| Author | Message | ||
     Jerry Clark Member Username: Jerry Post Number: 1223 Registered: 08-2004 |
Wifey bought me tickets to see Babybird in London in May for my birthday. Will be going to a gig with my eldest son, another first for us. This will be my first gig since seeing Babybird back in 2009. My aforementioned wifey has had health problems, so we rarely get out these days. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8456 Registered: 05-2005 |
That's a nice present to get, Jerry. Best of luck to you and your wife and family. | ||
| TROU Member Username: Trou Post Number: 424 Registered: 05-2005 |
Charlatans tonight. Already have tickets for Cigarettes AS, Shame, They might be giants, Etienne Daho, Low Anthem. | ||
| TROU Member Username: Trou Post Number: 425 Registered: 05-2005 |
Charlatans tonight. Already have tickets for Cigarettes AS, Shame, They might be giants, Etienne Daho, Low Anthem. | ||
| Fred Tadrowski Member Username: Ftadrowski Post Number: 73 Registered: 03-2015 |
I saw Low this week in a laid-back gig in Chicago with 150 other sitting fans at a venue that usually features jazz or new music. I love the way their harmonies sound together as they tried out some new songs and some old favorites. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1866 Registered: 08-2006 |
Damn, Fred, you and I were in the same room. Probably not the first time. Terrific show. Constellation was a great venue for them. A friend of mine owns the joint and increasingly they get inquiries from non-jazz bands (like Thurston Moore) asking to perform there because the space is so conducive to listening. I really enjoyed seeing Low there and thought it kind of elevated the experience. | ||
| TROU Member Username: Trou Post Number: 426 Registered: 05-2005 |
Low Anthem, I think it's the strangest and interesting US band I know (in present time), perhaps because their music is so unique and special for an european ear like mine. Otherwise, the Charlatans were on top form in Luxembourg! They played nearly all their last wonderful record, along with their favorites. And Tim Burgess is really a star and charming guy! | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 509 Registered: 08-2005 |
My 2018 gig going has finally started, an excellent performance from Belle and Sebastian in Cardiff last Thursday. Nine musicians, I think, with eight on stage in various permutations for most of the time, including a three-guitar, three-keyboard combination at one point. The sound had too much bass to begin with - a woman not far from me shouted for them to turn the bass down at one point, but it improved as the set went on. Has anybody ever been to a gig where the bass and drums were too quiet?! This week I'm off to see the Hugh Cornwell-less Stranglers who were very entertaining when I saw them a couple of years ago, and they do have a great catalogue that brings back memories of my teenage and university years. I've bought a ticket for They Might Be Giants in September, one of my favourite bands and one that I've never seen. I've also got Laura Veirs on my radar and possibly Chris Difford next week. I failed to get tickets for Lloyd Cole last week, which was a shame. | ||
| Fred Tadrowski Member Username: Ftadrowski Post Number: 74 Registered: 03-2015 |
Rob, I am sure there have been other concerts. Were you at the Chicago Go-Betweens concert in 2005? | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1867 Registered: 08-2006 |
Oh, sure, at the Abbey. Wild horses wouldn't have kept me from that. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8481 Registered: 05-2005 |
I saw Robert Plant last night. Oddly, it was his speaking voice, rather than his singing, that was my first goosebumps moment. I was sitting beside the guy who wrote this review (I was his +1). https://www.theguardian.com/music/2018/m ar/27/robert-plant-and-the-sensational-s pace-shifters-review-princely-pomp-and-p rimordial-power | ||
| Austin Member Username: Bruegelpie Post Number: 177 Registered: 09-2004 |
Hi Padraig, Sounds like a very good show! Can you shed any light regarding the identity of “the bloke beside me (who) punches the air and plays air guitar”? Austin | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8482 Registered: 05-2005 |
Austin,  . He was on the other side of Martin. I swear. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1873 Registered: 08-2006 |
Saw Yo La Tengo in Chicago on Friday, their second of a two-night stand. I kind of wish I'd gone to both shows because Yo La Tengo shows aren't proscribed affairs - the setlist changes a lot night to night. I expect the primary tunes from the new album served as kind of loose pillars around which the rest of the show was built, pulling from their now-vast catalog. It was just a fantastic performance, sometimes church-quiet and other times blow-your-hair-back loud. The stuff from the excellent new album sounded choice and old favorites were well received. And of course there were inscrutable covers, including a few that received some help from guest guitarist Rick Rizzo from Eleventh Dream Day who, unless I misheard Ira's introduction, was deliberately misidentified (maybe he thought the hometown crowd would know). The show was about 2.5 hours long with a 15 minute break in the middle, it was sold out, and it felt kind of important - like Yo La Tengo have transcended their space in a way that matters. Here's what I mean. There were people at the show way older than I am, and I'm 51. I mean, 20 years older. But just as important, there were TONS of kids, like Gen Z. In fact, my friend's high school daughter was super jealous I went. They were in DC this weekend and all her friends were going. She made me tell her all about it. WTF? And all the Millennials in my office who have zero interest in my musical coming and goings were all, like, "oh, cool, you're going to Yo La Tengo? I'm so jealous." I'm not sure why or how it happened with this particular band, but this seems to be the group certain types of music fans of all ages can agree on and it's pretty amazing to see. Hey, if Gen Z's gonna pick a musical role model from my generation, by god let it be Yo La Tengo. A married couple who's stuck to their artistic guns for 30-plus years without giving an inch to commerce or fashion or reality TV or raging assholism or whatever. Between the Parkland protests and this, I'm ready to hand over the keys to these kids right now. I trust your judgement, young'uns - just tell me where to stand. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3872 Registered: 03-2005 |
Great review Rob. And great generational commentary. I didn’t know YLT was a thing with the younguns either. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8489 Registered: 05-2005 |
I will echo that; great review Rob. I don't know if Yo La Tengo have ever played in Australia, so I'm glad I saw them in Dublin last century. | ||
| Austin Member Username: Bruegelpie Post Number: 178 Registered: 09-2004 |
I saw Albert Hammond Jr. on Thursday night in Detroit. I love his new album "Frances Trouble," full of incredibly catchy songs in a power pop / rock vein. (No surprise given his Strokes pedigree.) I had high hopes for a great show and wasn't disappointed. He has really grown into a great frontman, totally engaged with the crowd. He played guitar only occasionally, which was fine because he had a very tight band behind him. It is wonderful when high hopes for a great show are rewarded! Diet Cig, who I saw in Ann Arbor on Wednesday, were only OK. Like the White Stripes in reverse (or Matt and Kim in reverse, if you prefer) with a female singer / guitarist and male drummer. Their biting lyrics came through loud and clear, but the songs all started to blend together in a live setting. Having only two musicians on stage without a lot of effects/pre-recorded bits really has its limitations. This is a great month of shows to see here in Michigan, with Guided By Voices on Friday, Vetiver (solo) / Fruit Bats (solo) on Saturday and AJJ on Sunday. I'm putting my ear plugs through the ringer this month! | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 1198 Registered: 04-2005 |
