| Author | Message | ||
     Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 119 Registered: 05-2005 |
They were incredible. I feel like I have fallen in love with them all over again. I also realised that I spend far more time writing about them here and reading what other people write about them here than I do listening to them. I will have to rectify that. The audience was much older than the usual Go-Betweens audience; I felt almost a spring chicken at 38! I had a great seat, two rows back, just a few metres from Robert. They told stories about how a lot of the songs came about. They opened with Love Is A Sign and it was a sign of the great night that followed. Grant was very funny about how where Unkind And Unwise (always one of the most underrated Go-Betweens songs in my opinion) came from. Robert told a hilarious story about seeing Mark (I think) Hunter from a band called Dragon at "9, 10 one morning" in "late Spring, early Autumn" of "1981, 82 or 83". It was all about how well dressed Mr Hunter was and how taught Robert that "being a rock 'n' roll star is a 24 hour a day job". I have no idea who Dragon were, but I get the impression that they were a new wave band. Is that right? The major revelation of the night, which Robert introduced as "This will shock and surprise you", was an explanation of where Rock 'n' Roll Friend came from. It is about himself, but written from the perspective of the woman he was going out with at the time. As he said: "She had a day job, a good job, and I had a night job. I was in The Go-Betweens." Grant introduced This Girl, Black Girl as being one The Monkees should have done. He's right! Glenn Thompson played drums on two songs and piano on one. Robert also played piano on one. Other than than it was just the two of them on guitar and vocals, bar one track each where one of them just sang. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 120 Registered: 05-2005 |
If this show gets to your town or anywhere near you, go see it. I would happily go see them do this again. It was really wonderful. My favourite ever concerts list has just grown by one. | ||
| a vromen Member Username: Audrey Post Number: 1 Registered: 01-2006 |
Hi i was also at the gig last night and also thought it was fantastic. Grant was in top form and sounded fantastic, Finding You was quite beautiful. I was suprised at the amount of solo album material they did. For example Robert did 1 2 1, Danger in the Past,and Looking for Somebody - one of the standout performances of the night though was Heart out to Tender (including Glenn on drums). Closely followed by Love Goes On and RocknRoll Friend. BTW Dragon were more Aussie Pub Rock (like Chisel) than new wave. The one thing about the gig that was incredibly offputting though was the crowd. I was further back and people were barely into it, many people got up and left including three people in the front row! Even the person beside me didn't clap after each song and kept playing with her mobile phone. I suspect this must have affected the boys and was why we only got 2 encores. What do others think? Another shocking thing was seeing a prominent conservative politician (Malcolm Turnbull) and his wife there - surely they aren't diehard Gobees fans??! | ||
| Paul B. Member Username: Paul_b Post Number: 13 Registered: 10-2004 |
I was a bit tardy getting tickets, but I managed to get a seat just in front of the sound board. Pádraig, yes it was a great gig. I thought Robert looked nervous before playing the piano, unless that was part of his performance. This was my first show in Sydney after moving from Brisbane 2 months ago. I also thought the audience was a lot older than many past gigs and a little more sedate than usual. Perhaps this is the ‘festival’ audience, the last gigs I have been to have had toddlers rocking out in the ‘mosh pit’ and grant in a t-shirt, rather than the shirt he wore last night. Although there was a guy in front of me who was tapping on his PDA between songs, perhaps jotting down a set list? Highlight for me was both Unkind Unwise, Rock and Roll Friend and Heart Out To Tender. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 122 Registered: 05-2005 |
Audrey, those three people in the front row returned to their seats not long after. Why they all chose to temporarily leave at once I don't know. I actually assumed they were musicians who were about to go join the lads on stage! The audience was very quiet and reserved, fitting in with the older age profile I think. I did not see Mr Turnbull, but I almost bumped into Ben Lee. At least I think it was him, it could have been a lookalike and I'm not particularly a fan of his anyway. Thanks for explaining who Dragon were. That makes sense. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 123 Registered: 05-2005 |
I got the date wrong! Of course it was the 16th (my brother's birthday as it happens - happy birthday Seán!). | ||
| Mark Leydon Member Username: Mark_leydon Post Number: 29 Registered: 05-2005 |
