Back in May, I said (along with plenty of others) that Feist’s new album The Reminder would blow her up in a big way. And it has: Polaris Music Prize nominee, iPod ads, critical praise, TV appearances and more. Key to the success of the album (and Let it Die before it) are the quality of the songs and Feist’s beguiling voice.
Last night, the Year of Feist was celebrated as Leslie played her first gig in Ireland. Resplendent with a sparkling glittering armband, a beautifully delicate but powerful voice and the backing band inclusion of three brothers, 1350 people or so were treated to the sound of that voice for nearly two hours. The sound was immaculate too, I might add.
Starting with a PJ-Harvey-esque bluesy version of “When I was a Young Girl”, Feist took in the majority of The Reminder with vocal support from much of the crowd, as well as the ecstatically received “Mushaboom” and a song “Fucked Up Kids” from the new Kevin Drew record. Highlights for myself were “Sea lion woman”, “The Water” and “My Moon, My Man”.
Despite the ridiculous insistence from venue stewards that no cameras were allowed (WTF? This is the Flickr / Youtube generation dude!), I took some video. Enjoy.
If you were there, what did you think of the show?
Sea-Lion Woman
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dt19w9DJwwE[/youtube]
Mushaboom
[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P-CGH6je2x4[/youtube]
Niall Byrne is the founder of the most-influential Irish music site Nialler9, where he has been writing about music since 2005 . He is the co-host of the Nialler9 Podcast and has written for the Irish Times, Irish Independent, Cara Magazine, Sunday Times, Totally Dublin, Red Bull and more. Niall is a DJ, founder of Lumo Club, club promoter, event curator and producer of gigs, listening parties & events in Dublin.
See Line Woman was a Nina Simone cover. People cover her now that she’s dead and she can’t shoot them for murdering her songs.
The gig was OK but the venue really really bites. There were tossers going to the bar and shoving their way through the crowd and then roaring at each other when they got there.
See Line Woman was a Nina Simone cover. People cover her now that she’s dead and she can’t shoot them for murdering her songs.
The gig was OK but the venue really really bites. There were tossers going to the bar and shoving their way through the crowd and then roaring at each other when they got there.
It’s down on her album as Sea Lion Woman, hardly matters.
It’s down on her album as Sea Lion Woman, hardly matters.
Agreed, it’s a great song regardless. Loved the gig, like the venue, hated the heat.
Good to talk to you and the missus, apologies if I talked your head off!
Agreed, it’s a great song regardless. Loved the gig, like the venue, hated the heat.
Good to talk to you and the missus, apologies if I talked your head off!
I still disagree about the sound – for her vocals it was great which is the most important thing really – either it was the sound or the playing but I thought the band weren’t exactly on fire. She really was incredible though. So strange to see those sound coming out of someone’s mouth!
That was so funny about the stewards:
NO CAMERAS there NOOOO CAMERAS!! Fook’s sake.
I still disagree about the sound – for her vocals it was great which is the most important thing really – either it was the sound or the playing but I thought the band weren’t exactly on fire. She really was incredible though. So strange to see those sound coming out of someone’s mouth!
That was so funny about the stewards:
NO CAMERAS there NOOOO CAMERAS!! Fook’s sake.
“There were tossers going to the bar and shoving their way through the crowd and then roaring at each other when they got there.”
Yeah, although i wasn’t there myself, i’d say there are some nasty hooligans attending Feist gigs these days. Concert promoters should consider implementing some rules similar to the following:
shut up at gigs. don’t dance at gigs in case you brush off somebody. if you’re near the front of the crowd at a gig and want to move, stay where you are in case you brush off somebody. if you are trying to communicate with somebody, do not raise your voice UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
here, billy waters, i saw a film recently called “Demolition Man”, it’s set in the future and features a form of non contact sexual intercourse using interconnected headsets. i have a feeling that this might interest you.
“There were tossers going to the bar and shoving their way through the crowd and then roaring at each other when they got there.”
