Mac the arrogant rambling diva strikes again ...............

by **Mr. Brian** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 11:15 am

The closest they usually come to me is Chicago which is still nearly 5 hours by car. So with fuel, food, tickets, possible time off work, etc, it's quite an investment for me. I never hesitated driving there for Bunnymen or Mac solo and never really saw a bad show either like some of these recent reviews. Maybe it's just my perception that it is riskier now that Mac will have an off night. I did dodge a bullet and couldn't make the WAYGTDWYL show in 1998 or so. Mac was "sick" on that part of the tour.

by **oceanbrain** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 12:55 pm

the puppet wrote:Maybe not a great show but in the years ahead I recon that you will be able to remember this night better than your past outings-

thanks for those words of encouragement mate,but id rather remember the great gigs [& theres been many] & wipe saturdays gig from my memory.

by **black francis** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 1:02 pm

Some comments:

Hate to say it as a long time fan but did anyone else think that Friday at Academy was pretty poor - mac seemed uninterested and going through the motions.

Fan since late 70's and agree Mike. the 'banter' with the crowd just didn't work and I thought the set list could have been better. Third time I've seen them this year so maybe its me who is a bit jaded. Unsure why he was swearing at the fan at the front, but seemed to loose it for a time. Blaming the mic for the poor sound didn't wash.

I enjoyed last nights show, and i do like Mac having banter with the crowd, but felt last night, it was less banter more ranting.... going again tonight, so hope i get to hear Rust without Mac stopping to start it again

I've been the to all but about 2 Bunnymen gigs in Liverpool in the last 20 years and thought last nights was poor.....Macs verbal ranting is becoming a problem for me and last nights was the worst I've seen....I'm not into hero worshippers, I just love the music and I though Mac last night behaved almost as bad as he performed....

Always enjoy his banter but upset a few last night. Whilst he wants to play a lot of the songs how he fancies, the crowd want to hear them properly. Nothin ever lasts forever was quite poor. Any kind of public rant about "That Tithead" Kelvin McKenzie is always welcomed though in my book.

Bunnymen at the Academy is when Xmas starts!

I flew from Dublin last night to see them at the Academy... I'm sorry to say the ranting was getting annoying. Also Mac didnt want the crowd sining along and was getting very irritated by his own musicians! However, I am a fan of 25 years, and have seen great performances by Mac & Will elsewhere, so I can get over it. Pity they walked off before Ocean Rain. That was meant to be their last song. I waited with a handful of others to see if they would return to the stage but no joy :( Disappointed!!!....hope tonite is going better

Mac was rude to fans and didn't seem with it , rambled a lot and at one point seemed to be pretty rude to his band. Disappointing front man , great band.Can't believe how many tracks Mac actually managed to ruin by holding the band down repeatedly at inappropriate points and inane chat. Watched the band many times over many many years..but prob wont bother again. More respectful ,professional and appreciative bands out there to spend cash on.

Similar to alot of the comments made, musically brilliant, Macs vocals when he wanted - brilliant. But Macs ranting made it feel uncomfortable at times .... was gonna take one of the kids, but so glad i didnt. the guy at the front was stood by us, and was probably venting what alot of people thought ..... cut the rants and get on with what we've come to see, and what you are awesome at - the songs. Sadly, spoilt a good night.,,, really dissapointed, and to just walk of at the end - said it all.!!

by **black francis** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 1:03 pm

of course it wouldn't be the Bunnymen without an obligatory:

Im beginning to wonder if some of you were at the same gig on fri nite!!! Myself and my bf travelled down from Glasgow for the gig, and it was amazing in our opinion. Mac was brilliant as were the band, nothing wrong with the set list either. So he had a bit of banter with the crowd, nothing wrong with that, he prob heard the same as we did up on that stage, people yaking like they were out in the street, bloody well annoying that is, the lot that were behind me were a real pain, was a good chance he could hear them as well because of where we were standing. Answer to thats simple, if you want to talk all night with your mates, stay at home and put a cd on. And like the man says ' listen to the words!!! ' if your gonna sing along at least sing the words he wrote, its no wonder he gets annoyed at that, i would be as well!!! Anyway love the bloke to bits and i shall be going to see him again :D

by **Voodoo Billy** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 2:36 pm

I don't get the 'Pity they walked off before Ocean Rain' line, they haven't been closing the show with Ocean Rain for a while. What was 'Shroud of Turin' like on Friday? When they played it at Christmas '09 it was the best live performance of any of the Fountain tracks I've heard, didn't play it Saturday though.

