GIGS

[riverlodge]

it was excellent pp, mainly as grizzly bear seemed really up for it which compares really well with last seeing them tired out and flat 2 years ago closing the 2nd stage at latitude. rossen seemed to add in so much improv so easily, which on top of the energy made it great. very nearly called you but we made the decision to go stupidly late and didnt want to end up seeming to pressure anyone to go!

LJS Sue is right, I think the main problem is the lack of separation @ junction (bigger one, small one is fine) is between main bar area and the hall itself. that is fine most of the time but falls down when you get quiet solo song and keyboard tracks (for example he covers neil young's 'helpless' quite beautifully but it doesnt need background bar chatter). also think there were quite a lot more 'trendy' folk there just cos of grizzly bear who either dont normally do gigs or dont give a stuff about support acts / anyone else. also i guess, the contrast with latitude (where i had low expectations of silence, but you could hear a pin drop) was stark.

ps congrats LJS on your place, where are you studying?

[killyourtv]

Allo Darlin @ Sheffield Queen St Club

Needed cheering up having missed this years EOTR due to catastrophic holiday planning, but now slightly depressed at what I've been missing out on for the last few year. An exuberant gig to a smallish and very young (by my standards) crowd, which had me dad-dancing non-stop for an hour. Not much chatting but plenty of singing along. Surprising good sound, as had been wishy-washy for the excellent Too Many Boyfriends, and only the absence of both Europe and Talulah stopped this from being on my Top 3 of all time list.

Queen St Club was a perfectly good village hall type venue, with excellent choice in drinks, though the Brew Dog bottles had long gone by the time I got there. Sheffield is No.1 city for proper beer.

[MattL80]

Anyone going to the SXSC do at the Railway, Winchester on Sunday?

[riverlodge]

Allo Darlin @ Sheffield Queen St Club

Needed cheering up having missed this years EOTR due to catastrophic holiday planning, but now slightly depressed at what I've been missing out on for the last few year. An exuberant gig to a smallish and very young (by my standards) crowd, which had me dad-dancing non-stop for an hour. Not much chatting but plenty of singing along. Surprising good sound, as had been wishy-washy for the excellent Too Many Boyfriends, and only the absence of both Europe and Talulah stopped this from being on my Top 3 of all time list.

Queen St Club was a perfectly good village hall type venue, with excellent choice in drinks, though the Brew Dog bottles had long gone by the time I got there. Sheffield is No.1 city for proper beer.

[RedRockRick]

Anyone going to the SXSC do at the Railway, Winchester on Sunday?

[ljsawyer]

it was excellent pp, mainly as grizzly bear seemed really up for it which compares really well with last seeing them tired out and flat 2 years ago closing the 2nd stage at latitude. rossen seemed to add in so much improv so easily, which on top of the energy made it great. very nearly called you but we made the decision to go stupidly late and didnt want to end up seeming to pressure anyone to go!

LJS Sue is right, I think the main problem is the lack of separation @ junction (bigger one, small one is fine) is between main bar area and the hall itself. that is fine most of the time but falls down when you get quiet solo song and keyboard tracks (for example he covers neil young's 'helpless' quite beautifully but it doesnt need background bar chatter). also think there were quite a lot more 'trendy' folk there just cos of grizzly bear who either dont normally do gigs or dont give a stuff about support acts / anyone else. also i guess, the contrast with latitude (where i had low expectations of silence, but you could hear a pin drop) was stark.

ps congrats LJS on your place, where are you studying?

[killyourtv]

Living in Cambridge, I can confirm that we have some of the best gig-spoilers in the country (of all ages), hence my preference for gigs in the north.

Having said that;

Emma Pollock and RM Hubbert @ the Cornerhouse, Cambridge

saw 30 odd attentive folk enjoy an interesting acoustic double-header, with no calls for Delgados songs. I could only stay for half of Emma's set, but the new songs were excellent. RM Hubbert is worth a return visit, with a largely instrumental set of Mogwai intensity and Josh T inter-song chat.

The Cornerhouse is a hardworking little pub that's put on some good stuff this for £6 or so.

