Author Archive: bene_shar

1 year and 16 concerts later …

Posted on by

I know I’ve been in late this time … But I have 1 year full of concerts between UK, France, Belgium … hope you’ll feel better after that cause it’s not if I quit going to concerts … never ! ;-).

* December 16th and 18th 2009, I’m going to see The Bluetones, well, not really true, in fact I’m going to see the supporting act, Kizzy Star, Tony McGovern’s band, Texas guitar player. Good thing is that I could discover the main band and I must say I quite liked it.

The day that never was

* December 29th, with Fanny & Delphine who were in Glasgow to celebrate Hogmanay with me, we decided to go and see Kevin Montgomery + Jill Jackson.
No need to say who is Jill Jackson as I already started talking about her … For this time she was supporting Kevin Montgomery but then they shared the stage together as they have already done when in the US.
I spent most of my evening taking pictures or videos … I remember how Jill noticed me when she thought I was taking a pic when it was a video I was recording, and when I was looking at my settings and she was waiting for me to take the pic … when I was taking my time to set everything … 🙂
I dedicate this video to my friend Fanny … I’m sure she missed it 🙂

* On December 31st, it was freezing outside but Fanny, Delphine, Frank and I were there to celebrate “Hogmanay” on George Square and see Deacon Blue live, a scottish band, glaswegians, who were more famous in 80s. And no it’s not because I’m old enough that I went there. I went there because I wanted to celebrate New Year in a proper way 🙂
There was a really good crack that was a good night 🙂 !

2010 comes, as Celtic Connections, a celtic festival. During 3 weeks bands, musicians and singers will share the same passion : celtic music.
At the hotel we will see lots of bands, and as for a rugby match, there’s always a show after the show. So they were playing when back at the hotel … all together ..
* On January 21st I’ve been invited by Alan Kelly to go to his gig and at the same time to the The Shetland Bus. It’s been a while I haven’t listened to celtic music, but this evening made me travel far far away from where I was … closer to Ireland …
* On January 23rd I am at on of the concert I expected since a long very long time : Aly Bain et Karen Matheson with the Scottish Ensemble.
Lots of times I wanted to go to the Festival Interceltique in Lorient, France especially to see Capercaillie live (Karen Matheson’s band) … but this time I manage to go to one of her show ! I have always said she’s got a stunning voice … and it’s for real ! While singing in scottish gaelic, her voice let you wander free ! It was such a great evening !!! I will do it again if I can !
* A break during the festival to go and see on January 28th, another glaswegian : Amy MacDonald. It was a concert for her album launch newly out. I didn’t manage to listen to it beforehand and seeing it live made me think it was a good one. I 1st saw her live at Main Square Festival, I confirm the fact that I really like the way she performs her songs.
* On January 29th, back in the Festival for a new gig with Jill Jackson. She was just out from her studios where she recorded her new album, she’s back on stage with her band and not only for an accoustic set as I was used to see her. Yes, no link with celtic music, but during this festival there are always 1 or 2 artist performing who don’t have any link with the main theme.

**********

My 1st rugby match in Murrayfield, Edinburgh on February 7th … I choose this one cause it was Scotland playing against France.
Since I’m in Glasgow (I arrived now 5 months ago), I have never really been proud to be french, but listening to a whole stadium singing the National Anthem gave me goosebumps.
It was worth the trip as France won on this day :).
I took the opportunity to record the Scottish “national anthem” too 🙂

**********

* When you’re a fan … you can really do silly things … like going at for 7am at the Hilton Hotel in Glasgow to be part of the audience on the Breakfast Show for Clyde 1. It was on February 11th, and if I did this in was only because Sharleen Spiteri was invited and I won tickets to go. So I had my breakfast with Sophie, Wendy, Claire, Lisa, Frank and Vicky while listening to Sharleen performing live her new single Xanadu. Some mornings can be worse than this one :).

Xanadu

All The Times I Cried

* On May 29th, With Lisa we’re going to Perth where Anna, Bertrand, Gaelle, Annaick already are. Tonight Sharleen Spiteri is playing live. A mini tour with 3 venues : Aberdeen, Perth and Glasgow.
A way to discover Lauren Pritchard, who does lots of wee gigs in UK, in London most of the times.

