Just a year ago I was in Indianapolis to see Johnny Marr for the first time and having one of the best nights of my life. A year later he's back at it again and once again I was front row to witness another great show. We arrived an hour before doors opened and there was already a decent line of fans outside the venue. At that moment we hatched a plan of attack to make sure we'd get a spot up front. I would rush to the front and my boyfriend would get some Marr merch. Thankfully our plan works and I'm off to the left of the stage by the wonderful Doviak. I think the most impatient someone can be is when you're waiting to get into a venue, then waiting for the opening act to start, and then regardless if the opening act is great; you're waiting for the headliner to get on stage. I feel like a kid on Christmas Eve counting down the clock to open presents. I do have to say, I am glad that Johnny has a talented and great opening act. Meredith Sheldon toured with him last year and this time around it seemed as if she was a little more comfortable and at ease with the stage. She has a beautiful voice and knows her way around a guitar as she pointed out to an audience member while she was tuning the top string. He said "Drop D" and she rightfully let him know "No, It's drop B man." It's always fun when performers interact with the audience. You feel a connection with them and feel as if it's just you and them. As Sheldon finished her set, the anticipation for Johnny to take the stage grew. A glimmer of a roadie on stage or feet coming down the stairs from the back kept everyone on their toes for what was to come next. As the lights lowered and the backdrop illuminated Johnny finally took to the stage with his band. He kicked things off with his intense drum driven song Playland. The crowd bursts into a loud roar for Johnny as he started his set. That is one thing I can say when people ask how was his show, he seriously brings it every time. I still don't know where he get's his energy from. I know he runs and being a Vegan he probably eats quite well, so maybe that is the magical answer. After the electrifying Playland he went into the classic Smiths song "Panic". I think that song could be the most relevant song for what is going on in the music charts today. If you know the lyrics to the song, than you know what I mean. I always love hearing Smiths songs because I never was lucky enough to see them when they were together. The music you've listened to since a teen comes to life and it's such an intense warm feeling inside. After playing "The Right Thing Right" from his album The Messenger he went into what is probably the most upbeat and catchy song from Playland called "Easy Money". It's one of those songs that if you hear it once it will be in your head for the rest of the day. When it was first released I would listen to it in the car on the way to work just to put me in a good energetic mood. One of the best songs of the night in my opinion was The Smiths "Headmaster's Ritual". I always loved the bass and guitar lines in that song and it's one of my favorites along with "Barbarism Begins At Home". I'm hoping next tour he plays that and maybe the instrumental "Money Changes Everything". He played a few songs from his new album and The Messenger and then went into another Smiths classic "Bigmouth Strikes Again". This is always a crowd favorite and has such an fierce opening that makes me giddy. He then leads into "Boys Get Straight", which reminds me of some classic eighties punk music. The intro is so raw and the beat carries the song like a fast moving train to the chorus. For some reason it reminds me of old Johnny Cash a bit. "Candidate" was next, which has been on repeat many times in my car. The song is just so melodic and smooth and was great to hear live. There was a lot of feeling to the song when he played it live. One of the magical moments of the night is when he performs "Please, Please, Please Let Me Get What I Want" and "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out". For some of the newer generation movies that used Smiths songs on the soundtrack was their introduction The Smiths. And for those who have been long time fans it's always a treat to sing a long as if you're at the local pub. Before going into one of the most well known Smiths song "How Soon Is Now?" he played the Electronic song "Getting Away With It". As I looked around at the audience while dancing I noticed not too many people knew the song or probably that Marr has dabbled with many bands and projects in his career. I hope hearing all of these great songs that it sparks the younger audience to dive more into his catalog. He finished his set with probably the most popular Smiths song "How Soon Is Now?" I'm