| Author | Message | ||
     Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7596 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Tiger Lillies/6 January The Chills/13 January Matthew E. White/15 January Kev Carmody/17 January The Blackeyed Susans/17 January The Apartments/24 January All are part of the reliably wonderful Sydney Festival, which makes the heat and humidity of January in Sydney bearable every year. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7607 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Tiger Lillies were superb tonight. Before the show I only knew one of their songs, Bad. They started it as the encore, then changed their mind and did something else instead. It didn't matter, there were many songs the equal of it. Filthy, bawdy, sacrilegious, infanticidal, hilarious, cabaret gypsy punk. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7610 Registered: 05-2005 |
By the way, if you are in Sydney, Tiger Lillies are playing almost every night of the festival over the next couple of weeks. | ||
| Ian Darby Member Username: Jan Post Number: 19 Registered: 10-2006 |
Thought I should re-post this (in the correct year). I saw the Apartments (including Amanda Brown and Clare Moore) at the National Gallery of Victoria in Melbourne on Jan 1. A great venue though you never know how many people have come for the art (Ai Weiwei and Andy Warhol exhibit was on) and how many for the band. Turned out quite a few had come for the band. A nice set, finishing with '21' - a little difficult to follow that one and even though Goodbye Train was on the setlist he didn't come back to do it. Thanks to Andrew Kerr for this link to photos of the evening. http://thedwarf.com.au/photo/21297/the-a partments | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7629 Registered: 05-2005 |
Just saw the Chills. Truly wonderful. Best I've seen them since 1992. Started with Night Of Chill Blue, ended with Heavenly Pop Hit and played much of the great new album and classic tracks in between. Martin Phillips and the other four Chills played so confidently. Their mojo is definitely, defiantly back. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7630 Registered: 05-2005 |
Just back from seeing Matthew E White at the Sydney festival. It was a superb show of funk and soul with a little bit of southern rock and a touch of Orange Juice. That might sound like a hellish mix, but it's not. His band is terrific, especially the guitarist, Alan Parker. The bassist and drummer are no slouches either. And White is very funny. | ||
| TROU Member Username: Trou Post Number: 383 Registered: 05-2005 |
What a great résolution to start the year with ŕ Dominique A concert. It was this week and it was as good as the one of last year. Éveryone around me seemed to enjoy the two hours set, even the experts and conoisseurs. Musicians were on top. Especially Jeff Hallam, the american bass player, and Sacha the drummer who is a near neighbor of me. | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 1247 Registered: 10-2006 |
Ah, TROU, ya lucky bugger... | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3597 Registered: 03-2005 |
Yes, Jean is indeed lucky. I'm supposed to be in Prague and London in early April but don't know the dates yet as it all depends upon a friend's business travels. I'm crossing my fingers that April 7 might fall into the middle of the schedule so I can travel from Prague to London the long way via train to Paris and finally see Dominique A myself when he plays there. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7638 Registered: 05-2005 |
Today I saw Kev Carmody and The Blackeyed Susans. Before Carmody played they showed a 30 minute film about him. It was poignant, moving and fun. Then he came on, just him, his guitar and didgeridoo. It was mostly very good, but I'd like to have seen him with a band, which was how I saw him previously. Also, it was a bit odd that he referred several times to his audience being "university educated". Given he has a degree, a diploma in education and started a PhD which he didn't finish because his music career took off, he is better educated than 99% of the people watching him. Strange. The Blackeyed Susans played in the same Spiegeltent Carmody played, but it was a different show (i.e. another ticket) and there was an hour between the shows. At some point early on in the Blackeyed Susans show I thought of them being a band playing in a nice French restaurant while I ate a steak. And I couldn't shake the feeling. There is not a lot of dynamic range in their songs, or from one song to another. I also thought of what Randy said about Rob Snarski's voice being more suited to being a crooner than a rock singer. It was good, but a bit French restauranty. I didn't stay for the whole show. | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 893 Registered: 03-2007 |
The Bathers at Queen's Cross Church aka The Mackintosh Church, Glasgow, on Thursday 21st January, 2016. The following is a link to a YouTube video of the Church for anyone interested. One of Glasgow's hidden gems :- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CxsLrtnl hTY It was initially advertised that the band would consist of four members ( Chris Thomson on vocals, piano and acoustic guitar; James Grant on acoustic / electric guitars and background vocals; Maya Burman-Roy on cello; Hazel Morrison on drums, percussion, background vocals ) but on the night in question these four were joined for the entire show by a violin player and double bass player. Thomson spent most of the night at the piano and only took up the acoustic guitar for five or six of the twenty songs the band performed before leaving the stage for the first time. They then returned for six encores. Thomson performed the first two encores at the piano. His introduction to the second encore made reference to David Bowie performing at the Apollo Theatre, Glasgow. I could not make out exactly what he said so I don't know if Thomson was support on the night or if he simply attended the gig. The band then proceeded to play Lady Stardust by Bowie. Thomson moved to acoustic guitar and the band were joined on stage by Paul McGeechan( ex Friends Again ) who took over piano duties. They immediately launched into a version of Heroes by Bowie featuring some really nice electric guitar by James Grant. Next up was Kelvingrove Baby followed by lovely versions of State Of Art and Honey At The Core by Friends Again. I have a copy of the set list if anyone is interested. Thomson was in fine voice throughout and the band were superb. Special mention must go to Hazel Morrison for some absolutely stunning background vocals. She was tucked in behind the pulpit and I did not have a clear view of her from where I was seated most of the evening. Attendance was probably somewhere in the region of 400. There was so much interest in the band in the run up to the above concert that a second show was arranged for Friday 22 January, 2016, at short notice. I enquired about a new album but, if there is one in the pipeline, no-one was prepared to let on. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7660 Registered: 05-2005 |
