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The next band I had heard a lot about - but never heard, if you see what I mean. So I was quite expectant. They go by the moniker of Echoboy - and they were not bad either. If you can imagine a funkier sort of Beta Band without any weird samples or sound effects, you'd be along the right lines - they even do the 'let's all change instruments' thing - except the drummer who stayed put! The first track had the initial guitar player humming the strings with one of those electronic vibrator things, the eventual singer (for only 2 of the tunes) playing keyboards, the keyboard player playing bass (I counted 4 bass guitars on stage!), the tune building up from quiet rumblings to a fantastic crescendo. The second track could only fail to measure up - and it did - a bit too ELP for me! All in all, a fine and interesting performance - I will try to see them again. And so on to the headliners. I love Elastica - I love their short, spiky songs and the fuck you attitude. Which is a great achievement from Justine as, in between songs, she strikes me as a genuinely pleasant, down to earth person. They drift on stage to Dave Bush inspired slow sonic build up and to a rapturous reception from the crowd. Justine wasn't wearing her almost customary 'Lead Sister' t-shirt this time, but a cheerful Radio City Music Hall one instead. Seemed to sum up the mood of the evening quite well. Leading off with 'How He Wrote Elastica Man' (no Mark E Smith), the Forum ROCKED. Three songs in and we had the first of the old numbers ('Annie' - "which is about our bass player" says Justine, as if we needed telling!) - and the place went mental. Being crushed up against the front barrier (bruised ribs prove the point) by some sweaty oik who insists on singing in your ear isn't pleasant! Thank heavens he wasn't there too long. Tonight we had most of the old singles - including a fine rendition of 'Vaseline', the awesome 'Waking Up' ("Make a cup of tea, put a record on"), 'Car Song' and a blistering 'Stutter'. Of the songs from the new album, 'Your Arse My Place' stood out ("Get with it baby") with sly winks to the audience, 'Generator', 'Mad Dog', 'Love Like Ours', 'KB' and the cover of 'Da Da Da', all rocked. Mew bounced and wandered all over the stage in between singing and playing duties, as if rallying the troops - and the audience. Oh to be young and enthusiastic again, like her! They introduced a new song too ('Suicide', I think it was called) which was much more funky than the normal punky style we are used to. Good song though! Half way through the set, Justine announced that Donna Matthews was in the house somewhere, and asked to her to make herself known, which she did. "Fancy playing a song with us?" she asks, "Come on Donn" she almost pleaded, and got the thumbs up. Huge cheers from the fans. Would it happen? After all, wasn't there supposed to be an acrimonious split? We had to wait to the encore to find out. The set ended with a funked up version of 'Vaseline', with us all yelling back the title at the appropriate moment. Then to the encore, which kicked off with the strangely moving 'My Sex', with Justine reading the poem from what looks like a school book, until the second half of the track breaks the mood by erupting into a guitar fest. And then with no intro - none is needed - there, suddenly on stage, is Donna, looking really well I must say, to add to the mayhem with her guitar contribution to 'Connection' (one of my very fave Elastica songs), which really rocked the rafters, as they say. With big hugs and kisses, Donna and Justine seem to have reconciled any rift, if there ever were any ill feeling between them (or was it journalistic rubbish!). Nice to see. A great way to end a great set; and all in all a great gig. DaveM |