What was your last concert you went to ?

Simone Felice at Hawley Arms Camden Town last night. Started off with Brain Damage from Dark Side. I knew then it was gonna be a bit special!!

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Originally posted by Simply Grim:
Friday 12th at the Stables MK - Stackridge.

Having seen them in the early years, and (yawn) interviewed them in 1975 (just wanted to be casual and rather pretentious) I was looking forward to this with a degree of trepidation. My last encounter in the late 90's at Guildford had not left a great memory BUT this lineup with Mutter promised much......:

Slough College Xmas 1973 with support from The Pigsty Light Orchestra. Magic stuff.

steve

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Slough College Xmas 1973 with support from The Pigsty Light Orchestra. Magic stuff.

Envious - that was a classic tour!

Remind me not to bother. Took me more than 3 hours to go from West Sussex to Shepherds Bush and then when I walked in to the s**theap Shepherds Bush with my standing ticket. I was stuck well at the back with a dreadful view and people talking. Most uncomfortable and frankly I like my luxuries these days - a seat is quite nice. The Southbank Centre is more my cup of tea.

Anyway, I thought Midlake were pretty good. Seven chaps playing lovely folk rock with a couple of flutes. Good reproduction of the albums but I did not stay to the end. Too uncomfortable.

Lontano,what was the problem , with the travel, did you drive?

Seats at SB O2 aren't the best, but beat standing IMO.

We had a pig day on the road yesterday, using the Dartford crossing(a bastard both ways). may be getting to Guildford today might be better.

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Originally posted by BigH47:
Lontano,what was the problem , with the travel, did you drive?

Seats at SB O2 aren't the best, but beat standing IMO.

We had a pig day on the road yesterday, using the Dartford crossing(a bastard both ways). may be getting to Guildford today might be better.

M25 jammed up so went down A3. After Kingston on A3 it goes from 3 lanes to 1 at rush hour for roadworks where there is no sign of life and the roads look fine. Then Hammersmith Bridge was closed. Then big roadworks in Shepherds Bush.

I am sticking to civilised venues and nice small jazz clubs from now on.

There were no roadworks when I drove to Guildford yesterday.

Where do you park in Guildford, bye the way?

Tonight we're going to Snug Harbor to hear the Ellis Marsalis Trio, and Saturday night we go to the Maple Leaf for Jazzillia.

Hatebreed and Machine Head at the Academy Newcastle.

Caught the tail end of the third band Bleedthough (?) missed the first band.

Ears still ringing. Not really my kind of thing, went with a mate who like this type of stuff, but enjoyable all the same.

Regards

Nic

Nils Petter Molvaer at the Turner Sims, Southampton. Let's just say the amps were up at 11.

Chris

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Originally posted by Christopher_M:
Nils Petter Molvaer at the Turner Sims, Southampton. Let's just say the amps were up at 11.

Chris

Lontano and I were sitting in the first row, maybe Lontano can post a pic later on, he just dropped me off.

Really enjoyed the gig.

Friday night went to see Air at the Roundhouse in Camden Town. Last time them I saw them was at the Sydney Opera House, 4th row . Venue made a massive difference to my enjoyment. I thought Air were excellent but the Roundhouse and particularly the audience were appalling. Most people were there to have a chat, play with their iphones and have a drink - ignorant. The audience noise under the loud music was very noticeable.

Back in Sydney and other "proper" concert venues, you get quiet, respectful audiences and that is where my money will be going in future - Southbank Centre concerts etc etc. Very disappointing.

So onto Saturday night with Nils Petter Nolvaer at the Turner Sims in Southampton - excellent venue and a musical, respectful audience - music fans - the kind of gig I will continue to invest in. I had read a bad review of the show in the Guardian and it was not easy listening but I thought it was very good. Three excellent and imaginative musicians. I could have done with more of the mellow Molvaer but well worth seeing. Yes it was loud.

Adrian and Miles,

Although I can't say that I enjoyed Molvaer, I felt that I had witnessed something. Its intensity reminded me of New Order in 1980.

From the very first notes, the hiss from the left hand speaker seemed very noticeable to me, and in the few quiet passages throughout that I did enjoy, the hiss was intrusive. It made me wonder what an unplugged performance would be like, although unplugged is probably ridiculous in the context of this band.

I just wasn't engaged by the performance. I didn't understand it. I didn't feel any sense of the musicians engaging with us, or for that matter, with each other. Obviously I just don't get it but I will admit that we went on spec, thinking, hoping, it might be good.

It seemed to have elements of rave culture to it in the sense that, as well as the volume, the musicians were barely lit and there was a projection show on the big white sheet behind them. And from that very first moment that they came on and started fiddling with their buttons and switches in the dark, I just hoped someone would lend them a torch. And what with all that looking down at the floor, or the Robert Smith coiffed guitarist crouching by his monitor,I was sure someone had lost a contact lens.

Afterwards we consoled ourselves with decent red and a paracetamol.

Yes it was a respectful audience, no chatting or texting. (as if you could chat!) I read that the Jazz Cafe has signs saying "STFU during the performance. Thank you."

So please tell me, what did you guys get from it that I so clearly missed?

Best, Chris

Chris - it is hard to say. I like electronics, sounds and atmospheres so there was a fair amount of that in it. When I say I enjoyed it - I did. I had read a bad review so expectation were low. It was the mellow side I liked best - like the first 10 mins - I could happily do without the loud bits but it was still good to watch.

I would not be rushing out for a second bite of this one like I often do with some other shows but as you say it was good to witness and I agree with your unplugged comments - it could be stunning like his new album Hamada is.

