Bon Jovi were one of the very first shows I went to - memorable for all the wrong reasons - it was a hot humid day which finished with a hailstorm. Bon Jovi cut their set short. The show is in support of the album These Days. (Still actually on of their best albums in my view).
The nerd in me want to record the setlist from that concert too:
Bon Jovi - Eastern Creek Raceway, November 18, 1995
Rockin' All Over the World (John Fogerty cover) / Hey God / Livin' on a Prayer / You Give Love a Bad Name / Keep the Faith / These Days / (It's Hard) Letting You Go / Lie to Me / Someday I'll Be Saturday Night / Something for the Pain / Because the Night (Patti Smith Group cover) / Damned / If Loving You Is Wrong, I Don't Want To Be Right / Blaze of Glory (Jon Bon Jovi song) / Lay Your Hands on Me / I'll Sleep When I'm Dead (with Papa Was A Rolling Stone… more ) /
Bad Medicine / With a Little Help From My Friends (The Beatles cover) / Never Say Goodbye / Always (additional lyrics) / Wanted Dead or Alive / Blood on Blood / This Ain't a Love Song
I certainly wouldn't recommend going to Eastern Creek for a concert. These Days still is up there as one of my favourite Bon Jovi albums.
I think Bon Jovi may have toured Australia twice since 1995, but this was the first time I managed to go., here's the set-list for the weekend's show via Setlist.fm.
Bon Jovi, Sydney, ANZ Stadium Dec 8, 2018
You Give Love a Bad Name / Raise Your Hands / Lost Highway / Who Says You Can't Go Home / This House Is Not for Sale / Roller Coaster / We Weren't Born to Follow / We Don't Run / It's My Life / God Bless This Mess / Born to Be My Baby / Have a Nice Day / Keep the Faith / Bed of Roses / Lay Your Hands on Me / I'll Sleep When I'm Dead / Captain Crash & the Beauty Queen From Mars / Livin' on a Prayer /
Encore: Bad Medicine / Wanted Dead or Alive / I'll Be There for You /
Encore 2: Blood on Blood / Someday I'll Be Saturday Night
They both were wonderful shows. I have to admit it Saturday night had more of a greatest hits tour rather than a tour promoting/supporting their latest album This House is Not For Sale. As an aside I've really enjoyed listening to live recording of This House is Not For Sale.
While I think its fair to say the songs still sound amazing. The noise of the crowd and band during Livin' on a Prayer was amazing Jon Bon Jovi's voice perhaps isn't is good as it once was. Though it might well have been the sound mix (and stadium).
The highlights of the night for me where Livin' on a Prayer, Bed of Roses, I'll Be There For You and Blood on Blood. The band certainly played many of my favourite songs.
Funnily enough the lyrics of Blood on Blood don't sit as well with me now. The idea of paying for sex equated with coming of age.
I was slightly saddened by the fact they didn't play much of This House is Not for Sale,
I miss Richie Sambora who was involved in a lot of their earlier song-writing. Can't for the life of me think why, but I hadn't heard as much of their music between These Days and 'This House..''.
Showing posts with label Concert Review. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Concert Review. Show all posts
Monday, December 10, 2018
Monday, November 12, 2018
Def Leppard / Scorpions (Dallas Crane) Concert review
Def Leppard was one of the first metal bands I recall getting into - I think it was David Gray and Michael Gromek who were the inspiration. It was I think 1991, and Let's Get Rocked cane out. The attitude in that song certainly resonated with the teenager in me. I don't recall Def Leppard visiting Australia often, so I had been keeping an eye on tickets hopeful that if I was well enough the week before, I'd buy a ticket and go. I do have to admit it was touch and go at some points about whether I would go, but I did end up going, and they did not disappoint.
I have to admit, I am a Scorpions fan, and the fact they couldn't perform was disappointing, as was the way the news wasn't really circulated before the show at the venue. That said I still had an awesome night. Most people would remember The Scorpions from this song Winds of Change. I feel like it was their only big hit in Australia.
It was quite an interesting crowd, comprised mostly of dads and their teenage daughters and sons. There was certainly a lot of long hair in the room.
Have to take my hat of to Dallas Crane - a Melbourne based rcok band who were invited mid afternoon to play. The crowd warmed up slowly for them. Have to admit I won't be checking them out in the future, but they did a great job, in the circumstances.
Def Leppard hit the stage just after 9, and began by playing their album Hysteria in full, before concluding with a variety of tracks - some pre Hysteria and some more recent, like Let's Get Rocked, Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad. Hard to believe that Hsyteria is now 31 years old.
A couple of highlights for me were Love Bites, Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad, Hysteria, and there was a very tasteful and moving tribute to Stephen Clark, their original lead guitarist. I am blown away every time I look at Rick Allen - their drummer who has one arm and plays mostly with his feet. If you're just listening to the music you'd just never know that.
Joe Elliot fnished by telling us we were a great audience, and that they won't forget us, and they're will be a next time - they will be back. I'm certainly hoping his words come true.
Edited to include the setlist:
Women / Rocket / Animal / Love Bites / Pour Some Sugar on Me / Armageddon It / Gods of War / Don't Shoot Shotgun / Run Riot / Hysteria / Excitable / Love and Affection
Encore: Let It Go / When Love and Hate Collide / Let's Get Rocked / Rock of Ages / Photograph.
I have to admit, I am a Scorpions fan, and the fact they couldn't perform was disappointing, as was the way the news wasn't really circulated before the show at the venue. That said I still had an awesome night. Most people would remember The Scorpions from this song Winds of Change. I feel like it was their only big hit in Australia.
It was quite an interesting crowd, comprised mostly of dads and their teenage daughters and sons. There was certainly a lot of long hair in the room.
Have to take my hat of to Dallas Crane - a Melbourne based rcok band who were invited mid afternoon to play. The crowd warmed up slowly for them. Have to admit I won't be checking them out in the future, but they did a great job, in the circumstances.
Def Leppard hit the stage just after 9, and began by playing their album Hysteria in full, before concluding with a variety of tracks - some pre Hysteria and some more recent, like Let's Get Rocked, Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad. Hard to believe that Hsyteria is now 31 years old.
A couple of highlights for me were Love Bites, Have You Ever Needed Someone So Bad, Hysteria, and there was a very tasteful and moving tribute to Stephen Clark, their original lead guitarist. I am blown away every time I look at Rick Allen - their drummer who has one arm and plays mostly with his feet. If you're just listening to the music you'd just never know that.
Joe Elliot fnished by telling us we were a great audience, and that they won't forget us, and they're will be a next time - they will be back. I'm certainly hoping his words come true.
Edited to include the setlist:
Women / Rocket / Animal / Love Bites / Pour Some Sugar on Me / Armageddon It / Gods of War / Don't Shoot Shotgun / Run Riot / Hysteria / Excitable / Love and Affection
Encore: Let It Go / When Love and Hate Collide / Let's Get Rocked / Rock of Ages / Photograph.
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Coldplay - review
There are only a few bands that can really pull off a stadium show. Where the music, performance and staging combine to reduce the size of the arena and bring the audience together, and break down the barrier between performer and audience. U2 are one and attending Coldplay's December show last year confirmed that they belong in this category.
The first thing I noticed was Chris Martin's energy, he ran and jumped onto the stage, and didn't stop running for about two hours. Everyone who attended the show was given a wristband, which was illuminated in different colours at different points of the show, which just looked awesome. The other highlight was the balloons which were released during Adventure of a Lifetime.
Setlist, December 13, 2016
O mio babbino caro (Intro) / A Head Full of Dreams / Yellow / Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall / The Scientist / Birds / Paradise (with Tiƫsto remix outro) / Always in My Head / Princess of China / Everglow / Clocks / Midnight / Charlie Brown / Hymn for the Weekend / Fix You / Heroes / Viva la Vida / Adventure of a Lifetime / Kaleidoscope (tape) / In My Place / Green Eyes / A Sky Full of Stars / Up&Up / Christmas Lights.
It was hard to be disappointed with their setlist. They played all my favourites, and a few surprises including 'Christmas Lights' (their Christmas song). They also snippeted John Farnham's You're the Voice at a couple of points during the show. have been together for 20 years now, and it shows in the chemistry they have.
The music and positive energy really filled the stadium and created an electric atmosphere, which I doubt would have been replicated at Homebush.
The first thing I noticed was Chris Martin's energy, he ran and jumped onto the stage, and didn't stop running for about two hours. Everyone who attended the show was given a wristband, which was illuminated in different colours at different points of the show, which just looked awesome. The other highlight was the balloons which were released during Adventure of a Lifetime.
Setlist, December 13, 2016
O mio babbino caro (Intro) / A Head Full of Dreams / Yellow / Every Teardrop Is a Waterfall / The Scientist / Birds / Paradise (with Tiƫsto remix outro) / Always in My Head / Princess of China / Everglow / Clocks / Midnight / Charlie Brown / Hymn for the Weekend / Fix You / Heroes / Viva la Vida / Adventure of a Lifetime / Kaleidoscope (tape) / In My Place / Green Eyes / A Sky Full of Stars / Up&Up / Christmas Lights.