* On June 26th … What a day ! On this day, with Nini and Soso who came to spend some holidays in Scotland, I’ll spend the evening with P!NK. After being at the I’m not dead Tour, then the Funhouse Tour, now it’s the Summer Carnival Tour.The concert is in Hampden Park, 1st time I’m attending a concert in a stadium.
I would never think 1 second that this concert was bad … cause as always I’m looking forward to the next one ! As I know it will be bigger next time ! Ok … I know before a new tour we need a new album … but I’ll be patient 🙂
I recorded some videos but not uploaded them on youtube … so in the meantime … you’ve got my pics 🙂 > here< * On July 23rd I’m doing a break to go to Belgium, with Anne Sophie I convinced to come with me at Sharleen Spiteri‘s concert in Ostende. It’s been 9 years she hasn’t seen her live … when she went out she was as pleased as us 🙂
It was a good thing for me to meet again lots of TEXANS as when we were all together when Texas was touring. Last time we did a big meeting was in 2006 ! It’s been a while now … It would be great if next time would be soon … just saying …. 🙂

* Unusual evening, on September 10th, I’m going to spend an evening with Jill Jackson in this pub she likes in Beith. Good thing is that it’s close from home … Good evening again 😉

* On October 23rd, another scottish is on my way … KT Tunstall. Last time I saw her live was in Strasboug in 2007. I really liked her last album straight after listening to it and I was pleased to go to her concert. Lisa was with me but I met Chantal, Virginie and Xavier who came from Paris, which is weird as I’m more used to be with them on a Sharleen or Texas concert …
The concert was full of good rythme and energy. I spent a really good evening and would really like to go and see her again soon …

* Last time I saw her live was in 2003 or 2004. This time, on November 13th, I’m going to Melissa Auf der Maur‘s concert. The one who made me start playing bass, this canadian girl with her own way to see the world …

When I went to buy my ticket for KT Tunstall, that’s when I noticed she was coming to perform in Glasgow too. No hesitations for me even if I didn’t know anything about what she was doing these days … But nothing has changed appart from the members of her band …
Obviously she performed her old tunes too, which was great
I spent a really nice evening
Link to see her own pics of Glasgow : MADM Blog

* After all these palm trees in The L Word, here is a new drama that takes place in rainy sunny Glasgow : Lip Service
Everybody talks about Frankie, but one of the actresses is already known in UK cause she played in London Burning, Heather Peace. She’s not the only one to be known in this show, but she’s the only one to have 2 “jobs” : Actress and singer. Heather says it, she consider herself singer before being an actress. Saying by this … she’s not doing bad.
This November 17th she was playing along with Jill Jackson (yes again ! 🙂 Not my fault if Jill worked on the soundtrack of the serie … ) at Sloan’s. A way for me to discover Heather Peace in music. Her album isn’t out yet so we have to listen to covers and some of her own songs.

Hallelujah

Pour les photos ça se passe ici : Jill Jackson + Heather Peace

**********

On November 24th I am in London for 3 days so I try to visit my friends there. Stephane ask me to go with him to a play which got a good review … After some good sushis, we’re heading to New London thearter … well if only we manage to find it … to go and see War Horse.
The story of a 16 year-old boy who’s friend is a horse. World War I starts and the horse is sold to go to France with the UK army. The teenager can’t go as too young.
The play is so realistic, actors were really good (the best one were the goose and the singer 🙂 ). I understand better why it has such good reviews.

**********

* Beginning of December I’m in Lyon during a week. This time no excuse, no concert, nothing … only enjoying being with my friends and feeling a bit .. at home !
But … guess what … On December 14th, here I am with Nini, Ornella, Matthieu to go and see Yaël Naïm at Ninkasi Kao.