Robert and Grant were a real treat at the Sydney Theatre last night. Dunno if you can really call it a Go-Betweens show given that Adele is on holiday in Fiji at the moment ('not organising the coup there I hope' to quote Grant) although Glen Thompson did join them on snare drums on a couple of tracks and piano on another. Most of the concert was just Robert and Grant on acoustic guitars. A lot of songs really shone through in this stripped down format. Highlight for me was a great version of 'Finding You' with Grant in particularly fine voice and Robert making his debut on piano ('I only learnt it last week'). Other gems included 'Part Company' ('one of Robert's finest love songs' according to Grant) and a killer version of 'Love Goes On' which brought the main set to a rousing close. Two encores. Appropriately the last song of the night was a very theatrical version of 'Danger in the Past'. The boys were in a relaxed and garrulous mood throughout. As usual, Robert camping it up big-time (dig that red cravat) and Grant the earnest romantic. Finally, a few words on the audience. What an eclectic bunch! I suspect quite a few of them were season ticket holders to the Sydney Festival who didn't really know what they were getting themselves into. A few seats along from me were Sydney power-couple Malcolm Turnbull (multimillionaire lawyer and Federal MP) and his wife Lucy (former Sydney lord mayor). One row in front of them was Blanche d'Alpuget, one-time mistress of former Prime Minister Bob Hawke. Somehow I don't think the Go-Betweens feature heavily in their CD collections. Oh - and a few rows in front of me was Alex Kapranos from Franz Ferdinand (in town for some upcoming gigs). See what I mean about eclectic? By the end of the night the boys had managed to win over the whole audience - a real testament to both their music and personalities. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 124 Registered: 05-2005 |
Glad you got a ticket Mark. | ||
| Mark Leydon Member Username: Mark_leydon Post Number: 30 Registered: 05-2005 |
Thanks Pádraig. Finally got through to the box office at 4pm yesterday and there four tickets left. I think they must have been returns because they were great seats right in the middle down stairs. | ||
| a vromen Member Username: Audrey Post Number: 2 Registered: 01-2006 |
on more reflection - yes the crowd was eclectic and not as enthusiastic as the band deserved (!). But the set was also very eclectic clearly pitched at serious fans. It wasn't chronological (which i expected based on the acoustic session on the new DVD); and they didn't play many known hits (e.g. no Streets or Spring rain); Grant even played a song I didn't instantly recognise. When I went home I checked my CDs and it was Poison in the walls on the Bright Yellow album - one I've never got into. And I don't think there were any songs from my fave Liberty Belle. Not that I'm complaining - I loved the gig! but whether it would have converted the masses I'm less sure... | ||
| frank webb Member Username: Frank Post Number: 6 Registered: 05-2005 |
A great performance! My thoughts are that this was more of what they wanted to play rather than what they felt people wanted to hear ... it was good to hear some of the Danger in The Past material again and the acoustics were fantastic. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 126 Registered: 05-2005 |
It was an eclectic set and I too was surprised that it was not chronological, not that it mattered. What they played was what I wanted to hear. It was great to hear the lesser played ones. I wish they did Lavender and explained that though. Are you the Frank that Robert dedicated Surfing Magazines to? There's that Frank, and the Frank in Darlinghurst Nights; how many Franks can there be in the Go-Betweens circle of friends? | ||
| frank webb Member Username: Frank Post Number: 7 Registered: 05-2005 |
Yes Pádraig, my son Nick and myself were having some dinner in our Kombi campervan, overlooking the harbour, when Robert walks past and has a chat. We couldn't believe our ears when he started telling the story of how he'd met Nick 10 years ago at the "3 Weeds" when he was only 7. That is a story in itself! | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 127 Registered: 05-2005 |
You and Nick must have been thrilled Frank. What a story for Nick to tell his mates at school! Well, if any of them have heard of The Go-Betweens anyway! | ||
| Todd Slater Member Username: Todd_slater Post Number: 22 Registered: 01-2005 |
A superb performance & I can only agree with the above comments. Padraig I was in the front row last night and was mesmerised by the show. I took my sister along who had never seen them live(only heard me raving about them for years)and she was enraptured by the show. I really think that they have entered a whole new pantheon performance wise. The canon & strength of songs they now have at their disposal is astonishing. Frank you must have been quietly stoked to hear Robert mention that story. I thought it was great and what a cool buzz for your son Nick. I agree it was great to hear some classics off 'Calling from a Country phone' in '1-2-1', 'Heart out to Tender' & the very camp finale of 'Danger in the Past' plus a couple of rare gems in 'Part Company' & 'Rock'n Roll Friend' It was interesting to note that when an audience member called to Grant for something from 'In Your Bright Ray' he said that 'that went a long time ago' I was quietly hoping for a rockabilly version of 'Lee Remick' at the end but hey what a great gig and a wonderful start to 2006. My only regret was that I didn't stand up at the end and clap louder as I thought a standing ovation was fitting for such a performance. I didn't spot the Turnbulls, Mrs Bob Hawke or the guy from Franz Ferdinand but it's good to know that the band permeates all corners of society these days (although I have trouble visualising Malcom Turnbull telling federal cabinet that he saw the Go Betweens on his holidays !!) | ||
