The Divine Comedy

luvly horse · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2004 3:03 am Post subject:

coooooome home billy boyd...

ile get me coat...

luvly horse · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2004 3:41 am Post subject:

hot from the www.tom press...

"gig was marvellous - similar set to previous, Billy Boyd reading the Hobbit, almost entire standing ovation!"

Very Happy

edit: and apparently lodders snogged if... (coupy photos taken as proof)

edit 2: loads of the bbers met neil AND billy!

hell of a gig by the sounds of it Very Happy

so_real · Joined: 21 Nov 2002 Posts: 1008 Location: Dallas, TX

Benny J · Joined: 21 Nov 2002 Posts: 3308

Cor, that was a bit woo. I'll save big reviews for everyone else, though that's only because I can't really put it into words. It was aces. Well done all.

Neil pointed the microphone at Coups during National Express and her lively shout was such a contrast to the muted mumbles by the others on the front row that she near brought the house down.

Billy Boyd was spotted in the audience at the end of the interval; Jen spent a minute or two pointing at her right nork and then down into the audience below trying to indicate him to us (she was wearing a "Come Home Billy Boyd" badge, see). He was very polite and affable to people that approached him afterwards and really relished his moment on stage with Neil. Witchy, sat next to me, squeaked at several points during his reading. Bless.

Oh, and Phil got interviewed by a band member afterwards, and then promptly turned the camera onto the band member and interviewed him! I smell DVD bonus feature...

www.tom · Joined: 21 Nov 2002 Posts: 481 Location: North.

Wow, indeed - that has to be one of the finest gigs anyone's ever been to, ever...

Neil pretty quickly admitted to having been pretty merry (I forget his exact words) the previous night, having put on a bloody good show in London, and celebrated afterwards!

But his voice and charm and moves were all there, right from the beginning of Absent Friends (got a lovely little lassoo movement before the Steve McQueen verse!)

He told a really bizarre but lovely story about hearing a record in a café while on a leaf-collecting holiday in Bavaria, and it being the owners prized 78 of some odd German named lot, and Neil having to have it, and swapping his favourite leaf for it, taking it home and transcribing it...

...and that was No-one knows, of course, which was fantastic - I think Neil loves that song as much as I do!

Other little bits of banter included Neil saying how we apparently don't have cod & chips in Edinburgh, and how much he loves the hall (quite right!).

No real sing a longs, but he got plenty of backing in Songs Of Love and Tonight We Fly. The standing ovation at the end of TWF was amazing, really - within about 10 seconds the whole hall, I reckon about 1500 people were pretty well all on their feet, applauding our Neil. Lots of us stayed up too, to clap him back on, and he said we might as well stay standing up, as they were going to do a fast one.

There was dancing in the balconies (courtesy of Dag & Jen & Airboy), and a brief conga line in the aisles (some randoms!), and much bouncing and dancing elsewhere, before we sat back down for a perfect Sunrise - Neil's voice almost cracked at the big bit, but somehow he found some reserves and hit it perfectly.

Wow.

What a gig!

A lot of the orchestra were in the Traverse bar afterwards, all seeming thoroughly chirpy - I spoke to Charlotte, the flute/sax player, who's nice! I think Billy Boyd was around at some point too - him and Neil were certainly outside for a while anyway - there's some good photos from Wod & Coupes to come, methinks.

Kareoke setlist included:

If... The Love Cats/some other tune
www.tom - Don't stop me now
Lodestone - Baggy Trousers/Paranoid Android
Summer Solstice & Lodestone's sister - Sweet Dreams Are Made Of These

(I've forgotten what Gilderoy sang... sorry!)

StellarJ · Joined: 24 Mar 2004 Posts: 31 Location: W. Lothian

So who was it that won the Twix and got a kiss from Neil? Very Happy

www.tom · Joined: 21 Nov 2002 Posts: 481 Location: North.

Heehee, was that you?! I was wondering, indeed - what a singer!

Mr Nude · Joined: 21 Nov 2002 Posts: 2168 Location: Skank Town

Ah, t'was lovely, just perfect (despite not meeting anyone from the board I was supposed to. Having said that, if karaoke was involved maybe that was for the best...).

I'm still on a bit of a buzz, it was the first time I'd seen Neil live. He doesn't disappoint, does he? What a performer. Laika's Theme gave the night a magical start, I liked that. Woo! And I still had Sunrise in my head as I was going to sleep last night.

airboy paul · Joined: 21 Nov 2002 Posts: 3052 Location: londinium

gilderoy sung some bowie i think. very weird crazy karaoke place that was Shocked

and much

's was had by all at if... and lodestone's full on snog that went on for a bit. and me and rowan did lots of swearing at each other, so that made me happy. (especially cuz i kept winning)

the gig was cool, especially no one knows, had me most happy. and woody took a picture of me with neil afterwards with us both sticking our tongues out, woooo! Very Happy

airboy paul · Joined: 21 Nov 2002 Posts: 3052 Location: londinium

oooh, and forgot to say, it was cool meeting up with folk again, and meeting new folks dag, geordie, chordy, blue and if... was muchos coolos Very Happy

airboy paul · Joined: 21 Nov 2002 Posts: 3052 Location: londinium

and again me. ta very much to tom for letting me stay at his, and then the great fun malarky with psycho-speedy mouse running around everywhere

looking forward to all the photos anyhow. especially the one with neil wearing a magic pointy hat and the photo where neil is pointing crazily at rowan

Gilderoy Lockheart · Joined: 22 Nov 2002 Posts: 5518 Location: STONEYBRIDGE!

