Wednesday 12 April 2023.

Wednesday 12 April 2023. BIG THIEF + L'RAIN live at Hammersmith Apollo. BIG THIEF play the second of their two shows at this venue, on their UK & European Tour. ---------- Like last night , it is not fully sold out, just a few unsold rows of seats at the back of the circle. Like yesterday , Big Thief have a broad appeal of ages as there are folks here older than me and the cool young indie female crowd are here as well. They all seem more polite and intelligent that most crowds. L'RAIN and her band again were on for the same 45 mins. Her set again included some howling and barking in her pretty experimental tracks. BIG THIEF arrived on stage at 9.15pm and played for 85 mins. That was five minutes/one song less than the night before. Big Thief always change their setlist around a bit each night, and tonight is no different. There are changes in the set order and a few tracks have been added or dropped. 'Not' is played both nights, with it's great vocals, and stunning guitar solo, a superb track. Guitarist Buck Meek was fantastic, as his stance involved leaning forward, and balancing on the balls of his feet , when he played his nifty solos. Another really good set. -------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------- Tuesday 11 April 2023. BIG THIEF live at Hammersmith Apollo. BIG THIEF play the first of two shows at this venue on their UK & European Tour. I was at two of their four sold out Shepherds Bush Empire shows in March 2022. American indie-rock-folk band BIG THIEF are back in the UK to promote their fifth studio album. The band revealed plans to release a 20-track double album in early 2022. The album was recorded in four different locations across the United States.The band confirmed the album's title "Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You" and a February 11, 2022 release date. The album got great reviews in the press...including five stars from The Standard. It went into the UK album charts at number 15. The album went to number 31 in the USA Billboard Charts. At the 65th Annual Grammy Awards, "Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You" was nominated for Best Alternative Music Album and the track "Certainty" was nominated for Best Alternative Music Performance. Support act is L'RAIN. Taja Cheek, known professionally as L'Rain, is an American experimentalist, multi-instrumentalist, composer, and curator known primarily as the lead vocalist and songwriter of her eponymous band.L'Rain has been recognized for experimental music that draws on a vast number of traditions and genres. L'RAIN has released two albums ---------- The venue looks pretty full tonight, and includes a packed stalls standing. Lots of indie-rock fans , who look the vinyl buying type of crowd. Indeed the merch stands are selling all the Big Thief albums on vinyl for £30 each. L'RAIN and her band arrived on stage at 8pm for their 45 mins set. The support act was a bit too experimental for my liking, but the crowd liked them. BIG THIEF arrived on stage at 9.20pm for their 90 mins set. Their stage production is living room minimal, with just a few amps behind them , and a few lights. Despite the small amount of equipment on the stage, the overall sound is top notch. The Brooklyn based quartet easily move between folk, roots , country rock, indie , Americana and rockin out with some female fronted gentle vocals and nifty noisy guitar workouts. The band quite happily tick along outside of the mainstream. A really good show. Full BIG THIEF setlist played tonight... Ruined Flower of Blood Simulation Swarm Dragon New Warm Mountain I Believe in You Contact 12,000 Lines Dried Roses Free Treasure (Adrianne solo) Certainty Vampire Empire Not Masterpiece Sparrow Horsepower Spud Infinity (with Noah Lenker) Encore: Change Cattails

Posted 12th April 2023