A wonderful evening, over 2 hours, with Dominique A at the Rocher de Palmer in Cenon (outskirts of Bordeaux). Uplifting ! First time that I have seen him live...we went with a friend that said not to expect much in terms of communication from the stage...she was pleasantly surprised as he was positively jovial (despite the pretty downbeat new record). But you get the impression of an intense individual who is there to play the songs...at one moment after two fairly intense songs someone shouted something and he laughed and said “well that’s the atomsphere broken then” The band (keyboards/guitar, 2 drummers/percussonists and bassist) were excellent. Special mention to Jeff Hallam (the American bassist) who is fascinating to watch and throws some interesting shapes. Most of the songs played were from the last 2 or 3 records, with a few oldies (”Exit” ?)...”Rendez nous la lumière” was simply perfect...with Dominique A playing the first verses completely solo and the band crashing in on the chorus. I think that it is a sign of a great artist that that song only lasts 3 minutes. Even live there must be a temptation to draw it out longer, but it would lose it’s force ? For the encore, many artists would come back on with the bottle of beer in the hand, but with Dominique A comes back with a glass of white wine. Maybe a Chenin from his home region ? Our friend had just been to an exhibition of Rock in Nantes where apparently there is a mock up of Dominique A’s teenage years bedroom...with the “Unknown Pleasures” poster on the wall. Last night Dominique A said that recently someone in the audience had reproached him for not dancing much...so he said “You have been warned”. And then danced. Very Ian-Curtis-like. Afterwards he told us the name of his physiotherapist in Nantes ! Looking forward to the more acoustic release planned for later in the year. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1875 Registered: 08-2006 |
Spring is prime concert season in the Midwest, isn't it, Austin? I'm seeing Marshall Crenshaw with the Bottle Rockets in a couple weeks, then in May Rolling Blackouts Costal Fever arrive in Chicago, right after I go to Cincinnati to see Wussy and Amy Rigby back to back nights then, in late May, my girlfriend and I go to NYC to see Springsteen on Broadway, which I swore I wouldn't do unless my name got picked in that ticket lottery thing and damn if it didn't. After 35 years of fandom and face-value tickets on a platter I had to do it, even if the whole boondoggle seemed extravagant. Hey, some people blow money on huge TVs and fancy shoes. Cool you saw Diet Cig, Austin, but I guess I'm not surprised they don't translate so great live. I like 'em on record. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1876 Registered: 08-2006 |
That sounds like a great show, Andrew. Thanks for the review. Hearing you and Randy talk about him, I really should spend some time and explore his stuff. | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 1199 Registered: 04-2005 |
Cheers Rob. Jealous of the Springsteen on Broadway. I've just finished his autobiography, which I really enjoyed. Must admit I lost interest in his music from "The River" onwards, but as I think Randy has said on this forum, as an all round nice guy I suspect he might take some beating ? Great storyteller too, so I imagine that show might well be something special. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8491 Registered: 05-2005 |
Rob, I was just thinking the other day of how I'd love to see Springsteen on Broadway. I'm glad someone I know is going to see it anyway. I look forward to your report. Last night I saw Jay Watson (of Tame Impala, Pond and his GUM) play an in-store at Red Eye. And very good he was. I'm listening to the new GUM album The Underdog now. Inevitably is sounds very different to his performance as that was just him and a guitar, whereas the album has him playing drums, bass, synthesizer, piano and organ too. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3876 Registered: 03-2005 |
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever at the Echo last night, Tuesday, April 17. This is where I saw the Drones maybe about six or seven years ago. The Drones had perhaps 30 to 40 people. The Blackouts had the entire room, maybe about 150 or so. It makes a difference to have Sub Pop behind you. They played a tight and entertaining set including (I think) three new numbers. The audience seemed to enjoy them in a Los Angeles sort of way. (LA crowds are notoriously undemonstrative.) This was my first concert with ear plugs and I don't think I could adequately gauge my own voice volume so my request for "C . . C . . Career" was probably unheard even though I tried to pitch it into a brief moment of silence. I wanted them to hear that they got a request, because I heard no others. When they thanked us and went offstage I prepared to do the old routine for an encore thinking "maybe they'll do Career when they come back on." But the rest of the crowd just died. No extended applause. No floor stomping. I can't remember when I last witnessed that. A data point I guess. It's tempting to go into a whole thing about what I think of my countrymen but most of you have heard that enough from me. While they have some surface similarities to my much-loved Ocean Party, e.g. the unflashy vocals from multiple singers and the guitarchitecture arrangements, they are different. They favor party-friendly riff grooves and their debt to the Clean is worn on their sleeves. Pardon my graphic imagery but I described their music to my evening companion as "young male masturbatory music." That's not a put-down in my book. I describe the Fire Engines and a number of one-time young male frenetic bands that way and I love them all. They deserved a crowd seeking an encore. Rob, I hope you midwesterners treat them better. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1878 Registered: 08-2006 |
Oh, Randy, I'm so glad you got to go! As far as I know, among several friends and acquaintances who are RBCF fans, you're the first to report seeing them live! I'm sorry they had a lifeless crowd - that will NOT happen in Chicago, at least I'd be shocked if it did. I'm sort of surprised it happened to you, only because, given the size of the venue and the obscurity of the band, it seems like most people there would be fans. But maybe the label filled the place with jaded bizzers, which we won't have here. I'd expect the crowd to be pretty jazzed. I know I'll be. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3877 Registered: 03-2005 |
Rob, to be fair to LA, the Coachella Music Festival is happening on the weekends and last weekend was the first. The Blackouts played at Coachella also and maybe a bunch of their crowd were simply still worn out on Tuesday night. I saw enough people dancing on the floor and enjoying the show. I was dumbfounded by their dissipation after the end of the main set. I thought it was a satisfactory crowd until that happened. Well, except that I also wanted to hear some requests shouted out. For me personally the Rolling Blackouts CF are better live than on record. So you should have a great experience and if your crowd is better than ours you should get a longer show than I did. I’m sure they’d saved a couple gems for the encore and we just forfeited it. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3878 Registered: 03-2005 |
Andrew, I don't know how I missed your report on the Dom A show upthread! I wish I could have managed to swing through France for one of his shows at the end of May/beginning of June. At least starting next year I'll be an unemployed geezer and have a lot more freedom. Thanks to his long career, Dom A is able to provide a really generously long show and can always pluck out a few surprises, like you got with "Exit" from "Remue". Considering the arrangements on the new album I'm relieved he's still using proper drummers on stage. | ||
| TROU Member Username: Trou Post Number: 428 Registered: 05-2005 |