It was hard to be disappointed with their setlist. They played all my favourites, and a few surprises including 'Christmas Lights' (their Christmas song). They also snippeted John Farnham's You're the Voice at a couple of points during the show. have been together for 20 years now, and it shows in the chemistry they have.
The music and positive energy really filled the stadium and created an electric atmosphere, which I doubt would have been replicated at Homebush.
Monday, February 13, 2017
Bruce Springsteen - review
Last week I went and saw Bruce Springsteen & the E Street band in Sydney. He has always been on my list of musicians to see live, and needless to say I was not disappointed. One of the first things I noticed on the way to the show was the average age of the concert goer. His shows have been described as a religious experience, I might not chose those words, but it was an awesome night, with a crowd who were really into the show.
I really love both his voice and the passion he sings with. Hard to believe at 67 he's still powering on, even crowdsurfing.. I also love how a lot of his songs are telling stories,which less seems less common these days. It was great that he let the songs speak for themselves, which is perhaps more powerful than speaking before or after the song.
What really struck me at the show was the chemistry between the band members. It was awesome to see a tribute to the original saxophonist Clarence Clemens during 10th Avenue Freeze Out. I love Jake Clemen's saxophone, particularly in Jungleland, Dancing in the Dark. The saxophone adds so much to each song.
Setlist:
New York City Serenade / American Land / The Ties That Bind / No Surrender / Out in the Street / My Love Will Not Let You Down / Hungry Heart / Long Tall Sally / Wrecking Ball / Darkness on the Edge of Town / American Skin (41 Shots) / Youngstown / The Promised Land / Mary's Place / Candy's Room / She's the One / Downbound Train / I'm on Fire / Because the Night / The Rising / Badlands / Thunder Road / Jungleland / Born to Run / Dancing in the Dark /
Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out / Shout / Bobby Jean.
There were so many highlights in the show. I was really excited to hear American Skin, Jungleland, Dancing in the Dark, and really loved New York City Serenade, complete with a string section. The other awesome thing about the show was seeing the energy he put in to connecting with the crowd that night, and making it special. He played at list three songs from sign requests, and pulling people up onto the stage for Dancing in the Dark.
I certainly would go back and see him again if I got the chance, but the other awesome thing with Bruce Springsteen is that you can buy a CD or digital recording of the show and relive it :) Personally I wish more bands would do that.
I really love both his voice and the passion he sings with. Hard to believe at 67 he's still powering on, even crowdsurfing.. I also love how a lot of his songs are telling stories,which less seems less common these days. It was great that he let the songs speak for themselves, which is perhaps more powerful than speaking before or after the song.
What really struck me at the show was the chemistry between the band members. It was awesome to see a tribute to the original saxophonist Clarence Clemens during 10th Avenue Freeze Out. I love Jake Clemen's saxophone, particularly in Jungleland, Dancing in the Dark. The saxophone adds so much to each song.
Setlist:
New York City Serenade / American Land / The Ties That Bind / No Surrender / Out in the Street / My Love Will Not Let You Down / Hungry Heart / Long Tall Sally / Wrecking Ball / Darkness on the Edge of Town / American Skin (41 Shots) / Youngstown / The Promised Land / Mary's Place / Candy's Room / She's the One / Downbound Train / I'm on Fire / Because the Night / The Rising / Badlands / Thunder Road / Jungleland / Born to Run / Dancing in the Dark /
Tenth Avenue Freeze-Out / Shout / Bobby Jean.
There were so many highlights in the show. I was really excited to hear American Skin, Jungleland, Dancing in the Dark, and really loved New York City Serenade, complete with a string section. The other awesome thing about the show was seeing the energy he put in to connecting with the crowd that night, and making it special. He played at list three songs from sign requests, and pulling people up onto the stage for Dancing in the Dark.
I certainly would go back and see him again if I got the chance, but the other awesome thing with Bruce Springsteen is that you can buy a CD or digital recording of the show and relive it :) Personally I wish more bands would do that.
Tuesday, October 25, 2016
Glen Hansard - Review
On Saturday night I went and saw Glen Hansard play the first of two shows at Sydney Opera House.
Main Set: Just to Be the One, Winning Streak, My Little Ruin – When Your Mind’s Made Up, Bird of Sorrow, Renata, Wedding Ring*, Vigilante Man (Woodie Guthrie), Way Back When, McCormack’s Wall, Lowly Deserter, Astral Weeks (Van Morrison) – Smile (Pearl Jam), Star Star – Pure Imagination – Hotellounge (dEUS), Falling Slowly
Encore: Love Don’t Leave Me Waiting – Respect (Aretha Franklin), Say It to Me Now – Stay the Road, Leave a Light** (Peadar O’Riada),Aisling Gheal** (Peadar O’Riada), O Sean** (Peadar O’Riada), Gold** (Interference), Her Mercy
*with Curtis on vocals **with Peader O’Riada on piano/vocals. (Setlist courtesy of Order in the Sound).
The highlight of any Glen Hansard gig is the stories he tells about each song - My Litte Ruin a song about the privilege friends have to speak the uncomfortable truth to each other; Renata written to a barmaid in a New York pub; McCormack's Wall a song written in the birth place of the great Irish Tenor John McCormack.
Other notable songs on the night were Bird of Sorrow, Viligante Man (adapted for Donald Trump), Way Back When (dedicated to the migrants in the world), McCormack's Wall and the beautiful fiddle section, Star Star (with its detour into Pure Imagination), Stay the Road performed without microphones, Gold (and the harmonies)
Hard not to leave a Glen Hansard show without feeling like you've been talking with a friend.The show is definitely among the best I've seen with the special combination of exceptional story-telling and brilliant music.
Main Set: Just to Be the One, Winning Streak, My Little Ruin – When Your Mind’s Made Up, Bird of Sorrow, Renata, Wedding Ring*, Vigilante Man (Woodie Guthrie), Way Back When, McCormack’s Wall, Lowly Deserter, Astral Weeks (Van Morrison) – Smile (Pearl Jam), Star Star – Pure Imagination – Hotellounge (dEUS), Falling Slowly
Encore: Love Don’t Leave Me Waiting – Respect (Aretha Franklin), Say It to Me Now – Stay the Road, Leave a Light** (Peadar O’Riada),Aisling Gheal** (Peadar O’Riada), O Sean** (Peadar O’Riada), Gold** (Interference), Her Mercy
*with Curtis on vocals **with Peader O’Riada on piano/vocals. (Setlist courtesy of Order in the Sound).
The highlight of any Glen Hansard gig is the stories he tells about each song - My Litte Ruin a song about the privilege friends have to speak the uncomfortable truth to each other; Renata written to a barmaid in a New York pub; McCormack's Wall a song written in the birth place of the great Irish Tenor John McCormack.
Other notable songs on the night were Bird of Sorrow, Viligante Man (adapted for Donald Trump), Way Back When (dedicated to the migrants in the world), McCormack's Wall and the beautiful fiddle section, Star Star (with its detour into Pure Imagination), Stay the Road performed without microphones, Gold (and the harmonies)
Hard not to leave a Glen Hansard show without feeling like you've been talking with a friend.The show is definitely among the best I've seen with the special combination of exceptional story-telling and brilliant music.
Thursday, March 05, 2015
Concert Review: Roxette, Sydney Opera House steps
Last Wednesday night I went and saw Roxette play on the steps of the Sydney Opera House. I've always wanted to see a concert and Roxette had always been on my list of bands to see. Hearing some of these songs performed live, took me back to the 1990s. Boom Crash Opera played support, and I honestly didn't recognise the guitarist as he walked passed or any of the songs.
Per & Marie (and the band) were having so much fun on stage, and was great to see that the chemistry between them hasn't changed. Per often seems like a young boy living his dream.
The first thing that was clear from the beginning of the concert was Marie wasn't well. At times it didn't seem to matter and others, it was like she just couldn't quite hit the notes. I hadn't known this, but she had a brain-tumour removed, and sometimes suffers the effects of this.
Main Set: Sleeping In My Car // The Big L. // Stars // Spending My Time // Crash! Boom! Bang! // Crush On You // She’s Got Nothing On (But The Radio) // Watercolours In The Rain / Paint // Fading Like A Flower // How Do You Do! // It Must Have Been Love // Dressed For Success // Dangerous-Waltzing Matilda // Joyride.
Encore: Listen To Your Heart // The Look.
Encore: Listen To Your Heart // The Look.
A few of the things I loved about the concert. Maybe its cheesy, but the instrumental version of Waltzing Matilda played by the guitarist was pretty cool, (It wasn't Hendrix's Star Sprangled Banner, but fun nevertheless). Marie sang 'Spending My Time', which has always been one of my favourites, and one I would probably have been disappointed if they hadn't played. The other highlights were the crowd singing 'It Must have Been Love' (and stuffing up the words), the audience reaction to 'Joyride' and 'The Look', and I quite enjoyed hearing Per sang 'Crash! Boom! Bang!
All in all it was great fun night.
