Live: Bright Eyes at the Royal Albert Hall

I went to see Bright Eyes at the Royal Albert Hall last night, which was extra special because my brother came, and it was his first time seeing Bright Eyes, and he’s a big a fan as me (well, obviously not quite as big, as I've seen Bright Eyes SEVERAL times before). The Royal Albert Hall is a dream venue, and everything is easily accessible, toilets, drinks, the place you want to stand. We got a really good spot by the side of the stage, even though we were late and only just got to see Super Furry Animals dude who’s name I’ve forgotten how to spell.
The set was a bit more extravagant than the Scala, with two giant tent like structures on the stage, and a Placebo-style graphics screen. The lighting was also really excellent, and was put to good use. The acoustics were AMAZING. The set was pretty much the same as the Scala, with exceptions being he did Another Travellin’ Song (why?) Ladder Song (incredible) and Landlocked Blues (ho hum), but he didn’t do a couple of oldies he did last time (I won’t say what or my brother might get jealous). He was jigging about as before (in Rasta trainers, I noticed) and did a funny introduction of the band members. At the end he was touching the crowd and hugging the crowd, and I got literally two inches from touching his hand, but then he was off. Boo. Oh well, I’ve still got my bit of Morrissey shirt to cling to. It’s amazing being that close up to him, he is really beautiful, as well as being a genius, which is a winning combination in my book. I love him so much. Even my brother said he would pet him.
My favourite song was Old Soul Song, I nearly cried, I was so happy (it was a good day yesterday, I just got a new job), but there were lots of magical moments, including someone telling my brother to ‘shush’ for talking during No One Would Riot For Less and then after that we were shouting ‘shush’ at anyone cheering. It’s a gig, ffs (although my brother does talk a lot, admittedly).
All in all a magical night! I'm jealous of anyone seeing them at Glasto! Until we meet again, Conor... I'll get you next time.

Bright Eyes review - Live at the Scala, Kings Cross, London

Bright Eyes are my favourite band and I’ve seen them many times. I saw him in his not-looking-up phase at Shepherd’s Bush many years ago. I sat at his feet in the Guardian tent at Glastonbury in one of the most special gigs of my life (he didn’t look up much then either, but I was close enough to touch his leg). I’ve seen his confidence grow at festivals. I saw him in white suit/ long greasy hair phase back at Shepherd’s Bush where he looked like he’d actually learnt to put on a show. But nothing seemed to fit him as right as the performance he put on last night at the Scala. It was like he’d finally worked out who he was (and it’s not Bob Dylan, thank God).
I was so lucky to get these tickets, I really appreciate that. I’ve been to the Scala many times for Popstarz but never seen a gig there, so wasn’t sure how it would work. Me and my best friend got a really decent spot on a raised bit with a little barrier in front of us, so we didn’t have to get crushed and we had a perfect view. I think we chose wisely, as the place ended up absolutely rammed. I have no doubt in my mind that place is a major health and safety risk- if there was a fire, you’d be in big trouble. But hey- I’d have died happy (after the gig, obv).
The support act was Tim Kasher, another Saddle Creeker, who did quite a dreary set, with some unintentionally amusing lyrics.
Bright Eyes started with the intro to the album, which reminded us of Morrissey gigs where he makes you sit through some painful intro, but at least the Bright Eyes one is only 2 minutes 30 seconds (I know, cos I’ve been skipping it on the album!) A word on the album The People's Key; wow, it’s catchy. I’ve been listening to it non-stop, and it bounces around my head constantly. It’s really, really excellent quality, there’s not a bad track on it, and there’s a lot of variety.
He came out in the kind of shirt you’d wear to the office and looked quite pallid, but I think it was just the lighting as his manner and demeanour improved later. He opened with Firewall, which made me think- ah, is he going to do the whole album in order? For once I wouldn’t have minded as I was really looking forward to hearing songs off it. He followed this with another newie (oh God, memory failure). Weirdly after that he did about 6 big hits in a row. We’d been joking that we wasn’t going to do any crowd pleasers, so was quite shocked to hear Gold Mine Gutted, Old Soul Song, Four Winds, Lover I Don’t Have to Love and We Are Nowhere and It’s Now all in a row. I don’t really like Four Winds but what a run. Lover I Don’t Have to Love was amazing, obviously. He followed this with Jejeune Stars which sounded lovely.
My memory is a bit addled so these aren’t necessarily in the exact right order but he also did Shell games, Approximated Sunlight (very cool), Haile Selassie, Cartoon Blues (that was a random one - precluded by him rambling about the crowd being half CGI - but I love it), Bowl of Oranges, Arc of Time, (about the worst song he played all night, and it’s still a good song), No one would Riot for Less (makes me think of my ex boyfriend but stunning), Take it Easy (Love Nothing), An Attempt to Tip the Scales (yes that one with the annoying interview in the middle of it on Fevers & Mirrors) and they did Road to Joy just before they went off.
They even did Something Vague, which I don’t believe I’ve ever heard them do before- I mean, it’s mindblowing. I can hardly believe those song titles are being written here by me, it was such a litany of amazing hits. Even if he’d just come on and looked at the floor and sung them we would have been crying with happiness, but he didn’t, and the band was amazing, the sound was just so good.
He chatted a little- not much but he said happy valentines day and why were we here when we could be having a boring dinner with someone we didn’t like, something about motherfuckers, and a few other bits in between. The most gross part was he kept spitting on the stage and at one stage even spat towards the crowd! Honestly- it’s valentines day, don’t treat your guests like that, Conor. I know you weren't dragged up. He also threw a bottle up in the air which fell back down and hit him in the head, which I thought was quite amusing, considering.
He redeemed himself after the encore coming out with flowers and handing them out to the crowd, very cute. He’d also done his hair like a little girl.
After the encore he did Beginner’s Mind, the Calendar Hung itself (absolutely outstanding live and the first Bright Eyes song I ever heard), Nothing Gets Crossed Out, Poison Oak (beautiful), and One for You, One For Me. I mean, look at that for an encore, FFS. Talk about crowd pleasers. He seemed a bit off his head at the end, he jumped in the crowd and his eyes were rolling back in his head, so he'd probably gone for a 'pick me up' and I don't mean the spit bucket. He was doing some very jerky awkward dancing, which I liked as I hate going to see a band and seeing someone rooted to the spot (take note Battle for the Sun-era Brian Molko). Conor would never have moved like that even five years ago when he just hid behind a guitar (or keyboard).
The night was just fantastic, we had the perfect spot considering how heaving it was in there, and the setlist was a dream. I’ve probably missed some gem out, too. If I was churlish enough to complain about the setlist I’d probably say I’ve heard a lot of those big hits before, but to complain about him playing hits is pretty stupid (although if you’re reading this, Conor, next time can you play I believe in Symmetry, February 15th and Hit the Switch- I’d request A Line Allows Progress, a Circle Does Not, No Lies, Just Love and A Poetic Retelling of an Unfortunate Seduction but I don’t think that’s gonna happen). Oh and I wanted to hear Triple Spiral from the new album, just for the mother crone line, really.
The new album is soooo good, I can’t even choose between songs like Shell Games and Selassie, they are both so strong in their own ways, and sound so good live. Conor was shouty, screamy, sneery, humble, sweet, funny- just everything he should be. He is my perfect popstar, my idol, he means everything to me. I didn’t want to build my hopes up too much beforehand but he totally delivered. It was wonderful. And my best mate loved it an’ all. I don't know what I would have done if I'd never found Bright Eyes. I don't think it's possible.
Bring on the Royal Albert Hall... I can't wait.

