David Gray Gigs

Re: House of Blues - Chicago, IL - June 30, 2012

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 20:51:05 GMT

Thanks for the recent reviews guys, it's good to read that the crowd did not spoil the gig completely and you still managed to enjoy the show.

Re: House of Blues - Chicago, IL - June 30, 2012

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 15:16:24 GMT

Well! I don't have much more to add from what's already been said... First off, it was fantastic to meet DCA and spinny before the show! Luckily, I happened to find DCA along the stairs listening to the sound check and got to watch/listen a bit with him and got to hear a decent little segment from Nightblindness! Love meeting the people off this BB... 'tis a lovely little community we have here!

As far as the gig, yes, it was just loud and drunken. We were one person back from the front gate, so we had a fantastic view... but the people behind us made it hard to really not get a little pissy, even while watching someone as amazing as David. The redeeming moments of the show were Late Night Radio>Faster Sooner Now (haven't heard that in about a decade live!), Lately (I know DCA agrees with that choice) and the one and only Nemesis. Would've loved to hear Nightblindness again, but the crowd certainly was not going to be quieting down for such a song.... such a shame.

But, out of all this, I find out that me and my wife were made for each other... now both of our first times seeing David live was a way-too-loud crowd Chicago show (mine was at the United Center in '03, her's here)... hopefully David decides to come back to good ol' Wisconsin next tour. Both times at Milwaukee have been fantastic and the crowd has been surprisingly respectful for a town known for it's drinking. Either way, it is always a pleasure to see David, whether good crowd or not... though my wife now wants to have an affair with him I think ;)

Glad to hear that the MN show made up for the crowds in Chicago!!

Re: House of Blues - Chicago, IL - June 30, 2012

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 14:32:27 GMT

I think many of you are making one excellent point - that at the end of the day it is DG..............so no matter annoying crowd or bugs in a sauna it still is pretty fecken amazing stuff. And to get to see old friends inside such an event only makes it all the better.

All that said lesson learned.

Re: House of Blues - Chicago, IL - June 30, 2012

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 13:51:02 GMT

I don't have too much more to add, but just wanted to share my experience with this interesting HOB crowd. As I am sure most of you did, my wife and I arrived early before the doors opened. Once the doors open we made our way into the venue and staked out a place on the main floor. We were going to get close to the stage as possible, but both of us were already exhausted from walking and standing most of the day. So we decided to stand on the main floor against the railing near the steps by the video board so we could lean and rest before DG started. We had a great view and were excited for the show. But by the time DG started our excitement had changed to a mild annoyance.

It was quite obvious the booze was flowing well that night. Now, I am not saying there is anything wrong with drinking and having fun at a concert, because I was doing that exact thing, but some people can't handle it. I think the main problem was that there was such a long wait from the time the doors opened until show started. Obviously there were quite a few people around me that were able to to get a lot of drinks down in that time, and they couldn't handle it. A lady who was on the stairs next to me was so drunk she kept spilling her drink, dropping her shoes, eventually couldn't stand, and didn't even know DG was on stage until her friend, who was holding her up, told her he was performing when she asked who was on stage. Another couple was so bad that they both tried to leave early and couldn't walk a straight line to the stairs when people were trying to direct them out. They were holding each other up. (I wonder how hailing a cab worked out for those two.) And then there was another overly drunk gentleman whose apparent night's mission was to get DG to play, and I quote "Some of your old stuff". At least I am assuming that was his mission since he continuously yelled that after every song. By the end of the night two ladies, much, much smaller than him, had to hold him to keep him semi-upright. I think my wife and I counted 6 people around us that had to leave early because they were too intoxicated to stand straight. Combine those incidents with the obsessive talking going on, it was tough to fully enjoy the show.

Despite all that, it was still a live DG performance, and he never disappoints. There were at least a few people around us that were very into the show, as we were, which helped. I thought the show got better as it went on (probably because there were less distracting incidents as those people left). For some reason to me, from Jackdaw on it felt like the crowd got more into the show. I thought the music was amazing and DG put on a great performance despite the crowd. Highlight of my night (other than the distracting people leaving) was Late Night Radio.