Friday, April 09, 2010
Good night, and joy be with you all - The Swell Season (Sydney, April 5)
On Monday we went to The Swell Season at the Opera House. There's something unique in seeing The Swell Season, its like two (or three) concerts in one. The three things I love about The Swell Season, are Glen and Marketa's ability to tell a story through song (and also in introducing songs); the genuine humility they seem to have about how fame struck them, and how they introduce people to the music they like. In addition to the songs they normally play, they invited LJ Hill onto the stage to play a song, they heard him him play at the Blues and Roots festival and were captivated by his songs. He played a song called 'The Pretty Bird Tree' which was just beautiful (and fitted into the night so well).
The highlights, in terms of the songs they played ... (that I expected and and the surprises) -- Gold (from Once); and two songs original recorded by The Frames (Lay Me Down; and Red Chord) and Marketa's performance of I Don't Know How to Love Him; in terms of the stories he told (about buying a grave, a tough man and tears on a plane ride, and the 'Irish' farewell), and just their presence on stage. It might have been me, but it seems that Marketa has got a little bit more comfortable, and is starting to talk a little more, and introduce songs with stories as like Glen with stories, before she introduced Fantasy Man she spoke of a Czech Easter tradition. It was quite sweet how he thanked the band, for letting him have time off to follow this road (and come along for the ride).
My recollection of the setlist is below, though I'm sure the order is wrong, I think all the songs are there:
Gold / Low Rising / If You Want Me To / High Hope / The Rain / In These Arms / Say it to me now / Lay Me Down / Leave / Astral Weeks / Fantasy Man / I Have Loved You Wrong / The Pretty Bird Tree [LJ Hill] / Feeling the Pull / Back Broke / The Court of New Town / When Your Minds Made Up // I Don't Know How to Love Him / Falling Slowly / Lies / Red Chord-Hey Day-Parting Glass.
In sum, I'd see them again tomorrow night, and love it just the same. I wonder whether the future has another Frame's album and tour in store... will be great to find out.
The highlights, in terms of the songs they played ... (that I expected and and the surprises) -- Gold (from Once); and two songs original recorded by The Frames (Lay Me Down; and Red Chord) and Marketa's performance of I Don't Know How to Love Him; in terms of the stories he told (about buying a grave, a tough man and tears on a plane ride, and the 'Irish' farewell), and just their presence on stage. It might have been me, but it seems that Marketa has got a little bit more comfortable, and is starting to talk a little more, and introduce songs with stories as like Glen with stories, before she introduced Fantasy Man she spoke of a Czech Easter tradition. It was quite sweet how he thanked the band, for letting him have time off to follow this road (and come along for the ride).
My recollection of the setlist is below, though I'm sure the order is wrong, I think all the songs are there:
Gold / Low Rising / If You Want Me To / High Hope / The Rain / In These Arms / Say it to me now / Lay Me Down / Leave / Astral Weeks / Fantasy Man / I Have Loved You Wrong / The Pretty Bird Tree [LJ Hill] / Feeling the Pull / Back Broke / The Court of New Town / When Your Minds Made Up // I Don't Know How to Love Him / Falling Slowly / Lies / Red Chord-Hey Day-Parting Glass.
In sum, I'd see them again tomorrow night, and love it just the same. I wonder whether the future has another Frame's album and tour in store... will be great to find out.
Saturday, April 11, 2009
National Folk Festival...
We headed down to Canberra for the Easter weekend to spend some time with Fi's parents, and on our agenda yesterday was to go spend the evening at the National Folk Festival. I guess though I do listen to some music which would be classified by i-tunes as folk, it was a great experience to hear some folk music live - including Eric Bogle and John Munro of 'And the Band Played Waltzing Malitda' fame, that I was not really familar with.
There was something in Bogles's lyrics which is getting harder and harder to find in contemporary music. Bogle's songs are more than just protest songs, they are social commentries. Of the songs we heard last night, one was about the colour of dreams (touching on MLK, Nelson Mandela), one was around the obscene amount of money our government seems to spend on sport, another on the casualties of war coming home The ones which really struck me - one was a call and response song around the death of an elderly women, who lay in her home for a year unnoticed, and "And the Band Played.." really reasonated with me, even though I've probably heard it before.
On top of the lyrics, the harmonies of John and Eric's voices and guitars was wonderful too. It wasn't all serious though, there was great banter between Eric and John, and they played a song reminding us that the greatest endangered speices - is the male.
I know I've said this before, and I know that there's more protest songs out that that I can recall, but these songs were powerful statements, and I can't think of many bands to let their music talk in the same way as folk-singers such as Eric. I know that both Gen-Y and Gen-X are not as apathetic as they're are often made out to be, and perhaps they protest in a different sort of way.
While we were there last night we also saw the April Vietch Band - a Canadian group out to Austalia for the first time, and one of the highlights of their performace was watching their fidller / tap-dancer duel with the drummer, and then play the fiddle while tap-dancing... very great entertaining stuff. Was well worth the trip.
There was something in Bogles's lyrics which is getting harder and harder to find in contemporary music. Bogle's songs are more than just protest songs, they are social commentries. Of the songs we heard last night, one was about the colour of dreams (touching on MLK, Nelson Mandela), one was around the obscene amount of money our government seems to spend on sport, another on the casualties of war coming home The ones which really struck me - one was a call and response song around the death of an elderly women, who lay in her home for a year unnoticed, and "And the Band Played.." really reasonated with me, even though I've probably heard it before.
On top of the lyrics, the harmonies of John and Eric's voices and guitars was wonderful too. It wasn't all serious though, there was great banter between Eric and John, and they played a song reminding us that the greatest endangered speices - is the male.
I know I've said this before, and I know that there's more protest songs out that that I can recall, but these songs were powerful statements, and I can't think of many bands to let their music talk in the same way as folk-singers such as Eric. I know that both Gen-Y and Gen-X are not as apathetic as they're are often made out to be, and perhaps they protest in a different sort of way.
While we were there last night we also saw the April Vietch Band - a Canadian group out to Austalia for the first time, and one of the highlights of their performace was watching their fidller / tap-dancer duel with the drummer, and then play the fiddle while tap-dancing... very great entertaining stuff. Was well worth the trip.
Friday, January 30, 2009
The Swell Season - Sydney Opera House [Jan 29, 2009]
Last night, we went and saw Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova (The Swell Season) perform at the Sydney Opera House. (Glen is the lead singer of the Irish band The Frames), and with Marketa released an album, and starred in the wonderful film 'Once'. I was stunned when I first heard their CD during 2006, and its lovely seeing them being recognised (playing three sell-outs shows in the Opera House). There was such a connection between Glen, Marketa and the audience, created through their personality and the honestly within their songs; songs which resonating as shared experiences. Glen was quite talkative throughout the night engaging with the crowd; he seemed generally delighted (if a touch nervous) about playing the Opera House Concert Hall (fulfilling a 'dream" he had when the Frames were last in Australia during 2007). Glen comes across as a larrikan - promoting healthy disrespect for the venue (asking us to stand, and kick the seat in front of us); and a self-deprecating sense of humour
Even though I had heard a few of their shows from last year, there was still a few surprises - the Frames "God Bless Mom", Leonard Cohen's "Famous Blue Raincoat", and "because they were in Australia" a classic AC/DC song 'give me a bullet to bit on'. One of my favourite songs by The Frames 'Fitzcarraldo' sounds great with the addition of Marketa's piano part. I really loved Colm Mac Con Iomaire's piece "The Court of
the New Town" off his wonderful CD - The Hare's Corner.
My best recollection of the set list is (I think I've got all the songs, if not the right order):
Say it to me now // Lies // This Low // God Bless Mom // The Moon // I Have Loved You Wrong // When Your Minds Made Up // Falling Slowly // Famous Blue Raincoat // Leave // Astral Weeks // Low Rising // Happiness // Once /// The Hill // If You Want Me // The Court of the New Town // Fitzcarraldo // Broken-hearted-hoover-fixer-sucker-guy // give me a bullet to bite on // You Ain't Going Nowhere ///
It was a really awesome show, and the crowd gave them three [well-deserved] standing ovations. There are murmurs of a new album coming out later in the year (given the few new songs they played), but I recommend a wait-and-see approach.
Even though I had heard a few of their shows from last year, there was still a few surprises - the Frames "God Bless Mom", Leonard Cohen's "Famous Blue Raincoat", and "because they were in Australia" a classic AC/DC song 'give me a bullet to bit on'. One of my favourite songs by The Frames 'Fitzcarraldo' sounds great with the addition of Marketa's piano part. I really loved Colm Mac Con Iomaire's piece "The Court of
the New Town" off his wonderful CD - The Hare's Corner.
My best recollection of the set list is (I think I've got all the songs, if not the right order):
Say it to me now // Lies // This Low // God Bless Mom // The Moon // I Have Loved You Wrong // When Your Minds Made Up // Falling Slowly // Famous Blue Raincoat // Leave // Astral Weeks // Low Rising // Happiness // Once /// The Hill // If You Want Me // The Court of the New Town // Fitzcarraldo // Broken-hearted-hoover-fixer-sucker-guy // give me a bullet to bite on // You Ain't Going Nowhere ///
It was a really awesome show, and the crowd gave them three [well-deserved] standing ovations. There are murmurs of a new album coming out later in the year (given the few new songs they played), but I recommend a wait-and-see approach.
