Dasal would not be pleased...

Last night I saw the wonderful David Byrne (ex-) lead singer of Talking Heads at Oxford's New Theatre.

Despite missing the first 3 or 4 songs due to rubbish train systems it is still by far the best gig that I have been to in 2009. Backed by an incredible band (sure they're not Talking Heads but they would certainly give them a run for their money!) he ripped through several songs from his fantastic 2008 collaboration album with Brian Eno Everything That Happens Will Happen Today as well as a truck load of Talking Heads classics.

The backing singers were pitch perfect and full credit goes to the sound engineer who made the utilisation of two percussionists totally worthwhile.

The band were also accompanied onstage for the majority of songs by a few dancers who performed some of the most bizarrely choreographed dances that I have ever seen, but they suited the mood quite well and were always enjoyable to watch, especially when Byrne himself joined in.

Another highlight of the night was when a bouncer told a dancing member of the audience to sit down, which David Byrne happened to spot. He stopped mid-song to reprimand the bouncer and told everyone that it was ok to have a good time, causing the whole audience to stand up and dance for the rest of the show! Legendary.

Finally came the part that Dasal would not have liked. In total disregard of Dasal's second rule of encores he and his band proceeded to leave the stage not once, not twice, not even three times but FOUR TIMES, pausing to bow on each occasion. They totally deserved it though and it was nice to hear a crowd actually working for the encores for once. Maybe it was because it was mostly full of middle-aged people, but it certainly was a breath of fresh air and created a wonderful atmosphere.

The highlights for me were 'Houses in Motion', 'Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On)', 'Air', 'Life During Wartime'... I could go on until I named everything he played. Having missed the first few songs I am very tempted to go and see him again in London this coming week.

Rob

In Transit Show 29th March 2009

Guest hosts Ryan Hakimian and Nick Taylor.

Playlist:

Format: Artist - Song (Album)

1. Neko Case - This Tornado Loves You (Middle Cyclone)
2. Wyclef Jean - Where Fugees At? (The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book)
3. The Last Shadow Puppets - Calm Like You (The Age Of The Understatement)
4. Staff Benda Bilili - Je T'Aime (Tres Tres Fort)
5. Stevie Wonder - Don't You Worry 'bout A Thing (Innervisions)
6. Arcade Fire - Wake Up (Funeral)
7. Marissa Nadler - Mary Comes Alive (Little Hells)
8. Alien Ant Farm - Movies (ANThology)
9. The Killers - Glamorous Indie Rock & Roll (Hot Fuss)
10. Yeah Yeah Yeahs - Dull Life (It's Blitz!)
11. Dent May - Meet Me In The Garden (The Good Feeling Music of Dent May & His Magnificent Ukulele)
12. Sufjan Stevens - Chicago (Illinois)
13. Animal Collective - Fireworks (Strawberry Jam)

• Download
  

The lost Art of the Encore

What has happened to the encore? I've been to many many many gigs, and in my opinion the encore was warranted in 1. (bloc party doing skeleton at the forum - video)

Now, I'm not against a genuine encore, where a band has played their entire set, and caved into audience pressure. They should be special, not dealt out at every single gig. However, I have come to realised that for many gig attendees, the encore is now expected (its special if there isn't one - damn), so I have compiled my encore rules. If you must:

1. Make the break short (<>
2. NEVER ever do the MULTIPLE ENCORE, whats the fucking point Metallica.
3. Play something special, fan favourites (not big songs / hits - these should have been in the set anyway)
4. Keep me guessing. Put the house lights on or put the DJ back on, makes a nice little surprise when the encore does happen.

There you go, Dasal's rules for encores. Take note you 1000's of bands that are reading this, my opinion rocks.

Dasal

4am Inspiration

If the greater part of The Beatles discography isn't proof enough that doing drugs and making music can incur incredible results here's more:



And for any Conor fans who haven't seen the cover of his new album check it out here.

Rob

Tin Trains Twitter is Launched

Pointless I know, but fun nonetheless.

http://twitter.com/tintrains

Follow us and we promise to follow you!

In Transit Show 22nd March 2009

Guest host Tom Allen

Playlist:

Format: Artist - Song (Album)

1. Bloc Party - Like Eating Glass (Silent Alarm)
2. The Apples - Killing (Buzzin' About)
3. Passion Pit - Sleepyhead (Chunk of Change)
4. Camera Obscura - Honey in the Sun (My Maudlin Career)
5. Desmond Dekker & the Aces - Mount Zion (Black & Decker/Compass Point)
6. The Stone Roses - I Wanna Be Adored (The Stone Roses)
7. Doves - Kingdom of Rust (Kingdom of Rust)
8. Roots Manuva - Witness (1 Hope) (Run Come Save Me)
9. Tiny Masters of Today - Hologram World [feat. Karen O and Nick Zinner] (Bang Bang Boom Cake)
10. Franz Ferdinand - What She Came For (Tonight: Franz Ferdinand)
11. Babyboom - Sister (Babyboom EP)
12. Brendan Benson - I'm Easy (Lapalco)
13. Penguin Cafe Orchestra - Music For A Found Harmonium (Broadcasting From Home)
14. Radiohead - There There (Hail to the Thief)
15. [Secret Track: Tom Allen - In Transit Freestyle Rap]
    

• Download
  

Podcast Recomendations

I've only fairly recently discovered the brilliance of a good podcast, but I thought I'd share with you a few of my favourites, and hopefully you can tell me some of yours!

Sound Opinions

Presented by Greg Kot and Jim DeRogatis; two music journalists from Chicago who are true music lovers. Each week they present an hour-long show that features music news, reviews, features, in-depth analyses, live sessions and some great music debates. Since I have started listening they have featured, amongst others, Radiohead, The Hold Steady and Frightened Rabbit on the show. These guys know their music from rock to pop to hip hop, classic and modern.

This is what I envisioned In Transit sounding like before Olly came along and gave it a bit of a different odd-ball direction.

Click here for more about the Sound Opinions podcast.

Guardian Music Weekly

Like Sound Opinions; but the British version (and not as good). Presented by Paul MacInnes and Rosie Swash each week they have news, interviews and "singles club" in which they review (and often slate) the newest singles being released that week.

Often there is more emphasis on British music which is a good thing.

Click here for more about Guardian Music Weekly podcast.

RadioLab

Now for something a bit different. This was originally recommended to me by Robin Pecknold believe it or not (if you don't know that's this guy). This a pop-science podcast that comes out in seasons of 5 episodes at a time.

They take a theme such as genetics and present interesting experiments done in the field in an easy to understand and enjoyable manner. They range from 10 minutes long to an hour.

If you want a clearer idea check out one of the most recent ones called 'Mischel's Marshmallows' which was only 15 minutes long but definitely one of the best yet.

Click here for more about the RadioLab podcast.

Most People Are DJ's

Now for something a little more homegrown. This is another show on Rare FM, also on sundays from 9-10pm, presented by our friend Edwin.

The fact that it is named after a song by The Hold Steady only gives you a small insight into Edwin's music tastes. Each week he presents a barrage of great and diverse acts that range from the mainstream to the extremely obscure. In fact listening to Edwin's show often leaves me with a sense of despair at the fact that I will never have the time to fully explore all of the great artists that he has just unveiled to me in as much depth as I would like.

Click here for the Most People Are DJ's blog. (It's not technically a podcast but a weekly download in the same vein as the In Transit one).

------------------------------

Hope you enjoy these, I have some more up my sleeve if you are interested. Please feel free to recommend some to me.

Rob