I'm just back from seeing The Apartments, my sixth gig of the year already. It was an incredible show. I think Randy is the biggest Apartments fan here, apart from Andrew and me. I hope they play LA someday, Randy, or that you can time one of your jaunts to Europe to coincide with one of their rare gigs. The Go-Betweens were well represented, with Amanda Brown on stage and Lindy Morrison in the audience; both looking like they've barely aged since 16 Lovers Lane. The last time they played Sydney (in 2007) John Willsteed was on guitar; this time it was Wayne Connolly. There were seven people on stage in all, with drums, bass, piano and trumpet along with Peter Walsh's and Wayne Connolly's guitars and Amanda Brown's violin and backing vocals. They played some songs from No Song, No Spell, No Madrigal as well as older songs. Things You'll Keep and Thank You For Making Me Beg were particular standouts. They did a funked-up version of The Goodbye Train. That sounds like it should be horrendous, but it was brilliant. Walsh was very funny, which was somewhat surprising. I don't remember him being that funny on stage last time I saw them, though he was funny when I spoke with him afterwards. He said he left Brisbane for New York in his early 20s not because it was a police state - though it was - and not because it was a cultural desert - though it was - but because the humidity messed up his hair. It was like a Robert Forster line. Gig of the year so far. | ||
| peter ward Member Username: Peter_ward Post Number: 300 Registered: 06-2005 |
2 pretty rare outings by artists I'd love to see reviewed above and both very happy with your lot! Thanks for sharing. Hugh - Chris Thompson did support somebody in Whelans in Dublin many years ago and I only saw the advertising poster after the event and was gutted to have missed him. Chances of seeing him now are very slim...may have to visit Glasgow next time round, I couldn't make this show. Didn't know there was a second one...did it sell out also? You might post the setlist if you get a chance? Next up for me is a solo Greg Dulli show in Whelans in a couple of weeks and Richmond Fontaine, David Corley & Fernando Viciconte from this which was announced this week: http://kilkennyroots.com/category/2016-p remium-artists/ | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 898 Registered: 03-2007 |
Peter, The setlist as requested. The Bathers at Queen's Cross Church aka the Mackintosh Church, Glasgow, on Thursday 21 January, 2016. Chris Thomson - Piano, Acoustic Guitar, Vocals James Grant - Electric and Acoustic Guitars, Vocals Maya Burman-Roy - Cello Hazel Morrison - Drum Kit, Percussion, Vocals Unknown - Violin Unknown - Double Bass Paul McGeechan - Piano ( Songs 22 to 26 ) 1. Venice Shoes 2. Ave The Leopards 3. Fermina Fair 4. Fragrance Remains Insane 5. If Love Could Last Forever 6. Two Cats On The Piano 7. Thrive 8. Girlfriend 9. For Saskia 10. Perpetual Adoration / Time Regained 11. Pursuit Of An Orchid 12. Yellow Crombie 13. Twenty Two 14. Crown Circus / Desire Regained 15. Huntly In Love 16. Pandemonia 2 17. Angel On Ruskin 18. Carnival 19. Send Me Your Halo 20. She's Gone Forever Encores 21. The Night Is Young 22. Lady Stardust 23. Heroes 24. Kelvingrove Baby 25. State Of Art 26. Honey At The Core The second show was arranged at very short notice. I do not know how well attended it was but I am guessing those concerned would not have organised it had there not been a lot of interest. The following are links to two songs performed by the band on the night(s) in question. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gOkHbMrd rnU https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mCkLIAp- 0Rc | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 900 Registered: 03-2007 |
Peter, The Bathers will perform at the Centre for Contemporary Arts ( CCA ) Glasgow on Saturday 12 March, 2016. No information regarding the lineup of the band as yet. https://www.ents24.com/glasgow-events/ce ntre-for-contemporary-arts-cca/the-bathe rs/4612616 | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 901 Registered: 03-2007 |
Peter, I asked on the The Bathers Forum and Jimmy ( Moderator ) says that the Double Bass was played by Andrew Cruikshank and the Violin by Kobus Frick. | ||
| peter ward Member Username: Peter_ward Post Number: 301 Registered: 06-2005 |
Hugh, Thanks for taking the time to post the setlist, what a lengthy and all encompassing set, you were well treated. Thomson's voice holding up well & James Grant is a bit Dorian Grey in the 2nd video link..I'll have some of what he's having! See the tempting link to the upcoming March show and sent a link to a couple of friends to test the waters but I'm pretty top heavy with upcoming weekends away and a couple of weeks in June following Republic Of Ireland to Euro 2016 in France (Andrew Kerr - Fancy meeting for a pint in Bordeaux... or a St Emilion Grand Cru might be more appropriate?!?) haven't ruled it out though - Ł11 a ticket and we've only been to Edinburgh once many years ago with Glasgow on the list since. | ||
| peter ward Member Username: Peter_ward Post Number: 303 Registered: 06-2005 |
Good news on the main news page - off to see Robert in whelans in May!! | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3612 Registered: 03-2005 |
Sigh. I was hoping he'd fly into Europe through LA instead of Dubai. Wow, Stuart, you really do get thwacked by fortune. Were you not on holiday in the UK, you could have taken a little jaunt over to Barcelona. | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 1258 Registered: 10-2006 |
He's already been to Barcelona, hasn't he, this time round? How many Catalan fans can the guy have? While this gangling, corruption-rife, boot-shaped southern extension of the European mainland gets extremely short shrift indeed... | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3615 Registered: 03-2005 |