| Todd Slater Member Username: Todd_slater Post Number: 23 Registered: 01-2005 |
I forgot to mention how cool all the stories were. Grant mentioning North QLD, London & the anecdote regarding the eighties hair styles & drum machines was very funny. Robert was very relaxed I thought. What a wonderful performer he has become. His Marc Hunter story and 'day job/night job' intro's were hilarious and his Patti Smith story very enlightning. I thought his outfit was a cross between 'Smoky Dawson' & something out of 'Brokeback Mountain' | ||
| Randy Adams Member Username: Randy_adams Post Number: 132 Registered: 03-2005 |
You lucky folks. What a wonderful show that obviously was. Even if there was a conservative MP in the audience. I wonder why Grant disavowed "In Your Bright Ray?" | ||
| david pestorius Member Username: David_pestorius Post Number: 32 Registered: 08-2005 |
Pretty much both sides of party politics in Australia are conservative these days. Malcolm Turnbull is perhaps the most interesting and independent thinker on the so-called right. That he attended last night's show only makes him more interesting, I would say. He has a very interesting background before entering politics and is clearly the Government 'black sheep' compared to the ultra right-wing Tony Abbott — supposedly Howard's preferred successor. If someone like Abbott was at the show then raised eyebrows would perhaps be in order. Was the Patti Smith story the one about how the riff from 'Karen' turned up on 'Dancing Barefoot' soon after they sent the 'Lee Remick' single off to Lenny Kaye ? | ||
| Mark Leydon Member Username: Mark_leydon Post Number: 31 Registered: 05-2005 |
Good review Todd. I think that Grant was responding to a request for 'Bye Bye Pride' rather than 'In Your Bright Ray' when he said 'That went a long time ago'. The concert gets a good review in this morning's Sydney Morning Herald (by Bernard Zuel). Can't find it yet in their on-line edition but it will probably be up there later in the day on: http://www.smh.com.au/ | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 128 Registered: 05-2005 |
Yes, it was a request for Bye Bye Pride that brought that comment from Grant. It was just a funny, throwaway line. It reminded me of seeing Nick Cave a couple of years ago when a rather shabby looking (in comparison to Nick and the Bad Seeds) Chris Bailey from The Saints joined them on stage for one song. Someone shouted up "Dress Chris Bailey". Nick waved his hand in a theatrical dismissal and said "We move in different circles". | ||
| Todd Slater Member Username: Todd_slater Post Number: 24 Registered: 01-2005 |
Thanks Mark. Bernard Zuel's reviews are always worth reading as are Patrick Donovan's in The Age. I like how he mentioned that the gig was 'topped 'n tailed' by Neil Diamond & Mama Cass. He is also right I think in saying that the show need a director/producer & that there should be another show. I hope there is, as the guys certainly looked like they were enjoying themselves. I would also like to thank Fergus Linehan the artisic director of The Sydney Festival for putting the show on as part of the festival. He is obviously a fan and can see the artisic merit in such a show. That the audience was older and more eclectic only reflected this. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 129 Registered: 05-2005 |
Robert did camp up Danger In The Past a bit towards the end of it, but before that I thought he was treating it in a manner befitting a song that, both ;yrically and musically, I've always found to have a dark air of forbidden menace. | ||
| Mark Leydon Member Username: Mark_leydon Post Number: 32 Registered: 05-2005 |
Spotted this in today's 'Sydney Confidential' gossip column in the Daily Telegraph (Sydney's main tabloid daily): http://www.dailytelegraph.news.com.au/story/0,20281,17852779-5001025,00.html January 18, 2006 LEGENDARY Brisbane rockers The Go-Betweens managed to pull an extremely eclectic crowd to their performance for the Sydney Festival on Monday night. Unlikely fans, but definite Sydney Festival season ticket holders included millionaire Liberal MP Malcolm Turnbull and wife Lucy, who rubbed shoulders with Bob Hawke's leading lady Blanche D'Alpuget at the Sydney Theatre show. Meanwhile, Alex Kapranos, lead singer of chart-topping Scottish rockers Franz Ferdinand -- in town for next week's Big Day Out -- sat a few rows in front. Rock on. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 130 Registered: 05-2005 |
I meant lyrically, of course. Yes, a great choice by Fergus. I don't know him, but I know his brother very well so it was no surprise that The Go-Betweens were asked to perform. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 133 Registered: 05-2005 |