Thursday, October 04, 2007
The Frames (The Metro, August 14th)
Been a while since the show but thought that I’d post about it now too. I had read quite a fair bit about The Frames being a pretty special live act, so expectations were quite high. Needless to say my expectations were not only met, but exceeded. It seems that The Frames are rated more highly in Ireland than U2 - they have four CD's compared to U2's 3 in the best reviewed Irish CDs).
There is something fresh, about their style and lyrics. I quite liked the way the songs are constructed, and the enthusiasm with which they were performed. One of the other things I love about The Frames (aside from Hansards voice) is the acoustic guitar, and the violin (which just adds quite another rich layer to their music).
The highlights of the show for me were, Song for Someone, Seven Day Mile, Star Star, Say it to Me Now (performed acoustically) and Fitzcarraldo. The moment of the night was during the introduction to People Get Ready when he was teaching us the chorus, he mentioned that they had finally had written a song with a chorus, like U2~!
There were camera's filming the show, apparently it will be on the Metro's website, but wait and see. Another surprise during the night was Holly Throsby. I had not heard much of her music before but quite enjoyed her music. Towards the end of their set, Glen Hansard invited Holly Throsby on stage, and they sang New Partner (written by Will Oldham) together. The only real negative about the night for me, was how the crowd talked through Holly's set.
Setlist (Not quite sure about the below, I thought they played Fake, and am not sure about the order).
Song for Someone // Lay me Down // 7 Day Mile // Stars are Underground // Pavement Tune // God Bless Mom // Revelate // Star Star // Falling Slowly // Fitzcarraldo // Happy // Finally // Say It To Me Now // Ghost of Pickering Wood (instrumental) // Sad Songs // Rent Day Blues // New Partner (w/ Holly Throsby) // People Get Ready // Red Chord
~~
Rumour has it that, they will be back in Australia in March....
There is something fresh, about their style and lyrics. I quite liked the way the songs are constructed, and the enthusiasm with which they were performed. One of the other things I love about The Frames (aside from Hansards voice) is the acoustic guitar, and the violin (which just adds quite another rich layer to their music).
The highlights of the show for me were, Song for Someone, Seven Day Mile, Star Star, Say it to Me Now (performed acoustically) and Fitzcarraldo. The moment of the night was during the introduction to People Get Ready when he was teaching us the chorus, he mentioned that they had finally had written a song with a chorus, like U2~!
There were camera's filming the show, apparently it will be on the Metro's website, but wait and see. Another surprise during the night was Holly Throsby. I had not heard much of her music before but quite enjoyed her music. Towards the end of their set, Glen Hansard invited Holly Throsby on stage, and they sang New Partner (written by Will Oldham) together. The only real negative about the night for me, was how the crowd talked through Holly's set.
Setlist (Not quite sure about the below, I thought they played Fake, and am not sure about the order).
Song for Someone // Lay me Down // 7 Day Mile // Stars are Underground // Pavement Tune // God Bless Mom // Revelate // Star Star // Falling Slowly // Fitzcarraldo // Happy // Finally // Say It To Me Now // Ghost of Pickering Wood (instrumental) // Sad Songs // Rent Day Blues // New Partner (w/ Holly Throsby) // People Get Ready // Red Chord
~~
Rumour has it that, they will be back in Australia in March....
Saturday, September 22, 2007
Across the Great Divide (Silverchair+Powderfinger)
Acer Arena September 8, 2007
I've been meaning to write a review of the concert for quite a while, so here goes. I have to admit that I didn’t get into Silverchair or Powderfinger until I saw them perform at WaveAid. I was looking forward to their new albums this year, and wasn’t disappointed. Dream Days… is quite consistent in terms of style and sound, a solid collection of songs. Young Modern is perhaps the more ambitious of the two, and was quite an eclectic mix of songs. My feeling is that Young Modern will be the more enduring of the two albums.
On to the concert, supporting the double act was The Scare, who had a tough spot for a start, but they didn’t make it any easier on themselves.
In general, the concert was quite impressive, both bands played a mix of their classic and new songs, but for me, a lot of the classics were new~! Silverchair played first and impressed with their intensity, though the crowd really only got into Ana’s Song, Straight Lines and Freak. I really also liked Without You. Silverchair did make me think about looking into their back-catalogue. Perhaps unattended; perhaps I’m reading too much into it, but it was quite lovely to see the drummer hold the Australian flag upside-down.
It seemed, however, the majority of people were there to see Powderfinger. Dream Days translated quite well. Their set seemed stronger, but Bernard Fanning seemed to worked the crowd a little better. The highlights were Lost and Running, My Happiness, Black Tears, These Days.
I was hoping that they would play a song together, and wasn’t disappointed (they said that it was the first time they’ve done it). The played a cover of The Who’s Substitute.
For those who like this sort of thing, my best recollection of the setlist is below.
+++ +++ +++
Silverchair: Young Modern Station // Israel
E:/ / If You Keep Losing Sleep // Freak
E:/ / If You Keep Losing Sleep // Freak
Powderfinger: Head up in the Clouds // Waiting for the Sun // Love your way // I Don’t Remember // These Days // Lost and Running // My Happiness // Who Really Cares? // Black Tears // Bless My Soul // Sunsets //
E:// On My Mind
E:// On My Mind
Finale: Substitute+
+ Performed by both Silverchair and Powderfinger.
+ Performed by both Silverchair and Powderfinger.
Sunday, June 17, 2007
Rock 'n Roll disasters
Inspired by this article here's my top and bottom gig.
Top
Radiohead 1998, (2004 not too far behind); and tie U2, (1998 - there was something very special about that night) and Sigur Ros (Brixton, London, 2005 - it was a combination of the venue, and the music).
Honorable Mention: U2, 2005 Madison Square Garden.
Bottom:
Bon Jovi, Eastern Creek, 1995 [touring These Days].
I was given the tickets for my 18th birthday, the concert was held just after the HSC, not much went right really - it was a horrible humid and hot day, in which we lined up for ages, and you could smell, then see, the evening storm approach, it started sprinkling, and 5 minutes later it was hailing. No shelter and not much fun. Perhaps it says something that there is not much that I remember about the concert.
[Edited: corrected date]
Top
Radiohead 1998, (2004 not too far behind); and tie U2, (1998 - there was something very special about that night) and Sigur Ros (Brixton, London, 2005 - it was a combination of the venue, and the music).
Honorable Mention: U2, 2005 Madison Square Garden.
Bottom:
Bon Jovi, Eastern Creek, 1995 [touring These Days].
I was given the tickets for my 18th birthday, the concert was held just after the HSC, not much went right really - it was a horrible humid and hot day, in which we lined up for ages, and you could smell, then see, the evening storm approach, it started sprinkling, and 5 minutes later it was hailing. No shelter and not much fun. Perhaps it says something that there is not much that I remember about the concert.
[Edited: corrected date]
Saturday, May 19, 2007
Review: Brooke Fraser @ the basement (28 April 2007)
Brooke has quite a fresh stage presence, and was quite talkative on stage, I quite liked her comment about the fake ending (that is: the age-old routine, of going off stage; then getting the audience to make lots of noise before coming on again to play the songs you always intended to finish with).
Her emotion filled comments before Albertine were quite moving and her performance sent a shiver up my spine. I also got a shiver when she sang Arithmetic, (which was sung by Karen during the signing of the register at our wedding).
As perhaps could be expected; there was a call to action before Albertine. She spoke about how perhaps, after going to Rwanda
There is a view that artists' “second CDs” tend to disappoint; to my mind, Albertine is a notable exception, growing on me each time I listen to it. The song-writing is the strength, and perhaps speaking more clearly about the Christian life than the her first CD. (I find the best examples to be: Shadowfeet, Love, Where is Your Fire?, and the C.S. Lewis Song). If you haven't yet, I would recommend checking out the CD, and (from what I’ve read) another tour (during August).
For those who are interested here is the setlist; most likely all the songs though not necessarily in the right order.
// Deciphering Me // Lifeline // Love, Where is Your Fire? // Better // Seeds // Faithful // Hosea’s Wife // Without You // Hymn // CS Lewis Song // Albertine //
// Arithmetic // Shadowfeet //
Friday, February 23, 2007
Reel Life
Pursuit of Happyness: Quite enjoyed it. Though I do wonder if enjoy is the right word. It was quite a moving film. It was inspiring seeing the way Chris dealt with the cards he was given. The most moving scene for me was when Chris and his son end up sleeping in a locked toilet cubicle at a subway station and the camera focuses on a tear which runs down his face. I was left thinking it should not come to this.
As mentioned in the movie; perhaps there’s a little something in the fact that the US founding fathers wrote the ‘pursuit’ of happiness, rather than happiness (Aside: my mind recalls the poem (by Lewis Caroll) and musical of The Hunting of the Snark, also being about the quest for happiness.
Pan’s Labyrinth – I quite liked it. Well worth a look, a little violent, but at the same time it is a rich, and beautifully crafted story.
++
On my list to see at present: The Queen, Music and Lyrics, The Last King of Scotland, Stranger than Fiction and Miss Potter.
Spinning Round
Added to my music player recently: Leigh Nash (she was lead singer of the band Sixpence None the Richer) Blue on Blue and Emmylou Harris Wrecking Ball (an older gem, that features songs written by Daniel Lanois, Neil Young and Bob Dylan).