Yeah, although i wasn’t there myself, i’d say there are some nasty hooligans attending Feist gigs these days. Concert promoters should consider implementing some rules similar to the following:
shut up at gigs. don’t dance at gigs in case you brush off somebody. if you’re near the front of the crowd at a gig and want to move, stay where you are in case you brush off somebody. if you are trying to communicate with somebody, do not raise your voice UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES.
here, billy waters, i saw a film recently called “Demolition Man”, it’s set in the future and features a form of non contact sexual intercourse using interconnected headsets. i have a feeling that this might interest you.
All in all thought it was a great performance, she seemed totally buzzed by it but agree that the band although they played well seemed a little lack lustre, but maybe thats their style, she is such a great front woman it probably wouldnt work if everyone was competing with her.
Her voice was stunning better live than on the albums such a range and so effortless. This was the first gig me and my wife ywere at since our baby boy was born and it left us gagging for more – music not babies! (yet)
The air-conditioning was a bit useless and also too loud especially during the quieter moments you could here this constant drone.
All in all well enjoyed glad to see her on first irish gig, no doubt the next time tickets will be gold dust!
All in all thought it was a great performance, she seemed totally buzzed by it but agree that the band although they played well seemed a little lack lustre, but maybe thats their style, she is such a great front woman it probably wouldnt work if everyone was competing with her.
Her voice was stunning better live than on the albums such a range and so effortless. This was the first gig me and my wife ywere at since our baby boy was born and it left us gagging for more – music not babies! (yet)
The air-conditioning was a bit useless and also too loud especially during the quieter moments you could here this constant drone.
All in all well enjoyed glad to see her on first irish gig, no doubt the next time tickets will be gold dust!
Absolutely brilliant gig- I had no idea she was such a good guitarist. She’s such a likeable frontwoman too- it was a bit like seeing Joanna Newsom, where you’re kind of rooting for her, hoping the crowd get it.
Regarding the band, I don’t really know what people expect a bunch of late-thirties session musicians to do on stage aside from banging out the tunes well and playing about fifteen different instruments between them. It’s enough in my book anyway. And they had that Stevie Wonder impersonator dude on the piano at the end.
As for the bad men going to the bar and talking with really, really loud voices and being mean- well, that’s what happens when you let ultra-liberals like Fianna Fail in power. You wouldn’t have seen carry-on like that in Hitler’s Germany, no sir.
I’d agree with Nathan’s comments about the air conditioning in Tripod, it’s either a famine or a feast. I’ve heard quiet support acts totally drowned out by the A/C. Mind you, I’ve been to three gigs there this year- Feist, Battles and Beirut- and they were all great, the bands seemed to be really into it. So it’s not all bad.
Absolutely brilliant gig- I had no idea she was such a good guitarist. She’s such a likeable frontwoman too- it was a bit like seeing Joanna Newsom, where you’re kind of rooting for her, hoping the crowd get it.
Regarding the band, I don’t really know what people expect a bunch of late-thirties session musicians to do on stage aside from banging out the tunes well and playing about fifteen different instruments between them. It’s enough in my book anyway. And they had that Stevie Wonder impersonator dude on the piano at the end.
As for the bad men going to the bar and talking with really, really loud voices and being mean- well, that’s what happens when you let ultra-liberals like Fianna Fail in power. You wouldn’t have seen carry-on like that in Hitler’s Germany, no sir.
I’d agree with Nathan’s comments about the air conditioning in Tripod, it’s either a famine or a feast. I’ve heard quiet support acts totally drowned out by the A/C. Mind you, I’ve been to three gigs there this year- Feist, Battles and Beirut- and they were all great, the bands seemed to be really into it. So it’s not all bad.
Loved the gig, but hated the heat and the overzealous bouncers. I only got two rubbish blurry non-flash photos before I was told to put my camera away. Ridiculous!
I was really impressed by her band, especially the three brothers. The brass arrangement on The Park damn near killed me… Also loved how they pulled Sea Lion Woman off live, it seems to be the least organic track on the album.
Was anyone else as utterly bewildered by her support act as I was though? After the cancer puppets movie/song I wasn’t quite sure where to look.
