They only played an hour and a half, but there must've been 20+ songs in there. I think it's sometimes easier to be blown away by a performance when you don't know that many tunes & it really inspires you to get into them, but although I'm not too familiar with that much of their back catalogue there was a load of stuff I recognised and I enjoyed the tunes where were new to me. Was up on the balcony for only the 2nd gig ever too, the sound was massive up there.
The Coral at the Picturehouse, 7. The Coral are a strange live band, they've got so many great tunes and are really talented musicians yet they never seem to be comfortable on stage. I don't think I've ever seen James Skelly look like he's enjoying himself. They played just over an hour but managed 20 numbers. Simon Diamond, Spanish Main into Who's Gonna Find me and Goodbye were all highlights. 7[
The first two thirds were Zeppelin + 2 X 3. Amazingly loud but utter fun. Warren Haynes from The Allman Brothers fronts it. But towards the end it got a bit southern/jambandie and I couldn't hack it. Loved seeing my dad sweating his ass off jumping and accidentally running into tits.
Last night was the first time I've seen The Coral since 2003. Enjoyed it, thought Skelly looked alright myself. I'd probably tap it, know what I'm saying?
They merged Spanish Rain into Who's Gonna Find Me - it was HUGE. 7.
Highlight of the evening tho was when my mate's new bird, who I had only just met, demanded we hit a strip club after the gig. So we wandered in one, got drinks and took a seat, all casual like. Then this bird, who was fucking shitfaced, started hurling abuse at the strippers. Like ''YOU'VE GOT A FAT ARSE LOVE! IS THAT THE BEST YOU CAN DO? I'VE GOT BIGGER TITS THAN THAT!"
This caused one stripper to come down off her pole and start a stand-up argument with the bird. We got turfed out pretty quickly after that.
Hang on, the bird who decided it was a good idea to go to the strip club only went so she could hurl abuse at the strippers? Strange night out but fair play.
just wonderful. E said nothing & barely moved for an hour then all of a sudden turned into a rock star and started going mad, quite funny great set must of done near 30 numbers, what a band. 9
This was the strangest yet most amazing festival I've ever been to. Its held at a country club in upstate NY which is the weirdest venue you'd expect to see this lineup, but it was a great site. Its limited to something like 2500 attendees, so every performance is VERY intimate. There is no VIP area or bullshit like that, so the bands just mill about the regular concertgoer. Really cool. I met virtually everyone I saw perform, which is a bit mindblowing. And Kim Deal remembered me again
Didnt go to anything on Friday as we got hung up in NJ buying weed and hanging out w/ some of my friends there for an extended visit so we didnt get to the site until late. Missed Iggy, Sleep, and thats about all I cared about for Fri.
Saturday was awesome. Shellac was great. Sonic Youth's set was arguably a top 5 set of all time for me. The Breeders were also great and Explosions in the Sky had me tear up a bit. Easily the best single day festival experience Ive ever had.
Sunday was more of the same. Watched some films in the Criterion tent with Jim Jarmusch and Thurston Moore. Smoked a fuck ton of weed. The Black Angels were great. Raekwon put on the best hip hop set Ive ever seen. Girls and Vivian Girls were good. Hope Sandoval is one of the most beautiful women walking Earth and she was very sweet when I approached her. She wasnt too mean onstage which she is known for. The audience fit her though and her along with the Angels and Raekwon take Sunday for me. We left during the last act, Boris and Sunn O))) wasnt in the mood for that and was tired/drunk/stoned as fuck.
Shellac 8/10 Sonic Youth 10/10 The Breeders 7/10 Explosions in the Sky 9/10 The Black Angels 9/10 Raekwon 9/10 Vivian Girls 7/10 Avi Buffalo 8/10 Girls 7/10 Hope Sandoval and the Warm Inventions 9/10
Also saw Wooden Shjips, Dungen, Fucked Up, Hallogallo, and a few other acts who I dont remember.
Anyway, went to see THE VASELINES at the Bongo Club in Embra last night. Opening night of their album tour. Stevie Jackson and the bassist out of B&S are no longer in the band, which is a shame.
The new songs came across well, and the banter was typically filthy, but the new lead guitarist struggled a bit. Seemed like he'd learned the tunes an hour before.
I met Frances briefly after the show as well 10/10
morning benders @barfly 7/10 arcade fire @ hackney empire 9/10 the national @ the roundhouse 8/10 field day 7/10 for the music 9/10 for the craic libs at reading 10/10 arcade fire at reading 8/10 janelle monae @ koko 9/10 iron & wine and calexico @ 3sat tv festival in mainz 9/10