Jueves 26 Jun 2008, 7:31
My Bloody Valentine - The Roundhouse 23rd June 2008
After reading some of the reviews, I was a bit apprehensive about the gig…, mix extremely loud, vocals non-existent will all my favourite tunes be unrecognisable?? On a more positive note was pleased that they were to play quite a bit from ‘Isn’t anything’.
The Roundhouse is a great venue, lots of space and good views from all areas. I was able to get down to the front very easily and found myself just in front of the huge block of speakers on the left hand side of the stage. Was this a mistake given the fact that earplugs were handed out as you walked through the doors?
We arrived at 8.30pm, only to find that we’d missed Graham Coxon. MBV were due to come on at 9.00pm but true to form they came on ½ hour late. My worries were over once started, vocals were fine and sound levels bearable. However crowd were DIRE, second song in and my favourite on Loveless ‘When you sleep’, I was dancing about and all around me a motionless crowd with maybe a slight sway from a few. Come on guys, it’s been 16 years since we last saw them, well perhaps since some of us last saw them as a proportion of the crowd were probably just coming out of nappies at the time.
As the gig progressed the sound cranked up, however, still bearable and earplugs not required. Out of the whole set, ‘Feed me with your kiss’ virtually unrecognisable, could only work out the song when Kevin mumbled out ‘Feed me with your kiss’. Was really looking forward to ‘Sueisfine’ but the sound was so loud, vocals were lost and the whole mix was a mess.
Thorn and Slow were just wonderful as were the slower tunes from Loveless. Finally movement was spotted with ‘Soon’, a small group of people at the front had their hands up, a moshpit possibly, and a few around me finally started to dance, a little late into the set, (14 songs in). Then for ‘You made me realise’, the sound was amazing, the crowd really getting into it, then came the 20 mins or so of white noise. At first the crowd were in awe, however, after 5 to 10 mins, they looked bored, people walking out or just standing there with fingers in ears. The rumour is that Kevin thinks that “excessive volume has a physical effect on your body that causes endorphines adrenaline and certain survival hormones to be released by your brain when your body feels the effect.” It left me feeling rather deflated. It went on far too long and lost all it’s impact, if my memory serves me right, I’m sure the last time they toured, it only lasted for about 5 mins and kicked straight back into the song, you left the gig feeling happy and contented. The noise went on for 15-20mins and then song just ended.
Would I go and see them again, yes of course, however, I’d probably leave just 5 mins into YMMR and walk home feeling joyous rather than deflated and cheated.