Support: Mowbeck @The Bodega Nottingham I had heard of The Spitfires before. I think they came up on my youtube list as a suggestion. The first song I ever heard of them was 'So long'. I enjoyed it so when I saw they were coming in town I bought me my ticket. By now I learned my lesson of not arriving right when the doors open. This time, given it was on a Saturday and I did have prior engagement I went slightly late. I missed the supporting band. (I will need to google them as I am in total darkness of their music as I write this). I arrived at the venue just in time when The Spitfires entered the stage. The venue was crowded with people of over 45ish. As I was ordering my usual soft drink, the lead singer welcomed the crowd in what I suspect was English - but I didn't understand a word he said!!!! Nothing!! Truly!! I can't even tell you what accent he has (I'm bad with accents). When the singing began, I still didn't understand a word. Got my usual left side of the stage spot. I knew most of the songs they sang. I think I can say - I preferred the youtube performances than the live one. I don't know all the lyrics so at least at the youtube performance I can understand! At some point, the lead singer in between songs attempted to say a joke. Only one person laughed. Again, I didn't understand a word he said. This time however, someone from the crowd yelled: 'Nobody understood what you said'! Probably the only person that caught the funny remark! Another person then yelled: ' Speak in English!'. Everybody, laughed. I was relieved it wasn't just me. Nobody understood a word he said. Poor guy, he smirked and said 'Speak in fukin English' ....this I somehow understood!!! Well, the gig continued. The crowd was dancing and enjoying themselves. It kind of seemed they were all related. As if it was their aunts and uncles - cause they were of that age. It kind of felt I was at a family party where the sons are singing and the family is enjoying. Even if so or if not, the audience did have a good time ...and that is what matters. The part I enjoyed the most was when they sang '4am'. First it was sung by the lead singer solo and then on the second rendition the whole band played the song. At the end of the gig, the crowd went crazy saying how great they were and things like that - which fortifies my impression that they were related!
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Support: NZCA Lines @The Bodega Nottingham I knew Teleman before I purchased the gig ticket. I don’t remember how I stumbled upon their ‘Strange Combinations’ video on youtube but I did. I thought it was weird and kitsch. Their keyboard part was a bit funny too. But once ‘Strange Combinations’ finished I listened to ‘Lady Low’ and ’23 floors up’, ah, I was hooked. So when I saw they would be performing in Nottingham I booked my ticket. Doors opened at 7pm I arrived at 8:45pm so I missed the supporting band. Perhaps I will catch them at some other gig. First impression when I stepped my foot into the venue? It was packed, and it was packed with tall people! I’m 5 foot so virtually 95% of the population seems tall to me, but particularly this time, I was overwhelmed by the tall people (I don’t know why! It might have been that I walked into the backs of tall people so it felt like walking into a human wall!). Also, I was intrigued by the average age of the crowd. My very crude estimate is around 45ish. Funny fact: when the lead singer asked if the crowd had also been to their previous gig in Nottingham and the crowd roared the frontman said ‘Great! That’s how it goes, you come then you bring your friends or your parents’. Made me chuckle! Anywho, I landed a spot in the front left (my usual spot) but this time a tattooed Betty Boop look-a-like shoved me behind (note to self: I need to become more forceful and shove back!). As the gig began the so called Betty Boop started dancing with her curly pony tail hitting my face. With me having no place to go I started getting a bit irritated! Behind me was a little girl with her parents – perhaps the only individual shorter than me – so I had her in my mind to be able to see something other than the back of my orange blouse. By some sort of unexpected shifting (no shoving on my part) I found myself in the front again between Betty Boop and her Boo (she didn’t seem to mind as she was full on drinking her beer and dancing away as if she was alone on the dance floor). I had a great view of the band. I don’t know why I have to see in order to enjoy the sound! (is this a human trait or am I just weird?). They played songs from all of their albums. I enjoyed ’23 floors up’ and ‘Cristina’. I did chuckle again at the keyboard part of ‘strange combinations’ and visualised the dancing plastic baby dolls! Approximately in the middle of the gig, the lead singer said they would take a break! A girl with a birthday cake came on stage and we were prompted to sing ‘happy birthday’ to the drummer (who turned 28).
