Royal Albert Hall - 18 Nov 2014

Urban_Tribesman · Post edited by Urban_Tribesman at 2014-11-20 12:41:19

littlepeat

I'm afraid I have a more pessimistic take on the 'this is our last gig.....' comment. I HOPE I'M WRONG.

It has seemed to me, ever since Manchester, that ToU is so perfect that it is going to be extremely difficult, perhaps impossible, to follow. Each album has been a change of direction from the previous one, so it is possible that the genius combination that is Will and Alison will find a new direction to go for album 7. But what could it be? I think a return to 'pop-songs' (a la SN and HF) would represent no challenge to them and less-than-usual joy to us. Another album in the FM/ST/ToU vein could not possibly be an improvement on ToU (could it?) so risks being an anti-climactic disappointment. The only development I can imagine would be a full-CD-length operatic/symphonic exploration. That might be hugely rewarding and enjoyable - but could it really be under the Goldfrapp badge, which is gloriously associated with masterpieces of 4 or 5 minutes?

If Alison and Will have been thinking along these lines much of what we saw on Tuesday is explained. Alison was more nervous and emotional than usual, which caused her to trip over several of her spoken links and crept into the songs two or three times (eg, Laurel was beautiful and haunting, but not faultless). This emotion could have been triggered by the majesty of the venue, and with little or no front lighting the thousands of eager faces would have been more obvious than usual - but I think it was more than that. If there are no plans for a new album the possibility that this might really be the last ever gig may well have been dominating her thoughts, and may well explain the breakdown at the end of Black Cherry (which I thought she sang even better than she has before). And her comment that this would be the last gig was only qualified with 'for a very long time' after a long pause - as if she wasn't sure that there'd ever be another.

It might also explain the fact that BC was the only encore song. It looked to me as if the band - and the orchestra - were expecting there to be more. They only put down their instruments when it became clear that Alison was waving goodbye. We've never known a gig to end on a 'slow' song: I suspect that 'Strict Machine' was lined up but Alison felt she could do no more after ending BC in tears.

As I say, I hope I'm wrong and that there are ever greater heights for Goldfrapp to reach in the future.

NovaLasing

Where I was sitting (front stalls) the sound was superb – better than any other venue this tour. Alison was more nervous than usual when it came to talking to the audience though it didn’t affect her spellbinding performance. It was easily the longest GF gig (nearly 2 hours), and what a wonderful show. There were so many other positives – the orchestra, lovely choir, Will + sax, John Grant duets, & very different set list. Even the support was good. Also GMB meeting in the queen’s arms! And thanks for the excellent vids UT

Only negative is knowing there will be no gigs in 2015

Urban_Tribesman

Urban_Tribesman

Urban_Tribesman

NovaLasing

littlepeat said:

It might also explain the fact that BC was the only encore song. It looked to me as if the band - and the orchestra - were expecting there to be more. They only put down their instruments when it became clear that Alison was waving goodbye. We've never known a gig to end on a 'slow' song: I suspect that 'Strict Machine' was lined up but Alison felt she could do no more after ending BC in tears.

I think/hope you're being overly pessimistic Little Peat. The set was as planned and previous gigs have ended on a slow song - including BC (see Wonderful Electric DVD). Alison has cracked up singing BC several times - it obviously evokes sad memories. I'm sure with Will's genius they will find yet another new direction.

silverjet

littlepeat said:
We've never known a gig to end on a 'slow' song.

2003 Somerset House (Wonderful Electric DVD) performance also ended with BC. I think it makes for a great final song.

silverjet

On Twitter, Alison replied to a fan who noticed her being nervous as: "so much build up to the evening" :S

littlepeat

NovaLasing said:

littlepeat said:
I'm sure with Will's genius they will find yet another new direction.

Someone once said that Goldfrapp always produce the album we didn't know we wanted. I'm sure you're right NL - I'm being too pessimistic.

And I should have said that we haven't known GF end on a slow song RECENTLY. I've got used to the Strict Machine ending! And silverjet is right......... BC is a great final song, leaving us (and Alison!) on an emotional high.