[RedRockRick]

Following on from my post-festival-blues reliever (didn't relieve them that much but was nice, very nice), a Doug Paisley/Richard Buckner doubleheader at St. Mary's Church Guildford, put on by Howard "The People" Smith, sunday arrived with the always recommendable SXSC festival at The Railway, Winchester.

At EOTR the previous sunday, Oliver was very worried that not enough tickets had been sold to pay those performing, but in the event on the day it was pretty much sold out.

Due to complex issues involving boiled potatoes and a cheese flan, I missed opening act Correatown but out of a sense of guilt bought her new album, which I hope to play one day. First up proper for me then was Benjamin Folke Thomas, a Swedish singer-songwriter whose songs overflow with lyrics which are more portentous than meaningful, and which after a while - including his cover of Rhinestone Cowboy - I found became indistinguishable from each other. Co-Pilgrim were pleasant, if unremarkable. Boo Hewerdine, who I haven't seen for several years, was pretty good and deservedly well-received. Sacri Cuori are an Italian ensemble who were over earlier in the year (or maybe last year) and acted as Richard Buckner's backing band (which they also did at EOTR) and they played cinematic instrumentals, some of which worked, some didn't, but which nevertheless remained interesting. Next up was Danny George Wilson, performing solo today as Danny Champ, playing mainly pre-Hearts and Arrows stuff with a touch of Springsteen: he was excellent, probably the highlight of the day for me. Mark Eitzel has, with American Music Club, played one of the most stonkingly unforgettable shows I have seen at the Railway or elsewhere, but his performance today as a duo was from the opposite end of the spectrum, and worked best as a food break. Penultimately, we then had Hurray For The Riff Raff, who comfortably built upon the good impressions left from EOTR. Last up was Dan Stuart, backed impressively by Sacri Cuori (as he will be throughout this tour), who served up a mix of Green On Red and new material rather loudly and rather well. Overall, a pretty good day, I'd say.

Edited September 11, 2012 by RedRockRick

[Better Late...]

I'm going to see Efterklang with the Northern Sinfonia in Manchester next month.

[perfectpassion]

Following on from my post-festival-blues reliever (didn't relieve them that much but was nice, very nice), a Doug Paisley/Richard Buckner doubleheader at St. Mary's Church Guildford, put on by Howard "The People" Smith, sunday arrived with the always recommendable SXSC festival at The Railway, Winchester.

At EOTR the previous sunday, Oliver was very worried that not enough tickets had been sold to pay those performing, but in the event on the day it was pretty much sold out.

Due to complex issues involving boiled potatoes and a cheese flan, I missed opening act Correatown but out of a sense of guilt bought her new album, which I hope to play one day. First up proper for me then was Benjamin Folke Thomas, a Swedish singer-songwriter whose songs overflow with lyrics which are more portentous than meaningful, and which after a while - including his cover of Rhinestone Cowboy - I found became indistinguishable from each other. Co-Pilgrim were pleasant, if unremarkable. Boo Hewerdine, who I haven't seen for several years, was pretty good and deservedly well-received. Sacri Cuori are an Italian ensemble who were over earlier in the year (or maybe last year) and acted as Richard Buckner's backing band (which they also did at EOTR) and they played cinematic instrumentals, some of which worked, some didn't, but which nevertheless remained interesting. Next up was Danny George Wilson, performing solo today as Danny Champ, playing mainly pre-Hearts and Arrows stuff with a touch of Springsteen: he was excellent, probably the highlight of the day for me. Mark Eitzel has, with American Music Club, played one of the most stonkingly unforgettable shows I have seen at the Railway or elsewhere, but his performance today as a duo was from the opposite end of the spectrum, and worked best as a food break. Penultimately, we then had Hurray For The Riff Raff, who comfortably built upon the good impressions left from EOTR. Last up was Dan Stuart, backed impressively by Sacri Cuori (as he will be throughout this tour), who served up a mix of Green On Red and new material rather loudly and rather well. Overall, a pretty good day, I'd say.

