19&20/04/2007 - Camden Crawl 2007 @ Camden Town

(this is obviously a little bit older, but what the heck...)

Having just settled down from the two exhausting days that were the Camden Crawl I find my self trying to piece together fragments from the duo day. Except from the disappointment of over crowded venues and queues stretching from one venue to another, crawling through Camden proved to fulfill my expectations.

Arriving ready for the evenings proceedings first of all hit The Barfly and caught the end of Dan Le Sac Vs Scroobius Pip getting involved with chants of Just a Band!

Three pints down and a trip to the Electric Ballroom for the end of Kid Harpoon and Jack Penate before the lamppost destroying adventure to The Bullet to catch Late of the Pier.

Beginning to get messy we sought Koko to see Blood Red Shoes. Not sure if we got our timing wrong, but it was like the end of a primary school disco - needless to say we may have got our timings wrong. We left through a fire exit.

Staggering back to the Electric Ballroom I managed to loose my flip - flop as i got stuck in a mosh for Ash, almost lost my bag, phone and purse in it - not to mention my shorts! Stayed around until the end of the awesome Ash then managed to get the last tube home... Bare foot.

Then got up and did it all over again. First stop Electric Ballroom to see Kate Nash, she's awesome, highly recommended. Friday night was much more hectic. Struggling to see any bands I wanted to see. Sadly missed out on Foals and Calvin Harris.. (although i missed out on a lot more.. but thats more my fault!) Another adventure to find Bullet - I swear it's in the middle of nowhere, and managed to meet up with everyone again..

A few shots and pints later we all staggered back to Electric Ballroom, I think we missed Black Rebel Motorcycle Club.. but by now I can't remember!! Then danced my socks off.. well actually the soles of my shoes off and headed home at 4.30am, reaching Roehampton in the day light.. smooth

Awesome 2 days, will be there next year.. will you?

03/09/2007 The Polyphonic Spree/Ox.Eagle.Lion.Man @ Astoria London

Getting to Hammersmith Tube station with a good 2 hours before doors opening, the pending tube strike action and the possibility of missing a moment of The Polyphonic Spree forced me to barge pass aggy commuters in a bid not to miss anything. Alas, the Piccadilly was running smoother then your average 5 o 'clock rush hour. Thank God. My impatience did not bother me; in this case I was getting to the London Astoria if it meant trading in my salmon bagel for a seat on the tube.

Arriving at the Astoria and having to scramble for my pocket map as I got lost trying to find the main stage, my mind wonders if others got lost in the black tunnels leading to bars, balconies and bogs, as upon reaching the main stage I notice I'm practically the first one there.

Hurrah! I've got my spot. My spot to stand in awe of the band I've been waiting to see for two years. The band, I made my university theater group act out for our 2nd year exam wearing full robes.

On comes Ox.Eagle.Lion.Man with a sound which needed getting used to at this particular gig, with a much darker facade compared to the white robed spree. This set matured as it progressed - as my body movements reflected. My foot indeed started tapping progressing to a full bodied mini dance by the end of their set... and I admit; I'm listening to their myspace at the moment.

Then came the big guns...
A town crier and his son created an eruption of audience participation, with us hollering "fragile army" at the top of our lungs. Faced with a giant red piece of cloth across the front of the stage; I never thought the sight of feet could make me bubble up with excitement so much, like a champagne cork ready to explode.

The Polyphonic Spree left you baiting for more hanging off their every song, meandering through their three albums. With beaming energy bursting through each and every one of them.

Despite first of all exploring the newer and slightly progressive Fragile Army which left some of us making up the words, the inclusion of the odd family favourite would pop in. Before we knew it, the action packed set was over... one by one they left the stage leaving a harp being beautifully strummed in the corner. The audience shouting and crying for more. I got a tap on the shoulder from the girl next to me pointing with glee to the balcony to a trumpet making its way through the audience with a sea of robed individuals following behind. Then I got booted in the head. For a moment my guard was up, until I realised it was Tim's foot making his way to the stage by surfing...Yes! They were coming back to blow us away with more songs from both Together We're Heavy and The Beginning Stages Of... Starting with a well received cover of Nirvana's Lithium.

With further encores and a rendition of Tripping Daisy's Sonic Bloom this was a long awaited gig which left me smiling, shaking and even choked up. It felt like one of the moments which you shared with them. As Tim DeLaughter stated himself in one of his addresses to the audience, we are sharing a moment. Communally. For some of us we have waited two years to embrace the sun, and this performance certainly did not disappoint.

DeLaughter's performance reflected a passion. A passion for his five bands and a passion for his audience.

That red heart he cut out in the beginning? I was lucky enough to get half of it. Tied proudly round my neck it kept me with a burst of happiness and energy that kept me optimistic through the lengthy journey through the suspended strike ridden tubes.


One of the best performances I have seen in a long time. Just don't stay away too long.

www.myspace.com/polyphonicspree
www.myspace.com/oxeaglelionman