Last night was the 8th time I have seen Travis (I think) and I have to say that the gig topped all other Travis gigs I have attended. They delivered exactly what you would expect and more - rocking and uplifting music, mixed in with witty chat in between. I absolutely LOVED the Rocky Balboa style entrance (my boyfriend Rob is gutted because he came to Koko with me and is also coming to Westonbirt but he was unable to come last night - Rocky is one of his favourite films!)
Koko in February was also amazing but last night was even better. I was smiling from start to finish and am still on a high now, despite having to get up at 5.30 this morning to take my friend and fellow Travis fan Lil to Waterloo!
I also felt that the band were much more at ease than they were at Koko, maybe because Koko was one of their first gigs after such a long break?
Fran was brilliant as always and looked like he was really enjoying being back, Andy was bloody fantastic and I think he impressed everyone in that room with his guitar solo in AIWTDIR whilst crowd surfing!, Dougie looking very cool as usual on his bass (we love your moves!) and Neil the backbone of the band as ever (do you ever wish you could jump around like the others?).
You guys have such an amazing energy, I feel you could give some of these newer bands a run for their money, and I truly think you guys should be up there headlining Glastonbury!
It’s hard to pick highlights as I could rave about it all (I woke my boyfriend up last night to tell him all about it and in the end he had to tell me to go to sleep!) but personal faves were Selfish Jean, Eyes Wide Open, Closer, AIWTDIR, Good Feeling and of course Why does it always rain on Me - loved the umbrellas, reminded me of Glastonbury '99!
Like I said, I loved Koko but last night I truly realised how much I have missed you all and I am SO glad you're back. Loving the album and can't wait for Westonbirt, good luck with all the other dates guys x
It’s hard to pick highlights as I could rave about it all (I woke my boyfriend up last night to tell him all about it and in the end he had to tell me to go to sleep!) but personal faves were Selfish Jean, Eyes Wide Open, Closer, AIWTDIR, Good Feeling and of course Why does it always rain on Me - loved the umbrellas, reminded me of Glastonbury '99!
What umbrellas??
And thanks for the review! It's so much fun to read these "this was the best night of my life" and "my face aches for all the grinning" stories :)
Ha ha, yeah someone at the front put up an umbrella for Rain and before you knew it there were loads going up. I was standing and was about half way back (for once I didn't get close to the front which made me feel rather wrong but I got used to it!), it was great to look up at the balcony (the Malteser crew as Fran put it) to see brollies being waved over the side there too.
Awww, you've got me all grinning again now!!!
A great time was had last night. I knew it was going to be good, when we arrived at 8pm and managed to get almost to the front row. (3rd to be precise!)
Brinkman were good. I missed them when they played Koko, in favour of the pub (sorry, my bad). As support acts go, they were pretty polished and very enjoyable.
The set list was similar to, but not the same as, Koko. As mentioned, the entrance was dramatic, but fun! I don't want to say that Travis are great because they don't take themselves too seriously, because I don't want to undermine the hard work and graft that clearly went into the performance. But with the emphasis on fun, quality music and entertainment, there was no excuse not to enjoy yourself.
Opening with Selfish Jean was heavenly. We were in the mood from the get go.
Fran excelled once again as the front man we know and love, and managed to make the Hammersmith Apollo feel like an intimate venue, with his anecdotes and appreciation of his audience.
The set list has been mentioned in other threads. But I would make one "constructive comment". The highlights of the gig, for me, were the rock tracks. I love "Love Will Come Through", "My Eyes" etc etc, the more mellow tracks. But they are completely out performed by the likes of AIWDIR, Turn, U16 Girls (class!!!) etc etc. And for that very reason, I'd have loved to see The Fear performed. But you can't have everything.
I don't know if she's a boardie, but there was a very very petite lady directly in front of me (thank you for the greater force that put me behind her!). If you are a boardie, I'd like to ask if you're ok. I saw you sobbing from start to finish through "Closer". I mean I know it's not Travis' best ever, but that was an extreme reaction ;). Seriously, this lady was moved.
While I remember, Congratulations Klaus!!! Fran announced Klaus' engagement last night.
Finally, I only bloody pogoed! 8 Travis gigs, and countless others, and never in my life have I pogoed! Good old Fran got the whole crowd bouncing to WDIAROM. In the interest of not being squashed to pieces, I had no choice but to join in. Great stress therapy, which I can recommend to anyone!!!
Lots more highlights, which I suspect will come back to me over the next few days, and which I'll post as and when.
Anyway, thanks Travis for a brilliant and memorable gig. See you at Melkweg!
By the way, I don't know if anyone else saw, but they had loads of people filming them walking on. They'd even enlisted the Brinkman roadie to help! More youtubey fun?
