Concerts

Went to see Soundgarden at the Academy in Birmingham on Saturday.

Now this was almost a life-long dream for me as I'd been a fan since my teens and never been able to see them. Tickets sold out on the first day and after seeing the venue, I'm not surprised, it was nowhere near as big as I expected. I'm sure they could have sold out a venue twice the size easily. No bad thing, of course because it was pretty intimate.

So firstly, let me say that musically they were superb. You'd expect them to be excellent given how long they have been around and the fact that their albums are so good, they really are master musicians and any fears that Chris Cornell had lost his voice soon vanished! It was a strong set as well (although I was hoping for '4th of July').

I really want to tell you that it was one of the greatest gigs I'd ever been to but in truth, it was quite sad. As good as they were (again, they were excellent), they barely moved on stage and I can only imagine that in their earlier years, they would have had more energy about them. Don't get me wrong, I'm not expecting backflips but they did look like a band approaching the end, doing a farewell tour for the fans. Certainly not 'going through the motions' but not as passionate as I had expected them to look.

Brilliant music though and they'll always be one of my favourite bands of all time, glad I got the chance to see them.

Set:

Let Me Drown
Spoonman
By Crooked Steps
Been Away Too Long
Worse Dreams
My Wave
Get on the Snake
Non-State Actor
Pretty Noose
Burden in My Hand
Blood on the Valley Floor
Black Hole Sun
Blind Dogs
Taree
Eyelid's Mouth
Fell on Black Days
Blow Up the Outside World
Rusty Cage

Encore:
Jesus Christ Pose
Slaves & Bulldozers

Soundgarden - Burden In My Hand

I've a friend going to them tonight, and like you it's his first time seeing Soundgarden. He is equally as passionate as you Rep, they must be doing something right!

Alice in Chains + Metallica tonight!

Alice in Chains and Metallica last night. Awesome. Too bad Alice in Chains' concert was too short (around 1 hour), but I got to listen to Man In The Box live - a childhood dream accomplished. At least Metallica played for 2 and a half hours.

Well, what can I say? Had such a great day this Saturday. First, I saw Moraes Moreira and Pepeu Gomes, the legendary members of one of the best Brazilian bands of all time, Novos Baianos. A little later, it was time to be surprised by Gogol Bordello. Can't believe I didn't know them before - such a funny and entertaining show! Don't think any one stood still for more than a few seconds during his entire concert.

After a few boring concerts I mostly ignored (such as Philip Philips - or something like that - and John Mayer), it was time for Bruce Springsteen. He played the album Born in the USA in full, plus many other classics. It was brilliant, absolutely brilliant. After I got home from the concert, my facebook was full of messages like "you were right about Bruce", "Bruce just got another fan" and stuff like that, from people who watched it on tv. Those who were there, even those who barely knew him, surely had a great time and were shocked by his vitality and charisma. He'll be 64 this week and I can safely say he's the best front man I've ever seen in my entire life.

Thanks, Boss. Please come back soon.

There's a little video here of one of my favorite parts of Bruce's concert, when he gives the microphone to a young lad in the crowd: http://globotv.globo.com/globocom/g1/v/menino-canta-com-bruce-springsteen/2840583/

That rock in rio looks amazing! There's a bit of something for everyone there, with some quality performers across loads of music genres...Did you see the Offspring when you saw Muse? They are awesome

I went to Jon McLaughlin concert last night. It was an amazing show.

That rock in rio looks amazing! There's a bit of something for everyone there, with some quality performers across loads of music genres...Did you see the Offspring when you saw Muse? They are awesome

Oh I didn't go that night (Muse), I only watched them on tv... and the Offspring too! My younger brother did go that day though and loved it.

A little later, it was time to be surprised by Gogol Bordello. Can't believe I didn't know them before - such a funny and entertaining show!

Crazy m'fuckers ain't they? I've caught them a couple or three time, at festivals, down the years and they're always worth a visit. 

it was time for Bruce Springsteen. He played the album Born in the USA in full, plus many other classics. It was brilliant, absolutely brilliant.

First time seeing the Boss Diego? A proper Rock star mate and full value for money - he's never disappointed... even those who wouldn't be into him too much. Sounds like you had a great time... well jealous.

My last gig - Jimmy Eat World at the House of Blues in Vegas, last Wednesday. Not quite Rock in Rio but a smashing night nonetheless.

