Some said it should never open again – and others doubted whether the public would ever return. But two years after 90 people were massacred by jihadists at the Bataclan, the Paris concert hall has got much of its old mojo back.

Even after reopening with an emotional concert by the British rock star Sting on the eve of the first anniversary of the November 13, 2015 attacks on the French capital, some bands were still reluctant to perform there again.

“The months after the reopening were quite difficult in terms of putting a programme together,” says the venue’s codirector Jules Frutos. “But little by little it has come together.”

Frutos says he has been hugely encouraged at how music fans have returned in force, with the 1,700-capacity venue 90-percent full on average over the year.

Such high turnout also came despite greater competition from other Paris concert halls, Frutos adds.

However, French musicians in particular remain hugely divided over the venue.

While singers Saez and Vianney quickly volunteered to play the Bataclan to show their defiance of terror, others like Francis Cabrel said could not bring themselves to return.

Nicola Sirkis, the lead singer of Indochine, was even more vehement, declaring last month that he thought it was “ignoble to reopen” the venue which should have “remained a sanctuary… a memorial to the dead”.

“The families of the victims have been incredibly dignified,” he said. “What happened was of an extreme violence. That the city of Paris has not build a monument to their memory is a shame… I will never return to the Bataclan nor play there again,” he says..

“What happened there was too serious, unforgettable and unforgivable.”

But a defiant Frutos hit back, “I can’t understand how an artist can say that. How can he say that a concert hall become a mausoleum?”

The impressario has also crossed swords with Eagles of Death Metal, the US band who on stage on the night of the massacre, turning lead singer Jesse Hughes away from the reopening for suggesting that the Bataclan’s security guards were in on the attack.

“There are things you can’t forgive,” Frutos said at the time, pointing out that staff had saved lives during the bloodbath.

“For us the most important thing is the public,” Frutos adds. “It was they who were targeted, not Eagles of Death Metal.”

“What we feared was that people would have a blockage” about returning to the Bataclan. “We wanted to see how people would behave, if they would be comfortable again” in the reopened venue, given what had happened.

“Now we no longer have that fear, even if what happened in Manchester (with the bombing of an Ariana Grande concert in which 22 people died) brings it all back to us,” Frutos says.

The Bataclan has been under close police protection since its reopening, but Frutos says the management has “worked with the authorities to make sure that security was much less visible” than it was in the weeks after the doors reopening, when streets were around the concert hall were blocked.

Around 50 bands have already been booked for the first three months of 2018, and “the next year looks promising”, he says.

“Now we are trying to get our heads around normal everyday problems of running a venue, which is actually quite soothing,” he jokes.

For Frutos, the moment when he realised the spirit of rock ‘n’ roll was alive and kicking again in the Bataclan came during the concert by the renegade British rocker Pete Doherty five days after Sting’s.

“But it had nothing to do with what was happening on stage,” Frutos laughed. “I went into the toilets and saw the toilet bowls had been smashed and I thought, ‘That’s good. Everything is back to normal.’

“I burst out laughing standing there on my own. When you have damage like that you know the place is alive again.”

In a powerful show of musical solidarity, 32 musicians with diverse cultural backgrounds recently brought the indigenous instruments of 14 Asian countries to the stage of the Tokyo Opera City Concert Hall for the “One Asia Concert 2017”.

“One Asia”, a cultural project launched in 2013 to commemorate 40 years of Asean-Japan relationship is perhaps the grandest and most ambitious musical endeavour to showcase the uniqueness of Asian instruments. Since its inaugural event with Angkor Wat in Cambodia as the backdrop, there have been concerts in all 10 Asean countries and each has enjoyed an enthusiastic reception.

The performance at the Tokyo Opera City in the heart of Shinjuku, considered one of the world’s top 10 concert halls, brought in new members from The People’s Republic of China, South Korea and Taiwan.

At the core of the project is the Aun J Classic Orchestra of eight critically acclaimed Japanese musicians who play traditional instruments. Over the past five years, its members have split into smaller groups and travelled to the 10 Asean members to learn about local instruments and lay the groundwork for each concert.

Ryohei Inoue, leader of Aun J Classic Orchestra and the project’s artistic director, told The Nation that this year’s concert was very special for his group because after five years of travelling and hard work, the project had returned to Japan for the first time.

“Since the first concert in 2013, the theme of our orchestra has evolved from ‘exchange’ to ‘sympathy resonance’ and ‘joint creativity’. This year we would like to propose ‘Kyoen’, a coinage that amalgamates  ‘sound’, ‘performance’ and ‘home’, signifying that each country has a culture that stays deeply rooted at home, but through music can travel freely through all borders,” Inoue said.