Well, I've managed to get all the moving parts into position so that I will be in Paris the evening of April 7 and can see Dominique A perform at the Trianon. If anyone on here is planning to attend that show let me know. It would be fun to meet. Then next morning it's off to Prague. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7697 Registered: 05-2005 |
Tonight I'm going to see an Irish/Australian commemoration of the 100th anniversary of the 1916 Easter Rising. Gig http://www.factorytheatre.com.au/events/ 2016/02/24/declan-orourke-ire-shane-howa rd Rising https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_Ris ing | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3630 Registered: 03-2005 |
On Sunday March 27 I saw Sad Lovers and Giants perform in LA at a modest-sized venue called the Echoplex. Originating from the early 1980s this was the band's first visit to the U.S.. SLAG had their fallow periods but they stayed more consistently active than the overwhelming majority of their post-punk contemporaries. I strongly recommend their first three albums "Epic Garden Music," "Feeding the Flame" and "The Mirror Test." Most of their set came from these three albums plus a couple songs from their fourth album "Headland" and a pair of new songs they said would be on their upcoming ninth album. The personnel was the same as on their 3rd, 4th and 5th albums with the exception of newer much younger keyboard player. This was in no way an oldies nostalgia performance. The group were very strong and amazingly tight and the sell-out audience was a fun mixture of ancient types my age (on a Sunday night until nearly 1:00 a.m. the next morning!) right down to people in their 20s who knew all the songs and shouted out well-chosen requests. SLAG seemed to be genuinely stunned at their reception out here on the far edge of another continent they had never visited. I attended this show with Jeff Whiteaker, formerly of this board, and his wife Terezia. Being 18 years my junior Jeff spent the entire evening on his feet whereas I saved up my steam for SLAG and perched on a bench at the side of room for the two support acts, Brisbane Australia's Nite Fields and Israel's Vaadat Charigim. The Nite Fields have a worthy album but onstage suffered from the sort of sound issues that opening acts will often endure. The vocalist was only minimally audible and sometimes the overall sound became so distorted it was difficult to work out was going on musically. I'm sure it didn't help that I was situated off to the side. Vaadat Charigim is a Goth-ish three piece outfit who perform their songs in Hebrew while the stage patter is perfectly good English. Clearly more polished and with a simpler three-piece sound they were better able to project themselves. Jeff told me later that one of the last songs the DJ played before Vaadat Charigim came onstage was by an Aussie Goth band with overtly fascist imagery. I was not familiar with it. I told him it was probably unintentional, that Los Angelenos have a legendary capacity for cluelessness. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3632 Registered: 03-2005 |
Well, that was something! I have just returned from a two and a half hour set by Dominique A at the Trianon in Paris. I think I was the second oldest person on the standing room only floor but a lot of the audience was banging up on 50. I'd guess about a third of the ground floor audience were young 20-something kids. I never heard a peep of English at this Francophone artist's concert among any of the audience. The band including the star was a simple four piece. All of the expensively arranged studio songs were stripped down wonderfully well sometimes leaving me guessing what the song was until, say, a third of the way through the first verse (remember I don't understand the words). Songs from Eleor were emphasized but he reached as far back as the first Dom A song that grabbed way back when I started exploring him, "Pour la Peau" from Auguri. He played the title song from "L'Horizon" as the final number in the second of two very generously long encores. I love a live show that demonstrates how many songs--ones that I thought of as minor numbers on their respective albums--come into their own when played with the urgency of a live band. There is nothing like going to a generously played concert by someone with a huge back catalog, especially when it's someone who obviously has a very devoted following but who I'll never get to see perform in my own country. I remain of the opinion that Dominique A is one of the most important pop music figures working today. You don't need to know the language to be sold on him. This was very much worth the expense for me to get here. | ||
| TROU Member Username: Trou Post Number: 387 Registered: 05-2005 |
Hello Randy. Happy that you enjoyed the show. Did you spoke a bit with the guy after the concert? | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 1278 Registered: 10-2006 |
Ah, Randy, you lucky guy! Hope to manage it myself one day. And now what, the night train to Prague, or are you flying? | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7753 Registered: 05-2005 |
That sounds fantastic, Randy. I'd love to see him live. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3633 Registered: 03-2005 |
No Trou, I didn't. I don't think he came out.. The Trianon is fairly large, about 1000 persons. I bought a CD for the opening act, Pain Noir. No night train, Stuart. I've flown into Prague. | ||
| Stuart Wilson Member Username: Stuart Post Number: 1279 Registered: 10-2006 |
I was there a while back, my best meal was at V Zatisi on Lillova, just a few minutes from the Charles bridge. Nice place. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1789 Registered: 08-2006 |
Saw the always-remarkable Lucinda Williams last weekend at the Old Town School of Folk Music, which houses a 300-seat, acoustically amazing theater. Just right for Lu, who brought the goods, including a mix of classics, deep cuts and new stuff. She's played small rooms the last few times she's been through Chicago and it suits her - she's more relaxed and more intimate settings are kinder to the fact she's not a particularly physical performer. And damn, those songs - I loved her set, which was over two hours, and could count off about 30 songs I wish she'd played, as well. | ||
| Austin Member Username: Bruegelpie Post Number: 144 Registered: 09-2004 |
Saw Iggy Pop in Detroit on Thursday at the wonderful Fox Theater. It was a strange venue for Iggy - seated. That didn't stop Iggy from stage diving and walking around in the crowd. He played 8 songs from his very good new album. The rest of the songs (except 1) were from The Idiot and Lust For Life, which sound a lot like his new album (and made for an unexpected Bowie tribute). If this really is Iggy's last tour, he certainly went out with a bang! | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3634 Registered: 03-2005 |
