Against Me! & The Gaslight Anthem @ O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire - August 29/15

Against Me! and The Gaslight Anthem were booked to play the Leeds Festival on Friday, August 28th and the Reading Festival on Sunday, August 30th. Being the lazy sods they are, they slotted in another gig in London on their night "off".

The venue was a great size with 3 tiered levels above the ground. We were on the floor and found it easy to get near the front. The show had amazing energy as is usual for Against Me! in a small-ish venue (2000 capacity, but only 1150 on the floor). I did notice that this time Laura Jane Grace had her hair over her face more often than not (she did this at Reading too). They did about an hour with no encore as The Gaslight Anthem were following.

We stayed for most of The Gaslight Anthem, leaving just before Frank Turner joined them onstage.  Because we had an early start for the Reading Festival in the morning, and there was some train strike action, we were playing it safe. Our priority was AM! anyway.

I've added some videos I found on youtube, but they are pretty blurry.


AM! Setlist:
True Trans Soul Rebel (video)
Pints of Guinness Make You Strong
Unconditional Love
Walking is Still Honest
Cliché Guevara
White People for Peace
FuckMyLife666 (video)
Transgender Dysphoria Blues (video)
Dead Friend
White Crosses / Spanish Moss (short version)
Thrash Unreal
Black Me Out
I Was a Teenage Anarchist

Faith No More @ Roundhouse, London - June 17/15

My friend couldn't make this gig in the end, and found someone who wanted the ticket. Turned out good for me, 'cuz Seaghan (who came over from Dublin for the show) was a massive FNM fan and a good concert pal.

The openers were The Pop Group, post-punk pioneers active from '77-'81 and then reformed in the past few years. I'd never even heard of them, so when I read up on them before the gig, I knew I had to check out this band that paved the way for Gang of Four and PiL. Roddy introduced them, and it was definitely that echo-y, sparse post-punk sound, I dig. "We Are All Prostitutes" was a highlight.

This was Night One of two Faith No More were playing in London, and unlike at the NY show, the gimp made an appearance to much cheering.

The show had the same great energy as the NY one, but they mixed up the setlist with 6 different songs which was awesome. Got to hear more of the new album live and some older faves. We Care A Lot was a more straightforward rendition, as there was no Rahzel, but Patton did pull out his trademark megaphone to good effect for the night's closing song.

I noticed more snarky banter with the crowd. Is this a big city thing, or a FNM thing? But Patton had no problem letting us sing the Midlife Crisis chorus. Patton's voice was amazing, showing much of his range. The whole band seemed to be enjoying themselves and invigorated by having new music to play for us. It was a great show, and I'd definitely see them again if I get the chance.

Setlist:
Motherfucker
Be Aggressive
Caffeine
Evidence
Epic
Black Friday
Richochet
Midlife Crisis
The Gentle Art of Making Enemies
Easy
Separation Anxiety
Last Cup of Sorrow
Digging the Grave
Matador
Ashes to Ashes
Superhero
Encore:
Sol Invictus
Everything's Ruined
We Care a Lot

The Pop Group Setlist:
Thief of fire
Citizen Zombie
She Is Beyond Good and Evil
Hell is Empty
King Stupid
We Are All Prostitutes
Nowhere Girl
St. Outrageous
We Are Time

Faith No More @ Webster Hall, New York - May 14, 2015

The last time we were visiting Vancouver, I saw that Faith No More were playing there soon and 'isn't that just my luck?; as soon as I move away from a city, a band I've wanted to see forever shows up? Steve said to look up where else they are touring and when I mentioned New York (a place neither of has been yet) he said "why not?" It was a crazy whim, but led to an awesome week, starting off with this concert.

Webster Hall is a 1500-capacity venue and, no surprise, was sold-out. They did two nights here (we were at the 2nd night), and then came back to NY later to do Madison Square Gardens. Maybe they didn't realize the demand a tour supporting their new record, Sol Invictus, would generate.

