Clean Sweep #2: It's A Musical Journey

[Varitek]

I hate to think what I'd do. Blurt out something stupid setlist related, I'm sure.

I've seriously thought about compiling some sort of setlist booklet and trying to get it to them.

I figured if I stuck to a political element of his speech I'd be OK and I wouldn't confess my secret love for him.

What would you put in it?

 

[Varitek]

So I was looking through an ipod blog to see if there was any news about new ipods coming out and I found this

http://www.podcastingnews.com/2008/02/22/dead-ipod/



should I get silver or black? :hm: My headphones are black and it'll probably be in a case most of the time.

 

[Axver]

I can't imagine deciding not to go. What if they play Heartland at the show you coulda gone to? I just get such a rush, such a high, such a long lasting happiness out of seeing them that I will do it as many times as I can afford, which if the next tour is scheduled badly for me might be none and I might do it anyway and literally go broke which is NOT smart.

Yeah, I keep thinking about what they might play - but by the time they get down here (IF they do), I'd likely know ahead of time. And I just love that OTH is the final song I saw. When the show ended, I turned to the guy beside me and we both just said that that was it, nothing could top that, we didn't need to see U2 again, it was too perfect. I'm sure I'll cave and end up attending though. If they play arenas in the US and my financial position's OK, maybe splurge on another trip, as U2 are undeniably better in arenas.

I am looking up EITS's tour schedule now...

I believe they are currently about to return to the US for a brief tour. Not sure where they're going though. I remember a San Fran date and that's it.

And yeah I wish U2 weren't famous all the time. I mean I appreciate the boots and the enormity of a stadium tour but whenever I'm in a little club for anything else I always fantasize about it being 25 years ago and u2 playing there.

When I saw EITS, I kept thinking of what it would've been like to see U2 in such a venue. I mean, I was leaning on the stage speakers. I spoke to one of the openers as she packed up and got the setlist off her (YES THE SETLIST). I could actually see precisely what Munaf Rayani was playing, like the string and the fret. It was so amazing. I cannot BEGIN to imagine what Boy/October Tour gigs must've been like in small clubs. Just thinking about them busting into 11OTT ...

 

[Varitek]

Also this is sick, absolutely sickly beautifully cool, but I would never pay for it when you can pay less for something that does the same thing

http://gizmodo.com/photogallery/istick/1000787977

 

[Axver]

I'm careful to avoid burnout now, with any artist... as soon as I stop wanting to hear something, I go on to something different... my mp3 player is only 2GB, so I have to go through it every so often, cull the stuff I'm sick of and swap it over... I love hearing new music too, so that helps. I'll borrow CDs off someone at work, stick the music onto the player before I've really heard most of it, and wait for it to pop up.

Wow, only 2GB? I couldn't cope with that little! Even 30GB has just about started to seem too little.

I'm trying to avoid burnout these days. I know I've totally overplayed PT in the last month, but by March I'm sure I'll ease off. I was playing the shit out of Blackfield in January and that's eased off. Hopefully someone will release a new album for me to get excited about. Agalloch's new EP is pretty cool, coming to think of it.

Not that either of you would like Agalloch AT ALL ...

Did you mean "we've passed 900" or "we're past 900"?

DAMN TIREDNESS.

Wait.

I was combining both options. Covering both of my bases.

That sounds good.

 

[Varitek]

"even if it's broke just pretend that it's not to avoid conversations with strangers"

 

[Axver]

What would you put in it?

I'm honestly not sure! I can't decide if maybe I should just do some sort of analysis, as I imagine they probably haven't really thought that much about it, or if I should perhaps throw in some more opinion.

It'd be way too nerdy and I doubt they'd read it anyway.

 

[Alisaura]

Yeah I was proud I didn't freeze up, I complimented him on a specific part of his speech and he was like "no I screwed that part up" and I was like "but you got the point across."

Signs I'm tired: the only superlative I can think of is "awesome".



I dunno if it was technically freezing, since I'd been sitting in the hot sun for three days by that point... maybe it was just brainmelt.

