So, I was 17. And as a 17 year old, not as musically obsessed as I am now. In 2003, I finally watched About a Boy, and I was in love... again. The music, the movie, it was amazing. I bought the album, and my favorite song was "I love NYE". It is one of my favorite songs ever.
Later on in 2004, Badly Drawn Boy came to Michigan to promote his new album, One Plus One is One. I hadn't acquired it before I purchased a ticket for the show, and I still hadn't listened to it by the time I got to the show. It was late November, I was there alone, and not feeling very happy. The opening band was awesome: Adem. I think I had a crush on the bassist (like stand up bass..) or maybe cellist... Anyway, by the time Damon came out on the stage he told the crowd that he would be playing his new album in its entirety only. A bunch of people left, some people booed/cringed, and I kind of shuffled my feet. I came to hear my favorites and new songs... not just new songs. I had paid for my ticket, so I was going to stay. I enjoyed as much as I could. During the second song, Damon stopped and yelled at the sound guy and it was not G rated. I was amazed. He was drunk, kinda jerky and a perfectionist. Where was the Damon I met in Chicago showing me a picture of his newborn? I stayed long enough to hear "This is that New Song", which I immediately fell in love with. I was convinced that there would be no other songs that he could play that could match my love for that song, so I left and waited for my mom to pick me up. I couldn't handle seeing this drunk guy, smoking, and shouting at the sound techs one minute and in the next pleasing my ear with beautiful melodies. It was such a weird experience for me.
And last night marked the third BDB concert I have been to alone. Who knows why, hah. I was supposed to go being my friend's plus one, but he decided to go to the Metro Times Blowout instead. After finding that out, I was unsure if I wanted to go. I spent Thursday night listening to the album, and I wasn't sure if I could handle JUST the new album all over again. So, I researched. I looked up setlists online, and saw that he was playing some About a Boy tracks. I mustered up the motivation and went. I got to the venue, 10 minutes before doors opened and the line hadn't even reached the corner yet! (There was about 30 feet from the door to the corner) I was expecting it to have gone back a bit! The weather was very nice yesterday; I had seen longer lines in much colder weather! Regardless of my shock, I was actually very happy. I was hoping to get some good pictures/video of the show. Adem was opening again, unfortunately he was alone... no hot cellist or whatever. He also didn't play anything I remembered. There is one song by them that I was expecting to hear, and it definitely wasn't played! Hah. I couldn't remember the name of it, otherwise I would've shout out and requested it. I thought it was called Cut, but I was unsure. He mentioned that he would be by the merch table, so I was going to go there at the end of the show to ask him about the song, haha. I figured that I might've been the only person in the crowd that owned his first cd; maybe mentioning it would make him a little happy. Around 10:15, Badly Drawn Boy came on. He played an EXTENSIVE set which included my favorites: Silent Sigh, This is that New Song, All Possibilities, A Minor Incident, and Above You Below Me. He tended to jam out a bit between sets... sounded like some of the instrumentals from About a Boy. It gave me hope that he would play I Love NYE. During the show, Damon was rather open. I don't know if it's an act, or if it was sincere, but it was interesting. He gave a back story on A Minor Incident, which was really nice. He wrote it as how he would imagine the suicide note would read from the movie. I think it's beautiful. He also talked about how someone played the Bob Dylan track: Don't Think Twice, It's All Right for him to give him an idea of what they wanted. He mentioned about how he didn't think he was that talented of a musician and how doing these shows all he could offer us was the music, and so he wanted to be spot on. It gave me light on his perfectionistic/jerky spats (har har har) during the 2004 show. He also complained about his age, and how he needed lyric sheets... however, it seemed that he barely looked at them. During All Possibilities he came to the edge of the stage and shook EVERYONE's hand that was thrusted to him. I was impressed. Near the end of the show, he mentioned a big surprise. And then, right before Silent Sigh, he busted out and played Like a Virgin. As I stated in my last entry, I would never link those two together, but the segue he made was rather fabulous. The beginning notes on the piano for Silent Sigh are just so beautiful. During Silent Sigh, which I was recording, a security guard tapped me on the shoulder. He wanted me to delete my footage and told me that it was my final warning. Now, I could understand this if there were signs about taping, but there were not. I had never had any trouble before with the Majestic Complex (Shit, people bring huge video cameras to shows at the Magic Stick), and I was somewhat confused, but I obliged. I had recorded Silent Sigh in two parts, so I only had to delete the second half of the song, hah. He ended the set at 12:30, which I thought was amazing. He played for nearly two hours! He stopped once, and there was no yelling at anyone. It was great! There was one time where he was being sassy to the crowd because he was expecting more of an applause than what he received. That was amusing.
I was very disappointed, again, that I did not hear Disillusion. I didn't notice it on any of the set lists I looked at prior to the show. I would have loved to have heard him sing that song again.
On Thursday night, I had gone to the Scissor Sisters show. Right before they came on Journey's Don't Stop Believing bursted throughout the theatre. Everyone screaming along to "Born and raised in SOUTH DETROIT". And that was great. Damon started playing the beginning piano bit and psyched us out a couple of times. And then he really did play it, and ended just after that lyric. I really wanted to record it, but I was scared to be escorted out by scary security man. It was really weird to hear that song at two concerts, two nights in a row.
After the show, I bought Adem's new album, and asked him about the song. He told me that the track is called Gone Away, and that he would play it tonight in 'honor' of me. Hah. I just listened to it, and I was right. The track is called Cuts, haha. I guess singing him the beginning of his own song was not a smart choice.
As I was taking a break from writing this entry, the Saturn Aura commercial featuring Badly Drawn Boy's I love NYE came on. Oh the emotions I would've felt if he had played that last night. Overall, I would say that my BDB concert experiences were great, and I hope to see him again.
Wow, I write too much.
My Trusted MOGs
good review. i was thinking of going to the show you just went to and i mentioned it to a friend of mine who must have seen him the same tour you saw him the second time. my friend just went on and on about what an ass he was and how just left because he couldn't take it anymore. unfortunately that was enough to scare me away given the hassle i have to endure to go to a show.
i am really into "Nothings going to Change Your Mind" right now. the video is very clever and cute.
My Trusted MOGs
Aww... I'm really happy that I gave him a second chance. I figured with his antics, I'll have some interesting footage to post on youtube! :) I love his videos, they're so great.
My Trusted MOGs
Excellent review Peggah, I am going to have to try and see these guys live.