I'll skip the (chrono)logical ordering for New York trip-related posts.
Saturday November 3rd included a night out at
Hiro Ballroom in the delightful company of Jenny Davidson (who writes so much that she requires
two blogs). There's one important thing that the Hiro Ballroom link fails to mention: above the stage there is a dragon's head which has glowing red eyes and breathes fog (put me in mind of a better-executed
Spinal Tap prop).
The warm-up acts were
Newspeak (a recently formed large band) and
Pit er Pat (a duo with some support). Basically electronica with vocals. Overdramatic vocalist for Newspeak, but acceptable. Pit er Pat worked well.
The main act was
The Fiery Furnaces. I believe that they are a love-them-or-hate-them act. Their sound is hard to describe -
and I have evidence!Here's a nifty tool:
liveplasma [Hat Tip:
Newmark's Door]
Try putting "Radiohead" into the search line and press the Artist/Band button. Lots of acts close to Radiohead, and many are relatively popular. Radiohead is a giant planet with giant moons - Jupiter! Try putting "The Fiery Furnaces" into the search line and press the Artist/Band button. Acts are further from The Fiery Furnaces and many are less popular! OK, the band isn't metaphorically Pluto, but still....
Anyhow, when a description is absolutely required I say that the Fiery Furnaces sound as though they come from an alternate universe where art rock kept progressing for 30 years after 1977.
Very happy to have seen them!
[Aside: respective of triathlon keeping us young, I note that both Jenny and I were carded!]