‘It’s only words’ sang the Bee Gees many moons ago, and they may well have been correct, though obviously not in the grammatical sense. But there are times when words can cause problems. And I don’t mean hurtful or nasty words. I mean loud ones, spoken at gigs, by arseholes.
ELM attended two cracking gigs this weekend (Built To Spill and MGMT; reviews to follow), both of which were sell-outs, both of which had genuinely hot ticket status (the Wookie’s BTS ticket was procured 20 minutes before the gig started). But yet people were more interested in hearing about what their mate got up to at work than listening to the gig.
Now, I’m a reasonable sort of fellow. I understand that a gig is a social event, of course it is and especially on a Saturday. But when you are chirping away like a demented budgie on bad ecstasy continually for an hour and a half, you are crossing a very definite line. Legally, I should be allowed to stab you with a pitchfork.
It actually defies rational logic. You’d think that if you had taken the time to buy a ticket, make your way to the venue that you might actually fancy hearing a few of the songs. I like a pint or eight with the best of them, but do occasionally like to hear some of what the talented musicians I have paid to see perform, well, perform.
MGMT was slightly better, but we were still treated to gangs (mainly of women, weirdly) acting like they’d had their first drink and it had rather got the better of them. Shrieking and whooping is acceptable at a gig BUT AT THE END OF THE SONG NOT DURING! I know it’s a newish phenomenon for a lot of young ladies to be regular gig-goers, but puh-leeze, there are acceptable levels and modes of behaviour. Respect the rules!
If this sounds like some churlish killjoy in full flow, well, fuck it, I’m guilty. But when the beautiful strains of ‘Nowhere Nothin’ Fuck-Up’ is being battered into the ether by some shrieking harridan standing in front of me rattling on about how her ex-boyfriend is a pig, then I think I’ve got the right to be a bit moany. If you want a night out, go to a pub. If you want to hear music, go to a gig. It’s not difficult!
Filed under: General Stuff Tagged: | annoying bastards, built to spill, concerts, gigs, MGMT Glasgow
Was hoping that someone from ELM might’ve made it along to Neon Neon at Oran Mor on Thursday. One of the best gigs I’ve been to in ages (not that I see as many bands as you guys).
Very interesting album, a beloved contributor on here pointed me in their direction.
What were they like live?
I bought the Neon Neon album as I love Gruff Rhys but was a bit disappointed. Maybe I was expecting the SFA and it just wasn’t very close. I too would be interested to hear what they were like live.
I went to see Fleet Foxes on Saturday, they were SUPERB!
If you like the album, you would’ve loved the show as it was basically Stainless Style from start to finish. Guest vocals from Shunda K and Har Mar Superstar were thoroughly entertaining, too.
Can I just say something thats been bugging me for 6 months? Its not on topic, but since FF got a mention…..
On the recommendation of Mojo, Uncut and the venerable people at ELM, I bought what most people will I guess have in “albums of year” category, namely The Fleet Foxes album and The Bon Iver abum.
Now, I acknowledge that sometimes it takes me a wee while, but I’ve listened to these pretty much weekly and I’m sorry, but they’re both FUCKING BORING AS HELL. The FF one in particular is such a one-trick pony and a fairly lame one at that and Bon Iver is one o these albums that people say they like to impress their pseud pals.
I await the backlash, although I know God God Man will agree with me!
To be honest, all though most posters on here love Fleet Foxes I’m not nuts on them. I appreciate it more than loving it.
As for Bon Iver, I haven’t forgiven him for blatantly ripping off ‘Second Summer of Love’ by Danny Wilson!