Gig Report: Rodrigo Y Gabriela

Date: Thursday 13 December, 2007, 9pm
Venue: Academy 1
Face value: £18.00(ish) + booking fee
Support Act: no idea - sorry!
Gig buddy: Phil, Dan and Claire (this is getting to be a good habit)

Given the number of artists touring - more likely due to the profit margins exceedings those of album sales - it's fairly rare that I will buy tickets for a band or artist that I have already seen. Especially within 6 months. Unless of course, they are REALLY REALLY good. Allow me to re-introduce Rodrigo Y Gabriela, the Mexican born Irish-living artists who spent years busking before making it. Playing in some of the coldest and most testing conditions on the streets of Copenhagen, they were eventually recognised rightfully for their talent and now play world tours and popular US television shows such as Jay Leno and David Letterman. So refreshing to hear artists with this much passion and ability, that I simply had to see them again. My first report details my amazement at the techniques used, and it was just as inspiring, second time round. Starting slower than I had anticipated, there was initially no camera projection on the screens behind to aid us vertically challenged people in the crowd, but this was soon fixed and we were able to enjoy the engaging visual treat that is Rod and Gab's (for want of a better word) strumming. To show you exactly what I am talking about, watch the youtube video below. If you have ever picked up a guitar, you will understand the degree of difficulty that is involved here.

The amazing thing about a gig like this is that there is no singing whatsoever, and it's not missed. There is atmosphere, adoration and a healthy amount of accoustic metal to make everyone happy. You haven't lived until you have heard this duo perform Stairway to Heaven.

As both Dan and Claire are guitar enthusiasts, I could see from their grins that they really enjoyed the show. Thing is, if Rodrigo and Gabriela came back next month, I'd get tickets again, no question.

Rating: 4 and a half passionate guitars. (Half a guitar subtracted for not having the visuals for the entire performance).

Gig Report: Powderfinger

Date: Monday 10 December, 2007, 9.30pm
Venue: Academy 2
Face value: £18.50 + booking fee
Support Act: The Outline
Gig buddy: Phil, Dan and Claire

On the gig calendar this year, this concert was going to be one of the highlights for me. It's been 3 years since I saw them rock the Hammersmith Apollo and I'm feeling rather homesick (soon to be remedied). Meeting our new-found gig buddies at Kro Bar (opposite the Academy) I'm disappointed to find that the strawberry beer has run out. Mild disaster, though I'm consoled with a vodka based replacement. Phil's feeling awful because he's picked up a nasty cold that he can't shake. Plus, I have that nervous anticipation you get when you introduce friends to a band you like and are really hoping that they 'get it'. Regardless, we enter the Academy and after some frustrating negotiation with the 'will-call' window to pick up extra tickets, we procure some drinks at the bar and catch some of the support act, The Outline. To be honest, I wasn't really listening to them, so I can't really offer a review - though they clearly weren't offensive or my memory would serve me better.

The Academy 2 is packed, and it seems that the fans are really tall people. At least where I was standing, til I worked my way down the side closer to the front. Plenty of Australian accents in the crowd, but the overtly friendly vibe of the London shows I have seen before is absent tonight. Don't get me wrong, it's not rowdy enough to feel unsafe, but it appears that the 'bogans' who have entered the UK have migrated north. The first few songs come from the new album which it appears not everyone has bought a copy of (nevermind - it's available for a tenner at the merchandise stand). I'm surprised that the main single from the album (Lost and Running) is performed early in the show, and slightly disappointed it isn't rocked out as much as it could be. The rest of the show follows with Bernard and company performing the best of the back catalogue (there's plenty to choose from) and a sprinkling of new tunes, all interspersed with crowd appreciation, comments on the fall of our Prime Minister (this is apparently very popular) and a reasonable light show - though the strobish effect on Bernard's face was a little much for the eyes.

After the main set, the boys very endearingly suggested that instead of faffing around with an encore, per correct gig protocol where we cheer and clap for 5 minutes to entice them back onto the stage, that they simply turn the lights down, we clap a little bit and they get on with it. Nice. This new approach goes down well and we are treated to a couple of more tracks before it's all over.

Overall, it's probably my nostalgia for Australia that makes up a large part of my love for this band, because despite being Australia second most successful rock band (after Silverchair) the show wasn't the best I have ever seen. Don't get me wrong, they are a very accomplished band and the sound was great, but they are no Foo Fighters.

Rating: 3 proud Australian guitars.

