Ocean Rain 30TH Anniversary Show

by **black francis** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 3:58 pm

Well for me it would be purely for elitist purposes. Come across someone who professes to be a Bunnyfan. "Did you go to that once in a lifetime RAH show where they played "Ocean Rain" in its entirety never to be repeated?" and when they inevitably say "no" I can give a satisfied smirk and reply with something like "oh what a pity, they're never going to do it again". That would be cool.

But instead I'll have to reply with "neither did I"

by **Grumpy_Jimbo** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 4:43 pm

Am willing to suggest the Liverpool show will be in October and will be part of the BBC Electric Proms Season ...............

by **Seven Seas** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 4:58 pm

electrabunny wrote:I'm very annoyed and it does take away from RAH gig - orchestra or not! I've been struggling with the decision whether to go to the RAH gig for financial reasons. I've had the tickets since the pre-sale and just recently got word on my tax refund, so I finally decided to make the trip, now hearing that they are doing another "Ocean Rain special event" in Liverpool kind of pisses me off. Don't get me wrong, I'm still going to the RAH gig, but I just wish I could do both. And when the hell are they coming back to the States? I thought for sure they would at least tour their new album in the fall after the RAH gig - now that seems doubtful if they are planning another Liverpool gig - unless it's going to be wrapped into their Christmas show. I really hope they do tour in the fall!!

Hello electrabunny,

I just read your post & just had to respond b/c of the familiarity associated w/ events that occured in accordance w/ my life today, on a walk w/ a good friend.

I know this is just an opinion of mine & how no-one cares about me here etc. but, as I'm typing this, I'm laughing b/c of the conversation I had relating to this just this afternoon, on that long walk w/ a trusted friend.....

I have to say this. I'm in total agreement w/ you & your thoughts here.

Seriously speaking, my friend & me worked (w/out complaining but, it was tiring) several hours of OT last year to just be able to attend both of the Xmas gigs. We aren't priviledged either to have a lot of friends that could host us for free, etc. so, we are like regular people, in relation to forking all of that money out for flights, hotel nights and other necessities. However, yes, we had fun both nights (as I'm not complaining), met a few people on Saturday, Dec. 8th at the Crown Pub (not knowing at all that there was also a meet-up the following night where we missed the opportunity meeting Will) and seen/toured many sites around the great city we have both come to love.

However, just today, we had a major long conversation concerning whether or not we want to return for this special night's concert. This is b/c of several factors...your post reminds us of them, conspiciously.

1) Will the venue be "something different" in respect to the quality of the place (meaning like having it in comparison between the Liverpool Cathedral or the Cavern instead)? We just think too that, even having it at Sefton Park would kind of make it seem related as more of a festival/tribute style of gig instead of a celebration of their uniqueness in a clearly unique venue to portray this. Many people don't really seem to be too thrilled about the festival-type atmosphere, as I've read from the past several posts on this therefore, maybe a gig on the steps of St. George's Hall, Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King or simply the Liverpool Theater/or even on Albert Dock....

2) How affordable & reliable will all of the arrangements be? Many Americans seemingly weren't not really "happy" or they demonstrated it differently speaking of their Xmas shows. I mean, I'm not personally complaining myself but, I just felt a bit of changes & even a Season's Greetings (etc) could've been shown. I'm not asking for anyone to kiss my arse or the like but, I guess it would've been nice to have heard it or maybe a thanks b/c a lot of people from all over the world travelled for that, it was seemingly stated in statistics. Will this be exact too, when the RAH gig is reported?

3) Will the night (or if it is planned for the daytime) be more oriented celebrating their accomplishments or simply a gig designed to prove they're now 30 years on (meaning, just like a regular gig)?

4) With the costs adding up to the RAH gig too, (I'm going so, I do feel your "pain" in relation to the bills regarding it) will it be a taste of what is to be about the RAH?

5) Will all of this be in similarity to a possible Xmas gig at the Cavern again or not?

6) Will the gig be in relation to, the first Crystal Day?

These are just some of the ideas that have been talked about w/ several of my friends here in relation to us travelling to the upcoming RAH gig yet, w/ now a possibility of us coming again, to this 30th b-day gig.

What about everyone's thoughts here?

Will you go even if you can't really "afford" it knowing it might be a sample to people who can't make-it to RAH? Would you go if it was a repeat (after Sept. 16th's gig)? What about the venue, travelling arrangements, etc?

Maybe if things were planned, a hotel could be booked specifically for fans who don't have people to host them either, like a block of rooms. You could buy your airline ticket, and it then would come w/ your ticket & a room (like you could print a certificate) guarenteeing your room since you came all that way to support them....

