Brighton Review

[bunnygod1]

I wasn't sure whether to give a 'warts 'n' all' especially as I hadn't posted here before but I couldn't gloss over the bad stuff I'm afraid. To see someone you respect as a musician getting steadily drunker and ending the way I described . . .

Anyway, the most recent Bunny's gig I saw was at Oxford 02 last December and that was, I thought, a good gig so now pondering whether to do the Brixton Academy for Crocodiles and HUH.

Thanks for listening :)

you missed the guy telling mac he isnt ken dodd or Ricky Tomlinson ! the crocs/huh gigs will be ok!

[mrsmac]

Hi OR1962

I was there last night too and I couldn't have described it more accurately. I was at the front near 'Brian' (the guy who bought Mac the TRIPLE brandy that he requested despite having clearly consumed plenty already). I really enjoyed most of the night - he was funny and the music was great, especially the songs that he played all the way through. Unfortunately he only did about 2 lines of Villiers Terrace. The two weird bits were the two guys shouting abuse and the end - it was really bizarre how he just stomped off, no thank-you, no goodnight - it was a bit of an anti-climax to an otherwise good night. My daughter thought it was all top entertainment. The support act , Allegra Shock, was excellent, a fantastic voice

[oceanrain1962]

you missed the guy telling mac he isnt ken dodd or Ricky Tomlinson ! the crocs/huh gigs will be ok!

Hehe Indeed I did forget that . . . Mac came back with a reply but can't recall what 'neither are you' perhaps? to the guy who I think was Jamie?

What did you think of the evening?

[oceanrain1962]

Hi OR1962

I was there last night too and I couldn't have described it more accurately. I was at the front near 'Brian' (the guy who bought Mac the TRIPLE brandy that he requested despite having clearly consumed plenty already). I really enjoyed most of the night - he was funny and the music was great, especially the songs that he played all the way through. Unfortunately he only did about 2 lines of Villiers Terrace. The two weird bits were the two guys shouting abuse and the end - it was really bizarre how he just stomped off, no thank-you, no goodnight - it was a bit of an anti-climax to an otherwise good night. My daughter thought it was all top entertainment. The support act , Allegra Shock, was excellent, a fantastic voice

Hi I think you were to my right last night . . . did you have one of the posters from the gig face down on your table? I assumed hoping to get it signed. I thought it was such a pity that he allowed himself to be distracted and didn't get all the way through some of the songs. Villiers, Ocean Rain to name but 2. As I said though, overall, when it was good it was excellent but, for me was a missed opportunity . . . the brandy certainly didn't help.

[mrsmac]

It was the end that will remain emblazoned on my mind . . .

It's emblazoned on mine too - I'm still shocked, even more so if it was indeed a set up, as you said, why not just say goodbye????? Quite a few people I spoke to had travelled from quite far and obviously spent quite lot of money so that's not what you expect even knowing that he can be a bit tempramental (even if you haven't travelled along way it's not what you expect!)

[oceanrain1962]

It's emblazoned on mine too - I'm still shocked, even more so if it was indeed a set up, as you said, why not just say goodbye????? Quite a few people I spoke to had travelled from quite far and obviously spent quite lot of money so that's not what you expect even knowing that he can be a bit tempramental (even if you haven't travelled along way it's not what you expect!)

The thing is, even if you lived next door, if you've paid to see the gig ,the way it panned out wasn't great. Incidentally, that first point about the conspiracy was In The Margins quoting someone (see page 1); I'm not disputing that post but I can't get my head round why Mac would conspire in such a manner. Surely, if you needed to you'd at least make yourself look cool? i.e., a 'plant' stands up and says something like "Mac, you're the greatest . . . please play all night" . Not the axe-weilding abusive, drunken, stumbling shambolic exit we saw?