sure some wondered if this was it and if there was going to be an encore, but as always Johnny never disappoints and returns to the stage once again. Marr pushes into "Still Ill" another gem from The Smiths and into "Dynamo", which will be released next month. "Dynamo" reminds me of a classic eighties song with the catchy guitar riff and dreamy chorus. At some point Marr reminds us all that we're missing out on a great night in reality tv because we are here watching him. He then also reminds us how we gave the world (I gag as I type this) the Kardashians and the UK gave us The Clash. Okay fair enough, but I believe we gave the world Jimi Hendrix, the blues, and Jim Morrison. See, we do have something to offer!Just remember the UK recently gave us One Direction! Closing out the encore Johnny plays The Cricket's "I Fought The Law", which I first heard from the legendary punk band The Clash. Marr ends the night with "There Is A Light That Never Goes Out" and we all sing a long and wish the night wasn't ending. After the encore we shuffled outside into a college football fan frenzy. The streets were flooded with drunken college football fans and we were trying to navigate through it all to Johnny's bus. Unfortunately his bus wasn't behind the venue, but parked on what appeared to be frat house row. We waited around for a bit to get my Playland vinyl signed and photos taken with the band. Doviak strolls down the street and I nervously asked if he would sign my record. He graciously signed it as I fumbled over myself to get it out of the sleeve. I was hoping to get a photo with him, but he seemed like he wanted to get on the bus and relax. Jack follows after Doviak and we chatted about the show and how great it was. He signed my record and I was lucky enough to get a photo with him. I asked if Johnny was going to come out and he was uncertain. So we waited probably another thirty minutes and Johnny's tour manager assured us a few times that he was not going to sign anything tonight. I was a bit disappointed as I wanted to have him and Iwan his bass player sign my Playland vinyl. My boyfriend who is also a guitar player wanted to ask him some tech questions, but I understood. Many people go on to Twitter or Facebook and complain how he may not come out to meet fans, but meeting him is the icing on the cake so to speak. If it happens that's great, but don't expect it to happen. I think part of the reason why he didn't want to meet fans was because of the craziness on the streets. It really wasn't safe for him to be on the streets with groups of drunken fans passing by. He could easily be overcome by the crowds of people who don't even know who he is. I'm hoping the next time I get to see him that I'll be able to chat with him after the show like I did last year. That moment still gives me that warm fuzzy feeling. SETLIST PLAYLAND PANIC THE RIGHT THING RIGHT EASY MONEY 25 HOURS NEW TOWN VELOCITY THE HEADMASTER'S RITUAL BACK IN THE BOX SPEAK OUT REACH OUT GENERATE! GENERATE! BIGMOUTH STRIKES AGAIN BOYS GET STRAIGHT CANDIDATE PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE LET ME GET WHAT I WANT GETTING AWAY WITH IT HOW SOON IS NOW? ENCORE STILL ILL DYNAMO I FOUGHT THE LAW THERE IS A LIGHT THAT NEVER GOES OUT IMAGES
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As soon as the tickets went on sale for the Peter Hook & The Light show in Chicago I snatched up a pair for myself within minutes. This was it; this was my whole teenage years coming full circle. I started listening to Joy Division in high school as I felt a certain connection to the music. Going through the usual teen years filled with depression and suicidal thoughts. Music like Joy Division and The Smiths helped me through those times as it did for many fans. The words spoke to me and made me feel a connection that was personal. I felt like I knew Ian. Of course there's no way to say I knew how he felt because that was his story, but the words pulled at my heart. To this day it's hard to watch the movie "Control." The ending always makes me cry because there's always that thought of what a tragic loss to the world. Such a talented man that was gone too soon. So as I filed into the Metro in Chicago I was a little further back then I had wanted, but still had a good view of Hooky and David Potts playing guitar. As the crowd yelled and screamed "Hooky" the chords to "Ceremony" started and the crowd's roar increased. Hooky walked on to the stage and my heart sank. There he was on stage; a legend right in front of me. It was surreal. I thought to myself this is the closest to Joy Division I will ever get. I think this was the closest for many who attended. As Joy Division had never toured America. Yes some may have seen New Order, but this