Urgh.
What is it with Frost* and rubbish venues?
I had to leave early last night before I fainted in the heat. I was gutted to do so; but it was either that or pass out.
The previous time I saw our beloved band was that Peel Christmas gig, which was equally bad. Well, the music was good, but the venue again rubbish. I see a trend here... even if there is ever another tour I think I'll be giving it a miss as I am sadly too old to cope with the sort of conditions we had last night :(
I hope it was better for everyone else...
Keith.
I'm also baffled as to why they play such crap venues - really enjoyed last night apart from the stifling heat and the fact that I couldn't really see much...
The camels back was already definitely broken before the request from the chap on the stage to ask us to regroup to let in another 10 ticket holding straws. That was the (melted) icing on the cake!
An encore of Oxygene would have gone down well!
Still I enjoyed it after securing a wall behind me - but missing out on most of Nathans performance thanks to the PA.
Morning! What a sonic weekend, Folk Festival, then Frost*
now the Cambridge Rock Festival starts on Wednesday! Great to meet more Frost*ies and the very gracious Twig, the couple from Brazil and most especially Sir johninblack and his lovely lady. I was at the front with Duey and Sue, and had a free back massage from the air pushed around by the speaker stack. Took our micro Frost*ie to his first indoor gig... Sorry to put my hands over my ears from time to time in the set, a bit of Nathan's lovely vocal and one of Craig's magnificent drums were on the punchy side through the PA. Awesome, but a bit hot. That's the way it always is at the Portland... even on an acoustic Folk set in the wintertime. I loved all John's guitars and Jem's keys with added Peppa Pig sticker! Thank you all, and, Nellie too!
It was indeed like a sauna in there. A bigger venue would have been better, or one with more air in. I went with my husband and two friends; one left before Frost* started as he couldn't handle the crush in there, and my husband had to go out for air a couple of times. I was fortunate to be in an occasional waft of slightly cooler air from the aircon by the mixing desk, but struggled to stay upright as there were 2 burly blokes in front of me who kept inching backwards into where I was standing, and as my heels were against a step there was nowhere for me to move to. Now I know what a sardine on a barbecue feels like.
Well for me it was a very, very emotional experience. Last year on July 29th I had an upper body and head /neck CT scan and on July 31st I had the Biopsy on the lump in my throat. I had been told on the Monday of that week (27th) to "prepare myself for some bad news", so at that point all I knew was that all the experts thought I had cancer but until we got the results of the scan and Biopsy no one knew if I'd still be alive in a year's time. Thankfully all has worked out well but I must admit to having tears in my eyes on several occasions, mind you anyone looking would probably just thought I had sweat in my eyes! Yes, it was roasting hot in there but for me I really couldn't care less and I actually quite liked the venue, it's just not quite big enough for Frost*. Many similarities to the Peel really.
Really good to finally meet Lyn and utterly fabulous to catch up with James and Karin, Brom, Dewy and Jem. Managed a quick hello to Bert, VitP and crew, Blunders and Nathan, sorry I couldn't stay longer but I was totally buggered and in need of a little lay down.
We bumped into Nellie in Cambridge that afternoon and had already been told that it could be a tad cosy. Nellie, spot on and thanks for the biccies!
Catherine, how did we miss each other? Didn't even see you. :(
Quote from: johninblack on August 01, 2016, 08:19:06 PM
Well for me it was a very, very emotional experience. Last year on July 29th I had an upper body and head /neck CT scan and on July 31st I had the Biopsy on the lump in my throat.
Crikey, was it really only a year ago? What a helluva year that's been!
It was lovely to see you and Sue back in your natural habitat, and I must say I was really impressed with the way you've mastered talking again.
Quote from: keith on August 01, 2016, 09:29:58 AM
Urgh.
What is it with Frost* and rubbish venues?
I had to leave early last night before I fainted in the heat. I was gutted to do so; but it was either that or pass out.