Iggy in Detroit. The only place for him to finish his performance career. Stuart, I'll investigate that restaurant. But Lordy, the becherovka. I woke up at 4:21 a.m. with the hotel room lights and one boot on. I woke up again with the same lights and boot on at 7:28. I think I'll turn them and take it off. Thank god this hotel serves breakfast until 12:30 on weekends. | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 1065 Registered: 04-2005 |
A family outing to Louise Attaque last Friday in Toulouse...ok we left the cat at home. They came on stage to the Velvets' "Sunday Morning" and Gaëtan Roussel immediately told the audience that we would be there for a while..."songs from today, yesterday and before yesterday" Great evening, that really took off for me from the third song "Anomalie". I really feel that the band should have toured the new songs before recording them...live there was a dynamic that is missing from the recently released album. Encore was a lovely "Un peu de patience" with just the trio on acoustic instruments, gathered round one microphone. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3635 Registered: 03-2005 |
So Andrew, the new album is good? I never bought their third one, largely on the basis of your comment that it isn't well regarded. Sounds like it was a great show. | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 1066 Registered: 04-2005 |
Yes Randy I really like it. Gosh, I'm a bit worried though that someone makes a judgement based on a comment of mine ! Check your mailbox for MP3s and you can make up your own mind. It's a very short album. I must see if I can track down some more info on Roussel's songwriting for the last Bashung record. I wonder whether the songs were written specifically for "Bleu Pétrole". There are a couple of songs on the new LA album where you can really imagine Bashung having sung them. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1791 Registered: 08-2006 |
For Padraig, since he requested it: The Parquet Courts killed it last night. Great, diverse selection from their output, plus they're funny. And yet, surprisingly serious. I stand by my Pavement/VU comparison - there were guitar jams but they never lost their punk underpinning. Now I'm at work, and I want to go to sleep. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7774 Registered: 05-2005 |
Thanks, Rob. I hate having an early start after a late show too. I don't think it's particularly a middle age thing. I'm sure it was the case for gigs I saw in my 20s too. Well, I suppose it's worse now. Sorry, my brain is distracted by the awful news of Prince's death. | ||
| Austin Member Username: Bruegelpie Post Number: 145 Registered: 09-2004 |
Frightened Rabbit put on a great show in Detroit last night. I always like when I can see a band fairly early in their tour because of how much "fresher" the performance feels. Whether it was because of this or it was an audience that was ready to have a great time, the show was magical. New songs sounded great, although they didn't play a few new favorites from their just-released album. Scott said that he had a bad day, but the audience cheered him up. Sounds like the usual cliche, but in this case it looked to me to be true. Those Glaswegian guitar bands like Frightened Rabbit and We Were Promised Jet Packs are pretty much the best thing going in rock, at least in my book. | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 1071 Registered: 04-2005 |
Omer Avital Quintet - La Rochelle last Thursday. Simply wonderful. Joyful energetic jazz. Lovely interplay between the 2 saxophonists. Omer dancing with his double bass. Our friend Yonathan on piano...the maestro. The drummer looked about 13 years old and you wondered how he could keep that level going for 2 hours. What a groove ! Here's a track from the new album https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qsZsMK4F 0MA | ||
| peter ward Member Username: Peter_ward Post Number: 305 Registered: 06-2005 |
Andrew, any more of that around Nantes,Bordeaux,Gien,Lille or Deauville next month keep me posted! did you ever see The Necks live? piano/double bass/drums...mesmerising improv jazz. last weekend i caught the excellent Richmond Fontaine on their final tour last weekend, David Corley, Hayes Carll, fernando viciconte and a brilliant ensemble from Cork - John Blek and the Rats..... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n5SplB5g 4TA | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 348 Registered: 08-2005 |
The Fall tonight in Bristol. Not a huge fan but they always deliver a riot of noise! | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 349 Registered: 08-2005 |
I know The Fall have their fans here (more influential than The Beatles, if I remember rightly...) but I thought they were dreadful; Mark E Smith was dreadful. I know he's not what you'd call a natural singer, but he had two microphones, at limes he looked like he was trying to pull a tooth out or lance a boil, and then he'd randomly strike notes on the keyboards. Apparently he's split with his keyboard-playing wife. It was like listening to a drunk rambling shouty uncle. The band were tight, though. Heresy, I know, but they'd have been better off with another singer! This was the worst frontman performance since I saw Bobby Gillespie - drunk, stoned? - when Primal Scream were supporting Julian Cope (showing my age) at the Bristol Bierkeller in about the 1840s! Or something... | ||
| fsh Member Username: Fsh Post Number: 318 Registered: 05-2005 |
Simon Withers wrote:"...worst frontman performance since ... Primal Scream were supporting Julian Cope .. at the Bristol Bierkeller in about the 1840s .." I was at that show and I'm pretty sure it was it the Bristol Academy not the Bierkeller. | ||
| TROU Member Username: Trou Post Number: 389 Registered: 05-2005 |
Saw the Coral in Koln. The place (the Lüxor) was overcrowded and in this venue if you're not right in front of the stage, it's very unconfortable. And the sound was very loud for my poor hears.. Otherwise best parts were the songs of Roots and Echoes, their masterpiece. As some seems interested in these things. I was in France for a birthday party in a lost old farm. The guy invited some "jazz" performers in the barn for a private show.. Maybe it's because we were all nearly drunk, but they 've made it! Jan Vanek, the crazy guitarist, is coming from outer space! I've filmed it, not my fave tune of the evening, but so you'll have an idea .. : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vE2VbuBD VYA | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 1074 Registered: 04-2005 |