I’m looking forward to new CDs from The Arcade Fire, Wilco, and maybe Interpol.
Quite enjoyed Don’t Dream Its Over at the Zoo last weekend. It was a tribute to the music from the Finn’s; they played classics from both Split Enz and Crowded House). It was quite enjoyable; with a great location, and atmosphere.
As mentioned in the movie; perhaps there’s a little something in the fact that the US founding fathers wrote the ‘pursuit’ of happiness, rather than happiness (Aside: my mind recalls the poem (by Lewis Caroll) and musical of The Hunting of the Snark, also being about the quest for happiness.
Pan’s Labyrinth – I quite liked it. Well worth a look, a little violent, but at the same time it is a rich, and beautifully crafted story.
++
On my list to see at present: The Queen, Music and Lyrics, The Last King of Scotland, Stranger than Fiction and Miss Potter.
Spinning Round
Added to my music player recently: Leigh Nash (she was lead singer of the band Sixpence None the Richer) Blue on Blue and Emmylou Harris Wrecking Ball (an older gem, that features songs written by Daniel Lanois, Neil Young and Bob Dylan).
I’m looking forward to new CDs from The Arcade Fire, Wilco, and maybe Interpol.
Quite enjoyed Don’t Dream Its Over at the Zoo last weekend. It was a tribute to the music from the Finn’s; they played classics from both Split Enz and Crowded House). It was quite enjoyable; with a great location, and atmosphere.
Sunday, November 19, 2006
... I know that this is not goodbye ...
// U2
// Sydney Nov 11, 2006, Telstra Stadium
// Support: Kanye West
// City of Blinding Lights / Vertigo (She Loves You) / Elevation (Spinning Around) / Until the End of the World / New Year’s Day / Beautiful Day (Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Blackbird) / I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For (In a Little While) / Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of / Sometimes You Can’t Make it On Your Own / Love and Peace or Else / Sunday Bloody Sunday / Bullet the Blue Sky (Johnny Comes Marching Home-The Hands that Built America) / Miss Sarajevo / Pride (In the Name of Love) / Where the Streets Have No Name (All You Need is Love) / One (My Sweet Lord) ///
// Zoo Station / The Fly / With or Without You (Never Tear Us Apart-Love Will Tear Us Apart) ///
// The Saints are Coming / Desire (Not Fade Away-Gold Digger) / Kite //
It was different experiencing the Vertigo Tour in an outdoor setting. The quality of the sound was not as bad as I had thought it might be, but I guess the sound may be related to where you are. The seats were actually better than I had expected and were a great vantage point from which we saw the band get back into the cars at the end of the concert. I now get goose-bumps every time I hear Wake Up (The Arcade Fire).
The biggest difference for the Pacific Leg of the tour and perhaps no surprise is the number of songs from ‘All that You Can’t Leave Behind’ returning to the set. So far, Kite, Stuck in a Moment, In a Little While (a snippet) and Walk On (sadly not for our show) have been added to the staples Beautiful Day and Elevation), and that they are playing The Saints are Coming (a cover of The Skids song). I found it interesting that there were only four songs played from How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.
One of the highlights of seeing U2 live is hearing how they combine songs (if you’ve seen the bands ZooTV and PopMart videos you’ll know what I mean), and the various snippets of other songs that Bono sings, for example he previously has included Love Will Tear Us Apart (Joy Division) in With or Without You and Amazing Grace (in Running to Stand Still on the Vertigo Tour and previously in The Electric Co.).
A word about Kanye West, I was not that taken with him. Perhaps it was because we came in about half way through his performance, but his mix didn’t really help. Hearing him in a stadium is not the best way to be introduced to his music.
U2 opened the show with City of Blinding Lights; Bono came on stage wrapped in an Australian flag. Vertigo followed next and was an energetic affair concluding with a snippet of the Beatles’ She Loves You. Elevation was a great; from our vantage point it was awesome watching the crowd bounce around, (the song concluded with a bit of Spinning Around).
Following the combination of Until the End of World and New Year’s Day, was a strong version of Beautiful Day, finishing with snippets of Sgt. Peppers’ Lonely Hearts Club Band and Blackbird.
During the introduction to I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, Bono spoke about how all the family was doing very well tonight, and I think he said the Edge’s family was at the concert. After a brief snippet of In A Little While, the band dedicated Stuck in a Moment to Michael Hutchence, and followed that with Sometimes You Can’t Make it On Your Own.
The section from Love and Peace to One; is perhaps the sermon section of the concert. Love and Peace or Else is growing on me. Bono dedicated Sunday Bloody Sunday to those who lost their lives in Bali said his prayer was that we do not to become a monster to defeat the monster. I quite liked the new arrangement of Bullet the Blue Sky. The three songs Love and Peace, Sunday and Bullet flow beautifully into each other, and a stunning Miss Sarajevo tops it off. Miss Sarajevo was dedicated to those Australians serving overseas in Iraq. Every time I hear Bono sing the part usually performed by Pavarotti, I am blown away. I have to admit, this was a song that I thought might have been dropped for our leg of the tour. But as I found in the US, people would talk or talk bathroom breaks during this song. (Note: I think it is worth buying the deluxe version of U2-Eighteen for the DVD containing Miss Sarajevo and Original of the Species alone).
The African trilogy (Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name and One), followed and flowed from the reading of the Declaration of Human rights. Where the Streets Have No Name was fantastic as always. I quite liked the beginning where flags from the African continent scrolled down the screen and ended with the Southern Cross on the screen. The effect of having the mobile phones lit during One is beautiful.
The first encore pairing of Zoo Station and The Fly was amazing (both songs I hadn’t heard last year, but were otherwise played regularly). Like during Zoo TV, words, sentences and ideas flashed on the screen. After seeing those two songs I was reminded how great it would have been to see them during the Zoo TV tour. The first encore concluded with a beautiful version of With or Without You, (though I don’t remember Bono dancing with anyone?)
The second and final encore featured U2’s recent song – The Saints are Coming, (a rough and fun version of) Desire. The concert closed with a stunning version of Kite (dedicated to Cate Blanchett and featuring Tim Moriaity on didgeridoo). Although I knew the band had rehearsed it I was still surprised to hear it closing the concert. Seeing the kite lift off as the band concluded was awesome, (and they did say they’ll be back~!)
Overall, it was an excellent show. I think next time I’ll try and get tickets closer to the stage. I was intrigued that the older songs that got the loudest reactions. Bono did seem a little quieter than usual. Another thing that I quite like about U2 is throughout their career the meanings of their songs continue to evolve and can speak to people in different ways, at different times.
Sydney was the third show on the Vertigo tour I’ve seen. Each of the shows stood out for different reasons. Miami featured an acoustic version of Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses, Miracle Drug, and the most songs from How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (7), Sydney had the least (4), but included Stuck in a Moment (which I had heard acoustically in the two US shows) and The Fly, and Kite. The New York show included a cover of Instant Karma, the beautiful Original of the Species and finished with Bad. But I think push come to shove, the 11.21 show in New York was the strongest and most emotional for me. For those who are interested in set lists:
Miami: 11-13-05
City of Blinding Lights / Vertigo / Elevation / Mysterious Ways / Until the End of the Word / I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For – In A Little While / Beautiful Day / Miracle Drug / Sometimes You Can’t Make it on Your Own / Love and Peace or Else / Sunday Bloody Sunday / Bullet the Blue Sky / Miss Sarajevo / Pride (In the Name of Love) / Where the Streets Have No Name / One ///
// Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of / Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses / With or Without You ///
// All Because of You / Yahweh / 40.
New York 11-21-05
City of Blinding Lights / Vertigo / Elevation / I Will Follow / I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For – In A Little While / Beautiful Day / Original of the Species / Sometimes You Can’t Make it On Your Own / Love and Peace or Else / Sunday Bloody Sunday / Bullet the Blue Sky / Miss Sarajevo / Pride (in the Name of Love) / Where the Streets Have No Name / One-Ol’ Man River ///
// Until the End of the World / Mysterious Ways / With or Without You-White Flag-Love Will Tear Us Apart ///
// The First Time / Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get out Of / Instant Karma! (w/ Patti Smith) / Bad–People got the Power //
// Sydney Nov 11, 2006, Telstra Stadium
// Support: Kanye West
// City of Blinding Lights / Vertigo (She Loves You) / Elevation (Spinning Around) / Until the End of the World / New Year’s Day / Beautiful Day (Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, Blackbird) / I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For (In a Little While) / Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of / Sometimes You Can’t Make it On Your Own / Love and Peace or Else / Sunday Bloody Sunday / Bullet the Blue Sky (Johnny Comes Marching Home-The Hands that Built America) / Miss Sarajevo / Pride (In the Name of Love) / Where the Streets Have No Name (All You Need is Love) / One (My Sweet Lord) ///
// Zoo Station / The Fly / With or Without You (Never Tear Us Apart-Love Will Tear Us Apart) ///
// The Saints are Coming / Desire (Not Fade Away-Gold Digger) / Kite //
It was different experiencing the Vertigo Tour in an outdoor setting. The quality of the sound was not as bad as I had thought it might be, but I guess the sound may be related to where you are. The seats were actually better than I had expected and were a great vantage point from which we saw the band get back into the cars at the end of the concert. I now get goose-bumps every time I hear Wake Up (The Arcade Fire).