Le Butcherettes opened and were energetic, fun and edgy. The lead singer, Teri Gender Bender is a born showman reminding me of Nina Hagen in a blood-red outfit with dramatically jerky physicality.

Steve was a trooper but after the opener, left me to the sweaty floor on the edge of the pit, and stationed himself at the bar.

Right off the bat, the stage and the band was a visual feast. Boys in white linen, flowers everywhere, the stage bathed in a series of solid-coloured lights...blue, red, white, yellow, purple.

My god. What a show. It totally lived up to what I imagined a FNM show would be like. I'd seen Mike Patton with Peeping Tom in 2008, so I knew how compelling a front man he is, but the whole band was so "on" and energetic. There was a little New York-baiting banter, but it always seems like everything Patton says could be dripping with disdain as he cocks an eyebrow and stares down the crowd. Roddy Bottum shared vocal singing and banter duties and was positioned at the front left of the stage. I particularly loved their back and forth on Superhero.

Getting to experience Midlife Crisis, Evidence, Everything's Ruined, We Care a Lot, From Out of Nowhere and Epic live was a mind-blowing treat.

Being a Peeping Tom fan, another bonus was Rahzel coming on stage and doing We Care A Lot with them. His vocal tricks and beatboxing perfectly matched the pounding tune, and he added a whole new rap to the mix. A fitting NY treat.

Setlist:
Motherfucker
Be Aggressive
Caffeine
Evidence
Epic
Sunny Side Up
Get Out
Midlife Crisis (video)
Everything's Ruined
The Gentle Art of Making Enemies
Easy
We Care A Lot (with Rahzel) (video)
King For a Day
Ashes to Ashes
Superhero
Encore:
Matador
From Out of Nowhere (video)

Le Butcherettes Setlist:
Burn the Scab
Demon Stuck in Your Eye
The Devil Lived
Boulders Love over Layers of Rock
I'm Getting Sick of You
Shave the Pride
Bang!
The Leibniz Language
Your Weakness Gives Me Life
Henry Don't Got Love

Against Me! @Bitterzoet, Amsterdam - April 30, 2015

My friend's photo

 The Against Me! show last November was so damn good, I couldn't resist seeing another show supporting Transgender Dysphoria Blues. Amsterdam's Bitterzoet is a 350-capacity venue so that sounded very cool and intimate, and a revisit (after 20 years) to the Dam was appealing.

Three of us went, including an AM! newbie, so it was fun hearing that she enjoyed it, particularly "Black Me Out" which is a big fave of mine. The vibe wasn't quite as special as the Electric Ballroom, but it was still sweaty and tons of fun. Laura Jane Grace made sure to thank those who'd traveled from as far away as the States to be there, but there was a bit less banter this time. She also launched herself into the crowd again at the end.

When piecing together the setlist, I discovered lots of video from the show, so I've added links to them. I'm certain of two of the encore songs; the other two are best guesses based on other setlists from this tour and remembering them doing a Replacements song at this or the London gig:

From Bitterzoet Facebook page

Setlist:
I Was a Teenage Anarchist (partial video)
True Trans Soul Rebel
12:03
Cliche Guevara
Pints of Guinness Make You Strong (video)
Walking is Still Honest
White People For Peace
Unconditional Love
FUCKMYLIFE666
Don't Lose Touch
White Crosses
Dead Friend
Turn Those Clapping Hands Into Angry Balled Fists (video)
T.S.R. (This Shit Rules) (video)
Transgender Dysphoria Blues (intro banter video) (video)
How Low
Thrash Unreal (video)
The Ocean (video)
Black Me Out
Encore:
Androgynous? (written by Paul Westerberg)
Americans Abroad (video)
Sink Florida Sink (video)
We Laugh At Danger?