Saw Dominic A for the fourth time since Eleor and this one was the best. Crowd was in full cry, nearly hystéric sometimes. Dominic called the belgians the latinos of the north... We've had three encores, but I didnt fell the concert was too long. I think le convoi was the best song. What a good idea to have two drummers. As always it was possible to meet the guys after the show. I gave Dom copies of some messages posted here. He has heard of the gobees. Jeff told me he thought that he was the only non french speaking guy to know them so he could be pleased to read all that. The evening was very nice and we were drunk enough to buy tickets for PIL at the same venue in june. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8494 Registered: 05-2005 |
TROU, PIL are great live, you did well to buy tickets. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3879 Registered: 03-2005 |
Sigh. I am so envious of you who have seen Dom A this season. Yes, Trou, please let him know that he is making an impression in the anglosphere, even if only among weirdos who have wearied of listening to too much of our own stuff. Trou, you were going to see Feu!Chatterton. Did this happen? Any good? I bought an album of theirs some months back but it didn't move me. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3880 Registered: 03-2005 |
Tickets bought for the Goon Sax in LA on June 10, three days after I return from the UK. Check your local clubs’ calendars, North Americans. | ||
| TROU Member Username: Trou Post Number: 429 Registered: 05-2005 |
The parisian Dom concert is here: https://www.arte.tv/fr/videos/082270-000 -A/dominique-a-rive-electrique-a-la-phil harmonie-de-paris/ | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1879 Registered: 08-2006 |
Goon Sax is playing twice in Chicago, once at a street fest and once - unfortunately - at a club the same night I have tix to see Stephen Malkmus. At least I'll get to see them at the fest. | ||
| Fred Tadrowski Member Username: Ftadrowski Post Number: 75 Registered: 03-2015 |
Rob, Thanks for the info about the Goon Sax concerts. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1880 Registered: 08-2006 |
Oh, yeah, Fred! They're playing Do Division and Subterranean in early June, but you've probably sussed that by now. I've got Malkmus tickets the night of the Subterranean show or else I'd be there, Sunday night be damned. I'd prefer a club show over a street fest, but it might be fun to see them in an outdoor setting, too. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8496 Registered: 05-2005 |
Rob, Fred, I saw Goon Sax outdoors, supporting Teenage Fanclub at Taronga Zoo in Sydney (an actual zoo, not just a name). They were really good. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1881 Registered: 08-2006 |
Thanks, Padraig! I wouldn't miss 'em either way. Some bands just don't flourish in a festival setting. Over the years, I've seen many bands I've loved in a club setting tank at Pitchfork because they just can't hold the crowd's energy. But if Goon Sax can keep up with Teenage Fanclub I expect they'll do just fine. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8498 Registered: 05-2005 |
Rob, I'd often wondered why bands I'd liked in clubs or theatres didn't go so well at festivals and I'd never considered what you just said about failing to hold the crowd's energy. You're absolutely right. It must be very hard if you're suddenly playing to a far bigger audience. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1882 Registered: 08-2006 |
Since a buddy of mine runs the Pitchfork Music Festival, I've attended every year since it started, which has provided me an unintentional masters class on festival music dynamics. Pitchfork, god bless 'em, really tries to big up bands who loom large in their world (think Fleet Foxes or Iron and Wine back in the day) but are just too headphoney and brittle for a hot, crowded, busy festival atmosphere. No doubt the Pitchfork crowd is probably more music-focused than a larger, corporate splatter spectacle like Lollapalooza but they still need a little help keeping their attention and enthusiasm in the frenetic festival environment. You can't just stand up there and hide behind your beard and stare at your instruments no matter how interesting your recent record might be. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3881 Registered: 03-2005 |
This turn of the thread reminds me of the time I went to see Augie March at a downtown music festival in LA. I was one of seven people in their audience. I thought Iron and Wine was a single guy. Certainly most of the people I like would fare poorly in a festival atmosphere. I'd think it's almost an extrovert vs. introvert sort of thing. | ||
| TROU Member Username: Trou Post Number: 430 Registered: 05-2005 |
I saw Wilco in a little club in summer. Jeff Tweedy told the audience he doesn't like to play in big outdoor festivals but he confess he has to put his preferences in balance when there is big cash offered.. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8502 Registered: 05-2005 |
The only time I saw Wilco was on a side stage at a festival. Not a great show. I saw Iron & Wine in a club in the early days. He was so boring it put me right off the music ever since. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3882 Registered: 03-2005 |
Rob, I'm looking forward to your report on the Rolling Blackouts in Chicago. Trou, did you see Feu! Chatterton? Is it an experience you wish to forget? | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1883 Registered: 08-2006 |
Tonight, Randy! Very excited! | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1884 Registered: 08-2006 |
At last, the Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever. Were they everything I'd hoped for? Yes, they were, with a damn cherry on top. Four or five times during the set, the band took pains to mention that the venue - Schuba's - was the best they'd played at on their tour and that the reception was their warmest, as well. People were hooting and hollering and carrying on - even for the new stuff we hadn't heard. They just seemed happy as hell and they blazed through a set that didn't seem as if it differed much from their sets earlier on the tour but sure didn't seem rote. Probably five new ones and a decent mix from the two EPs. It definitely cemented my opinion that I'll never see the band in a room that small again. They sounded like a band ready and able for bigger things. Plus, the show was sold out and their were a ton of people looking for tickets, which tells me the word is spreading. I really didn't know if there were a few hundred RBCF in Chicago before last night; now I suspect there are quite a lot more than that, and I think their return here will be a grander affair. I'd been looking forward to this show for quite a while and to have it outperform in a month when I'm going see Wussy, Amy Rigby and Bruce Springsteen is saying something. And I was super happy for the band. Talking to them, I got them impression it was a genuinely special night for them, gave them a glimpse of what's possible for them in the States. Nice to be part of that. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3884 Registered: 03-2005 |
Thanks for the report Rob. This should help you understand my perplexity at their show in LA. Your crowd was clearly very different. LA crowds are always more blasé, presumably because this is the big media town but we still normally give bands their proper send off. I wonder if you'll be right about the Blackouts' future here. The U.S. has always been such a difficult place for Aussie bands. The Blackouts seem pretty classically Aussie to me; they aren't AC/DC. They have that laconic, approachable thing to them. Their presentation isn't flashy--you have to pay attention to them to get it. They aren't showbizzy. If they do well here then maybe this coupled with La Femme's following will mean that we've finally reached a new day in the U.S.. Maybe insularity is ending. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1885 Registered: 08-2006 |
