I used to do concert reviews on my blog. I haven't done one in a while. When I got home last night I wrote a short one for Facebook. I wanted to record it properly to look back on. So here it is.
Last night I experienced one of the best concerts I've ever been to. Fleetwood Mac. Wow. A concert I dreamed of going to since I watched The Dance in 1997. I feel so lucky to have been raised on their music - listening to them on record and cassette from when I was very small.
The music tonight was outstanding. The professionalism, talent, engagement with the audience, energy - amazing. Although we had seats in the nosebleed section, the band treated us like we were front row.
My highlights:
- Stevie Nicks' tambourine, and her pep talk about "reaching for the stars (stores) and following your dreams" before Gypsy. Landslide was perfect.
- Christine McVie's voice. Her golden honey voice. And her gratitude to be back playing with the band. Songbird was beautiful.
- Lindsay Buckingham's anecdotes about the band were interesting. He has so much energy. Big Love was a stand out.
- The tinkles Mick Fleetwood made on the glass. His charisma. Those red shoes. He must have a great heart to play a three hour set on the drums.
- That John McVie is in good enough health to have toured 110 shows and counting.
- The confirmation that the past is in the past and the band is together now. "The Mac is Back", Mick Fleetwood said.
My only regret is not shelling out more money for a better view.
What a busy few days! I'm exhausted! There's been a bit happening, hence the roundup title of this post.
Firstly, a big thank you for all the support you gave me following the taxi driver verbal abuse incident. So many friends, strangers and people in the media have shared my story. While I do encounter many rude people, the amount of lovely people I encounter, often because of the rude people, is multiplied tenfold. I was commissioned by Daily Life to write a personal account - you can read it here. Writing that article is contributing to my savings account for my next big trip (which I am planning for next year). There have been many silver linings. I am, however, still baffled that 13Cabs have not responded to my tweet or Facebook post. While I logged a formal complaint on Saturday, I expected their social media team to at least acknowledge this incident and advise that my tweet has been escalated. Not good enough.
Also, Uber, a luxury taxi service, has given me some credit to ensure I get home safely in future. I used Uber the night before I received verbal abuse in a 13Cabs taxi. I downloaded the free app to my iPhone, registered with Uber including inputting my debit card details. When I was ready to be driven home, I booked a car, and received notification of the driver's name, photo, car registration and estimated time of arrival by SMS and through the app. When the car arrived, I was excited that it was a luxury limousine, and even more impressed my lovely driver opened the door for both Tash and I. He dropped Tash at her destination and drove me home, making interesting conversation along the way. The car smelled nice, the driver was friendly and I got home safely - without being questioned about my skin. Uber is currently in Sydney and Melbourne and also in America. The Uber service is a little more expensive than a regular taxi service, but I highly recommend it. (Please note - I rode Uber complimentary last Wednesday night after attending a media launch, and Uber also contacted me on Twitter after a few friends suggested I use them following the abuse in the taxi. They offered me further credit so I can ride safely.)
On Friday I gave a talk about resilience and my skin at the Multiple Sclerosis Australia conference. I spoke to around 35 people - and while I had a prepared speech, I winged it, talking a lot about the difficult encounters but also how I live life to the full, despite. After my speech, I presented a master class on blogging, and after a presenter shuffle, I talked the group through the basics of social media - so they too can be online activists. I think I convinced a few of them to start using Twitter and even to blog. Debra Cerasa, CEO of MS Australia - pictured below, has been chatting to me on Twitter for about a year, and it was so lovely to be invited to speak, and also to chat to her and Kathie Melocco (conference facilitator) at the dinner and the conference. Debra has a cooking school, and I can't wait to go with my Mum.
I am very excited to announce that I'm a finalist in Parenting and Personal category of the Kidspot Voices of 2013 blogging competition. It's really nice to be recognised in the blogging industry, and to stand with some prominent bloggers - Kelly, Naomi, Kate and Trish. I had a piece published on the Voices of 2013 blog last week. I'll also be writing a few original posts for the competition, so look out for those. Thanks for supporting me, Alex, Bron, Pip, Sam and all at Kidspot, plus you lovely readers.
I went to see You Am I play at The Forum on Saturday night. They played their Hourly Daily and HiFi Way albums live and in full. I think Tim Rogers is the hottest man in Australian rock and roll.