I first saw Yaël at the Nuits de Fourvière in Lyon years ago. Seeing her live once again when on her way to launch her new album was really great. She was as usual, peaceful, always smiling, making fun. It’s really good to see her on stage.
Her supporting act was Brune, everybody in France know at least 1 song from her, I didn’t, but it’s been nearly a year I’m away from France so I’m kind of lost in french music now …
But having such an evening is good to refresh a bit 🙂 A big thank you to Aurélie for this evening 😉

Brune – Rupture Song
**********

2011 is now there, and obviously I have lots of concerts already planned (you thought with a new year coming I would have stopped ??? pfff :p) :
– January 20th : Ani DiFranco (+aftershow with Jill Jackson), Glasgow, O2 Academy
– January 30th : K’s Choise, Lyon, Transbordeur
– March 16th : KT Tunstall, Paris, la cigale (I guess ?)
– April 1st : Heather Peace + Jill Jackson, Glasgow, Classic Grand
Others I will try to plan such as Zazie at the Nuits de Fourvière festival in June 20th

Jill Jackson – Eglington Inn, Beith

Posted on by

December, 5th 2009, I would like to go out, but some can’t cause too hangovered from last night, the others prefer to watch X-Factor (-_-), so I decide to go to this gig I was told some days before : Jill Jackson who is playing a mini gig in Beith, 30min away from Glasgow, in a wee local pub, the Eglington Inn.
I thought I wouldn’t be able to make it as I was due to finish work at 6.30pm, but I finally decided to go right after.
When I’m there, 2 good news : The gig isn’t at 7pm but 9pm, enough time to have a pint before. 2nd good news was the price : £5.00 !!! Why gigs here are this cheap ??? (for my own pleasure 🙂 ).

We are about 50 in the room. Jill jackson arrives “on stage”. Wee stage as she’s alone with her mic and 2 guitars, her ukulele and her kazoo … nothing else. The audience is mainly friends, family and a few “fans”. Just to let you know if you don’t know her, she’s from Paisley, 20min away from Glasgow, 10min from Beith … so she’s at home :).

She played 2 parts, 1h30 each, with new song, songs from her 2 EPs, covers … et some chats too 🙂 I had a really good evening in a good crack.

Among the covers she did, I did 2 audio recordings :
* Radioheah – Creep, by Jill Jackson : Listen
* The Ronnettes – Be my Baby, by Jill Jackson : Listen

If you want to discover Jill :

Long way round

Grasshoper

Middle of the Night

Forgive Me

She’ll play during Celtic Connections (Site officiel), on January 29th 2010.
As I really enjoyed this accoustic set I bought myself a ticket for this next concert, just received it today.

If you need further information about Jill Jackson, you can find her on Myspace

Tegan & Sara – Picture House, Edinburgh

Posted on by

November, 15th 2009 :

What can I say ? Just that it feels good to see the twins back live !

Yep, just like that.
I drove to Edinburgh late in the afternoon .. not to keen on queueing alone too long … I didn’t know where it was but I found it easily, a line is already made … Before going there I went a bit in town … I’m queueing at 6pm.
Just 1 work : It’s freezing !!!! I definitively don’t like going to a concert in winter ! Plus, as I wasn’t sure if I would go to the balcony or not I didn’t wear clothes too warm … :-/
7pm, the doors open, I hesitated cause I could have gone to the 1st row on the left (so in front of Tegan !) … but then decided to go to the balcony … being alone isn’t the same …
Not too bad to be in the balcony … Was at the very beginning so well seated to be able to see perfectly 🙂

Astronautalis … I don’t know why but I didn’t want to check on Myspace before going … I should have … or I did the right thing … I still don’t have any answer …
My friend Stephane commented on facebook that he was really bored .. I must admit he scared me a bit …
When he’s on stage, his MacBook on a chair … and him … with his mic … here we go ! This guy is so weird !!! He was acting weird, he was jumping everywhere … Weird at first but then I liked just a bit … I even tried to listen to the lyrics (something I usually don’t do as it’s the music that attracts me first …)
When I said he was jumping everywhere .. sometimes he was jumping to the fence facing the girls at the 1st row … from upstairs it was … interesting :-/

Then Tegan & Sara are on stage and they starting playing The Con. I’m sorry for the quality of the sound on this video …

Then there will be Walking With A Ghost and I bet it stung

I had a little thought for my friend Lilia when they sang Speak Slow

Then they started singing songs from Sainthood, their last album. 1st banter from Tegan to say that those who still don’t have the album should buy it quickly so they can survive in the future … muahahaha :). She advises to buy shirts too because one of them survives thanks to the sales of the album and the other one on the sales of the shirts … muahahaha No.2 :).

