New Gig Thread

ReadyToHearTheWorst · Post by **ReadyToHearTheWorst** » Tue Jul 19, 2005 5:47 pm

Mavis Staples (and the Staples Swingers)

She's one soulful Momma!

Chrille · Post by **Chrille** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 6:52 am

Although the Costello concert was cancelled early this year, this has still been the best year for concerts for me by far.

First up was Nick Lowe in April, fantastic concert. Next up was Iron Maiden, and even though I don't listen to them anymore I've never had this much fun at a concert before. Last week I managed to get a ticket to see U2 for free, at first I wouldn't mind missing them, but had I known it was going to be this great in advance it would've been very disappointing.

No other concerts in sight for this year.

so lacklustre · Post by **so lacklustre** » Sun Jul 31, 2005 3:48 pm

I have a busy October coming up with tickets for the Proclaimers, the Eels and the Kaiser Chiefs.

selfmademug · Post by **selfmademug** » Fri Aug 05, 2005 10:15 am

On a self-pitying whim I bought a ticket to go see Rufus W, Ben Folds and Ben Lee tonight. I wish I knew their stuff better but that's hardly a reason to stay away. I love pretty much everything I've heard by Ben Lee (thank you, Tallulah!).

selfmademug · Post by **selfmademug** » Sat Aug 06, 2005 2:06 pm

Ben Lee / Ben Folds / Rufus Wainwright

Okay, for anyone interested, here's how it went:

Ben Lee - Impossible not to like the impish Sydney-born Ben Lee. He's cute and quick and smarmy but he knows it and doesn't care, and you can tell he doesn't give half a shit if you like it or not, which redeems it utterly, at least to me. He has an unapologetic pop style like Marshall Crenshaw always did, and the tunes have some things in common as well (which is a good thing mostly). Lyrically, lots of 21st-Century-Sensitive-Male self-consciousness, which you either like or you don't. Some great hummable stuff, though the single they're doing, Catch My Disease, is really similar to some other song I know, and I can't quite place it yet, but I'm thinking maybe it's a Cornershop tune.

He only played about 6 or 7 tunes, I think, "the best damn filing-in music you'll ever hear," as he put it self-deprecatingly. At the end of his set he jumped off the stage and went down into the audience, singing while he was standing on a seat about 8 rows back, and after that he went back up on stage, said Goodnight, and then went down the side of the stage, out through the side of the audience (*see photo, bottom), and back to where they were selling t-shirts and stuff. In fact I saw him wandering the crowd the rest of the evening, looking like a little boy on the fun side of ritalin.

One funny thing was that (onstage) he talked about how (Boston-based) Jonathan Richman was his idol growing up, and how, on his (Lee's) first trip to Boston, he snuck into Fenway Park in the middle of winter because he'd heard JR sing about it and wanted to BE THERE.

Ben Folds - Okay I get it now. Ben Folds = contemporary version of 1972 Elton John, and I mean that in the best way possible. He even LOOKS like Elton in that era, same haircut, and exact same stance and style at the piano. I would be shocked if he didn't know every note of Tumbleweed Connection inside and out.

I was feeling a little crowd-phobic during his set, so I walked back to the concessions area (this was an outdoor show) to listen and watch close-ups of his piano playing on the video monitors. I suddenly realised, as I was standing there, that the woman standing next to me doing the same thing was the keyboardist with Ben Lee, a tiny whiff of an Aussie girl. I told her how much I'd liked her set, and then I got to listen to her talk about how she LOVED Rufus but it was Ben Folds's amazing piano skills that she loved the most, and why, etc. So that was nice. I told her I'd been to the same venue a few weeks earlier to see Elvis and Emmylou, and she said, 'Did they do anything TOGETHER?' and when I said yes, about 8 or 9 songs, that blew her mind, and wanted to know what songs, etc. So that was nice.

I found the Ben Folds audience to be a bit embarassing, it must be admitted.

Rufus Wainwright - I knew he was gay but I never knew he was so, well, queeny. Very sexy. While talking, he's like a WASPish, queer version of Benicio DelToro--charmingly louche. He was bemoaning the immanent loss of Filene's/Filene's Basement, and saying how he always pictures Maria Callas and Jackie Onasis having a catfight over some bargain there. He also said he thought Boston accents were "reeeeally sexy," which is funny if know them, and occasionally true.

While playing and singing, he's like some exuberant lovechild of Ron Sexsmith and Neil Young, and again, I mean that as a celebration of him. I knew more of his songs than I thought I would, though I am still getting started with his stuff, and will save that for another thread and another time.

In the end, his music turned my (very bad and sulky) mood around, gave me that cynical but contented feeling that I like so much. It only lasted until my 20-minute wait for a Redline train on the way home, but still, it was great. Really great.

_________________________

*Here's Ben Lee (blue shirt, tiny cute butt) boogie-ing right past me:

http://photos23.flickr.com/31751789_8bede2334d.jpg?v=0

Chrille · Post by **Chrille** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 12:37 pm

Looks like I might get a chance to see Bob Dylan this year! Let's just hope I can find a ticket. It's on the 21st of October. Also, I might get a chance to see Sigur Ros as well.

I'm not a big fan of either, but I like them both (Dylan more than Sigur) and it'll be fun if I get to see at least one of them.

Who Shot Sam? · Post by **Who Shot Sam?** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 1:14 pm

Going to see Pernice Brothers at the Bowery Ballroom on Saturday night. One of my favorite concert venues and a band I've been wanting to see for a long time.

mood swung · Post by **mood swung** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 3:47 pm

Lucinda Williams on sunday night. have I mentioned that yet?

and I may have to escort a gang of teenage girls to Jack Johnson on Labor Day.

