The Gig Review Thread

[elko]

[Grim O'Grady]

[scavenger]

[helmoz]

[elko]

Hoorah! Gig reviews follow....

Friday, 2nd June 2006 - Cresent / Vashti Bunyan / Max Richter

At St. George's, which used to be a church and still has a wonderful aura to it, and a great sound (something that's missing from a lot of Bristol venues). I think it's used mainly for classical concerts. <a href="http://www.philharmonia.co.uk/_gfx/770-2D0C11.JPG" target="_blank">Take a look, it's lovely.</a>
First up were local band Crescent. They sounded like a jazzy, slo-mo version of The Microphones or perhaps The Field Mice, but with some nice sound experimentation, some loops and that going on. Hard to recommend them really, but they weren't annoying or intrusive, so that was fine.
Not a huge attendance at this time, but then Vashti Bunyan came on, and suddenly everyone was there, it was quite obvious who they'd come to see. She spilt the set pretty much equally between her two albums, the classic 'Just Another Diamond Day', and last year's comeback 'Lookaftering', but to her credit the newer songs stood their ground in this context and really benefitted from the live arrangement - a five piece band of violin, cello, piano, flute and guitar. The only thing that annoyed me was that she played her most well-known song twice - as though she felt she had to pander to her audience. In truth there was no need for it, she had the audience under complete control for the entire duration.
Finally, Max Richter, and one of the strangest things I have ever seen at a gig. As he began setting up his equipment (piano, laptop, violin, cello), people slowly began leaving the hall. I assumed perhaps they were going for an ice cream or something, but no - by the time he'd started, half the crowd had left. Now it's fair to say that Richter isn't the most dynamic of performers, and so the remaining punters weren't exactly persuaded by what they saw....by the end of the first song, the crowd had halved again. We left about half an hour in, by which time it had become quite hard to differentiate between the songs, which proved quite embarrassing when only one person clapped after the end of a song. I do like his music, but it's just to slow-moving to work in a live setting.
In short, a good gig, but the organisers really mucked up with the ordering, and I ended up feeling very sorry for Max Richter - I'm assuming that he finished his performance to be greeted by an empty venue.

---

Sunday, 4th June 2006 - Lots of people, including the legendary Euros Childs

At a rather different venue this one, another old church, but this one in a rather rougher area, and with a much more casual atmosphere. Intended as a finale to a weekend festival here, so there were quite a few acts, starting with North Sea Navigator, playing to approximately eight people, who were all sat at the back of the hall, leaving a danefloor's length between the band and the crowd. Needless to say this prevented any sort of atmosphere, something that was still slightly problematic when Euros Childs took to the stage. A maximum of fifty people seemed to be rooted to the floor, which was a shame, 'cause it was a great set (not that I ever truly attempt to dance at gigs, but I expect other people to do that for me). His band is good and sounds like the Beach Boys, but it's still a shame about Gorky's.
Anywayz, Euros Childs is finished, and all of a sudden we hear a man singing; it's a spirtual song, and he's clapping and weaving his way through the audience. We assume he is a random drunk, albeit with a damn good voice. But he finishes singing and he takes a seat at the side of the hall, where a microphone and guitar are waiting for him. There followed the most intense performance I have ever seen in my life. Announcing: "This is a song about a dead dog", he launched into an incredibly raw song with just a battered old guitar, and vocals that could fairly be described as a cross between Thom Yorke and Jeff Mangum. In other words, very emotional. It was affecting, but also very very painful to watch, as he howled and yelled his way through four or five songs, including a call-and-response spiritual during which he meandered round the audience and made a rather disturbing amount of eye contact. Upon finishing, he sprinted the length of the hall, screaming his lungs out, and collapsed onto the piano, earning the biggest applause of the night.
In fact, just recalling it, it seems a bit stupid to even mention the rest of the acts. But, next were the Mitchell Brothers, a cockney hip-hop duo who weren't the best rappers ever, but had a nice sort of pantomime banter that saved them from being judged too much on artistic merit. Then a bizzarre duet on the side stage, a saxophonist and drummer playing the strangest free-jazz I have ever heard. The saxaphonist seemed to be having a "how many horrid noises can I make with my instrument?" competition, and by the audience reaction, I'd guess that he was winning. But the drummer was really astounding, I can't express his technique in words, only to say that he was literally a blur, and that the songs sounded like ten minutes of sped-up drum solos, with someone being murdered in the background.
Headliner was Toby Allen, who was apparently once Fela Kuti's drummer, and after the previous acts his band seemed like an anti-climax - the songs were too stretched out, and just not tight enough for a funk band, and an audience that by now was ready to dance. I mean, it was okay, but didn't to match the enthusiasm of everyone previous. Ah well, it was a good walk home, I didn't get mugged once, and if I'd been offered to buy weed before I was asked to sell some, I could've made a tidy profit.

