For me, it really was like a dream came true.

No, not a dream, but two!

One – is for me reuniting with my keyboard (so-called Koby) on stage, after two years of absence.

and

Two – for playing PET SHOP BOYS!!

All my life as a Pet Shop Boys fan, I never thought that one day I could be playing their songs, as I always having difficulty in: 1. Finding partner(s) to play their songs. 2. Finding someone who allows me to play Pet Shop Boys songs.

Yet last night, I finally played their songs on stage!

Yup, I played keyboards as an additional for my friend’s band Summer in Berlin, performing as Pet Shop Boys for the L.A. Lights “Stars” at Margo City, Depok.

Summer in Berlin is a duo of Lily (programming, synth,effect,visual,sequencer,noise), and Ian (sounds,sampler,voc), playing the music of they so-called electropop fusiongaze. Last night they were helped by Jaya on sampler/mixer, Peppy on backing vocals, and me on keyboards.

We actually only rehearsed once, at Arlet studio which we were terribly disappointed with. The sound system was so awful that we lost our moods. And that was already Thursday, a day before the performance. So we decided to have a final rehearsal (well you may call it dress rehearsal, but it was very informal), at Lily’s place, while everybody else were having their Friday prayers. Well, if there was one thing that we didn’t have, it would be the time.

Ian informed me around two weeks before the show, on Thursday afternoon if I’m not mistaken. Yet on that night, I had to go to take Sore pictures at PPHUI, then on Friday I went to Bandung to legalize my academic documents. And Saturday was a “Radio Dept. night” where thousands of youngsters from Jakarta and Bandung packed the Eldorado to watch the Swedish trio.

Then, work,work, work at the office. We finally met for the first time for briefing on Sunday, just last week. Just practicing some songs that we had learnt, and there were still a long way to go.

[o] ian and lily during soundcheck

But nevertheless, last night’s performance was satisfying. Despite I got terribly panic about 15 minutes before going on stage as Mellon Yellow played a superb cover of The Cure, and I clumsily pushed the wrong button while changing the sound bank of my keyboard during “Always on My Mind”, last night’s performance was unforgettable.

[w] summer in berlin

[w] summer in berlin

Thanks heaps for Summer in Berlin for asking me to be a part of this performance, my family (yup! This is the first time ever my family see me perform with a band, so thank you Dad, Mom, and Sis), my friends from the office (Tika, Nia, Dodoho, Larry), and the ‘bold and cunning community’ BCC!

[n] summer in berlin with additionals

=THE SETLIST=
God Willing from Fundamental, 2006
Absolutely Fabulous from Very/Further Listening, 2001, and several other albums
Always On My Mind from Actually, 1986
Home and Dry from Release, 2002
It’s A Sin from Actually, 1987
Something Special from Closer to Heaven (musical), 2001
Go West from Very, 1994

[oxalis. 10/05/2008]

photo credits:
[o] oxalis
[w] widodo
[n] nia
[m] mba ichay

more photos can be seen on my multiply site