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Post by blade on Mar 15, 2009 0:11:54 GMT
Just got home from the gig at The Plug, and what a marvellous night it was.
Local band The Magi got things off to a lively start. They had a knot of fans in the crowd who the band obviously knew and they were having a great time, especially when the singer noticed his mate whose 40th birthday it was. They're worth seeing if you get the chance.
The good beginning was raised a notch by The Joy Formidable, who really are a band to watch out for. Singer Ritzy captivated the crowd with her guitar histrionics. I urge you to go see them if they're playing near you. Their set was two songs too short though.
Howling Bells came on around 10pm. It was the fifth time I've seen them and I've been lucky every time, never coming across sound problems that others have complained about elsewhere. The sound was perfect, everything at the right level.
Juanita was wearing - now get this - a long shirt that covered not much at all and which was see-through when the light was behind her. If that wasn't enough, she had on ankle-height leather boots, black socks/stockings that came to just above her knees and black tights above them. Oh, and long, dangly earrings with her hair tied up in the usual manner. Told you it was a good night.
The atmosphere was brilliant, with a packed crowd (I guess around 500) who all seemed really into it, especially the girl next to me right at the front who was less than half my age and jigged and sang along big style to all the songs. Music knows no bounds when it comes to age.
They kicked off with Radio Wars and continued with:
Treasure Hunt It Ain't You Broken Bones Blessed Night Nightingale Golden Web Setting Sun Into the Chaos Low Happening Digital Hearts Cities Burning Down Encore: To LA
The only slight quibble was that, like jeremy said about the Oxford gig, To LA (or "The Secret Song" as Juanita called it) wasn't the best one they could have picked for an encore. It should have been mid-set with Low Happening as the encore.
But that's just a very minor point. The highlight of the night was when Juanita came right to the front of the stage and said, "This is where I want to come down off the stage and walk through the audience to sing this song. Can I do that here?"
Of course, everybody shouted "Yes!" so she jumped down, got somebody at the front to hold her microphone while she went round the little fence at the front and into the crowd (at which point a couple of security guys looked very worried) and proceeded to sing Golden Web, out of most people's sight but very close to others! I wondered how she'd climb back on stage (getting a leg-up off somebody wouldn't have been very ladylike) but she went through a side door and re-appeared at the back.
Now I know she did this at the little get together at Fopp record store but I've not heard of her doing it at a larger venue like this. Has she done it elsewhere on the tour? [Edit - yes she has. I've just read she did it in Glasgow].
Then, near the end, just before they burst into Cities Burning Down, Brendan said, "Thanks for the best night of the tour! Really, the best night of the tour!"
That topped it off. Can't wait for Manchester tomorrow.
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Post by livlovesmusique on Mar 15, 2009 1:06:17 GMT
Wow sounded like it was a great gig Matt! Glad to hear you had a great time! :smile: Hope the Manchester show is just as good, if not better! Lucky you, two Bells shows in two nights!
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Post by danielarn on Mar 15, 2009 9:21:16 GMT
yeah sounded top notch. what time do u reckon i should get to manchester for the gig. want to be nearish front.....
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Post by blade on Mar 15, 2009 10:03:31 GMT
We got in about 8.10pm and got to the front (but not the middle) and I was standing right in front of Joel, as I always seem to be! The first band came on at 8.25pm.
I forgot to say that three guys went with me who had never seen them before. One has always wanted to but has always been working away when they've played locally previously, one had downloaded Radio Wars but had never heard any of the first album and the third I thought was only into soul music until he told me he went to see Nick Cave a few weeks ago, so I thought he might like it.
Tonight I'm going to Manchester with someone else who has seen them live once before but prefers Radio Wars to the first album because he's more of a keyboard lover and he thinks keyboards have added a lot to the sound.
So that's four people I've converted!
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Post by danielarn on Mar 15, 2009 10:15:48 GMT
cheers, we will aim to get there about 8ish then.
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Post by strawdogrob on Mar 15, 2009 11:08:28 GMT
Of course, everybody shouted "Yes!" so she jumped down, got somebody at the front to hold her microphone while she went round the little fence at the front and into the crowd Hi It was me who Juanita handed the microphone to! I was chuffed to bits, it made my night! :-) It was a great show and I also met Brendan afterwards and he got my setlist signed by all the band for me. I have to agree that Juanita looked stunning and you can see some of my (and my friend's) pictures here... s143.photobucket.com/albums/r143/strawdogrob/Howling%20Bells%20The%20Plug%20Sheffield%2014th%20March%202009/?albumview=gridI also did some videos and got maybe 7 full songs in all which I will post a thread to over the next few days when I get them up on YouTube. Anyone going to any of the remaining shows on the tour is in for a real treat and the support bands have been some of the best I've seen in a long time, particularly Joy Formidable, a band to watch out for I think. Rob
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Post by blade on Mar 15, 2009 13:11:15 GMT
Here's one of Rob's pics, if you want to see Juanita's outfit. You lucky sod Rob! How close to you was Juanita when she was singing Golden Web? I lost sight of her - she's only little! Can't wait for your Youtube videos - the ones you did at Leeds were great, and you were closer, front central, this time.
