Just come back from seeing David at the Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone.  I shouldn't think he will be coming back to Kent any time soon.  The performance was as wonderful as ever but some of the so called fans' behaviour left a lot to be desired.  First of all a fight broke out half way through the set which Security were slow to deal with.  If this outburst by a number of losers wasn't rude enough there was the rumble of constant talking going on coming from the direction of the bar.  It was so loud it was competing with some of the tracks.  It was embarrassing and David looked uncomfortable and I wouldn't have blamed him if he hadn't returned to the stage for the last two numbers.  Happily for the real fans David and the band came back on and gave an amazing encore which got people dancing, clapping and singing along in appreciation.  Tonight though I felt sad for David and ashamed to be connected with the rude disrespectful element of the East Kent audience.

Sorry to hear that Jayne, wasn't this a sold out show?  I don't think there has been a fight during the concert since that gig in Scotland about a year ago.  Hopefully no one was hurt.  At least you were able to see another great performance, what were your favourite songs?

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"Nothing happens unless first we dream" - C. Sandburg

Welcome to the board jayne.

So sorry to hear about the bad crowd at this gig, its terrible, why do they go to talk and fight

 

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Where there's a will, there's a way

Hi everybody,

sorry for not coming back on here any sooner but I haven't had any internet access ever since Hammersmith.

I couldn't agree more on what jayne has said in her post above (and welcome to the board, dear!). Actually I have never ever seen a more disrespectful audience, at no gig whatsoever neither DG or anyone else.

It was the first time I have seen David stop midway in a song (Lately) to ask security to throw people out of the venue. And apart from that,  while the first few rows were truly enjoying the concert a whole lot of people in the back seem to have seeked a warm place to have a long chat and a couple of beers. Judging from the background noise there must have been hundreds talking in the background.  Throughout the entire concert. Actually I would have expected them to quiet down when the main artist got on stage but they just got louder, probably the music was a bit of a distraction to their most vivid conversations. This forced David to leave out no less than 5 songs because only the louder ones had a chance to be audible in that environment.

Sorry David, you and the band would have deserved better than that.

Actually I would not have expected him to return for the encore under those circumstances but he did. My respect for that David.

During Nightblindness he got quieter and and quieter to stop singing entirely at one point, forcing the chatter to subside but it worked just for a minute. Well then, it was a special experience to see the lyrics of my favourite song being spit out to those people louder and louder. Very appropriate, that bar and laughing it up part at the end.

As I have said I feel sorry for David and the band but also to those people who saw him perform for the very first time, like Caroline from Nova Scotia. She still thought it was a stunning performance and David gave it all, even under those circumstances. So thank you for that!

Here is the setlist (obviously Neill's):

 

 He had to drop the acoustic one in brackets at the beginning, Leaving/Breathe, Sea, Destroyer and the acoustic one in brackets in the encore.

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Welcome to DavidGray.com

I totally agree with the comments about this concert. I had been so looking forward to the gig, having seen DG before and knowing how amazing he would be at such a small venue.

The behaviour of some of the audience was just rude. All I can say is that I felt embarrassed. I'm not surprised to learn that songs were dropped from the set...he probably couldn't wait for it to end.

Hi, I'm new to all this and usually wouldn't bother signing up to a forum but I had to, to say that I went to this gig and yes it was a bit of a strange one but... It was absolutely fantastic!!

I have never really listened much to David Gray and kind of heard it as 'background music'. Although my wife is a big fan, to me it was never really anything more than some nice tunes from a man with a wobbly head.

Anyway I got the tickets for my wife and went along with her and I was blown away - that guy rocks! I knew more songs than I realised and the one song that I know well (Hospital Food) was brilliant.

Some of the so-called fans were just twats and the constant chattering was annoying. I thought it was going to ruin the concert as David was visibly pi$$ed right off and didn't chat between songs for a while. I wonder if some people had only come to hear Babylon and once he had played it early on in the set they could go and get drunk in the bar.

I went to see Ocean Colour Scene at Folkestone a while back and it was a similar story. Loads of people in the bar all evening until they played The Riverboat Song and then they all came rushing out...?

Thankfully DG got over it and pushed forward with dignity and finished the last 3/4 of an hour or so with a quality performance.

Ok well I'll shut up now, but based on this performance I just wanted to say that I am now a David Gray convertee and I'll now listen to my wife's DG albums and try to re-live some of that superb night.

Hi RR

Glad you got converted. I was converted before hearing him live and things are just getting better evertime I see him.

Hope there are no fights for the cd's - perhaps you should get your own copies

 

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Keep smiling - It's free!
Djk
:-)

Here is another review I've found on the web today:

http://further-on-up-the-road.blogspot.com/2008/03/david-gray-gig.html

Saturday, March 22, 2008

David Gray gig

The David Gray gig last night was brilliant. He's one of my favourite song writer - I don't know his story but his songs really relate to me, so spritual. Listening to him I'm always taken back to some special moments, esp. one night in a garden in a rehab in Kent with a lad who had Cerabal Palsey and was a drug addict, another lad who had cystic fybrosis and a horrendous gambling problem who was determined to live the last years of his shortened life away from the mess he'd got into and a young guy from Iran who'd been living on the streets and was in a real mess in many ways. They all loved David Gray and my limited busking repetoire got massively hit that night with us singing away under the stars. Of all this merry band I was the one with everything including good health, here were guys who had a real reason to be there and to actually say - "To hell with this if you were me you'd do this to to escape the pain" But I had nowhere to run no excuse for that, a very very poignient and important moment in my recovery it being only days before I came out. Like Eric Clapton said in his autobiography I only got it just at the end of my time there.