Loved the gig, but hated the heat and the overzealous bouncers. I only got two rubbish blurry non-flash photos before I was told to put my camera away. Ridiculous!
I was really impressed by her band, especially the three brothers. The brass arrangement on The Park damn near killed me… Also loved how they pulled Sea Lion Woman off live, it seems to be the least organic track on the album.
Was anyone else as utterly bewildered by her support act as I was though? After the cancer puppets movie/song I wasn’t quite sure where to look.
Heard it was a great show. Was really hoping that she wouldn’t have hit it so big by now so that we may have had a show here in Cork too.
One can but dream…
Heard it was a great show. Was really hoping that she wouldn’t have hit it so big by now so that we may have had a show here in Cork too.
One can but dream…
Catherine I missed the support slot.
Is it always that hot in there? I could barely stand it…
Catherine I missed the support slot.
Is it always that hot in there? I could barely stand it…
Here, all I said was there were a few tossers who could’t give a shite about who or what was playing or who they shoved out of the way. Sorry for breathing.
Here, all I said was there were a few tossers who could’t give a shite about who or what was playing or who they shoved out of the way. Sorry for breathing.
The sweat bucketing from me was embarassing…
Glad I missed the support. Was that the mental guy on piano or not?
The sweat bucketing from me was embarassing…
Glad I missed the support. Was that the mental guy on piano or not?
Amen, Billy Onion, A fucking men
Also, there’s something about people shushing at gigs that makes my skin crawl.
Amen, Billy Onion, A fucking men
Also, there’s something about people shushing at gigs that makes my skin crawl.
It wasn’t shushing for fucks sake! Its the shoving and pushing and the piss poor access that ruined it for me. The venue looks nice but it obviously doesn’t work when its being used. Not nice for those who what to drink or go to the bog or whatever and not nice for the people they shove out of the way. Again, Pardon me for breathing, borrow some of your air.
It wasn’t shushing for fucks sake! Its the shoving and pushing and the piss poor access that ruined it for me. The venue looks nice but it obviously doesn’t work when its being used. Not nice for those who what to drink or go to the bog or whatever and not nice for the people they shove out of the way. Again, Pardon me for breathing, borrow some of your air.
Didn’t get to this gig and am now even less looking forward to the first time I have a must-see gig at Tripod!
She’s got a hard to put your finger on yet amazing character to her voice. It makes the knees weak. It’s easy to see why she has come in for so much remix attention. Ewan Pearson and Usher’s Elektronische Dub of her ‘Inside And Out’ and Boys Noize’s treatment of ‘My Moon, My Man’ I particularly dig.
Didn’t get to this gig and am now even less looking forward to the first time I have a must-see gig at Tripod!
She’s got a hard to put your finger on yet amazing character to her voice. It makes the knees weak. It’s easy to see why she has come in for so much remix attention. Ewan Pearson and Usher’s Elektronische Dub of her ‘Inside And Out’ and Boys Noize’s treatment of ‘My Moon, My Man’ I particularly dig.
Chromeo’s take on her version of Sea Lion Woman is smashing too. And I’m not 100% certain, but I think yer man doing the Stevie Wonder on the piano for the last song with the band was indeed the same guy who did the support act? I stand open to correction on that point though…
Chromeo’s take on her version of Sea Lion Woman is smashing too. And I’m not 100% certain, but I think yer man doing the Stevie Wonder on the piano for the last song with the band was indeed the same guy who did the support act? I stand open to correction on that point though…
All O can say is I was goin to hit someone last nite, for the for the 1st time at a gig.
The heat was tropical – idiots paying far too much for poor beer & then spilling the bloody thing all over my Mrs.
Feist was 1st class.
Great banter with the people who listened!!
All O can say is I was goin to hit someone last nite, for the for the 1st time at a gig.
The heat was tropical – idiots paying far too much for poor beer & then spilling the bloody thing all over my Mrs.
Feist was 1st class.
Great banter with the people who listened!!