StickFigureNinja · Joined: 21 Nov 2002 Posts: 3973 Location: on the corner.

I kinda wished I'd gone up to Ed for that gig now. But I'm also glad I didn't get ticket, as I don't think I would of made it with me leg and that woulda pissed me off more.

airboy paul · Joined: 21 Nov 2002 Posts: 3052 Location: londinium

StickFigureNinja · Joined: 21 Nov 2002 Posts: 3973 Location: on the corner.

hehehehe

Gilderoy Lockheart · Joined: 22 Nov 2002 Posts: 5518 Location: STONEYBRIDGE!

Bastard

ask if... about crazy german sculpter lady though teeheeheeheehee...

airboy paul · Joined: 21 Nov 2002 Posts: 3052 Location: londinium

REMEMEBER. at your PRESENTATION. REMEMBER. pretend that they are at the BACK OF THE ROOM doing NAUGHTY STUFF for you to get DISTRACTED by Very Happy

oooh yeah, that random german person! she was a tad bit tipsy. so maybe if... was lucky, but think not about it gilderoy, you have more important things in your presentation to think about. REMEMBER.

Gilderoy Lockheart · Joined: 22 Nov 2002 Posts: 5518 Location: STONEYBRIDGE!

I'm actually REMEMBERING being perched on your lap and a creeping awareness of a curious hand approaching my place of naughtiness.

airboy paul · Joined: 21 Nov 2002 Posts: 3052 Location: londinium

you'll have a fun presentation

Gilderoy Lockheart · Joined: 22 Nov 2002 Posts: 5518 Location: STONEYBRIDGE!

And a sticky one. Yes Yes

Geordie · Joined: 21 Nov 2002 Posts: 1591 Location: The Toon

Whoohoo!

Edinburgh was marvellous! Ensconced again in Geordieland now, would just like to say thanks to the 'hoards' of BBers I met, I won't list 'em as I'll inevitably omit some names but you all know who you are! I had a great time and it was lovely to meet everyone. Pretty daunting walking into a pub alone, to meet a group of people you've never spoken to before but I was made more than welcome and I'd recommend these BBer gig-meets to anyone!

I can confirm the If-Lodey love action, I was all too close to it!

Other comedy moments included Neil walking the front row during National Express as mentioned but on reaching Coupe she belted it out so loud Rowan got a fit of the giggles and Neil had to wait for her to recover to sing her bit! Very Happy

so_real · Joined: 21 Nov 2002 Posts: 1008 Location: Dallas, TX

It sounds like so much fun. I wish I could go to a gig w/all of you! I'm sure if he comes here I'll have to go by myself.

loopy · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2004 3:27 pm Post subject:

So you all got to meet Neil and Billy Boyd, I'm so jealous of you all, I'm stomping off in a huff and going to cry in the corner!

rachel2205 · Joined: 21 Nov 2002 Posts: 724 Location: UK

OH. MY. FRICKING. GOD.

Damn you, you feckers.

*weeps*

I so wish I could have gone. ** money.

Grrr.

*cries*

Ok, I'm alright now. But BILLY FRICKING BOYD?!!!! *spasm*

loopy · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2004 3:52 pm Post subject:

I see you're with me on this one!

luvly horse · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2004 3:56 pm Post subject:

i strongly suspect everyone who wasnt there may well be...

damn finances and grwon-up responsibilities

macannister · Joined: 22 Apr 2003 Posts: 47 Location: dung country

That just might be the best concert I’ve ever been at- no, ok, it was the first concert I’ve been at where I had to sit, anyway!
But, mmm, yummy, stringtastic, i-think-I’ll-marry-an-instrument -derful, if-they-were-a-fire-I-died-of-smoke-inhalation -zing. Reckon he was lovin it just as much, even if he was suffering from London’s gig. Can't concentrate on this work lark- in a day-dream like I know love at 16. Not sure I want to listen to album versions anymore. Maybe just start a let-Hannon-bring-his-musical-mates-everywhere fund. He did mess up the song I was waiting for though.. Our Mutual Friend- or maybe it’s so good he wanted it to be perfect. and then he let us know what that song is that he 'can't sing anymore'!
And the big surprise for me was Sunrise the finisher, which I'm pretty sure he vowed never to sing live..! he’s practising it for the Beautiful Night gig in Belfast no doubt.
all in all.. worth every of someone else's pennies

loopy · Posted: Wed Apr 28, 2004 4:10 pm Post subject:

Damn, no-one cool lives in Liverpool!