All I managed to get out was "thank you for coming back, I had such a great time last night" ... which was about the most massively enormous understatement in the history of the multiverse. And neither of them said a word that I heard... the only thing I had with me that was signable was the envelope I'd been keeping the tickets in for the previous year.

 

[Axver]

So I was looking through an ipod blog to see if there was any news about new ipods coming out and I found this

http://www.podcastingnews.com/2008/02/22/dead-ipod/



should I get silver or black? :hm: My headphones are black and it'll probably be in a case most of the time.

Damnit, my headphones are plugged into the other computer. I'll have to bring up this thread there to watch it.

And I say go for black.

(Incidentally, good thing your headphones are black. I remember reading that people with the stereotypical white headphones were considerably more likely to be mugged.)

 

[Axver]

"even if it's broke just pretend that it's not to avoid conversations with strangers"

I've met a couple of old people on trams who just don't get it. They keep talking even when you have the headphones in.

 

[Alisaura]

Yeah, I keep thinking about what they might play - but by the time they get down here (IF they do), I'd likely know ahead of time. And I just love that OTH is the final song I saw. When the show ended, I turned to the guy beside me and we both just said that that was it, nothing could top that, we didn't need to see U2 again, it was too perfect. I'm sure I'll cave and end up attending though. If they play arenas in the US and my financial position's OK, maybe splurge on another trip, as U2 are undeniably better in arenas.

The last thing I heard was Bad... which is about the most awesome thing I could have hoped for.

But I would not hesitate for an instant to go again. I don't care if they just play all the live standards three times each - that feeling in that place was .... indescribable. But you know what I mean. There's no way I wouldn't want to experience that again.

And if it's better in arenas... damn.

My dream right now (and current savings goal) is to attend a U2 show in Dublin on the next tour (and hopefully London too). Any trips they make to Aus after that will be a bonus... and hopefully I'll have a year to save between them.

 

[Varitek]

Damnit, my headphones are plugged into the other computer. I'll have to bring up this thread there to watch it.

And I say go for black.

(Incidentally, good thing your headphones are black. I remember reading that people with the stereotypical white headphones were considerably more likely to be mugged.)

haha I read that on mugging too. My last pair of these were white and they finally broke in November so I got the black version. The reason they broke is that for starting like 2 months after I got them they had disintegrated casing around the wires to the individual earbuds, but the sound quality on them is phenomenal and the black ones aren't supposed to have that problem so far so good.

(sony mdr-ex71s)

 

[Axver]

So I was looking through an ipod blog to see if there was any news about new ipods coming out and I found this

http://www.podcastingnews.com/2008/02/22/dead-ipod/

OK, so I just played that on the other computer.



That was just brilliant.

 

[Varitek]

OMG they are gonna be in philly on april 8th (EITS)

 

[Varitek]

but who will I go with???

 

[Axver]

But I would not hesitate for an instant to go again. I don't care if they just play all the live standards three times each - that feeling in that place was .... indescribable. But you know what I mean. There's no way I wouldn't want to experience that again.

I am admittedly tired of some songs. I'll wait and see how the sets go. I'm obviously not exactly a person in a position to avoid spoilers.

And if it's better in arenas... damn.

Quite better! I don't think any of the shows down here compare to the 26 and 28 May gigs I saw in Boston. One Tree Hill in Auckland as a moment on its own topped the lot, but the overall gig ... 26 May was probably the best show I saw.

I'd love them to play smaller venues down here, but after the insane attendance on Vertigo, NOT BLOODY LIKELY. And to think some people originally thought they'd have to do Rod Laver because they'd never sell out the Telstra Dome! The dire Popmart attendance days are loooong gone.

My dream right now (and current savings goal) is to attend a U2 show in Dublin on the next tour (and hopefully London too). Any trips they make to Aus after that will be a bonus... and hopefully I'll have a year to save between them.

I think I said on Sunday last week, but I've four U2 goals, two of which I've fulfilled.

I want to see them in:
- New Zealand (done x2; sub-goal of Wellington still to go)
- Boston (done x3)
- Amsterdam
- Dublin
In other words, my home, their home, and their two homes away from home.

 

[Alisaura]

Wow, only 2GB? I couldn't cope with that little! Even 30GB has just about started to seem too little.