Yeah, well, when I say "well," I'm still indie rock yardsticking it. But we have venues like Thalia Hall and Lincoln Hall that hold triple or so the crowd of Schuba's and I could see RBCF reaching that in short order, especially if Sub Pop handles the new album well (which, if awareness surrounding the show last night was any indication, they seem to be doing). It sounds like we had very different crowds and who knows why? Honestly, maybe that extra month made a difference. Or it was one of the first warm nights we've had in Chicago. Or you guys had a bunch of seen-it-all music biz people in the audience. It's impossible to gauge that stuff but when it comes together in the positive, it's nice to see. | ||
| TROU Member Username: Trou Post Number: 431 Registered: 05-2005 |
Randy, I saw Feu!Chatterton last week-end, along with a (too) big crowd. I can't say if I liked or not. Despite their energy, their connection with the public, the clever singer, they failed to impress me. But I confess I hadn't heard a song of them before. They remind me the few I know of Noir Désir. I think it's not the kind of music and concert I like. Despite this, my friends are fans and were delighted by the show. For french music, I should rather investigate Fishbach, I've heard something not too bad from her on a sampler. Two days ago, I travelled to Cologne to see Low Anthem in a little cellar. The singer of Bloc Party opened the evening with a solo set. In the town of Can, Low Anthem mixed their soft country/folk with some more experimental music recalling krautrock. A celestial experience. Mention for the nice voice of the singer. | ||
| Austin Member Username: Bruegelpie Post Number: 179 Registered: 09-2004 |
I submitted my first article to the new(ish) Festival Pulse website to detail my experience at the Cincinnati Homecoming Festival, curated by the National. My report is here: https://festivalpulse.com/2018/05/01/the -national-prove-that-homecomings-can-be- spectacular/ | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8524 Registered: 05-2005 |
Great reviews Austin. I'm hopefully going to see Sam Amidon in a month, 10 miles from where I grew up. I'm glad to read he does a good show. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8525 Registered: 05-2005 |
Also, how funny that the Breeders, who come from Dayton, OH, recorded their latest album in Dayton, KY which, thanks Wikipedia, I now know is basically a suburb of Cincinnati, OH. I like it when I learn new stuff thanks to the Go-Betweens' website. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1886 Registered: 08-2006 |
Great piece, Austin. My college roommate lives in Cincy and he went to the fest. He raved about the National's two sets and he wasn't a big fan beforehand. Like you, he said they were relaxed, funny, very approachable for the size of the stage and crowd they were commanding. Which leads into... I spent the weekend in Cincy with said college roommate. Saturday was the CD release show for Wussy latest, "What Heaven is Like" (releasing today, I think). For the first set, they played the album in order, which was cool; the second set was greatest hits. It was really a memorable show and I've seen Wussy probably 20 times now. The format made a difference - it was two-hours plus - but they hadn't played in a long time and they were clearly having a ball in front of a large and very friendly audience. The next night, Amy Rigby played a solo show in town at a very cool local tavern with Chuck Cleaver (from Wussy) opening with songs from a to-be-released solo album (Chuck helped Amy get the gig - apparently all the musicians I know also know each other). She played a lot from her excellent recent record. It was a super laid back but well attended show, Chuck's solo stuff was awesome and I got to catch up with him for quite a while when he wasn't playing, which was nice. So Rolling Blackouts, Wussy and Rigby. Next up: Springsteen in two weeks. And this May is gonna be pretty hard for me to top in terms of concentrated quality. Definitely one for the books. | ||
| TROU Member Username: Trou Post Number: 432 Registered: 05-2005 |
Robert at a Belle et Sebastian gig : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vZrYqEqi gCM | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 1202 Registered: 04-2005 |
Cheers for that Trou ! An affectionate cover of "Rip It Up"...at the end Stuart Murdoch says "Did that really happen ?" | ||
| Burgers Member Username: Burgers Post Number: 91 Registered: 05-2005 |
One word for that: magic darts | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 1075 Registered: 03-2007 |
Rolling Blackouts Coastal Fever at the Centre For Contemporary Arts in Glasgow last night ( Sunday 20th May, 2018. ) The concert took place in the Theatre. Standing only as there was no seating. The crowd was somewhere in the region of 300. The support band was Boy Azooga who recently featured on Later With Jools. They played a forty minute set commencing 2000 hours. RBCF appeared on stage at 2100 hours and played for an hour. Left the stage but quickly returned for one encore. Set List as follows :- 1. Clean Slate 2. Talking Straight 3. Julie's Place 4. Wither With You 5. Career 6. Sick Bug 7. An Air Conditioned Man 8. Bellerine 9. Mainland 10. Fountain Of Good Fortune 11. Wide Eyes 12. French Press 13. Colours Run ( Encore ) The sound was excellent, the band were in good form and they were very well received. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1889 Registered: 08-2006 |
Oh, nice, Hugh. I'm glad you got to see 'em. They've got their setlist down, that's for sure, not that I'd expect anything different from a band with just two EPs and a not-yet-released full-length to their name. I remember really enjoying that "Air-Conditioned Man" song live - it was pretty hypnotic if I remember - and I'm looking forward to hearing it on the new album. Happy to hear it was a good show. | ||
| Hugh Nimmo Member Username: Hugh_nimmo Post Number: 1076 Registered: 03-2007 |
Rob, The band have released very little material in the three / four years they have been together but hopefully that will all change now that they have the backing / support of Sub Pop. Three lead vocalists so there must be the possibility of three songwriters in the group. Clean Slate, Talking Straight and An Air Conditioned Man were among the highlights of the concert for me. My favourite vocalist is the guy who sang Talking Straight. I am looking forward to the release of the album. I just hope the recording captures some of the live energy of the band. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3895 Registered: 03-2005 |
Thanks for the report, Trou. I remember uploading a couple of songs from Feu! Chatterton's album and I should probably hear them again to see what I found appealing in them because I remember most of the album being dull. The singer was part of what annoyed me. Glad to hear the Blackouts are faring well as they proceed on their tour Hugh. 300 is a good crowd in my book. The economics for such a long distance tour are daunting, so I admire them for doing it. I suppose Sub Pop is underwriting it. I am jealous that you got to hear them do "Career." It's my personal favorite from "Talk Tight." | ||
| TROU Member Username: Trou Post Number: 433 Registered: 05-2005 |
Cigarettes after sex on Sunday. I really like their music but in concert this is something too soft and quiet. Luckily it was a short set otherwise I could have fell asleep… Unfortunately I couldn'go to Shame. Too tired, I'm getting old. Their album is one of my favorites this year. I'll replace this with the Rolling blackouts or/and Courtney Barnett. | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 525 Registered: 08-2005 |
Just bought tickets for Laura Veirs in Bristol, the Psychedelic Furs in Cardiff (I like a bit of up-to-date music) and Kristin Hersh, also Bristol and all within a week of each other; just failed to get tickets for Graham Nash as they sold out. And tickets for the House of Love go on sale on Friday am, in a venue about 100 metres from where I work. That'll be handy! | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8558 Registered: 05-2005 |
I saw Microdisney play a secret show last night. About 150 people at it. I felt like I was in heaven. Just incredible. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3900 Registered: 03-2005 |
