Mogwai IV

Mogwai at its best: with a very good new album and with all the important songs in the setlist, including (finally) Haunted By A Freak


Rating: 5/5
Buddy: David
Merch: the new CD
Again: yes and yes and yes





Setlist:
Crossing the Road Material
Friend of the Night
Brain Sweeties
Haunted by a Freak
Rano Pano
Auto Rock
2 Rights Make 1 Wrong
Battered at a Scramble
Don't Beliefe the Fife
Remurdered
We're No Here
Old Poisons
Party in the Dark
Mogwai Fear Satan

I still remember when during a FaceBook Q&A of Mogwai, I did the one thing that you should never ask a band: I asked them whether they would finally play 'Haunted By A Freak' live during their new tour - and without much surprise, the question remained unanswered. I admit that this is a stupid question that every artist will hate. Just like a DJ will hate if somebody asks this DJ to play this one song that you do not plan to play (for whatever reasons). But I could not help. 'Haunted By A Freak' is one of the greatest gems that Mogwai has to offer - and the live versions I listened to on YouTube and their live CD are all very pleasing.

The even bigger surprise was that they had the song on their setlist, and it just completed this setlist as probably the single best setlist of my attended gigs. It reached through a very broad range of their impressive repertoire. As a second surprise, Mogwai had two new young band members on the drums and on the second guitar. Despite their young age, they acted like having played in that band for ages, still with much passion and dedication. And also like always, when the set reaches an end with the monumental 'Mogwai Fear Satan', you beg for ear tips. The moment, where three heavily distorted guitars, amongst them single coil equiped ones, head for full distortion at inhuman volumes. This is when Arena seems to hover some meters above ground and just finds this perfect pitch. Still the song is far longer than 10 minutes, and despite the low-volume sections, it makes your ears begging for help at the end. But the ringing in my ears was over some short term later, and even after some weeks I remember this gig very well as one of the absolute highlights and probably the best Mogwai gig I have seen so far. See you again mates, you are just perfect - and so many thanks for this one song!

Mogwai III - play "Atomic"

Another soundtrack from Mogwai, this time for the BBC production “Storyville – Atomic: Living in Dread and Promise”. Donaufestival Krems sit during their performance, and they lead us through the movie. Similar to Brad Mehldau's Salvation Hunters performance.

Buddy: Taeubchen
Rating: 4/5
Merch: nope
Again: Mogwai is always a must-see

(more to follow)

At The Drive In (Le Butcherettes)

A gig of bands I did not know, and I liked it a lot.



Buddies: Olivia, Stolli, Simon
Rating: 5/5
Merch: nope
Again? yesssss

Some nice video footage is still waiting for being cut.

Morrissey

Another unexpected gig, many thanks to David and Cordlchen for thinking of me :-). I have never been into his music, but Morrissey in Wiener Konzerthaus cannot be left out easily. 

Buddies: Chordlchen, David, Serge

Score: 4 out of 5

Merch: nope, except for this flyer :-)

Again: that one will be hard to top

We are seated at the very centre of the balcony with a nice view. Stalls seats have been removed, and a lot of fans are here indeed. Compared to Kraftwerk in Burgtheater, the entire thing has much more of a gig feeling from the very beginning. There are these old videos from The Ramones, The New Your Dolls, Charles Aznavour and further obscure Super8 material - not what your really expect at a gig, still nice.

Queens of the Stone Age

Queens of the Stone Age 

The band has become hugely successful, so they invite into Stadthalle Wien. This has little in common with my favourite locations, such as Arena or Gasometer. 

 

Buddies: Schnee Weißchen, Tom, Rainer

Score: 4 out of 5

Merchandize: nope

Another Gig: not as long as the band is so hyped

I must complain of the ticket price, but it's just as every time in Stadthalle Wien: You pay more for less view and less acoustic. But that's what big music business is apparently about.

Similarly to Them Crooked Vultures some time ago, sometimes also this band is a bit too relaxed on stage. They just let you know that they made it. Don't get me wrong, it's a good gig with great music - hey, I needed to see QOTSA live! 

The Joy Formidable

The Joy Formidable bring formidable joy to Vienna. Another example for how powerful trios can be.

Buddy: Michael
Score: 5 out of 5
Merchandize: both CDs
Another Gig: for sure


Surprisingly Szene Wien is not sold out, we expected much more fans. Also because the ticket price is simply a bargain. As working class heroes, we miss the support act (we hear their last song, which deserves a honorable mention).