The performance, which saw all the musicians collaborating to bring out the uniqueness of the instruments, was truly an “Asian Miracle” as it marked the first time ever that musicians with different languages and cultures had come together as a single orchestra, managing both precision and pure elegance.

The concert opened with all members performing original compositions by members of the orchestra, and a surprise take on Ravel’s “Bolero”, which proved the timelessness of this European masterpiece even when rendered by Asian instruments.

The highlight of the evening was the “Asian medley”, with musicians from each country performing their own traditional instruments and then in harmony with their Aun J members, providing both entertaining and intriguing moments.

Thailand was represented by Boy Thai Band’s members, Paron Yuenyong and Arnon Suttjaridjun and they selected the popular Thai tune “Kang Kao Gin Gluay”, which began with Arnon’s rousing performance on the seven drum perng mang khok followed by a breathtaking display on the ranad ake (xylophone) by Paron. They were joined by Shin Ichikawa on the koto and Hideki Onoue on the shamisen. They concluded with the “Glong Yao”, the Long Drum song, with all the musicians singing and clapping to cheers and applause from the 1,600-strong audience.

The concert ended with a true culmination of five years of effort, as all members pooled their talents to present the biggest showcase of Asian instruments to date. The “One Asia” finale prompted a standing ovation from the enthusiastic crowd, signalling to the world that a new force in music is emerging from the East.

This is truly music that has stayed firmly at “home” over the centuries yet knows no frontiers.

The day after, the entire orchestra took part in the “Shinjuku Asia Lovers Festival 2017” in Shinjuku Central park that offered the sights, sounds and smells of Asia, with Thailand’s signature phad thai and krapao gai proving the most popular.

Running from 3pm to 5am, the festival’s theme this year is “Prung Rak Hai Krob Ros” featuring 15 artists including De Flamingo, Atom feat Ammy The Bottom Blues, Scrubb, Stamp, Somkiat, Pop Pongkool, The Parkinson, Mild, Tattoo Colour, 25 Hours, Potato, Da Endorphine, Polycat and Room 39. Tickets are Bt1,300 available at Thai Ticket Major outlets and online at http://www.ThaiTicketMajor.com. Call (02) 262 3456 to find out more.

Full of little sprouts

Young models take to the catwalk for the fashion show “Little Sprouts Runway 2017” at Thai National Theatre, Bangkok, on November 26 at 1pm. The event also features a musical performance by the Royal Thai Navy Orchestra plus a concert by Dome Pakorn Lum, Keng Tachaya, Kant KPN, and artists from The Voice Thailand. Tickets cost from Bt800 to Bt2,000 at http://www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.

Living life to the fullest

Silverlake Entertainment presents #LiveLifeToTheFullBody at Silverlake Vineyard in Pattaya on December 2 at 7.30pm. Singers contributing to the concert include Palmy, Da Endorphine, Gam The Star, Matang The Star, and Prim Chanthip. Tickets are Bt1,000 at Thai Ticket Major.

Rainbows on the moon

The following weekend, head up to the Northeast for the Sangjan Music Festival 2017’s “Lunar Rainbow Live in Khao Yai”. It takes place at 8 Speed Motor Track Khao Yaion December 9 and 10 starting at 4pm on both days. Artists include ModernDog, Labanoon, Wan Thanakrit, Burin, Joey Boy, Boom Cash, The Answer, and Downtown Kiss. Tickets are Bt890 for one day and Bt1,000 for two days at Thai Ticket Major.

Songs for charity

Vocalists, musicians and special guests including ML Sarali Kitiyakara, Abhisit Vejjajiva, US Ambassador Glyn T Davies, Boonchai Chokwattana, Thanis Sriklindee, Koh Mr Saxman, Wasu Sangsingkaew and Sobchai Kraiyoonsen are taking part in the charity concert, “Sangtien Bandal Jai” being staged at the Thailand Cultural Centre on December 14 at 7pm. Tickets costing from Bt1,000 to Bt3,000 are now on sale at Thai Ticket Major.

Ranked 92 in the DJ Mag Top 100 Clubs list, Avila has worked with Tiesto, Deniz Koyu, The Black Eyed Peas and Fedde Le Grand. His first set was in 2010 in the Spanish club Kapital. In 2011, he was nominated as the “DJ Revelacion” at the Vicious Music Awards by Ron Barcelo 2011. In the summer of 2012 he was the youngest DJ of the beach club Blue Marlin. In September that year, he headed to the US for the Tour Generation Wild with the artists Deniz Koyu, Mikael Weermets, Sick Individuals and dBerrie.

