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Post by gushingblood on Dec 7, 2008 19:14:47 GMT -5
Just got back and I am the most disappointed that I have ever been at a gig. I thought I should make a thread to elaborate on the emotion I am feeling. The boys in the band were great, faultless even, and whilst they missed out some classics(onto that later) they made up for it by playing the other songs with such conviction. I also rate the merch guy, he was a jolly American who made me smile when he described the "neat" rub on tattoo (SP logo) which came free with the SIM vinyl. I ended up purchasing an THS AKM t-shirt.
Now a gig is made up of two aspects; the band and the audience. The band were great. The audience were shit.
At any other gig, the crowd surge forward to be closer to their heroes. But when the boys came on stage the crowd cheered but remained motionless.
First couple of songs, no one was moving. I thought CF would tell everyone to start having a fucking good time.
I found myself at the front right (in front of Koob) with about 5 people about 20 years old. We had some fun, pogoing a bit. And I was severely upset that someone elbowed and scowled at me cos I slightly bumped them when jumping, and they did it as if to say; stop enjoying the show, I came to listen.
If you want to listen to the show, stay at home and listen to a live album. You go to a show to enjoy yourself.
But the rest of the audience just looked dead, and I know that the average age was probably 40 years old, but when I saw Eagles Of Death Metal the oldies in the crowd were moshing like mad, and I only saw two people at the gig who were "old" who looked like they were genuinly having a good time(they were right in front of CF)
Word's cannot really describe how dead the audience were, they looked like they wanted to be somewhere else. And whilst I tried to make the most of it, it's really hard to go to a gig and not be crammed in jumping with others.
The set was pretty good; here is what I remember Constructive Summer(opener) Hot Soft Light You Gotta Go To The Dance Banging Camp You can make him like you Massive Nights Navy Sheets Multitude of Casualties (iirc) Jokes About Jamaica Lord Party Pit Sequestered Hornets Cattle SP Swish!!! Hoodrat Stations
Positive Jam!!! Slapped Actress Chips Ahoy Resurrection(closer)
The omission was clearly Killer Parties. "There is so much joy in what we do up here" I don't think I head CF say that. You wanna know why? Cos he can't feel the emotion of joy when the crowd look like they would be more interested in watching paint dry.
Just to reiterate, Hold Steady were on form, Tad was rocking, Craig's voice was the best I have ever heard, it sounded really strong, and the sound mixing was perfect.
The audience fucked it up.
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Post by biblesalesman on Dec 7, 2008 20:40:22 GMT -5
Dude. That SUCKS!!
I feel real bad for ya, cause that is one of the reasons I love the shows. The communion.
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Post by sonofted on Dec 7, 2008 21:35:33 GMT -5
Yeah, I pretty much agree with you. By the sounds of things I was a couple of rows back from where you were and the crowd was pretty much dead. A few guys near me jumping around occasionally for the more well known numbers and that was about it.
I suppose it was a Sunday in a fairly small venue so it was never going to be hugely lively. I kinda got the impression a few other people would have moved a bit more if it weren't for all the people at the front who were just standing there. Comparison to EoDM is perhaps a touch unfair though - methinks they generally attract somewhat different 'oldies'.
The band were on top form though, and I was happy with the setlist - Resurrection made up for the loss of Killer Parties in my opinion. And Craig's voice indeed sounded great.
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Post by hoodrat on Dec 7, 2008 21:37:15 GMT -5
THS oldies = BEST. blame something else.
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Post by missalabamanobody on Dec 7, 2008 22:18:50 GMT -5
THS oldies = BEST. blame something else. Amen, sista. I'm never stop moving at a show and I'm OLD.
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Post by gushingblood on Dec 8, 2008 2:08:59 GMT -5
I just pray that the rest of the tour gets better, because I really was discouraged and doesn't want anyone else to be subjected to it.
I just thought: opening night of the tour=win.
Good luck on the other dates, i'll be around next tour.