My only regret in life is that I hadn't seen them live until recently. They were so full of energy, so tight and so fun! Tim Rogers works that stage, demading respect (asking the audience not to throw stuff after two pairs of undies were thrown at him) and swaggers sexily. I loved his jumps and arm swings. The new kid in the band, Davey Lane was such a star too, emulating Tim's riffs perfectly - and Tim was ribbing him about his youth, hair, dress sense and cheek bones. There were a few moments where Tim was heartfelt and vulnerable - talking about how much he's given up because of music, how he misses his little girl, but then realising that everything good in his life has come out of You Am I - including his little girl. At the end of the show, he looked physically worn out. He sat down on the drum podium, resting and reflecting. He looked around at the audience, swigging a drink and thanking us. I got a nod and a thanks after I mouthed thanks to Tim. Chrissie Francis took this photo - she was the only photographer in the pit, standing next to me. I love how it captures Tim's vulnerability and his humility. You can see more of Christine's photos here.
Again, thank you to everyone for your support. I feel very loved, and so lucky to have so many wonderful people in my life.
Last year, on my last day in New York, my Mum and I saw a Broadway show. It was Once - the award winning film. And it was one of my favourite things about my trip away.
Once, written by Glen Hansard, who also stars in the film with Marketa Irglova (they were in The Swell Season together), is about an Irish busker/vacuum cleaner technician who falls in love with a Czec pianist. it is a beautiful story, complemented by music that both Hansard and Irglova write and play.It features the beautiful song Falling Slowly, which you may be familiar with.
The stage was set up as an Irish bar so before the show, audience members could buy a drink.
I took these sneaky pictures during the show, and was almost evicted...
The performance was so lively, so uplifting, and I felt the music in my bones. The live Irish music was played so well. It felt like we were at a pub, watching a scene at a bar. I preferred the live performance to the film. Absolutely mindblowing.
And I had 'Falling Slowly' in my head the whole flight home.
So when I saw that Glen Hansard and The Frames were playing in Melbourne, I had to buy myself a ticket straight away.
Glen Hansard was supported by Irish singer Lisa Hannigan, whose voice was a bit like Lisa Mitchell. She later supported him on a few songs, including a Woodie Guthrie cover of which neither of them could remember the lyrics and so giggled hysterically.
I sat behind the gorgeous Julia Stone at the show - I had a chat with her during the break between Lisa and Glen.
The Melbourne Recital Centre was so beautiful, and my photos don't do it justice. I had previously been there when I won a Yooralla Media Award. At one stage, Glen spoke about how imposing a venue like the Recital Centre can be, and encouraged us to relax and have fun.
I went into the concert not knowing many songs - I do have The Swell Season CDs and the Once soundtrack and DVD - and came out wanting to devour everything Glen Hansard and The Frames had ever made. I loved 'Falling Slowly', 'When Your Mind's Made Up', 'Star Star' and 'Leave'. Scrap that, I loved all of the songs!
He indicated embarrassment that the ads for his tour placed him front and centre, and gave lots of credit to his band The Frames, part of which have been playing together for many years. The Frames were made up of percussionists, a keyboardist, a brass band, a string set and guitarists. It was a wonderful arrangement.
Glen, with a bushy ginger beard (noting during the show that his mate and he grew big beards last year - "beards that said "I hate women") told lots of anecdotes on the stage. He's really proud of his Irish heritage and talked about the way Australian celebrate St Patrick's Day. He was very funny. He also talked of a friend dying of cancer, biut living his last six months to the fullest, and dedicated a song to him.
They played for almost three hours, Glen said that "we wrote a long list of songs, and played a longer list". After one encore, a few of his band members and he did an acoustic set on the edge of the stage. Below is a picture of everyone doing a cover of Leonard Cohen's passing Through. The previous night, the band played in a procession through the foyer and took the audience onto the street (see video at the end of this post).
I loved the way Glen Hansard gave it his all. He is such a passionate performer. And my other favourite thing was his interpretation of covers - a R.E.S.P.E.C.T at the end of 'Love Don't Leave Me Waiting' was fun, and the string players' renditions of 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star' and the 'Willy Wonka World of Your Imagination' song were magic.
Glen Hansard can whisper and he can roar. His voice is electric, and as I expected, I felt it through to my bones and soul. The concert left me feeling alive. This is what music is about.
On Friday night I made the trip to my hometown of Albury to see my childhood rockstar hero play. Jack Jones from Southern Sons. I became a fan of him when I was about nine. I'd seen him play in She Said Yes with Tania Doko and Karl Lewis supporting Darren Hayes in 2007. I'd never seen him live playing Southern Sons songs, but had dreamed about the day for 20 years. Jack Jones is now known by his real name Irwin Thomas.