Bright Eyes- Shepherds Bush Empire 3rd July

In a ridiculous but pleasant turn of events I went to see Bright Eyes again, having already seen them twice in the past two weeks. However, you cannot ever have too many chips or too much Bright Eyes, right? Well I can't. I have about four bands whom I'm obsessive about and the rest of music I couldn't really care less for. And Bright Eyes is (sorry Morrissey) numero uno, at least for this year. I do have some pics but haven't uploaded yet.
As usual the queue was full of kids and we were the second oldest people I could see there (ooh I sound like someone of Big Brother now). There were a few more grannies in there but on the whole it was pretty teenage girls and boys with ridiculously overstyled hair.
We hurried in and got one row back from the front, doing our usual 'no drinks, no wee' policy.
I noticed the support band were Lightspeed Champion (awful name) whom I'd seen on MTV2 the previous day and quite liked. The lead singer was the guy from the Test Icicles (not good at this band name thing, is he?) whom I'd had a passing interest in, so I was quite pleased.
I thought a couple of their songs were really, really good (namely the two singles). The one they did at the end in particular was excellent. The weirdest part was I (eventually) recognised Emmy the Great doing the backing vocals! I'm a massive fan of hers, so no wonder I like the band. I really like the lead singer's vocals too, they remind me a lot of The Dears (NOT for obvious reasons) but the exchange between the male and female vocals and the variety of intruments. I am quite liking violins lately, I used to hate them but Patrick Wolf and Bright Eyes both have good violinists so I have warmed to them.
Lightspeed Champion did appear to have a few comedy songs, with silly lyrics, but it was pretty good fun for a support act. I think I shall download their album (if it's out).
And then onto the main event. It was a similar set up to Glastonbury, all white suits and flowers. Conor is more of a showman than I've ever seen him. They opened with Clairaudients and then did Hot Knives. The set was quite Cassadaga heavy (Four Winds/ Soul Singer- yawn), but I expected that.
About quarter of an hour into this gig I thought 'God, this is a bit different to the last time I saw them here, when he sat down and didn't look up once'. About half an hour into the gig Conor said, 'I really like this theatre, it's is a bit different to the last time I was here, when I sat on a stool and didn't look up once'. I remember it well, it was 2004 and we were right at the back, it didn't even look like the same venue to me. The stage looked forty times bigger. Back then Conor played literally two songs that I knew, one of them being Lover I Don't Have To Love. The rest I didn't know, and I was heavily into Bright Eyes then, so I don't know what the hell he played or was thinking.
This was quite different. I would say Conor picks a crowd-friendly setlist but now he puts on a fantastic show. There was a lot less twiddling with guitars and the mic and stressing over the sound. It was much better than when we saw them at Koko a few months back (sorry Red and Asterisk!) when they were looking dangerously countryfied.
I quite like the jazzed up version of First Day Of My Life (I used to find it a real drag). I LOVE the live version of The Calendar Hung Itself that they do. I thought they could have cut Make a Plan To Love Me (makes me cringe) and although I like Lime Tree it's not exactly rip-roaring live.
Highlights were No One Would Riot for Less which is beautiful (it's all building up to the 'just you' at the end- absolutely love it) and he threw in oldie I Wont Ever Be Happy Again which I'd not heard him do live before. They also did Southern State which brought back memories of the amazing Guardian lounge gig at Glastonbury. But the REAL highlights for my boyfriend and I who are Digital Ash lovers were I Believe in Symmetry and Gold Mine Gutted. I Believe in Symmetry is probably one of my top three favourite Bright Eyes songs ever (and there's some stiff competition) and it was mind-blowing to hear it live. I felt like I was going to cry or be sick. I even didn't mind that his guitar fucked up and he stomped off after kicking the amp over. At least he finished the song. I can die happy now I've heard that live. When they came back after the encore and did Gold Mine Gutted it was just an added bonus. I loved him playing the keyboard and doing some crazy dance moves- it was nice to see him loosen up a bit.
I've forgotten what they did in between that but they finished with At The Bottom of Everything which weirdly seemed to get the biggest cheer of the night- God knows why as I've always seen it as basic filler. Who listens to this tracks with all the babble at the start anyway?! I think people were gagging to hear stuff off I'm Wide Awake... so I was quite pleased he didn't play much off it. That will teach them for not liking Digital Ash more! Having said that, I wouldn't have minded hearing 'Old Soul Song' agai, that is excellent live.
All in all we left with big smiles on our faces but I heard a few people whining. I don't think Conor's ever going to do the Bright Eyes jukebox set that people want from him. You just have to take the bits of magic where you can. As it is, the band have come on a long way and we even got a little bit of screaming. Yay. I would do it all again next week if I could.

