Johnny Marr Live in Singapore 2015

“I just like playing good shows and at a point where you’ve played a lot of stuff that’s new, it’s good to play a song that people know,"Johnny Marr said in an interview with The Guardian.

I’m glad he played some of his old stuff.

I like Marr’s new solo stuff but it’s a different feeling to see him play songs like ‘How Soon is Now’ which he gave an electrifying performance! It was great to see he performed the songs he wrote more than three decades ago and expressed them in his own way.

Since his departure from The Smith, he had played with different bands and toured with them. In 2013, he released his first solo album which was followed quickly by another in 2014. He settled comfortably in his new role as a frontman and singer. He knows the audiences expected him to play his old stuff; he obliged and enjoyed playing them without feeling forced.

In addition to his Smith’ songs, he also played ‘Getting away with it’ by The Electronic which he formed with Bernard Sunmer from New Order - I enjoyed the song especially the part where he replaced the synth in the song with a guitar riff. He also covered Depeche Mode, ‘I feel you’.

He started his show on the dot at 8 pm! I wish more artistes/bands will do that (Morrissey made us waited an hour for his concert in 2012). Oh, and he performed five songs for encore!



The crowd at the concert were mostly white expats, middle-aged men - most probably fans of The Smith. Morrissey had a bigger venue and bigger audience in his concert here but that probably because he has been a solo artist far longer than Marr. 

Though, I wondered if there were no venues available other than NUS Cultural Hall. It's not suitable for a rock/guitar concert. There were numbered seats but everyone was standing because that's the way to rock and enjoy the music!

Erlend Øye Live in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Date: 23 March 2015

Venue: The Bee, Publika 

It was Erlend Øye's third time performing here but it was my first time to see him live. Prior to this, he was here with his other bands, acoustic duo The King of Convenience and electronic The Whitest Boy Alive. This time, he brought us some reggae pop vibe with his band, The Rainbows, courtesy of his new album, Legao. He has recorded the album, his second solo effort in Reykjavik with Icelandic reggae group, Hjálmar, hence the reggae vibe.

During encore, he sang a song from King of Convenience but I can't remember the name. I was more interested in La Prima Estate, the song that I most looked forward to and the reason I came to the gig - to hear it live! It's in Italian and has 60s pop tune vibe which made me think of sunshine, summer and Italy of course. 

Urbanscapes 2013

Date: 23 - 24 November 2014
Venue: Malaysia Agro Exposition Park, Serdang (MAEPS)

Nice Stupid Playground, my favourite local band. They came all the way from their hometown in Kuching, Sarawak to perform at the festival.

Check out more Photo at Urbanscapes Facebook page.

Good Vibe Festival 2013

Date: August 17
Venue: Sepang Go Kart Circuit

With lineup such as Smashing Pumpkin, Modest Mouse and Ash, the festival seems to be targeted at people who grew up listening to 90s music, such as me. But to be honest, I'm not a big fan of any of the bands. I used to like Ash so it was nice to see them performing 'Girl from Mar' live. The surprise act for the night was Modest Mouse. I'm not familiar with their songs but I enjoyed their performance.

Other international bands performing included Japandroid, They Will Kill Us All and local acts Kyoto Protocol, OJ Law, The Impatient Sisters, Twilight Actiongirl, The Deer Society, Liyana Fizi, Monologue, Tenderfist.

Snow Patrol Live in Singapore 2012

Priceless experience

Light light up, 

As if you have a choice,

Even if you cannot hear my voice,

I'll be right beside you dear

Run from Snow Patrol is my one of my favourite song. I always wish I can sing along to this song live at their gig. Thus, when I heard the news that they are coming to Singapore for a concert, I simply cannot miss it!   

                                         Gary Lightbody with Nathan Connolly on the left

They are fantastic live, even better than on recording. They played well together as a band, sound great and move from one song to another seamlessly. It also helps that they have a charming frontman. Gary is fun and funny. He knows how to get the crowd going, joking and getting them to sing along. I'm sure he has go through the same sing-along in other gigs especially for songs like Run and Chasing Car but his face still lights up when he heard the crowd sing - one can see that he is genuinely happy and appreciative.  

At one point during the chorus of In The Ends, he jumped off stage and went to the barricade in front and continue singing, so close to the crowd that they can actually touch him. After he went back on stage,  he thanked the crowd for not grabbing his bottom and now they have missed their chances. He dedicated the next songs to them: "This one goes out to all of you who didn't grab my bottom.That was your chance!" It was hilarious! 

The poignant moment during the encore where he dedicated the song, Lifening to his dad, calling his dad the greatest man that he'd ever known.

