Radiohead

Review to follow.

The review is still to follow, my dearest readers, as I was busy holidaying and then hosting my dearest auntie and visiting Oxford, which I hope is more than to the point in this post.

I know there is plenty of the three of you waiting for my review of the memorable Radiohead gig in Poland on 25th August 2009 in Poznan in my most favourite Cytadela Park. Before I reveal that afterwards OK Computer brought tears to my eyes, again, long-lost feeling of freshness of this album flooded my oh so Radiohead loving heart back in the day, I would like to tell you the background story - the story of my 5 years of graft in the city to become an educated member of the society. Yes, I was studying in the city of Poznan, getting drunk at the weekends, studying, working and having walks in Cytadela Park and, sometimes, rarely, travelling to Berlin or Dublin to see Radiohead live. Once, in Berlin, one of the Polish weirdo Radiohead fan friends of mine threw a red and white bear with a note 'come to Poland', and yes, the bear proudly reached Thom's piano, if I was in Poland, I would post a photo of the bear. Anyway, I do not think they ever bothered to read the message. After all, it took them years to finally arrive in Poland.

As mentioned above, I have seen Radiohead a few times. Not too many, not too few. The first one was on nine eleven, the day of the big collapse. So every year I am reminded of my private anniversary, of how 'let's go down the waterfalls' brought tears to my eyes while my friends were texting me - come back to Poland, it's safer, unaware of what they meant. Yes, we, people in the first rows did not have a clue about the tragedy, unlike the band who felt unhappy to play. And since then, whenever I saw them, I found them quite unhappy to play. Which made it difficult for me to enjoy. But I am boring you.

So this time, Radiohead were full of beans, playful, with an audience full of unspoiled music fans for whom seeing Radiohead live was a miracle and the happiest moment of their lives. You cannot imagine a crowd more pleasing and responsive. Moreover, it was a beautiful summer day in a lovely city filled in with music fans. Last but not least, the park which used to be a citadel is a magic place with Magda Abakanowicz's sculpture and 2WW tanks and planes on exhibition. And I was a bit drunk.

So they came on stage after unappealing Moderat. Do not get me wrong, my dearest readers, I like Moderat, I spent long nights dancing to Kompakt dj's in the nearby SQ club. I simply cannot imagine why this dance act should be appealing when you're watching the sunset and not sunrise in an old citadel park. And I have seen some sunrises there dancing to Booka Shade, quite memorably, a sunrise the night right after my post-graduation, but it is a different story. And I think I missed the first rays of sun anyway.

Dearest readers forgive my sentimentality, but I hope it partly explains why I was so smitten. A beautiful performance it was, perfect, no mistakes, such positive energy. And oh my, Thom could even take a mickey faking Borat's accent and no one realised. They played the new song 'These are my Twisted Words' and they played 'Creep'. I had my a bit fast tempo 'let's go down the waterfalls' to for the third time in this review so already famously bring the tears to my eyes. And the bit with tuning into a random radio station - when I heard a Polish voice, I fully realised the impact of this idea. The band seemed so relaxed and happy to play and dance - it was a joy to see. And there is proof, out there, on youtube. Go and see for yourselves, dearest readers. And may 'let's go down the waterfalls' bring tears to your eyes.

Field Day - Big Pink, Malcolm Middleton

As mentioned below, 1st August in London was a rainy day and it was only getting more and more miserable. I just caught a glimpse of Big Pink who are moving to realms of darkness, sadly, unimpressive, then a quick look at Malcolm Middleton whose gig was plagued by technical difficulties. I felt there was not much to look forward to and I had my own health to take care of. Dreaming about a cup of tea with tea with rum, I left and never experienced the famous Mogwai or Fennesz. I also managed to miss Drums of Death but that is mainly because I failed to track down the right tent. Had it been sunny, I would have stayed. I wish!

Field Day - Wild Beasts

My dearest readers must have noticed the change in quality of my still poor photos, yes, my biggest enemy camera has proved to be much better than my good old camera phone. So on the 1st August in Victoria Park, I proceeded to the below mentioned tent to see Wild Beasts of an unconvincing band name. I was not disappointed, they were creative, imaginative, hilarious and talented - my dearest readers must be astonished at the variety of adjectives employed, exceptionally generous of me, I realise. However, what struck me most, was their honesty, they were sincere and genuinely surprised at the warm welcome and cheers throughout the gig. It would be impossible to pinpoint what exactly made them special but I was impressed by their vocal skills, melodies, bass and drums - a most refreshing mixture.