by **oceanbrain** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 3:11 pm

Heres Lips from saturday [you tube] ,i rest my case..........

by **bunnygod1** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 4:05 pm

set list was pretty good to be honest, and overall a decent night that seemed to be enjoyed by everybody i was near young and old alike.it was no crocs/huh brixton gig obviously,
i have to agree though lips was pretty shite,5-6 minutes of rambling rubbish, but i did enjoy watching Will in a world of his own during it and i almost forgot Mac was up there :smile:

the bunnymen and the delights of merseyside are always a nice distraction just before crimbo and long may it continue!
roll on leamington spa for crocs/huh

by **Wabbit** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 4:18 pm

bunnygod1 wrote:lips is ok when "walk on the wild side"

? :)

by **Wabbit** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 4:22 pm

Voodoo Billy wrote:I don't get the 'Pity they walked off before Ocean Rain' line, they haven't been closing the show with Ocean Rain for a while. What was 'Shroud of Turin' like on Friday? When they played it at Christmas '09 it was the best live performance of any of the Fountain tracks I've heard, didn't play it Saturday though.

I think people are mentioning Ocean Rain because it is actually on the Friday night setlist
but was not performed... I don't know why but I can't actually remember Shroud of Turin (I know they did it but just can't remember it at all ???)

by **bunnygod1** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 4:24 pm

Wabbit wrote:? :)

whoops got my rambles mixed up :redface:

by **bunnygod1** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 4:29 pm

also 10 mins did seem a long time to be off stage between encores,but it was worth the wait for for two more tracks.

by **chris mc** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 4:34 pm

Been watching them nearly 30 years. Never posted on here cos never felt need to but Saturday was a a bit of a let down. Band were excellent and the set list was great for me. Its become my traditional festive treat and I did enjoy it but it saddened me because the guy just isn't enjoying it. He was ratty with the band, ratty with the crew and the longer it went on, and the more ale he necked, he got more rambling and irritable. When he barked 'shut up' cos somebody had the temerity to keep playing when he wanted to lecture the crowd, it was very uncomfortable and the lad looked stressed. He missed entire lines or even verses and was constantly agitated about one thing or another e.g. the fan speed, the crowd, lights, sound etc. Maybe they just need a break from it but I will go again next year. He is clearly in a bit of a grim place at the moment and I genuinely hope he finds a way out of it. I've seen them worse but I've seen them a lot better. Will has the patience of a saint.

by **Voodoo Billy** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 4:56 pm

bunnygod1 wrote:also 10 mins did seem a long time to be off stage between encores,but it was worth the wait for for two more tracks.

Cheers for that Bunnygod, and I was gradually getting over the disappointment of missing the second encore.

by **morty** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 5:24 pm

chris mc wrote:Been watching them nearly 30 years. Never posted on here cos never felt need to but Saturday was a a bit of a let down. Band were excellent and the set list was great for me. Its become my traditional festive treat and I did enjoy it but it saddened me because the guy just isn't enjoying it. He was ratty with the band, ratty with the crew and the longer it went on, and the more ale he necked, he got more rambling and irritable. When he barked 'shut up' cos somebody had the temerity to keep playing when he wanted to lecture the crowd, it was very uncomfortable and the lad looked stressed. He missed entire lines or even verses and was constantly agitated about one thing or another e.g. the fan speed, the crowd, lights, sound etc. Maybe they just need a break from it but I will go again next year. He is clearly in a bit of a grim place at the moment and I genuinely hope he finds a way out of it. I've seen them worse but I've seen them a lot better. Will has the patience of a saint.

Very well rounded perspective of the evening.

Watched the Lips like sugar on Youtube - WTF???

A vague attempt at dancing then grabbing the mic out of its stand throwing mic stand behind him then berating poor stage hand who goes to pick it up.
The obligatory towel kick manoeuvre is performed.
Tells the band to shut up then launches into some maniacal shite for what seems like an eternity and somehow manages to bring it back in for the outro.

It's actually hilarious if it wasn't like watching a car crash.

I hope that band get's paid well cause I can't see people sticking around for too long if he doesn't get help.

by **black francis** » Mon Dec 19, 2011 5:30 pm

Did he shoot the lights out with his fingers? Please say yes!

Mac the arrogant rambling diva strikes again ...............

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