All My Nights - the 'hiatus' gig
Dafuq? I'm here before band #1.
DynaMIC has fans! He is a band-in-a-box (no disrespect ~ MC Lars fan) group. Multi-instrumentalist, singer, quasi-rapper, and probably producer when he starts putting product out. (Edit: he may already have, I think there an ep already - judging by the mentions). Introduces songs, kudos, but imho needs an instrument in his hands, at least some of the time - or maybe could try a lapel mic and go fully hands free. Would see again, def in a line-up.
Shadow of Violet. Good music, lyrics are ok, stage presence is ... not so good. He has fans that like him, and they should, but he sits, he plays guitar and keys (I think, I can't see properly because he's sitting - remembering this is four5nine) and has something to say. A lot of the set seemed to be 'new light through old windows' (a la Van Morrison), but it was very hard to maintain interest due to the lack of animation. I'd suggest learning to play standing up, or sticking to folk music (but I've done sweet FA creative-wise so don't worry about anything I suggest). Last song included lyrics I'll take you for the ride of your life - a bit hard to sell, that, given the show. I did not manage to video a song as I could hardly see anything, but I did manage a (very) short cap.
Flora Road rock! The band have certainly turned up the professionalism since I saw them last. This band is a unit, and it shows. Maybe familiarity has got them more in tune with each other, or maybe they're working on projecting skills but they seem more ummm, extroverted(?). It seems lead g has shown a few moves to the rest of the band, they are doing a lot more groovin' along with the music. Will have to sit down and compare the two 'After the talk' videos I've taken. Lol, I could use an Encore, though i think I'm already booked that day. Will see again.
AMN. Love 'em forever. I hope that's not an epitaph, but tonight felt awfully felt like something of an ending - please let that not be the case. Pretty sure it's the first time I've heard IKEA live. The band seemed to be riding an emotional wave and (it felt to me) that made them tighter. I video'd lots; having a photo of the setlist helps so much with identifying the songs - who knew? I think I finally got a good version of Patience - but where were my drums? Maybe it's because of the size of the venue - still can't believe Volcanics are doing a gig there soon - but the toms (that go boom, boom, boom, boom in Patience ) were mia on the night. Will - very hopefully - see again.
Apropos of totally nothing I started ruminating on the creation of a joke about a band with 'musical differences' (actual quote from Red Symons on why he left Skyhooks "we had musical differences. I was musical, and they were different") who do a hiatus gig (or tour for the joke), but pronouncing it 'ihateus'.
It's not even funny.