It was no joke. Despite Snow Patrol playing on April Fools ('some blokes gonna walk out and say "OH TOUGH LUCK GUYS! THEY'RE NOT COMING"' as foretold by my brother) they produced an absolutely amazing concert!
Jenny Lewis was the support and she was absolutely infectious with rather a lot of sexual energy, gasp! Shock! Lewis' voice took over the entire venue, seemingly with no effort. Plus the drummer is female so that's an immediate positive for me!
She moved from sweet, continually thanking the audience and dedicating 'Melt Your Heart' to all the girls , to this possessed human, haunting almost, especially depicted in 'The Next Messiah'. That song ever so slightly scared me, as did 'Jack Killed Mum'. Jenny Lewis and her band delivered even though the audience was not exactly excellent. I'm not used to people talking through sets, so to have around ten conversations going on at once during a song, was a bit shocking. Who cares about your stupid friend, shut up! 'Melt Your Heart' practically killed me, especially during the lyrics "its like a Valentine from your mother', Lewis surely touched a few souls that night. 'Carpetbagger' by Jenny Lewis was named one of the top 20 songs of 2008 by Word Magazine, featuring Elvis Costello on the album- Wow! As Lightbody later advised "if you could all buy Jenny Lewis' new album (Acid Tongue) that would be fantastic!".
Snow Patrol entered around twenty minutes later to a predictable
Lightbody proceeded to fight against the
The set list included:
- If Theres a Rocket Tie it to Me
- Chocolate
- Hands Open
- Spitting Games
- How to be Dead
- Golden Floor
- You Could be Happy
- Run
- Shut your Eyes
- Chasing Cars
- Crack the Shutters
- Take Back the City
- Open your Eyes
Encore
- What if this Storm ends?
- You're all I have
(I was kind of hoping that suddenly BOOM! Jenny Lewis would pop out and together a Lewis Lighbody combination of "Set the Fire to the Third Bar" would occur right before my eyes! But sadly, no. I formatted such configurations in my head for later use.)
Lightbody later informed and apologised for coming down with a flu, that he was perhaps not performing to his all (which may explain a few missing songs from the set list). I did not notice this at all until towards the end where he seemed slightly in pain. The poor guy. Despite this, Lightbody continued casual banter with the audience, joking and dedicating his songs to various causes, from "Pablo and his sunburn", to "glow stick girls" to a rather off handed "peace". One hilarious incident was when asked the entire audience to sing a long to "Shut Your Eyes". "I'm just asking you for singing! Not, not even kissing! Not that you want that, I've got a flu, besides that would not be right", his smile lighting up the stage alone. It made it very apparent that they're just sort of normal people, however cliched that sounds.
The band has amazing dynamics, as so particularly obvious during "What if this Storm Ends?" which was truly magical. The drumming from Quinn really brought the piece together and the lyrics ('sets you up against, the planets last dance') seemed even more powerful than from the record.
Although, this could just be me, captured in the atmosphere and such. Nick Hornby described in "The Complete Polysyllabic Spree" the feeling of a live concert, the feeling of being energized and itchy after, which is true. I didn't want to do anything, I just wanted to sit and bask in the concerts glory.
The thing that truly made my night was when the band members, Paul Wilson (I don't quite understand the 'Pablo'), Tom Simpson and Gary Lightbody whilst driving past jumped out of their mini-van and patiently signed autographs. Lightbody did not look too well but still stood for numerous photographs, even with the hysterical 40 year old women (and I thought I was bad, I was not crying, wetting myself and giggling over the thought of knowing where Lightbody was staying for the night). I managed to snatch an autograph or two and a few photos, sadly not with Simpson, who jumped back in the van before I managed to manoeuvre my way around the crowd. I don’t know any band who would really do that after a nearly two hour set.
Paul Wilson, my hair later got caught in his arm bands. This was particularly embarrassing.
Its rather shoddy quality, as I didn't bring my camera and relied on my phone. Unfortunately, Gary Lightbody has his eyes closed, but he did for the greater part of the concert. I guess its rather fitting then. My friend suggested photoshopping eyes onto his face, but I think that would be rather creepy and obsessive.
So, an enormous thank you to the Snow Patrol, Jenny Lewis, the girl who directed me to where the band comes out, the lovely women who took my photographs, Leah, who sent me amazing photographs from the concert and the security guards who removed the mad Spanish lady from my back when she was practically mauling –or humping- me. Thank you!
The other day I was lucky enough to attend the opening preview for Adelaide of 'Mary and Max' the first full length feature film by Adam Elliot, of 'Harvie Krumpet' fame. After, Elliot and producer Melanie Coombs attended a question and answer session in which Elliot described his style ('Chunky and Wonky') and influences, plus a few fascinating stories too! The movie is beautifully narrated by Barry Humphries, with Phillip Seymour Hoffman voicing Max and Toni Collette, Mary. I suggest that you should see it as soon as possible! It provokes memories, laughter and tears, something the whole family can enjoy.
Have an excellent, magnificent weekend.
Mary and Max:
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