Zoo Music Girl

I was a bit disappointed with Neubauten last night. They started off quite well but then there was a long section where they played songs with a similar, slow tempo and it frankly got a bit dull. It didn't help that it was possibly the most talkative audience in the world and that the gig just wasn't loud enough. Both times I've seen them before I could clearly hear every word that was said between songs but last night I could barely make anything out and people just talked over the quiet songs (of which there were many). It picked up a bit in the encores, where they played Redukt, Alles and a newish one that I can't remember the name of, which was storming. Not as good as the last couple of times I've seen them, although Hacke is still a total rock god.

Support was from the Devastations, who Rowland S Howard re-recorded "Autoluminesence" with last year, together with a cover of VU's "Ocean", and I liked then a lot. I even bought both their CDs after the gig.

The Tiger Lillies and Alexander Hacke (Einsturzende Neubauten)
Mountains of Madness
Friday 17th and Saturday 18 March 2006, 7:30 pm (Better seats available on the Friday, Saturday is nearly sold out.)
Queen Elizabeth Hall

https://www.rfh.org.uk/main/series/309.html

Based on stories by HP Lovecraft, with visuals by Danielle de Picciotto.

Avant-garde cabaret masters the Tiger Lillies join forces with Alexander Hacke of Einsturzende Neubauten to pay tribute to the fantasies of influential gothic writer and founder of 'cosmic horror', HP Lovecraft.

Mountains of Madness is a spine-chilling musical performance based on some of Lovecraft's eerie stories, including The Rats in the Walls, At The Mountains of Madness and The Call of Cthulhu. Tales of ancient gods, inexplicable terror and lost souls are brought to life in strangely beautiful, sometimes humorous and melancholy songs. The trademark penetrating falsetto, musical saw, piano, bass and assorted musical instruments of the Tiger Lillies are accompanied by Alexander Hacke's ethereal electronic soundscapes and narration. The production features visuals by artist Danielle de Picciotto and lighting is by Lutz John, known for his work with Einsturzende Neubauten.

More info here: http://www.hacke.org/

(x-posted to gigsnthings)

From the ende_neu community.

Blixa Bargeld does DIY commercials.

Einstürzende Neubauten were absolutely awesome last night. The set list was similar to Berlin's except we got Alles as part of the main set and were rewarded for being a great audience (or words to that effect) with a 35 minute track which will appear on the next supporter's only album.

I can't really put my finger on what made last night's gig even better than last year's (and at the time I thought that one was amazing enough), but they were just so tight, and so obviously enjoying themselves. It was a great atmosphere.

I'd managed to persuade childeric to come along. I'd played him a few of their tracks (not even necessarily the more accessible ones) and he'd thought they were pretty good so came along out of curiousity and really enjoyed it. His main comment was that the music made more sense live, and I think he was slightly surprised by the humour. He's got this thing about Fiona Music being full of po-faced miserable bastards.

I had a bit of a sad fan girl moment and spent a fortune on merchandise, but I got a really nice t-shirt (dark grey with turquoise Mensch) that fits me perfectly, the new authorised book No Beauty Without Danger, an English translation of the title of their song Keine Schönheit ohne Gefahr (German book title: Nur was nicht ist, ist möglich, which is a lyric from Was ist ist). the re-issued Halber Mensch DVD and a live recording of the concert. I was tempted by an apron (yes, really, black with a little white Mensch) and if I'd seen the mugs I'd have definitely got one or two but I missed those.

After the gig the official supporters went upstairs for a meet up, but I was too tired to hang around to meet the band and felt bad about leaving Simon outside waiting for me, so I just picked up my live recording CD and went home. I don't know what I'd say to them that wouldn't sound fawning and overwhelmed anyway.

An absolutely fantastic show, my only regret is that apparently they won't be playing live again for at least two years, but if the new track they encored with is anything to go by the new material will be worth it.

Edit: Setlist

ACT I
Yu-Gung
Die Befindlichkeit des Landes
Haus der Luege/Armenia
Rampe with Old Instruments (featuring: Thirsty Animal by Alex)
Youme & Meyou
Dead Friends (Around the Corner)
Redukt
Z.N.S.
Ende Neu

ACT II
Salamandrina
Sabrina
Perpetuum Mobile
Sehnsucht
Draussen ist Feindlich
Selbstportrait mit Kater
Kalte Sterne
Alles
Ich gehe jetzt

Encore: New work from upcoming supporter's album