The White Stripes make full UK return with Ballroom gig
The White Stripes played a intimate gig at the Rivoli Ballroom in south London tonight (June 12).
Jack and Meg White warmed-up for their headlining slots at this week's O2 Wireless Festival by playing their first full electric gig in the UK since 2005 at the tiny venue.
With the hall - complete with red velvet curtains and chandeliers - feeling like a time capsule, the ornate surroundings provided the perfect setting for The White Stripes' return, even if the venue had to hire an electricity generator to cope with the band's needs.
Opening with 'Dead Leaves On The Dirty Ground', there were immediately loud sing-a-longs despite the sweltering heat in the packed venue.
"If you ever wondered what our first gig at the 100 Club was like you're sitting in it," joked Jack about the temperature that also plagued the band's first ever London show several years ago. "Maybe this is a bit cooler."
The show, watched by members of Klaxons, The Mighty Boosh and genuine Pearly Kings and Queens among others, saw UK live debuts for tracks from new album 'Icky Thump' including 'Effect And Cause', 'Catch Hell Blues'
'I'm Slowly Turning Into You'.
Meanwhile, with Jack offering to take "requests" mid way through show, there were plenty of old favourites with the likes of 'Hotel Yorba', 'I Think I Smell A Rat' and closer 'Seven Nation Army' all getting a loud endorsement from the crowd.
The White Stripes played:
'Dead Leaves On The Dirty Ground'
'Icky Thump'
'When I Hear My Name'
'Effect And Cause'
'Hotel Yorba'
'Wasting My Time'
'Jolene'
'Catch Hell Blues'
'I'm Slowly Turning Into You'
'Screwdriver'
'I Fought Piranhas'
'I Think I Smell A Rat'
'We're Going To Be Friends'
'Your Southern Can Is Mine'
'Apple Blossom'
'The Hardest Button To Button'
'I Just Don't Know What To Do With Myself'
'Black Math'
'Ball And Biscuit'
'Seven Nation Army'
Earlier support had come from David Viner and his band.
Proceeds from tonight's show will go to the Chelsea Pensioners' Appeal plus charities supported by the London Pearly Kings And Queens Society.
To mark their support for the causes, earlier this afternoon the duo also played a special acoustic show for an audience of Chelsea Pensioners at the Royal Hospital in London where they are cared for. |
Serbia triumph at Eurovision
Serbia were named winners of the Eurovision Song Contest last night (May 12), as the UK suffered another humiiating defeat.
Singer Marija Serifovic became the country's first Eurovision winner with the ballad 'Molitva', beating Ukranian drag act Verka Serduchka into second place.
But it was a different story for British entrants Scooch, who finished second from bottom with camp pop song 'Flying The Flag' with just 19 points, compared to Serbia's winning 268.
Scooch singer Caroline Barnes told the BBC: "I have to say I laughed so much (that) I cried during the voting. I'm not gutted. I don't want to say it was expected, but you know what Eurovision is like."
Only the Irish entry polled lower at the ceremony in Finnish capital Helsinki, following last year's victory for flambouyant metal band Lordi.
The host nation kept up the hard rock theme with a half-time performance from Apocalyptica, the Metallica tribute band who play instrumental versions of the band's hits on cellos.
The UK last won Eurovision in 1997, with 'Love Shine A Light', performed by Katrina and the Waves. Early rumours that Morrissey would represent the UK this year ended up coming to nothing. |
Indie stars align for NOW-like series
Vice is reportedly set to release compilation featuring the likes of Bloc Party, the Shins, and Bright Eyes, with Matador and Sub Pop for subsequent releases.
Looking to do for indie rock what the NOW series has done for countless pop vixens and one-hit wonders, several top independent labels are reportedly set to release a series of indie rock compilations that will target the casual music fan.
According to a report on Entertainment Weekly's Web site, Vice Records is set to release the first in a series of compilations focusing on indie rock, with artists like Bloc Party, the Shins, Bright Eyes, Air, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, M. Ward, Ted Leo, Cat Power, and Silversun Pickups all signing on for the first volume.
Much like the NOW That's What I Call Music series, the compilation will likely jump from label to label with each release. Vice will release Volume One via Vice this summer, while Volumes Two and Three are tentatively slated to arrive later this year via Matador and Sub Pop respectively.
They goal of the venture is to capitalize on the increasing buzz behind indie music and to target Middle America, in partnership with MTV2.
"The focus is going to be Wal-Marts, big box stores, red states, and TV advertising," Vice general manager Adam Shore told EW.com. "The popularity of these bands is bigger than they've ever been before. So what we're trying to do here is give more people more reasons to listen to these artists."
The project is reportedly being spearheaded by the Alternative Distribution Alliance (ADA), the Warner Music Group-owned company that distributes Vice, Sub Pop, Matador, and several other indie labels. ADA recently inked a deal to sell DRM-free music through Snocap. |