Then my favourite song of the album … Hell

Then it will be On Directing. At the end Sara will take her turn to speak, she’s talking to us in the bakcony, the one she can’t see, but she’s sure we’re all fine. She tries to explain the word fit. Apparently this word doesn’t have the same meaning in Canada and in UK. She tells us that in Canada this word means that somebody is in a good shape (well I had already the same meaning .. weird …), whereas here in UK it means someone is “hot”… Thanks a lot Sara, it will be part of my “1 day, 1 new word” dictionnary 🙂 🙂 … But since then I’m still wondering if she said something right or not …

Back to the songs with Red Belt, then The Cure, a song I start to really really like !!!!
A new banter from Tegan about their musical youth before singing Northshore. At this moment I don’t know why (don’t ask me 🙂 ) I was stuck on Tegan and I can see in the audience, in front of her, that the audience was moving a lot … Then I can see a sign just in front of her, Tegan read it during the song, and then talks to the girls who were holding it. After some research I found it online 🙂

Thanks to this idea Tegan thanked them as she always forgets the lyrics of this song and it was as if she had a teleprompter in a way :). She even ask them if they will do the whole tour as it would be very usefull for her (after the gig in Paris, this idea went over the Channel to arrive in France 🙂 ).
Next one will be Night Watch cut in 2 … and I think they would really have liked not to banter at this moment …
Girls were knocking about in front of Tegan, apparently one of the girl who was quite drunk was in the interest of the security guys who tried to calm everything down ; I was looking at Tegan and I could see she was worried about what was happening more than the song itself … She asked Sara to stop in the middle of the song …

Sara will have some difficulties to play again, then Tegan cheer her up with the audience and then she manages to start again where she stopped.
Soil, Soil was next, Then Knife Going in, and Like O, Like H.
After receiving a bra from the audience, Tegan (who said she will never bring bras anymore thanks to all the donations in concerts -_-) tells us a sorry about a parrot at the airport, she saw a lady giving pepsi to this parrot was wondering that some people shouldn’t have the right to have kids even if she doesn’t see where’s the link between these 2 things … -_- .
Next one will be Nineteen. It’s so good to hear this one again live !!! Tegan asks us if we like to camp in Scotland (what a question !!! 🙂 ) then she tells us a family story about her aunts … Then she starts singing Where Does the Good Go.

Before starting a new song, new banter from Sara asking the audience to be all gentle as she doesn’t want to do the same as earlier, or maybe to wait till Tegan sings … to balance, then she said that Tegan is braver (well she said that she’s got more guts) to play in front of the audience when her, she plays with the audience on her side … At this moment a guy in the middle of the audience was making fun (well since the beginning, even before the supporting act) repeating what Sara was saying. Tegan decided to speak to say to him « You are a giant ding dong no one wants to stand near you », and to calm him down she dedicates the next song to him : Alligator.

It’s time to introduce the band, starting with Ted (keyboard/guitar), and we’ve been told he’s scottish, Tegan asks him if he’s proud to play here etc … Then Johnny insisting on the fact he’s playing with flip flops, to feel the drums better … She asks him where are his shoes (I could see them behind him) and go behind to show them. She finishes with Shaun who apparently played fun in Manchester and there is a video on Youtube about it but he doesn’t have the access yet to see it .

Then they played Paperback Head, The Ocean, Sentimental Tune, Someday, Back in Your Head, Living Room, to end with a really good version of Call it Off which was hard to start because of a girl on my left handside (luckily not besides me) who was shouting something nobody could understand … But when the song really started it was really really good !!! Tegan went away from the mic to listen to the audience who was singing at the same time .. it was really good for a happy end 🙂

Back at the car, it’s weird but I can’t stop thinking about this concert as it was really good … I took my Sainthood CD to play in in the car on the way back to Glasgow with the will to be able to go to Paris to live again this concert this time with all my friends … next time not this one …
Now I’m writing this I know they had in Paris My Number I am jealous !!! Lucky you !!! 🙂

Really good evening, looking forward to doing it again … Maybe in June … I hope this tour in UK will be official 🙂 For once I will at the right time at the right place … 😉

Here are a few useful links / credits :
* Astronautalis : Myspace
* Videos (mine are recorded from upstairs 🙂 ) : elmohelmo on Youtube
* Pictures : Faith on teganandsara.fr (weirdly our 2 reviews are quite the same 🙂 )