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Post by andy42g on Dec 8, 2008 3:54:01 GMT -5
You must have been stood near us then, and there was a fair amount of dancing going on. It didn't get mental, but no one stopped us pogo-ing. It was actually a refreshing change to be at the front and not get completely battererd :-) Set list was excellent. Band seemed to be enjoying themselves - relaxed - with Craig occasionally playing some "lead" guitar, much to the amusement of the others! Nice to meet you Mike, and excellent to have Howard singing in my ear there too. Cheers guys - see you Wednesday. Call it a bit of a warm up date for the rest of the shows shall we, eh? Leadmill was pretty cool - easy to get to and the parking for £2 in the station NCP was great. Have got a load of pics from the front, and will get them on Flickr asap. Andy
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Post by andy42g on Dec 8, 2008 4:07:43 GMT -5
... and I only saw two people at the gig who were "old" who looked like they were genuinly having a good time(they were right in front of CF) Err- that would have been me and Howard then. ;D
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Post by dot info on Dec 8, 2008 4:50:12 GMT -5
Shuda gone to Specsavers.
Errr... I mean, Manchester. :-)
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Post by lilhan on Dec 8, 2008 6:16:36 GMT -5
oh GB, sorry that the audience didnt get into it. it was like that at v festival. didnt dampenthe set for me because who gives a shit if a few people scowl because you're having a good time? fuck 'em. glad to hear andy and howard were dancing and singing. see you in manchester guys! ending on resurrection *swoon*lovely. even if you don't think so
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Post by crayolakid on Dec 8, 2008 7:26:04 GMT -5
sorry that the audience didnt get into it. I think they were into it. Just that Yorkshire folks are uptight and don't dance. At this point should I say 'lights blue touch paper...' or admit I'm a Yorkshire-man?
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Post by lilhan on Dec 8, 2008 7:27:56 GMT -5
well, if they were into it they should be dancing i jokes. v festival was a very.... stodgy crowd. they didn't even raise a smile when finn starting dancing. i mean, come on! however, if you think it's jus ta yorkshire thing then fair enough. if everyone left smiling then THS won the battle.
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bigontheinside
Midnight Hauler
If you don't know the words, don't sing along
Posts: 1,478
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Post by bigontheinside on Dec 8, 2008 11:38:18 GMT -5
oh dear I hope its not like this in London. That would be heartbreaking.
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caz
True Scene Leader
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Post by caz on Dec 8, 2008 12:00:09 GMT -5
oh dear I hope its not like this in London. That would be heartbreaking. I was at the last two London shows along with a bunch of the others scenesters, and the crowds were awesome at both... Although, I can only speak for the people right at the front as I was on the railing both times.
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Post by gushingblood on Dec 8, 2008 13:01:59 GMT -5
ending on resurrection *swoon*lovely. even if you don't think so I was just expecting Killer Parties + stage invasion. After reflecting the gig today some of the highlights were: +Tad's improv solos were the best that I have ever heard. +I think CFs guitar broke during Slapped Actress(or one of the encore songs) and he was kneeling at the amp turning up the volume (whilst Koob was rocking) and Galen just started laughing at Craig cos he looked so angry that his guitar broke - I will keep that memory with me forever (and it is the only time I have appreciated a bassist ) +Duel guitar solos +I swear Galen was stealing Franz's hat +Koobs double necked SG +Koobs guitar battle with CF?!?! hilarious +Koob +Koob +Oh yeah and Tad Kubler was pretty fucking ace. He has confirmed that fact that he is THE best guitarist ever - not as in speed of notes (though he is fucking fast) but in the way he plays. When he kicks out a solo he hits all the right notes which is what a solo is all about. It was the most impressive display of music that I have ever seen.
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Post by nosferatu on Dec 8, 2008 13:15:13 GMT -5
I went to their show at Liverpool Carling Academy 2 last year on my own and had the best time ever. The crowd weren't particularly wild, but it was great. If that had been me last night I would have just shut myself off from the people standing still and rocked out to my own private viewing. I love it when that happens sometimes.
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Post by jamesjesusangleton on Dec 8, 2008 13:26:14 GMT -5
Peope who want to stand still at gigs aren't anyone's enemy. They just want to watch the band without having either their own or someone else's beer spilled down them. I can sympathise with that. They might be just as loyal fans as you, and they might be complaining that their evening was ruined ...