[Still Ill]

What a very descriptive review you gave there Ellis. A mini-film in my mind followed. And this despite not knowing anyone, except Vashti (in name only) and Euros (somewhat now), but the poor fellow and the guy with the intense performance, that was fun to read!

[Alex]

Two Gallants <a href="http://www.twogallants.com" target="_blank">http://www.twogallants.com</a>
Rocky folk. A duo, drummer & backup vocals and the guitarist doing vocals and harmonica. Never heard of them before yesterday. They played at my favorite bar/theatre, I often go there just to get out of the house. This is just the kind of style that has my interest at the moment. So a bit of a coincidence. Cool live band, and as it turns out they have some good songs too B) Steady Rollin' in particular, they have a video for that so that might come by.

[The Boy with a thorn in his side]

Just got back from Regina Spektor; I can honestly say it was the best gig I have ever been to.
Regina is so charming, talented and beautiful, she spent the whole set grinning and giggling, the venue was cosy, the support act was brilliant, and all of my favourite songs were played, also grabbed a "Smyths" poster from the wall, which will take pride of place in my bedroom

[Still Ill]

The Clientele w/guests Michael Andrews and Great Lakes - The Casbah, San Diego

I've spent too much time on this, but not only did I want to share this, now I know how to work with movie clips! The audio is obviously not good, coming from a compact digital camera. I'll post my comments on the show shortly.

I've tested this first one, after many clicks I was finally able to view it. I hope anyone who's interested is able to view these!

[attachmentid=112]
A clip from 'Since K Got Over Me'.
Yes I was that close. But it is (thankfully) a very small venue.

[attachmentid=113]
Great Lakes singing Diamond Times, new single.

[attachmentid=114]
Mike Fadem of Great Lakes.

[attachmentid=115]
Ben Crum (Great Lakes) joins The Clientele

[Still Ill]

Alright, I don't know why I can't view the clips now. I'll try to fix them later (for my own sanity.)

Here's some thoughts on the show:

The Clientele / Great Lakes / Michael Andrews

When Michael Andrews took to the stage, I thought this couldn't be the same person who scored the Donnie Darko soundtrack and the Tears for Fears cover. He just seemed so shy, hunched over on his chair, dressed plain in a plaid shirt, jeans and converse sneakers. But it was! And we were treated to a great set.

Great Lakes then came on and took the place by storm. Travelling as a 3-piece, I'm guessing their sound was more stripped down, leaving the synths/keyboard stuff at home. They played well and loud. Ben Crum's voice has that trademark E6 sound, carrying a note up in psychedelic style, I can't describe it well. Their drummer pretty much stole the show, with his stage presence. (His father played drums and had a hit on someone's record, can't remember now! Must've been forgettable). Check them out on myspace greatlakesband.

I'd seen Alasdair of the Clientele roaming around inside throughout the night, I couldn't keep my eyes off him. (He actually looks like a sandy-haired version of Ian McCulloch.) They played well, not like shoegazers like I envisioned, looking down the entire show. The were very engaging with the audience. They sound soooo lush. Ben Crum was asked to joing them for a song later in their set. A beautiful blonde played violin and she was introduced as a new member. After the show I asked Alasdair for the setlist. He smiled and gave it to me. Check them out on myspace also!

Alasdair, again
[attachmentid=116]

[attachmentid=117]
Michael Andrews, taken from the internet

[attachmentid=118]
Ok, I know the clips work now, takes a long while to load I guess.
So one more, I love the ending to 'Diamond Times', plus drummer extraordinaire taking over.

All this took so long.

[elko]

Sounds purdy good. Video does work, though it does take a little while to load. Nice work!

[helmoz]

i'm going to see graham coxon on my birthday (oct 22) - i'll post a review if i don't get so drunk that i forget everything!

[Grim O'Grady]

just got back from seeing the New York Dolls in Glasgow, the problem was we missed 1/2 their set, I was informed that they won't be on before 9.30pm, grrr the came on at 8.40 apparently!!!
Still the 1/2 we saw was brilliant, they did some new stuff, obviously, but they blew us away with 'Trash' & 'Personality Crisis'. If I get time 2moz I'll post some pics.

love

Grim

[this_charming_girl]

oooh! don't know if this will mean anything to anyone, but The Rogers Sisters are playing a ta little club near me in november, oh this month! and there's an indie/electro kind of indie disco afterwards too! ooh i shall definately review that!

Stefi x

[yandee]