Against Me! w/Billy the Kid @Electric Ballroom, London - Nov 19/14

Obviously, the band has changed a LOT since I saw them in 2008. That was a good show, full of high punk-energy. This. This was a brilliant show. Same, crazy energy, but full of warmth and real connection with the crowd. Laura Jane Grace looked comfortable in herself and open and appreciative of the vibe in the venue.  I don't think I've ever been to a show that just felt this good and was this much fun. I think this may be a rare thing in London, or any big city, where fans are perhaps too cool to really enjoy themselves.

After such an experience, I am now a firm fan. Plus, I can't seem to get the songs out of my head!

Setlist:
FuckMyLife666
Pints of Guinness Make You Strong
Cliché Guevara
New Wave
Walking is Still Honest
Drinking With the Jocks
I Was a Teenage Anarchist
Black Me Out
Osama Bin Laden as the Crucified Christ
Don't Lose Touch
Transgender Dysphoria Blues
Dead Friend
True Trans Soul Rebel
How Low
Borne of the FM Waves of the Heart (w/opener Billy the Kid)
Unconditional Love
Thrash Unreal
Encore:
Miami
Rapid Decompression
Sink, Florida, Sink
We Laugh at Danger (And Break All the Rules)


Note: Billy the Kid was an excellent opener: energetic, charismatic and a great singer-songwriter. On one of her songs, This Sure As Hell Ain't My Life, Frank Turner joined her in a duet. Plus she's from Vancouver (although I'd not heard of her), so gotta love her.

Another Music Hiatus

I stopped going to live shows from 2011 to 2013. Two reasons, really.

@Radiohead

1st is that sometimes I'm just not impressed by new music coming out, even by bands I love. Nothing grabs me enough to get out and see a live show. Usually at this time, I see reunion shows advertised and contemplate one or two then don't bother 'cuz I'm out of the habit, and forget how much I love live music. Why do I keep forgetting?

2nd is that my fiance, has zero musical taste. Not bad taste, just no taste really. Example: "Take Me To the River" by Al Green came on the radio the other day in the car. I have a very annoying habit of trying to name a song in the fewest notes possible, and called out Talking Heads (you know, they covered it). I was wrong and was explaining why (I'm so tiresome!), forgetting he couldn't care less who does what song, when he said, "yeah, the big-mouth billy bass song". He had to explain what the hell he was talking about, as I shook my head in disgust. Remember the late night commercials for that fake fishing trophy plaque of a fish, which turns it's head to you and sings? Yep. *Smack Forehead*.

@Pemberton Festival

My old habit in @2008 was to buy 2 tickets to any show I wanted to see, and then figure out who to go with later. When we started dating, it was natural to take my new boyfriend to all these shows I had lined up. After about 7 or 8 shows, I started to notice that he wasn't into the music in the slightest. He usually spent the show looking at the crowd. I took the hint and started to go to shows with others. But, of course, in a new relationship it's often the easier option to do something you both like, more often than not. Fortunately, we both enjoy live comedy. I must say though that he's a real trooper, and a good boyfriend, because he will always be my back-up if no one else can make it. I just counted, he's been to 15 shows with me. Awww.

@REM

Last year (summer 2014), we moved to England, spitting distance of London, and all those shows! I met a great concert buddy pretty quickly, and this has reinvigorated my interest again. That and the new Against Me! album. She knew I'd seen them live before and her boyfriend (who introduced us) was trying to squirm out of going. I'm SO glad I did. They are now a firm favourite. Faith No More releasing a new album helps too, instead of just reunion touring. Whether this keeps up or not, we'll see, but I felt I could somewhat resurrect this old blog, for my own amusement and memory.

LCD Soundsystem @ Malkin Bowl - May 31/10

Setlist:
Us vs Them
Drunk Girls
Get Innocuous
Yr City's a Sucker
Pow Pow
Daft Punk is Playing at My House
All I Want
All My Friends
I Can Change
Tribulations
Movement
Yeah
Encore:
Someone Great
Losing My Edge
New York I Love You/Empire State of Mind