Frittenbude (Bratze)

Another gig that easily surpasses my expectations. This popular electro punk band simply kicks ass - with a Panda on stage. Probably my worthy final in this year 2012.

A brief Tour De Force through an electrifying gig

Buddy: Michael
Score: 4,5 out of 5

Merchandise: none

Another Gig: never say never

Michael and me significantly raise the average age of a young audience. One of them even suspects me to be an undercover policeman (however, with a huge smile on his face ;-).

MUSE (Everything Everything)

To my relief, Wiener Stadthalle on the seated second floor can make sense. Allegedly 16.000 are there ...

I captured some moments from the jaw-dropping intro and other songs in this short movie. Unfortunately, the smartphone camera is too weak for capturing those great laser beams...

Buddies: Sybille, Michael

Score: 4 out of 5

Merchandise: Cute Muse Guitar Picks, T-Shirt

Another Gig: Probably one is just right  

Support: So Everything Everything is not only one of the better Underworld releases, but also a band from the UK. They play in a (literally) cool atmosphere, their best moments are when they sound a bit like Coldplay - but maybe with a bit too much falsetto. All in all, the difference to Muse could not be much bigger. They could do well in e.g. Arena. 

Muse genuinely impress me from the very first moment. It is music for venues like this. A band of three fills the huge stage, everything fits perfectly, the dramatic and bombastic harmonies, the show, the lights, the stunning visuals, the live cameras, the frenetic crowd that is with the band from the very first second. Our view from far up behind is not bad at all, but you need binoculars to actually recognise the band. And yes, it is a band of three, although there is another guy behind the keyboards - but this one stands in the dark most of the time - that gives me a rather strange impression. 

Well, while their entire performance is just stunning, the sound in Wiener Stadthalle isn't. But very creative visuals, all possible sound effects you can imagine, three songs with a piano, a strange all-metal guitar amp (I was not sure whether it actually worked). My major complaint (besides the hefty price tag) is that Matthew Bellamy's innovative guitar play has gotten less and less important through the years. The real question (similar to The Killers) is, whether Muse really goes more and more into electro. The evil-sounding bariton guitar lets me hope that this is not the case. But all in all, it is a great party. And when Muse closes with "Knights Of Cydonia", everything is just fine.

Here's the setlist, thanks to the Internet:
1. The 2nd Law - Unsustainable
2. Bliss
3. Panic Station
4. Resistance 
5. Supermassive Black Hole 
6. Animals
7. Monty Jam
8. Explorers
9. Sunburn
10. Time Is Running Out
11. Liquid State
12. Madness
13. Follow Me
14. Undisclosed Desires
15. Plug In Baby
16. Stockholm Syndrome
Encore:
17. The 2nd Law: Isolated System
18. Uprising
19. Survival
Encore 2:
20. Starlight
21. Knights of Cydonia

Yeah - and here is Knights of Cydonia :-)

Some nice photos are available here.

Guest Review by Frantischek: Therapy? II and MLE

It is another gig I missed due to sickness. My buddy Frantischek wrote a splendid review that must be preserved in German. In short: If you are in need of a therapy, that is the place to be :-). And we all get older in dignity - at 120 db :-)

Buddy: Frantischek
Score: 5 out of 5
Another Gig? Anytime




"5.11.2012, 20 Uhr, Szene Wien. Der Abend beginnt grandios, denn unmittelbar vor der Szene ist ein Parkplatz frei (sonst suche ich dort im Durchschnitt 10 Minuten). Ich treffe den Toni, der Stefan liegt leider krank im Bett. Die Vorband soll um 20:30 beginnen, Therapy um 21:30. Vorerst mal ein Bierchen. Pünktlich beginnt die Vorband, sie nennen sich MLE, das man ausspricht wie die Dame, für die Simon und Garfunkel ein Liedchen geschrieben haben. MLE spielen ähnlich wie Placebo, wenn sie wie Therapy? klingen wollen, dies mit einen Zusatzgitarristen. Die Burschen (stammend aus Wien und NÖ) sind insofern originell, als sie dem Publikum mitteilen, dass man auf http://www.mle-music.com/ einen Song gratis downloaden kann. Ein Hinweis, dass man auch die draußen aufliegenden CDs oder LPs kaufen kann (darf, muss) kommt nicht – oder ich überhöre ihn, weil ich mir nur 4 Songs gebe.