The previous time I saw our beloved band was that Peel Christmas gig, which was equally bad. Well, the music was good, but the venue again rubbish. I see a trend here... even if there is ever another tour I think I'll be giving it a miss as I am sadly too old to cope with the sort of conditions we had last night :(
I hope it was better for everyone else...
Keith.
In our defence...I must respectfully disagree with your "What is it with Frost and rubbish venues" remark. Every single gig bar that one on this tour was fine. If there's any blame on our part, it was attempting to play outside the usual prog "ghettos". We underestimated the Cambridge turnout to be honest as we were trying to step away from London for which we have been previously criticised for focussing too much on.
I completely agree that the gig was oversubscribed, but the legal capacity is 209. I can't legislate for the venues we hire, we work on the info we're given in good faith. To accuse us, the band, of playing "rubbish venues" is like accusing F1 teams of racing at badly designed circuits. I will happily carry the can for many things, but you can't blame us for trying to do our best at a venue we've never played before.
With the Peel, again we were at the behest of the promoter. If they say it will be fine, we must trust them. We're only there for a single night. We don't own or run these venues, we turn up in good faith, as indeed do you guys. The band aren't the bad guys here if there indeed need to be bad guys so please don't tar us with that particular brush.
See you at Wembley. ;)
Jem
Quote
See you at Wembley. ;)
Jem
Sorry, it's tough in the Fens.
Try Melbourn Rock Club, or Haddenham... Cambridge Rock festival, secret pockets of prog for three or four decades... It's about the journey...
Anyway, we aren't spoilt for choice, thanks for being here...
I already heard you play at Wembley back in the day... Been there done that.
Great that you guys, as a project, come out and play for us. Thank you.
Everyone else, shut the F* up.
Sorry, it was a bit hot and noisy. What did you think? A gig, in a pub, in July?
I did gigs at the Peel, Scala, Kingston, Reading, Bilston... They all had their moments. It's fun. Get over it.
Anyway, it is about the people, and the music.
Quote from: keith on August 01, 2016, 09:29:58 AM
Urgh.
What is it with Frost* and rubbish venues?
Does that mean you intend to personally inspect every future proposed Frost* venue to ensure suitability, at your own expense of course.
What's that? No? Thought not........... >:(
I'll tell you what was going through my mind as I dissolved down at the front...
It was that old cliche about being privileged to see these great musicians up close in sweaty little clubs before they were big enough to play stadiums.
Very much appreciated, Jem et al. Thank you :)
We're not going to get into a tizzy. It is time wasted in pointless debacle and is now history. Thank you for the Falling Satellites tour! Make more amazing music, please. I declare the debate closed. Sorry. All the kinetic energy is about the new future...
If you play Cambridge we all know you are on the way up. Catch you on the downside in 2035.Ask Steve Wilson, AC-DC, the Buzzcocks....
Quote from: DueyC on August 01, 2016, 10:51:39 PM
I'll tell you what was going through my mind as I dissolved down at the front...
It was that old cliche about being privileged to see these great musicians up close in sweaty little clubs before they were big enough to play stadiums.
Very much appreciated, Jem et al. Thank you :)
What she said!
Going back to Bilston, I hadn't been there before and was really surprised at how good it was. Good view, good sound, plenty of folk, beer decent and not too expensive. Sorry to hear Cambridge wasn't great but live and learn? Actually I'd be interested in how many folk turned up to the shows.
Quote from: owen on August 02, 2016, 08:10:10 AM
Going back to Bilston, I hadn't been there before and was really surprised at how good it was. Good view, good sound, plenty of folk, beer decent and not too expensive. Sorry to hear Cambridge wasn't great but live and learn?
