The Medusa Fora

This is the most excited I've been for anything this year.

And I'm leaving. Enjoy, everybody.

........and i'm envious...was a year ago, the O2 gig...how I want to be in Brixton but no chance..<sulks>

Lucky the gig wasn't at the Apollo, hope everyone is ok

mctoon wrote:Lucky the gig wasn't at the Apollo, hope everyone is ok

Just seen that, thought it was the Manchester Apollo at first. I always worry about sitting underneath or on the balcony at the theatre for that very reason.

http://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/2013/12 ... d=webmail1

Back on topic. Hope everyone's enjoying the gig tonight.

Ok - so this is going to be controversial but I'm gonna say it anyway -

Manchester crowd response to RS&TL played live 5/5
London crowd response to RS&TL played live 2/5

Manchester crowd appreciation for remainder of set 5/5
London crowd appreciation for remainder of set - 3/5

The crowd at Manchester was deafening with their chanting and singing and enthusiasm - tonight's crowd barely acknowledged when spider was introduced on several occasions - let alone his speech regarding filling Phil's big shoes

It's only my opinion - so feel free to slag me off ....... I'll be there tomorrow ..... So will too many other people who just want to see FONY played live so it's off their bucket list.

Aidan wrote:Ok - so this is going to be controversial but I'm gonna say it anyway -

Manchester crowd response to RS&TL played live 5/5
London crowd response to RS&TL played live 2/5

Manchester crowd appreciation for remainder of set 5/5
London crowd appreciation for remainder of set - 3/5

The crowd at Manchester was deafening with their chanting and singing and enthusiasm - tonight's crowd barely acknowledged when spider was introduced on several occasions - let alone his speech regarding filling Phil's big shoes

It's only my opinion - so feel free to slag me off ....... I'll be there tomorrow ..... So will too many other people who just want to see FONY played live so it's off their bucket list.

I wasn't at Manchester so can't make comparison, but there did seem to be something missing last night at the start compared to previous shows I've seen Brixton. Though by the end thought the atmosphere and noise from crowd was superb, or that's how it seemed upstairs in the seats where I was ( where no-one was sitting from 'Irish Rover' onwards and there wasn't enough seats for people, don't remember it ever being that busy 'upstairs').
Shane seemed in a pretty bad state last night, but there's always that chance. The rest of the band were brilliant as always, hopefully Darryl's ok, never seen anyone playing bass flat on their back before! Highlight for me was 'Man you don't meet everyday' and hearing 'Billy bones' and 'Gentleman Soldier' live for first time.
As for people only there to see FONY, you'll always get a few. But after last year at that soulless dump the O2, when that seemed to be 50% of the crowd, last night was a big improvement. Overall thought last night was great, wouldn't of missed it for anything. Can't make tonight sadly, good luck to all of you going.

I enjoyed last night more than I thought. I was a bit sceptical about the album concept, particularly as I was never previously all that keen on some of the RSL tracks but hearing them live was a diferent experience and it was a refreshing to hear them played rather than the usual setlist which, to be honest, was in danger of becoming a bit stale.

I thought Camille O'Sullivan was brilliant. Execellent rendition of I'm a Man and really feisty FoNY - the audience really warmed to her.

Not too sure about the chair for Shane - think he only used it once -reminded me of Val Doonican!

Does anyone know what instrument Terry was playing on WKofK?

Guest wrote:I enjoyed last night more than I thought. I was a bit sceptical about the album concept, particularly as I was never previously all that keen on some of the RSL tracks but hearing them live was a diferent experience and it was a refreshing to hear them played rather than the usual setlist which, to be honest, was in danger of becoming a bit stale.

I thought Camille O'Sullivan was brilliant. Execellent rendition of I'm a Man and really feisty FoNY - the audience really warmed to her.

Not too sure about the chair for Shane - think he only used it once -reminded me of Val Doonican!

Does anyone know what instrument Terry was playing on WKofK?