The incredible crowd at Fort Canning Gate! Photo was taken by Gary with his iPhone and posted in his twitter account. 

The setlist

1. Berlin (Instrumental)

2. Hands Open
3. Take Back The City
4. Crack The Shutters
5. This Isn’t Everything You Are
6. Run
7. In The End
8. New York
9. Set The Fire To The Third Bar
10. Make This Go On Forever
11. Shut Your Eyes
12. Chasing Cars
13. Chocolate
14.Called Out In The Dark
15. Fallen Empires
16. Open Your Eyes
17. You’re All I Have

Encore:

1. Lifening
2. Just Say Yes

Morrissey Live in Singapore 2012

It's over still I cling......

Morrissey came on to the stage at 9pm, an hour late. No opening band but we were treated to videos on screen, showing some of his favourite artists - Nico, Shocking Blue, Sparks, Francoises Hardy, Brigitte Bardot, New York Dolls. The 'opening' videos were entertaining and made the waiting bearable. The final clip was of Lypsinka; and as she screams, bell chimes were heard and finally, Morrissey appeared! Bowing slightly, he then addressed the crowd, "Singapore City, this is your life!" before launching into the opening Smiths' track, How Soon is Now.

Boz Boorer was in drag while the rest of the band were topless. The drums were emblazoned with Singapore's flag. With an image of Oscar Wilde and a caption of Who is Morrissey?, the backdrop was amazing, creating a great background for photo opportunity.  

Image from Aloysius Lim/LAMC Production 

"If there were a time to lose your head, it is now," he said before the second song, You Have Killed Me.

I also remembered that he said something like these in between songs:

"Do you actually wonder why you are here? Well, you might, give it time"

"I have this idea that I'll come here to a beautiful opera house or symphony hall, with people in the balcony wearing wigs, jewellery, fake grandparent and here I am... well here I am."

Meat is Murder was accompanied by images of animal being slaughtered shown on screen, adding a certain dramatic effect to the song. When the song finished, he went off to change shirt. He changed about 3 or 4 time that night.

Perhaps the reason for that particular shirt change was that he planned to throw it to the crowd in the next song! He chosen just the right moment to do it, as he sang the line, "And then you open your eyes, you see someone you physically despite" (Let Me Kissed You). In one deft motion, his flung open his shirt and the crowd went wild! 

The setlist. 

                               

He included quite a number of songs from his recent albums rather than his old stuff. There were not many Smiths tracks which may disappointed some fans but it should be expected - it's a Morrissey's Greatest Hits Tour not The Smiths. I'm glad he included I Know It's Over and Please Let Me Get What I Want. I bet many, me included were hoping for There is a Light That Never Goes Out, a well-loved track among Smiths' fan; it would be a great choice for encore, sealing a memorable night.  

The song for the encore was Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me. Before he went off, he shook hand with the fans standing in front and accepted their gifts. Then he left, leaving us wanting more. I still stood there for a while, hoping he'll be back for another song. It felt like the show ended too soon, too fast.

His parting words, "Wherever you go, I'll be close behind", a line that no doubt fans will take to their hearts as his songs will always be with them. 

Ferns and OJ Law

A double albums launch by Ferns and OJ Law at The Bee, Publika.They were joined by their friends and local favourites such as Impatient Sisters, Liyana Fizi, Love/Comes and DJ Ribut 10.49.

OJ Law was launching his third album, Yesterday is a Distant Dream. He's quite good on stage with good rapports with the other acts - he invited the Impatient Sisters to join him in one song, and Liyana Fizi in another (she was the guest singer in the album).

As for Ferns, I felt that they could do better in a live performance, more enthusiastic perhaps? A friend mentioned that they sound better in their recordings. They were launching their second album, Fairweather Friends. This is definitely a band to watch out for - recommended by Rolling Stones as the Top 25 bands in Myspace.

Check them out at
OJ Law at ojlaw.co
Ferns at ferns.bandcamp.com

Gruff Rhys live in Malaysia

Wicked gig. Brilliant performer. A true artist. 

Gruff Rhys - Hotel Shampoo

Gruff Rhys LIVE in KL!

Yes, Gruff Rhys, well-known from the Super Furry Animal is in town! And I'll be there for his gig!

He has been doing doing his own solo stuff for a while and has just recently come up with a new album Hotel Shampoo.

LOVE the album's cover! 

He is going to perform in Kuala Lumpur tomorrow at Black Box MAP @ Publika, Solaris Dutamas. This is Gruff Rhys's first trip to KL. The gig is presented by 33rpm on BFM, the business radio. 33rprm is all about indie music and is presented by Zack Yusoff.

gruffrhys.com
bfm.my/33rpmvox

Picture - Gruff Rhys live in KL