It was different to a lot of gigs I've been to, due to the fact that the entire hall was seated, and not standing. Which was odd. It gave the gig a very laid-back atmosphere, which both contributed and took-away from the gig as a whole. Overall, I don't think it was too detrimental at all.
The support act were a band called Four Day Hombre, who were good. Very good, infact. Although I was disappointed with their CD, but live they're well worth going to see. A cross between Elbow and Coldplay, but good. A decent warm-up in anyone's books.
And then The Frames came on, and they were absolutely breathtaking - and I don't mean that in the way that I use it far too much - they actually were breathtaking at points. Songs like "What Happens When The Heart Just Stops" were incredible, and it felt like I was sitting on the edge of my seat in anticipation and excitement during some songs; a feat made actually impossible by the legroom provided: enough only for a puppy. Despite some omissions from a Dan James "Frames songs I want to see live" list (Fitzcarraldo, for one), the set was brilliant, ranging from the delicate and tender, almost intimate, to the euphoric, swooping, emotional heights that you can still feel beating inside you when it's finished (You may think that's hyperbole: but it's not. One friend came along who had never heard them before, and commented afterwards that he felt "moved" and physically "not right" because of the emotion in the songs).
One of the highlights, for me, was when the band all left the stage, and violinist remained on his own. He announced that he was going to play a solo song, and then proceeded to play this haunting piece on the fiddle, which he then sampled and looped and played meoldies over the top. And while I'm sure it wasn't rocket science, it was heartbreakingly beautiful. Overall, the use of the violin is part of what makes The Frames so unique, to me. It doesn't dominate, rarely draws attention to itself, but it contributes at points to make songs sound ten times more emotional and heartwrenching than they maybe would without it.
Glen Hansard, the lead singer, is without doubt the most natural performer I have ever had the privelidge to watch live. As a former member of The Commitments, his ease on stage, both during and between songs, made the show complete. He interacted with the crowd, made them laugh, explained things to us, just chatted to us. And it was scary how he could crack a joke about Men and their emotional repression and inability to function in relationships, and then proceed to sing a song like "Leave"; a beautifully heartbreaking song about the end of a relationship.
The Frames are NOT pushing the boat out - they are simply doing a very accessible genre of music very well indeed. And I can't wait to see them again Live, as I intend on doing. If you haven't got any Frames, may I recommend buying either "Burn The Maps" or "Setlist" - two stellar albums. And I also heavily recommend a Glen Hansard side project "The Swell Season". It's stunning.
In other news, I had an interview on Monday for a job I want. As you know, I'm currently working in a care-home for adults with long-term mental health problems, and while I enjoy it, I don't want to do it forever. So this job is in a Pathology Lab in Scunthorpe General Hospital. The interview went well, and the lab looks a good place to work, so please keep that in mind when/if praying for me.
And in final news, Happy Birthday Mam and Dad. 50 within 3 weeks of each other, currently enjoying their present: 4 days in Barcelona. We went out for a meal in Damon's in Lincoln to celebrate with Anwen and James.
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