Re: House of Blues - Chicago, IL - June 30, 2012

Tue, 03 Jul 2012 03:42:35 GMT

Part of me regrets keeping this thread active as it seems many would rather move on from this one. I'm really glad I was able to make it and all tolled had an outstanding time, mostly because it was so nice to see some familiar faces to include the D and C of DCA fame and of course Ms. Wolfie, and also to meet some new ones (sixstringedman)! Here's a link to Lately from my vantage point--I'm not sure if it's the version that ropreston stumbled across, but I'm sure the noise level will be about the same for the curious.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DM54K3zjbNM&feature=g-upl

I almost didn't make this one as Friday while leaving the office I was greeted by a message saying my Sat a.m. flight had been canceled, BUT that I had been rebooked on a flight leaving Sunday morning--12 hours after the show and 12 hours before my Sunday evening return flight! What American Airlines couldn't sort out on their own, the ever generous DCA jumped in and did with swift efficiency and pure graciousness. I still can't believe the assist and remain incredibly grateful for all the efforts made by David and Coty leading up to and during the event.

Yes it was a Jim Beam dominated show, yes it was chatty chatty noisy, yes DG was less talkative/interactive than I've seen at other shows (who could blame him--he prob didn't want to talk over the crowd), and yes 90% of the crowd were duds. Still, the music brought out the dedicated and didn't disappoint. High points for me were Money and Snow in Vegas, mostly because I feel like this was the first time I'd really listened to either despite having played each several times over. I also had hoped for Lately and got it. Somewhat resigned to the fact that I'll never experience Disappearing World live, although considering the temps on this tour it might be a perfect choice. Just sayin'

Thanks to all who have posted from the road to keep us updated on every show. Looking forward to what the final four have in store. Assuming airline cooperation, I hope to be there to close it out in VT with JackiJo, Wolfie, Rabiahc and everyone else! Can't wait. Everyone enjoy out there and as Minnesota seems to have taught us, pack your bug spray!!!!

Re: House of Blues - Chicago, IL - June 30, 2012

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 18:46:15 GMT

ropreston:
There are times when he is obviously a bit annoyed/disappointed and looking around at that crowd. Still, there are moments of the performance that are totally perfect.

Yes, this is a great point! Because I like a little sweet with my sour I want to say that DG and the band put on an incredible performance at the HOB. It certainly wasn't their fault the crowd was less than stellar (to put it mildly) and they did the best they could with what they had to work with. As always it was a top notch effort. I commented at the beginning of the show that I thought DG looked really tired and annoyed - and he probably was. But he and the guys gave it their all and I really thought they sounded good. I am so appreciative that they did Late Night Radio/ Faster Sooner Now - since we were standing it was great to dance to those. Reminded me of getting to hear them in Vegas with everybody. And Nemesis, whether the best performance of Nemesis ever, was still Nemesis and was, therefore, a highlight for me. I was at the show with a friend who had never been to a DG concert before and isn't, actually, that familiar with his music and she had a great time and really enjoyed the show - that was fun for me and kind of kept me from being too dragged down by the negativity. And really, regardless of the crowd, the venue or any of the rest of it - it was a DG show and the worst DG show beats a best of anything else I can think of.

Re: House of Blues - Chicago, IL - June 30, 2012

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 11:47:09 GMT

Just saw a YouTube video of Lately. I can't believe the amount of audience noise! There are times when he is obviously a bit annoyed/disappointed and looking around at that crowd. Still, there are moments of the performance that are totally perfect. When it builds into the loud part in the middle, I nearly forgot about how bad it was until the music quieted down again. You don't want a dead crowd, but you don't want such a large proportion of the audience engaged in full conversation having nothing to do with the show! I'm amazed they played so well to that crowd.

Re: House of Blues - Chicago, IL - June 30, 2012

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 09:47:12 GMT

I'm sorry Wolfie to hear that the audience was such a mess. I'll never get why such people are so disrespectful!