In Dublin, the official Microdisney show (which Pádraig also attended). This consisted of a performance of the magnificent “The Clock Comes Down the Stairs” plus a selection of extras going back far enough to sweep in the instrumental “Michael Murphy” and “Pink Skinned Man.” I don’t have access to my computer to see when I was introduced to Microdisney but I consider myself a late convert of perhaps a dozen years ago. “Clock” is my favorite album, the one most realized without the record label pushing for a half dozen radio hits. Each side of the album ends with meaty career-justifying ballads and there are plenty of sparkling, structurally irregular pop songs. A keyboardist and guitarist were added so as to permit Cathal to focus on vocals and Sean to retain his polished arrangements. I’ll let Pádraig talk about who was the keyboardist, since that completely passed over my head. Extras included “Singer’s Hampstead Home,” “Town to Town,” “Loftholdingswood,” “464,” “Everybody is Dead,” “Sun” and at least one more I am drawing a blank on plus “The Night,” a great Wigan-inspired Frankie Valli cover. This was one of those shows in which I had to keep telling myself “yes, you are really here and this is really happening.” The stage presentation had all of Sean’s high standards of precision and Cathal’s vocal performance was strong and actually improved as the evening proceeded. My sense is that both of them enjoyed the evening. I sure did. It was easily worth the thousands of miles of travel. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8559 Registered: 05-2005 |
The keyboard player was Rhodri Marsden of Scritti Polliti. i gave Randy a bum steer earlier saying that was Green Gartside's real name. It's not. I'm blaming the friend who I hadn't seen in 16 years who coincidentally was seated beside me at the gig. Marsden, I've just discovered, was in a band called The Keatons, so I've see him before (in 1991). | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8560 Registered: 05-2005 |
Microdisney Friday set list Horse Overboard Birthday Girl Past Are You Happy? Genius And Pink-skinned Man Singer's Hampstead Home Loftholdingswood Town To Town Saturday set list Horse Overboard Birthday Girl Past Humane Are You Happy? Genius Begging Bowl A Friend With A Big Mouth Goodbye, It's 1987 And Everybody Is Dead Pink-skinned Man Sun Singer's Hampstead Home Loftholdingswood Michael Murphy 464 Town To Town Encore High And Dry The Night (Frankie Valli cover) | ||
| TROU Member Username: Trou Post Number: 434 Registered: 05-2005 |
Some videos are emerging on YT https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eKkmNAzg SR0 | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3901 Registered: 03-2005 |
Thanks for that TROU. I look forward to seeing them on my desktop when I get home. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3904 Registered: 03-2005 |
Last night, in Echo Park, the Goon Sax. Visually, the message was not subtle. You had a three piece band with a tall slender brunette as front man, a blond female drummer and a shorter slightly schlubby blond guy with a bad haircut, a la Grant 1979. This presentation was kind of exciting to me, even if I thought it weird for Louis to be following in his dad’s footsteps so literally. But I was left wondering whether this town has become the band killer. Three opening acts came and went. A worryingly large chunk of audience left. Goon Sax were given inadequate sound, with the vocals too low. But the band had their issues as well, mostly centered on James Harrison. His exaggerated daggy schtick didn’t play at all in Los Angeles and I question whether it will translate well anywhere outside of Brisbane. His attempts at stage patter were freakishly self-involved and never had a point. He kept overlapping notes in an undesirable way on the bass guitar, making it impossible to follow the melody lines because of feedback and resonance. I originally assumed this was another sound fault but whenever he and Louis swapped instruments the problem went away. Louis and Riley were fine but both of them exhibited their recognition that they were bombing. When they finished their set, there was brief polite applause and it was over. No encore. We didn’t even get to hear the album’s title song. Maybe the group were horribly jet lagged, but they did not seem at all ready for headliner status even in a small club. My opinion is that they need a lot more stage experience and they may need to dump James or at least rein him in. They were definitely NOT the Rolling Blackouts CF. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1891 Registered: 08-2006 |
The Goon Sax played twice in Chicago just recently and I had to miss them both times. I'm sorry I can't offer any further data to your observations, Randy. Based on their album, I guess I wouldn't expect them to be a Rolling Blackouts-caliber live band, but I'd hope they'd be a little better than it sounds like they were. I can't find any reviews of their Chicago appearances so I have no clue how they did here. Perhaps I'll stumble upon someone who went. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1892 Registered: 08-2006 |
I've been remiss in posting about about the capper on my May concert-a-thon, Springsteen on Broadway. I got back from NYC and ran into a buzzsaw at work, so this is the first chance I've had to jot down a thought or two. Understand when I say it was freaking fabulous, that that wasn't a forgone conclusion. Yes, it's Springsteen performing alone in a very small theater but it's not a concert, and it could have been a lot of things it wasn't - hokey, preachy, theatrical (shudder), dull, rote. What it was instead was Springsteen on a stage that was bare except for a stool and a piano (guitars were delivered to him as needed), telling the stories of his life, which he'd occasionally punctuate with an appropriate song. The songs were changed up in most cases almost beyond recognition to force you to hear them fresh. But the point, and the beauty, of the show was the stories. He delivered them so naturally and effortlessly, but you knew - it being Springsteen - every gesture was rehearsed. Yet it came across fresh and real and it was riveting. He told stories about his mother and father, his hometown, starting his band, his marriage, his experience with Vietnam vets, about what he thought was going on with the country, swinging the mood and tone from hysterically funny to almost shockingly sad and dark. And that's where the genius of this thing was: it had genuine depth, real pathos, he really tore a part of himself open, but even though it felt important and weighty it was entertaining as hell. You never felt burdened by pretensions. The whole thing was kinda like a great Springsteen song. In all, it was 2 1/2 hours and it could have gone on until he was hoarse, as far as I was concerned. One small thing I won't forget was that several times, while speaking or singing, he'd walk away from the mic and just talk or sing into the room. And I thought, holy shit, I'm hearing Springsteen's unamplified voice. I'd never seen him in a place where that was remotely possible and it was pretty f-ing cool. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8570 Registered: 05-2005 |
Rob, I wish I'd seen him. What a wonderful, evocative review. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8586 Registered: 05-2005 |
I saw Yes (the Jon Anderson, Trevor Rabin, Rick Wakeman version) in the O2 in London on June 17. There were a lot of metal bands on the undercard on two smaller stages. I didn't see many of them, but those I saw were pretty terrible. I'd forgotten about that heavy metal subculture in the UK, having not experienced it for 30 years. I'm sure some of the denim and leather clad biker types were the same people pissing in bottles and then throwing them at others at Castle Donington when I was there in 1988 (a show that very abruptly ended my love of heavy metal). On the main stage, the first band on were Anathema. I'd heard of them before, but never heard their stuff. I knew they were originally a thrash metal band, but they have now evolved into a prog/electronic/krautrock band and I thought they were great. Next up was some English blues woman. Not being much of a blues fan, I used this time to get some vastly overpriced stadium food. The penultimate show was Roger Hodgson, who was in Supertramp 40 years ago. He can still hit those high notes and played every Supertramp song I hoped he'd play. Great gig. I'd seen the other Yes, but never the version featuring Jon Anderson, so this was never going to be anything but very special to me. And it was. At times I was transported to my 14-year-old self listening to Yes records over and over. They didn't play everything I'd like to have heard, but from such a vast catalogue that wasn't surprising. Overall, a wonderful day out. | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 1215 Registered: 04-2005 |