Gig Report: Sia

Date: Tuesday 27 November, 2007, 9pm
Venue: Night and Day Cafe, Manchester
Face value: £11.00(ish) + booking fee
Support Act: Half Cousin
Gig buddy: Phil

Tuesday night and I'm excited. I'm also being cheeky in going because I should be studying hard for the intensive training course I am on, but this is the one gig in the calendar I've been waiting for the most - and I swear I had tickets before my course was postponed to this date. Honest. Anyway, I'm so excited I'm queuing before the doors open. (Yes, really). I've declined a drink (shocking!) at the bar next door because I am determined that I am going to get a VERY good position down the front. And so, we wait in the cool evening for the Night and Day Cafe to open. A queue forms behind us and it's a real mixed crowd. I'm just pleased she has so many fans.

Sia, who some people will recognise vocally from the Zero7 albums (she can be found on all 3) is a solo performer in her own right (I have the early recorded work to prove this) and her dates in London and Manchester sold out quickly. Oddly enough, as we enter the venue, Sia herself is sitting near the entrance, happily chatting on the internet and she seems to be in a great mood. Soon she de-camps and heads backstage to prepare. The support act is awful and the tracks are a carbon copy of each other, so we remain seated on the bench at the side throughout. I'm not bothered, I'm here for Sia, nothing else.

After a short interval, the lights go down, a black light is used and dressed in black and neon outfits, Sia and the band enter the stage. I can't explain this well enough, so a picture is absolutely necessary here... suffice to say it was the funniest entrance I have seen for a while..

The set is a very creative arrangement of neon flowers, making it seem more like she was singing in a summer garden than a bar in cold, dark Northern England. In short, it worked and suits her quirky fun style perfectly. Littering the front of the stage was a collection of soft toys... weird, but strangely cute.

Sia's new album (due out very soon, though pirate versions are already found on the internet, which Sia doesn't seem bothered too much by) is featured on the set list quite a bit - fair play, if you have a new album, plug it. Sia managed to do this and keep the fans happy with a good selection of the back catalogue including some Zero7 tracks, though I nearly fell off my bench (I was standing at this point) when she did 'Taken For Granted' from the Healing is Difficult album. I'll be buying the new album as soon as I can, hopefully it will be available in hard copy.

Hearing Sia's impressively strong vocals would give rise to suspicion that this artist could be a total diva, however in reality they are in stark contrast to her giggly affectionate nature. In short - not a hint of superiority anywhere from the gratitude towards her band and fans to the frequent personal anecdotes allowing us to get to know her a little better. And if that didn't convince you, Sia's dancing would prove that there was no ego on stage at all.. it really is refreshing to witness an artist that doesn't take themself too seriously.

So, this in mind, I was struggling to find a reason why this wouldn't be a 5 star rating. And I failed. There was simply no flaw in the entire evening and I cannot think of a gig that could top it (though Bic Runga's Brighton Spiegaltent performance would equal it). And then one thing confirmed that this was truly worthy of a full 5 points. I met Sia and she signed everything I brought with me. She even spent time chatting to me and when I told her I saw her in Leeds after surgery on my foot and stood for the show, she asked me to private message her on her MySpace page and she will make sure I get a seat next time.

So, all in all...

Rating: 5 neon flowers and some funky dance moves.

Sia - I bet her christmas tree at home is way cool... (or 'rad' as we Aussies might say)

Am I shocked to meet her? What do you think? The deer in headlights on the left should answer it...

Gig Report: Newton Faulkner

Date: Saturday 24 November, 2007, 9pm
Venue: Manchester Academy 2
Face value: £11.00(ish) + booking fee
Support Act: no idea, but she was a dead (vocal) ringer for Alanis Morrisette
Gig buddy: Phil

I've got a lot of catching up to do on this blog, and where better to start than Newton Faulkner who we saw at Manchester's Academy 2 on the 24th of last month. As indicated by the inflated ticket prices available on the internet (some going for 6 times the face value we paid!) and dates for a new tour already out, the venue was heaving. We managed to squeeze ourselves forward to the half way mark to hear Newton delighting the crowd with a percussive whacking of his guitar, rendering any backing support redundant. It's clear that this guy is seriously good. Every song delivered flawlessly and interspersed with endearing interaction with the crowd - he seems to be a genuinely nice person. What's captivating further is his voice - strong and clear, it's amazing and compliments his songs perfectly. Couple that with compelling guitar techniques (some sections of his work seem to involve only the neck of the guitar) and you have a gig not to be missed.

Unfortunately the venue was a bit too small and overcrowded... I began to feel nauseus and had to exit the room a couple of times for fresh air. I don't have a set list for this one, though highlights were definitely 'Dream Catch Me' and 'U.F.O' - and my personal favourite 'She's Got Time'.

Overall: This gig could not fail to please - I implore you to see him at least once.
Rating: 4 guitars