Pascale Picard, Mylène Farmer, Main Square Festival, Sharleen Spiteri, U2 … and more …

Posted on by

Ok it’s been way too long I haven’t updated this blog … I have to be more careful … But it has been so busy … 🙂
• Pascale Picard, March 13th 2009, Bourse du Travail, Lyon :

No doubts at all, I knew I would like it. I went there with Axelle, Lilia, Margaux and more …
The only bad thing was that it was a seated concert … I thought it didn’t fit to this kind of concert … otherwise the crack was good, Pascale and the band were really good too.
I have these videos .. I even didn’t remember I once uploaded them :p

Gate 22
Smilin

I really like this next video … because a month before this one I was at Sharleen Spiteri and she did the exact same cover …

These boots are made for walking

One last word to say that I loved her tee shirt, and waiting outside to meet her was really good too 🙂 Good souvenir 🙂

*******************************


• Mylène Farmer, June 13th 2009, Halle Tony Garnier, Lyon :

I was really looking forward to going to this concert !!! Matthieu went with me, he didn’t expect to go … he wasn’t keen on going … but enough curious to go with me :).
We started queueing early .. but not too early too … At the end we weren’t really bad cause not too far .. even if for me I could see her really tiny :p :p Nevermind, the crack was on top. I even thought I was in a huge club sometimes …
Being able to listen to the songs I listened to when I was younger, enjoying the new stuff she’s doing now … and more : having fun cause I don’t know the lyrics or worse .. I understand them wrongly … even in french !! 🙂
I went out of the concert happy to know I would go to the Stade de France in September … I was ready … but I didn’t know that my plans would be completely different some months later …
• Florence Foresti, June 17th 2009, Casino, Arras :

It’s been a long time I wanted to go to one of her shows. It was so so good !!!
I laughed all the way … time really flew … I even thought it was too short … I could have stayed ages ! (well not sure she would have been ok lol … :p)

*******************************


• Main Square Festival, July, 2nd 2009, Grand Place, Arras :

I’m going to meet Chantal, Xavier and Virginie to enjoy a sunny day with 3 concerts.
Amy McDonald : Really happy she’s on stage on that day. I never saw her life, and I really liked it. I prefered her voice live rather than on the album. She’s really good live, and I think I won’t miss a proper concert with her … her glaswegian accent … I loved it ahahah 🙂

At the end of Amy McDonald’s part I went to meet Anne Sophie who managed to be closer to the stage. When I was with her, The Ting Tings were on stage.
Was really unsure about them, but I really enjoyed it at the end.

With 2 biers we are waiting .. and then Coldplay are on stage to end this day.
I was looking forward to this concert. Everybody were so chatty about them, the fact they were really good live … all I want to say is : So true !!! There are no pause, Chris Martin is so close to his audience …
Even the rain invited itself during 1 or 2 songs, but that didn’t stop Chris Martin.
Obviously we had a dedication to Michael Jackson …
I left the concert saying “I have to go to Glasgow in September !!!!”

• Cornbury Festival, July 11th 2009, Cornbury, UK :

After a week in Glasgow, here I am with Wendy driving south to Oxford for this festival.
We arrived the day before to have our tent ready and for me living my 1st ever english festival.
The next day we went to be seated in front of the stage at the 1st row waiting for Jen, Heidi and Charlotte. We spent all the day listening do lots of bands, as far as I’m concerned, the only one I knew was Dodgy .. You must know them :

I must admit it wasn’t for them I wanted to go to this festival, not for Magic Numbers neither … It was obviously for Sharleen Spiteri ! 🙂
Who would be crazy enough to travel from Lyon to Glasgow then Oxford for band we don’t listen to anymore ???? 🙂
After a day in between regarding the weather, Sharleen is now on stage … and that’s when … it started raining !!! A really heavy shower !!! It will never stop until the next morning !!!
Now I’ll be a proper fan for 2min : “Our sunshine was there when Sharleen was on stage” ahahahaaha. Well it wasn’t really wrong as she arrived on stage wearing jeans + a denim shirt !!! Her ugly dress is deep in her wardrobe apparently 🙂 :).
Even under the rain, the crack was on and we were really happy :), Wendy and I were happy to drive on the next day to Liverpool.
Some pics are available here : Cornbury Festival