An Apartments tour in October ! http://www.sunburnsout.com/the-apartment s-de-retour-en-france-au-mois-octobre/po ster-the-apartments-tour-2018/ | ||
| fsh Member Username: Fsh Post Number: 343 Registered: 05-2005 |
It's a reciprocal arrangement. The Apartments love France and France loves The Apartments. Vive les Apartments. | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 1218 Registered: 04-2005 |
My son, who is in Edinburgh, for a few months informs me that he has a ticket to see The Fire Engines. Lucky him. Something that I never managed. I saw Win and The Nectarine N° 9 (many times), and I am firmly convinced of the godlike genius of that Davy Henderson. | ||
| TROU Member Username: Trou Post Number: 440 Registered: 05-2005 |
Finally got the Rolling Blackouts CF in Luxembourg. I think the setlist was the same as in Glasgow. A short concert, three singers, musicians full of energy, good tunes, what could I ask else? | ||
| Austin Member Username: Bruegelpie Post Number: 185 Registered: 09-2004 |
Saw ELO here in Detroit this week. Oh. My. God. Fantastic show, and, strangely, unbelievable sound in an arena. Hits like "Telephone Line" were great, but "Mr. Blue Sky" was the highlight of the show for me. Played Traveling Wilbury's too (Bob won't do it, so who is left to play those songs?) First time they played Detroit since 1981. I had tickets to the show that was cancelled after 9/11, so I"ve been waiting a long time to see this show. It is so strange that I equally like the punks and the bands the punks railed against, like ELO. Need to spend some time on a couch figuring that one out! | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8636 Registered: 05-2005 |
Last night I saw Bob Dylan for the fifth time and the 77-year-old was magical. The best I've ever seen him. Almost nothing he played sounded like the recorded versions, but people who complain about that should stay at home and listen to their CDs and not bother with seeing a genius reinterpret his life's work in an extraordinary way. It was a "secret" gig in a small theatre with 1600 people. The guy sitting beside me was a German who has seen Dylan 100 times and told me before the show he was in great form. After the show he said "I told you." Oh, and the band was incredible. Such enormously talented musicians. Even the mini drum solo was cool. Set list Things Have Changed It Ain't Me, Babe Highway 61 Revisited Simple Twist Of Fate Duquesne Whistle When I Paint My Masterpiece Honest With Me Tryin' To Get To Heaven Make You Feel My Love Pay In Blood Tangled Up in Blue Early Roman Kings Visions Of Johanna Love Sick Don't Think Twice, It's All Right Thunder On The Mountain Soon After Midnight Gotta Serve Somebody Encore Blowin' In The Wind Ballad Of A Thin Man | ||
| peter ward Member Username: Peter_ward Post Number: 346 Registered: 06-2005 |
Quite the set from Dylan there Padraig. I've only seen him once at a disappointing show in The Point Depot in 91 i think. I'll have to give him another go now. Saw an excellent Rolling Blackouts CF show in Whelans last week. As TROU points about above brilliant energy & tunes. A very hard working band looking at their tour schedule for 2018 and we're seeing the benefits of that. Looked to be really enjoying themselves doing it too. They were off to LA the next morning so i hope Randy has gone to see them, lots more US dates also. setlist below: Clean Slate Talking Straight Wither With You The Hammer Sick Bug An Air Conditioned Man Time in Common Exclusive Grave Colours Run Bellarine Julie's Place Wide Eyes Mainland Fountain of Good Fortune French Press Encore: Heard You're Moving | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8643 Registered: 05-2005 |
Peter, I know two other people who were at the RBCF show in Whelan's and they also said it was great. If you do get a chance to see Bob, just don't go with the expectation that it'll sound like the records. And try to ignore the eejits who start clapping two minutes into every song when they finally realise what's being played. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3956 Registered: 03-2005 |
Peter, I had no idea!! It never occurred to me that they'd come back in the same tour. It looks like they played on Monday the 27th at a place I haven't been. I wasn't doing anything that night. Super convenient location via subway. They were sponsored by radio station KCRW this time. That's a good thing; it gets a good audience. Damn! Bummer for me that I didn't hear about it but I'm really the only person I know in this town with my musical tastes. I just checked their website and the next show exhibited is tomorrow in Portland. You aren't kidding about their hard-working schedule. It looks like they finally get a ten day breather between the US and performing in Brisbane. | ||
| peter ward Member Username: Peter_ward Post Number: 349 Registered: 06-2005 |
Pity I hadn't posted earlier but at least you've caught them once on this tour. Some work ethic from them, a friend of mine has caught them at two festivals in Poland & Portugal this Summer also. I was looking for the date of the Trinity Ball show on the gigography part of this site yesterday and The Go-Betweens touring schedule wasn't too dissimilar back in the day. Robert's book bore that out too.... no time for "nervous exhaustion" I see Roger Griffin's link to articles seems to be down also, easy to lose a few hours in there! | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1920 Registered: 08-2006 |
Thought I'd report that I caught the Rolling Blackouts for the second time in barely four months here in Chicago last night. I was glad I got to go. Wussy was originally scheduled to play and I had tickets to see them, of course, but they had to cancel because Chuck's been having terrible back issues, so I assuaged my disappointment with RBCF Part 2. It was good medicine. They played to a bigger crowd in a bigger venue this go and didn't seem so wide-eyed about the Chicago crowd and the rapturous reception. They played a different, longer set than last than time (thankfully) and a different set even than Peter saw just a couple weeks ago. Here's the list, cribbed from the internets: The Hammer Clean Slate Talking Straight Wither With You Sister's Jeans Julie's Place Sick Bug An Air Conditioned Man Exclusive Grave Bellarine Time in Common Mainland Fountain of Good Fortune French Press Encore: Colours Run Wide Eyes I thought they seemed even tighter than when I saw them last, and they were plenty tight then, and they really leaned into some of the songs, brought out shades in them I hadn't noticed before. It was a fun show, although it did seem as if the crowd wasn't quite as hard-core as the one I'd seem them with back in May. I guess that happens when a band gets a buzz around it. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1921 Registered: 08-2006 |
When I say a different set than Peter's, I mean a different running order. On their last US tour, they did the same set almost verbatim. So I kind of expected to see what Peter saw. To see something different was a nice surprise, even if it was mainly the same (great) batch of songs (although, god, do I wish they'd play "Tender Is the Neck"). | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 1228 Registered: 04-2005 |