Yeah, I did say it was cheap. If I could get the same sort but with more capacity, I'd go for it...

Not that either of you would like Agalloch AT ALL ...

That sounds like a challenge to me. Gimme your best shot!

I was combining both options. Covering both of my bases.

That sounds good.

Suuuuuure...

Gone through that PT stuff 3 or 4 times now... am enjoying Waiting Phase One and Piano Lessons so far. Will take me a while to see if I really get hooked.

Is he saying "I come in value packs of ten"??

Also, Varitek, you have mail... the second link will go straight to you as well.

 

[Axver]

but who will I go with???

I went by myself!

In fact, the last three gigs I've seen, I've gone by myself. I don't know many people in Melbourne, and those I do don't seem to want to go to the shows I like.

Actually, that reminds me. Ali, I'm getting desperate. I badly want to see The Chaser's stage production, it's in town on 4-7 June, and I even told Kate I'd pay for her ticket and she STILL won't go with me. Are you interested?

(The above goes for all the Melburnians if they show up here. Danny, Daniel, Jen, Melissa, Leeann, any of you.)

 

[Alisaura]

I'm honestly not sure! I can't decide if maybe I should just do some sort of analysis, as I imagine they probably haven't really thought that much about it, or if I should perhaps throw in some more opinion.

See, I'm not convinced they don't think about it that much. Given the stories you hear about some bands (maybe also U2?) fighting over track orders on albums, and given what we know of the anally retentive tendencies they have over other aspects of their music/business, I'm pretty confident that they do put a fair bit of thought into setlists.

IMHO.

 

[Varitek]

I am admittedly tired of some songs. I'll wait and see how the sets go. I'm obviously not exactly a person in a position to avoid spoilers.



Quite better! I don't think any of the shows down here compare to the 26 and 28 May gigs I saw in Boston. One Tree Hill in Auckland as a moment on its own topped the lot, but the overall gig ... 26 May was probably the best show I saw.

I'd love them to play smaller venues down here, but after the insane attendance on Vertigo, NOT BLOODY LIKELY. And to think some people originally thought they'd have to do Rod Laver because they'd never sell out the Telstra Dome! The dire Popmart attendance days are loooong gone.



I think I said on Sunday last week, but I've four U2 goals, two of which I've fulfilled.

I want to see them in:
- New Zealand (done x2; sub-goal of Wellington still to go)
- Boston (done x3)
- Amsterdam
- Dublin
In other words, my home, their home, and their two homes away from home.

I consider 5-26 my second best after 12-4. Both shows included Bad of course.

I want to see them in Dublin and Rotterdam - I don't know why you say Amsterdam is their home away from home besides Boston, but anyway, they seem to always play great gigs in the Netherlands. And fortunately it is one of the places I can get to more easily on the next potential tour.

 

[Varitek]

I went by myself!

In fact, the last three gigs I've seen, I've gone by myself. I don't know many people in Melbourne, and those I do don't seem to want to go to the shows I like.

Actually, that reminds me. Ali, I'm getting desperate. I badly want to see The Chaser's stage production, it's in town on 4-7 June, and I even told Kate I'd pay for her ticket and she STILL won't go with me. Are you interested?

(The above goes for all the Melburnians if they show up here. Danny, Daniel, Jen, Melissa, Leeann, any of you.)

I went to 4/6 U2 gigs by myself. I'm gonna buy a ticket cause they are GA and then ask if any friends wanna go.

 

[Axver]

That sounds like a challenge to me. Gimme your best shot!

Oh goodness, are you sure? They're metal, though loosely so. Atmospheric. Post-rock, folk influences along with black and death metal.

I love them so much.

Gone through that PT stuff 3 or 4 times now... am enjoying Waiting Phase One and Piano Lessons so far. Will take me a while to see if I really get hooked.

Is he saying "I come in value packs of ten"??

I adore those two songs you mentioned. I was so excited when they suddenly burst out Waiting on the current tour. Nobody expected it. My friend was at the gig and it's his favourite song. He remarked that in that moment, he could have made sweaty manlove to Steven Wilson.