Field Day - The Horrors

It was a rainy festival day, mud instead of hay, slips instead of egg and spoon races. Fooled by a temporary sunshine, pressurized by my dearest readers, I got my ticket on the door, desperate to have fun. First, The Horrors - album of the year, attitude of a lifetime. It started raining and, being not quite impressed by their latest production, I was not carried away. But I will not be moaning as I proceeded to tent number three of four to see what I was hoping to be my highlight.

Fever Ray

What can I say other than once again the citizens of London were subjected to the beauty of a spectacle courtesy of Fever Ray. This time at a venue much less flattering as regards the sound quality but much more intimate and appropriate for the mysteries of Fever Ray. So Shepherds Bush Empire on 16th July turned into a place of wonder. What else can I, a lifelong worshiper of anything The Knife, say this time? Apart from stating the obvious - in terms of Fever Ray experience, the venue worked well as far as ambiance is concerned, less well in terms of sound but we shall forgive. For Fever Ray delivered a magnificent show, with laser lights, mist, orange lampshades, shaman costumes, minimalistic hand gestures and, last but not least, music of the forgotten but advanced tribes. My dearest readers will be surprised at the quality of the above picture, as this time, I employed my life-long enemy, a compact camera unable to deliver in spite of its isos and pixels and what not. Compact, useless. Anyway, no words or poor pictures can express the beauty of the show and its utter uniqueness, including bringing torrential rains to London. Fever Ray, the rainmakers.

As much as I would like to share with you my thoughts about the non-album songs they played or what songs they actually played, as some readers, I fear, accuse me of being non-specific in my reviews, I cannot. I simply forget myself and will never become this girl who was standing next to me at Dan Deacon gig typing in her Blackberry 'green skull, meditation about death and friendship, frenzy' - she probably created a true to life review. As a matter of fact, the only matter of fact in my review, I will never be like her.

TV On The Radio

There was something lacking on 13th July in Brixton Academy, in the evening. It was the big TV On The Radio supported by The Noisettes night. And all I can say it was okay, but I did not like it. Blame it on the flu I brought with me to the admired by many venue. The Noisettes is not my cup of tea but TV On The Radio could have done better than that. So what was lacking? Definitely, interaction. Less definitely, sincerity. They seemed so fake and inconsistent. I do not know, maybe I do not really like TV On The Radio that much so I will leave this analysis before my dearest readers write me off as an ignorant.

The Twilight Sad

Oh joy, The Twilight Sad in ICA on 9th July. Due to unforeseen circumstances, I could not go to 93 Feet East last time. So ICA would have been my fourth and not merely third time, dearest readers forgive me my boastful attitude. But if there is one band I would recommend, that would be The Twilight Sad. Not. But by making such statements, my only intention is to hype and overhype them so that you, my dearest readers, could discover the beauty of their music. First of all, their image changed dramatically, I am bad with names and faces but the visual transformation of two members was stunning and impossible to ignore. Luckily, the drummer is still skilfully same and the bass guitarist takes off his shoes for the duration of the gig. And the singer is as insane looking as before. But the apparent changes, the guitarist - no hair but beard and lead singer no hair but same crazy eyes. So now my dearest readers may think I focus too much on the looks or that I am a modern groupie though I am not, or I wish I was not. In the front row, as always, amazed at the size of the audience and mesmerized, endlessly mesmerized. Needless to say, or as above mentioned, they have a great drummer. Also, the guitarist responsible for the unique sound with his cool detached attitude and unmatching trainers is as great as the drummer. And then, last but not least, the singer, who is as great as the drummer and the guitarist, with his crazy eyes and playing with the mic stand which once resulted in him breaking one and promising to pay it off with his christmas money. Apologies if I fail to say anything sensible about the bassist or the member-non-member as they were located too far and I focused too much on the above mentioned triangle of musicians.

But, seriously, The Twilight Sad previewed some of the new songs so now I am looking forward to the new album. Apart from that, they seem to be more mature and conscious of the sound.

To sum up, I am proud to be their fan. Even though they were loud and I recklessly did not protect my ears. Friday in a jar glass courtesy of The Twilight Sad. You love, you forgive.

We Were Promised Jetpacks

As I always wanted to use the phrase I will use it now, even though I realise it is not quite appropriate but you will forgive me, much hyped We Were Promised Jetpacks sailed all the way to London to open for Twilight Sad in ICA on 9th July 2009. And the phrase in question is, obviously, much hyped in case of doubts. They are good and interact with the audience, cracking hokes, the singer has a voice of a giant singing in a well, so strong. As much as I wanted to enjoy this gig, I could not as I was anxiously awaiting my dearest The Twilight Sad. So dearest readers forgive me if I overlooked We Were Promised Jetpacks or could not report what they joked about as, being a foreigner, I find Scottish English cute but difficult to understand. But they were friendly. Friendly fishermen.