6 posts tagged “hammersmith apollo”
To my surprise there are plenty of young faces amongst the middle aged spreads in the crowd, believe it or not, there are kids in day glo colours waving glow sticks as the lights go down and the impressive architectural projections begin. The first half of the night is devoted to "Architecture and Morality", the masterpiece of somber electropop that gave the world three superb singles. The band walk on, It is quite something seeing them altogether
again for the first time in many years. They all look the part still, dressed in
serious suits, serious faced. They can't keep it up though. There was me thinking this would be as intense as the Kraftwerk show at The Royal Festival Hall, but when Andy starts to dance during "Joan of Arc" you know that this is a celebration. Andys' dancing was always the subject of much mirth in the past, something he is more than aware of, but I for one am so glad to see that age has not contained him. His moves are as spastic as ever and I love him for it. Every time he straps on his bass guitar and throws himself around the stage is a glorious moment.
There is almost visible relief from the band when they finish the Architecture and Morality part of the night and perform "!2 smash hit singles". The earlier material is where my heart lies but it is hard not to be carried aloft by the emotional pull of "If You Leave", made all the more potent by the colour saturated visuals of Molly Ringwald. But hearing Enola Gay and the glorious rush of "Electricity" take me back to an adolescent space that may well be a guilty pleasure but it's non the worse for that.
Peter comes with me tonight to see Ben Folds at The Hammersmith Odeon. To my surprise it is a greatest hits set. he performs his songs with such understated enthusiasm that all of them feel incredibly familiar. He has the driest sense of humour but everyone here loves him to death for it. This crowd will never e the best dancers in the world, but they can pull off an effective horn section impersonation. Ben throws in a great Postal Service cover as well for good measure. it is a truly joyous and uplifting night.