Jimmy Eat World - The Middle

On Saturday, Muse closed the night and I must admit that, even though I'm not fan of theirs, they do sound pretty good live.

* cough... ahem?... 

Crazy m'fuckers ain't they? I've caught them a couple or three time, at festivals, down the years and they're always worth a visit.

Oh yeah! I was really surprised at how good they are. The crowd were a bunch of lunatics as well, which made it even funnier - one of the most enjoyable concerts I've ever seen. Definitely seeing them again when they come back to Brazil.

First time seeing the Boss Diego? A proper Rock star mate and full value for money - he's never disappointed... even those who wouldn't be into him too much. Sounds like you had a great time... well jealous.

Yep, my first time! His last visit to Brazil had been in 1988 (or something like that), so there was a whole generation of Bruce fans who had never seen him! It was unbelievable, truly unbelievable. He promised to come back sooner than we might expect... really hope he does!

* cough... ahem?... 

Hoping I get tickets for Disclosure's free gig in Galway later on.

Got tickets for secret Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds concert in London next month. Drawn by ballot, part of a documentary or something, should be good.

The National Sat 9th November in Belfast and Sigur Ros a week later in Dublin on my birthday.

Two of my 'Must see live' bands and I cannot wait.

Oh I didn't go that night (Muse), I only watched them on tv... and the Offspring too! My younger brother did go that day though and loved it.

They're both brilliant performers.


Queens of the Stone Age / Nine Inch Nails are doing a tour round Aus next year which I'm looking at going to. Not even remotely interested in NIN, I find them boring, but QotSA should be awesome

Not even remotely interested in NIN, I find them boring

Worth seeing them just to see Reznor do 'Hurt' though, it's amazing live. Their new stuff is supposed to be a completely new sound for them but I haven't hear it yet.

QOTSA should be excellent 

The National last night in Belfast and quite simply one of the best live acts I've seen.

Stunningly good and anyone going to Dublin tonight is in for a treat.

Saw The Roots, Beck and Blur on Saturday. All three were great. Blur were epic, absolutely epic. They're one of my favorite bands ever, one I was hoping to see live since I was a teenager. I hadn't realized I knew so many Blur lyrics, but in the show it seemed the words just came out of my mouth instantly.

Saw The Roots, Beck and Blur on Saturday. All three were great. Blur were epic, absolutely epic. They're one of my favorite bands ever, one I was hoping to see live since I was a teenager. I hadn't realized I knew so many Blur lyrics, but in the show it seemed the words just came out of my mouth instantly.

Amazing. Did they do Under The Westway?

Amazing. Did they do Under The Westway?

Yep, they did. I love that song.

Saw The Roots, Beck and Blur on Saturday. All three were great. Blur were epic, absolutely epic. They're one of my favorite bands ever, one I was hoping to see live since I was a teenager. I hadn't realized I knew so many Blur lyrics, but in the show it seemed the words just came out of my mouth instantly.

I'm not that big a fan of Blur but I'm actually happy that you've seen them as I've read how much you love them. Glad they didn't disappoint.

Sigur Ros last night in Dublin and they were every bit as good as I'd hoped, if not even better.

The sound they produce for their songs live is something special and adds a whole new level to the songs and it was a simply stunning show with a lot of highlights including Brennistein from the latest album and Festival which was the last song before the encore.

Anyone who is a fan of the band should try and see them, if possible as they don't seem to have many UK dates on a tour, as the live experience of their songs is, as I said, something that bit more special than they sound on a CD.

If you read my post in the birthday thrad you'll know I actually missed a bit of the gig as I almost passed out as the heat in the arena was colossal and it's never happend to me before so I was a bit pissed off I missed the likes of Hoppipolla but nothing I could do as I just made it to the edge before dropping to the floor. Maybe a combination of the heat and not enough to eat during the day but I recovered enough to catch Festival before having to leave and sadly miss the enocore.

Apart from that though it was a fanstatic gig and the sheer sound the band created surprised me the most aa although the new album is a heavier sound than most would associate with Sigur Ros every song they played sounded spectatular and the bass and drum in particular were almost ear shatteringly loud and as I said for a fan you have to try and see them live as it is something else indeed.

Bruno Mars next week, can not wait.