• Sharleen Spiteri, July 12th 2009, Liverpool, UK :
After tidying the tent and everything, here we are, driving up to Liverpool. Wendy and I will meet Frank, Delphine, Marilyne, Vicky, Gaelle, Annaick, Caz … It was good to be back all together !!! We spent a day at the pub, the pub and the pub. Drank few Magners and Guinness before going to the concert.
We were seated and did our best to stay close to each other. Wendy and I were at the 1st row and at the 1st song we were up (as usual) but somebody asked us to sit down and to wait till the 2nd song … Weird …
The place wasn’t full which wasn’t really good for Sharleen … but she was still all fine on stage. We spent a really good moment !
I even managed to have 1 video … a brand new song :

Baby it’s you

4 of us were backstage, when we could speak with Sharleen for a while (she noticed Wendy and I had a sunburn and she asked where we got it … she was surprised when Wendy told her it was the day before in Cornbury … as it ran during all her show … but if she arrived 5min before her set she couldn’t see the sun we had before :p ) then we talked with Johnny. He told us Texas would be back for a tour in 2010 and Sharleen was recording a new album.
Everything to make us happy.
When we went out the other ones managed to meet Sharleen for a bit. After a quick take away in the streets of Liverpool + a drink in a bar next to the venue we all go back to our hotel.
The next day I was meeting Annaick and Gaelle to go back to Paris … some new adventure were waiting for me in France :).

• U2, July 15th 2009, Stade Charles Ehrmann, Nice :
Here I am in Nice since the day before, where I could enjoy a bit of sun, of beach, of sand … arf it’s stones in Nice :). I could enjoy playing with my new toy bought in Glasgow : A Nikon D60 as my other camera died some months earlier.
On the evening I’m meeting Sandrine and we’re going into town to eat before going back to the hotel. But I totaly forgot it was July 14th, so fireworks (national day).
The day after I’m going to the stadium … It’s so so warm early morning … I try to save some food I took with me. Sandrine will be there a bit later but as it was too crowdy she couldn’t meet me in the queue.
Around 6pm, we can enter in the stadium, it was the 1st time in a stadium for me … I can find a spot which wasn’t too bad for me to be able to see everything without being surrounded by a lot of people. Sandrine managed to meet me whereas it was overcrowded !
The supporting act was Snow Patrol. Good surprise cause I knew in Paris it was Kaiser Chiefs. I really prefered to have Snow Patrol.
Here they are, U2 is on stage … Honnestly from start till the end : no break at all ! I was waiting for 1 specific moment during the concert : Sunday Bloody Sunday. Everything with this songs talks to me a lot, I was nearly in tears !
As for Madonna, Mylène Farmer, I waited for years for this concert. I should have seen them in 2005 but I had to sell my tickets, I dont remember why … I didn’t want this to happen again, and I was happy to be able to attend the concert 🙂
I manage to take some pics / record some videos : J’ai réussi à penser à faire quelques photos/vidéos du concert : (click on the pics to enlarge them … and sorry for the quality of the pics … )

Sunday Bloody Sunday

With or Without You

Back at the hotel, the next day I’m back in Lyon … holidays are over, back to work …

*******************************


• Our Lunar Activities, September 19th 2009, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow :
I just arrived in Glasgow, I’m not changing anything : still going to concerts … I start with Our Lunar Activities I newly discovered on Myspace.
Wendy tells me they are playing live and she would be happy to go as well … Go ! £6 the concert .. why hesitating ?? :).
3 other bands were playing before them … but I really don’t remember them as I really didn’t like them … or maybe the last one (Alburn) but that’s all.
If you want to discover Our Lunar Activities : Myspace
Or Alburn : Myspace

*******************************


• Simian Mobile Disco, October 8th 2009, O2 ABC, Glasgow :
Everybody will wonder what’s happening to me. Did my tastes in music change ? 🙂
Lisa told me about them in September, Wendy too when we went to Our Lunar Activities … Anyway I said why not to this one as I had my evening off. A way to enlarge my musical culture :).
I’m meeting Claire, having a drink before, then Wendy will be there at the O2, for the supporting act we’re going for a drink, and then we’re going inside the venue.
It was kind of a huge club ! Was a good evening.
It was good for the eyes … but for the ears too … mine were still buzzing the following day !!!!
The one who likes electro should pay attention to this one 😉 you may like it ;-).
To discover them : Myspace