He had two support acts - acoustic Robert Sedky and Neon City, a local Albury based band. Liam Dalby fronts Neon City, and knows my Mum through her work. I sat down to talk to him for a while and he is one of the loveliest people, so appreciative of music, and so humbled to play with Jack Jones. Neon City play original pop-rock songs - great lyrics with an energetic sound. They received a lot of local support with friends coming out to see them play.
Jack Jones played several classic Southern Sons hits - all beautiful acoustic versions - Always and Ever, You Were There, Hold Me in Your Arms and Heart in Danger. He also played the Beatles' Blackbird and the Bee Jees' I Started a Joke. His vocals are still very John Farnham-esque, but he has such a broad range - tender and roaring. And he is such a fine skilled guitarist. It was a short setlist - I definitely wanted more, especially Southern Sons songs.
Before the show he said hi - my Mum showed him my Southern Sons tshirt that was once down to my ankles, now down to my knees. Remember I showed you all a picture of me wearing the Southern Sons tee last year.
And I assured him his autograph is still on the back of my toilet door with Savage Garden and Silverchair. He said he'd chat to me after the show. And he kept his promise, posing for several photos, and putting my card in his wallet - I took a photo to prove it!
Kiss was playing by the DJ,
and I said 'let's stick out our tongues' and so we did!!
Seeing him live was a bit of a dream come true - I am glad I could see him in such a small setting and meet him too.
One of the things that really annoyed me about the night was the disruptive and unappreciative audience (or lack of). Maybe it's a country thing - not many bands go to Albury so audiences don't know how to behave? And my observations of this poor audience directed me to draw up this guide. Band watching 101.
If you're there to see the band, show some respect and appreciation. If you're not there to see the band, do the same.
Don't block the view of the audience by walking between them and the band and holding your hands up for a 'look at me' moment, or by your bad dancing or god forbid, dirty dancing with strangers (I saw you kiss that other drunk girl before). If you must dance, dance to the side of or behind the audience.
Don't talk with your friends. The band playing means you raise your voice, and I don't want to hear about your boring day when I am watching a singer I've waited 20 years for. This is not your living room.
Don't request to sing or dance with the singer on stage. You have probably not sold as many albums as the singer, and I am sure if you can sing or dance well, I would have had the chance to see you on one of those talent shows that compromises peoples' integrity. This isn't the time to be known as the random drunk woman who attempted to do a duet with a big time rock star. And when that big time rock star refuses your company on stage, don't get pouty or get shouty.
Don't get more excited at hearing Jesse's Girl/Moves Like Jagger spun by the DJ than the band who is actually in the room, playing real live music. This isn't your second cousin's wedding.
Don't tell the singer he's boring the shit out of you. Really. Don't. If you don't want to be there, leave. Don't spoil it for the singer and the audience. Show some respect.
That really happened, and so did the other things I listed. Irwin Thomas handled the rude woman really well, suggesting she might want to get a vibrator - the final song was OhMiBod I'm in love with you - one he made for a vibrator.
Kings of Leon Rod Laver Arena, Melbourne 13 November 2011
The Kings of Leon Come Around Sundown tour has been a long time coming -
with a postponement due to drummer Nathan Followill's broken arm and
the band's future in doubt due to tensions within mid year. But the band
came around (at sundown, on a balmy Melbourne night) and didn't
disappoint - providing a range of their old and newest catalogue of
songs.
As Caleb Followill wore the cross around his neck - homage to
his religious roots, his fans looked to him as their deity. Girls
screaming and shouting 'I love you' and guys rocking out, bromance
style. It's what we've been waiting for. The Followill Boys - Caleb,
Jared, Nathan and Mathew.
There'd been reports from concerts on this tour that the Kings had turned mediocre in their maturity, playing more stadium rock than the sweaty indie style of their youth. The crowd at Rod Laver didn't seem to think so - getting hot and sweaty to the fast songs, and swaying their arms to the anthems. I think there was something for every fan, no matter when they first became a fan of Kings of Leon. Caleb's trademark mumbly, gravelly voice still reigned.
The show opened with Radioactive - energetic and powerful, though I'd love to have seen it with the beautiful gospel backing vocals like on the album version. Band, take note for next tour. Other stand outs were Taperjean Girl, fuzzy vocaled My Party - the girls on their boyfriends' shoulders behind me were going wild, Fans (my favourite), Crawl, the singalong On Call, Knocked Up and Black Thumbnail.
