Goldfrapp: Tales of Us...

Last night Darren treated me to a trip to the cinema to see Goldfrapp who were screening six new videos films inspired by music from their album Tale of Us. After the films were shown the band performed an hour long live set via a satellite broadcast from Air Studios in London.

The films were great albeit all rather similar in tone: black and white, sensual, shaky camera work, nudity in big country houses, murder on windswept beaches, slow-motion cycling, night-time shoots with people running through smokey back-lit forests, water (lots of water) - that sort of thing. Very 1980s. Very Vienna.

One video which did make me weep though was Annabel. A moving story of a little boy's inner voice.

The live set was good too - although perhaps missing that special something that a live audience gives back to a live performance.

Mind you, I was back to my crying again during Clay - a story of two soldiers' love.

So all in all a success as an event. Nice to see their videos on a big screen - but perhaps just missing that live interactive element that an audience provides.

Goldfrapp...

 Last Friday night Stu, Juggy, Si and I went to see Goldfrapp at the Hammersmith Apollo in London's smart but not so glitzy er... Hammersmith.

Ostensibly to promote new album Tales of Us the gig started as a slow burn with Jo, Drew, and Stranger. Dressed in black Alison was as shy/enigmatic/awkward as ever engaging little with the audience but letting her amazing performance do all the talking. She was largely backlit so appropriately enough for the time of year she appeared as a ghostly shadow with a haunting voice. And what a voice! Chilling, soaring, mesmerising.

As the night wore on the tempo picked up, the fantastic LED light show kicked in, the crowd rose to their feet and we danced like idiots. Sadly all too soon it was over. A great show, by a great band who are at the height of their powers.

Stand out track of the night for me was Clay. The story of two gay soldiers during The Second World War and their heartfelt love for each other. It made me weep.

Full set list was:-
Jo
Drew
Stranger
Alvar
Annabel
Clay
Yellow Halo
Little Bird
You Never Know
Number 1
Thea
Ride a White Horse
Ooh La La

Encore:
Clowns
Lovely Head
Train
Strict Machine

Goldfrapp...

Last night Darren, Stu and I went to The HMV Apollo Hammersmith to see the ever wonderful Goldfrapp perform. Gosh, what a show! They sure have come on since we saw Alison shily wave to us at the Union Chapel all those years ago. We were treated to back to back thunderous stadium stompers plundered mainly from Black Cherry, Supernature and .of course, the newy Head First. Lights, sound, action! Loved it.