This feels apposite right now, as capitalism, arguably, rots on the vine. The tepid applause from this audience suggests they don’t know what Waits is singing at all- but we do, and that’s enough. Picture by Joel Brodsky from the Small Change photo session.
Tag Archives: Live performance
Dance Review: Matthew Bourne’s Edward Scissorhands
Matthew Bourne paints his adaptation of Tim Burton’s gothic fairytale in somewhat broad strokes. This is both a blessing and curse: fine, when cartoonishly attacking the bland uniformity of suburban Upton; not so effective when tackling the more vicious elements (Kim’s jock boyfriend is a toxic asshole, the town is populated by bigots). Liam MowerContinue reading “Dance Review: Matthew Bourne’s Edward Scissorhands”
Iggy And The Stooges- Raw Power
Mick Rock’s book on Iggy And The Stooges, circa 72-3, the ‘Raw Power’ era, doesn’t just capture the proto-punk era. It captures the feral energy of the best band in the world at that time, except for Bowie’s Ziggy and the Spiders. Iggy Pop at 25 was beyond rock, beyond roll, beyond entertainer, beyond androgyny,Continue reading “Iggy And The Stooges- Raw Power”
Amy Winehouse: Fifteen Years Gone
It’s hard to believe, but we lost Amy Winehouse just over fifteen years ago. Here’s a wonderful clip of her first appearance on the ‘Jonathan Ross Show’. What sass, talent and humour, and she looked lovely too. She’s so missed.
Lost In Music: Bauhaus- Largatija Nick
With bonus ‘Antonin Artaud ‘ and an extremely unresponsive “too cool for school” audience live at the ‘Oxford Road Show ‘, this is Bauhaus at their most feral. Who else could reference The Theatre of Cruelty, the Devil, and Leopold von Sacher-Masoch? Compare and contrast with the conceptual, very eighties video and ask yourself, whyContinue reading “Lost In Music: Bauhaus- Largatija Nick”
Theatre In Pop Is Back
Back in the seventies, decent pop leaned into the avant-garde, with artists transcending mere gigs. This was pop as theatre. Bowie, Kate Bush and even prog rock charlatans like Emerson, Lake and Palmer and Genesis could be found using stage craft, props and exquisite scenography to boost their strange and otherworldly music. This elevated itContinue reading “Theatre In Pop Is Back”
From The Archive: Aye, Elvis
thetempohouse Review: Aye, Elvis February 27, 2018 • Spoilt Victorian Child Photo: Leslie Black Sometimes, all you need is a flying suit and a big dream. Or so it seems. Morna Young’s rather bonkers, but sweet, play for PPP, focuses on the eternal dreamer, Aberdonian woman Joan, whose devotion from childhood to Elvis Presley takes on aContinue reading “From The Archive: Aye, Elvis”
The Great Performance Debate
Commedia Dell’arte Dr Gareth K Vile, great friend of mine and brilliant thinker, recently ruminated on the great Scottish theatre debate, because some critics hadn’t been invited to the musical version of ‘One Day’ : is it dying? I can’t speak to a broader academic discourse, as I’m a university dropout, and not a doctorContinue reading “The Great Performance Debate”
Theatre Preview: Mr Blackpool
Mr Blackpool May 2026 – The Lowry in partnership with Word of Warning, Attenborough Centre for the Creative Arts and Brighton Festival, Blackpool Grand TheatreImage Credit Matt Crockett“At the end of the world there’ll still be a showgirl kicking her legs behind her ears and thank god for that” Salford, Brighton and Blackpool, prepare to beContinue reading “Theatre Preview: Mr Blackpool”
Keep It Live
There’s nothing like seeing artists playing live. The energy, that electricity that can’t be replicated elsewhere is one of my favourite experiences in life. New artists are passionate and give their all. At the moment, though, I’m recovering from hip replacement surgery, so unable to see music like I used to. This town has noContinue reading “Keep It Live”