Yes, ditto those comments for the Edinburgh gig back in June. It was a good venue, filled with an enthusiastic crowd and just about right in terms of capacity - any larger would have changed the intimate atmosphere but any smaller would have been a health & safety risk and a missed opportunity! ;)
I was very grateful that the band was willing to make the journey all the way up to Scotland, for only the 2nd time ever and for the first time as a headliner. I hope they all enjoyed the tour, even if the last venue was on the tight side, and that we'll get the chance to see them on tour again next year. 8)
For what it's worth, both the Edinburgh and London gigs this time around were spot on in terms of both intimacy and ability to see, hear, move, and hey, even dance a bit (sorry to anyone who had to witness that, but ... ;)
And while the Peel gigs (you've played there twice at least, Jem, no?) were absolutely stowed to the rafters, hot, sweaty, and a bit pressy, I wouldn't have missed them for the world, treasuring them as some of the very best gigs I've ever been to. So I think it's all about context: yes, if I had to travel on a train like that every day, I'd be mighty pissed off, but this is Frost* we're talking about here, playing a live gig in front of a hugely enthusiastic crowd of fans.
Indeed, I think what makes a big difference as well from other bands in these smaller venues is that Frost*ies are a lovely, lovely bunch, and so there's minimal pushing, shoving, blocking, yakking rudely, and whatever: things can be awful in such tight spaces, but not with Frost*.
Thinking ahead to next year's European tour, my local, the Boerderij in Zoetermeer, is quite a bit bigger, but even when the space is full, the prog audiences there tend to be pretty respectful too. So, you should all come to that gig and enjoy it, albeit keeping in mind that you might want to bring a box to stand on: it'll be like a room full of Pedros 8)
And to finish on a similar note to Lyn, I found myself coming out of the London gig thinking how amazing it is to be able to see Frost* again, how remarkable they are as a band in so many ways, and how lucky we are to have the chance to commune as a bunch of fans with them in a room, enjoying some wondreful (sorry) music and each other's company.
But also slightly wistful because, I'm afraid to say, this too will pass. Hopefully not soon at all, but one day it will, and we'll all look back and think how glad we were to have been there.
Thanks again Jem, John, Craig, and Nathan: I think you know you can count on our support :)
Quote from: Trapezium Artist on August 02, 2016, 03:33:29 PM
And while the Peel gigs (you've played there twice at least, Jem, no?)
At least 4 times
Something to take into consideration as far as the capacity of venues is concerned and a point that the venue quite rudely pointed out. They sell out the 200 capacity on a regular basis but their normal audience is not prog, who as we know are generally rather larger than the average sizing.
If I look at t-shirt sizes, a 2XL is 4 times as much fabric as a small at least.
Here is my reply to an email received today.......
The capacity for The venue is set by the council at 212 people. We sold 195 tickets and had a few people as guests of the band. I was informed by the venue that some people didn't turn up on the night so in fact it was under capacity and so there were no breaches of regulations. Demand dictates that Frost* will indeed require a bigger venue next time but this particular venue is purpose built for live music, it is not someone's front room.
There was plenty of space by the bar and we had opened the stairs for people to stand if they couldn't see. An announcement was made for people to shuffle in a bit to make room for those who were waiting to come in, which they did, and we ensured that no-one was left outside.
Quote from: Nellie on August 02, 2016, 06:17:26 PM
Something to take into consideration as far as the capacity of venues is concerned and a point that the venue quite rudely pointed out. They sell out the 200 capacity on a regular basis but their normal audience is not prog, who as we know are generally rather larger than the average sizing.
If I look at t-shirt sizes, a 2XL is 4 times as much fabric as a small at least.
Here is my reply to an email received today.......
The capacity for The venue is set by the council at 212 people. We sold 195 tickets and had a few people as guests of the band. I was informed by the venue that some people didn't turn up on the night so in fact it was under capacity and so there were no breaches of regulations. Demand dictates that Frost* will indeed require a bigger venue next time but this particular venue is purpose built for live music, it is not someone's front room.
