Expect Delays

A Spade Is A Spade Is A Spade Is

If Only It Was Summer ....

Summer put in a brief appearance this morning ....

2 years ago today I arrived in London, having flown in from Prague after a great couple of months traveling. Well, the blog has slowed down but I am still alive and living in London. 2 years has gone really quick ... it certainly doesn't feel that long. Hmmm ... I don't really have too much else to say. Oh well, consider the occasion marked.

REM Dublin 4th July 2007

Below is the setlist of the REM show I saw in Dublin. (They did five shows in all - all "working rehearsals" - the premise being they were to play their new songs penned for the next album. )

The new songs were good - but the "olive branches" (as stipey called them) included songs from Chronic Town EP which havent been played for years live. Brilliant show. Brilliant venue. And the band were in fine form.

Here is a review of the show.

-------- Setlist --------
Living Well (new)
Middle Distance (new)
Circus Envy! (Monster - 94)
Mr Richards (new)
Wolves Lower (Chronic Town EP - 82)
Houston (new)
West of the Fields (Murmur - 83)
On the Fly (new)
HarbourCoat ( Reckoning - 84)
Man Sized Wreath (new)
Carnival of Sorts (Box Cars) (Chronic Town EP - 82)
Disguise (new)
1,000,000 (Chronic Town EP - 82)
Accelerate (new)
Horse to Water (new)

-------- Encore --------
Second Guessing (Reckoning - 84)
These Days (Lifes Rich Pageant - 86)
Until the day is done (new)
I'm Gonna DJ (newish)

Another Pilgrimmage ....

Just got back from Dublin after going to see REM do a "live rehearsal" gig at the Olympia Theatre. Very cool. Will write more about it tomorrow ... but for now .... some photos.

In the meantime - more info here : REM HQ (Dublin 4th July 2007)

Hoodoo Gurus

Spooky. About a month ago I bought the Hoodoo Gurus Tunnel Vision DVD in a bout of nostalgia, thinking I would never get to see them again.

I get home tonight and check my email to find that they will be playing the Shepherds Bush Empire in London on August 24th !

Sweeet .....

Dave B

Sorry - but this is a shitty post. Yesterday I was told that one of the guys I worked with, who had been off sick for a copule of days, passed away. He was 24. It doesnt make any sense. He was one of the smartest and kindest guys I knew. I am going to miss you Dave. Nothing helps at times like this - I dont really know what to say and I dont know why I am writing this - but you taught me stuff beyond your years - just by being you. Going to miss you Dave.

Glastonbury

Over the weekend I braved Glastonbury with 174,499 other wellie boot wearers. (Yep - that is 175 thousand people through the gates!). Sure it was muddy. Sure it rained. Sure getting home on the train was painful. But who cares - it was an awesome weekend. Some highlights. Seeing rufus wainwright, arcade fire and bjork back to back on Friday night - from the fifth row. Discovering my tent didnt leak. Discovering pear cider. Not falling over in the mud. Watching the sun come up with tent neighbours (who when they found out I was Australian questioned me endlessly on Neighbours !). Discovering pear cider (yes ... it is worth mentioning twice). Four brilliant days wandering around surrounded by a huge variety of sights and sounds. Biggest regret. Not taking more photos on Friday night - grrrr - oh well - too busy enjoying the music. Anyway ... it is now time for the obligatory photos.

Waiting For The Rain To Stop

Rufus Wainwright

Arcade Fire

Bjork

Chemical Brothers

Billy Bragg

English Optimism

Tent City (one camp site of many ... !)

And Of Course ... The Star Of The Show ... THE MUD !!!

Tent Fever ... Waiting For The Rain To Stop

Greenwich

Event Horizon

These photos are of a new "installation" on the Southbank of the Thames by Antony Gormley. Very simple concept - place 31 life size statues on various buildings - but the overall effect is very cool. He is also responsible for the statues on Lake Ballard in WA. Further info on Wikipedia for those interested ....

2 Years Ago ...

... I was in Melbourne enjoying the "wonder" that is Eurovision, with only a couple of weeks left in Australia. Where does the time go ?

Well, I'll be back around Christmas for a couple of weeks (I promise !!!) .

Anyway, I was digging through the archives the other day and found this rather scary photo of me taken in Warsaw (i.e. nearly 2 years ago) after a veeeery long bus ride, followed shortly by getting horrendously ripped off by a taxi.