Oops, that was me. Hadn't logged in!

Really enjoyed last night, great to meet so many Medusans, even only briefly. Fr McGreer is a true Medusan legend, thanks for making it possible.

I'd agree to a certain extent with Aidan's observations about the crowd. It seemed a strange crowd for a Pogues gig - singing along brilliantly at times but some of the time weirdly unresponsive to the band. Perhaps partly because the sound seemed a bit patchy, and Shane's vocals seemed to get lost in some songs. My guess is it will all be better tonight.

But loved hearing the full album set - there were tracks there that I never thought I'd hear played live. Wild Cats was stunning, hope it makes a regular reappearance in the set.

Camille O'Sullivan did a wonderful job, both on I'm A Man... and FoNY. She fits in really well. Enjoyed both the support acts, Kitty Finer is definitely worth seeing if you can drag your way in there early.

And long live Mr Chevron, we raised glasses to you.

Wish I was going tonight, though to be honest I'm too knackered now and have totally wrecked my voice. Someone this morning said I sound like a cross between Barry White and Tom Waits. Which would've been a great duo. Those of you lucky enough to be going tonight, have a brilliant time. I shall raise a glass to you all. And a dozen more besides.

Little set of pics here if anyone wants a look: http://www.flickr.com/photos/15437467@N07/sets/72157638847750205/

Thanks for the pics Firehazard! They're Great! It almost makes me feel like I was there!
It's funny, I'm at home cooking dinner saying to my husband and daughter "ooh, I bet Shane is walking on stage about now!" And "I wonder what song the Pogues are singing right now"
Someday I WILL get to go to a Pogues concert, someday!!!!
Anyways, thanks again for the pics, What kind of hat was Shane wearing on his head? I couldn't quite make it out?

Enjoyed Brixton last night, First time I've ever seen the band live. Shane's singing on the slower ones including A Pair of Brown Eyes and The Band Played Waltzing Matilda was particularly strong.

A couple of questions which I wondered about - was Shane using an autocue for lyrics (the music stand a few feet in front of him at knee level, as in this photo http://www.flickr.com/photos/15437467@N ... 8847750205 and more obviously here https://scontent-a-lhr.xx.fbcdn.net/hph ... 0899_n.jpg )? Not a criticism if he was, there are a lot of lyrics to remember in those songs. I noticed he didn't seem to make many mistakes except on the faster songs like Gentleman Soldier (which was always very tricky and he was very brave to have even have attempted!).

And the second question follows on from the first - does anyone know why he's obviously requested to have no spotlight on him on these gigs? I speculate that it might be related to the autocue and that he doesn't want light in his eyes so he would have to wear shades, and therefore would find it hard to read the autocue?

That was a great night, had a brilliant time.

Colleen Mary wrote:Thanks for the pics Firehazard! They're Great! It almost makes me feel like I was there!
It's funny, I'm at home cooking dinner saying to my husband and daughter "ooh, I bet Shane is walking on stage about now!" And "I wonder what song the Pogues are singing right now"
Someday I WILL get to go to a Pogues concert, someday!!!!
Anyways, thanks again for the pics, What kind of hat was Shane wearing on his head? I couldn't quite make it out?

Cheers Colleen Mary. But I think the only thing Shane was wearing on his head was his hair, unless I'm very much mistaken.

Colleen Mary wrote:Thanks for the pics Firehazard! They're Great! It almost makes me feel like I was there!
It's funny, I'm at home cooking dinner saying to my husband and daughter "ooh, I bet Shane is walking on stage about now!" And "I wonder what song the Pogues are singing right now"
Someday I WILL get to go to a Pogues concert, someday!!!!
Anyways, thanks again for the pics, What kind of hat was Shane wearing on his head? I couldn't quite make it out?

OOOOOPS, sorry, just zoomed into those pics and noticed that is NOT Shane in the red hat! Sorry Shaneo, the eyes aren't what they used to be!