Halloween_Jack · Post edited by Halloween_Jack at 2014-11-20 14:56:51

^ Yes, it is true that recently they've not finished on a slowy. (I was going to point out that at Cecil Sharp in 2008 they also finished on Black Cherry.)

And Alison is well-known for getting all teary during BC. At the start of the gig I had expected to hear 'Simone' and perhaps a (final) encore of Strict Machine (and maybe Train). But the actual printed setlist excluded Simone and had BC as the encore. So they certainly stuck to the songs they'd intended to play.

Alison was also very sad/emotional at the final 2008 gig (Brixton). Not sure why, but I've not been as "down" as others, following this gig.

Oh, and Ali has just tweeted: "it really has been a treat doing all of these shows for you. I can't wait til the next ones."

Urban_Tribesman

Mrs Tribesman Senior's young son Urban was born an optimist. It helps being a Sagittarian.
I'm with Pete on this. Final gig on a long tour, at the Royal Albert Hall with a 20 piece orchestra, knowing everyone is waiting in anticipation; the press with their poison pens waiting to pick up on any little fuckup (see Jo in the vids), we would have all shat ourselves! No wonder she had a few wobbles and emotion.
But the girl done great; as did the band, Mr G and the orchestra. And such an extra treat to have John Grant as well.
Looking at this from a logical perspective (dons pointy ears) what would Alison do? I doubt she has enough royalties coming in to put her feet up permanently in the Bahamas. Will's always had side bars but A going back to being a vocalist on other people's work? I doubt it. Once you have been in charge, it is difficult to go back. So, a solo career it would have to be, as those pipes cannot remain dormant, it is in her genes !
I also seem to remember Head First was a rather rushed final album on their old record deal. TOU is the first since then and who signs an album deal for 1 record.
Have patience all. My instinct tells me the Goldfrapp train has not pulled into the station for the last time.
The best may be yet to come ! ( see, optimist ! )

silverjet · Post edited by silverjet at 2014-11-20 15:14:33

I totally agree, Urban. Though hearing "solo career" makes me angry. These two are connected together, are each other's musical soulmates. They often say nothing happens until they're in the studio together. Once Alison was asked if she'll ever think of a solo career, she said Will is her ally. I don't want to see Alison as a solo artist. What is she gonna do without Will's magnificent string arrangements?

"Will is my ally. I can't imagine making music without him. There's a
musical connection I haven't found with anyone else. I feel satisfied
with what I'm doing now."

You're right about album deal. Mute became independent again in 2012, it requires a new deal. I wasn't worried about a split up, and don't want to be, I just don't want a noticable break. We also know that Black Cherry is a personal song that she doesn't wanna discuss about its subject. I also feel Tales of Us is a work she's very proud of and it was hard saying goodbye to it.

wild_corgi

Great gig, lovely to meet you all again, and catch up, and to meet others for the first time. Doubtless the first of many. Shame I didn't get to meet more of you but - next time!

I was sat behind Angie with Rach, so stalls, on the side. From there you get a sense of how big the RAH is as a space - there's no overhanging balcony anywhere, the ceiling might as well be on the Moon it's so high. It only (!) holds twice as many as the Festival Hall but because of the layout you could fit the Festival Hall in there a few times and still have room for a couple of moshpits. And then there's the doing new stuff, and songs/choir, and John Grant, and the end of the tour ... oh I can see why Alison was nervous OK at the start and teary at the end (plus the BC effect).

I thought it did affect the start of the show for TOU, but I did think she got into it, slowly, despite a few fluffs. RAH is notoriously a difficult space for sound so I'm not surprised things didn't sound perfectly balanced, or a bit off. When it did take off, I thought it was simply ravishing - and I loved the unexpected touches, Voicething, and duets with John Grant ... and Will onstage for a fleeting moment. (Never thought I'd see that!)

Didn't film or photo or record, recipe for disaster that with me, so very grateful to those who did.

8bitcruncher

Another review.5 star no less!

http://www.musicomh.com/reviews/live/goldfrapp-royal-albert-hall-london

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