Just leaving Hathersage.now. Awful traffic all over way here esp M5/M42. I have my cool vintage brown suede coat. Hope to spot you there. 

Finally some phone signal! 

He looked so happy - thats my strongest feeling. He belongs on a stage. Theres a lot of energy in many of the new songs (and the old ones),  but also a variation that you dont get with a lot of bands. I never saw any of the previous solo tours, so I can really see now what someone said (I think it was Eamonn) about the album recordings not capturing the same dynamism, but maybe thats just the power of any live music). He got a bit pissy with a couple of people waving phones around, which is all part of the urge to maximise that live experience. My husband even got sent back to the car as his small camera looked too professional for the security man, and he wasnt the only one. I think someone down the front who got a Malteser must actually have asked for a picture! He said summat about trying to play a concert, so thats my inference. I found a nice rock to stand on in front of the fence near the person that caught the satsuma at long off, so excellent view. The cave is lovely too. So from an experience point of view, definitely turned up to 11.

He was well into the whole cave/ caveman (and woman) metaphor, especially in Must I Evolve. Sometimes I Am Pharoah has huge energy and grabs you instantly as an opener. Its about them living statues you get in touristy places apparently, which at one level feels very mundane in comparison with the song, but its one of those ramblings of the imagination. 

I think were being chucked out of our room now, I might have to save anything else for later. I looked for a Venini t-shirt, but no luck. 

Thoroughly enjoyed myself last night.

I love how Jarvis now just uses his live performances to engage on topics that interest him, a bit like an extension of his radio show. It was an evening of science, history, literary inquiry, philosophy and comedy. I suppose Jarvis has always done that but he seems more comfortable now in the role of snarky professor and less concerned with coming across the hip popstar. 

Of the new songs i was most impressed with "Must I Evolve", which I reckon was the highlight of the evening. The first two songs he played, "Sometimes I think I am a Pharoah" and "Elvis has Left the Building" didn't work for me but then Jarv's vocals were quite low in the mix for those songs and I couldn't make out the lyrics. They might well be great songs but they just sounded a bit soupy last night. 

I thought he had another song or two in him but the audience weren't feeling a second encore. The room seemed more full of curiosity-seekers more than dedicated fans, which surprised me considering how fast these unpromoted shows sold out. How did these people get tickets before me? I know we are all getting a bit long in the tooth, but are there really that many OAPs leaning-in on Jarv's twitter page? 

For the record- if Jarvis asked me what makes me frightened, my answer would be "BABIES".

Eamonn wrote:

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So what did you think Sturdy?

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Same as everyone else! It was great. 

Sorry for being lazy. Will try and post some proper thoughts later. 

And the tin foil backdrop, I nearly forgot that. I was contemplating chainsaws as my fear, but far too far away for that to be relevant. I've always loved His 'n' Hers, beats me why it wasn't on its own album.

We really enjoyed the support act too as synth obsessives, well in the ancient electronic Sheffield tradition. 

I usually need to hear songs a few times before they get into me, so they'll obviously have to record them all so I can do that.

weed wrote:

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Just arrived home. Well worth the 5 hour round trip! The new songs are brilliant and Jarvis was really rather funny. The 2 answers to to the "What are you frightened of?" got top comedy responses. Was a really nice respectful crowd and I was suprised being a fair way from the front I actually got a Malteaser!

Now I see previous posts, I think I was stood right behind Sturdy (if by 'tall' ...you mean dead tall - about 6'5")

For those who were after recordings, I have attempted a bootleg. I'll let you know how that pans out. I didn't take any photographs though. I promise.


Update - I have just ran my recording through Cubase and mixed them a bit and it sounds pretty ok! Where do you lads and lasses think would be the best place to share them?

-- Edited by weed on Sunday 8th of April 2018 02:46:15 AM

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 Ohh thank you so much for recording sir. Cant wait to hear the new songs.

Anyway! Here's the bootleg. I have edited out a little bit where Jarvis was talking before Further Complications as I needed to do a wee wee - and nobody wants to hear that, do they?! (maybe on another website).

  Feel free to repost and share. Say "Thanks" if you find the time.

Modern ways of sharing didn't seem to work so I have We Transfered it to the BarIalia2007 email like the good old days
BarIalia2007
jarvis2007

-- Edited by weed on Sunday 8th of April 2018 10:02:34 PM