Une belle soirée then Trou ? He is pretty incredible that guitarist. Comme tu as dit un vrai fou ! | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 350 Registered: 08-2005 |
Loathe though I am to sound smug, a quick trip to Google suggests Julian Cope/Primal Scream played the Bierkeller on Wed 29 October 1986. I remember it because Cope had his climb-on microphone and had to stoop as the ceiling is so low. I'm now in my office at work about 50 yards from the Bierkeller (small, static world...) I exaggerated about the 1840, it just feels so long ago... (David Rose's Gig Diaries website has a pic of the gig's yellow ticket; I probably still have one somewhere. My then girlfriend had hers on the wall) | ||
| TROU Member Username: Trou Post Number: 390 Registered: 05-2005 |
Saw also Primal Scream at the time (in Lüxor, I'm sure), I didn't recognised any songs of their (excellent) debut album... Otherwise the Fall I liked very much the concert I saw (period Frenz experiment I think). | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3645 Registered: 03-2005 |
Simon, your review of the Fall show is entertaining. I think it's been quite a while since MES was much more than a sad old drunk. It's too bad. He was responsible for a lot of great stuff. Just tonight, the iPod in the car pitched up "Just Waiting," an unexpectedly great track from the overlooked "Code: Selfish" album from deep in their career but still a very long time ago. My own single experience seeing the Fall was at the time of "Kurious Oranj." It was a great show with lots of MES turning his back to the audience but his then-wife Brix made up for that. Luxuria was the opening act. | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 351 Registered: 08-2005 |
The Dandy Warhols - last night at the O2 Academy, Bristol. Very good gig, second time I've seen them. Unusual lineup too: guitar, guitar, drums, keyboard - the keyboard player playing bass guitar on one song. | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 352 Registered: 08-2005 |
The Chills – Cardiff, tomorrow (wooohoooo! Result!) Much handier than London and a cheap hotel so I don't need to drive. Belle & Sebastian – Royal Albert Hall, next month, playing If You're Feeling Sinister | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 353 Registered: 08-2005 |
The Chills were on top form, though a late start meant they didn't do all their planned setlist - which I got signed by all band members after the gig. And while it was probably a shame for the band that they were playing such a small venue - I estimate an audience of 60-70 - it made for a very intimate performance, which was great for me. I'll put some photos up (somewhere) at some point. I think it was a very similar set to when they played London last year (or 2014) and with the same line-up too, which is good for the Chills. Highly recommended if you can get to see them next week (London, Liverpool, Leeds) or in Europe this week. | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 354 Registered: 08-2005 |
And that's three gigs in three weeks for me - The Fall, Dandy Warhols and Chills - which is much more than I usually manage... | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 366 Registered: 08-2005 |
Belle & Sebastian at the Albert Hall were fantastic. Fey-sounding music often with super-dark lyrics and themes played by a 14-piece band; all the usuals plus a string-foursome (not using the term quartet because I think it was all violins/violas) and trumpet/keyboards/cello. Good venue too, my first time there. And tonight I went to a very entertaining book signing/talk with Andy Partridge, who I guess needs no introduction. S | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 1088 Registered: 04-2005 |
Iggy Pop's still going (see Austin's comment above from April). Last night, in front of 10,000 in a field in the middle of nowhere…(actually the Festival Ecaussystčme at Gignac in the Lot in France, but truly rural !). Utterly stupendous and still utterly brutally unremitting. When a 69 year old man can sing “I’m a street-walking cheetah with a heart of napalm” and it is still convincing it has to be good. 2 hours and he is still flirting with 16 year olds down the front. He gets a bra thrown at him that he nonchantly hangs on his arm for a song. His voice is bloody impressive, but physically you do ask yourself how long he can keep performing like this. “Tonight” is especially poigant, given his heartfelt dedication to Bowie. There was a moment that had me laughing out loud. Iggy was wedged inbetween the monitors and the crash barriers, inches from the crowd, touching hands and throwing poses.The security guard was getting increasingly nervous and said something to him. Iggy just fired back “Hey, I’m a professional...” I had watched the press conference at Cannes with Iggy and Jim Jarmusch recently (Jarmusch has an Iggy documentary coming out) which was very entertaining and quite poignant, in terms of realising that we are coming to the end of that period of musicians. What it must have been to have seen the Stooges in their heyday ? In that era of endless guitar solos and progressive rock. In a similar vein, after Alan Vega died, I watched a clip of Suicide performing “Ghost Rider” in ’77. No comprise. | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 370 Registered: 08-2005 |
Just bought tickets for Kristin Hersh and Regina Spektor for later in the year, and will buy Buzzcocks and Undertones tickets on Monday. It's a good year for gigs for me. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7884 Registered: 05-2005 |
Bought tickets to see Whitney in London in November. (US indie band, not the Whitney Houston hologram tour.) | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 372 Registered: 08-2005 |
Pádraig, get in touch before you come over - be good to see you again. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7885 Registered: 05-2005 |
I will do, Simon. Now read my Leonard Cohen piece, inked to from the what are you reading thread. | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 1090 Registered: 04-2005 |
The reformed Miracle Legion in London Saturday ! The guitarist (Mr.)Ray has said that during their recent East Coast of the States dates, there were middle aged men openly weeping in the audience. I fear that may be me Saturday in Hackney. But I'll still try and have a great time ! | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7900 Registered: 05-2005 |
