ASTORIA 20TH APRIL 2007

[bigmoog]

BM leaves forum to head into Londinium


see you all....

will post thoughts here later.............

[Janus]

BM leaves forum to head into Londinium


see you all....

will post thoughts here later.............

Londinium awaits the great BM...safe travels mate

[endorphin]

A safe and pleasant journey to those who've got a bit of travelling today.

I'm getting very excited now about tonight - just a few hours to go now.

Hope a fantastic time is had by all.

[ant]

Will be leaving the office and heading towards the Astoria in about three hours time. Can't wait. Have a great evening all who are attending.

[ant]

I'm on my way - yipee!!!

[RemoteViewing81]

Enjoy the TD experience everybody!....

[bigmoog]

oh dear godde!!!!


what a day, what gig,.......my head hurts.....To all who met the BM....thank you for a great and special day.....those that received theee cd...hope you enjoy...



more thoughts later


the limited td cd is soooooperb.



ps: COLIN AND BIGMOOG GOT MARRIED: SEE PIC







more to come....im orf to have a scrub downe

[endorphin]

What a brilliant night that was, first up it was really nice to put faces to names and say "Hi!" to familiar faces from the forum - great to meet you guys

The first part of TD's set was a virtually note perfect rendering of MFD which was very well received I thought apart from one heckler who was aggrieved as he felt some of it was pre-recorded. He seemed to be in a distinct minority though. Chris's vocals were spot on and Iris was typically animated and theatrical in her performance. It was really nice seeing Edgar and Iris sharing an onstage joke - I noticed Iris laughing and pointing at Edgar who grinned broadly and nodded knowingly, I'd love to know what that was about! All in all it was fantastic being right at the front for this part of the gig.

At the end of the first set, I wandered off to revisit the merchandise stall as the insane crush at the beginning of the night was now non-existant and I could freely browse without taking my life in my hands. Purchased MFD on DVD, SIN, the Ltd Edition single and of course the obligatory teeshirts.

The second set saw the band dust off some real TD classics (eg parts of Logos and Exit) and put them through their paces with an energetic workout. The lightshow, which consisted of films and trippy CGI graphics really came into it's own during the second half and I watched this part of the show from the back so I could fully appreciate this more.

It's a shame the second half couldn't have gone on for much longer (due to the Astoria's strict curfew) but I don't think anyone would deny that we didn't get our money's worth. Thanks Edgar and co for a wonderful nights entertainment.

It'd be really great please if a knowledgable soul who has a better memory than me could do the honours with providing a set list?

[endorphin]

ps: COLIN AND BIGMOOG GOT MARRIED: SEE PIC

Congratulations you two, may I be the first to say that the blushing bride looks simply radient?

[harmonicaman]

Well I disagree.

The first part of the set, the MFD set was note perfect because it wasn't live, with the exception of vocals and some limited guitar work, IC and TQ's percussion bore no resemblance to the sound coming out of the speakers. And TQ's acoustic guitar "work" of Lake Of Pnnchartrain - well, when his gtr strap comes off his shoulders and he readjusts it - removing both hands from string and fret board yet the guitar in the track itself keeps on playing - well its more than a fair bet that its not live.

The second half the the set, after the singer left, was different. The whole sound from the PA gained more depth - as instruments were actually turned on and played, especially noticeable in the drums and percussions.

90 minutes of last night were very very good.
the first hour was a sham, my wife went to the show with me last night - and the first hour for her was like spotting a microphone in a movie - the music came secondary to spotting the obvious m.ime.

EF may want more women to attend shows, well theres one who probably wont be attending any more.

The band and most of the poeple have to accept MFD is a failure and move on - you may like it and good for you, but last night The Astoria was half empty, I've seen it full every christmas at the Hawkwind Christmas bash and I don't like watching TD in a half empty club.