And yes! The chorus of Piano Lessons is "Credit me with some intelligence, if not just credit me/I come in value packs of ten, in five varieties". The whole Stupid Dream album is loosely a swipe at commercialism, the music industry, and such. The title is about how having a dream of a music career is essentially a stupid dream. As the Piano Lessons lyrics say, "she said there's too much out there, too much already said/you better give up hoping, you're better off in bed", and of course, the last line, "waiting under streetlights for dreams to disappear".

 

[Varitek]

Now listening to EITS and finding my wallet

 

[Axver]

See, I'm not convinced they don't think about it that much. Given the stories you hear about some bands (maybe also U2?) fighting over track orders on albums, and given what we know of the anally retentive tendencies they have over other aspects of their music/business, I'm pretty confident that they do put a fair bit of thought into setlists.

IMHO.

Oh, I know they put a fair bit of thought into their sets, they plan theirs much better than many other bands whose sets I follow (Dream Theater's current tour is very guilty of having no flow, for example), but I mean in a historical context. I very much doubt they're too aware of patterns and so forth. They're planning sets for the current tour, not sitting around saying "shit, wonder where Exit got to?" It already HAS slipped under their radar.

 

[Alisaura]

I am admittedly tired of some songs. I'll wait and see how the sets go. I'm obviously not exactly a person in a position to avoid spoilers.

I may have to ban myself from blue crack after the tour starts... I loved that everything came as a surprise. Well, a lot of it was a surprise.
I hate spoilers in general... so you are warned.

I'd love them to play smaller venues down here, but after the insane attendance on Vertigo, NOT BLOODY LIKELY. And to think some people originally thought they'd have to do Rod Laver because they'd never sell out the Telstra Dome! The dire Popmart attendance days are loooong gone.

Yet another reason for my desire to get hold of a time machine and go nuts on the Lovetown tour. What was it, 6 or 7 dates in the tennis centre/Rod Laver??

 

[Varitek]

in other news my ipod just came back to life...we'll see if ti stays alive when i plug it into itunes. and it has all my music on it!

 

[Axver]

I consider 5-26 my second best after 12-4. Both shows included Bad of course.

I want to see them in Dublin and Rotterdam - I don't know why you say Amsterdam is their home away from home besides Boston, but anyway, they seem to always play great gigs in the Netherlands. And fortunately it is one of the places I can get to more easily on the next potential tour.

I honestly can't decide if I prefer 26/05 or 28/05. I tend to say 26/05 because it was such a complete concert experience, but 28/05 had better song selection for the most part and ... I don't know. I'd like to merge the two shows!

Ugh, tiredness strikes. I meant to just say The Netherlands. Amsterdam, Rotterdam, The Hague, Nijmejen (probably butchered the spelling but I have a headache, nearly wrote headphone, dear God!), wherever. They seem to have such strong support there and really feed off it.

 

[Axver]

I went to 4/6 U2 gigs by myself. I'm gonna buy a ticket cause they are GA and then ask if any friends wanna go.

Good plan!

I'm sure you'll really enjoy it. Get as close to the front as possible. I loved checking out Munaf Rayani's pedals as he set up.

Incidentally, who's the support act? We had El May and Eluvium, both of whom were fantastic too.

 

[Alisaura]

I went by myself!

In fact, the last three gigs I've seen, I've gone by myself. I don't know many people in Melbourne, and those I do don't seem to want to go to the shows I like.

Actually, that reminds me. Ali, I'm getting desperate. I badly want to see The Chaser's stage production, it's in town on 4-7 June, and I even told Kate I'd pay for her ticket and she STILL won't go with me. Are you interested?

(The above goes for all the Melburnians if they show up here. Danny, Daniel, Jen, Melissa, Leeann, any of you.)

Is that part of the comedy festival? I want to see Tripod... damn they crack me up.

How much for this Chaser gig? I never watched the show much, but people seem to like it....

I went to John Butler et al. on my own... was all good. Not as bad as seeing movies on your own, for some reason.

 

[Varitek]

I may have to ban myself from blue crack after the tour starts... I loved that everything came as a surprise. Well, a lot of it was a surprise.
I hate spoilers in general... so you are warned.

Yeah I stayed away before my first show, though I hadn't yet registered at that point.