The biggest difference for the Pacific Leg of the tour and perhaps no surprise is the number of songs from ‘All that You Can’t Leave Behind’ returning to the set. So far, Kite, Stuck in a Moment, In a Little While (a snippet) and Walk On (sadly not for our show) have been added to the staples Beautiful Day and Elevation), and that they are playing The Saints are Coming (a cover of The Skids song). I found it interesting that there were only four songs played from How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb.
One of the highlights of seeing U2 live is hearing how they combine songs (if you’ve seen the bands ZooTV and PopMart videos you’ll know what I mean), and the various snippets of other songs that Bono sings, for example he previously has included Love Will Tear Us Apart (Joy Division) in With or Without You and Amazing Grace (in Running to Stand Still on the Vertigo Tour and previously in The Electric Co.).
A word about Kanye West, I was not that taken with him. Perhaps it was because we came in about half way through his performance, but his mix didn’t really help. Hearing him in a stadium is not the best way to be introduced to his music.
U2 opened the show with City of Blinding Lights; Bono came on stage wrapped in an Australian flag. Vertigo followed next and was an energetic affair concluding with a snippet of the Beatles’ She Loves You. Elevation was a great; from our vantage point it was awesome watching the crowd bounce around, (the song concluded with a bit of Spinning Around).
Following the combination of Until the End of World and New Year’s Day, was a strong version of Beautiful Day, finishing with snippets of Sgt. Peppers’ Lonely Hearts Club Band and Blackbird.
During the introduction to I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For, Bono spoke about how all the family was doing very well tonight, and I think he said the Edge’s family was at the concert. After a brief snippet of In A Little While, the band dedicated Stuck in a Moment to Michael Hutchence, and followed that with Sometimes You Can’t Make it On Your Own.
The section from Love and Peace to One; is perhaps the sermon section of the concert. Love and Peace or Else is growing on me. Bono dedicated Sunday Bloody Sunday to those who lost their lives in Bali said his prayer was that we do not to become a monster to defeat the monster. I quite liked the new arrangement of Bullet the Blue Sky. The three songs Love and Peace, Sunday and Bullet flow beautifully into each other, and a stunning Miss Sarajevo tops it off. Miss Sarajevo was dedicated to those Australians serving overseas in Iraq. Every time I hear Bono sing the part usually performed by Pavarotti, I am blown away. I have to admit, this was a song that I thought might have been dropped for our leg of the tour. But as I found in the US, people would talk or talk bathroom breaks during this song. (Note: I think it is worth buying the deluxe version of U2-Eighteen for the DVD containing Miss Sarajevo and Original of the Species alone).
The African trilogy (Pride, Where the Streets Have No Name and One), followed and flowed from the reading of the Declaration of Human rights. Where the Streets Have No Name was fantastic as always. I quite liked the beginning where flags from the African continent scrolled down the screen and ended with the Southern Cross on the screen. The effect of having the mobile phones lit during One is beautiful.
The first encore pairing of Zoo Station and The Fly was amazing (both songs I hadn’t heard last year, but were otherwise played regularly). Like during Zoo TV, words, sentences and ideas flashed on the screen. After seeing those two songs I was reminded how great it would have been to see them during the Zoo TV tour. The first encore concluded with a beautiful version of With or Without You, (though I don’t remember Bono dancing with anyone?)
The second and final encore featured U2’s recent song – The Saints are Coming, (a rough and fun version of) Desire. The concert closed with a stunning version of Kite (dedicated to Cate Blanchett and featuring Tim Moriaity on didgeridoo). Although I knew the band had rehearsed it I was still surprised to hear it closing the concert. Seeing the kite lift off as the band concluded was awesome, (and they did say they’ll be back~!)
Overall, it was an excellent show. I think next time I’ll try and get tickets closer to the stage. I was intrigued that the older songs that got the loudest reactions. Bono did seem a little quieter than usual. Another thing that I quite like about U2 is throughout their career the meanings of their songs continue to evolve and can speak to people in different ways, at different times.
Sydney was the third show on the Vertigo tour I’ve seen. Each of the shows stood out for different reasons. Miami featured an acoustic version of Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses, Miracle Drug, and the most songs from How to Dismantle an Atomic Bomb (7), Sydney had the least (4), but included Stuck in a Moment (which I had heard acoustically in the two US shows) and The Fly, and Kite. The New York show included a cover of Instant Karma, the beautiful Original of the Species and finished with Bad. But I think push come to shove, the 11.21 show in New York was the strongest and most emotional for me. For those who are interested in set lists:
Miami: 11-13-05
City of Blinding Lights / Vertigo / Elevation / Mysterious Ways / Until the End of the Word / I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For – In A Little While / Beautiful Day / Miracle Drug / Sometimes You Can’t Make it on Your Own / Love and Peace or Else / Sunday Bloody Sunday / Bullet the Blue Sky / Miss Sarajevo / Pride (In the Name of Love) / Where the Streets Have No Name / One ///
// Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get Out Of / Who’s Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses / With or Without You ///
// All Because of You / Yahweh / 40.
New York 11-21-05
City of Blinding Lights / Vertigo / Elevation / I Will Follow / I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For – In A Little While / Beautiful Day / Original of the Species / Sometimes You Can’t Make it On Your Own / Love and Peace or Else / Sunday Bloody Sunday / Bullet the Blue Sky / Miss Sarajevo / Pride (in the Name of Love) / Where the Streets Have No Name / One-Ol’ Man River ///
// Until the End of the World / Mysterious Ways / With or Without You-White Flag-Love Will Tear Us Apart ///
// The First Time / Stuck in a Moment You Can’t Get out Of / Instant Karma! (w/ Patti Smith) / Bad–People got the Power //
Sunday, June 18, 2006
Another Sunny Day..
Well it has been quite a lovely weekend. I have a lovely catch-up and chat with Guan yesterday, and I've spent most of this morning sleeping. It was a busy week though. Tuesday night, I went to the Enmore theatre with Deb, and we saw Belle and Sebastian. It was quite a great gig, the band were up to it, and seemed to be having a lot of fun on stage. At times though the gig didn't seem to flow and there were pauses as they seemed to decide what to play.
The band has a beautifully original songs, at times they remind me of Simon and Garfunkel. I don't have much of their music, I own The Boy with the Arab Strap and The Life Pursuit. They played most of my favourite songs, and others that I loved hearing for the first time.
Also Fi gets back on Wednesday morning (6am-ish), which I'm quite looking forward too. Fiona's paper went really well in Barcelona, and she has been enjoying sightseeing in Barcelona, and more recently London.
++
Sport Aside: The World Cup has been going for a week, Australia scored their first goal and won their first game. Well played. Will be interesting seeing how they go tonight against Brazil. As the cliche goes, on paper they don't have much of a chance, but football is not played on paper.
Still, Argentina are the most impressive team at present, their second goal against Serbia and Montenegro is close to the best goal I've seen - 29 straight passes, and finished beautifully.
The band has a beautifully original songs, at times they remind me of Simon and Garfunkel. I don't have much of their music, I own The Boy with the Arab Strap and The Life Pursuit. They played most of my favourite songs, and others that I loved hearing for the first time.
Also Fi gets back on Wednesday morning (6am-ish), which I'm quite looking forward too. Fiona's paper went really well in Barcelona, and she has been enjoying sightseeing in Barcelona, and more recently London.
++
Sport Aside: The World Cup has been going for a week, Australia scored their first goal and won their first game. Well played. Will be interesting seeing how they go tonight against Brazil. As the cliche goes, on paper they don't have much of a chance, but football is not played on paper.
Still, Argentina are the most impressive team at present, their second goal against Serbia and Montenegro is close to the best goal I've seen - 29 straight passes, and finished beautifully.
Saturday, April 15, 2006
...Beautiful dawn - I'm just chasing time again...
Two days, two completely different shows. On Wednesday I went to see Sigur Ros, and then Thursday night I saw James Blunt.
I really enjoyed James Blunt's concert. He played all of the songs from his Back to Bedlam CD (which a workmate introduced me to about a year ago), and a few new songs, which were a little more upbeat lyrically than Back to Bedlam (which is quite melancholy). He was quite charming on stage, interacting and joking with the crowd.
The songs were given the chance to speak for themselves rather than being hidden in an elaborate stage or setting. The highlight of the show was No Bravery, which was sung in front of a screen showing images of the war torn Kosovo, which really added to the impact of the song. The crowd seemed to be in a respectful silence as the images and words of the song washed over us.
Wednesday night I saw Sigur Ros, one of my favourite bands, supported by Amiina, at the Enmore theatre. Sigur Ros are a really captivating band to listen to; their sound is so rich and unique, and Wednesday night was no exception.
It was hard to pick out highlights; I really liked the last song PopplagiĆ° and GlĆ³sĆ³li and HoppĆpolla from Takk were also great.
Unlike James Blunt, Sigur Ros did not get really chatty they let the music speak for them. I would be quite happy to go and see them again. Though it was a great gig, it didn’t quite get up to heights of their London show late last year, but having a horn section on stage playing with them is hard to bet.
