Guantanamo at Heavyyard: Uncovering the Independent Music Scene in Bucharest
Bucharest: a city of cheap drinks and cheap hostels, a mecca to the swarm of students going on interrail. However, what the tourists don't know is that beyond the old town lies so much more to be discovered. Sure, you might encounter rat-infested buildings or cockroach central (as a Romanian native, I am allowed to say this), but you might also discover where to spend the best night of your life.
Chapter 1: The Discovery
The other week, I was wandering around the streets of Bucharest in 38-degree heat, trying to connect with my roots and shooting some film to pass the time. I stood staring at a mansion that had burnt down a couple of months ago when, as I turned around, I saw a flyer: Guantanamo playing on the 14th of August at Heavyyard. I snapped a picture and off to the group chat it went. The ladies, however, were not too keen. Gutted and disappointed, I gave it no more thought. On the night of the 13th, in a last-ditch attempt to make my hopes and dreams of unearthing the independent music scene in Bucharest, which I had been trying to do for the past months but to no avail, I forwarded the poster to another one of the gals… She accepted! Hoorah. So, on the evening of August 14th, I made my way to Heavyyard.
Chapter 2: Setting the Scene
‘A Peroni, please’: a truly embarrassing statement of mine. In a country of beers, and with the rise of their very own microbreweries, I chose a Peroni. Off to a bad start. Surely I had been put on some blacklist? The music starts. To paint the scene: the venue is a big ol’ mansion. The front yard was fitted with tables, the bar was near the back of the house and between the two, was a litter of cats who ran around, jumped on tables, and were tortured by the drunk customers picking them up. A staircase led up to the front door and as you entered this tiny room, was where the magic happened. The small chamber was decked out in strobing lights with not enough space to hold everyone as they spilled out into the hallway.
Chapter 3: The Gig
Ifrim on drums, Orlando on the guitar, Katana on the bass, and Wael on the vocals, a recipe for success. The alternative rock band Guantanamo shredded guitar riffs and tackled everything from their new songs to cult classics. Their sound? It’s hard to sum up in just a few words but to put it in their own words: chaotic, melodic, and with enough energy to make a crowd rock out! With inspirations from the likes of Elvis to Madonna, Limp Bizkit and Maneskin, it’s safe to say that their sound is an amalgamation of everything from everywhere. I must admit that I was quite lost when it came to Romanian rock classics which, as if they were the national anthem, had everyone in the sardine-packed room belting out. The ambiance was electric with headbanging and dancing, flashing lights, and a thumping bass lead with style by Katana. An honourable mention is necessary for Wael’s birthday celebration intermission, which had the whole room harmonising in a birthday chorale. Whilst I did not know them (yet), their stage presence was enough to get the crowd feeling connected and caught up in the throes of their music. As the music came to an end, the lone signed shirt that had been hanging above their stage was thrown into the crowd. Like a moth to a flame, it flew on over to me and practically landed in my arms. I had in my possession authentic, signed Guantanamo merch: a true relic.
Chapter 4: The Aftermath
Gig over. We exited out onto the grand staircase and onto the terrace. Do we go home? Surely not; the true fun was just getting started. What followed was almost as entertaining as the gig itself. Having caught the shirt, I was somewhat of a local celebrity within the confines of Heavyyard. That, and the “I am from Canada” spiel, which was a true crowd-pleaser (or maybe the couple of beers had settled in and newfound confidence had taken over). Here is a rapid-fire list of what Heavyyard x Guantanamo had to offer: a Nerf gun filled with prosecco (use your imagination), drum lessons with the drummer (I learnt what an eighth note was and that hitting the kick pedal requires more calf strength than anticipated), which segued into angry noise complaints from the neighbours, another hurrah, and a happy birthday singalong for Wael’s 25th, and much, much more! To immortalise the moment, and my successful retrieval of the signed shirt, I have this film photo observed above.
Concluding Remarks
Now, I cannot promise that every Heavyyard event will take the same shape. However, I think it is safe to say that any time Guantanamo is present, entertainment and good music are guaranteed.
Although I vowed to make Guantanamo an international sensation (which makes me slightly biassed), I truly believe that they capture the spirit and essence of what underground and independent music is all about: community. Whether you are a friend or a stranger, you are welcomed into these spaces with open arms to feel the music, the energy, the vibes and to rock out to some awesome sounds. I can check off my first encounter with Bucharest’s independent music scene and declare it a sensational success!
Edited by Daria Slikker
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