Let us know how it is, Andrew. They were one of the bands I always suspected that only me and about 99 others had ever heard of. I doubt Australia is on their radar, but you never know. The Sydney Festival in January has for years been pulling in left field acts I assumed no one else had ever heard of. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3675 Registered: 03-2005 |
Last night, PJ Harvey at the Fonda Theater in Hollywood. Typically for me I didn't even know she was performing in town until a friend and co-worker told me about her surprise second show following her Thursday night show downtown. I bought a general admission floor ticket from the venue's regular vendor. I'm a late arrival to the P.J. Harvey party, having not bonded with "Uh Huh Her" a bunch of years ago when the same friend & co-worker lent it to me. "Let England Shake" is what reeled me in and I've been slowly moving backward in her catalog. As expected, the show emphasized her new album which I didn't even know about! What I heard last night sounds like another great move in the musical direction of "Shake." I was told that people were having difficulty with the new record but it sounded great to me, at least on stage. She did a comparative handful of pre-Shake numbers including some that are still earlier than I've gone so far. It was now easy to see certain aspects of her musical philosophy running straight through all of the songs. The Fonda is small, accommodating about 1200 people but looking a lot smaller than that to my eyes. (I would have guessed about 600.) As with Dominique A I stood about 8 feet from the center stage. Her band was expensively huge, totaling about 10 people including PJ herself. This allowed her to recreate her elaborate and brilliant arrangements. She didn't glad hand the audience; she just got down to business and played for about 2 hours. What struck me the most is how little visible ego she exhibited. She seemed to be all about performing these musical art pieces. I really appreciate the sheer pop discipline of her decidedly arty songs. They don't waste your time and there aren't the usual boring long instrumental segments (though she did allow her saxophonist one showboat solo). It's my understanding that she is only playing in NYC and LA for this album's tour so I really scored with this Friday night show two subway stops away from my house. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7904 Registered: 05-2005 |
Great review, Randy. Uh Huh Her is very overrated, beloved only by those who thought PJ had sold out with Stories From The City, Stories From The Sea. | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 1091 Registered: 04-2005 |
Miracle Legion in Hackney were brilliant ! Somebody on their Facebook page who was at all their recent dates, said it was by far the best show. They played practically everything I wanted to hear...but highlights were “The Backyard” and “You’re My Blessing” (“from our new album...it was released out 20 years ago”). And one of the encores...their cover of John Cooper Clarke’s “A Heart Disease Called Love” with a friend sitting in on slide guitar. Listen to the recorded version here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k34COzWz KcY Despite looking like the wild-man-from-the-mountains and moving like a solo Irish Line Dancer, Mark Mulcahy still has his beautifully expressive voice. An enigmatic presence. And Mr. Ray Neal was just born to be on a stage...what intensity as he slung his guitar around on “All For The Best” (nice gesture of Thom Yorke to have recorded a version, but frankly it has nothing on the original) I not sure that Scott and Dave (drums/bass) have had much to do with music since they stopped being Frank Black’s rhythm section and it over 20 years that they last played together as Miracle Legion, but they sound wonderful. The band has always had a great natural sense of when to drop down and can go from full-on to wonderfully minimal in the same song. Incidentally, a few weeks ago, Mulcahy and Neal had the surreal experience of having breakfast with Boris Johnson and John Major in the BBC canteen, when they appeared on the Andrew Marr show. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j67MWVnT CqE | ||
| Andreas Severins Member Username: Andreas_severins Post Number: 333 Registered: 11-2007 |
Steve Forbert solo @ Amsterdam Paradiso in the seated Main Hall! Wonderful concert - my first time seeing him! He played for two hours in two sets with almost all of his hits and with a lot of fun. Concerts started at 15:00 what made it perfect to do a ride to wonderful city of Amsterdam with my brother and his wife. Just saw that in 8 days the Triffids are playing the paradiso - wow! It is a tuesday and I have to work, have no car but I hope I can make it possible! | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7988 Registered: 05-2005 |
Sounds great, Andreas. Robert praises Forbert in the book. | ||
| TROU Member Username: Trou Post Number: 394 Registered: 05-2005 |
Think they go also in Bruxelles .. https://www.abconcerts.be/en/agenda/even ts/in-remembrance-of-david-mccomb-the-tr iffids-play-born-sandy-devotional-1986-a rtist-talk-w-the-triffids-documentary/19 782/ | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3689 Registered: 03-2005 |
It will be interesting to hear about one of these Triffids concerts. i confess I'd struggle with watching them without the man who made them. This coming Sunday I will be up in San Francisco to see Peter Milton Walsh! I definitely never expected him to come to California. While I'd obviously like to see him fronting the Apartments I'm not going to complain! I will be attending with Jeff Whiteaker formerly of this board. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 7993 Registered: 05-2005 |
I saw new Australian singer/songwriter Julia Macklin play half her debut album in Red Eye Records earlier. She was superb, just her and and her electric guitar. I'm seeing her again in London in exactly four weeks, supporting Whitney. She seemed pleased when I mentioned this. She deserves success and I hope she gets it. Her music reminds me of Mary Margaret O'Hara and Mazzy Star (particularly the guitar of the latter). | ||
| peter ward Member Username: Peter_ward Post Number: 315 Registered: 06-2005 |