Just some thoughts. Sorry for the long-arse post.

by **Red** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 5:05 pm

Dave Smith wrote:.Just because people cant afford to come over to the UK twice is not the bands problem.

uh......did i ever say it was? :rolleyes:

all i said is i think it's a great idea, and yeah, i'd like to come to both because no, i don't think it'd be the "same show" - same songs or not...two COMPLETELY DIFFERENT venues. can you really tell me that you'd think the same set list would have the same effect at a bar as it would a festival? not hardly...and i think the RAH (while AWESOME) would be a completely different feeling and atmosphere as say the Cathedral! so no, not the same show!

but i am not saying anything bad about the band playing more than one show....all i'm saying is i wish i could see both (if it were as special as the cathedral)! who wouldn't?

i do agree, however, with people that are saying the RAH show should be the first time Ocean Rain is played in full w/orchestra....

by **Seven Seas** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 5:22 pm

Dave Smith wrote:I cant believe people are moaning about the Bunnymen playing another Ocean Rain gig.There was no exclusivity mentioned about the RAH.Surely part of the reason for going to the RAH is to GO to the Royal Albert Hall itself.I've never been and cant wait.If the band rehearse up an orchestra,play more gigs and can make money from it then why not?They are professional musicians after all.Just because people cant afford to come over to the UK twice is not the bands problem.Isnt once enough for what could be the same show?I cant afford to see The Church play in Australia but hey,thats life.

A cathedral gig would certainly suit the reverb drenched tones of OR but I have my doubts over whether it would be practical .Oh and dont trust the Seven Seas lot.They wear sunglasses at breakfast.

Mr Smith,

After now reading your posts & thoughts here after I just responded to Electrabunny's thoughts too, I have to respond that in agreement w/ your thoughts, too, is how I see this double-sided coin.

You made a great point about the analogy w/ the The Church (excellent band, btw), I mean, it is life....if you can't make it b/c of your money situation, you shouldn't strain yourself. No-one should have to stress themselves out w/ credit card bills, etc. paying.

What point you made was demonstrated to me by my one parent & a couple of friends. It was concerning how just going to the RAH for seeing them & not being to that venue at all before for them. That I'm in total agreement w/ you. The people in my life told me in other ways not systematically, how it was just simply exciting that I'm even going to a gig in that venue!! That in turn, made me very excited, indeed!!!

So, excellent point regarding this.....you put me back at Earth level again (and just simply APPRECIATING that I'm going, just needed the nice reminder) even though, money for travelling to the 30th b-day concert has been swimming in my mind (and the number of hours I'll have to work for it) the past couple of days. Thanks!!

by **tonywojo** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 5:34 pm

Red wrote:That'd be Union Chapel......great venue! It was pretty cool drinking pints in church though, ya gotta admit! (i was at that gig!)

Actually, i didn't find the Mac solo gig like being in a congregation....but the Spiritualized show on the other hand......VERY powerful moving experience! Probably in my top 3 shows of all time! :-)

Cheers Red - at least the solo sets are more varied - that was part of the fun of it -
all the salt and vinegar stuff - and the sols with fleming on keyboards

Slideling was very underrated though what it was about I havent a clue

Anywhere but festivals is all good.

Another special gig for me was in Brighton (collonades) the night before Glastonbury 2005 - a great birthday gig.

Seems to be better when they are by the sea - like closer to home.

Maybe on a riverboat?

by **black francis** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 6:15 pm

Mac needs another solo album. Sure it'll be overproduced and a bit sappy but the material plays much better live (even Candleland tracks were roughed up) and I would make an effort to see a Mac (or Will solo for that matter) live. He sure seemed invigorated at the last solo show I caught where just a few months later at the Bunnymen gig he seemed bored out of his skull.

I wonder how much better Slideling could have been if Broudie did produce. I think he was supposed to till Mac decided to do it himself.

by **kook** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 7:24 pm

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by **blinkilite** » Mon Mar 24, 2008 10:15 pm

black francis wrote:...I would make an effort to see a Mac (or Will solo for that matter) live...

i'd like to see Will do curvature of the earth live. all tracks together as one GIANT song. i realize a lot of it is computerized and probably not playable live... but he could set up the computer/keyboard (or call up Paul Baltic) and have some wicked psychedelic light show or something... and then for a treat, whip out the ol' guitar to play some parts.

that'd be worth what a plane ticket costs over to the UK. :wink:

i'll keep dreaming cuz i know it'll never happen :razz:

by **Scouser** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 3:43 am

Dave Smith wrote:I cant believe people are moaning about the Bunnymen playing another Ocean Rain gig.There was no exclusivity mentioned about the RAH.Surely part of the reason for going to the RAH is to GO to the Royal Albert Hall itself.I've never been and cant wait.If the band rehearse up an orchestra,play more gigs and can make money from it then why not?They are professional musicians after all.Just because people cant afford to come over to the UK twice is not the bands problem.Isnt once enough for what could be the same show?I cant afford to see The Church play in Australia but hey,thats life.