And a question for those who walked around clutching your carrier bags full of merchandise, wearing your TD t shirts that you wear at every gig, because I see you there and read your posts here and in another place- well, last night several of you were proudly proclaiming that you have bought "my stuff and the stuff for ebay" - so do you think ripping off TD fans is a good way to cover your expenses getting to the shows ?. Buying 5 - 10 copies of the single - and the signed posters and stuff -
bought just to flog on ebay when the remainders would be sold on this site for the same as show price - disgraceful

As you can gather I'm not a happy fan this morning - bujt at least I don't try and rip any others off

[coldwater]

Brilliant night, I had not seen them since hammersmith in early 80's when they did the poland stuff.
As to the heckler who thought they were playing pre-recorded stuff - i was at the front and it did seem the vocals were played at times; maybe i was mistaken and it was a perfect rendition.
I would love to know what song was played towards the end when benhard played a superb guitar riff to lindas sax reply - anyone know?
Superb night.

[Hobo]

As usual I had a fantastic time, it was a brilliant evening. The sound was quiet for TD, but I assumed they lowered the volume for the vocals. One or two are inevitably unhappy about how "live" the performance was, but I think we have to accept it will never be 100%. As I mentioned last night, it was about as live a performance as we will get. It isn't an issue with me and didn't detract from the performance. I'd like to thank Edgar, Thorsten, Chris, Linda, Iris and Bernhard, for a wonderful evening (and Thorsten and Chris especially, for taking the time to join us in the pub).

Many thanks too, to all the fans (old and new), that I met last night. It was a great pleasure to be in your company.

Here's to the next one!

Cheers,

Mick

[Chris Monk]

Wow.

What a great show last night.

Got to Hammersmith at about 4.40, by 5.10 we are at Leicester Square and decided to walk up the Charing Cross Road. Found a nice Garfunkel’s about half way to the Astoria and decided to have something to eat. Yummed down a superb steak-sandwich and two cups of coffee, then headed to the Astoria. Got there at about 6.15. The crowd were already heading in and we found the end of the queue at the back of the Astoria.

was very concerned to see an ambulance going into the back of the Astoria with blue-light flashing, it left a few minutes later with a police escort. Had a member of the band been taken ill? was the show about to be cancelled? Fortunately not, on both counts. Phew.

Entered the Astoria. Got frisked, but they missed two mobile phones and a front panel from the car stereo. B*gger……could have got my camera in.

Made my way to the Merch stand up stairs. Absolutely heaving and ten deep. Decided to get some drinks instead, cold Carlsberg from a can for me and a G&T for the missus. Expensive and disgusting…. so no change there.

Make for the hall and get hopelessly lost, eventually end up downstairs, at the top of some steps. Not very impressed with the black Mad-Max style décor of the Astoria but what the heck, we’re here for TD. Give my wife a bundle of cash for drinks and merch.

Show starts. TD arrive in fits and starts. Edgar out of sight, stage-right, starts playing the opening notes of Astrophel and Stella. We are then treated to, ….gosh I don’t know how long, kind of didn’t look at my watch, but most of Madcap’s.

The band are brilliant. Edgar is sat behind his usual bank of keys, occasionally picks up a guitar to duet with Bernhard, who’s playing is impeccable, but is clearly way too busy to move to centre stage.

TQ spends most of his time behind his keys but occasionally makes forays to a drum set just behind centre stage and even picks up an acoustic guitar for Lake of Ponchartrain (“Mr I’m so talented” - doesn’t it just make you green with envy).

Linda is quiet and subdued at the back of stage-left, can’t even see her playing the didgeridoo during Astrophel and Stella, but plays some lovely flute during the set….it fair rips your heart out.

Chris is note perfect and one hell of a singer. Very relaxed, perched most of the time on a stool. Occasional stands to kick a balloon off stage that one of the punters appears to have brought in.

Iris is at the back of stage-right and is using assorted percussion throughout the set. Every now and then I’m captivated by her silky-sexy movements. Crikey I hope my wife doesn’t notice.

Sometime during the first half of the show my wife disappears, comes back grinning widely. She’s got another G&T and some merch!!! A T-shirt and the Astoria CD. Have I said how much I love her?

The first half of the set finishes and Chris leaves the stage. Next up is a selection of lesser known golden oldies that have been given a new coat of paint. Excellent stuff. The band go into over-drive.

Edgar and TQ play their hearts out and Linda chips in some great clarinet and sax. Bernhard shows he’s a very talented guitarist, producing some great solos and adding some really crunchy heavy metal riffing now and again.

But Iris is a revelation. She takes over TQ’s drum kit and performs some amazing drumming. She is just awesome. When TQ used the drum set during the first half I thought it was a little insulting to Iris, “Move over little lady, time for some real drumming”, but now I realise it was a kindness. Ever get the impression she’s been hiding her talents somewhat.