Casanova · Joined: 21 Nov 2002 Posts: 152

Paul · Joined: 14 Dec 2002 Posts: 137

In a word, WOO!
In another, WOW!

That concert was amazing. I just kept thinking - who else could have an orchestra belting out their greatest album tracks with such fury and it sound fantastic?! I loved it, every song was great.

Highlights for me included Absent Friends (I love that song!) Something For The Weekend (We got to stand up, I didn't have to dance in my chair any more!), The Booklovers and a whole host of other moments that just sounded so good they made me go wibble. Oh, and the singer, Catherine, whose voice was beautiful and had the looks to match.

Then there was meeting band members afterwards (although I missed Neil), and Billy Boyd. (I didn't know who he was, but he seemed like a really nice bloke and his reading of the Hobbit, well, I don't think there has ever been anything that's made we want to read the book more than that! As Neil said, it was class!!!) Of course, meeting BB members was great as well. I just hope that next time we meet I can go out afterwards and get drunk because I don't have to drive home!

Oh, and for those who are interested, I left Edinburgh at 12:30, stopped on the way back for a sleep, and managed to get to my lecture at 9am! Rock and roll!!!

Classic concert. It really was a concert, not a gig, wasn't it? Fantastic. Really hope they do something like that again in future, and that my view of most of the band won't be obscured by the piano!!!

FiiS · Joined: 05 Mar 2004 Posts: 12 Location: Essex

Indeed- what a wonderful gig!! Now... I wonder if anyone took any photos, cause I couldn't Sad

and I know its norty but did anyone make any illicit recordings of the gig? No One Knows was classic, as was The Booklovers... and heck, all of it! Very Happy

Lodestone · Joined: 21 Nov 2002 Posts: 627 Location: Your place or mine

Ah, wonderful!

Seems like everyone's covered just about everything.But better mention again the lovely lovely lovely Three Sisters - he did it proper justice, like. That silly sound effect replaced by a nice military snare; big orchestral hits in weird rhythms; a divine Russian folky bridge, with the backing vocalist sending shivers. Priceless.

Our cellist for the evening was a Chris, I think, and Neil mentioned that we might remember him 'if we were very old'. Was he the cellist at La Cigale, or am I mistaken?

I was one of the chaps in the front row doing the National Express. The first to have to do it, in fact, so I was rather taken by surprise. I got a 4, tho'!

I'm glad there's corroborative evidence of the If... thing. I was beinning to think I had hallucinated. I take it Coupe's photos aren't developed yet...

The set-list:

Laika's Theme (recorded, intro to band)
Absent Friends
Becoming More Like Alfie
Sticks & Stones
Leaving Today
Come Home Billy Bird
The Certainty of Chance
When the lights go out all over Europe
No-one Knows (Queens of the Stone Age cover!)
Don't Look Down

National Express
Generation Sex
Songs of Love
The Booklovers
The Happy Goth
Our Mutual Friend
Three Sisters (which they hadn't played in 10 years)
Neptune's Daughter
Charmed Life
Tonight We Fly

Something for the Weekend
Sunrise

Lodestone · Joined: 21 Nov 2002 Posts: 627 Location: Your place or mine

Oh, just a thought: some chap told me that there were going to be two Regeneration tracks in the set, but that Neil didn;t like the arrangement that had been done forLove What You Do, and they ran out of rehearsal time for Lost Property.

Chordmeister · Joined: 21 Nov 2002 Posts: 801 Location: Leafy Berkshire

Fab.

It was.

If... · Posted: Thu Apr 29, 2004 10:43 am Post subject:

It was jolly super, so it was.

Almost as good as Lodders! The stunned look on his wee face as he sat down again was a positive delight...

My second karaoke track was Bowie's China Girl. BTW, naughty, naughty karaoke words-on-screen type thing got the words to Lovecats wrong! I, naturally, was forced to sing the correct words. "Into the city you and me..."; *tchoh* I ask you...

Much goodness to meet so many of the lovely BBers, and to see again those who I've met before. It was a very special evening; and not "special" [puts on spaz voice and waves arms wildly and ineptly, in a very un-PC way] but "special" [croons in a Neil type way]...

www.tom · Joined: 21 Nov 2002 Posts: 481 Location: North.

Just randomly, I translated that from English to German and back again...

Much quality to the meeting so many of the attractive BBers and again seeing those, which I met before. It was a completely special evening; and not "particularly" [ arms set wildly and ineptly, into one very much UncPc way to spazstimme and move ] wavelike, but "particularly" [ croons in a Neil write way ]...

airboy paul · Joined: 21 Nov 2002 Posts: 3052 Location: londinium

are you implying that if... slept with that german woman creature? Very Happy

www.tom · Joined: 21 Nov 2002 Posts: 481 Location: North.

Geordie · Joined: 21 Nov 2002 Posts: 1591 Location: The Toon

www.tom · Joined: 21 Nov 2002 Posts: 481 Location: North.

Wearing red, tagged along from the Traverse onwards, after recommending Erdinger to Kate at the bar, ended up very drunk. Apologised to me for offending someone, dunno who though!