[killyourtv]

Slow Show and Blue Rose Code @ Waterbeach Baptist Church, Cambs

Enterprising show put on by Beach Sessions, and a sparkling set from Slow Show, a Manchester six-piece who take more than just their band name from the National, but showed really interesting song structures and good use of brass (e.g. the gorgeous Mr Blue Tie). The little venue produced a lovely sound, and despite a fairly wooden stage presence, the lead singer did a great charm job on us unsophisticated fen folk. There'll be welcome back in Waterbeach or at EOTR/NDH. Good EPs too.

Blue Rose Code is Ross, a competent and engaging folkie from Edinburgh who kept our attention without leaving any memorable tunes.

[RedRockRick]

Malcolm Holcombe @ The Railway, Winchester

Not a man whose performance will win him any awards for hair grooming, but that's probably the only negative think I can think of to say: MH performs like he's close to off his head, yet he's never less than in utter control. Most of what he played came from the new album, Down The River, spellbinding stuff, catch him while you can.

Edited September 21, 2012 by RedRockRick

[staffop]

Withered Hand @ Dempseys, Cardiff

Great gig, especially as he was dying with a chest infection - he ended up in A&E and had to cancel the next few shows. Fortunately the crowd supplied him with shots of Sambuca throughout which may have helped with the pain. Still too many people chattering though - not usre why they go to an intimate gig if they just want to catch up with their mates!

Also saw Making Marks @ Undertone, Cardiff : lovely little performance from the Norwegian Indie Poppers - another great artist from Fika!

[riverlodge]

david byrne & annie clark @ orpheum theatre boston

[okay, so this is a sort of show off review but its so rare an event that i had to do it, sorry]

also, it was a cracking gig - it was a real 'show' with a big brass band (8 in support, including bits of the dap kings) and loads of choreographed steps and movement plus clever lighting changes, loads of silhouetting going on. now, regardless of who was leading at the time (annie was great btw) there is no doubt david byrne was star of the show throughout, whether it was lying inert on the stage, but spotlit, while annie played cheerleader, or joining her in madly attacking the theremin on norther lights, he was unmissable.

they played a two hour set, with half the stuff their new joint material off love this giant which worked really well as live feel-good 'show' material and then half each of their own stuff. closing of course with road to nowhere.

super stuff, show of the year (so far). hope they come over here.

Edited September 28, 2012 by riverlodge

[RedRockRick]

david byrne & annie clark @ orpheum theatre boston

[okay, so this is a sort of show off review but its so rare an event that i had to do it, sorry]

[killyourtv]

Polica @ Concorde, Brighton

Engaging performance to a crowd with excess whooping for my liking, unfortunately combined with the sort of relentless student chat that should have been left in the Royal Oak. I particularly like the rhythmic impact of the two drummers, and Concorde suits the clubby sound, but the material seemed a bit weaker than on the record, Dark Star apart. Worth anyone's tenner though.

Two Gallants @ Junction, Cambridge

Oddly described as punk-folk on the flyers, this is your standard two man blues racket played to a small and often disinterested Cambridge crowd; more one to admire for the noise than any songs to love. The Junction, befitting Cambridge, has good sound but a sterile environment.

[riverlodge]

cant believe that i am unable to get to any of the menomena dates. grrrr.

if anyone wants to post just what i missed, i wont read it.

[killyourtv]

Destroyer @ Sound Control, Manchester

Having got used to bands ambling on at 10pm mid-week, got caught out by very early start here, but still got a good hour of their engaging jazzy, dancy, electro-poppy thing. Still not sure if the vocals are disturbing or just heavily accented.

A very mixed crowd in Manchester's student central, and a nice little venue with good sound down the front and Holts at £2.50 a pint.

[acstalker]

Jason Mraz @ The O2

Don't laugh, he's a really good songwriter.

Fourth time seeing him but this was dire. Sound was muddy and he ignores his good early songs in favour of the kiddie pop on the last album.

Walked out after I'm Yours. Won't be back.

[killyourtv]

Admiral Fallow & Olympic Swimmers @ Bodega, Nottingham

Good night, only spoiled by loud chatters and people shushing through the AF set, and some bizarre complaints about pricing (£9 !). Loved Olympic Swimmers despite myself; I must learn to live with the demise of the Delgados. There's a real energy about them, though their first LP hasn't conveyed that to me yet.