Re: House of Blues - Chicago, IL - June 30, 2012

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 07:32:58 GMT

Aww this sounds awful Wolfie, I have never experienced anything like this, hope I never do.

I can't even begin to understand why people would act like this, especially at a David gray gig.

I hope that your next gig at the zoo, more than made up for this.

Re: House of Blues - Chicago, IL - June 30, 2012

Mon, 02 Jul 2012 01:19:59 GMT

Oh how disappointing. I hate a bad crowd. I would do just about anything to be there, and they act like that. So sorry they ruined it for everyone else.

Re: House of Blues - Chicago, IL - June 30, 2012

Sun, 01 Jul 2012 20:18:43 GMT

The crowd at the HOB last night is among, if not totally, the worst I've ever experienced. I was very close to the stage and was amazed by the rudeness and disrespect shown by people even so close to DG and the band. The worst of it was before the show stared but there was some pretty bad behavior during the show, too. I'm certainly not going to say it's a Chicago thing because I've been to a lot of shows in Chicago and while I've had some rude people at shows in Chicago before (and, to be fair, just about every other city I’ve been to) it was nothing compared to last night. Of course most of the jerks around me last night said they were from elsewhere so I don't even know how it would be characterized a Chicago problem. I did have some very nice people near me, including the lady from NY and the couple from Fl.. I had people push themselves into me, make nasty comments to me, threaten the people around me, etc.. For the people behind me who acted that way -you were already about two feet from the stage - was getting us pushed up into the backs of the people at the stage to get yourselves a few inches closer to the stage important enough to behave as you did?!? Also, some people actually had the nerve to have some bodyguard/bouncer guy walk them to the front of the stage right before the show and crush and push those of us who had been standing there for hours so they could be up front. They eventually got bored and left but come on! Classy - hope that display made you feel like the bigshots you dream you are. I thought nothing could shock me anymore... I was wrong.

As for the people that continue to talk during a concert... that is incredibly rude and selfish and disrespectful to your fellow concert-goers and, more importantly, the performers. If you want to talk all night, go to bar or something - don't ruin the night for those of us who are there for the show and not your constant blathering. Ugh. Regarding the venue itself, I've never been a fan of the HOB and said so to people beforehand. Bad choice for a venue. The show was good -come on, it's DG! - and I had a great time in spite of the crap venue and crowd but come on... DG is an amazing, dedicated, classy artist - he deserves better. I'm from Chicago and I'm going to keep on going back home for Chicago shows because that's where it all started for me with seeing DG and I have a sentimental attachment there but can I please beg those of you out there whether from Chicago or elsewhere to PLEASE stay home if you intend to act like an idiot. And that goes for every other city and every other show as well.

Re: House of Blues - Chicago, IL - June 30, 2012

Sun, 01 Jul 2012 19:14:59 GMT

phillydog109:
At least you're making a lam outta there. As far as your hometown (Lord forgive me for these puns): You'll just have to grin and "bear" it. Just go for a walk in your sandals and "white sox". Sorry, I'll try to wrigley my way out. Put it on your big shoulders. I'll stop now.

lmao.......that was so bad it is good!!!!

Teemto:
If anything, i definitely approve of this.

right??!!

Re: House of Blues - Chicago, IL - June 30, 2012

Sun, 01 Jul 2012 18:05:21 GMT

davidcotyalex:
I have really not much idea about the set list as i did what any right minded individual would do in such circumstances - i got completely hammered

If anything, i definitely approve of this.

Re: House of Blues - Chicago, IL - June 30, 2012

Sun, 01 Jul 2012 16:59:28 GMT

At least you're making a lam outta there. As far as your hometown (Lord forgive me for these puns): You'll just have to grin and "bear" it. Just go for a walk in your sandals and "white sox". Sorry, I'll try to wrigley my way out. Put it on your big shoulders. I'll stop now.

Re: House of Blues - Chicago, IL - June 30, 2012

Sun, 01 Jul 2012 16:50:28 GMT

on the plane with wolfie and she will certainly tell it in her own words.................but very disappointed to hear it was just as bad on the floor

man I am embarrased and ashamed to call myself a chicagoan today