All in all two great, but very different concerts.
I really enjoyed James Blunt's concert. He played all of the songs from his Back to Bedlam CD (which a workmate introduced me to about a year ago), and a few new songs, which were a little more upbeat lyrically than Back to Bedlam (which is quite melancholy). He was quite charming on stage, interacting and joking with the crowd.
The songs were given the chance to speak for themselves rather than being hidden in an elaborate stage or setting. The highlight of the show was No Bravery, which was sung in front of a screen showing images of the war torn Kosovo, which really added to the impact of the song. The crowd seemed to be in a respectful silence as the images and words of the song washed over us.
Wednesday night I saw Sigur Ros, one of my favourite bands, supported by Amiina, at the Enmore theatre. Sigur Ros are a really captivating band to listen to; their sound is so rich and unique, and Wednesday night was no exception.
It was hard to pick out highlights; I really liked the last song PopplagiĆ° and GlĆ³sĆ³li and HoppĆpolla from Takk were also great.
Unlike James Blunt, Sigur Ros did not get really chatty they let the music speak for them. I would be quite happy to go and see them again. Though it was a great gig, it didn’t quite get up to heights of their London show late last year, but having a horn section on stage playing with them is hard to bet.
All in all two great, but very different concerts.
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
The Catch-up post..
The calender has brought it to my attention I've not posted here, or anywhere really for a while. Apologies for this.
In summary since the last rumminations on this blog.
:: I've been spending a bit of time at my work's biennial conference. Despite feeling slightly busy, I was relieved that the conference went well. Only regret as always that I didn't get to more of it. There was an interesting forum on God and State (Which I intend to blog about soonish).
:: I've been intrigued by the number of articles about multiculturalism since the London bombing, expect a ramble on that shortly too.
:: I have just got back from Byron Bay (sans functional glasses), after attending Splendour in the Grass, with Joe, and G. Brief review: Of the lineup, the bands I saw the most of were, Athlete, Sarah Blasko, Decoder Ring, Beautiful Girls, Bloc Party, Interpol, Finn Brothers, and Moby. My favourite act was Interpol (brilliant tight set), followed closely by the Finn Brothers (crowd particpation was great) and Sarah Blasko (of which I hadn't heard much - but she was great to listen too).
The surprise of the weekend was Moby - I've not really heard much, but his set was great. (by that point we'd pretty much made it to about the third, fourth row, dead centre).
And while the music was great, spending a weekend with Joe, and G was especially great.
Anyway - I will also try to post more regularly here...
In summary since the last rumminations on this blog.
:: I've been spending a bit of time at my work's biennial conference. Despite feeling slightly busy, I was relieved that the conference went well. Only regret as always that I didn't get to more of it. There was an interesting forum on God and State (Which I intend to blog about soonish).
:: I've been intrigued by the number of articles about multiculturalism since the London bombing, expect a ramble on that shortly too.
:: I have just got back from Byron Bay (sans functional glasses), after attending Splendour in the Grass, with Joe, and G. Brief review: Of the lineup, the bands I saw the most of were, Athlete, Sarah Blasko, Decoder Ring, Beautiful Girls, Bloc Party, Interpol, Finn Brothers, and Moby. My favourite act was Interpol (brilliant tight set), followed closely by the Finn Brothers (crowd particpation was great) and Sarah Blasko (of which I hadn't heard much - but she was great to listen too).
The surprise of the weekend was Moby - I've not really heard much, but his set was great. (by that point we'd pretty much made it to about the third, fourth row, dead centre).
And while the music was great, spending a weekend with Joe, and G was especially great.
Anyway - I will also try to post more regularly here...
Sunday, July 03, 2005
Music and Social Action
Following on from yesterday's post, what role does Music play? Should musicians speak about political issues from the stage, or actors speaking from the screen – do they have the right to speak. What value is there in artists running partisan concerts? I wonder what provokes people to go – I guess perhaps its in part is because they like bands who are socially and politically aware.
Bono, since the Vertigo tour began in March this year has been spending a few moments from the stage, during the introduction to the bands hit One talking about “Making Poverty History”, asking the audience to text their support to their nations leader, concluding by saying ‘We are more powerful when we work together’.
Which I guess prompted Nana Mouskouri comments in Thursday’s [SM] Herald that; "I think that you cannot force the G8 to decide by having thousands of people in front of them”. And I want to say that there is a degree of truth here, but it does say to the government that this is an issue the people feel strongly about, and that’s not a bad thing.
U2 though are no stranger to controversy here, having recorded Sunday Bloody Sunday, and during the Joshua Tree Tour, making comment about the bombing of Einskillen in 1987, including satellite links to Sarajevo on their Zoo TV tour, and more recently during the bands 1998 PopMart tour on stage in Santiago, Chile, Bono spoke to Pinochet calling him to account for the actions of his regime, and in Assayas's book Bono comments that while some booed, others cheered. At the end of the concert, they crowd were all cheering, suggesting that U2's fans may be politcal they don't necessarily share the bands politics.
I think, it is great to see bands with a political conscience – yes, in the end they may not be listened to, but its valuable that they air their views. Celebrity’s have a currency, and I would like to see them use it.
+++
And on the concerts: the highlights were Pink Floyd's set (Wish You Were Here, and Comfortably Numb stood out), R.E.M., Coldplay, Madonna and U2 were great (especially One).
Bono, since the Vertigo tour began in March this year has been spending a few moments from the stage, during the introduction to the bands hit One talking about “Making Poverty History”, asking the audience to text their support to their nations leader, concluding by saying ‘We are more powerful when we work together’.
Which I guess prompted Nana Mouskouri comments in Thursday’s [SM] Herald that; "I think that you cannot force the G8 to decide by having thousands of people in front of them”. And I want to say that there is a degree of truth here, but it does say to the government that this is an issue the people feel strongly about, and that’s not a bad thing.
U2 though are no stranger to controversy here, having recorded Sunday Bloody Sunday, and during the Joshua Tree Tour, making comment about the bombing of Einskillen in 1987, including satellite links to Sarajevo on their Zoo TV tour, and more recently during the bands 1998 PopMart tour on stage in Santiago, Chile, Bono spoke to Pinochet calling him to account for the actions of his regime, and in Assayas's book Bono comments that while some booed, others cheered. At the end of the concert, they crowd were all cheering, suggesting that U2's fans may be politcal they don't necessarily share the bands politics.
I think, it is great to see bands with a political conscience – yes, in the end they may not be listened to, but its valuable that they air their views. Celebrity’s have a currency, and I would like to see them use it.
+++
And on the concerts: the highlights were Pink Floyd's set (Wish You Were Here, and Comfortably Numb stood out), R.E.M., Coldplay, Madonna and U2 were great (especially One).
Sunday, April 03, 2005
Music will provide the light you cannot resist.. - I'm Gonna DJ.
R.E.M. – Around the Sun Tour
March 31, April 1, Sydney Entertainment Centre
Support: Both nights Little Birdy (Perth, Australia) and Bright Eyes (Omaha, Nebraska), and both were introduced by Michael Stipe.
Little Birdy
They were okay. I thought their mix was akward on the first night, the vocals seemed drowned out, but things did improve for the second night. I am not that familiar with their music, but they did sound like a very tight group. I recognised very few songs, just Beautiful to Me, and also played Excited (a recent release?).
Bright Eyes (These may not be entirely accurate)
March 31:
Everything Must Belong Somewhere / We Are Nowhere Now / Old Soul Song / Landlocked Blues / Another Travelling Song / Blue.
April 1:
Everything Belongs Somewhere / Poison Oak / Old Soul Song / Lua / Road to Joy.
I would definitely pay to see them top a bill. I was impressed with the bands musicianship, and that they played different songs each night. Their performance of Landlocked Blues on the first night was close to the best performed song I’ve heard live, from any band. Bright Eyes are definitely not a band to listen to if you need to be cheered up. Connor was engaging over the two nights, perhaps joking around a little more the second night – he mentioned on the first night how Old Soul Song was written about a protest rally in New York, and Blue, a song written for Sesame Street. All in all, with their honest and at times depressing songwriting, and excellent musicianship, they are a band to watch out for.
R.E.M.
Firstly it was great to be able to talk about the first night with M., and then share the second night with F, and J. I was a touch disappointed in the numbers at both gigs. But it didn’t seem to bother R.E.M. who played two intense, energetic, and memorable gigs. Of course, inspite of the great set (on both nights) I still would have liked to hear a number of older songs (It’s the End of the World … , Country Feedback), but eh, after reading through the setlists below, there is no reason to complain.
March 31
I Took Your Name / Bad Day / Wake-up Bomb / Maps and Legends / The Outsiders / Electron Blue / Electrolite / Strange Currencies / The Great Beyond / I’ve Been High / Leaving New York / Orange Crush / I Wanted To Be Wrong / Final Straw / Imitation of Life / The One I Love / Walk Unafraid / Losing My Religion.
Encore: What’s the Frequency Kenneth? / Everybody Hurts / Drive [Happy Birthday to Bob – a roadie of 14 years] / Animal / I’m Gonna DJ / Man on the Moon.