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Post by gushingblood on Dec 8, 2008 13:29:13 GMT -5
Peope who want to stand still at gigs aren't anyone's enemy. They just want to watch the band without having either their own or someone else's beer spilled down them. I can sympathise with that. They might be just as loyal fans as you, and they might be complaining that their evening was ruined ... I understand where you are coming from. But they were motionless. No movement. No dancing. There was also about a 1m area in the middle two rows back where no one was standing. Surely you want to "push to get closer"
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Post by nosferatu on Dec 8, 2008 13:39:30 GMT -5
Peope who want to stand still at gigs aren't anyone's enemy. They just want to watch the band without having either their own or someone else's beer spilled down them. I can sympathise with that. They might be just as loyal fans as you, and they might be complaining that their evening was ruined ... Completely agree with that. People have different ways of experiencing gigs, it seems blindingly obvious that the argument here is ultimately pointless - some people stand, some people dance. It seems that there were more of the former last night, that's all. I wouldn't worry about it gb... just because we hear about the good times everybody has at THS gigs doesn't mean every show is going to be watched by 800 fist-pumpin' beer spillin' wrecking machines...
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Post by gushingblood on Dec 8, 2008 13:44:05 GMT -5
Peope who want to stand still at gigs aren't anyone's enemy. They just want to watch the band without having either their own or someone else's beer spilled down them. I can sympathise with that. They might be just as loyal fans as you, and they might be complaining that their evening was ruined ... Completely agree with that. People have different ways of experiencing gigs, it seems blindingly obvious that the argument here is ultimately pointless - some people stand, some people dance. It seems that there were more of the former last night, that's all. I wouldn't worry about it gb... just because we hear about the good times everybody has at THS gigs doesn't mean every show is going to be watched by 800 fist-pumpin' beer spillin' wrecking machines... Yeah I suppose so, I guess it was just a new experience, as I had never been to a gig where they audience acted like that. Young people have a different attitude towards gigs. I wasn't expecting any mosh pits ( I was hoping though ) but I thought there would be some rocking, since the Hold Steady are a rock band.
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Post by nosferatu on Dec 8, 2008 13:46:21 GMT -5
I feel your disappointment, definitely. there's nothing worse than really digging something and not being sure if anybody else is!
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Post by gushingblood on Dec 8, 2008 13:48:53 GMT -5
I had a feeling that a lot of the people there wern't hardcore fans, just casual ones who are checking out a new band - only heard a few people singing along with the songs of AKM and SS. I think there may have been about 5 people in the room who knew the words to You Gotta Dance, which did make it feel like a more personal song.
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bigontheinside
Midnight Hauler
If you don't know the words, don't sing along
Posts: 1,478
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Post by bigontheinside on Dec 8, 2008 14:06:29 GMT -5
oh dear I hope its not like this in London. That would be heartbreaking. I was at the last two London shows along with a bunch of the others scenesters, and the crowds were awesome at both... Although, I can only speak for the people right at the front as I was on the railing both times. Thanks! That made me feel a lot better. (That sounds sarchastic, but its not meant to be). A poor crowd ruins it a bit if you ask me.
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Post by ptm1509 on Dec 8, 2008 18:41:53 GMT -5
I went last night i thought the band were superb. They all looked a lot fresher and sounded a lot sharper than when i saw them at the Irish centre in Leeds in july. Yes audience participation is a big thing but its the same at any gig kaiser Chiefs, springsteen, rolling stones, U2 etc.people at the front like to get involved people towards the back want to enjoy the music and the event itself. One thing is for certain the bands on the up and and Craig is the best showman around.
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eagozz
Cityscape Skin
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Post by eagozz on Dec 10, 2008 6:43:05 GMT -5
I agree with others posts that Yorkshire folk are more reserved....I remember seeing likes of the Counting Crows & Black Crowes at the Sheffield City Hall in the 1990s & coming away thinking the crowd weren't into it. Not quite as upbeat bands, I know......I guess you can't take Yorkshire out of a Yorkshireman............. The missus & I were in front of Craig - andy42g, I dispute it was just you & your mate having a good time up front .....we got Craig's setlist after the gig - here goes:- Constructive Hot Soft Light Gotta Dance Multitude Of Casualties Navy Sheets Banging Camp You Can Make Him... Party Pit Cattle & The Creeping Things Joke About Jamaica Lord I'm discouraged Hornets Hornets Stuck Between Stations Sequestered In Memphis Your Little Hoodrat Friend Stay Positive Slapped Actress ENC: Positive Jam Chips Ahoy Magazines (Not Played ) How A Resurrection Really Feels
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