I've just read the Herald's review of the gig. A good, accurate review with an interesting point about using a director. However, the sound trouble mentioned was merely Robert not having plugged his guitar in properly. He seemed remarkably unphased when the roadie came over and did it for him! | ||
| Mark Leydon Member Username: Mark_leydon Post Number: 34 Registered: 05-2005 |
Here's Ian Shedden's review of the concert from today's edition of The Australian: http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,17863158%255E50015 62,00.html Further, longer ... but not the full tale Iain Shedden January 19, 2006 MUSIC The Story of The Go-Betweens Sydney Theatre, January 16. LET's get the title out of the way first. This is, by no stretch of the imagination, the story of The Go-Betweens, one of Australia's finest and most enduring rock exports. Rather it's the Brisbane outfit's two protagonists, Robert Forster and Grant McLennan, performing select acoustic versions of songs from their extensive catalogue and on occasion giving some background to their creation - geographic, artistic, humorous or any combination of those three. It's an enjoyable, informal couple of hours too, with the two songwriters sitting on stools centre stage, taking turns to introduce material from their back catalogue stretching back to the early 1980s and from their noughties renaissance. What has always set the Go-Betweens apart is Forster's and McLennan's disparate personalities and the fact that for most of their collective career they have written separately. These things are expanded upon here, with Forster being his usual foppish, mannered bard and McLennan the more down-to-earth but poetic foil. They introduce songs of their own and each other's, dropping compliments and adding bits of information about each song's origins or intentions. The performances are faultless, save for the occasional guitar "experiment" from Forster, who also makes his live piano debut, playing the recorded version's guitar motif on McLennan's irresistibly poppy Finding You, one of his best and a highlight of their most recent album, last year's Oceans Apart. Those expecting a trip down memory lane may be disappointed with the amount of later material, but there's as much passion and spirit in their readings of recent songs such as Boundary Rider, Darlinghurst Nights and When She Sang About Angels as there is in the oldies, including Forster's melancholic Part Company and McLennan's equally moving Unkind and Unwise. As an up and down Go-Betweens show, all it lacks is the rest of the band - although drummer Glen Thompson makes a brief appearance, even playing piano at one point, and he adds a vital percussive drive with just a snare drum and cymbal to McLennan's Love Goes On. As a festival spectacle, offering something different from the run-of-the-mill rock show, however, the story falls short of its billing. The detailed story of the band has a goodly quantity of sex, drugs, rock 'n' roll and bitter break-ups, none of which (well, rock 'n' roll gets a look-in) are touched upon. There's rarely a historical anecdote, as such, either, until Forster, in his inimitable style, traces the background of When She Sang About Angels to his attendance at a Patti Smith concert and then later offers a hilarious account of discovering the secret of rock stardom after seeing Dragon's Marc Hunter in a Sydney street more than 20 years ago. As they would most likely say themselves, the story of the band is in the songs. "Further, longer, higher, older," McLennan sings at the end of his finest few minutes as a songwriter, Cattle and Cane. Now that line would have been a fitting title for the show. | ||
| Pádraig Collins Member Username: Pádraig_collins Post Number: 135 Registered: 05-2005 |
A pretty good review, if perhaps a little mean spirited. I took the show for what it was; he's concentrating too much on what it wasn't. But he makes valid points too and maybe is showing the way for a more expansive version of this performance. But it's a fine line: if there was much more talking then there would have to be much less music. I thought the talk to music mix was about right. A little more talking would be OK; a lot more would negate the whole point I think. Iain Shedden is a great music writer though. His Saturday music column is hilarious. | ||
| Rob Member Username: Rob Post Number: 45 Registered: 12-2004 |
Dragon: they were in fact very big in the seventies and up to the middle eighties. A NZ group, they came to Sydney in the middle 70s. Would have been huge in the early days of the GBs. They oozed r'n'r sleaze and played funk/rock you might say, with probably a bigger funk influence than many Aussie bands of the era. They had a dip in the 80s and then came back with a big produced dance rock sound (interestingly enough with the ex-drummer from XTC, terry chambers). For those in their late 30s through to their late 40s, Dragon also represents the druggy rock lifestyle. Their late leadsinger Marc Hunter was a famously wasted character, thanks to smack, and I think they may well have been connected with organised crime somewhere along the way... I seem to recall them being mentioned in a royal commission? In fact Marc H died of a heart attack just a year or two ago. So he faded away instead of burning out. Sounds like the Sydney gig was a doozy. One of the benefits of living in the metropole. |