Just an update from my 27th July post...my son reported that the Fire Engines was possibly the best gig he has ever seen. Malcolm Ross (Josef K/Orange Juice/Aztec Camera) guested ! I am supremely jealous. Davy Henderson appeared wearing thigh length socks, pink boxers and a bizarre foil jacket...photographic evidence here https://www.blipfoto.com/entry/248041336 5592129876 Just before Malcolm came on, he whipped the jacket off to reveal a T-shirt that said MALC. Supposed to be the last ever gig...but we might have already heard that before ? | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3972 Registered: 03-2005 |
Andrew, I either discover things randomly or by recommendations from all the wonderful folks on here. I blundered onto the Fire Engines randomly, buying a copy of Codex Teenage Premonition which I thought was fantastic. I later picked up Hungry Beat after Kevin Wynne--formerly of this board--sent me Candyskin. I thought of the Fire Engines as one of those briefly, brightly burning youth explosions. Until your posts above it never occurred to me that there might be a whole seam to mine. I am now looking at all of the Nectarine No.9 releases, trying to decide which to get first. (The first one, I suppose.) | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 1229 Registered: 04-2005 |
Nectarine No.9 releases can be quite infuriating. Some diamonds mixed in with some wilfully difficult pieces...but worth perservering ! Live they were the the same. But on a good night when it all came together it was absolute genius. If you struggle to track something down, give me a shout off-board Randy. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8679 Registered: 05-2005 |
Good description of Nectarine No 9, Andrew. I bought one of their albums a very long time ago, and challenging might be the best word to describe it. If I still have it and ever come across it again, it will be interesting to see if absence made the heart grow fonder. | ||
| Andreas Severins Member Username: Andreas_severins Post Number: 412 Registered: 11-2007 |
Two concerts I have booked: Pete Astor @ Augsburg on friday, october 5th. Organized by Ronny Pinkau, the owner of Kleine Untergrund Schallplatten THE APARTMENTS - for the very first concert in germany !!! King Georg, cologne on friday, november 16th http://www.kinggeorg.de/the-apartments/ Looking forward to both of them! | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3979 Registered: 03-2005 |
Lucky man Andreas! I hope Pete has a band. He has a gigantic catalog of songs to draw on for a show. And I'd really like to see the Apartments as a proper band. For years I've wished PMW's songs would be covered by somebody like Scott Walker--somebody who can really sing. I honestly consider him one of the greatest living songwriters. Somebody who appreciates that needs to do a "Peter Milton Walsh Songbook" type of album. | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 1233 Registered: 04-2005 |
I think that for the European tour, the Apartments are PMW with Natasha Penot and Antoine Chaperon (the French duo "Grisbi"). Natasha sings on "Black Ribbons". | ||
| Andreas Severins Member Username: Andreas_severins Post Number: 413 Registered: 11-2007 |
I am so much looking forward to it! | ||
| Andreas Severins Member Username: Andreas_severins Post Number: 414 Registered: 11-2007 |
Wonderfulnb. Concert on friday in Augsburg by Pete Astor and his wonderful band incl. James Hoare! The Place where the concert took Place was amazing on its own, a Veggie shop and Little cafe. Ronny Pinkau the owner of Kleine Untergrund Schallplatten organized the concert and the Café is owned and lead by a friend of his! Pete came quite Late because of Heavy Traffic on the road... He played so many wonderful songs mostly of his latest Album and Songs like almost prayed and why does the rain! His german is almost Perfect and he introduces his Songs in a very good mood in german. After the concert he talks with everybody who wants to talk with him very personally and signed all the records you gave him for signing! The vinyl copy of his album incl. CD he sold for the same Little price as he took for the CD on its own! 10,- Euro !!!! A wonderful evening with very special and friendly musicians at s very special place. Thx Pete! Sorry for the many faults, blame the autocorrection! | ||
| Austin Member Username: Bruegelpie Post Number: 187 Registered: 09-2004 |
The Beths - Mac's Bar, Lansing, MI USA Thanks to this board I was clued into the Beth's, whose recent record I haven't stopped listening to in over a month. It was great to see they were playing about an hour away from me at a small bar. The show was wonderful in the way seeing a band on the way up often can be - the band was excited to tour, interested in the towns they are playing and very approachable and friendly. Liz's voice shone through the mix and the band was very tight and polished. Indie pop / power pop anthems were sung along by most of the audience. Another great thing about bands with few songs - they will most likely play your favorite! Highly recommended - see they if they are coming to your town (and they likely are - they are on a very large tour through February). | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1926 Registered: 08-2006 |
Well, rats, Austin. Your post made me think I likely missed them in Chicago, which it turns out I did. That would've been a good one. I'm glad it was a good show. | ||
| Austin Member Username: Bruegelpie Post Number: 188 Registered: 09-2004 |
Rob, Yes, unfortunately you did. When I was speaking with them they said that they played the Beat Kitchen the previous night and were really happy with the reception, since the show eventually sold out before they went on stage. Hopefully you can catch them next time. | ||
| Austin Member Username: Bruegelpie Post Number: 189 Registered: 09-2004 |
Rob, Yes, unfortunately you did. When I was speaking with them they said that they played Beat Kitchen the previous night and were really happy with the reception, since the show eventually sold out before they went on stage. Hopefully you can catch them next time. | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 1234 Registered: 04-2005 |
The Apartments last night in Bordeaux…very good but not the giddy heights of a few years ago with the full band (no Amanda Brown this time !!) and with the raw emotion of hearing “21” for the first time live. As Randy said, Walsh’s voice may not be a thing of great beauty and versality but when “Mr. Somewhere” starts the set, with that first line of “Day comes up, sicker than a cat”, you can forgive all just for the joy of hearing those songs being performed. | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 1235 Registered: 04-2005 |
And here is that very song, recorded a few days ago in Lyon... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V5h0iLQA plY | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 3993 Registered: 03-2005 |
That was really lovely Andrew, backdrop and all. | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 1236 Registered: 04-2005 |
From a couple of weeks ago..two evenings of genius piano playing from our friend Yonathan Avishaï. He has his first solo album on the legendary German label ECM scheduled for release early next year. Following his accompaniment to his friend Avishai Cohen’s 2 ECM releases he was invited to record under his own name. The first evening was in a wee café in a little Dordogne village, with some 80 people crowded in to hear him weave his magic on a electric piano. A lot of what he plays is improvised and it is utterly enthralling to watch him feeling his way. I was constantly in awe and despite there being quite a few children present you could have heard a pin drop. The second was a more formal concert in a hall (half an hour away) with a grand piano and his usual double bassist Yoni Zelnik joining him. Very different and yet just as entrancing. We are blessed by such music and so lucky to have him. | ||
| Austin Member Username: Bruegelpie Post Number: 190 Registered: 09-2004 |
