambodian ‘Golden Era’ – fitting in nicely with
the atmospheric, ghostly setting of The Mansion. The Mansion
was built between 1910 and 1920 by a Cambodian trader. It has served
many functions since, including private residence, military
possession, government property, and now, under FCC ownership, music
and arts venue (FCC
Cambodia website).
99-99
Arts Group will provide an alternative end-of-year party at Paddy
Rice tonight. Hip visual artist and musician Max Jones writes
compelling, Lou Reed-esque songs – complete with superbly
well-crafted lyrics and understated baritone vocals – backed up by
a very solid band of local expat musicians. If you are looking for a
respite from the blaring bustle and noise of riverside Phnom Penh
tonight, Paddy Rice could provide the musical antidote.
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Rocking in Siem Reap: Batbangers |
If
you are in Siem Reap this evening, and have the mental resilience and
physical flexibility to navigate Pub Street – good luck to you. I
would recommend avoiding the crush of the main drag and flitting up
to the X-Bar, where Batbangers Band will be celebrating
the year’s end with a characteristically upbeat and rocking set of
contemporary Cambodian rock’n’roll. Alternatively, you could do a
lot worse than walking a couple of kilometers north up river road,
where Menh ‘Mr To.’ Sothyvann will be headlining an entire
evening’s worth of Khmer rock bands on a huge outdoor stage.
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Kampot Reunion: Kampot Playboys |
Kampot
city will be a more laid-back venue for tonight’s celebrations,
without the hassles and crowds of Phnom Penh, Siem Reap or
Sihanoukville. The Kampot Playboys will be performing a
special gig… somewhere (at either Madi’s Bar or Banyan
Tree… or both, they haven’t decided yet). Founding member and
trumpet player Justin Ringsack (also of legendary Phnom
Penh expat band Durian) is in town, along with sometime
Playboy Conrad Keely. Regular band members Mark (bass),
Lee (drums), Kev (accordion), Nget (tro) and Chiet (guitar/lead
vocals) form a tight unit of genre-bending Cambodian rock fusion. If
the ‘where’ and the ‘when’ are not yet fixed, the ‘what’
is guaranteed – a fantastic night of live music.
Check
out the video above to hear one of Cambodia’s finest bands swinging
hard – gypsy jazz style. Seb Adnot’s Hot Club de Phnom
Penh will be performing tonight at Chinese House in
Phnom Penh. Whatever you’re up to for New Year’s Eve, best wishes
from all at Leng Pleng. Stay safe
out there and… see you around the traps!
CLICKHERE FOR LATEST GIGS
JOE WRIGLEY
CLICKHERE FOR LATEST GIGS
JOE WRIGLEY