Post by delorentos on Jan 28, 2013 15:25:59 GMT
Kieran and Ro’s winter vacation; Day 1
Amsterdam, 26th January.
So, a few weeks ago we got the nod from the powers that be that we would be supporting the mighty Bell X1 on a few of their European acoustic dates in January. Due to cost and their simple set-up we found that playing as a two-piece was on the cards, and despite the fact that northern Europe is the perfect place for Ross and Níal’s drum and bass jazz-odyssey, myself and Ro set about working out which songs and arrangements would be best for a short set in a foreign land.
On Thursday we played a few songs before Mumblin Deaf Ro’s post-ChoiceMusic Prize-nomination gig, and, between the clinking of champagne glasses and bottom pinching from industry money-men that comes from nominations (not really) Nial watched from the crowd, silently freaking out at a delorentos gig where he wasn’t playing. (it must have been like the time he left the stage mid-gig for a wee last month)
Anyway, with his blessing – literally, Nial’s very religious since he gave up the beer and smokes for January – we packed our bags and set off for Amsterdam.
The flight over felt a bit weird - not because half the passengers were hepped up on goofballs, which they were - but because we were somehow getting away with it. Kieran and Ro get a free trip while Nial and Ross stay at home, gazing out the window, softly touching the band photos crumpled in their sad fists. Due to snow the flight was delayed by 2 hours, (which made the partyboys party harder) so when we landed we’d to leggit to the venue, the beautiful old church that is Amstelkerk. With snow thick on our shoes and jeans and frozen fingers we were warmly welcomed by the Bell X1 gents and their soundman Phil.
After a nervous soundcheck we skipped dinner and ran through the songs again to try get more comfortable, making the most of the awesome acoustics and the beautiful piano, and downed a few coffees to perk us up. Weirdly, the venue was packed when we peeked out the dressing room door just before we went on – such novelty! A place where people arrive early to watch the support! - then we stepped out and played. It’s sometimes difficult to gauge how something sounds at a full electric gig, but at a stripped-down acoustic show you can feel every note in the room, and we were lucky to have a great audience who receptively listened to every word. The response was amazing – thank you Amsterdam – and it gave us the confidence to relax about the other shows and look forward to them. Later, after devouring a few tasty mystery-content sandwiches from the rider, We watched Bell X1 do their thing to a rapturous reaction. As well as playing well, they’re pretty relaxed and funny, something I hadn’t really expected – not that I expected them to be overly serious – and the atmosphere in the room is pretty joyful and upbeat.
By the way, Tonight marks the first time either of us have been in Amsterdam and not walked around the red light district ironically ogling the ladies. It’s either a sign of our blossoming maturity or because we didn’t have enough time… anyway, Afterwards, we sunk a few drinks and headed back to the hostel, walking alongside the half-frozen canals and snowed-over bikes, holding tightly to our band photos, and occasionally stopping to tearfully stroke the faces of the two absent others.
Kieran
Amsterdam, 26th January.
So, a few weeks ago we got the nod from the powers that be that we would be supporting the mighty Bell X1 on a few of their European acoustic dates in January. Due to cost and their simple set-up we found that playing as a two-piece was on the cards, and despite the fact that northern Europe is the perfect place for Ross and Níal’s drum and bass jazz-odyssey, myself and Ro set about working out which songs and arrangements would be best for a short set in a foreign land.
On Thursday we played a few songs before Mumblin Deaf Ro’s post-ChoiceMusic Prize-nomination gig, and, between the clinking of champagne glasses and bottom pinching from industry money-men that comes from nominations (not really) Nial watched from the crowd, silently freaking out at a delorentos gig where he wasn’t playing. (it must have been like the time he left the stage mid-gig for a wee last month)
Anyway, with his blessing – literally, Nial’s very religious since he gave up the beer and smokes for January – we packed our bags and set off for Amsterdam.
The flight over felt a bit weird - not because half the passengers were hepped up on goofballs, which they were - but because we were somehow getting away with it. Kieran and Ro get a free trip while Nial and Ross stay at home, gazing out the window, softly touching the band photos crumpled in their sad fists. Due to snow the flight was delayed by 2 hours, (which made the partyboys party harder) so when we landed we’d to leggit to the venue, the beautiful old church that is Amstelkerk. With snow thick on our shoes and jeans and frozen fingers we were warmly welcomed by the Bell X1 gents and their soundman Phil.
After a nervous soundcheck we skipped dinner and ran through the songs again to try get more comfortable, making the most of the awesome acoustics and the beautiful piano, and downed a few coffees to perk us up. Weirdly, the venue was packed when we peeked out the dressing room door just before we went on – such novelty! A place where people arrive early to watch the support! - then we stepped out and played. It’s sometimes difficult to gauge how something sounds at a full electric gig, but at a stripped-down acoustic show you can feel every note in the room, and we were lucky to have a great audience who receptively listened to every word. The response was amazing – thank you Amsterdam – and it gave us the confidence to relax about the other shows and look forward to them. Later, after devouring a few tasty mystery-content sandwiches from the rider, We watched Bell X1 do their thing to a rapturous reaction. As well as playing well, they’re pretty relaxed and funny, something I hadn’t really expected – not that I expected them to be overly serious – and the atmosphere in the room is pretty joyful and upbeat.
By the way, Tonight marks the first time either of us have been in Amsterdam and not walked around the red light district ironically ogling the ladies. It’s either a sign of our blossoming maturity or because we didn’t have enough time… anyway, Afterwards, we sunk a few drinks and headed back to the hostel, walking alongside the half-frozen canals and snowed-over bikes, holding tightly to our band photos, and occasionally stopping to tearfully stroke the faces of the two absent others.
Kieran
