I caught Carl play in London on Thursday night. A late venue change due to a stabbing at a BlackBerry party at the previous venue meant we were now at the Coronet at Elephant & Castle. For anyone who doesn't know this space, it's generally used as a live venue. An old theatre, it's quite a large space, and this meant that the gig lost a fair amount of the intimacy that I was expecting.
Playing live as 69, he performed in three different masks. First up was something that looked a cross between the Scream ghost mask and a hockey mask, second was Medico Della Peste mask, a Venetian mask that was most memorable as the long beak mask from Eyes Wide Shut. Last was the sad clown or Pierrot. And then at the end he lost the mask 'revealing his identity'. Not really sure what that had to do with the music, it wasn't as if he played in 3 (or 4) parts. Music was predominantly 69 with some sounds that sounded like a nod to Paperclip People. I can remember he played: My Machines Rushed Sound On Sound Poi et Pas Ladies & Gentleman Desire (well a weird version that featured the beats reworked a little without the strings) Not sure whether Carl likes to play longer when he plays live, but 1 hour felt short. I thoroughly enjoyed it, but it was really a retrospective at the end of the day. Considering he's not released any new music as 69 for 18 odd years apart from some reworkings, I was a little perplexed as to why he was doing gigs as 69 today. Also, interesting crowd. Was very young but I guess it's kinda cool to think that there were quite a few in the crowd enjoying sounds that were produced before they were born. They were into it though, the floor was full when he started and remained that way. Latest darling of the electronic set, Maya Jane Coles played after Carl, and whilst most people I spoke to said they were attending the gig for her, she was boring, flat and didn't get out of 2nd gear. After an hour or so I left... which was a shame as Efdemin was playing, but not until 5.15 so I doubt I was going to stay that late anyway! BG -- *Benn Glazier* b...@glzr.info <b...@glzr.info> www.BennGlazier.com www.twitter.com/BennGlazier www.facebook.com/BennGlazierPhotography <http://www.twitter.com/bennglazier> +44 (0) 7714 3000 18
