USA, D.C.: 9:30 Club
- August 12, 1997
In the beginning, there was nothing...
then...
Teenage Fanclub took the stage and unleashed an uninspiring set
comprising of 8-9 unmemeroble songs. It was obvious the audience was
only
humoring them, which is sad, but certainly the mark of a good audience.
Teenage Fanclub is a nerdy quintet (even more so than Radiohead it
seems), with dual guitarists, a bassist, drummer, and a full-time
keyboard player. The two guitarists and the bassist shared the task
of
singing, neither of the trio particularly standing out.=20
"Fitter happier more productive, comfortable, not drinking to much,
regular exercise at the gym..." That's how it started. The lights were
low, close to being pitch dark, and the unemotional voice of a computer
echoed through the awe-filled hall that is D.C's 9:30 Club, the hot
spot
for live music. From the outside, it resembles an abandoned warehouse.
And the inside? the same, except for the neon lights of the multiple
bars
and the small stage set on one side of the general admission venue.
A
balcony circles the ground level, with stone bleachers for those too
weak
to stand the whole show.
The five lanky members of Radiohead, the world's most brilliant and
skinniest rock band, climbed humbly onto stage, waving and nodding
to the
world's most hyperactive crowd. They slung on their weapons of choice
and
the high pitched chiming of guitarist and backing vocalist Ed O' Brien=20
filled the ears of the dumbstruck crowd. Then, Thom Yorke plunked out
the
'Em' chord that set it all off... "I'm on a roll, I'm on a roll this
time..." Within seconds the sound of the audience began in as Thom's
backing chorus. They knew every word just as well as he did, and made
it
clear as they sang along. Red light bathed the stage on the soaring
chorus, and the crowd went wild with joy. As "Lucky" faded out, the
club
rocker "Just" ignited a blaze as the bigger, more testosterone filled
members of the crowd plowed into the smaller more music concerned
members. "Airbag" was next, in all its magical drumming glory. It was
during "Airbag" that it became clear that Thom was giving one of the
best
performances I've ever heard, as well as the rest of the band. "Planet
Telex" was next, and the moshing continued. It was not until
"Bulletproof" wormed it's way through the air that the frat boys calmed
down. Next, was "Climbing Up The Walls." Excellent live, and truely
frightening. And from there, it all becomes a blur until the encores.
You
see, some idiot smashed into me and I could no longer move my arm enough
to write. The rest of the main set comprised of (In my random order):
No Surprises- Excellent. Some of the frat boys started to mosh, thinking
they were quite funny, but stopped when a concerned mother addressed
them
on endangering others. Quite humorous.
Bones- Good. Thom didn't go as spastic as usual.
Fake Plastic Trees- Wonderful as always, but interrupted by some drunken
off calling out to Thom right behind me. Someone hit him and he shut
up.
The Bends- An excellent live song. I love to dance around to this one.
Electioneering- I've always said that this song has a "swagger." It
always will. Jonny goes crazy on the guitar. It's wonderful and inspiring.
Paranoid Android- Ed and his shaker, gyrating about on stage. Quite
humorous to watch. He looks like he's enjoying himself. The "Rain Down"
section is always great.
[Nice Dream]-Glad to hear this one live. I love the whale call sounds.
Exit Music-One of my concert highlights. The only song no one ruined.
Thom's voice echoed throughout the club and everyone stood quietly,
motionless. And as the climax erupted, chills ran up and down my spine
and I got goosebumps. Very powerful vocals. The best to date.
My Iron Lung- Another great live song. Fun to thrash around to while
standing still.
Talk Show Host- This was the last song of the main set. Ed once again
gyrating and throbbing on stage like... err... you know. His eyes rolled
back and his tongue hanging out of one side of his mouth... made me
laugh...
AND NOW THE ENCORES! We got THREE! This was the most receptive, loud
crowd I've ever been in. I believe these are in the right order.
Encore 1:
Lurgee- Thom said something about a song from Pablo Honey. I expected
"Creep". They played this one, my second favorite from the album. I
was
thrilled.
Karma Police- It's a good thing they played this because I promised
one
of the people I went with that they would play it. They always do I
said... It was fab.
Street Spirit- Dedicated to Teenage Fanclub. Thom flatted some of the
"again"'s on the "And fade out agaaaaaaaaaiinnnnnnnnnnnnn" parts.
Otherwise perfect. Barely noticeable.
Encore 2:
Thom appears on stage alone and plays something I would have never
expected...
Motion Picture Soundtrack- Beautiful. A total shock. But so worth it!
I
love this song!
The Tourist- The band appears and does this one. So wonderful! Great!
Encore 3:
We cheered so loud and long we forced them out one final time for:
You- My favorite from Pablo Honey, and I had said before the show I
really wanted them to play it. And they did!
Then it was over!
Concert Highlights: The show's length. 23 songs total, 3 encores.
Brilliant performances all around. Meeting Phil before the show (a
lot of
people did, so I don't feel that special, but it was still very cool.
He
is really nice.) and talking about fanclubs, the progression of his
drumming from Pablo Honey to OK Computer, and set lists. I've got his
autograph too! He signs things "Philip". Heh heh. Motion Picture
Soundtrack, You, Exit Music, Airbag, and Climbing Up The Walls to name
the songs that most electrified me! No Creep. Instead they played better
things.
Concert Let Downs: They didn't play Let Down, and all the moshing.
All in all: %%%%% out of %%%%%!!!!!!!!
The elusive one,
Mark V Kay