Indulge Me!

[lesleygilks]

There are probably not a lot of R.E.M. fans that regulary patrol these pages but their Forums are...How shall I say it without causing offence? They are pants! They are STILL on the whole "is Michael gay?" debate. He is, get over it! Anyway, back to subject.

I was at Cardiff, Monday night, for one of their U.K concerts and they rocked! I haven't enjoyed myself so much in a very long time (October 5th, Bristol Academy 2007), it was awesome!
I won't bore you with the details but if you're interested, I'll continue with the thread.
I did manage to get some great shots as I was at the front and the band openly encourage you to take as many photos as you like, so it was too good an opportunity to miss.
I hope you like them.
Lesley



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[wadcorp]

Still love "Shiny Happy People", as I believe Kate Pierson added a huge amount to their sound.

Now that The B-52s are back together, I guess there won't be any more of that!

Glad you had a great time at the show, lesleygilks. And nice shots, too.

Keep going!

.

[Bawdsey Buoy]

I went to see them a couple of years ago at Ipswich football club.

they rocked! it was when MS was having the blue stripe phase.

not a big fan but like most of there stuff

great pics how close were you!!!

I didnt know he batted for the other side! but what does it matter anyway.

[lesleygilks]

Thanks, I managed to take a lot of photos and the only time they were all together, the battery ran out!
If you want to see some more, I've posted them on flickr. I go by the name of Lesley Gilks (surprise surprise) or search under remcardiff, and so let me know what you think.
I had a great time and can't wait until Saturday for the Twickenham gig.
Lesley

[Proffesor Pyke]

they showed a concert on PBS here a few weeks back......very good......!!


saw them around the time of "Stand" in Austin......to many people who didn't know the early stuff

best time was '86 in a small town near franfurt , germany small venue and the crowd knew
how to parrttyy

[lesleygilks]

That's the joy of seeing a band that have been around for a while. They've usually got a large back catalogue to choose from and the established fan base that are there for a great time. It makes all the difference.
The room rocked!
Lesley

[LowNoise]

I saw them at Old Trafford cricket ground in Manchester - either 2005 or 2006. They were fantastic. I remember them doing 'Leaving New York' and you could feel the warmth, the band projecting a very personal emotion from the stage. Don't mind admitting I 'got something in my eye...' They finished that song and I looked up above the stage and there were a pair of swifts just wheeling about in the air, doing that chasing thing. As I'm watching this little aerial show the first notes of 'Everybody Hurts' ring out... The combination of birds immersed in the joy of existence plus the ebb and flow of 'Hurts' is something I'll never forget. Needless to say, I filled up again.

[lesleygilks]

I love "Leaving New York" and it's great live!
I've seen them four times now, and last Monday was the best for me. They really looked as if they were enjoying themselves and there was a lot of light hearted banter in between the songs. The set list was just about perfect and they even played five of my all time favourite tracks.
I think seeing Thomas at Bristol was just as much a thrill, but in a different way. Neither have the chart success they once had but they still know how to put on a great show, and that's all that matters to me.
I didn't get any photos of Thomas the Bristol gig as my camera was confiscated, but here's the best one from Monday night.

Lesley

[LowNoise]

They've just played Old Trafford again last week - no idea why I didn't go! I'm an idiot, that's the only explanation. But when they did 'Leaving New York' last time there was such a longing in Stipe's voice it just reached right in and pulled at the old heartstrings. And you can't take your eyes off the guy, he's got a magnetic stage presence. Favourite album of theirs is 'Life's Rich Pageant.' Just sounds like they're having a lot of fun.

So, if Mr Dolby were to cover an REM song, what would you pick?

I'm gonna go back to the beginning and say 'Wolves, Lower.' Over to you, Thomas!

[lesleygilks]

I know exactly what you mean, LowNoise. He never stops moving and it is mesmeric. For a guy in his late 40's, he has the energy of someone half his age.

I don't know about Thomas, but I would like something quirky, such as "The Sidewinder Sleeps Tonite".
They don't do it live as they say it's too hard to sing or play, but I think Thomas could do it justice. He has the talent!
One of my favourite tracks is "Disturbance at the Heron House". It's an oldie but goodie, and not that well known but has the right sort of sound for a cover. "Exhuming McCarthy" from the same album would also make a good candidate. I think "Why Don't We Give It Away?" from Life's Rich Pageant would also be good.

Just got back from London, Twickenham and I'm exhausted. Didn't take as many pics this time. I was at the front but not quite in such a good position as Monday, so decided to take in as much as I could as I'm not sure when I'm going to get a chance to see them again.






He did a walk about and he was inches away, and I still didn't get a chance to touch him, so I call this one "Close, But no Cigar"




See what I mean! He's like a bucket full of eels and I'm just glad it's in focus!




Oh, and these are the other two band members, Thingy and What's It.

Lesley

[SNOOPY]

Looks like you've been having a great time lately, Lesley.

so do you do the groupie thing and hang round the stage door afterwards?

[lesleygilks]

No. Anyway, hubbie was with me so I had to go.
Maybe next time.

[LowNoise]

Lesley, I used to work in a building called 'Heron House.' Naturally, whenever there was a spot of controversy - or a disturbance, if you will - I would warble the aforementioned song in response! To the point of tedium, I have no doubt.

Those pictures are really good. Do you ever try to sell them to music magazines/ papers?

[lesleygilks]

I haven't even thought about it. There are so many good photos knocking around the web sites, I'm not sure they'd be interested. There were also some photographers with very expensive looking kit around as well, so I suppose they would get first dibs.
I've very glad you like them though LowNoise, I had a lot of fun taking them.
Was the "Heron House" in London? The reason I ask is that the story goes that Michael got the idea for the title and song because they passed by every day on the way to the recording studio (I think it was the album "Fables of the Reconstruction"), while on the underground.
It would be nice to know that I've "met" someone who's been there! It is one of my favourite songs.
Lesley

[LowNoise]

Nay, lass. Sorry to inform you that my 'Heron House' is in Manchester. Your search must continue!

Expensive kit - pah! Two things count; your eye and your lens. That's it. A photographer can't buy that one iconic shot, it just happens. Kevin Cummins didn't have any fancy gadgets when he shot Joy Division on a bleak Manc bridge in the snow - went on to become a legendary band image. His eye saw it and the lens took it.

I know very little about approaching magazines with pictures, I bet there's somebody on here who knows the score. I've heard of freelance snappers who take a bunch of pictures after a gig and then hawk them around publishers. That's as much as I know. Anyhoo, the pictures do look professional so I just thought maybe that's what you did.

Keep on snapping, I say!

[lesleygilks]

No, I'm just a happy snapper that got lucky this time...But I have come to a point in my life when I think I want to do more than work in a shop for minimum wage. I would like to exploit some of my artistic endeavours, so it might be worth looking into it. The trouble is, I wouldn't know where to start.
Any suggestions, anyone?