Spiritualized close Summer Sundae with classics
Spiritualized brought the Summer Sundae festival to a close in Leicester tonight (August 12)
Band leader Jason Pierce was accompanied by a string quartet and trio of gospel backing singers, playing tracks including 'Ladies & Gentlemen We Are Floating In Space', 'Broken Heart', and 'Lord Can You Hear Me', finishing with a cover of gospel standard 'O Happy Day'.
Pierce looked fit and healthy after recovering from a serious illness last year. He is back on the road while putting the finishing touches to a new album, due later this year.
Elsewhere, Gruff Rhys performed from his solo album inside an enormous faux-television, his set culminating in 20 minute epic ballad 'Skylon!'.
Blues legend Seasick Steve performed two gigs today to overflowing houses in side-tents, whilst The Pigeon Detectives got the Sunday crowd chanting along during a spirited and highly interactive performance from Matt Bowman.
Meanwhile, members of former John Peel favourites Cud, say they are 'ecstatic' with their Saturday gig, wherein the band were forced to call on members of the public to act as guest vocalists after lead singer Carl Puttnam was incapacitated at the last minute. |
My Morning Jacket man for New Orleans benefit
Jim James of My Morning Jacket, Damian Kulash of Ok Go and The Indigo Girls have all been confirmed to for 'Musicians Bringing Home Musicians II' a show to benefit the rebuilding of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina.
The acts will take to the stage on May 27 at Tiptina's Uptown in New Orleans, and in addition to their own slots, are expected to contribute to each other's performances.
Proceeds fron the event will benefit Sweet Home New Orleans, a coalition of non-profit organizations that helps find affordable housing in New Orleans and provides rental assistance for Katrina displaced musicians, Mardi Gras performers and other traditional New Orleans artists.
"It's a great place for musicians to focus on community, both because we owe so much to that city for a century of incredible music, and because the local musicians there need our help right now," said Damian Kulash.
Last year's 'Musicians Bringing Musicians Home' featured performances by Steve Earle and Mike Mills of REM.
'Musicians Bringing Home Musicians II' will take place May 27. |
Patrick Wolf wins over LA crowd
Patrick Wolf charmed a sold-out crowd at the Troubadour in Los Angeles last night (May 16).
Performing his first LA show in four years, he ran through tracks from all three of his albums, focusing on the most recent, 'The Magic Position', and frequently choosing songs at random to the surprise of his bandmates.
Wolf was backed by a viola/violin player, a double bass, a drummer and a laptop -- a far cry from his 2003 tour, which he told the audience consisted of he and his manager driving from city to city without a visa and sneaking into clubs because he was underage.
Dressed in shorts, suspenders and a gingham shirt that he tore off by the end of the night, he leapt across the stage and theatrically threw his 6'4" body to the ground.
"This song was written when I was a troubadour with nothing but a ukulele on my back and a ticket to Cornwall," he said when introducing the song 'Tristan', and the crowd went wild.
During the evening, Wolf sang lyrics from Justin Timberlake's 'Sexy Back' and referred to Paris Hilton's latest escapades, singing, "Paris Hilton got sent to jail." He also spontaneously broke into a rendition of 'Moon River' from the film 'Breakfast at Tiffany's'.
Wolf said goodnight after an hour-and-a-half set, and was brought back for an encore by an extremely enthusiastic crowd. He concluded with the rousing 'Accident & Emergency' and 'A Boy Like Me'.
Wolf played:
'Overture'
'Get Lost'
'To The Lighthouse'
'Pigeon Song'
'Tristan'
'Bluebells'
'Libertine'
'Childcatcher'
'Moon River'
'Stars'
'Magic Position'
'The Fiddle & The Drum'
'Accident & Emergency'
'A Boy Like Me' |