@ Shakers

Actually Alice B's comment was of interest to me... but not as a value judgement on his sexuality or music. If as I initially (and incorrectly) thought there was a relationship with Mike Patton of FNM it would explain Patton's "Fantomas" project which bears a more than passing similarity to Zorn's "Naked City" years. Still, it gives me an interesting link if not necessarily a direct one!

@ Les

We've probably stood near one another in the same physical space as well then. My many years beside Kennington Park never got me out of bed early enough on a Sunday to make the Cricketers - I was vaguely connected with some of the Jah Shaka Soundsystem for a bit, so Des Dekker wasn't really my thing - but I remember the Sundays at Scott's. I popped in there today but they are no more it seems.

Oh, and there was a very drunken St Pauli fan in a NUFC hat at Ostkreuz at the weekend....

WxmCelt wrote:

Kowalski wrote: Arcade Fire last night at Manchester Apollo. What can I say apart from that they were astonishingly good! It's been a while since I've seen that kind of enthusiasm and passion on stage. Admittedly the material from Funeral came across better than the new album, Neon Bible, but that was probably because of familiarity from the audience who got involved more in those songs. What an atmosphere, topped off by an almost evangelical 'Wake Up' at the end. Fantastic. I went on Thursday night,great gig except for the ignorant bastards talking through most of the new songs. Did they play Laika on Friday?

I can't understand why people go to gigs and then talk through most of it. Perhaps it's got something to do with half the tickets being bought by people who can afford to buy them at stupid prices on eBay rather than real fans. Having said that, I loved Friday that much that I'm going to Brixton on Saturday aswell. That was courtesy of eBay but face value. Wait until a week before and beat the touts at their own game!

No they didn't play Laika unfortunately. They didn't do Power Out either which I think they did on Thursday but we got Wake Up instead. I heard that if you weren't in the front half of the stalls the sound was pretty bad on the Thursday and that the band got booed at the end when they didn't come back for a second encore. Is that right?

PS. What do you make of the new album? Arcade Fire meets Echo and the Bunnymen meets Bruce Springsteen I really like it.

Unfortunately, there seems to have been a trend of late, particularly when there is a 'buzz' around a particular artist, where people go to gigs just to say they've 'been there' rather than to actually appreciate the performance.
This is particularly true with 'arena' type gigs. As you say, there also seems to be a bit of 'snob value' around being able to afford to go to big events. Not too dis-similar to the reasons why a lot of people go to places like Old Trafford these days; the 'real fans' getting marginalised.

By the way, when moving house last year, I came across my ticket for the Springsteen gig at Manchester Apollo in 1981. £6.00!

I think it was always the case with audiences at stadium and arena gigs but now it seems to be filtering down the scale. Arcade Fire are playing 8 gigs on this UK tour. All mid-size venues (Manchester Apollo, Glasgow Barrowlands and Brixton Academy) which I think had all sold out in about 5-10 minutes from the tickets going on sale.

Because there is a buzz about Arcade Fire at the moment then obviously the touts get wind of it and at 6 tickets per person, the agencies make it easy for them. eBay has also added to the problem because by 12 noon on the day these tickets sold out it was absolutely saturated with them which is absolutely appalling. You have real touts on there and now the opportunists aswell and it's just not fair on the fans. Something desperately needs to be done about it. But until it's illegal as with footy tickets, what are eBay going to do while they're creaming in the cash? Jack shit of course! I honestly think that of the approximate 30,000 tickets sold for this tour over 20% have either been sold on eBay, by touts or on the rip-off ticket sites on the internet which are just touts under a different name.

You can get bargains of course, but you have to leave it late and most people probably don't want to risk that.

Kowalski wrote:

the band got booed at the end when they didn't come back for a second encore. Is that right? PS. What do you make of the new album? Arcade Fire meets Echo and the Bunnymen meets Bruce Springsteen I really like it.

Yes,that's true,ironically by some of the people who talked through the early songs!

The new album took a couple of listens but I now think it's as good as Funeral.

Off to see Arcade Fire tonight and can't wait, after all your comments! I have the new album and have listened to it 3 times, not quite as good as the last one (which would be difficult!) but I still like it a lot and think it's a grower.
The Springsteen comparisons are very apt, (hadn't thought of Echo and the Bunnymen but can see where your coming from)

As for talking at gigs, it's a bit like the Football. It's nice to go to a standing venue as if someone is annoying you can move! Although that is also annoying if you have found a good place!

Loads of people at work are going to the Arsenal v Man U youth game tonight, which I would have gone to if not for this gig. Shame I missed the Electralane night as I think Patrick Wolf is supporting tonight. Who did you guys see supporting them? (or not, if you didn't get there in time!)

It was Patrick Wolf in Manchester aswell but I didn't bother with him. I've heard a few songs and they didn't grab me at all to be honest.

Are you in stalls or circle? We have circle tickets which I believe is unreserved seating. Do you (or anybody who knows Brixton Academy) know how early you need to be in to get a good spot near the front and how lively does it get up there? I've been told that the views are quite poor behind half way up. I'd rather be standing but beggars can't be choosers I suppose. My only option is swapping with a tout I suppose but the thought of having to speak to one let alone deal with one makes my skin crawl!

Off to the 'North East Funk and Soul tribute to James Brown' at the Sage in Gateshead tonight. A couple of up and coming local funk bands on and stuff. Watch out for Monty Cassino - they could make it.

Changing the subject..... If you like American blue collar indie-rock, I've just been listening to The Hold Steady 'Boys and Girls in America'. A pal recommended it to me because of my penchant for early Springsteen. Well worth a listen if you're similarly inclined.

you going to see Diamanda Galas at the Sage next Friday Les? quite tempted myself

I'm supposed to be going on a crawl through town.....
HoS, Forth, Tilly's, Bodega, Strawberry, Trent House.
I'll text nearer Friday in case you're around.

Have been to see Electrelane over the weekend - not my sort of thing, but I really enjoyed it.

I went to see New Young Pony Club last night - few people seemed to know any song besides 'Ice Cream'.

Tonight it's wierdo progressive electro noodling by 'Of Montreal'. Tha'll be a different kettle of fish, as I guess there'll be about 100 people there all of whom will know their songs.

i'm off to see lou reed do berlin in london later this month, anyone been to see this yet as he seems to be all over the place.
i do like him, but, to impress someone who it seems is not that interested in me, i bought £60 tickets, when my limit is usually £20!

just look out for 'mug' on my forehead. can anyone else relate to do something like this, or is it just me?

i'd at least like to think i'd really enjoy the show!

I went to both Morrissey gigs in Manc last december. £35 quid, am normally loathe to pay that kind f cash for a gig.

But it was Morrissey ...

Friends of mine are going to see Barbra Streisand - don't even like her music that much, more so that they can tell the kids they saw her live .