He was quite embarrassed! He also looked a bit touched (but it might have been the tension of the drum playing? He seemed touched to me!) The gig continued with good music. I was impressed by all songs and their performance. I would say they have a distinct sound of their own. All their songs have a 'Teleman sound'. If you randomly heard one of their songs you would immediately associate it with them. To me this means they have figured out what they are looking to share with us musically. My favorite songs are: Cristina (Hint on what my name is!) 'Cristina’s so good she makes me go across town ' Mainline (I don't remember them singing this) 'I think I've done my best now, I'll wash my hands' Fall in Time 'The devil is going to win this time I want you, I cant afford not to fight' 23 floors up 'Oh love is pouring down You don't need anyone now' Lady Low 'And oh now it's late in the evening I'm drowning, Visions of you all around me,' Overall it was a good night, Teleman is a quality band with great music. They are skillful musicians and seem like humble people too. At some point of the gig the lead singer even stepped off the stage whilst playing his guitar and walked through the crowd taking selfies with us (no I didn’t get one). Teleman have a new album out Brilliant Sanity definitely worth it. Here are their social media links: Website Twitter Facebook Support: Strange Bones @The Rescue Rooms (Red Room) I had previously seen Misty Miller with The Crookes and I was happy to see she was headlining a tour. The ticket said the gig would start at 6:30pm and as it was a week day I had to rush from work. (My poor dog's walk was cut short - I did walk her again after I returned so she did get her daily exercise but in small doses). I arrived at the venue at 6:45pm. It was my very first visit at the Rescue Rooms. The exterior is deceiving! It doesn't look promising but you will be surprised with the interior. I entered the narrow entrance only to be led to a garden/balcony type of sitting area. I went through double doors a couple times and made my way to the bar. It didn't look like a gig venue but more like a bar/pub. I ordered my usual soft drink and as I was waiting to be served a couple asked for the Red Room. The bartender told them to go through the double doors, turn left, go through the door and head upstairs. So, I got my drink and followed those directions. Yes, if that couple didn't ask, I probably would have wandered for a bit before asking. Well, I tried to follow the directions but found myself in front of a staff door before I found the actual door I needed. It is a bit tricky to navigate! Anyway, made my way up and there was the bouncer/doorman (how are they called?), they stamped my hand which took some struggle on my part as I was holding my soft drink in one hand and the ticket in the other while I was trying to take my glove off. Well as I entered I was surprised that the venue was empty. Only maybe four people. Here is where I realized the time on the ticket is the 'door opens' time. Oh, I do have a funny blond moment to share: At a previous gig I had seen the band list and the first was 'Door' at XX:XXpm but I was late so I had missed them. Today, I thought to myself, oh I will actually have the chance to hear them! But I thought to myself, couldn't they have chosen a different band name? Haven't they ever heard of 'The Doors'? As you might have guessed, I figured it out! It wasn't a band, it was the time the doors open! Well, the time was a-ticking, it was already 7:15pm and still nothing. Apparently, the time had changed and I never got the notification. The gig started at about 8pm. Very long wait. By this time, the venue filled. The crowd was mostly young adults but also have older people.
I cannot say I enjoyed it. Definitely not my cup of tea. The lead singer was particularly energetic. He jumped around the stage, walked in the crowd. Used the mic stand to strum his guitar. He was a bit too energetic for my taste. What I found commendable was the fact that Misty Miller and her Boyfriend (I need to google his name) were on the front row (right next to me) listening to them and applauding. Kudos to Misty Miller for being so supportive. She is good with the crowd. She's engaging. I knew all songs sung as she was promoting the same album The whole family is worried but this time it was officially out. I enjoyed all her songs. They are lively, energetic, thoughtful, melodic... I think I am her target group - even though it doesn't seem so. I'm the preppy kind while she has tattoos, doesn't wear a bra, has a few piercings - that frankly I don't think I needed to know about and based on her instagram pics (I do follow her on insta) doesn't shave her armpits. As the preppy kind, I do feel that being a feminist doesn't mean you have to burn your bra and acquire a furry underarm! To be honest, not wearing a bra is restrictive - not the other way around! She was trying to be energetic on stage but not wearing a bra limited her movements. (I assume she wasn't wearing one from the appearance over her shirt - if she indeed was, she should seriously think of investing on a good one cause it totally looked as if she was braless!)
This 'girl' kept on yelling 'take it off' and the poor guy actually did. Only then did she shut up! Nobody said anything. I am sure if the roles were reversed, if a man yelled to a girl 'take it off' there would have been a riot!
My feminism is about equality - I find both situations extremely disrespectful. The night continued with great music. She really has quality in what she does. I won't be surprised if she becomes a household name. She has a great clear voice and is a good songwriter. She is also very creative. As the last song of the gig, she didn't sing one of her songs but they did a cover of a One Direction song. I am not a One Direction fan so I didn't realize it and if they didn't say so I would have left with the impression it was her own! They played a rock version of 'Steal my girl' - I liked it more than the original! Here are her social media links: Website Twitter Facebook |
AuthorJust your average gig going creative writer. Expect these reviews to be highly subjective and completely unprofessional but hopefully entertaining and informative. Archives
December 2017
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