Bright Eyes- Koko 16 March 07

And so the day finally came. We left early, in the hope we'd get near the front and got in the queue about ten past six. We were slightly alarmed about the number of children in the queue- do i like kids music? Boo. I was also deeply offended when someone behind me said 'Digital Urn, Digital Ash was a rubbish album'. 1. It's not called that. 2. I'll go out on a limb and say it's my favourite album of all time. We seem to be in the minority in loving the rocky/ screamy stuff and not the straw-chewing stuff. Conor is only our age!!! He can still push himself artistically. There's 40 years for him to turn into Johnny Cash.
Did my usual thing of no drinks, so I didn't need a wee as I have the weakest bladder on earth. We got right near the front, one from the front again, standing on the metal barrier, like at the Killers. Perfect view. Koko can be a bit crappy when you can't see well. And you have to watch out for the gig-slugs who push in at the last minute but we were pretty well-defended.
The support band were quite pleasant: scottish Belle-and-Sebastian lite that didn't offend as much as the real B&S (hmm, appropriate initials). My nerves weren't jangling like normal when I'm waiting to see a band that I really, really love. And Bright Eyes ARE my favourite band.
I've seen Bright Eyes twice before and I knew they weren't going to do a greatest hits set. When I saw them at Shepherds Bush a few years ago they only played one song I knew and Conor didn't look up the entire time. Also, due to the new country direction (blah) I knew we weren't going to get A Line Allows Progress... more's the pity!
Still: it was very exciting. They came onto 'I Must Belong Somewhere' and Conor was hiding behind his new long hair. He looked absolutely tiny, not just short but really slight. I'd never seen him this close before. They played 'Cartoon Blues' second which was really good, and he got a bit sweaty so you could actually see his face/ expression etc.
The songs that went down best with the crowd were, unsuprisingly, 'We are Nowhere...' and 'Old Soul Song'. Conor DEFINITELY looked at me during 'We are Nowhere' haha so that was exciting, of course. 'Old Soul Song' was the highlight for me though, proper goosebump time. Its in a different league to most songs in existence. Of the new stuff they played I hadn't heard of I hated one song and loved the other, which sounds about right, really. 'Four Winds' and 'Soul Singer' don't set my world on fire on record but were good live.
Conor seemed on good form, making jokes (clowns/ Roger Rabbit), jumping on the drum kit and manically playing/ hitting his guitar. I love it when he really lets go vocally and screams and there was a bit of that
The encore was excellent, I loved the rocked-up version of 'June on the West Coast' especially as I've been listening to the really mellow version they played at Bonnaroo.
Ultimately it was a great gig, and we had a perfect view but I would have loved about ten more songs. Like Morrissey Conor plays what he wants, not what we want.
I guess it's too much to ask for him to play 'A Poetic Retelling of an Unfortunate Seduction'. But I can fantasise!
I can't wait to see them again... dare I dream of Glastonbury?
(and yes we took that pic)