Boy With A Problem · Post by **Boy With A Problem** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 4:55 pm

Mood Swung wrote -

Lucinda Williams on sunday night. have I mentioned that yet?

If you have a chance Moody, please ask her when she's going to reschedule the European tour she cancelled last month.

Otis Westinghouse · Post by **Otis Westinghouse** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 5:27 pm

selfmademug wrote:Rufus Wainwright - I knew he was gay but I never knew he was so, well, queeny. Very sexy. While talking, he's like a WASPish, queer version of Benicio DelToro--charmingly louche. He was bemoaning the immanent loss of Filene's/Filene's Basement, and saying how he always pictures Maria Callas and Jackie Onasis having a catfight over some bargain there. He also said he thought Boston accents were "reeeeally sexy," which is funny if know them, and occasionally true.

While playing and singing, he's like some exuberant lovechild of Ron Sexsmith and Neil Young, and again, I mean that as a celebration of him. I knew more of his songs than I thought I would, though I am still getting started with his stuff, and will save that for another thread and another time.

In the end, his music turned my (very bad and sulky) mood around, gave me that cynical but contented feeling that I like so much. It only lasted until my 20-minute wait for a Redline train on the way home, but still, it was great. Really great.

He's great live. Like the Benicio Del Toro comparison. Did he do the high camp angel wings and tiara and Miss Boston sash at the end?

Was grieved to miss Martha Wainwright at the folk festival here the other week, but am thrilled to see she's playing the Junction in Nov. Small stand-up venue where I recently enjoyed Josh Rouse. Judging by her Later performance, she's going to be excellent. Will get my hands on her CD soon.

selfmademug · Post by **selfmademug** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 6:15 pm

Otis Westinghouse wrote: Did he do the high camp angel wings and tiara and Miss Boston sash at the end?

No, he was sedate in jeans and a long-sleeved pink t-shirt (with horses or butterflies or something on it) throughout.

Mike Boom · Post by **Mike Boom** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 10:08 pm

Lyle Lovett and his Large Band Sept 19

Who Shot Sam? · Post by **Who Shot Sam?** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 10:15 pm

Mike Boom wrote:Lyle Lovett and his Large Band Sept 19

Exactly how large is his band?

Mike Boom · Post by **Mike Boom** » Wed Aug 10, 2005 10:57 pm

prettttttttty fuckin large.

verbal gymnastics · Post by **verbal gymnastics** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 4:54 am

Size isn't important...

Is anyone going to the V Festival next week at Chelmsford Hylands Park?

Otis Westinghouse · Post by **Otis Westinghouse** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 6:28 am

I believe you are.

verbal gymnastics · Post by **verbal gymnastics** » Thu Aug 11, 2005 8:34 am

That would explain those tickets I received in the post yesterday!

The Proclaimers have been added

(cue I would walk 500 miles to see them gags...)

King Hoarse · Post by **King Hoarse** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 1:00 am

Today I'm flying to Edinburgh to see Richard Thompson (& Danny). I envy me. If anyone else is going and wants to have a beer, I'll be up front on B row with a Venerea shirt tonight as well as tomorrow (maybe in Solomon Burke shirt).

verbal gymnastics · Post by **verbal gymnastics** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 4:43 am

When is venerea going to play in London KH?

Who Shot Sam? · Post by **Who Shot Sam?** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 9:13 am

Pernice Brothers was fun - what I remember of it. Too much wine at dinner and too many beers later on.

Joe Pernice is a tiny man with a big beard who writes beautiful, wistful pop songs. In a better world, he'd be selling loads of albums. Get any of his discs - you will not be disappointed.

Good tight band featuring a couple of the guys from Royal Gun, the British group that opened the show. Played a big chunk of songs from the latest disc, Discover A Lovelier You, with other stuff mixed in. Great version of "Bum Leg" from his solo album of a few years back.

Royal Gun were quite good too - any of our UK posters know anything about them?

mood swung · Post by **mood swung** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 12:14 pm

Lucinda last night. Great show! I am still trying to get it sorted out in my head, which is miserably scrambled from the lethal weapon of late hours and beer. She did a new song called (I think) Where is My Love and it was one of those Elvis moments: you could have heard a pin drop. A righteous Atonement. She said she wrote one of her songs in Knoxville on New Year's Day, and dammit if I can remember which one - I'm thinking it was 2 Kool, which would be way cool, but I can't remember for certain. One night seven years from now, I will spring from my bed with the name on my lips, but until then, I'll just have to keep searching. She came on just after 9, and it was 11:45 when she quit, after one encore. No Greenville or Jackson, darn the bad luck. She also said she was going to be touring with George Jones, who would be perfect to duet Jailhouse Tears.

King Hoarse · Post by **King Hoarse** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 12:28 pm

To verbal: I hope we'll make it to London again in November, with the Satanic Surfers and perhaps Chixdiggit. Will let you know.

(Just arrived at Edinburgh Argyle Backpackers hostel and now am leaving for the first Thompsons show. Can't wait.)

Boy With A Problem · Post by **Boy With A Problem** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 12:29 pm

I'm glad she's over her "ear infection" and that she's putting on good shows....but did she say when she was going to reschedule London and the rest of Europe? .... I'm still holding kind of expensive tickets.

Who Shot Sam? · Post by **Who Shot Sam?** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 12:36 pm

Boy With A Problem wrote:.... I'm still holding kind of expensive tickets.

They won't give you a refund? I would think that, in the absence of a new date, they would be obliged to give you your money back.

Boy With A Problem · Post by **Boy With A Problem** » Mon Aug 15, 2005 12:42 pm

Yes - I can get my money back, but they're also telling me that the gig has been "postponed" - I'm just impatient.

By the way WHAR, have you seen the Problems crawling their way back up the standings?