[bunnygod1]

it was tipical mac gig really it went from the sublime to the ridiculous in the space of a song (or half a song at times) i think he just enjoys a arguement did make me laugh when he said its a evening with mac and "i will do fuckin magic tricks if i want"
the voice sounded great! not sure about the knock knock joke again ,he needs some new material
we were down the front next to the table with brian and the
Psychiatrist! i think they got a bit to fimiliar for there own good by the end!
mac seemed pretty relaxed and happy in general, but a evening with mac is what it says a evening with mac! warts an all
i think most people want see a zeligs type solo gig, even if that includes 4 other people on stage

[oceanrain1962]

it was tipical mac gig really it went from the sublime to the ridiculous in the space of a song (or half a song at times) i think he just enjoys a arguement did make me laugh when he said its a evening with mac and "i will do fuckin magic tricks if i want"
the voice sounded great! not sure about the knock knock joke again ,he needs some new material
we were down the front next to the table with brian and the
Psychiatrist! i think they got a bit to fimiliar for there own good by the end!
mac seemed pretty relaxed and happy in general, but a evening with mac is what it says a evening with mac! warts an all

We'd heard/read about the knock-knock joke and I winced when he did that - new material def a must :) I agree that table did get a bit 'matey' but probably didn't expect their friendly banter to end with Mac wielding his acoustic at them. However, as you say, I think it was as advertised- an evening with, but mayhap a few less warts next time?

[camden jack]

Thanks for the good, bad, and the ugly. Can't get that on BOF. He is still tremedously talented, creative, and someone we've all cared about and respected for a long time. But fucking alcohol man - in certain people I've known I've seen it ruin thier friendships, then their marriages, relationsips with their kids, then their careers, and finally their self-respect and whatever else they have left. Don't want to witness that scenario play out here. Just ashamed that he seems to have no one around to stand up and help his stubborn ass.

[oceanrain1962]

Thanks for the good, bad, and the ugly. Can't get that on BOF. He is still tremedously talented, creative, and someone we've all cared about and respected for a long time. But fucking alcohol man - in certain people I've known I've seen it ruin thier friendships, then their marriages, relationsips with their kids, then their careers, and finally their self-respect and whatever else they have left. Don't want to witness that scenario play out here. Just ashamed that he seems to have no one around to stand up and help his stubborn ass.

Agree with all you said. I love Mac's (and Will's, Les's and the late Pete's) music, writing, performances but, last night should not have panned out like it did. If he'd been sober he would have been in a better state of mind both for the gig and how to play (and play to) the audience. I honestly hope he reads the stuff on this site and thinks about last night's performance and realises that he has many, many fans who really do love his music and that it means a lot to them. He has the ability, both with his presence and songs to hold an audience enraptured and hanging on his voice and words. Heck, I like a drink and I've played live and have had a 'loosener' but have saved the 'bathing in it' for the post-coital part

[morty]

All these types of reviews which are becoming more frequent are just too sad.

What a waste and what an embarrassment for one so truly talented.

The drink and the bravado has taken over his personality and he is surrounded by people who are not helping him.

He must be extremely unhappy but too drunk to even know it.

I notice no mention of Yorrick Hunt.

[oceanrain1962]

All these types of reviews which are becoming more frequent are just too sad.

What a waste and what an embarrassment for one so truly talented.

The drink and the bravado has taken over his personality and he is surrounded by people who are not helping him.

He must be extremely unhappy but too drunk to even know it.

I notice no mention of Yorrick Hunt.

Again, sadly, agreed

[morty]

Can see now that the knock knock joke was included at Brighton.

Reading everyones version of this 'evening with Ian McCulloch' it all sounds rather amateurish which ever way you look at it.

McCulloch seems to have no respect for his audience and this is now becoming part of the act.

He is blaming the audience for the fact that he is not captivating enough.

A good artist/performer will have them in the palm of his hand and does not need to make such a scene by drawing more attention to the fact that he is not as engaging as he thinks he is.

Ian is extremely funny and quick witted but can turn nasty and uncontrollable very quickly.

If it was a set up it must of gone pear shaped as this is a terrible way to end the show.

The very public self destuctive behaviour he is exhibiting is heartbreaking.

[Dave Smith]

Anyone doubting my review of St Georges Hall seems like its all too regular!He needs a band with him.Strange this picking on the crowd aggressive stance he's adopted this year.......great way to drum up ticket sales.

[Grumpy_Jimbo]

Interesting to see how he get's on tomorrow night in Glasgow, in my experience a Glasgow audience will not put up with Macs petulance and they will tell him so..... Got a feeling it's gonna be car crash viewing tomorrow night as Mac has more than a few good drinking buddies in Glasgow............

I will feed back after the show lol.............................