Ávila debuted at the Ultra Music Festival of Miami in March 2013. He signed a contract with MGM Vegas as the youngest resident in the history of Hakkasan in 2013 with artists like Steve Aoki, Laidback Luke, DeadMau5, Tommy Trash, Tiesto and Calvin Harris.

The MTV channel and the Billboard magazine have identified him as “one to watch” and in 2014, Danny partnered with EDM lifestyle brand Electric Family to produce a collaboration bracelet for which 100 per cent of sales are donated to Doctors Without Borders.

Tickets are Bt500 and Bt2,800 for a bottle package including complimentary entry for four people. For more information and table reservations, call (081) 645 1166.

Entry is Bt400 for guys including one drink and Bt300 for women. For more information, call (082) 731 8885.

All wrapped up in Cotton

DJ and producer Trus’ Me will perform at the “Cotton” party being hosted by Safe Room nightclub at Whiteline on Silom Soi 8 tonight from 10pm to 3am. Warming up the night will be Moogly and the venue’s resident DJ, Jack Haze.

Entry fee is Bt200 including one drink. Check it out at (087) 061 1117.

All that’s Jazzy

Ce La Vi and Grey Goose welcome Will Smith’s wingman, three-time Grammy award winner and three-time American Music award winner, DJ Jazzy Jeff to Bangkok for a one-night show tomorrow starting at 9. Jeffrey Allen Townes, as he’s known to his mum and dad, will be joined by songwriter and Golden Globe winner MC Rhymefest (El Che).

Tickets are Bt400 including one drink. Book your seat at (02) 108 2000.

More than just a party

Kolour Warehouse returns for its second year tomorrow, this time with Seth Troxler, the world’s leading Tech House DJ as the highlight. The full day/night experience features outdoor stages, engaging event technology, forward-thinking production, quality gourmet food, cutting-edge music and one of Bangkok’s most impressive warehouse/studio locations – The Studio Park in Bang Bo District, Samut Prakan. The fun gets underway at 4 and tickets cost Bt1,300 at the door.

Waterzonic heads to Yangon

Waterzonic, one of the biggest EDM music festivals from Thailand, makes it debut in Myanmar at The One Entertainment Park in Yangon on tomorrow evening at 5. The event will be headlined by TUJAMO, who just recently moved up to the #46 spot of the DJ Mag Top 100 DJs list, and Psy-Trance DJ/Producer Zanon from Brazil. They will be supported by Myanmar’s local heroes Roxa, OU J, DJ BeBe and past12. Find out more at Facebook.com/waterzonicmyanmar.

Kryoman is best known for the development and use of 10-foot-tall robot suits equipped with high-powered lights, smoke guns, Hi-Definition LED mapping, and pyrotechnic special FX systems. He appears worldwide, touring and performing with other EDM artists such as Steve Aoki, Fedde le Grand, DJ Tiesto, Afrojack, The Black Eyed Peas, and Nicki Minaj. Kryoman operates out of Los Angeles, New York City, Miami, and Ibiza, and has several other Kryoman groups stationed worldwide. In March 2016, Kryoman released a record entitled “my squads lit” with Shaquille O’Neal.

Tickets are Bt300 including one drink. For more information and table reservations, please call (094) 184 3189.

The 2014 Grammy Award winners for Best Rock Performance, whose hits include “It’s Time”, “Radioactive”, “Demons”, “Believer” and “Thunder”, first came to Bangkok for a sold-out show in 2015 on their Smoke + Mirrors Tour.

The band returns to Thailand as part of their tour to promote their third hit album of the same name, which features hit singles “Believer” and “Thunder”. The Evolve World Tour kicked off in North America in September before heading to Asia, and will conclude in Europe in April 2018.

Citi credit card holders have access to pre-sale tickets today and tomorrow (November 7-8) at any of ThaiTicketMajor’s 154 main branches or online on http://www.thaiticketmajor.com. For complete pre-sale details, visit http://www.facebook.com/CitiThailand.

Live Nation members will have access to pre-sale tickets from November 9 and 10. Sign up now at http://www.LiveNation.co.th and you will receive a promo code to purchase tickets.

The concert is brought to Thailand by Singha Music. Tickets start from Bt2,500 and go on sale on November 11. For the latest updates, log on to http://www.BecTero.com.

The confirmed artists at this stage include Ferry Corsten who will be returning to Bangkok to perform his Gouryella 2.0, the second chapter to his revival Gouryella project, and Ben Nicky, self-proclaimed “bad boy” of Trance known for his versatile music style.