In terms of a performance, Kings of Leon is more musical than showy. Sure, there was the obligatory light show and stage projections (and the concert even ended with some pyrotechnics - which set off my asthma!), but the band aren't known for moving far from their positions on stage or talking to the audience. They simply play to us, with a few bits of 'chat' thrown out between songs. But they enjoy it, it seems, feeding off our energy and giving off lots of smiles. As Caleb said, 'the more you give us, the more we'll give to you'.
This was the first concert I've ever been more excited about what was happening off stage than on, due to the crew taking a shine to me and showering me with gifts, and so I didn't observe every moment had by the band. But I did see Nathan's excellent coordination of providing backing vocals while drumming and blowing bubbles. And Mathew's guitar fellatio during Closer was broadcast on the big screens - his lipwork on the guitar indicated he may be ...er... good at the real thing.
Dave, head of Kings of Leon security left me a message on my previous blog entry about this concert:
"Hi Carly ,my name is Dave and im the Head of security for KOL ,thank you
for you lovely comments and e-mail . The band love their fans and
especially those who come and rock there socks off ,they feed off that
energy and you gave them plenty ,all done with a fabulous smile .Keep it
up lady youre awesome "
I think, from the band's performance and the great treatment I received from their crew, I came out of the concert feeling like a bigger fan of Kings of Leon. I feel incredibly lucky. The concert was worth the wait.
(Sorry for the limited photos - I was actually having too good a time to stop to take many photos!)
Two Thursdays ago, Hayley and I went to see Lissie at the Northcote Social Club. It was a fantastic night - friends, cider, pub meals and live music.
Lissie was supported by the wonderful Owl Eyes - a young Melbourne singer. Her songs were full of life and fun to listen to. At one point I signed and said "I love her".
She had a cute little dress on and a sparkle in her eye. The perfect opener to Lissie.
When Lissie came on, I was reminded of her drummer, Stuart Wilkison and his perfect hair.
Lissie was amazing. She sounds like Stevie Nicks with country twang. Her bassist described her as "too awesome". Indeed she was.
I loved In Sleep, Everywhere I Go, When I'm Alone and The Bully. Her voice is so powerful, like an extra instrument. Deep, echoey and husky. My favourite of the show was a cover of Martine Nightingale's classic, Get Right Back. A lovely surprise! Upbeat, dance inducing and fun!
Her band also packed so much power, with some great solos. And they were funny.
I spent a lot of time (again) admiring her drummer.
After the show I asked him for a photo. I told him I think he is the best looking drummer in the world.
He was very flattered. And such a polite, soft spoken Englishman.
When I met Lissie she remembered me from my blog. She said she knows I have a crush on her drummer! They googled him on tour, and found my blog! She spent lots of time talking to fans and posing for photos. She is so lovely.
I saw Jebediah play live on Friday night. Thanks to their latest release She's Like a Comet, and of course, Bob Evans, I have come to like their back catalogue that I missed during my teens (of course I was listening to Savage Garden and Jebediah were too scary for me). My friend R was down to stay and we met C and S there (who I first met last year when I saw Bob Evans at the Tote). It was a great night.
We arrived really early and positioned ourselves front row centre against the temporary mosh barrier. I kept having flashbacks to the times when I was in the mosh at Placebo, Screaming Jets and Kings of Leon (60 % awful, 40 % awesome), and realised being in a Jebediah mosh was not sensible for my health. I couldn't risk overheating and being pounded by a strong crowd. I was proud to brave three songs and a beer shower, and then made a difficult sideways exit. Some people were worried about how red I was and let me past, so that was beneficial. I managed to take three close up photos while front row, including this one.
My friends were the real heroes of the night - they braved the biffo, bottles to the head, beer showers and crowd surfers, and held their places in the front and centre for all of Jebediah's set. Well done girls.
Meanwhile, I positioned myself in a much safer spot next to the security guard at the front of the stage. I received a couple of thumps to my body from the very excited guys near me jumping around - and also a grazed forehead after one of the guys gave me a bristley hug to console me from him stepping on my foot. But overall I was pleased to have a comfortable spot with a great view.
Jebediah played a number of songs from their new album. But it was a mostly nostalgic show that took the crowd back to the late 90s. It was energetic, sweaty, rocking fuzzpop. I could barely recognise the sweet country voice I am used to hearing from Kevin Mitchell. But I did love his nasal sounds on Friday.
There were a lot of crowd surfers. Another reason I am glad I did not stay at the front. Though I was kind of envious of their (drunken?) bravery and trust in the crowd.
I took lots of photos. This one is my favourite.
I also took a video of Harpoon. I die.
I am so glad I've discovered this awesome music - many years after it was released. Thanks Jebediah for a great show!