Okay - however the gig was marred by two things. One two complete c***s who had a scrap in the middle of the crowd. What the hell - it's a David Gray gig, I've seen Motorhead and Megadeath in that venue and loads of others and never seen that level of stupidity - it was like football grounds in the 70s. That sadly dampened the atmosphere.

Secondly talking at gigs! Why go to a gig and stand there talking through it? I'm lost it seems to be getting worse lately, last night twice David Gray had to say "Shhh!" into the mic as he tried to play a quiet solo bit. If you want to talk go to a bar you'll save yourself £20 at least on the ticket to start and given my coffee, smirnoff ice, packet of crisps and a kitkat cost me over a fiver surely your local is cheaper these days. I'm out of touch Guinness was £2.10 four years back, I presume at a gig it's more nowadays.

Still as I say he was great - a stunning performance which I really enjoyed, Mrs F liked it too excepting the two points above and the having to stand for 3 hours... :-)

Posted by Further on up the road at 2:30 AM

 

 

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Welcome to DavidGray.com

I completely agree with the sentiments of others, but despite all that I was still blown away by the quality of his voice and the talent of his band.  I've never commented on one of these forums before but the gig really left an impression on me, he was amazing.  The fight broke out at the end of  Lately, which was building from a quite acoustic to a real barnstormer.  I'd love a live version of this in the car, the recorded version doesn't do justice to the performance.  

I'll definitely be looking out for future gigs to hear it all again!

There is a nice review on the Folkestone gig on the internet now. It focuses on Beth Rowley first but read on and David will get an excellent review as well. This shows once more what a professional musician David really is as he manages to leave such a huge impression on people despite of the certainly non ideal circumstances that night.

www.yourcanterbury.co.uk

REVIEW: Beth brings extra magic to Gray's world

REVIEW
David Gray and Beth Rowley
Leas Cliff Hall, Folkestone
By Marijke Cox

A fresh British talent has wowed crowds in Kent in the form of impish soul-singer Beth Rowley, currently supporting David Gray on his UK tour.

Performing songs from her debut album, Little Dreamer, Rowley impressed the audience with her smoky tones and raw sex appeal at the Lees Cliff Hall in Folkestone.

Her album, set to be released on May 26, is largely co-written by herself and saxophonist Ben Castle, the late Roy Castle's son, and offers a mix of vintage sounds with a contemporary soulful blend.

As well as performing her new single, Oh My Life, the 26-year-old Bristolian gave listeners a taste of what's to come with a selection of bluesy tracks from the album.

The singer songwriter, who was discovered at an open mike night in London aged just 17, said her inspiration comes from a mix of classic sounds.
"I'm influenced by a lot of bluegrass, gospel, soul and country, so my music has moments of them all.

"It's all of them and something else, something personal. For me this album is from the heart.
"I love that old-school sound of PP Arnold and the Ronettes, so there had to be some kind of throwback to that.

"We also worked hard on getting the balance right. It's a real leveller between the past and the present - and somewhere in between my sound emerged."

Members of the audience were left wanting more with some comparing the soulful songstress to Amy Winehouse, minus the beehive and drug addiction.

Rowley is one to look out for in 2008 with her captivating, alluring vocals which will prove essential listening for fans of the blues.

Following the dulcet tones of Rowley, David Gray took to the stage to do what he does best.
Performing classics from his 2001 UK chart-topping album White Ladder, Gray impressed fans with his powerful vocals and endless musical talent on the guitar and piano.

Songs including This Years Love, Sail Away, and top ten hit Babylon, sent crowds into a frenzy and, despite a fight on the dance floor half way through the set, the mood of the audience was upbeat.

Tunes from Gray's other albums, including Life in Slow Motion, continued to impress listeners along with his vivacious interaction with the fans.

Gray was born to perform and he has managed to surround himself with a band who love to do the same.

Suited and booted in black ties and suits, the group provided a refreshing taste of class mixed with pure talent.

Not only did they work the crowd alongside Gray, but they interacted in a seamless display of entertainment and by the end those seated were on their feet calling for more.

In a final show of brilliance Gray returned to the stage following calls from the audience and performed a last song from the ever-popular White Ladder. 

01/04/2008 16:45:00  

 

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Welcome to DavidGray.com

I wasn't there but I am certain that all the songs were equally brilliant.

 

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"Nothing happens unless first we dream" - C. Sandburg

Yes dg still gave the people a great show as he realises there were still plenty there to listen to him.

But he did change some lyrics to get at the noisy ones!!

Shows how good the man is that he can still leve the fans blown away when he is interrupted like that. i am always blown away no matter how often I hear him - he is just No1

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Keep smiling - It's free!
Djk
:-)

This gig took place just a little over two months ago but already it seems like ages to me. Anyway, today I have stumbled over a nice review on the web. There are some nice pics too. Just click on one of the pics in the article and you will get to see more of those.

Snowflakes are falling, I’ll catch them in my hands

 

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Welcome to DavidGray.com

I spotted Djk on one of the photo's  

He gets everywhere   

WildHope:

I spotted Djk on one of the photo's  

He gets everywhere   

He sure does

I spotted myself as well... Lol.

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Welcome to DavidGray.com