Off to see Richmond Fontaine's Farewell show in Whelans tonight, dunno if there are any fans on here but their final album is among their very best. Brief interview and musings on Dylan here... http://www.rte.ie/radio/utils/radioplaye r/rteradioweb.html#!rii=b9%5F21071504%5F1526%5F13%2D10%2D20 16%5F | ||
| Austin Member Username: Bruegelpie Post Number: 151 Registered: 09-2004 |
I was fortunate to be traveling for work last night when Teenage Fanclub played Boston. What a great show, with all the singers in great form and mood. They played some of the best songs off the new album, which is much, much better than the last album. (I don't want to hear songs about global warming, sorry about that.) They also did a great selection of songs from their wonderful catalog - at least one song from every album. The set proper closed with "Star Sign" and then "The Concept." If the earth swallowed me up after that, I could live with it. Glad to see that it was sold out. Hopefully I can catch them again next week when they play closer to home in Detroit. | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 1114 Registered: 04-2005 |
Two very different evenings of music. Last Friday in the massive Zenith in Toulouse I saw the trumpeter Ibrahim Maalouf play in front of some 11,000 people and last night in Bordeaux it was Chocolate Genius, Inc in front of about a 100 people. Both great gigs and actually there is a link. When I booked my ticket for Chocolate Genius, it was marked as a solo performance, but on Monday the venue announced that he would play with the French guitarist Seb Martel accompanying him. Seb is responsable for turning me on to Marc Anthony Thompson’s amazing music some 4 years ago...and Ibrahim Maalouf played on Seb’s “Las Ondas Marteles” record back in 2004. What was very interesting on Friday was the audience. A few oldies like me but a large proportion were in their early 20s. I am not quite sure how Maalouf, who most people would categorise as a jazz musician, has got to this position of fame. Not suggesting that he doesn’t fully deserve it, but I have the notion that it just wouldn’t happen like that in Britain and once again I find myself thinking how different the music scene is in France. What was really nice was that he had invited kids from a local music school to perform with him for a number. There must have been around 50 trumpets, saxophones, trombones and clarinettes on stage. Last night was really special. In a beautiful room in a center-of-Bordeaux mansion, Marc Anthony Thompson played for an hour and a quarter, piano and guitar and then there was that VOICE that just curled around you and drew you in. It was all very minimal and all the better for that. And Seb was an excellent accompanist, always respectful of the songs and providing some lovely backing vocals. The encore was his heart-breaking “My Mom”, played at the piano. Thompson has a new release (“Truth vs Beauty”) and played quite a few new songs. One of them (“Detroit”) is here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k4Pxsfdv 4VQ PS What I found amusing about the evening was that it was advertised as being “blues”. Indeed the man seated next to me was there as a result of seeing that. Even if the reality of the evening was far from the “blues” he told me afterwards that he was firmly a new believer. Thompson is utterly unclassifiable...but maybe that hasn’t helped his career ? | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3692 Registered: 03-2005 |
Peter Milton Walsh, at the Make Out Room in San Francisco October 16. I believe I have Andrew to thank for this one. I sent the news upstate to Jeff Whiteaker and we made our plans to attend. Jeff expressed a bit of anxiety that he wouldn't recognize much of the set list as he only has "The Evening Visits . . . " and the current album. Not to worry, because other than "Goodbye Train" and "Round Every Corner" and "Thank You for Making Me Beg" (which Jeff IS familiar with) everything came from the first or the most recent album plus the wonderful surprise of "All You Wanted" and a marvelously slowed-down version of "Nobody Like You" that I didn't recognize until he'd reached the end of the first verse. In voice, Peter sounded like himself. He's learned to make the most of his limitations. He's a fine guitarist and did a really nice job presenting his finely crafted songs. He was joined by the keyboard player from the opening band for "On Every Corner" and by original Apartment Michael O'Connell for "Nobody Like You." O'Connell also played on one of the new songs, I think "Swap Places" but the memory fails. O'Connell lives in the Bay Area and that's why this performance happened. Attendance was modest but not embarrassing considering how far-flung Peter's fans are. I was mad at myself for not thinking of the obvious and bringing CD inserts for Peter to sign. Both Jeff and my friend Michael who I'd lured up for the event needed to get up early the next morning so I didn't insist on our sticking around to say hello to Peter. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8001 Registered: 05-2005 |
I saw Nada Surf in Tower Records in Dublin yesterday. They were fantastic. Because it was a free in-store I thought they would only play five or six songs, but they played over an hour. Just brilliant. And nice guys too. | ||
| Austin Member Username: Bruegelpie Post Number: 152 Registered: 09-2004 |
Padraig, So glad that you saw the Nada Surf instore! I saw an instore during the last tour and this couple sitting just in front of me started kissing right before Matthew sang the lines "Making out with people / I hardly know or like" (from "Inside of Love") and I couldn't stop laughing. (They did it on purpose it turned out.) The live album they released about a week ago, Peaceful Ghosts, is great! | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8003 Registered: 05-2005 |
I've ordered the live album, Austin. It'll be in London, waiting for me in a few days. I wish I'd bought it in Tower, but I'd already ordered it before I knew I was going to see them. | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 384 Registered: 08-2005 |
Saw Kristin Hersh (of Throwing Muses) fame in Bristol on Tuesday. Very, very enjoyable solo gig, no support. Even bought the t-shirt! And I'm seeing Regina Spektor on Saturday - it's been a good five or six weeks for gigs, of which Regina S is the nearest to being a 'contemporary' act; both the Undertones and Buzzcocks were on 40th anniversary tours, enough to make one feel old, and Kristin Hersh is best known for her 80s work... | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8006 Registered: 05-2005 |
