crazybobbles

Apocalyptic songs from Muse, auctions for random nude paintings of singers, impromptu photo shoots, guys being sodomised by ladies in strapons, marriage proposals and even a lesbian wedding. This could either be a badly done muser meetup or just a typical day for the ever so awesome Amanda Palmer and the danger ensemble. This was my first venutre into the world of Amanda Palmer and I must say it will definitely not be my last.

After that event with all the snow making people stuck at home either building people of the snow variety or working from home (damn you interweb), it was time to venture out and go to a gig. Snow still resided around the pavements in slush puppy format (just without the flavour we all enjoy) and the tube was still in a tiddly and shonky condition which made travelling slightly longer than it should be (rats), but nonetheless they worked and I still got me to the venue (albeit a bit late but whatever, it’s cool being late right?).

The support, Detektivbyrån were an awesome 3 piece instrumental band from Sweden. They do cute pieces that instantly make you think you’re watching Amelie (mmm Yann Tiersen, going to see him play on May). With them I was constantly swaying myself to happiness since it’s the kind of music you’d listen to if your life was positive and everything was going just the way you’d like it to be. They would occasionally talk to the audience in their shy Swedish accents and even ask the lighting guys to turn the lights up a bit so the audience can see their fancy clothes they were wearing (which one of them made :D). Their instruments varied from an accordion to the eccentric pair of scissors! I really enjoyed them and will definitely be seeing them next time they do a tour themselves.

On to the main act, there was quite a delay at the beginning of the gig. A lot of smoke was coming from the stage and Amanda wasn’t there, the crowd grew impatient as we watched the danger ensemble do something in the middle of the crowd (I couldn’t see but I did notice a hand raising up and down, that was about it on my end :(). Eventually Amanda appeared on stage (along with the audience cheering) and started off with The Assistant. She sported a cool jacket and fancy eye shadow and immediately blew us away. She played a few Dreseden Dolls tracks and also did a cover of Muse’s Apocolypse Please (only for a few seconds), I want you, but i don’t need you by Momus and also My Favourite Things by The Sound of Music.

Here’s a lovely video of her doing Leeds United, accompanied by a brass band whose name I shall continue to forget (until someone kindly comments and points me out to their names :))

My favourites were probably Oasis (more on that later), Leeds United and Guitar Hero. Occasionally she would invite violinist Lyndon Chester to the stage to accompany her and throughout her songs the Danger Ensemble(ment) would accompany her music with scenes and interactions with the crowd. I particularly like the bit where one of the guys is sodomised with by a lady with a strapon :). Though not essential to the music, they definitely make the show unique and a one of a kind experience that you wouldn’t see in another show (though of Montreal may give them a run for their money, I mean… a pile driver on stage!). Having said all that, Amanda still provides cutting edge (and bleeding edge) ways of interacting to the fans and making the show more than just a show. This included a live auction for a painting made by a London artist (of Amanda naked apparently ;P) which sold for a whooping £400. There was also a point where she would provide us a number to text in order to get ourselves signed on the mailing list to win stuff and whatnot (I was going to heckle “twitter” but I’d probably get beaten up for being such a geek).

As well as these events, Amanda would also stop for a bit to banter with the crowd, from talking about how she plays with the knobs on the keyboard or the cables on her mic when she’s anxious/nervous (can’t remember now :() to a full on anecdote about the BBC censoring her latest music video of Oasis. The song, an upbeat track heavily inspired by Beach Boys with barber shop quartet ooh’s and aah backing vocals, was considered making light of issues such as abortion and rape. The fact that the track was upbeat meant that they were not allowed to air the video. Best to read it on her blag because I’m probably making no sense. So anyway, Amanda decided to write an alternative minor key based version of the song and played it in front of us (for the first time too), aaah emo Oasis.

Nearer the end the show we had a special guest appearance, Katy Perry!* (not really but you know, if your eye sight is bad and can’t read the small print you could just believe me). She came out on the stage singing “I Kissed a Girl” in her faux lesbian way only to have Amanda grab her and give her a proper kiss (yes I cheered) and eventually marry her (shame there wasn’t fuck prop 8). Before that scene though came an extremely cute proposal on stage, the guy said yes and the crowd cheered to the newly engaged couple.

The final act was another fund raising activity in which the entire cast came out for a “photo shoot” where they’d pose for the fans to take photos of. Shame I wasn’t right at the centre otherwise I’d have some ace shots That was about it, a nice curtain call and that was the end (well nearly because Amanda does a signing after the show). It was such an interesting evening, definitely a show that stands out from an ordinary one where the bands simply play for the audience. A must see event for both music and theatrics!