Transmission Festival Asia will be featuring the new theme ‘The Spirit of The Warrior’ which will premiere in Prague, Czech Republic on November 25. The Biggest Indoor Festival in Central-Europe will once again bring a production crew of 25 men to present the newest show to Bangkok’s Bitec halls.

Transmission organisers, Czech Republic-based United Music Events and Thailand’s Create Intelligence, will once again combine their unique storytelling approach with best-in-class stage and audio visual production. Under the ‘The Spirit of The Warrior’ show, the audiences will be inspired to search for the energy required to conquer everyday challenges and achieve goals. The story revolves around reaching deep within the self and unveiling a code to master the courage of ancient warriors and the six virtues that define the spirit of the warrior: strength, vision, unity, honour, discipline, and courage.

On November 11, early bird tickets will be released at Bt2,500 for general admission and Bt4,500 for VIP. Guests are invited to register on http://www.Transmission.events/th for latest information and updates on the event details, special promotions, hotel packages and artist line-up. The selected 1,000 guests who register by November 8 will receive a discount code of Bt500 applicable for general admission tickets. Limited VVIP cabana plus entrance for 10 guests will also be available. Contact vvipthailand@transmission.events for enquiries.

For more information, go to http://www.Transmission.events/th

After watching the tickets for the Grammy Award winner and multi-platinum selling artist’s gig on April 30 get snapped up without hours, concert organiser Live Nation BEC-Tero has added a second show the following night to meet the overwhelming demand.

The 24K Magic World Tour celebrates Mars’ latest hugely popular album, “24K Magic” and is Mars’ first full-length tour since his massively successful “Moonshine Jungle” World Tour in 2013-2014, an international blockbuster that sold 2 million tickets worldwide across 155 sold-out dates, including his show in Bangkok on March 20, 2014.

The tour began in Antwerp, Belgium in March and has travelled throughout Europe and North America, visiting 45 cities across the US and Canada. Mars will play 17 arenas in Australia prior to kicking off his Southeast Asia dates.

One of the best-selling artists of all time, Mars recently dominated charts with the worldwide smash single, “Uptown Funk”, which won a number of honours, among them three 2016 Grammy Awards, including the coveted “Record of the Year” award. In addition, “Uptown Funk” companion video received the 2016 MTV Video Music Award for “Best Male Video.”

Ticket prices start at Bt3,500 and are available at ThaiTicketMajor outlets and at http://www.thaiticketmajor.com. Book early to avoid disappointment.

For updates, go to http://www.BecTero.com.

Taking place on November 15 and celebrating the long-running interconnection between food and music, “The Taste of Music,” is a charity dinner and concert gala being held at Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Hotel.

The event is part of the Italian Festival in Thailand 2017 and is designed to launch the 2nd Italian Cuisine Week “The Extraordinary Italian Taste”. It will be presided over by Italy’s ambassador to Thailand.

The auspicious evening features celebrated pianist Nat Yontararak, respected Thai soprano Barbara Zion, and the rising star, Italian tenor David Sotgiu. The trio will be supported by a 40-member choir from Bromsgrove International School.

Guests will dine on a menu designed and prepared by chef Gaetano Palumbo of the award-winning Rossini’s restaurant at Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit. The highlights include Poulet de Bresse Rossini (recipe by Marie-Antoine Careme), Risotto Verdi (recipe by Henry-Paul Pellaprat, founder of the Cordon Bleu school in Paris), Pasta alla Norma (a tribute to opera composer Vincenzo Bellini), and Triglie alla livornese (a tribute to opera composer Pietro Mascagni). Palumbo will also create and name a dessert after Nat Yontararak. All dishes will be accompanied by free flow Italian wines including Ulysse Etna rosso DOC 2011 and Parthenium Chardonnay 2014 IGT by Carlo Pellegrino and Prosecco Bottega. Aperol aperitif and Peroni beer cocktails “On Thyme Martini”, “Italian Cherry Pin Up” and “The Lonely Tenor” will open the night.

The event is organized to raise funds in support of the Home For The Aged Ratchasima. Inaugurated earlier this year, this nursing home aims to take care of underprivileged elderly Thai citizens, providing them with a serene and peaceful time during their last years of their lives. It is currently supported by private generosity. More information can be found at http://www.CamillianKorat.org.

Tickets are Bt3,500 for one diner, Bt6,500 for a couple, and Bt25,600 for a table of eight. Every guest from the first six tables will receive a gold-plated silver pendant specially designed for this occasion by renowned Italian jeweller CASATO).

For more information, visit Facebook.com/ItalianFestivalThailand.