• Editors, October 13th 2009, Barrowland, Glasgow :
One day Sophie calls me : “What are you doing on 13th ? Editors, you’re interested ? Got a spare ticket” … “yeah why not”.
Before the concert we’re going in town to have a drink … And luckily I read what was on the ticket as Sophie totally messed up the venue 🙂 I don’t know what was playing at the O2 Academy … but not the Editors for sure :p Could have been funny :).
We didn’t like the supporting act … We’re away to have something to eat and drink something in the meantime …
I really liked the concert, Sophie as well even more than me 🙂
Once again I’m sorry for the quality of the video … Just to let Sophie know … it is her arm we can see, and she’s the one we can hear on the video 🙂

If you don’t know them yet : Myspace
For the one who live in Lyon they are playing at the Transbordeur on Dec 6th, in Paris at the Bataclan on Dec 14th but it’s already sold out, they will be back on April 29th at the Olympia, as far as I’m concert I’ll probably go on March 10th in Glasgow 😉

• Eilen Jewell, October 14th 2009, Stereo, Glasgow :
Another idea from Sophie, she made me discover this american woman with a celtic name.
Once again I’ll be asked what happens to my tastes in music … I can’t say … this time it’s Country / Folk and I spent a really good time.
I won’t say anything when she asked if we were using “cheers” as well to say thank you … hmm don’t know if we are talking the same language … “Cheers ! … Well Thank You ! Do you say cheers as well here to say thank you ?” Ahem !!! No comment :).
If you’re a bit curious … go and check this : Myspace

• Cassidy, October 25th 2009, King Tut’s Wah Wah Hut, Glasgow :
A glaswegian band Lisa made me discover. I really liked it. 4 guys on stage, pleasant to listen to.
I won’t be able to say much as I don’t know them that muche … But I may try to go and see them in December 12th at the O2 Academy
The magic link if you want to discover them : Myspace

*******************************


I am now up to date on the blog …
Next concerts:
* Tegan & Sara : November 15th @ Public House, Edinburgh
* Kizzy Star : December 18th @ King Tut’s, Glasgow
* P!NK : June 26th @ Hampden Park, Glasgow
* U2 : September 18th @ Stade de France, Paris
Concerts planned
* Skunk Anansie
* Cassidy
* Editors
* Cranberries à Lyon (maybe)

P!NK – Bercy, Paris – 09/03/09

Posted on by

Arrived in Paris on Sunday, I try not to think too much about the concert … On Monday Jess and I will go to the POPB (Bercy) … It’s 11.30am and some are already waiting … but we’re going to the hotel … about 50 persons (P!NK-like) in front of the venue ! Can’t believe it !!
Our room is facing the queue, we’ll stay a bit cause it’s not really warm outside … then Nini arrives and we’ll go and eat all together nearby …
It ran when we had dessert … so luckily we were inside … At 2.30pm we decided to go and queue, this queue was 3x bigger !!! But we’ll wait … Gaelle will arrive, then Camille and Bene. We’ll stay like that until 6.30pm …
That’s when they decided to open the gates, and here we are running in Bercy to grab the best place. Gaelle managed to find a good spot. Not to far from the stage, close enough to enjoy and far enough to see everything from where we are.

The supporting act … I can’t remember which one it was … but I was easily bored ..

We’re waiting, and waiting … wondering which song will be the 1st one …
But then lights fade out … The girl next to me couldn’t believe her eyes, it was her first concert of P!NK … But this is not a P!NK’s song we can here but AC/DC’s Highway To Hell with P!NK’s videos on the main big screen ! I wouldn’t have thought of it !
Suddenly we can see some fumes in front of us … and we can see a rope coming from the top … and we are now realizing she will arrive from right in front of us !!! going up from under the stage !!!
With her arriving, we can see more of the stage … and it will be such like in a funfair !!! I love the idea !!!

