I’m still coming to terms with what I heard and saw tonight. Astonishing is the best I can come up with.
Maybe @lando-cakes or @yorkio can help me out as they witnessed this percussive, finely honed machine in action too.
Seems tomorrow night is under subscribed, if you fancy it, and you should, they were handing out free tickets for the Friday performance.
http://i21.photobucket.com/albums/b268/Sunburst369/Do-not-Fripp_zpsfrgvc083.jpg
Vincent says
Jeez, what a chance for more randomly passing- through ‘works night out committee get bulk tickets so go on a mystery tour and find…’ crowd to mix with the Frippies still knocked out by last night’s gig. Fripp may love the creative tension of the discrepancy, and I thought the concert in Brighton was in some ways an intellectual joke by him, trickster that he is.
yorkio says
Amazing stuff indeed – if I lived just a bit nearer, I’d certainly be queueing up again tonight for a second helping. Even after these years, it’s still refreshing to see a loud aggressive guitar band who aren’t in any way bluesy. I had been a bit sceptical about the three-drum thing though, but crikey, what a noise!
Another thing that struck me was that in terms of presentation it was probably one of the least ‘rock’ gigs I’ve seen. No one said a word (although Tony Levin smiled from time to time), the backdrop was a plain black curtain, with no projections or fancy business, and the lighting was plain static white apart from Starless when it went red for a bit before going white again.
James Blast says
The tunes I spotted: Larks’ Tongues 1+2, The Letters, Epitaph, The Sailors Tale (my highlight), Starless, Easy Money.
Encore: In the Court and 21st.
There were many more and all sounded wonderful.
Band: backline – all suited and booted, the frontline percussive attack machine – black shirts open at the necks.
Stage set-up: Unlike anything I’ve ever seen before – three drum kits to the fore and a backline of, from left to right – Mel, Tony, Jakko, Bert.
Dickhead count: minimal – 3 guys with mobiles, used very briefly, one idiot dancer up waving his arms around during the encore. No one talking during gig (unheard of).
Venue: Having never been to the Usher Hall I didn’t know what to expect, but it was a green light all the way for me and my mates. Disabled parking more or less right next-door to the Usher’s cafe/bar where the merch was on sale (Fripp’s sis was on the counter, the familial resemblance was scary, could have been Bert in a wig!). Friendly and helpful staff, easy access to toilets and disabled toilets, ramps everywhere. Busy bar with pretty fast service. A nice place to bump into fellow Afterworders. Seating/view/sound: all exceptional. Came out having seen the whole show and heard everything loud & clear sans eardrum buzz.
Drinks and food: Mike had eaten earlier, Yoon needed a sausage supper so Mike pointed him at a good chippy. I was too nervous to eat. Couple of pints for Mike, Coke™ for Yoon and two large vodkas (which had no effect) for me.
Came out: Shellshocked, speechless. Amazed, astonished!
I have waited a very long time to see King Crimson, last night proved the wait was well worth it. I’m still basking in its afterglow.
James Blast says
… and Red, they played Red!
yorkio says
I don’t think they did Larks Tongues II, did they?
How about Pictures of a City? Or did I just imagine that?
Douglas says
Great to hear your selective gig-going is still reaping rewards @james-blast!
Listening to KC from James’ collection, it occurs to me that it’s not fair to lump them in with “prog” (whatever you think of the genre) – there’s plenty more going on in their records.
And it’s good to hear of old-timers still more-than-cutting-it all these years later.
Iainiain says
Saw last night’s gig, courtesy of Lando C passing me on some freebies.
Can’t say I know much of KC’s back catalogue, but the gig was splendid: the three drummers thing worked very well; Mel Collins played some lovely sax and flute; the arrangements were intricate and interesting. Also, the sound was remarkably good: very detailed; very clear.
The Usher Hall’s a lovely venue – and it’s good to be at a gig I can walk to/from (and to be out of said gig by a very civilised 9.45pm!)
All good, really. Very entertaining.
Lando Cakes says
I think that would have been Robbie, Iain!
Bargepole says
Set list from 18th
Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Part One
Pictures of a City
A Scarcity of Miracles
(Jakszyk, Fripp and Collins cover)
Hell Hounds of Krim
The ConstruKction of Light
Radical Action (To Unseat the Hold of Monkey Mind)
Meltdown
Epitaph
Banshee Legs Bell Hassle
Easy Money
The Letters
The Talking Drum
Larks’ Tongues in Aspic, Part Two
Starless
Encore:
Devil Dogs Of Tessellation Row
The Court of the Crimson King
21st Century Schizoid Man
Lando Cakes says
I’ve never seen anything quite like that before! The 3 drum line-up would have been so easy to get wrong – yet they got it so very right. They played around each other like celtic knotwork, with just 2 or 3 times (I think) where they lifted sticks in unison for a real thump. Striking effect.
That unique set-up helped avoid the ‘we are our own tribute act’ phenomenon which, with that set-list, it could have veered towards.
Genuinely exciting and, in a way, dangerous – it could have turned into an embarrassing mess.
Plus I added James Blast and yorkio to my Afterword sticker collection – and bumped into a friend I hadn’t seen for 20 years. Great night:-)
ruff-diamond says
Here’s a YouTube clip of the three drummers in rehearsal from last year – it’s almost hypnotic watching them work together…
James Blast says
DANGEROUS, that’s the word I was looking for Kevin, they were dangerous.
It was great to see you, someone I knew I’d like and did. You should come on through for the next Weegie meet up – Friday 9 Oct, more details will follow.
Lando Cakes says
Great to meet you too, Blast. I will keep an eye open for announcements.
Iainiain says
Oops – nickname cock up (see above)!
Clumsy me…
James Blast says
Pics from Tony Levin’s tour diary of that Edingeburg – http://papabear.com/tours/crim15/crim15_11.htm