Skip to main content

The first of many

As previously mentioned, M and I went to see Goldfrapp play at Cardiff University last night, the first night of their current UK tour and our first gig of the year. We arrived shortly before the support came on stage. In a change to the schedule, we got to see the Shortwave Set instead of the billed band who I think were called Hot Chicks? (I have to confess I didn't actually check the support details previously). Shortwave Set were very indie but really quite enjoyable; I'm sure I've heard something of theirs on 6 Music, or wouldn't be surprised if I did!

Goldfrapp came onstage at about 9.15pm and opened with a few quiet numbers (from Felt Mountain? memory block), building up the sound. Key songs were Lovely Head, Ooh La La, Train, and Beautiful (which I don't remember having heard before but really liked nontheless); set list was varied between all 3 albums. Ended up with 2 encores, the 1st one with Number 1 and Strict Machine, the 2nd with Black Cherry. Amusingly, a few people started to leave after the first encore, even though the lights hadn't got up, and rushed back in when they heard Black Cherry!

I'm pretty sure the show was sold out and the audience were very enthusiastic, huge roars for the singles and more than a few declarations of love for Alison G. I was impressed with the sound from the band (including electric violin!), and the whole show was certainly the flashiest I've seen at the University, lighting & such. I even managed not to go click happy with the camera for once! Alison G stole the show, sometimes reminding me of Kate Bush! Definitely worth seeing, though I'm not sure how many tickets there are left for the remaining shows!

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

Music, Poetry and Cake (Gateshead and Lanchester)

Piano at the ready! (by M) After a good few months prep, the concert Piano Music and Poetry (organised through the Gateshead Piano Workshop folks) came around pretty quickly. As one of the participants, I was excited and also a little nervous about the prospect of a Paying Audience. The work paid off, as all the performers were excellent! Well appreciated by the compact audience. The format was in relation to National Poetry Day which was on 2nd October. Each performer chose a poem either in direct or indirect relation to their piece. A summary of the programme: Alan - Liszt Consolation No 4 and Mozart Adagio in B minor Graeme - Chopin Nocturne Op. 62 No. 2 with 'Uncertainty' by Adam Mickiewicz me - Clara Schumann, andante con sentimento with 'Clara Wieck und Beethoven' by Franz Grillparzer Jim - R Schumann Kinderszenen 1 and 7 with 'My child, we were just children' by Heinrich Heine Ernie - Debussy Clair de lune with excerpt from 'Fêtes g...

From Black Rose to Buena Vista

Two very different but equally impressive live experiences this last weekend. First up, our long overdue homage to the late, great Phil Lynott as Limehouse Lizzy returned to the Point on Friday 2nd March. Certainly on form (and not just lead singer Wayne Ellis, mmmm!) After a late doors, the band came on for a 2 hour set. They started off with Jailbreak (with added pyro), the rest of the main set comprising known songs like Dancing In The Moonlight, Warrior, Emerald, Johnny the Fox, Are You Ready, Killer On The Loose, Cold Sweat, Do Anything You Want To, Out In The Fields, Cowboy Song, Rosalie, The Boys Are Back In Town plus at least 1 early track. The encore included 1 verse/1 chorus from Sarah, Black Rose, Whisky In The Jar and another track. Excellent atmosphere, the place was sold out. The boys are back at the Point in December. Next on to crowd pleasers of a very different sort. M and I managed to get tickets for the sold-out Buena Vista Social Club show at Wales Millennium Centr...

Pigeon Funk

Notes on a very random purchase. Earlier today I acquired Venetian Snares 'Rossz Csillag Alatt Sz ü letett ' purely on the basis of the language and artwork. Its certainly something different - and most definitely not pop. After a bit of searching: Venetial Snares is, according to Wikipedia, the performing name of Aaron Funk, who seems to specialise in experimental tracks in odd time signatures. Article here . The sleeve notes for this album (whose title is Hungarian for 'Born under a bad star') poses the question: what if, for just a day, we could both be pigeons? Interessant. Apparently this concept (a day in the life of a Hungarian pigeon) is non-typical of Venetian Snares sound, but one could ask, does Mr Funk do 'typical'? On first listening, the sound of this CD mixes classical/traditional Hungarian sounds and breakbeats. but aside from that? Definitely a 'listen for yourself' artist; try the website , fan site or myspace .