The band thunder through the set and come back for encores. The final song is, as with the Tempodrom show, House of the Rising Sun. It’s Bernhard’s turn to shine. He launches in an amazing solo….. and all of a sudden the show is over.

Edgar introduces the band and tells us how much he enjoys coming to London. He also tells us that we are an intelligent audience. Not me mate; I’m just a normal guy who knows a great show when he sees one.

Chris introduces Edgar to us and Linda holds Edgar’s arm aloft. Bless him, he doesn’t want a fuss. They leave the stage, Edgar pauses briefly to shake a few hands.

It’s over. We make for the loos and then the Merch stand. I get the last copy of TQ’s Picture Palace Music CD………so so lucky. Then it’s back to the tube, back to the car and home.

[rattymouse]

Well I disagree.

The first part of the set, the MFD set was note perfect because it wasn't live, with the exception of vocals and some limited guitar work, IC and TQ's percussion bore no resemblance to the sound coming out of the speakers. And TQ's acoustic guitar "work" of Lake Of Pnnchartrain - well, when his gtr strap comes off his shoulders and he readjusts it - removing both hands from string and fret board yet the guitar in the track itself keeps on playing - well its more than a fair bet that its not live.

The second half the the set, after the singer left, was different. The whole sound from the PA gained more depth - as instruments were actually turned on and played, especially noticeable in the drums and percussions.

90 minutes of last night were very very good.
the first hour was a sham, my wife went to the show with me last night - and the first hour for her was like spotting a microphone in a movie - the music came secondary to spotting the obvious m.ime.

EF may want more women to attend shows, well theres one who probably wont be attending any more.

The band and most of the poeple have to accept MFD is a failure and move on - you may like it and good for you, but last night The Astoria was half empty, I've seen it full every christmas at the Hawkwind Christmas bash and I don't like watching TD in a half empty club.



And a question for those who walked around clutching your carrier bags full of merchandise, wearing your TD t shirts that you wear at every gig, because I see you there and read your posts here and in another place- well, last night several of you were proudly proclaiming that you have bought "my stuff and the stuff for ebay" - so do you think ripping off TD fans is a good way to cover your expenses getting to the shows ?. Buying 5 - 10 copies of the single - and the signed posters and stuff -
bought just to flog on ebay when the remainders would be sold on this site for the same as show price - disgraceful

As you can gather I'm not a happy fan this morning - bujt at least I don't try and rip any others off

[rattymouse]

Well I disagree.

The first part of the set, the MFD set was note perfect because it wasn't live, with the exception of vocals and some limited guitar work, IC and TQ's percussion bore no resemblance to the sound coming out of the speakers. And TQ's acoustic guitar "work" of Lake Of Pnnchartrain - well, when his gtr strap comes off his shoulders and he readjusts it - removing both hands from string and fret board yet the guitar in the track itself keeps on playing - well its more than a fair bet that its not live.

The second half the the set, after the singer left, was different. The whole sound from the PA gained more depth - as instruments were actually turned on and played, especially noticeable in the drums and percussions.

90 minutes of last night were very very good.
the first hour was a sham, my wife went to the show with me last night - and the first hour for her was like spotting a microphone in a movie - the music came secondary to spotting the obvious m.ime.

EF may want more women to attend shows, well theres one who probably wont be attending any more.

The band and most of the poeple have to accept MFD is a failure and move on - you may like it and good for you, but last night The Astoria was half empty, I've seen it full every christmas at the Hawkwind Christmas bash and I don't like watching TD in a half empty club.



And a question for those who walked around clutching your carrier bags full of merchandise, wearing your TD t shirts that you wear at every gig, because I see you there and read your posts here and in another place- well, last night several of you were proudly proclaiming that you have bought "my stuff and the stuff for ebay" - so do you think ripping off TD fans is a good way to cover your expenses getting to the shows ?. Buying 5 - 10 copies of the single - and the signed posters and stuff -
bought just to flog on ebay when the remainders would be sold on this site for the same as show price - disgraceful

As you can gather I'm not a happy fan this morning - bujt at least I don't try and rip any others off

The guitar is m**med??? are you sure?? Brutal!