November 1, Mingus Dynasty concert. Buffalo, NY, USA
1 Like
This photo illustrates what I was saying about seats not being anywhere near the stage and how they are raised above floor level. Zoom right in and you can get an idea of the height by looking at the people on the floor. Level 1 seats look at least 25ft or 8m above the floor. It really was a rather soul-less venue.
1 Like
I think I am too old to visit the place like that. 
I saw Nick Cave in Leeds at the First Direct Arena on Saturday and had a similar experience. Excellent show but soulless venue. The sound wasn’t great to begin with but by the second track they seemed to get it sorted. It was the same when he came back on for the first encore. The sound was off but they soon got it back again. I last saw him at the Manchester Apollo about 12 years ago and it was a much better show. He’s an amazing performer regardless of the venue though!
1 Like
Absolutely!
1 Like
I saw him at the O2 arena 9 years ago on the Skeleton Tree tour and he his one of the very few performers who manages to make the O2 feel like an intimate gig - still remains the best live performance I have ever seen
2 Likes
David Murray Quartet at Ronnie Scott’s - great couple of sets from a genuine saxophone colossus - also two of the most sensational Bass solos you will ever hear by Luke Stewart (off of Irreversible Entanglements) - like Dave Holland in depth of tone and dexterity.
4 Likes
The Cult at the Roundhouse.
A bit flat in all honesty. Not terrible. Just didn’t have the spark needed to make it memorable
2 Likes
Richard Thompson’s son in law.
1 Like
Deep Purple at Leeds Arena, supported by Reef. Reef were very good, and Purple were superb. Paice/Glover are one of the all time great rhythm sections and did a great job of keeping it tight behind the creative and complex guitar and organ leads. Gillan can’t hit the high notes any more, but he’s still got great power and control. They played a lot from their new album and some classics before finishing off with a stream of their early masterpieces. The new stuff was really good, I’ll pick up the new album.
It wasn’t quiet, I made the right call not wearing my hearing aids.
3 Likes
Your ears must have been ringing for hours afterwards…
Me too and probably the worst place to be located for gigs no one ever plays Kent - there is a line from London to Brighton which bands never seem to cross.
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds at the O2 last night. What can I say - the best concert I have ever been to. He is simply extraordinary - funny, sincere, incredible energy for a 67 year old. Amazing songs from an incredible band and backing singers. Finished with a beautiful solo performance of Into My Arms with the crowd in full voice joining him. I think quite a few people had damp eyes like me. Majestic
11 Likes
They were.
Admittedly it isn’t the best place for gigs but I’ve seen a few. I’ve seen the Proclaimers in both Canterbury and Tunbridge Wells, Cowboy Junkies in Canterbury, Soft Cell and Peter Hook in Rochester to name a few. Folkestone Leas Cliff Hall seems to have a few as does Margate.
Depending on where you are in Kent, Bexhill regularly has decent gigs at the De La Warr Pavilion and if you’re in West Kent easy to get to. And of course London is easy to get to.
In fact I’m going to Bexhill tonight for Peter Hook and The Light.
2 Likes
Well we must have been only a few feet away! Great concert. Stayed overnight at the Intercontinental O2 to make life easier! Last time we did that, we ended up having breakfast on the next table to Robert Plant. No such luck this time but a great experience!
3 Likes
Completely agree. We saw him in Leeds last weekend and my wife and I both said it’s one of the best concerts we’ve ever been to and we’ve seen him a few times before. Fantastic backing singers and, yes, not a dry eye in the house after Into My Arms. What a guy!
2 Likes
Max Richter at the RFH just now. Did “In A Landscape” first half, then The Blue Notebooks, with Tilda Swinton on stage doing the readings from Kafka. She’s amazing, the gig was just brilliant. No photography during performance, but here’s the view from my seat beforehand.
8 Likes