Yep, the Ray Charles wannabe on piano during the encore was Bob Wiseman, the support guy. One of those people who thinks he’s way funnier than he is, but also expects everyone else to get the joke…
Yep, the Ray Charles wannabe on piano during the encore was Bob Wiseman, the support guy. One of those people who thinks he’s way funnier than he is, but also expects everyone else to get the joke…
Yep, the Ray Charles wannabe on piano during the encore was Bob Wiseman, the support guy. One of those people who thinks he’s way funnier than he is, but also expects everyone else to get the joke…
I thought this was a superb gig. Contrary to some of the comments here I actually thought this is the best crowd I’ve seen in Tripod at a gig for some time. They were really into it and there was quite the hush hush for her slow numbers. A bit mental down the back alright but that’s to be expected I suppose. I mean the Village, Whelans or any other venues you’d care to mention are not any better.
Mercifully someone found the air con switch three quarters way through her set and we were able to breather again. The support act was something from a horror show and had people running for the back bar out of harm’s wau until he thankfully finished. Apart from that though I had a great night and thoroughly enjoyed the show – there wasn’t a weak number anywhere through the set. Highlight of the Feist gig for me was ‘Past in Present’.
I thought this was a superb gig. Contrary to some of the comments here I actually thought this is the best crowd I’ve seen in Tripod at a gig for some time. They were really into it and there was quite the hush hush for her slow numbers. A bit mental down the back alright but that’s to be expected I suppose. I mean the Village, Whelans or any other venues you’d care to mention are not any better.
Mercifully someone found the air con switch three quarters way through her set and we were able to breather again. The support act was something from a horror show and had people running for the back bar out of harm’s wau until he thankfully finished. Apart from that though I had a great night and thoroughly enjoyed the show – there wasn’t a weak number anywhere through the set. Highlight of the Feist gig for me was ‘Past in Present’.
I thought this was a superb gig. Contrary to some of the comments here I actually thought this is the best crowd I’ve seen in Tripod at a gig for some time. They were really into it and there was quite the hush hush for her slow numbers. A bit mental down the back alright but that’s to be expected I suppose. I mean the Village, Whelans or any other venues you’d care to mention are not any better.
Mercifully someone found the air con switch three quarters way through her set and we were able to breather again. The support act was something from a horror show and had people running for the back bar out of harm’s wau until he thankfully finished. Apart from that though I had a great night and thoroughly enjoyed the show – there wasn’t a weak number anywhere through the set. Highlight of the Feist gig for me was ‘Past in Present’.
Incidentially Bob Wiseman just sent me a Youtube message about the Sea Lion Woman video.
Incidentially Bob Wiseman just sent me a Youtube message about the Sea Lion Woman video.
Incidentially Bob Wiseman just sent me a Youtube message about the Sea Lion Woman video.
I’ve been looking forward to seeing this one for a good while and I thought it was a very good gig, but quite far from being a great gig.
Didn’t see the support guy so now I’m glad we arrived late. also wasn’t aware of super-strict camera policy last night, I had my big lense out during the set but didn’t take many pictures cos it was a long weekend of shooting different things and my fingers were starting to lock in that position. I have a handful up on Flickr (click my name thingy).
Tripod seems to always be that warm and they always have that problem with the a/c. It was kind of on and off at Feist, whenever they thought they could get away with the noise. The talking in the crowd only went on in the back half but thats standard, but during the encore they all got very loud (drunk), they all seemed to ignore the cover of “F–ked Up Kid” which was a shame cos they really drowned it out.
Did she play “Past in Present”? Did I miss it? That was one of my main gripes! That and no “How My Heart Behaves” or “Lonely Lonely”.
I’ve been looking forward to seeing this one for a good while and I thought it was a very good gig, but quite far from being a great gig.
Didn’t see the support guy so now I’m glad we arrived late. also wasn’t aware of super-strict camera policy last night, I had my big lense out during the set but didn’t take many pictures cos it was a long weekend of shooting different things and my fingers were starting to lock in that position. I have a handful up on Flickr (click my name thingy).
