leedy | may all of your dreams come true (Reply)

In an attempt to relive the fun of Glastonbury, I spent my weekend, er, going to lots of gigs and drinking beer, with the added bonus of having my own bed to fall into at the end of the night. I did consider wearing my muddy boots again, but I thought my fellow gig-goers (and my feet) might not forgive me.

Very fine gigs they were too: I started the weekend by going to see my friend Dan's band Caribou, who were very enjoyable and bouncy and had TWO DRUMKITS (always a good way of getting a big noisy racket going), as well as excellent if neck-craningly-positioned visuals. Afterwards I discovered what the band room in Whelans is like if there wasn't a Dublin band playing (strangely tranquil) and B. and Dan talked about maths PhD vivas. Rock'n'roll!

Saturday evening was probably my top gig of the weekend - Antony and the Johnsons. I wasn't entirely sure what to expect, though I like the latest album, and kind of feared it might be a bit precious, but it was just utterly wonderful and poignant and beautiful. Antony's voice is just glorious, far lovelier than on the record, IMO, and the band were all marvellous. They also did some super covers - Leonard Cohen's "The Guests" and a Moondog track were standouts. I think my favourite bit was when he got us all to hum a note he played on the piano and then sang a song over the resulting unearthly reverberating drone. Friends of mine who arrived in late came in during it, and only realized that the sound was humming when it stopped - they thought it was some kind of crazy electronics. Oh, and "You Are My Sister" actually had me blubbing into my drink, so lovely was it. Highly recommended. Slight minus points only for the venue being sauna-like (apparently the alternative was to turn on the Very Noisy Air Conditioning), to such an extent that somebody spilled a pint in my lap during the gig and I only noticed when the show finished and the lights came up.

Then on Sunday evening, I finished my Weekend O' Gigs by seeing David Grubbs play in Lazybird, which was also great. Though I did find myself periodically thinking "Hmm, that guitar style is very David Grubbs-y.... oh, hang on, it is David Grubbs." Duh.

Somewhere around all these gigs, I also engaged in the following activities:

Perhaps somewhat inspired by the glorious Ms. glitzfrau, I acquired a pair of silver Birkenstocks, which are possibly my favourite shoes ever. They're double-strapped ones, so they stay on rather better than my khaki ones, they are insanely comfortable, and OMG!!1!SILVER!!7!
Drank beer.
Had reasonably productive band practice, despite being late due to sleeping until 2 on Saturday. God damn residual Glasto tiredness.
Saw bits of Live8 around bits of rehearsal, and dear God, Dido, YOU CANNOT SING. I was actually in some sort of full-body cringe for the duration of her set. It was even worse when Youssou N'Dour came on, because the contrast between his very good singing voice and hers was just so horrendous. Urghh. Also saw Pete Doherty shambling around with Elton John in the manner of a drunk uncle at a wedding reception.
Had a spiffy birthday Sunday brunch with my friend D., with eggs florentine and Bloody Marys (ah, vodka at lunchtime).