In for free, they are doing it for the thrill

From La Roux 2009

On a warm summer eve, I made my way to Kentish Town for a free event to launch La Roux, the first album by the band of the same name, that I’d seen on one very tired night supporting Lily Allan, still very much jet lagged having just returned from Tokyo. It made a very refreshing change for the event to be free – I suspect the give away of tickets with pre-orders hadn’t filled the place, so free tickets where made more widely available. So hundreds of us queued outside the HMV Forum, on a wonderfully pleasant summer eve. Entertainment was the look on peoples faces as they turned the various turns of the queue to see it stretching further to the next corner. Many in front of me gave up – but it was remarkable how many people lined up three or four abreast can fit in a building… Once inside I got a great view at the very front of the circle, and was then occupied by a great short set. Some of the tracks have already become very familiar due to the almost constant use of them to trail Channel 5 CSI episodes – others fresh electro pop to raise spirits.

Anastacia gigs London – but for one night only

From Anastacia 2009

Crossing London for a venue new to me – the Hammersmith/Carling/HMV Apollo as variously named on the short wall from the Tube! For the one night in London for Anastacia’s Heavy Rotation Tour – why only one night? Anastacia engaged the audience in a classic gig style, a great contrast to the formulaic, tightly timed events most concerts are these days. So much so, there was a real concern that her dealing with the heckles from the audience could incur the wrath of the curfew authorities. She was clearly enjoy herself, and that added to the atmosphere on a barmy summer night. It is a shame that even with the more relaxed style there was still no space for a proper encore. The tradition of spontaneously thanking the audience for their appreciation appears to be dead – how hard would it be to repeat the song from the night that when down best as the finale rather than saving up two or three hits for the end and leaving the stage in a faux farewell, only to come back when the audience finally realise the house lights aren’t coming on and they are only delaying their favourite tracks by continuing to applaud!

What’s up Britney……

From Britney 02 2009

The Britney Circus came to town – and I struggled to the O2 for the last two nights of her residence – a moment of curiosity meant I got the opportunity to get a great seat 4 rows from the front, next to the main stage for the Saturday night to compliment my seat 15 rows back from one of the satellite stages on Sunday night. It is a little frustrating that I couldn’t get the good seat when I first tried to get it! After all the poor reviews my expectations weren’t high, but Britney put on a good show – good enough for me to battle to and from the O2 without the Jubilee line twice – and the first time the DLR failed going – yet another occasion to call upon the services of a black cab… How will London cope with the Olympics! It was clear that Britney rarely switched on her microphone and being there two nights in a row, revealed when she did it was a fully scripted - “what’s up London”! Scripted to the extend, that in her next performance she forgot she’d moved up north and enquired as to the state of London in Manchester!

Even with little live vocal contribution the circus theme was very entertaining – although currently P!nk still holds the title of best circus at the O2 this year so far. Seamed to have been cheating a little to be able to walk between the main stage and the two smaller ones after the acrobatics of Beyoncé, the flying platform for Girl’s Aloud and the swinging arms for Tina Turner!  The only Diva left to see at the O2 this year is Madonna – and again curiosity about a “new tickets released” means I’ll be doing a double header for that event… Before Britney, Ciara had done a great job of warming up the crowd – showing up the main act with great live vocals and interaction with the audience.

Put another dress on…

From Beyonce 02 2009

Bring on the next Female soloist to take to the stage at the O2 – Beyoncé certainly filled the O2 – multiple costume changes and great vocals. Lot of photo opportunities and the mirror effect stage surface added greatly… Beyoncé managed to top both Girl’s Aloud and Tina Turner for dramatic method of getting away from the main stage – short of the full acrobatics of P!nk but still an impressive flight to the “B stage” that gave those in the seats at the back a short period for being stage side, rather than straining for a view… Next up Britney has multiple great performances to follow – a high bar has been set for her Circus tour to reach.

Not such bad photography – circa 1990

From Saint Etienne - 2009

I recall seeing/hearing “The Bad Photographer” on Top of the Pop too many years ago for me to care to remember, and Saint Etienne have been on my play list ever since… Another venture on to GetMeIn allowed me to obtain a ticket to see them at the sold out Bloomsbury Ballroom – this time with absolutely no regrets. A great evening of classic 90s tracks in a great small venue. The contrast of the compact Art Deco surroundings of the Ballroom to the commercial setting of the O2 was enormous – but Saint Etienne could have easily filled the O2 – maybe they could take up the nights freed by MJ’s cancellation of the first four nights of his residence there!