A Pound a Sip
Christ, I completely forgot i had tickets for The Pixies tonight.... so i'd better knock out a quick report on last weekend's TDK Cross Central, or i'm gonna forget about it!
We had to get there early since the Magic Numbers were on at 8:45, but were met with an immediate shock when discovering that beers cost an extortionate £4 (or £4.50 in The Cross & The Key) a bottle.... how on earth can they justify that? I can't think of anywhere outside Scandinavia i've had to pay that much for a beer.
It wasn't even cold.
We had a great night despite this trauma... the best thing being the comparative lack of crowds. I was astonished the event hadn't sold out, what with Goldfrapp just missing out on the number one album slot this week, and The Magic Numbers having been camped in the top ten for the last couple of months. Five minutes before the Magic Numbers set we were free to wander straight to the front, and although it packed out when the band came on stage it was a great spot to watch them from.
I was surprised when the band were nominated for the Mercury Prize, and I was even more surprised when Romeo opened his mouth to reveal a London accent... I mean look at them... are they Septics or what? I've never seen anyone looking like that in England!
But Brits they are, coming from the rock 'n' roll hotbed that is... err... Hanwell.
They lost a lot of respect from me for their much publicised sulk on Top of The Pops... I mean they are fat! What's the problem? But hey, before I end up with my name scribbled in blood alongside Richard Bacon in their bad books, I have to point out that I bloody well love 'em. And live they were glorious. They ran through the majority of their amazing debut album, implanting beaming smiles onto any face in range (that's my little sister below by the way!).
Top song... 'Love Me Like You' - another one you heard here first! - but the whole set was stunning. It was a slight shame that the crowd weren't singing along as I have heard is customary at MN gigs... the atmosphere was slightly lacking, probably due to the early start time (and expensive booze?).
After the Magic Numbers I shuffled off to see a band called Keith. I'd heard they're supposed to be good, but unfortunately all I could hear during their set was the banging house coming from The Cross behind us... so I'm none the wiser as to what they're like.
Next up were The Earlies, who were 3 songs short of incredible, but hugely enjoyable all the same, no doubt assisted by once again being able to get right up to the stage & look up their noses (when not obstructed by facial hair). In particular the 10 minute finale of 'Morning Wonder' was fantastic. I'll stick some pictures up later...
THE EARLIES - MORNING WONDER
Goldfrapp were the day's big draw, riding high on the massive success of both the 'Ooh La La' single and new album. I've seen them live quite a few times, and watching Alison perform is one of the great sights in music. Fortunately, once again, we were able to get really close to the stage. Unfortunately Alison wasn't too well and they were only able to play 7 songs... about half their allotted time. She had a bad throat, which meant that her voice was merely magnificent, rather than having the usual effect of knocking you off your feet! There was no sign on stage of the other half of the band, Will.. his place being taken by a gang of futuristic glam rockers, and the usual fantastic dancers. They unveiled some stunning costumes, the best of which being the glowing horses heads you can see in the pictures....
I think they played 'Strict Machine', 'Ooh La La', 'Ride a White Horse', 'Satin Chic' and 'Train'... I don't think they played anything off Felt Mountain. Fuck knows what the other two songs were. You'll have to forgive my sketchy memory, it was a very late night...! I also spent part of the beginning excitably texting Amsterdam, as the DJ played the David Gilmour Girls' 'Heavy Metal Music Machines' as the penultimate song before the band.. WOO!
It sounded fantastic.
The night went on a long while after Goldfrapp finished (Four Tet, Mr Scruff, Kano...). I'll try & post up some more photos in the next day or so.
In the meantime here's a track from the new Goldfrapp album.
Although not the massive leap forward as 'Black Cherry' was from 'Felt Mountain', this is still an essential album, and without doubt one of the best of the year so far. It's packed with invention, nostalgia, pop hooks, electro riffs, sensational vocals and hit singles. You really have to see Goldfrapp live for them to make sense though.. if you get the opportunity please make sure you do.