There was plenty of space by the bar and we had opened the stairs for people to stand if they couldn't see. An announcement was made for people to shuffle in a bit to make room for those who were waiting to come in, which they did, and we ensured that no-one was left outside.
Right, you lot: compulsory diets and exercise before the next gigs! Ten kilos off each, at least!
For those of you who come to the Boerderij gig in spring, we'll be renting bikes and taking the 70km route via the Hook of Holland.
Quote from: Trapezium Artist on August 02, 2016, 07:14:50 PM
Right, you lot: compulsory diets and exercise before the next gigs! Ten kilos off each, at least!
For those of you who come to the Boerderij gig in spring, we'll be renting bikes and taking the 70km route via the Hook of Holland.
I was looking forward to a lie in with all the standing that I'll be doing! :o
Quote from: L33VEY on August 02, 2016, 08:34:01 PM
Quote from: Trapezium Artist on August 02, 2016, 07:14:50 PM
Right, you lot: compulsory diets and exercise before the next gigs! Ten kilos off each, at least!
For those of you who come to the Boerderij gig in spring, we'll be renting bikes and taking the 70km route via the Hook of Holland.
I was looking forward to a lie in with all the standing that I'll be doing! :o
I don't think you'd better lose 10kg. You'll disappear if you turn sideways!
Quote from: Trapezium Artist
And while the Peel gigs (you've played there twice at least, Jem, no?) were absolutely stowed to the rafters, hot, sweaty, and a bit pressy, I wouldn't have missed them for the world, treasuring them as some of the very best gigs I've ever been to.
I only went to one (the Santa mask one), but yeah, it was marvellous and I am glad I did it and more importantly that the band did it too.
Aye, think about poor Rog, Gonzo, Rook, Manon, etc who would give lots to be crushed and sweaty
Quote from: owen on August 03, 2016, 02:05:26 PM
Aye, think about poor Rog, Gonzo, Rook, Manon, etc who would give lots to be crushed and sweaty
Indeed! ;D
Quote from: lyn on August 01, 2016, 10:55:11 PM
We're not going to get into a tizzy. It is time wasted in pointless debacle and is now history. Thank you for the Falling Satellites tour! Make more amazing music, please. I declare the debate closed. Sorry. All the kinetic energy is about the new future...
Wordington's.
Come back to Wath or the Picturedrome
Quote from: owen on August 03, 2016, 02:05:26 PM
Aye, think about poor Rog, Gonzo, Rook, Manon, etc who would give lots to be crushed and sweaty
I would give lots to be crushed and sweaty. No band required! Er, uh... ::)
Quote from: Trapezium Artist on August 02, 2016, 03:33:29 PMa room full of Pedros
Always wondered what the plural term would be. ;)
Quote from: gr8gonzo on August 03, 2016, 10:36:00 PM
Quote from: Trapezium Artist on August 02, 2016, 03:33:29 PMa room full of Pedros
Always wondered what the plural term would be. ;)
A range of Pedros (as in mountains).
A peel of Pedros (as in filling a well-known prog venue).
An awesome of Pedros (self-explanatory).
Pedroes?
Ped-rows
Like in the Toys vid, at the gig...
Pedri?
Possibly Pedro is it's own plural?
Quote from: owen on August 04, 2016, 04:36:53 PM
Possibly Pedro is it's own plural?
Perhaps so, but since you have a spare apostrophe there ( :P), may you can make use of that too ;)
Ok Yoda
Quote from: owen on August 04, 2016, 07:13:26 PM
Ok Yoda
I am, of course, tempted to edit my previous post, but ... ;)
Tempted you are by the Dark Side to edit your post, hmm? ;D
heh2
Pedrata?
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Proglet maths:
Mid-set discussion at CRF headliner tonight....
"That Focus drum solo, it was 13 minutes. That's only half of Milliontown."
Proglet Year 8, Proglette Yr 9
13 minutes? That's enough to get to the loo and back. Perfect