MY GIG REVIEW

After a short introduction from a lady from a local radio station (Radio Caroline) asking the crowd to get up outta there seats and start dancing the band took to the stage with there usual intro.

From the intro they kicked straight into "Roadhouse blues" which made the hairs on my arms stand up it was that loud.  They ripped it up with the usual classics "Break on Through" , "Love Me Two Times" & "When The Music's Over" which had the place up in arms (Ray and Robbie were in fine form and it really showed on the opening few tracks).   During "WTMO" Ian asked the crowd to shut the fuck up and respect Phil Chen's bass playing abilities - Ian seemed very pumped up and it seemed he was in a very pissed off mood for some reason and it came across in his performance.

(IT WAS ALSO AT THIS POINT THE RECORDING EQUIPMENT I HAD WAS SPOTTED "SEE BELOW").

After "WTMO" the band then did the introductions and Ray introduced Ian as "Ian Fucking Astbury" - Ty Dennis as the monster himself - Phil Chen as our guy from Jamaica - Robbie Krieger as "The best fucking guitar player" he had ever played with.   Robbie then did Ray's intro by saying "The guy who discovered Jim Morrison and the guy who started The Doors".

After the intros the band kicked into "Alabama Song (Whisky Bar)" with the stomping track that is "Back Door Man" following that and as per usual, those two tracks nearly ripped the roof of the venue

Ian then introduced Ray's brother Rick who was standing just by the side of the stage as security, I think.

We then kicked into "Five To One" which Ray said was for the "Fascists" and I've gotta say this track blew my mind.  The whole band were on fire during the track and it really brought the Roundhouse to life.   Next up we had "Peace Frog" which every time Ii hear it, it just gets better and better.

MID GIG INTERVAL.

After the interval the band came back on stage and opened up with what was for me the best song of the night, "LA Woman," when once again the band really took it to another level with the performance.  The band then played "The Changeling" which was a surprise inclusion in the set for me but hey, it still rocked.

Then without any countdown we hit 12 bells New Year 2007 and the band drank champagne and shook hands as ""Auld Lang Syne" played over the p.a. system.  After that the band played "Moonlight Drive" followed by a favourite of mine "Wild Child" (If Jim was hovering over the "Camden Town Roundhouse" during this performance, he would have been proud to be a part of that number, that's for sure

Ray then dedicated "Touch Me" to James Brown who passed away on Christmas day this year.   This track was interrupted by a mini-stage invasion which seemed to piss Ian off, big style.   I don't know if it was pre-planned at first, but 2 chicks got on the stage and the whole band were fine with it and at one point one of the girls got Ian's tambourine and danced around the stage with it for a minute or so.  Everything was fine but then a few other people managed to get up onto the stage and Ian seemed to lose it for a moment as a girl tried to hug him.

At the end of the song Ian had a little rant about having respect for the people on the stage, especially "Ray & Robbie", and also said you would never see this show again in this kind of venue ever which was hopefully not true

The encore and last track of the night was as always "Light My Fire" which was the finest performance I have seen by Ray & Robbie whilst they have been touring  over these last couple of years, and it really capped what was an excellent performance by the band. Hopefully it won't be long before I get too see them again

The only downer gig-wise were the empty seats and that obviously must have something to do with the price of the tickets for the show.
But if you want to see class you don't care how much it costs.  The 3 days stay in London cost me and my pals £1200 all in all but it was worth every penny.

HERE IS THE MASSIVE DOWNER OF THE NIGHT (TEARS)

I recorded the show both in audio & video, and there is bad news on both fronts.

I have the whole show in audio but the recording is fooked due to the bass.  The sound in the venue was very high (Never thought I'd complain about the sound being high, that's for sure) and it seems my microphone couldn't handle it.  I shall give the recording a little tweaking to see if I can make it sound a little better.  Whilst I am doing that, hopefully another recording turns up as mine will only be for the fanatical fans as you can't enjoy it as it's that shite (crying).

NOW FOR THE MOST PAINFUL PART.

I was recording the show from the start on a Sony handheld camcorder and it was all fine.  We got up to "When The Music's Over" when I noticed a man in a white t-shirt (Riders crew ?) pointing towards where me and my mates were sitting.  Next minute a security steward came straight over and said I had to stop recording straight away and hand over my camera     I obviously tried to bargain with him and asked if I just turned it off would that be safe, to which he replied "No" and I had to hand it over at the cloakroom.

Then I politely said if I remove the battery and hand that in, would this be cool?   which seem to annoy him as he made a grab for my shirt (Which I've gotta say was a bad move on his part, as us "scousers" take no shit from no man (even if we are in the wrong lol).   I told him not to grab me as I won't stand for that shite, and then he started being polite and said could he have a word where it was quiet.   We went down the steps into the level 2 area where he explained that the staff had received a complaint from a member of the "Riders" crew that someone was filming the show and the camera was to be confiscated.

I then apologised and tried a bit of scouse charm (offered him a few £££$$$ to turn a blind) but he said there is no way as there would be other people making sure I wasn't recording, so then we shook hands and then went to put it into the cloakroom.  After that little episode I get back to my seat and lo and behold, we had 2 Roundhouse security sitting right at the end of our row (So now we couldn't even have an herbal smoke).

Obviously I was in the wrong as you can't record gigs and that, but I'd love to know if it was the band who didn't want anyone recording the show? (If you read Sir Robbie, please reply)

In my opinion the band should have recorded this historic event and I think they missed the boat on that front but hey, as we know, money makes the world go round so production costs and all that must be taken into account

Right that's my little story and thoughts on new year all the best to everyone, especially Robbie and the boys.
Stay safe in 2007     keep on riding the snake.
 

Hope the track running order is of use to you and my little story is of interest.

 

Gary (Liverpool)

(thanks, Gary)