Gig Review

[fluffymark]

Mesh / Greenhaus / Komputer
Sunday 21st April
Camden Palace
London

Komputer are one of the bands on the Mute records label. And Mute is
probably an apt description. Minimalist electronic music taken to a pure
artform. Small bits of feedback loops interplaying with each
other, with occasional a beat over the top. Fascinating but
dull. Definately not a popular genre and the zero stage presence
(two blokes pressing buttons on decks) and total lack of vocals / lights /
backing film were excruciating.

T.O.Y. were supposed to play next but they hadn't appeared for reasons
unknown to me. So the promoter decided to insert his own band Greenhaus
into the playing order. Unfortunately this appeard to be a last minute
decision and they obviously hadn't prepared for it and it showed. They are
one of those bands that play the usual mix of electronics with beats and
samples. Better than most, but still nothing special stood out. Lack of
stage presence didn't help, nor does the fact that nothing they play is
fast enough to actually dance to.

Finally the moment everyone has been waiting for. Mesh appear onstage.
They have a great new album and single and are on a roll at the moment.
They play bouncey music. And they know it! They bounce onstage too.
With music sounding like Depeche mode in the 80's and lyrics that are so
the stereotypical goth 'i've just been dumped woe is me' but done so well
that you have to agree: They have a winning formula. Set went on for
absoltely ages. There appeared to be a backing video being projected
onto the screen behind the bands, although the lights made this very
difficult to actuall see. They played material from the new album mainly.
These appeared to go down extrememly well with the audience. Also played
ere many of the favourite earlier release, and a few interesting remixes
of some tracks. They played on and on and and the croud bounced and
bounced. Other than the problem of people leaving ot catch last trains
before the set finished, this was a top gig.

(review submitted to Meltdown magazine)

Comments

[eveilena.livejournal.com]

This is cool, especially the first bit which is clearly garnered from reading all those evil sardonic humorous Varsity reviews.. hope it gets published!

[fluffymark]

I'd not realised about the varsity-style reporting. Is it really that obvious? As I've not read varisty in many many years now I wouldn't have thought it would be influencing my review style. But I think you may be right.

I rememeber varisty saying many evil and horrid things in reviews of various thespian endeavours you were involved with. Horrible people!!!!

Re:

[eveilena.livejournal.com]

I wouldn't worry about it being obvious. I just thought 'Varsity' because I've read a lot of it, but Varsity writers are themselves influenced by the national press, so I think most reviews sound much the same. If I'd read a lot of Times reviews I'd have probably said you sounded like the Times! :)

Yeah, I remember some evil reviews too... I wonder if Newnham ever changed the carpet that Catriona and I wrecked while burning one in my wastepaper basket :)

[fluffymark]

Odd. But probably true. I hate to admit it when I'm influence by things, but I know it happens all the time. Grrrrrrrr.
Even so, I think it's unlikely to appear. The editor is bound to have had a better reviewer at the same gig. But that won't stop me bombarding her with more gig reviews. Mine do lack a certain...er...quality i think (maybe i'm being harsh on myself, but to me they read like rubbish) and meltdown is becoming more and more 'big' and more like a proper quility production. Much more careful about what's included and what's not.

Maybe you should tell me how to deal with the press properly! You've had success so you must know what to do.

Re:

[eveilena.livejournal.com]

Crumbs, not sure I do... I would suggest phoning her for a chat about exactly what she wants from a review, and incidentally mention that you have sent one in and has she read it yet... and next time you send one phone to tell her you sent it.