Admiral Fallow were harder to enjoy with their complex song structures, though I did love the flute and clarinet playing a lot, and they are a really engaging bunch. Not sure where the great songs are, despite Louis's clever lyrics.

Sound quality at the Bodega was great, but it's a poky if friendly little venue with dull drinks selection (almost uniquely for Nottingham).

Slow Show @ Waterbeach Baptist Church, Cambridge

Enjoyed them again on a surprise return visit to my little village, so will plug them again, and also their next single "Testing", which sounded great live.

[riverlodge]

anyone else want to join in sponsoring killyourtv for gig going?

[RedRockRick]

Lucero @ The Windmill, Brixton - Friday show

Third night of a four night stand: normally I'd do all four but general ennui has slowed me down. Lucero shows are always a touch raucous, but for Windmill shows special rules do apply, and you need to:

1. Know all the words

2. Carry as many tattoos as possible (quantity rather than quality)

3. Throw as much beer in the air as you drink

4. Be much younger than me

The new album is OK, some good tracks but much treading of water. But hey, full band show, Danny & The Champs opening: what's not to like?

Kathleen Edwards @ Bush Hall - Thursday & Friday

Almost exactly four years ago, Kathleen Edwards played a solo show here in circumstances which were not too dissimilar from these: then she was very down and had just cancelled a bunch of european shows through feeling pretty unwell, and it was touch and go whether she'd play; she did, and she gave a very open and emotional performance, and got a huge amount of love back. Seriously one of the best shows I'd been at in about ten years. This time around, she'd had to cancel a run of European shows through poor ticket sales, and chose to add an extra London date before heading on to ATP. Well, these shows were pretty special too. Backed by Jim Bryson and Gord Tough, she covered much of the new album with a pretty similar set list for each night, but Friday got a couple of trips to the back of the room for some numbers on the piano. And she still got the love.

Peter Bruntnell opened both nights, and seemed not to have stopped drinking between the two. Not a dry throat in the house.

[nigeyb]

Allah-Las @ The Hope, Brighton

Pretty much as I imagined. I love their sound. Completely retro and unoriginal but I don't care when that sound is this good. The Hope is a great venue. basically a small room above a pub, but I'd never experienced it so rammed. It was too full really. No room to dance and must have been very boring for anyone under about 5 foot 10 inches who would not have been able to see a thing. Hopefully the Allah-Las will be back in Brighton soon and playing a bigger venue.

[killyourtv]

Woodpigeon, Joe Gideon & the Shark, Allo Darlin @ Cargo, London

East London has a place in my heart..., but not this place. Cargo is a cramped little venue with excess security, dull beers, and the sounds of the eighties bleeding in from next door's disco. And then there's the audience; when Woodpigeon asked if we'd like to download the next track and talk over it at home (please), it got no reduction at all in the brainless North London chitter-chatter. No, they didn't stop yapping for Allo Darlin either. Next time stay in the Brew Dog.

Good job the music was so good then. A real showcase for the variety of talent at EOTR, and I think I finally understand what loops are. Woodpigeon brought to mind a slightly more digestible David T Broughton, with some good monkey in Ikea lines between songs. JG & TS were weird blues, with the visual spectacle (and their little fan club) being the main entertainment. Allo Darlin were short and sweet, and the lack of dad-dancing room was a bit of a problem for me. Still my favourite live band though.

[Infinite Jest]

You should have been down the back with me for AD . Got a nice little group dance going with a few strangers. Guy next to me was telling people to shut up or go to the bar next door. Which even though it didn't work was a good effort.

I enjoyed the bands too. Not sold on Woodpigeon, I like the style but he didn't really grab me. I'm really starting to like JG&TS, and AD are always good, even if the crowd reaction wasn't fantastic. And any band that does a Go-Betweens cover will always make me happy (plus that Tallulah is partly about listening to the Go-Betweens and Some People Say is pretty close to the title of a G-B song). I did like the hardcore JG&TS fans at the front, singing every word.