Sinister: I sees what i see...

[Richard Banner]

Belle and Sebastian Sunday Evening Gig
--------------------------------------

I've just returned too Uni and suddenly i have my email powers 
back, so i would like to wish the list a Happy New Year.

Having to read through nearly 900 pieces of mail has given me a 
bloody great headache and a must admit the delete button has 
proved a saviour.  However...

I went to the Sunday Evening gig in Manchester and i must admit 
that overall i had a great time. I thought that B+S played pretty 
good.  From what i've read from the list it seems that many people 
were not overly impressed with the Saturday performance.  This is 
indeed a shame.  I felt that Sundays performance was pretty good.  
To be honest i didn't think B+S were superb but it was joy to see 
them and at times they bordered on brilliance.

I do have one major query though...

Who's idea was the room setup?

As a fan it was bizarre to be part of it, it didn't matter where 
you were in the room your vision of the band at some point was always 
obstructed and difficult.  Surely for a band so 'fresh' it would have 
been better and aided enjoyment if there was a more conventional 
layout.  Maybe a more linear approach would have made the sound better 
too or at least easier to handle.  It was as if at times the band were 
struggling with the whole setup.  However... i felt the setup did give 
the gig a kind of 'unplugged' atmosphere and was easy to relax and 
'just' listen.  That was cool.

I thought the set list was really good with some old favourites 
and some new songs.  The two highlights for me was that 'hush 
hush' cover tune, haven't got a clue who that was by but it was 
performed superbly, and secondly about three songs from the end 
a new song with a catchy guitar riff, good stuff...

I think overall the band performed well but i can't help but think that 
they made their task far more difficult by an obscure setup.

Personally i felt that did well with what they had but maybe they 
should learn to walk before they run?

Out of curiosity, where did people(the travellers)stay in the end, i 
arrived late in the city with my girlfriend and another couple and 
after getting lost and bothered around the dark streets we decided on 
the Portland Thistle Hotel.  Now before you all start drilling me and 
labelling a me rich bastard my girlfriend paid for this on Visa(she was 
scared and cold), i was well impressed as you can imagine.  I think 
they (the hotel folk)were even more impressed with our dress and 
particularly my Pavement T-shirt!!!

Anyway enoughs enough so i better be going.
If anyone has any comments go for it...

Rich 


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