was it for many of us. The second song into the Joy Divison set was "Transmission." This was one of my favorite songs from them and as we all started to dance you could just look around and see smiling faces of content. After a few more songs they went into "Isolation." This is probably my favorite song by Joy Division. That song was my inner thoughts as a teen and even some moments in my adult life. I wanted to cry when I heard him playing, but I was too happy to even cry. I was happy to just be there; happy to hear these songs in the flesh. Without hesitation they go right into "She's Lost Control" and then "Shadowplay." As we all jumped around and danced like we were 13 year old children, I noticed many in the front were motionless. I often wonder why be up front if you're just going to stand there like a pole in frozen ground? To me the front is where the action is. You're feeling the impact of the wrath behind you and you're in the cross hairs of the energy in front of you on stage. If I was just going to stand motionless I would hang out in the back of the audience. I just never understood that. I could never just stand there with that much energy and sound right in front of me. As "Shadowplay" ended the lights lowered and it was intermission time from the Joy Division set to the New Order set. I loved the Joy Division set, but wished it could have been a bit longer. I can't complain though, cos I was just lucky to hear it all in the first place. I do have to say that David Pott's guitar playing was phenominal. I was in awe when he went through the Joy Division set like butter. They seemed to have a great time together on stage and shared laughs and smiles with each other. I was hoping for a track from their Monaco days, but no such luck. It was also nice to see Hooky's son joining him on stage playing bass with him. That has to be a proud moment for Hooky and an experience his son will never forget. You can tell he definitely get's his musical chops from his Father. Also in attendence that night was writer Irvine Welsh. We didn't see him, but via their conversation on Twitter Welsh had a great time as well that night. The lights struck the stage and the New Order set was about to begin. They started it off with "Let's Go" and as with the Joy Division set the crowd were on their feet. I had wondered was this how it felt to be in the clubs back in their heyday? I still believe I was born in the wrong decade. I couldn't even imagine the feeling of hearing them back then. Not like today where everything sounds like manufactured crap coming from the Willy Wonka like plant that is called the music industry. Who cares if it doesn't have feeling, depth, or hell even a tangible instrument on an album; if it contains a catchy hook and nudity it's a hit. This generation doesn't even know what an album is really. They buy songs and truthfully a lot of these artists don't form their album as a landscape. They know their audience will be purchasing or streaming singles. I imagine back in the day Hooky and the boys never thought they'd have cult legendary status decades later or that they would influenece so many other great artists. That being said, it's best to think like that really. It keeps a level head on your shoulders and you're not going to be a pompous twit that thinks the world owes you a living. The one song that I was most excited to hear was the instrumental song "Elegia." I have a soft spot for this song because it was the soundtrack to an after high school breakup. As I was coping through the heartbreak I played that damn song over and over. It was so powerful and as each chord hit, it was like a knife in my gut. The moments of that relationship played in my head like an 80's teen movie and that song was definitely pivotal. I just wanted to cry when I heard Hooky play it, but again I was just so happy to be there the tears couldn't make an apperance that night.They played a few more songs and then again went into a break. The next set was from their album Brotherhood. This album was my introduction to New Order. I had remembered seeing the videos for "True Faith" and "Bizarre Love Triangle" on Mtv and fell in love. After the Brotherhood set another short break and at some point there was a marriage proposal from a fan to his girlfriend on stage. This seems to be the new thing going on nowadays instead of proposals on the big screen at a baseball game. They appeared back on stage and started the last set with "State Of The Nation." I was excited to hear "True Faith" and "Temptation." It was so fun dancing to them and feeding off the crowd's energy. After "Temptation" was over they had a special surprise for the crowd. Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins joined them on stage to sing the classic hit from Joy Division "Love Will Tear Us Apart." The crowd was in awe of the moment and many probably couldn't believe he was on stage in front of them. There was a sea of cell phones and cameras being held up in the crowd to capture the moment. I must be honest, it was nice to see him up on stage, but I don't think he did the song justice. Maybe it's because the song has such feeling and emotion, but you really have to put your heart into it. It's not a lame karoke song to sing. I think if he would have joined Hooky on the vocals and helped Potts with some guitar work it would have been better, but I guess you can't ask for too much when someone isn't actually on the bill to perform. The lights went down and the crowd was thanked for coming to the show as the crew disassembled the drums and mics from the stage. There would be no encore, but there didn't need to be. It was a hell of a show and I think everyone walked away satisfied with the night's offering. As we assembled on the cold streets of Chicago we waited a few minutes in the alley of the club hoping to meet Hooky. We waited and as I froze like a popicsle we decide to go across the street and get a Chicago hot dog and glare out the window until he popped out of the club. After eating a horrible cheeese covered hot dog he still had not walked out of the club. We stood outside and I told my friend "We'll just wait a few minutes. I'll kick myself if we leave and he comes out." We waited a few minutes and there he was walking out the door with a big smile. Everyone was excited and asked for autographs and pictures. I patiently waited and finally got my picture with him and hugged him tightly while thanking him for the picture. I wanted to thank him for saving my life, but I could tell he was in a hurry to leave. I was so happy that I actually got to meet him and hug him that I skipped down the frozen Chicago streets like a little girl. My night was complete and another musical hero to check off my bucket list. I hope he tours again because I can't wait to see him again! SET LIST CEREMONY TRANSMISSION DISORDER NOVELTY DIGITAL ISOLATION SHE'S LOST CONTROL SHADOWPLAY ------------------------------- LET'S GO LONESOME TONIGHT THIEVES LIKE US LOVE VIGILANTIES THE PERFECT KISS THIS TIME OF NIGHT SUNRISE ELEGIA SOONER THEN YOU THINK SUBCULTURE FACE UP --------------------------------- PARADISE WEIRDO AS IT IS WHEN IT WAS BROKEN PROMISE WAY OF LIFE BIZARRE LOVE TRIANGLE ALL DAY LONG ANGEL DUST EVERY LITTLE COUNTS _____________________________ STATE OF THE NATION CONFUSION TRUE FAITH TEMPATION LOVE WILL TEAR US APART IMAGESVIDEOSo after listening to Prince's new album, I was a little taken back by the elements added to some of his songs. Yes he still has the funk guitar sound that we all know and love, but some added elements to his songs weren't so pleasing to the ear. The sounds you hear from Daft Punk or EDM in general were disappointing. I understand you have to keep up with the times, but using these novelty sounds or reaching for elements that are in trend right now in music seem disheartening. What happened to keeping with the sound that made you who you are? Isn't that what your fans truly want? Do many artists nowadays feel they need to reach that younger audience to stay relevant? Over the years I've seen many legendary acts dabble in duos with the latest popular artist. Like Madonna working with Miley Cyrus ( I gasp even typing her name), Tony Bennett working with Lady GaGa, and Jay-Z mixing things up with Led Zeppelin. So does staying to your true sound mean dwindling record sales or does it mean standing by your brand for sheer principal? Or is this just how musicians evolve? Always trying new things; new sounds? I have nothing against trying a new direction or evolving your sound, but I think adding EDM elements or adding the latest chart topping artist is a reach for relevance in a certain light. I crave the old Prince sound that just blew you away with his funky guitar playing and simple song elements. I know I can only dream to have the 80's back, but can we get back to the 'Keep It Simple Stupid' motto? Nothing wrong with experimenting, but when I cringe cos you used an air horn sound effect that DJ's use or that you hear in European football than you have lost focus. You are Prince, you don't have to add these unneeded novelties to be relevant. They add no substance to the song. In my opinion, a few artists who have been on the music scene for awhile that have stayed true to their sound are Radiohead, Morrissey, and Depeche Mode. What do you think? |
AuthorAngela Marie. I like writing. I like music. I have thoughts falling from my head. Archives
July 2018
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