Page 37 - RYAN'S GIG GUIDE OCTOBER 2014

RGG October 2014 - p.37
Harlytosis
Alt-J-Delete!
I hope that doesn’t make me sound like I’m anti
Alt J? but at this point on my way to the gig I
really couldn’t imagine the northern indie
popsters putting on a decent gig I had spent the
previous five days listening to their two albums
over and over still I couldn’t hum you one of
their tunes Apart from their biggest single
Breezeblocks and their new Radio friendly
release Every Other Freckle I would struggle to
recognise any of their songs
So I find myself at The Wolves Civic minutes
before stage time pint in hand wondering where
to stand The place is full up to the back wheels
and I’m really not in the mood to be jostled in an
over excited crowd I spot the perfect place on the
balcony a pillar to lean on and right next to a
crowd of year girls Jackpot!
The band came on through a plume of smoke and
a fairly impressive lighting set up Dressed all in
black red lights flashing like something out of
Knight Rider I did wonder if there was any sort
of a nod and a wink to the great man himself
No “hello’s” or on stage banter ripping straight
into the first song the crowd burst into life I
noticed several people clapping a few cheering
and even an audible whoop! Unfortunately I
couldn’t tell you what the first song was it pretty
much sounded like everything else on the album
I’m struggling to be positive as I write the review
as it was one of those gigs I consider to be a
recital rather than a performance There is
undeniable talent in the band and their
performance Every song was played to
perfection impeccable timing tight as an otters
pocket Even though I’m not a massive fan of the
albums I can appreciate the quality For me this
is the beauty of music and how it polarises
opinion whilst I thought the gig was boring and
a real struggle to get though some people were
clearly having the time of their life
As Spotify and illegal downloads take their toll on
the earning of musicians surely the way to big
money is through touring? Well I’m sorry if bands
want me to pay for their gigs I expect to see a
performance People complained about the
shambolic appearance of Blink at
Reading/Leeds but at least it was a performance
something that has people talking If it’s going to
be a recital I might as well listen to the album at
home If touring is the key to earning a living for
bands then I fear Alt J may end the way of former
Mercury Music Prize winner Finlay Quaye… Out
on the streets!
One more point for your consideration (As I’m
struggling to fill my word count and Reckless will
have my pants down if I don’t fill the page) I did
spot one thing at the gig from viewing at the
higher vantage point of the balcony Have you
ever noticed the difference between men and
women when they go on a friends shoulders at a
gig? Men straight up giving it the big ‘un arms
flailing wildly almost inviting the pints of piss that
will inevitably be launched upon them For
women it would appear to be a whole different
experience You can see the concentration on their
faces the constant adjusting of hair/skirt/top the
“look at me” expression…… Come on girls we all
know why you are up there Get your knockers
out to the lead singer and be done with it!
Finally I should probably admit that I walked out
of the gig after mins I’m sorry fans for a live
performance Alt J are just too dull for me
It’s Monday night I’m bummed out from a hard weekend and the usual
Monday blues but I’ve got to drag my sorry ass out the house to go to
a gig A gig my mate has begged me to go with him to At pm precisely
he cries off leaving me to attend Alt J at the Civic on my Jack Jones
seriously considering crashing on the way to get out of it