April 1
Finest Worksong / Bad Day / So Fast, So Numb / Boy in the Well / So Central Rain / Electron Blue / Disturbance at the Heron House / Leaving New York / Seven Chinese Brothers / Animal / The Great Beyond / Orange Crush / I Wanted to be Wrong / Final Straw / Imitation of Life / The One I Love / The Great Beyond / Walk Unafraid / Losing My Religion
Encore: What’s the Frequency Kenneth? / Everybody Hurts / Exhuming McCarthy (Happy Birthday and Cake for Bob) / Sweetness Follows / I’m Gonna DJ / Man on the Moon.
Michael, and band were almost intoxicating on stage, full of energy and life, and the crowd, also were matching it, particularly in the older songs, Orange Crush, The One I Love, Losing My Religion and Man on the Moon. Quite good value for money too, both shows ran for roughly 110 minutes. The lighting and stage set-up was great, the background was create with rods of lights going down and across behind the band, and also a video monitor across the top of the stage.
The new record translated well to the stage. The rap in “The Outsiders” works better with Michael doing it. Electron Blue, introduced as Michael’s favourite song from the new record, was excellent too. “I Wanted to Be Wrong” and “Final Straw”, described as Michael’s message for his nation, gained a new lease of life on stage, the vocals became more emotive, and had an edge which was not necessarily lacking on the record, but was definitely stronger on stage. It was sung in front of Red, White and Blue lights, in a somber and reflective mood. Leaving New York, which opens the record and is one of my favourite newer R.E.M. songs, was performed well, I love Michael and Peter Buck’s vocal harmonies, though perhaps the sound is clearer here on the record.
Michael Stipe during the first night dedicated Strange Currencies (from the Monster album) to a friend, Michael Hutchence. Monster, it must be said is not R.E.M.’s best CDs, but the three songs they played – I Took Your Name, Strange Currencies, and What’s the Frequency Kenneth, sounded great live. I Took Your Name is a great opener.
Both nights Imitation of Life, was introduced with a preface, the bands first number one radio single … in Japan, and one the second night, he proudly claimed to the crowd that he’d nailed the chorus for the first time.
One of the joys of a band playing multiple nights in once city is that chance that they may mix around the setlist. I didn’t go to the second of the Radiohead concerts in Sydney last year, and I missed what was a great second night. Once the second R.E.M. show was announced, I thought that if I could get some friends to go, I would.
The second night was a little bit more punchy than the first, featuring rarities such as Finest Worksong, Boy in the Well (from the new CD), So Central Rain, Disturbance at the Heron House (played for the fourth time, in twelve years), 7 Chinese Brothers, Exhuming McCarthy (a fan request), and Sweetness Follows. The first night had a few surprises too: Maps and Legends, and I’ve Been High.
One of the bands roadies didn’t mention to the band it was his birthday, and consequently the band pulled him on stage during the encore, in order to embarrass him, and to sing Happy Birthday, and on the second night they sang Happy Birthday and gave him a cake.
Michael also asked the audience how many people had seen R.E.M. before, and on both nights, roughly one-third indicated they had, which I guess I found surprising. But then again as Michael Stipe reminded us, it has been 10 years since they were last here for the Monster tour in 1995.
Michael and band, then played I’m Gonna DJ, which is a really catchy tune, and he said it will be on the new record. The concert then concluded with a great version of Man on the Moon. (On the second night, included an Aussie Aussie Aussie, chant.., led by Peter Buck)
Hopefully it won’t be ten years before they are back in Australia. Oh for the time and money, to follow them to Melbourne…
March 31, April 1, Sydney Entertainment Centre
Support: Both nights Little Birdy (Perth, Australia) and Bright Eyes (Omaha, Nebraska), and both were introduced by Michael Stipe.
Little Birdy
They were okay. I thought their mix was akward on the first night, the vocals seemed drowned out, but things did improve for the second night. I am not that familiar with their music, but they did sound like a very tight group. I recognised very few songs, just Beautiful to Me, and also played Excited (a recent release?).
Bright Eyes (These may not be entirely accurate)
March 31:
Everything Must Belong Somewhere / We Are Nowhere Now / Old Soul Song / Landlocked Blues / Another Travelling Song / Blue.
April 1:
Everything Belongs Somewhere / Poison Oak / Old Soul Song / Lua / Road to Joy.
I would definitely pay to see them top a bill. I was impressed with the bands musicianship, and that they played different songs each night. Their performance of Landlocked Blues on the first night was close to the best performed song I’ve heard live, from any band. Bright Eyes are definitely not a band to listen to if you need to be cheered up. Connor was engaging over the two nights, perhaps joking around a little more the second night – he mentioned on the first night how Old Soul Song was written about a protest rally in New York, and Blue, a song written for Sesame Street. All in all, with their honest and at times depressing songwriting, and excellent musicianship, they are a band to watch out for.
R.E.M.
Firstly it was great to be able to talk about the first night with M., and then share the second night with F, and J. I was a touch disappointed in the numbers at both gigs. But it didn’t seem to bother R.E.M. who played two intense, energetic, and memorable gigs. Of course, inspite of the great set (on both nights) I still would have liked to hear a number of older songs (It’s the End of the World … , Country Feedback), but eh, after reading through the setlists below, there is no reason to complain.
March 31
I Took Your Name / Bad Day / Wake-up Bomb / Maps and Legends / The Outsiders / Electron Blue / Electrolite / Strange Currencies / The Great Beyond / I’ve Been High / Leaving New York / Orange Crush / I Wanted To Be Wrong / Final Straw / Imitation of Life / The One I Love / Walk Unafraid / Losing My Religion.
Encore: What’s the Frequency Kenneth? / Everybody Hurts / Drive [Happy Birthday to Bob – a roadie of 14 years] / Animal / I’m Gonna DJ / Man on the Moon.
April 1
Finest Worksong / Bad Day / So Fast, So Numb / Boy in the Well / So Central Rain / Electron Blue / Disturbance at the Heron House / Leaving New York / Seven Chinese Brothers / Animal / The Great Beyond / Orange Crush / I Wanted to be Wrong / Final Straw / Imitation of Life / The One I Love / The Great Beyond / Walk Unafraid / Losing My Religion
Encore: What’s the Frequency Kenneth? / Everybody Hurts / Exhuming McCarthy (Happy Birthday and Cake for Bob) / Sweetness Follows / I’m Gonna DJ / Man on the Moon.
Michael, and band were almost intoxicating on stage, full of energy and life, and the crowd, also were matching it, particularly in the older songs, Orange Crush, The One I Love, Losing My Religion and Man on the Moon. Quite good value for money too, both shows ran for roughly 110 minutes. The lighting and stage set-up was great, the background was create with rods of lights going down and across behind the band, and also a video monitor across the top of the stage.
The new record translated well to the stage. The rap in “The Outsiders” works better with Michael doing it. Electron Blue, introduced as Michael’s favourite song from the new record, was excellent too. “I Wanted to Be Wrong” and “Final Straw”, described as Michael’s message for his nation, gained a new lease of life on stage, the vocals became more emotive, and had an edge which was not necessarily lacking on the record, but was definitely stronger on stage. It was sung in front of Red, White and Blue lights, in a somber and reflective mood. Leaving New York, which opens the record and is one of my favourite newer R.E.M. songs, was performed well, I love Michael and Peter Buck’s vocal harmonies, though perhaps the sound is clearer here on the record.
Michael Stipe during the first night dedicated Strange Currencies (from the Monster album) to a friend, Michael Hutchence. Monster, it must be said is not R.E.M.’s best CDs, but the three songs they played – I Took Your Name, Strange Currencies, and What’s the Frequency Kenneth, sounded great live. I Took Your Name is a great opener.
Both nights Imitation of Life, was introduced with a preface, the bands first number one radio single … in Japan, and one the second night, he proudly claimed to the crowd that he’d nailed the chorus for the first time.
One of the joys of a band playing multiple nights in once city is that chance that they may mix around the setlist. I didn’t go to the second of the Radiohead concerts in Sydney last year, and I missed what was a great second night. Once the second R.E.M. show was announced, I thought that if I could get some friends to go, I would.
The second night was a little bit more punchy than the first, featuring rarities such as Finest Worksong, Boy in the Well (from the new CD), So Central Rain, Disturbance at the Heron House (played for the fourth time, in twelve years), 7 Chinese Brothers, Exhuming McCarthy (a fan request), and Sweetness Follows. The first night had a few surprises too: Maps and Legends, and I’ve Been High.
One of the bands roadies didn’t mention to the band it was his birthday, and consequently the band pulled him on stage during the encore, in order to embarrass him, and to sing Happy Birthday, and on the second night they sang Happy Birthday and gave him a cake.
Michael also asked the audience how many people had seen R.E.M. before, and on both nights, roughly one-third indicated they had, which I guess I found surprising. But then again as Michael Stipe reminded us, it has been 10 years since they were last here for the Monster tour in 1995.
Michael and band, then played I’m Gonna DJ, which is a really catchy tune, and he said it will be on the new record. The concert then concluded with a great version of Man on the Moon. (On the second night, included an Aussie Aussie Aussie, chant.., led by Peter Buck)
Hopefully it won’t be ten years before they are back in Australia. Oh for the time and money, to follow them to Melbourne…
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