Tripod seems to always be that warm and they always have that problem with the a/c. It was kind of on and off at Feist, whenever they thought they could get away with the noise. The talking in the crowd only went on in the back half but thats standard, but during the encore they all got very loud (drunk), they all seemed to ignore the cover of “F–ked Up Kid” which was a shame cos they really drowned it out.
Did she play “Past in Present”? Did I miss it? That was one of my main gripes! That and no “How My Heart Behaves” or “Lonely Lonely”.
I’ve been looking forward to seeing this one for a good while and I thought it was a very good gig, but quite far from being a great gig.
Didn’t see the support guy so now I’m glad we arrived late. also wasn’t aware of super-strict camera policy last night, I had my big lense out during the set but didn’t take many pictures cos it was a long weekend of shooting different things and my fingers were starting to lock in that position. I have a handful up on Flickr (click my name thingy).
Tripod seems to always be that warm and they always have that problem with the a/c. It was kind of on and off at Feist, whenever they thought they could get away with the noise. The talking in the crowd only went on in the back half but thats standard, but during the encore they all got very loud (drunk), they all seemed to ignore the cover of “F–ked Up Kid” which was a shame cos they really drowned it out.
Did she play “Past in Present”? Did I miss it? That was one of my main gripes! That and no “How My Heart Behaves” or “Lonely Lonely”.
Re Catherine’s comment about the Opening Act :
I came down from Leitrim to see Bob Wiseman, not Feist.
I really dig his piano playing and thought that he did an excellent job on the encore. He writes songs that are more than your run-of-the-mill love tunes – it begs the questions; has anyone written about the contaninated waters in Galway? Or Tara for that matter?
Yeah his films are quirky, thats true- though I thought the first one with the dancing men was really lovely and brillant. What I enjoyed was that he was an opening act that was thoughtful and took a chance to reached out to an unknown crowd. Adding visuals is a great touch- it keeps your eye on the stage.Thats where you want it. Its difficult to front a headliner when the punters don’t know who you are. Of course in this case, I didn’t know who Feist was and was glad I hung around for her show. She’s a great guitar player and has a very good band. But for my money, I loved to see Wiseman back in Ireland any day.
Re Catherine’s comment about the Opening Act :
I came down from Leitrim to see Bob Wiseman, not Feist.
I really dig his piano playing and thought that he did an excellent job on the encore. He writes songs that are more than your run-of-the-mill love tunes – it begs the questions; has anyone written about the contaninated waters in Galway? Or Tara for that matter?
Yeah his films are quirky, thats true- though I thought the first one with the dancing men was really lovely and brillant. What I enjoyed was that he was an opening act that was thoughtful and took a chance to reached out to an unknown crowd. Adding visuals is a great touch- it keeps your eye on the stage.Thats where you want it. Its difficult to front a headliner when the punters don’t know who you are. Of course in this case, I didn’t know who Feist was and was glad I hung around for her show. She’s a great guitar player and has a very good band. But for my money, I loved to see Wiseman back in Ireland any day.
Re Catherine’s comment about the Opening Act :
I came down from Leitrim to see Bob Wiseman, not Feist.
I really dig his piano playing and thought that he did an excellent job on the encore. He writes songs that are more than your run-of-the-mill love tunes – it begs the questions; has anyone written about the contaninated waters in Galway? Or Tara for that matter?
Yeah his films are quirky, thats true- though I thought the first one with the dancing men was really lovely and brillant. What I enjoyed was that he was an opening act that was thoughtful and took a chance to reached out to an unknown crowd. Adding visuals is a great touch- it keeps your eye on the stage.Thats where you want it. Its difficult to front a headliner when the punters don’t know who you are. Of course in this case, I didn’t know who Feist was and was glad I hung around for her show. She’s a great guitar player and has a very good band. But for my money, I loved to see Wiseman back in Ireland any day.
Yep, the Ray Charles wannabe on piano during the encore was Bob Wiseman, the support guy. One of those people who thinks he’s way funnier than he is, but also expects everyone else to get the joke…