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Post by sennen on Feb 9, 2010 11:43:29 GMT
Just got home from the gig at The Plug, and what a marvellous night it was. Local band The Magi got things off to a lively start. They had a knot of fans in the crowd who the band obviously knew and they were having a great time, especially when the singer noticed his mate whose 40th birthday it was. They're worth seeing if you get the chance. The good beginning was raised a notch by The Joy Formidable, who really are a band to watch out for. Singer Ritzy captivated the crowd with her guitar histrionics. I urge you to go see them if they're playing near you. Their set was two songs too short though. Howling Bells came on around 10pm. It was the fifth time I've seen them and I've been lucky every time, never coming across sound problems that others have complained about elsewhere. The sound was perfect, everything at the right level. Juanita was wearing - now get this - a long shirt that covered not much at all and which was see-through when the light was behind her. If that wasn't enough, she had on ankle-height leather boots, black socks/stockings that came to just above her knees and black tights above them. Oh, and long, dangly earrings with her hair tied up in the usual manner. Told you it was a good night. The atmosphere was brilliant, with a packed crowd (I guess around 500) who all seemed really into it, especially the girl next to me right at the front who was less than half my age and jigged and sang along big style to all the songs. Music knows no bounds when it comes to age. They kicked off with Radio Wars and continued with: Treasure Hunt It Ain't You Broken Bones Blessed Night Nightingale Golden Web Setting Sun Into the Chaos Low Happening Digital Hearts Cities Burning Down Encore: To LA The only slight quibble was that, like jeremy said about the Oxford gig, To LA (or "The Secret Song" as Juanita called it) wasn't the best one they could have picked for an encore. It should have been mid-set with Low Happening as the encore. But that's just a very minor point. The highlight of the night was when Juanita came right to the front of the stage and said, "This is where I want to come down off the stage and walk through the audience to sing this song. Can I do that here?" Of course, everybody shouted "Yes!" so she jumped down, got somebody at the front to hold her microphone while she went round the little fence at the front and into the crowd (at which point a couple of security guys looked very worried) and proceeded to sing Golden Web, out of most people's sight but very close to others! I wondered how she'd climb back on stage (getting a leg-up off somebody wouldn't have been very ladylike) but she went through a side door and re-appeared at the back. Now I know she did this at the little get together at Fopp record store but I've not heard of her doing it at a larger venue like this. Has she done it elsewhere on the tour? [Edit - yes she has. I've just read she did it in Glasgow]. Then, near the end, just before they burst into Cities Burning Down, Brendan said, "Thanks for the best night of the tour! Really, the best night of the tour!" That topped it off. Can't wait for Manchester tomorrow. Hello there! A little bit late on this thread, but I was at the Howling Bells gig that night and it was me that Juanita stopped dead in front of and sang to for, well, what felt like about 2 mins, but in reality was probably about 20 - 30 seconds! Caught me completely by surprise and I just didnt know what the hell to do! The crowd just suddenly parted in front of us and suddenly, there she was. But then she just suddenly stopped, slap bang in front of me! I didnt know they lyrics to the song so was unable to sing along and as she was singing, there wasnt really much else I could do! So it was quite bizzare, I just sort of stood there staring at her no more than a foot away as she sang, sensing my mates next to me being both a little bit jealous and highly amused. Its both the best moment of a gig Ive ever had and the worst. I must have looked a right dummy just standing there doing absolutely nothing while such an awesome looking lady sang at me and she probably thought 'Ive picked a bloody right one here' So sadly, my moment with Juanita just slipped on by But, to quote an old clique, it was worth the entrance fee alone!! Cant wait to se them live again. Sadly, I don't think I'll get as up close and personal to Juanita next time round The gig itself I thought over all was excellent though and the 5 mates who came along who had heard absolutely nothing by the band really enjoyed it as well.
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Post by blade on Feb 10, 2010 19:53:38 GMT
Aha! Another believer from this fine city. And I thought I was the only one, but I guess there must be a few more as it was pretty full that night.
I have a DVD of about two-thirds of the gig, courtesy of strawdogrob, who took the photo in this thread. That's the view in the DVD too!
Unfortunately (or fortunately), it doesn't include your close encounter with Juanita but I can still run you a copy off if you so desire.
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Post by sennen on Feb 17, 2010 18:00:22 GMT
Haha I think its probably for the best my close encounter doesn't feature, seeing the reality would probably seriously spoil my memory of the occasion!
It was the first (and only time to date) I have been to the Plug, so its hard to say how full it was compared with other bands, but it certainly seemed to be pretty full.
Me and one of the mates I was with were stood near to the back of the crowd, over to the right of the stage and the sound seemed a bit distorted there. That was when I said come on, lets get near the front and middle to see how it sounds there and its as we were making our way there that I was suddenly confronted with Juanita ;D
The sound quality was certainly much better in the middle, so I dont know if it was down to the venue or the kit that it sounded a bit fuzzy out wide as I havent seen another band there yet to compare.
But from what I remember, the crowd semed pretty up for it and enjoying themselves and I'll definitely go and see them again when they next tour (hopefully pretty soon)
Yeah that would be greatly appreciated if you could run me off a copy of the DVD? With thanks to strawdogrob as well. And thats quite an impressive picture managed to get too!
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Post by blade on Feb 17, 2010 18:50:58 GMT
Send me a PM with your address etc and I'll send you a copy of the DVD.
I saw Howling Bells at The Plug once before but it was in the smaller room and the sound was good, and I also saw Long Blondes in the main room and the sound was good there too, but I was standing near the mixing desk.
If you want to see all of strawdogrob's pictures go to the Howling Bells Gig History thread at the top of the "Live" section, scroll down to this gig and click on the "photobucket" link. He was front centre for the Manchester gig the following night too. He must be first through the door!
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Post by incoasterble on Apr 16, 2011 10:15:54 GMT
OK I'm a little bit later than Sennen on this - but with a similar story.. Juanita thrust the mic at the guy right on the left of me, and I wanted to throw my arm round him and sing into it but she was so beautiful close up that I froze to the floor and I don't think I could even move / breathe let alone remember the lyrics.
TBH I don't remember much of Howling Bells' set coz The Joy Formidable had blown my mind so thoroughly that I was by then completely toasted.
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