Rock Monsters Romania

Text and photos by Ana-Maria Corjos

The latest release of George Sărluceanu amazed the small purple concert hall with his folk reggae guitar riffs. Together with the band he gathered, he played songs like: “Femei,” “Poveste de ploaie,” “Amintiri” and “We are brothers.”

The 23rd of February 2024, on a Friday, at Sala Dalles, George Sărluceanu launched his newest album of seven songs, called “Față în față.”

The concert started all of a sudden. We were not expecting the artist himself to appear alone on stage at the exact time the event was scheduled. He had a very casual attitude. The speech he offered us in the beginning basically consisted of him explaining why he is playing the way he does. He let himself be interrupted by the friends that were entering the hall, taking his time to welcome them and say hello. He said that he “wished to play differently and show people at some point that one can play the guitar differently”. He has a standard that he wants to reach, which is overcoming the basic formula of three chords that is usually used. 

His playful but deep music, complimented by the blue-purple lights, created a wonderful atmosphere. Everyone was swinging in their seats and a feeling of togetherness swept the whole crowd. 

The concert was full of surprises, such as the young guitarist, Tudor Miron, or, as George characterised him, “the best guitarist he’s ever seen, at least at his age.” He was very confident and, even if at some point he was not supposed to be on stage to play and he just stood there a little awkward at first, he managed to find a way to fill the space and match the vibe of the other artists on stage. He guided the public to clap their hands and sung along George and the girls. 

Another special and unexpected moment was the dancing pair. Yes, George and his team felt like animating the show and brought dancers. The girl accompanied one of the first songs with her impeccable tap dance. And at the end, she appeared again on stage, this time with a partner, and danced on one of the love songs the band played. 

George Sărluceanu did not abstain himself from praising the other artists that played along him that night. He gave very special thanks to the drummer, Claudiu Purcarin. George’s words expressed how well the two of them work together, and how Claudiu “reads his mind”, since at some point, they both ended a song in the same specifically playful way. Also, George’s voice was beautifully accompanied by the backing vocal group: Monica-Elena Costin, Teodora Emilia Beleaua, Cristina Pleșa.

The live experience of this album was truly amazing, but, of course, everybody will want to relisten it at home. It can only be bought in digital version, online. We all got a flyer with a QR code and instructions on it. The reason for this decision was the fact that all the materials normally used for an album release would stay in the environment up to 100 years from now on. And he does not want to be a contributor to the process of destruction and pollution of the planet, as George explained during the performance. Of course, he already got his fans used to this thoughtful behaviour towards the environment and nature. During the performance, he reminded the public about the green actions he did in the past together with Green Ties. 

He also mentioned that concerts in a hall like Dalles are very uncommon for him and his community. He usually performs under the free sky, directly on the green fresh grass. But still, he thinks around two “serious” concerts a year are necessary. 

Even though this concert was a flabbergasting experience, the art and community of George Sărluceanu seem to be a small universe that must be explored and discovered even further.