Tonight I am going to night 3 of concerts - this is for the wife and kids. They are very excited about a night of Mika and the review of his Brighton concert sounds pretty promising - one for the family

Tomorrow - night 4, Maurizio Pollini and an evening of Chopin.

Eclectic or what?

Thanks Adrian. I'm interested enough to check out Hamada, especially if there are mellow, atmospheric, Late Junction-ish bits on it.

Cheers, Chris

quote:

Originally posted by Christopher_M:


From the very first notes, the hiss from the left hand speaker seemed very noticeable to me, and in the few quiet passages throughout that I did enjoy, the hiss was intrusive.

So please tell me, what did you guys get from it that I so clearly missed?

Chris,

the hiss of the left speaker in the quiet passages was really annoying. That being said, it was an electronic journey complete with the atmospheric visual background. I went along for the ride and found it very engaging.

We were sitting in the first row and you could see the settle hints the three gave each other as they played of each other's improvisation.

Not what I expected going in but it kept me very entertained ... cheers Oliver

quote:

Originally posted by BigH47:
Eclectic or what?

Yes a bit of variety there Howard. I am exhausted after yesterday so would really prefer a night on the sofa but I know I will enjoy tonight a lot when I watch my boys sing along, big smiles and thoroughly enjoy themselves.

I am hoping tomorrow's Pollini willbe a little special and nice to finish this little concert run on a sophisticated note.

Rosanne Cash last night. A really fine show.

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but I know I will enjoy tonight a lot when I watch my boys sing along, big smiles and thoroughly enjoy themselves.

Watch I agree with , take ear defenders so that you don't have to hear him though.

quote:

Originally posted by BigH47:

quote:

but I know I will enjoy tonight a lot when I watch my boys sing along, big smiles and thoroughly enjoy themselves.

Watch I agree with , take ear defenders so that you don't have to hear him though.

In my pocket already.

So last night was night 3 of 4 night concert run and Mika. I booked the tickets for my kids as Mika has for the last two years been their favourite and regularly aired in the house.

I have to say it was a fabulous show. Total fun, tuneful poppy songs, good musicianship and an audience totally engaged in having a party and making loads of noise.

My son was totally over the moon with it. He sang his heart out, waved his arms and danced to the tunes - it was wonderful to watch him.

And as for Dad - well I really was impressed and enjoyed it a lot. Mika deserves respect. He is talented in his pop world, gave his all and provided a great night out for his fans of all ages.

As my son said, "it was way better than Air" and I would have to agree with him.

Last night, Thomas Dolby and Friends, Circumnavigating the Flat Earth. Union Chapel, Islington.

Had booked this a while ago with a friend of mine, and also met DenisA there, he'll be far better at giving a run down of who came on to the stage during the gig.

Wow, what a great night out. Fun format, in that they hadn't been on stage all together for over 20 years. They had decided not to rehearse it, and had some fun building the tracks up as they went along. Great to see how this worked for a non musician like myself.

A lot of laughs were had on and off the stage, wonderful atmospheric venue. Only took 30 mins inside to warm up after the queue.

Definitely one of the top 5 gigs I've been to, and a commitment to release some new material within 3 months.

John

Lots of busy boys this W/E ?

TMDR - Union Chapel gig last night (more photo's @ tour talk).



A wonderfully friendly atmosphere which warmed to the nearly 2 hour 'rehearsal' of The Flat Earth. Thomas guided the audience through the background of the songs and we witnessed the re-learning of tunes not played for 25 years. After each song section was 'learnt' a rough run-thru was performed. Thomas is very relaxed, a great sense of humour and made you feel you were in the studio witnessing the band practicing. A great idea and a unique performance that was thoroughly entertaining.

As John said, I there will be the 1st of 2 or 3 EP's released in 3 months. This will be followed by a full album of the EP's and extra material. I managed to speak with Thomas after the show and he said he was recording with Matthew Seligman & Adelle Bertei in his solar panel + wind turbine powered Studio I also had a gig memory problem fixed when TMDR confirmed he did not perform with David Bowie @ Earls Court during the 'Stage' tour. I should have packed up drinking much longer ago I reckon

House Band
Justin Hildreth - Drums
Matthew Seligman - Bass
Kevin Armstrong - Guitar/Vocals
Lyndon Connah - Keyboards/Vocals
Pete Thoms - Trombone
TMDR - Piano/Keyboards/Vocals
Clif Brigden - Percussion

Guests
Martin McAloon - Guitar (Prefabs)
Trevor Horn - Bass
Bruce Woolley - Theremin
Darren - Bass (from The Pirate Twins)
Andrew - Keyboards (from The Pirate Twins)
Matthew? Robertson - Drums on White City rehearsal (TMDR's son)

Backing Vocals
Debra Barsha
Adelle Bertei (check this Build Me a Bridge)
Lesley Fairbain
Wendy Smith (Prefabs) - Wendy said that Paddy McAloon was writing material but absolutely no timescale for output.

Rehearsal/Setlist
Dissidents; The Flat Earth; Screen Kiss; White City; Mulu the Rain Forest; I Scare Myself; Hyperactive!; Airwaves; One of Our Submarines.

Highlights for me were...
Dissidents - Rehearsal & Main Performance
I Scare Myself - Kevin/Acoustic; Pete Thoms/Trombone
Airwaves - Lyndon/Keyboards; Bruce Woolley/Theremin
Hyperactive! - Darren/Bass; Adelle Bertei/vocals;