A cathedral gig would certainly suit the reverb drenched tones of OR but I have my doubts over whether it would be practical .Oh and dont trust the Seven Seas lot.They wear sunglasses at breakfast.

This from the man who would travel to Aberdeen and pay £50 for a ticket to hear Macs answerphone message - then moan about it afterwards ("its the same answermachine message in the same order, I'm sick of hearing him say leave a message after the tone...cant he at least change it to beep") so Im not sure your 100% qualified to comment.

As far as Im concerned...the integrity of the band went away a long time ago. They are gonna milk the nostalgia cash for whatever they can. The Liverpool show wont be the last, or special, or anything other than a croakie 50 year old and his fat mate looking vaguely embarassed in front of a full orchestra wincing at the stupidity of it all.

Its going to be right on my doorstep and I still cant be arsed.

by **Frank The Bunny** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 8:31 am

One reason for doing a second "very special" performance of Ocean Rain in its entirety - to get a second soundboard recording of Mac's vocals.

If they're spending the dough to do the gig at RAH - and now that they're back on Warner - they'll surely record the gig for release on CD/DVD, or at the very least, as as digital download.

They did two nights at LIPA, and Mac still needed to re-record vocals in the studio.

Now, on another subject:
This Ocean Rain thing is going to be a true test for Mac.
Ian's been known to start a song then skip to the next one because he's not hitting the right notes (usually blames the band or sound guy), or skip a song altogether.

I'm sure several of us have witnessed this first hand, or snagged a setlist and realized all the songs weren't played

If you're playing an album in its entirety, you can't skip the one you can't sing well, can you?

by **guitarplayer on here too** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 9:55 am

Yo Yo Man and Crystal Days might get away. Other Ocean Rain tracks have been done recently, so we know what to expect. Nocturnal Me could sound weak. But there will be one song that could turn into a complete disaster -- Thorn of Crowns. I can't see how that will done at all and could end up sounding completely crap.

by **black francis** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 11:01 am

Frank The Bunny wrote:One reason for doing a second "very special" performance of Ocean Rain in its entirety - to get a second soundboard recording of Mac's vocals.

If they're spending the dough to do the gig at RAH - and now that they're back on Warner - they'll surely record the gig for release on CD/DVD, or at the very least, as as digital download.

They did two nights at LIPA, and Mac still needed to re-record vocals in the studio.

Now, on another subject:
This Ocean Rain thing is going to be a true test for Mac.
Ian's been known to start a song then skip to the next one because he's not hitting the right notes (usually blames the band or sound guy), or skip a song altogether.

I'm sure several of us have witnessed this first hand, or snagged a setlist and realized all the songs weren't played

If you're playing an album in its entirety, you can't skip the one you can't sing well, can you?

Last two Bunnymen shows I went to "Ocean Rain" was skipped over. Mac seemed in a foul mood at one show and the other I just assumed he didn't want give it a go as his voice was quite hoarse. Some people we met who are friendly with the band heard them playing "Heads Will Roll" at the soundcheck and got excited asking if it would be played that night and one of the band told them no because Mac couldn't hit the highs anymore.

But hasn't it been played live recently? How did it go?

by **black francis** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 11:07 am

Scouser wrote:This from the man who would travel to Aberdeen and pay £50 for a ticket to hear Macs answerphone message - then moan about it afterwards ("its the same answermachine message in the same order, I'm sick of hearing him say leave a message after the tone...cant he at least change it to beep") so Im not sure your 100% qualified to comment.

As far as Im concerned...the integrity of the band went away a long time ago. They are gonna milk the nostalgia cash for whatever they can. The Liverpool show wont be the last, or special, or anything other than a croakie 50 year old and his fat mate looking vaguely embarassed in front of a full orchestra wincing at the stupidity of it all.

Its going to be right on my doorstep and I still cant be arsed.

If you could have it your way would you have the Bunnymen call it a day or would you be open to them trying something drastic like a new sound, edgy producer, other band members involved in the songwriting process or just something to try and get that spirit back? Do you think they no longer have it in them? That as a team they are a spent creative force?

I want to see them go to Nashville and record with some session dudes down there and get Nick Lowe to produce.

by **Scouser** » Tue Mar 25, 2008 12:38 pm

black francis wrote:If you could have it your way would you have the Bunnymen call it a day or would you be open to them trying something drastic like a new sound, edgy producer, other band members involved in the songwriting process or just something to try and get that spirit back? Do you think they no longer have it in them? That as a team they are a spent creative force?

I want to see them go to Nashville and record with some session dudes down there and get Nick Lowe to produce.

Either / or

If they are going to carry on as they are - call it a day before they blow their legacy for good

If they ARE going to carry on - do something different. Drop a few hip hop beats in, go gospel, death metal, acid house - anything, even if it doesnt work. Chances are it would and it would be magnificent. If its just more of the same Stormy Weather shite - I want them to jack it in.

Ocean Rain 30TH Anniversary Show

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