Pünktlich um 21:30 beginnen Therapy? In den folgenden 90 Minuten bleibt kein Wunsch offen. Man ist mit sich und der Welt im Reinen, im Innersten erfreut, einfach glücklich. Der Rock ‘n‘ Roll soll vor allem auch unterhalten, und das können die Burschen auf der Bühne sehr gut. Dabei sind sie stets darauf bedacht, dass das Publikum mitmacht und auch deren Stimmbänder und Hände in regelmäßigen Abständen zum Einsatz kommen. Die gute Laune wird buchstäblich zwischen Künstlern und Konsumenten hin- und her gespiegelt. Auch das ist eine Besonderheit dieses Abends. Die Musik ist hart, schnell und laut, doch die Harmonien und Gesangsmelodien wurzeln in der hohen keltischen Liedkultur 1). Die Setlist weist alte und neue Songs auf. Ich selbst bin eher im Schaffen der Band aus den 1990er Jahren zu Hause. Gern erinnere ich mich an ihr erstes Wien-Konzert Anfang 1993 im WUK. Bald sind das 20 Jahre! Von der damaligen Zeit spielen sie aus dem Album „Nurse“ das grandiose „Nausea“ und „Teethgrinder“. Aus dem genialen Album „Troublegum“ wird das Publikum mit den „Hits“ wie etwa „Screamager“ und natürlich „Nowhere“ verwöhnt. Aus „Infernal Love“ kommt „Diane“ in einer guten harten Version daher, keine Spur mehr von den Cello-Impressionen, welche die Band dem Publikum im Gefolge dieses 1995 erschienen Albums verordnete.

Ende der 1990er Jahre habe ich die Band ein wenig „verloren“, wobei ich mir die „guten alten Songs“ immer wieder gern anhöre. Vom neuen Schaffen der Band kannte ich nichts, ein paar Juwelen, denen ich nachspüren möchte, waren aber gestern dabei. Im Ergebnis war dies mein feinstes Therapy?-Konzert, was insofern schön ist, als das dem gestrigen an Intensität und Freude am nächsten stehende Konzert jenes vor rund 20 Jahren war. Wir altern also allesamt würdig. Die Freude der Burschen auf der Bühne wurde also auf mich nachhaltig übertragen. Wobei: ein wenig Irrsinn blitzt aus den Augen des Sängers – neben der Fröhlichkeit – schon auch heraus. Das macht nichts: Aufklärung (im Sinne Kants) ist der Ausgang des Menschen aus seiner selbstverschuldeten Unmündigkeit – bezogen auf das achtzehnte und beginnende neunzehnte Jahrhundert. Der Irrsinn ist vielleicht der Ausgang des Menschen aus der Unmündigkeit der aktuellen Konsumgesellschaft. Hat das nicht schon mal wer gesagt?



1) What your're telling us is that Punk originates from the Celts?!? *ggg* - so how many beers did you have at that night?!?

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Superpunk (FM4 Surprise Gig)

I was not aware that Vienna has its own 'Stadtsaal' on Mariahilfer Straße. FM4 organised a surprise gig of Superpunk, a Hamburg alternative/rockabily band. But even more significantly, this should have been the last concert of their career (if it's true ;-).

No tickets at FM4 Surprise Gigs :).

Buddy: Michael M-W (thanks a lot for taking me with you!)
Score: 3.5 out of 5
Merchandize: no purchase
Another gig? Well, it was their last concert

Mogwai II & RM Hubbert

My second Mogwai gig in the sold-out WUK. Compared to the Arena gig in 2009, the venue seems a bit small, and the very last bit of the sonic punch seems to be missing here. But you are never wrong in WUK.

Buddies: Bernie and his band mate Thomas

Score: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Another Gig? But only if they promise me to finally play 'Hunted By A Freak' :-).

Mogwai & Remember Remember

My impressions from this first Mogwai gig are still stronger than from most of my other gigs. If you have a chance seeing them live, you will understand.

Buddies: Harald

Score: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Merchandize: a cool black Mogwai hood

Another gig? Always and certainly.

Papa Roach & Filter

I admit, I go there because of Filter. And eventually it's worth it because of Filter...

