Zitadelle, Berlin, Germany
19th June 2013
Ben Howard and John Smith
During the last few weeks, Berlin celebrates the Citadel Music Festival 2013 again at Zitadelle Spandau, like every year. The Zitadelle was once one of the most important fortresses in Europe in the Renaissance and now it is the summer scene of a comprehensive, no less varied concert series. Many artists will perform this summer at the beautiful fortresses, today JOHN SMITH and BEN HOWARD. A little bridge leads over the fortress dig to the big entrance porch. In the yard awaits the visitor a little festival world. It’s a green, snug and spacious place. You can buy some ice cream or some old records from a little stall. And of course cold beer and delicious food. Festival feeling! Would be nice to have that things on other concert places, too.
It was a warm and sunny day and the places under some trees are occupied soon. A big part of the audience seemed to have no problem with the heat. The security personal had an eye on it and gave free water to the audience. These consisted of suntanned girls and boys with flip flops and Tattoos. They were partially very relaxed (sitting, drinking, talking, listening) and all of them cheerful.
John Smith
JOHN SMITH! He is the guitar man from Devon who has quietly become one of the most exciting voices on the new British folk scene. Touring relentlessly as headliner and support act, he has opened shows for John Martyn, Iron and Wine, Seth Lakeman, Davy Graham, John Renbourn, David Gray, Cara Dillon, James Yorkston, Martin Carthy, Jools Holland, Tinariwen, Martin Simpson, Gil Scott-Heron and Chris Thile. John is a regular on the UK festival circuit, having played shows at Glastonbury, Green Man, Cambridge and many others. In this way, he has found a loyal following in the UK and Ireland, Europe, Japan, Mexico, the USA and Canada. Slow but sure. He was named “Young Acoustic Guitarist Of The Year” in 2003 and hasn’t stopped to look back, unless it’s to pick up a banjo. John has four records out: ‘The Fox and the Monk’ (2006), ‘Map Or Direction (2009), a collection of covers, ‘Eavesdropping’ (2011), and his latest release, ‘Great Lakes’ (2013). These are self-released and available through this website or at concerts. http://johnsmithjohnsmith.com/ / https://soundcloud.com/john-smith-410
Music & Performance
JOHN SMITH was a well surprising support Act! He look very charismatic and gently. A little bit like he came from another century with his full beard. Possible, that many visitors didn't knew his songs. He performed those modest and likeable. His latest album ‘Great Lakes’ is very worth listening to! John plays the steel-string acoustic guitar. Sometimes with a slide, sometimes on his lap, sometimes de-tuning the thing mid-song. His playing combined with his honey-on-gravel vocals have brought the crowd to pin-drop silence and rapturous applause.
Setlist
01. There is a Stone
02. Great Lakes
03. England Rolls Away
04. Freezing Winds of Change
05. Town to Town
06. Salty and Sweet
07. She is my Escape
08. Away we go
09. Perfect Storm
10. Forever to the End
11. Lungs
Rating
Music: 8
Performance: 8
Sound: 8
Light: 6
Total: 7.5 / 10
Ben Howard
Ben Howard was influenced by his parents record collection with music from the 60ies/70ies and artists like Bob Dylan, Van Morrison, Richie Havens or Joni Mitchell. His mother played the guitar and flute and took him to open-mic-nights of the Dartington’s school for music. His father played sometimes guitar, too. Ben Howard learned at Torquay Boys’ Grammar School. After that he studied journalism, but broke of six month to completion and devoted his focus on music. 
BEN HOWARD is a singer songwriter with surf passion. His beautiful weather music sounds like Australia or Hawaii, but is located on the southwest coast of England with much days of rain. His affinity to the see is unmistakably and is possibly because his parents’ home: Ibiza. He performed in little halls in Great Britain. His concerts were sold out very soon and he gets a record deal with Island Records. The Singles ‘Old Pine’, ‘The Wolves’ and ‘Keep Your Head Up’ were released in 2011 followed by the first album ‘Every Kingdom’ on 3rd October and 2012 ‘The Burgh Island EP’ with single ‘Esmerelda’. Live support is in usual India Bourne (guitar, cello, keyboard, Ukulele, bass, percussion, vocals) and Chris Bond (guitar, bass, drums, percussion, keyboard, vocals). http://www.benhowardmusic.co.uk / https://www.facebook.com/benhowardmusic
Music & Performance
After a little break tag Ben entered the stage a few minutes after 8. Everyone at the audience was waiting so long in the heat and the spirit of relief was noticeable. Ben has a very special pictorial language in his lyrics, catchy melodies and a very own way to play the guitar. With his smoky voice he sang about flora and fauna, the sea, forests, mountains and wolves. Song for song their played themselves in a kind of trance and there was the effect that they don't want to stop. Ben got for nearly every song another guitar. Wow! ‘Keiko’ was a new song, that was really impressive, because Ben lays his guitar on his legs and makes melody and beats by his own: He plucked the strings and struck on the side of the guitar. 
But unfortunately, they had to play their last song ‘Promise’ already at 22:00. Ben tried to play longer, but the security slowed down this try very fast. He told the audience, that it was a wonderful evening, he could see the moon from the stage and the band enjoyed the time in the city. He thanked Berlin and Berlin gives that thank back to BEN HOWARD with phenomenal applause. Overall a really beautiful summer evening on a dreamy place with almost 3 hours of good music! And also a big thank you to the trinity team for supporting us for so many years now!
Setlist
01. Everything
02. Black Flies
03. Old Pine
04. I Forgot Where We Were
05. Only Love
06. The Wolves
07. The Burren
08. Burgh Island
09. Gracious
10. Keep Your Head Up
11. The Fear
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12. Keiko
13. Oats in the Water
14. Promise
Rating
Music: 9
Performance: 8
Sound: 8
Light: 7
Total: 8 / 10
All Pictures by Nadine Ginzel (www.ginzel-photography.com)
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