GOLDFRAPP - SATIN CHIC
We had to get there early since the Magic Numbers were on at 8:45, but were met with an immediate shock when discovering that beers cost an extortionate £4 (or £4.50 in The Cross & The Key) a bottle.... how on earth can they justify that? I can't think of anywhere outside Scandinavia i've had to pay that much for a beer.
It wasn't even cold.
We had a great night despite this trauma... the best thing being the comparative lack of crowds. I was astonished the event hadn't sold out, what with Goldfrapp just missing out on the number one album slot this week, and The Magic Numbers having been camped in the top ten for the last couple of months. Five minutes before the Magic Numbers set we were free to wander straight to the front, and although it packed out when the band came on stage it was a great spot to watch them from.
I was surprised when the band were nominated for the Mercury Prize, and I was even more surprised when Romeo opened his mouth to reveal a London accent... I mean look at them... are they Septics or what? I've never seen anyone looking like that in England!
But Brits they are, coming from the rock 'n' roll hotbed that is... err... Hanwell.
They lost a lot of respect from me for their much publicised sulk on Top of The Pops... I mean they are fat! What's the problem? But hey, before I end up with my name scribbled in blood alongside Richard Bacon in their bad books, I have to point out that I bloody well love 'em. And live they were glorious. They ran through the majority of their amazing debut album, implanting beaming smiles onto any face in range (that's my little sister below by the way!).
Top song... 'Love Me Like You' - another one you heard here first! - but the whole set was stunning. It was a slight shame that the crowd weren't singing along as I have heard is customary at MN gigs... the atmosphere was slightly lacking, probably due to the early start time (and expensive booze?).
After the Magic Numbers I shuffled off to see a band called Keith. I'd heard they're supposed to be good, but unfortunately all I could hear during their set was the banging house coming from The Cross behind us... so I'm none the wiser as to what they're like.
Next up were The Earlies, who were 3 songs short of incredible, but hugely enjoyable all the same, no doubt assisted by once again being able to get right up to the stage & look up their noses (when not obstructed by facial hair). In particular the 10 minute finale of 'Morning Wonder' was fantastic. I'll stick some pictures up later...
THE EARLIES - MORNING WONDER
Goldfrapp were the day's big draw, riding high on the massive success of both the 'Ooh La La' single and new album. I've seen them live quite a few times, and watching Alison perform is one of the great sights in music. Fortunately, once again, we were able to get really close to the stage. Unfortunately Alison wasn't too well and they were only able to play 7 songs... about half their allotted time. She had a bad throat, which meant that her voice was merely magnificent, rather than having the usual effect of knocking you off your feet! There was no sign on stage of the other half of the band, Will.. his place being taken by a gang of futuristic glam rockers, and the usual fantastic dancers. They unveiled some stunning costumes, the best of which being the glowing horses heads you can see in the pictures....
I think they played 'Strict Machine', 'Ooh La La', 'Ride a White Horse', 'Satin Chic' and 'Train'... I don't think they played anything off Felt Mountain. Fuck knows what the other two songs were. You'll have to forgive my sketchy memory, it was a very late night...! I also spent part of the beginning excitably texting Amsterdam, as the DJ played the David Gilmour Girls' 'Heavy Metal Music Machines' as the penultimate song before the band.. WOO!
It sounded fantastic.
The night went on a long while after Goldfrapp finished (Four Tet, Mr Scruff, Kano...). I'll try & post up some more photos in the next day or so.
In the meantime here's a track from the new Goldfrapp album.
Although not the massive leap forward as 'Black Cherry' was from 'Felt Mountain', this is still an essential album, and without doubt one of the best of the year so far. It's packed with invention, nostalgia, pop hooks, electro riffs, sensational vocals and hit singles. You really have to see Goldfrapp live for them to make sense though.. if you get the opportunity please make sure you do.
GOLDFRAPP - SATIN CHIC
posted by headphonesex @ 3:13 PM