I had a great couple of concerts a week or so ago in Detroit / Ann Arbor, seeing They Might Be Giants (sorry Padraig!). They have some great new songs like "I left my body" from their new album 'I Like Fun'. (I dare you to listen to that song 3 times and not have it stick in your brain for a week or so!) Their newest single, which I think is their first "political" song, "The Communists Have the Music" is really fantastic. Hearing their great new songs and all the old favorites, like "Birdhouse In Your Soul" made for a very entertaining night. The night before I saw Mitski, who is a great, young singer / songwriter. Her song, "Two Slow Dancers" is really amazing lyrically, about two old(er) people who have fallen in love. The refrain of her song "Washing Machine Heart" is "why not me." It got me thinking that songs with the subject of "why not me" are usually my favorite. I saw Iron & Wine last night (which wasn't very good) and seeing Arlo Guthrie tonight. Iron & Wine are one of those bands that I feel like I really should like, but I just don't. Also, I wanted to mention that I was really sad that John Wicks of the Records died recently. The records song "Starry Eyes" is such an incredible power pop song. It is one of my 3 favorite power pop songs, along with "September Gurls" and "Surrender." The planet would be a much worse place without those three songs. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8724 Registered: 05-2005 |
Austin, I love They Might Be Giants! I'm sure I've never said otherwise. As for Iron & Wine, you nailed it. I saw him supporting the Shins in Sydney in about 2003 and he was so boring. | ||
| Hugh_nimmo Unregistered guest |
Austin / Padraig, I feel your pain. :-) My music collection is littered with titles the music press suggested I would like when in reality I could not come to terms with them. I gave up listening to music reviewers many, many years ago and have since followed my gut instinct which has worked well for me to date. The last gig I attended was by Haiku Salut at the Blue Arrow Club, Glasgow, on 21st September, 2018. I saw them perform live for the first time at Sloans, Glasgow, back in 2015 and it was fantastic. The show at the the Blue Arrow Club was to support the release of their third album ( There Is No Elsewhere ) and they were much more accomplished and powerful than they were back in 2015. If you ever get the opportunity to attend one of their lamp shows, I highly recommend you do so as their live performances are wonderful. Three hugely talented young women. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmgHRIAU 7FQ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=52tKWTDL wUA They are playing again at the Hug & Pint, Glasgow, on 21st January, 2019. I will be there which shows how highly I rate them. | ||
| Austin Member Username: Bruegelpie Post Number: 191 Registered: 09-2004 |
Hugh, Thanks for feeling my pain! With Iron & Wine, I was definitely in the minority. The sold out theater with 1,500 other people would disagree with me. I have the same issue with Roky Erickson. I know I should like his solo material and 13th Floor Elevators stuff more than I do, and I should go see him in Detroit on Tuesday.... but I just don't and I'm not going to see him. Padraig, Sorry if I wasn't clear. You lamented not seeing TMBG up thread, and my "sorry" was sorry for mentioning seeing them, when I know you have wanted to but haven't had the chance. They do come to AU, since I saw them on a trip there years ago when they played Groovin' The Moo. | ||
| TROU Member Username: Trou Post Number: 445 Registered: 05-2005 |
Saw the Apartments in Cologne. Preferate song was Sunset Hotel. Hope to see the guy with a full band one day or another. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8735 Registered: 05-2005 |
I saw David Byrne last night. It was a stunning show. He played seven of the 10 songs on his current album American Utopia, so I'm glad I have, and regularly play, it. Most of those sounded even better live. If he plays anywhere near you, and you've ever liked him or Talking Heads, try to see this show. Setlist: Here Lazy I Zimbra Slippery People I Should Watch TV Dog's Mind Everybody's Coming To My House This Must Be The Place (Naive Melody) Once In A Lifetime Doing The Right Thing Toe Jam Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On) I Dance Like This Bullet Every Day Is A Miracle Blind Burning Down The House Encore: Road to Nowhere The Great Curve Encore 2: Hell You Talmbout | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8741 Registered: 05-2005 |
I saw The Church last night playing Starfish on its 30th anniversary. The first set, Starfish, was sensational. The second set and encores were mostly great, if too loud and therefore distorted at times. Steve Kilbey told a nice story about Grant McLennan before playing Almost With You. First set (Starfish): Destination Under The Milky Way Blood Money Lost North, South, East And West Spark Antenna Reptile A New Season Hotel Womb Second set: Anaesthesia Metropolis Another Century Sealine Constant in Opal Day 5 Almost With You Ripple Tantalised First encore: The Unguarded Moment Second encore: Miami | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1932 Registered: 08-2006 |
Holy shinola, the Chills are playing in Chicago in February. My life just improved measurably, assuming I can score tickets. Fred! Get on it, man! | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 4015 Registered: 03-2005 |
Thank you Rob! Two tickets to the LA show purchased. | ||
| Fred Tadrowski Member Username: Ftadrowski Post Number: 83 Registered: 03-2015 |
Thanks, Rob! The tickets go on sale tomorrow. | ||
| Rob Brookman Member Username: Rob_b Post Number: 1933 Registered: 08-2006 |
Yeah, I have a meeting from 9 'til 11 today but I announced I'll be ducking out temporarily at 10 to buy Chills tickets. I have no sense of how fast this show will sell out. | ||
| Andrew Kerr Member Username: Andrew_k Post Number: 1252 Registered: 04-2005 |
Dominique A solo last night in Cenon (Bordeaux). Just WOW! An absolutely riveting performance. One man and 2 guitars. And a huge repertoire of wonderful songs. The beauty of a Fender Telecaster and a song like "Immortels" together. The last song was "Le courage des oiseaux", which was sung partly acapella. And accompanied by some pretty nifty dance movements ! His voice is now virtually unrecognisable from that of the original recording. | ||
| Simon Withers Member Username: Sfwithers Post Number: 566 Registered: 08-2005 |
Just bought tickets for Fairport Convention and James, both playing my home town next year. The Forum is an art deco former cinema in the centre of Bath, now owned by a church, but over the last few years there have been occasional gigs there. Looks like they're really upping the number of events there in 2019, Squeeze later in the year among several other gigs I may go to. | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 4022 Registered: 03-2005 |
Lucky man Andrew! Simon, glad you're getting some good shows. I know we're supposed to try to avoid any political comments but I definitely feel the pain you've expressed. And believe it or not, even here in sunny Los Angeles I suffer from SAD during the short-day part of the year if I don't make a point of getting out a little bit in the middle of day. Office work conflicts with that. I won't be working for at least the first half of the coming year and maybe not ever again. I am looking forward to being able to go to whatever interesting gig happens. I live close to some good venues. The Chills will be performing at the same place I saw the Drones, Sad Lovers & Giants, Rolling Blackouts and Goon Sax. It's too far to walk but a short drive or bus ride. Another place just a little further is where I saw the Bats. Downtown, an easy subway ride away, is where I saw La Femme. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 8756 Registered: 05-2005 |
I saw Perry Keyes last night in Newtown, about a kilometre away from where he grew up in Redfern. It was a wonderful show. I hadn't seen him in a few years. Tim Freedman of The Whitlams played keyboards and sang for most of the show with him and various others played songs here and there. It was great to hear The Whitlams' Blow Up The Pokies with Keyes on backing vocals and guitar. Perry Keyes https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t6OuMgCQ pQI The Whitlams https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ogj5ztTE 0zw |