Buddies: Harald, Tom and friends
Score: 3 out of 5
Merchandise: Filter Tour T-Shirt
Another gig? Yes, of Filter as a main act (or of Papa Roach with my kids ;-) 

I feel quite old in the young crowd that certainly came for Papa Roach. At the back of the auditorium, at the bar, there are some very young kids sitting and maybe watching one of their first gigs (leaving me wonder whether once I would be able to do the same with my kids :-). If I compare this to MY first gig (below - ggg).

As a 'real' support act, Filter do not play that long. They are still able to communicate their distinct power I particularly like of Filter. Surprisingly, they do not play a single song of their recent album 'Soldiers of Misfortune' - strange, this album is not that bad at all (for example 'The Wake' is just a great song).

What shall I tell of Papa Roach? They leave no impression to me. Highly enthusiastic crowd, for me, this music is near-to-boring. I even had listened into the music, but sorry guys, I am no fan of you.

More to follow here...

Helmet

What Helmet has in common with Nine Inch Nails is that the group is essentially the band leader. Page Hamilton is the only remaining original band member and apparently the driving force behind the entire idea. Considering the strong influence of Helmet on prog rock (whatever that means), it is a must to see them.

How cool is this? All band members signed my ticket!!! :-)

Buddies: Harald and his mate Christian, Jochen and brothers were there as well

Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Another gig? Yes, with new songs.

Korn & Flyleaf

Korn has a strong new album with them (Untitled), but already the support act is quite a pleasant surprise.

Buddies: Tom with a friend

Score: 4 out of 5

Merchandize: a rather ugly t-shirt in military green with blood stainsAnother gig? Absolutely!

Marilyn Manson II (sort of)

That is no longer the Marilyn Manson from the Antichrist Superstar days. That's more of a Hollywood show. This is not entirely bad news, the songs are still good and live from Mr. Manson's distinctive voice. But it's no longer raw power, it's much more show.

Buddies: Tom (Sabine and Michael were there as well)
Score: 3 out of 5

Merchandize: Tour T- Shirt
Another Gig? rather not

Therapy? I

Back in the 90ies, Therapy? represented the cool side of MTV. Along with Beavis & Butthead (you guys still RRRRRULLLLEE!), MTV was consistently supportive of all the grundge and alternative rock acts of these times. Therapy? was huge on MTV these days, and I enjoyed their songs and vidos. But with the demise of Grunge Rock, the band also went out of the spotlight.

Buddy: Frantischek
Score: 4 out of 5
Another gig: Yes

Thanks to another gig blog in the web, I could trace back my first Therapy? gig in the famous flex - in 2006, when all the glimmer of MTV was already gone. Otherwise there are no memorabilia left (no ticket, no merchandize, no nothing), but I still remember it to be a very good gig.

I do not remember the support band, seemed to be Rokkitahti from Austria, but I am missing any memory here, sorry guys :-).

With all the hype left behind, Therapy? came to Vienna to rock out. The venue is flex, famous for its massive PA, and it is packed and hot as hell. The band plays very loud, I must admit, too loud from time to time. As expected, their music is solid straight-forward Easy Punk. The band wins the crowd with their first song altogether. Of course, their songs from 'Troublegum' are what nearly everybody is waiting for, but also the newer songs nicely fit into their setlist. So all in all, great stuff here, and I go home with a quite massive hum in my ears.

The Mission

This is a fast follow-up to The Sisters Of Mercy gig, but it was no match in any way, not even closely.

Buddies: Claudia, David, Frantischek, Herb

Rating: 2 out of 5 stars

Another gig? Probably not.

Frankly, I have never been so much into The Mission. Compared to The Sisters Of Mercy, The Mission always had something too theatrical, and of course, there is only one voice like Mr. Eldritch has. Just a few highlights (e.g. Wasteland), but much lament. Nothing more in my memory so far.

The Sisters Of Mercy II

This gig comes long after their fabulous gig in Wien Stadthalle during their 'Vision Thing' tour and offered a range of nice surprises.

Buddies: Cloudy, Frantischek

Score: 4 out of 5 stars

Another gig? Only with new songs.

Marilyn Manson & Helmet

I actually missed that one because I caught the flue. Cloudy went/had to go ;-) instead of me, and that's what she told me.

Video from the Bizarre Festial of the same year.

This is Marilyn Manson before going mainstream, probably at his best promoting the fabulous CD 'Antichrist Superstar'. The crowd is rather extreme in terms of outfit and attitude, and so is MM's show, above all very destructive (also against band members).


Buddies: Pez, Michi
Score: n/a
Another Gig: See above.

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