I won’t talk about all the songs cause it would take ages but I will write the whole setlist with some comments + videos I found on youtube.
– Highway to Hell

– Bad Influence
– Just Like A Pill
– One Foot Wrong
– Who Knew
– Please Don’t Leave Me
– It’s All Your Fault
– I Touch Myself” (Reprise Divinyls)
Just to say that if she needs a sofa … got some at home …
– U + Ur Hand
– Ave Mary A

– I Don’t Believe You

– Crystal Ball
– Trouble
– Babe I’m gonna leave you

– So What
– Leave Me Alone (I’m Lonely)
– Family Portrait
– Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen’s cover)
Such an unexpected cover !!! I really loved it !!!

– Sober
I was …. astonished !!! I couldn’t believe what she did on stage ! Jumping from that high !!! Only P!NK could do it !

– Crazy (Gnarls Barkley’s cover)
– Funhouse
Encore:
– Get The Party Started

– Glitter In The Air
What en end !! Mind blowing !

I left much more than happy !!! Last time I felt this was for Madonna’s concert … P!NK was following her very close in my Top 10 since the concert in Lyon (Review from the concert in 2006). With this tour, this show, I completely changed my mind and now this concert is leading my chart !
See, I’m decided to go to Geneva in December … And I regret to give a miss to Nice !

And now some pics I found on the internet, as I didn’t take any … so I could enjoy the whole concert !
-> From Loïc on Facebook : ici
-> Youtube videos + blog : ici

Sharleen Spiteri – London, Hammersmith – 15/02/09

Posted on by

It’s raining in London when Stephane and I are going to the pub to meet some friends … but we’ve got difficulties to find it … Finally we manage to get to The Dove, enough time to drink a pint and then we’re all heading to Apollo Hammersmith.

Doors open at 6.30pm, we’ll go there around 7pm. Checkong what’s at the merchandising (Shirts as if it was Sharleen’s dress, mugs, tourbooks, badges) and then we’re trying to find our seats … The fact that we’ve got seats attributed we are all everywhere in the venue .. which is a bit weird I must admit when you’re used to stay with the others … I won’t say anything about my seat : mid stage not too far …

8pm, not everybody’s in the venue, but Kizzy Star is the supporting act and already on stage playing.
First time I can hear Tony’s work with his band, I must admit I quite liked it.
No gaps between the songs, but the venue is still a bit empty … Ok I know it’s not sold out but still ..

Everybody will arrive at the end of Kizzy Star, my friend Fanny will come next to me as she was at the far end on the left, this way she will have a better seat. While waiting we can hear some Serge Gainsboug, and … Elvis Presley … and oh suprise Suspicious Minds ! Stephane, Fanny and I will sing along … as if we were at a Texas gig :p

On stage, roadies are working faster now, we can see how the stage will be … very simple. Lights fade out, everybody’s on stage. Audience applause.

As a 1st song I’m not really happy as she choose Françoise to start … a really slow song … The audience stay seated … but then at the 2nd song, everybody will be up !

Setlist :
– Francoise
– It Was You
– Black Eyed Boy
– Day Tripping
– Where Did It Go Wrong
– Say What You Want
– Melody
– Summer Son
– I Wonder
– I’m Going To Haunt You / These Boots Were Made For Walking
– I Don’t Want A Lover
– Should I Stay Or Should I Go
– Don’t Keep Me Waiting
– Halo
– Stop, I Don’t Love You Anymore

– All The Times I Cried
– Inner Smile

– River Deep, Mountain High

My point of view :
* Say what you want, Black Eyed Boy, Summer Son, Halo, I don’t want a lover. This last one wasn’t played the same way and I thought it was a bit like country music … not my thing …, Inner Smile, well Sharleen wearing a mid 50’s dress … not the best idea … leather suits her better 🙂
* Stephane was looking forward to Day Tripping, Wendy said she wouldn’t say if Sharleen would sing it or not …, she did well as he was really happy when the song began 🙂 . Appart from all this, the songs are really good live. We are all happy and enjoy our time listening to them, we try to copy Sharleen’s dance on some … so a really good moment 🙂 !
* I was really happy with the covers ! These boots …, so so good ! Should I stay, .. At first I found it weird but then it was ok ! River Deep…, Even if I’m not a big fan of this song, I must say that Sharleen did it really well !

Honestly, at the end I was wondering why I chose only 1 gig … Huge mistake !!! And .. I was hoping a gig in France … cause everybody knows it … Sharleen likes France … but nothing 🙁 !