Whitney, supported by Julia Jacklin, tonight in Koko, Camden Town. Biggest ever gigs for each of them. Great shows by each, though shortened because of a burning car beside the venue that meant the building was evacuated and the audience not allowed in till about 25 minutes later than planned. | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 387 Registered: 08-2005 |
Ah, the joys of London, eh, Pádraig?! Though the burning car would be a new one to me...! | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8008 Registered: 05-2005 |
Brexit/Trump protest, presumably. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8012 Registered: 05-2005 |
The Cult next week, and I've just bought tickets to see The Bats, Halfway and Weyes Blood in January as part of the Sydney festival. | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 389 Registered: 08-2005 |
Pádraig, enjoy the Cult. They're not one of my all-time favourites, but to this day they provided one of my favourite gigs ever - the Bristol Studio in, I'm guessing (or using Google) June 1985. Great sound from a band in the form of their life. I'm guessing you'll be seeing them at the Enmore in Sydney - where I saw a band you may have heard of called the Go-Betweens in 1988, where they were supported by the Died Pretty, a magician who specialized in children's parties and a hypnotist (I went down on stage to be hypnotised but didn't 'go under'). It was called 'The Night of Miracles' and I've still got the ticket. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8013 Registered: 05-2005 |
Are you certain you didn't "go under"? Maybe you howl like a wolf to this day upon hearing a certain trigger word? The Cult are great live. This will be my third time seeing them. All in Sydney. I'd love to have seen them in their 80s heyday, though. Died Pretty are great live too. I saw them supporting Buffalo Tom in the University of Sydney bar in 1992, and with Ed Kuepper in the Enmore in 2007. | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 390 Registered: 08-2005 |
I thought somebody would say that - I'm pretty sure the people I was sat next to would have siad something, and I can remember the rest of the act. That's enough for me! Ahh, the great Ed Kuepper. Saw him at the Sydney Showground in 1988 (with Hunters and Collectors and Paul Kelly and the Coloured Girls); at the Kardomah Cafe, Sydney also in '88; at Moles in Bath; the Thekla in Bristol (on the guest list); the Borderline in London (on the guest list) and a few years ago (2013?) in Camden, London - can't remember the venue. | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 962 Registered: 03-2007 |
Padraig, This release may appeal to you if you have not already come across it. https://thokeitapes.bandcamp.com/album/r obert-scott-report | ||
| TROU Member Username: Trou Post Number: 396 Registered: 05-2005 |
Too much work in october. And all the good concerts seemed to be gathered this month. I had the misfortune to miss Ben Watt, Operators, Low Anthem, Okkervill River.. The only gig I saw was from an old french singer Christophe. He sold millions records in the sixties/seventies. Last album has good reviews. Concert was intimate and precious, his voice remains impressively unchanged. Band was with some Bashung's musician (he sang alcaline). All in all a very good surprise. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8014 Registered: 05-2005 |
Thanks, Hugh. It certainly does. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8015 Registered: 05-2005 |
Forgot to mention above that I also have tickets to see Teenage Fanclub at Sydney zoo (the actual zoo, that's not a venue name) in March, and Billy Bragg & Joe Henry at the Opera House in, I think, April. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8023 Registered: 05-2005 |
Just back from seeing The Cult at the Enmore theatre. Not as good as the last two times I saw them in Sydney, but still very good. They played a touch too much of the new album, but I'm probably one of the few in the crowd who recognised the new songs. I was surprised at how old the audience was. I had expected it to skew older, but not by that much. | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 392 Registered: 08-2005 |
Age, eh!? (Feeling every bit of my 53 years old today. I had very, very severe food poisoning a few months ago in Italy, and found out today that it might be toxoplasmosis; bad because I suffered eye problems later, which may be directly connected. Not a happy bunny - it was my first experience of a Michelin-starred restaurant. Not a very rock-n-roll response but I'm a bit, er, shaken by it all as any scarring to the retina would be permanent). But the Cult really ROCK! | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8026 Registered: 05-2005 |
Simon, I'm sorry to hear that. You've really been through the wringer. As for the Cult crowd, they were so old that even the fight that almost broke out beside us just fizzled out. Back in the day it would have been on. And I bought earplugs in the pharmacy next door before the show. Rock 'n' Roll. | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 393 Registered: 08-2005 |
The venue I go to most often in Bristol - the O2 Academy - has earplugs behind the bar, and they're given out free; I use them. They're compulsory for the bar staff too when the bands are playing. That's also very rock and roll. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8027 Registered: 05-2005 |
Crowded House at the Opera House, I'm watching right now because it's being simulcast on ABC TV. Beautiful. | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 1119 Registered: 04-2005 |
Last Saturday night, El Bouiriou in the village hall of Daglan (Dordogne, SW France). Music to make you feel you’re glad to be alive. And don’t we all need that sometimes ? A 5 piece (drums, guitar, violin, accordeon and percussion and everyone singing) playing folk music from around Europe, but mainly Italian I think. Gloriously ramshackle...apparently it was the first time in 3 years that this line-up had played together, apart from a rehearsal the day before...but what a wonderful noise. Very ‘organic’...one would start a tune and the others were feel their way into it. The interplay between Guillermo (accordeon) and Sam (violin) was amazing. Not sure that I have ever seen someone playing the fiddle whilst singing and dancing at the same time. Just a shame that the audience wasn’t more people...we were about 60 in a hall that could have taken 4 times that number comfortably. Didn’t stop the musicians having a great time and they must have played for about 2 and a half hours. |