Gig Reviews: Christine Bovill

Ok, I'll admit that when a friend invited me to this I wasn't quite sure what I was going to, but I have to say it was a really outstanding concert, and that Christine Bovill has got herself a new fan. She's a Glaswegian lady who sings French songs, from the 20s, through to the 50s, and she's especially a fan of Edith Piaf. Now I don't know many French songs, but I did recognise quite a few of the melodies from their English translations, for example I had no idea that My Way started life as a French song about a marriage that's gone stale. Anyway, Christine is a great singer, and an even better storyteller! The way she introduced each song was amazing, and I really felt transported back to Paris in the first half of the 20th century. And the way she interacted with the audience and set the mood was wonderful. Go see her if you get the chance! If you're not a fan of Chanson Francaise, you will be!

Gig Reviews: Barenaked Ladies

Most people remember these guys for fun songs during the 90s with fast rap bits, or possibly more recently for the Big Bang Theory theme tune, but they're still touring, still going strong and still being awesome.   And their new stuff is just as good as their old.   I've seen them both times they've been up here recently.  Both times they had the same opening act and he was awesome.   A mad man with a northern accent singing about the monkey that got hanged in Hartlepool and getting the whole crowd to join in with him.   Good times.   They did a great mix of old and new songs, including everyone's favorite, If I Had $1,000,000, and they just seemed like such cool, chilled out, friendly guys.   And Ed, like, totally made eye contact with me.   Swoon! 

Gig Reviews: They Might Be Giants

It looked I wasn't going to get to go to this one.   I didn't feel like going alone and the one person I knew who liked them was in Canada on the day.   My usual concert buddy I drag to things I want to see was away too.   Then my brother asked me if I wanted to go with him.   Hurrah!   I had no idea he liked them.   So off we went, looking forward to a night of glorious weirdness.   The opening act were really enjoyable.  A fun band from Northern Ireland called the Wonder Villains.   I'm so sick of opening acts you could sleep through, so they were a nice surprise.   The first thing the band did when they got on stage was to rearrange the audience.   We were on the upper level in seats, but the people on the lower floor were seated nicely at little lables.   They Might Be Giants were having none of that.   They got everyone to stand up and come up to the front.   Yeah!   That's how you get a party started!   And I saw people mving aside to let a wheelchair user through to the front.   Made me feel warm and fuzzy inside.   So the band were just as wacky as expected and put on a great show.   They didn't do a few of my favourites though, like Experimental Film.  Ah well.   The highlight was definitely Istanbul.   And Marty Beller stayed behind at the end to sign tickets.   I love it when people do that.   Good show.      

Gig Reviews: Josh Ritter

Given everything you know about my musical tastes, it may surprise you to know that one of my favourite singers ever is a country singer called Josh Ritter.  I've been to see him a couple of times, most recently in Glasgow.   It was an odd sort of gig for me, as it was seated.   Haven't been to many of those.   It's a whole different experience.   Calmer, more comfortable, but not as much energy, and so much further from the stage.   The first time I saw him he created absolute magic on the stage.   He was mesmerising.   So so powerful.   This wasn't quite up to that standard.   Maybe it was the seatedness that did it.   Or perhaps that he didn't do a lot of my favourite songs.   He did do Lillian, Egypt though.   Hurrah!   Still a good show and I'm glad I went.   The venue was lovely too.  The Old Fruitmarket.   I'd never been there before and it was quite lovely.   All fairy lights, and still with the old storefront signs up.  

 

         

Gigs

Time to review some of the gigs I've been to recently.   First, Bowling for Soup.   I saw them back in the Autumn at the O2 ABC in Glasgow.   I like the ABC as a venue.   It's convenient to get to, and a good size.   Not too big.   I decided I had better things to do than stand around all evening, so I skipped the opening acts and turned up for nine, just to see Bowling for Soup.   I hadn't seen them for several years, and the boys were on form, as usual.   They played all their old favorites, along with some of their new stuff, and some songs they don't usually play, like Life After Lisa.   Their perfomances haven't lost any of their energy, and the boys till seemed to be loving every second of it.   Despite all of the show's good points, I'm wondering if I'm outgrowing them a bit.   I did love the songs, but a lot of their in-between songs banter does now seem to very immature and a bit annoying.  Still, despite a bit of growing up on my part, they're still well worth seeing!

Next, Nerina Pallot.   I saw her in Pleasance Theatre on Valentine's Day.   This was my second time seeing her, and once again I loved her!   I loved her wacky clothes, her great performance and her hilarious banter.   Her opening act, Carrie Mac, was very good as well.   I definitely don't really like Pleasance Theatre as a gig venue though.   The audience was definitely more subdued than they otherwise would have been if they'd been standing.   I think it was only Nerina's talent at putting an audience at ease that made it an enjoyable show.   And I do think it's lovely the way she takes the time at the end of her shows to meet fans.  

     




And finally, Amy MacDonald.   I saw her, for the first time, in the Picturehouse at the beginning of the month.   The Picturehouse is another gig venue I really like.   Again, it's not too big.   I always like it when people come to Edinburgh, instead of us having to go to Glasgow, but I can understand why they miss us out.   Most Edinburgh gigs seem to be full of weegies!   Anyway, Amy's performance was excellent.   I love her songs so much.   She also had a much bigger band with her than I'd expected.   I think it could have been improved with some female backing vocals though.   The male ones just didn't sound as good.   And despite her being great during the songs, I didn't really like a lot of her chat.   She did a fair bit of moaning, complaining about the small backstage area, and being away from home so much.   We don't want to hear that, Amy!   The lighting was awesome though!   Really big and bold and colourful.   Her opening act, Ben Montague was very good too.   I'll definitely be looking his stuff up!