Incredible...

[honeypower]

Just got back. Astonishing again, with the odd technical glitch not really detracting from the overall performance. In my opinion, though most tracks soared (To Here Knows When, Lose My Breath in particular), it was slightly less affecting than the second ICA gig (where they seemed a bit more at ease and more cohesive - plus it was much more intimate). Bilinda was in excellent voice tonight, though I'm not sure Kevin's mic was 100%. The FLAC guy was there again and expect me to post a link to something too. It's really an enormous privilege to see them live after all this time.

I said the same after the ICA gig, and some others have been pilloried for saying something similar - but I was a tiny bit disappointed that their set isn't too different to 1992 (though is performed a lot better than back then). I know there's new material coming, and they'll tour again off the back of that (don't think MBV have ever, in the post-Isn't Anything era, debuted a new song live - and that's not going to change on this tour) - but the odd song like Sometimes, Loomer, Map Ref added to their repertoire would be even more wonderful and fresh. As a group playing live, they're still doing something no one else has even come close to - so it's a bit greedy to quibble - but no one here would doubt they're capable of a little more

I'm sure the odd technical glitch will be ironed out over their time at the Roundhouse, so the next few nights should be incredible.

[Bluetrane478]

while i didnt see the 2nd ICA gig, i have to disagree, every track was AMAZING, and im not saying that just cause its MBV...i almost was in tears during lose my breath and the only time i ever felt that way was when i saw brian wilson do all of pet sounds 8 years ago

[carp dreamer]

fucking hell, the most amazing gig i have ever been to.  and i've been to lots of gigs.

i went mental for slow, feed me with yr kiss, you made me realise......oh the noise in that was just epic, no bootleg could ever do it justice.

i was the tall bloke at the front left with the black jacket on.

[stephen]

The FLAC guy was there again

Met up with some friends post-gig and ended up with a mad dash for the last train home.

Bloody good evening all round.

Off to bed now... but I stayed up long enough to get the recording transferred to my laptop. Bit of distortion during feed me with yr kiss & you made me realise, but very listenable. I'll do my best to get this up this weekend. This was massively more loud than the ICA gigs! (on reflection I think I preferred the ICA gigs, prolly cause it was more intimate but hey).

On the way out I bumped into another taper I know, so I know there will be multiple sources for this one (kind of inevitable given the size of the venue).

That's it from me I'm afraid... I was originally down for this gig only, until the ICA gigs came up. Gutted I'm going to miss tomorrow - saturday - I just found out Sonic Boom will be opening.  Sonic Boom!  Last time I saw him was like 18 years ago... jealous of y'all who're going... have a good time (and, if anyone is planning to record tomorrow, a request from me to tape sonic ;-)

peace,
stephen

[honeypower]

Here's a link to an mp3 of Friday night's set from the Roundhouse. It's a pretty good recording, capturing the punch and roar of their performance. Some of the tracks sound incredibly good, others less so. As Stephen said, it was very loud, so in some places my recording has some crackle - but not enough to detract from the music.

http://www.megaupload.com/?d=7F72XQU2

[rhythm]

thanks for posting that honeypower...somehow despite sounding muffled this recording seems to capture the show better than some of the ica recordings that were posted.  crazy to be able to listen to this just hours after they played!  i'm seeing them in nyc in september and i'll be lucky if i don't shed a tear when they play certain songs like 'when you sleep'...amazing...  thanks again!

[d_r_e]

Hey Stephen, great to see that you stopped by here. And thanks a lot for recording the first gig at ICA. I look forward to hearing the Roundhouse set!

You know, it's funny that it takes MBV to reunite to actually get more people to show up here on the forum ... where have you guys been this whole time? Stick around and add to the forum experience please ... after all, that's why it's here.

[first_man]

SET LIST PLEASE

[Ghost World]

Just got back to Manchester after a tedious journey back.

WOW! Their studio tracks and bootlegs do NO justice to their performances. They were fucking blinding.

Couldn't believe they played Come In Alone, didn't see that coming.

You Made Me Realise/holocaust - I didn't know what to do. I was stunned and excited, but also petrified my eardrums were going to burst (I naively declined the ear plugs). They're actually hurting now.

Setlist, as accurately as I can remember it:

Only Shallow
When You Sleep
You Never Should
(When You Wake) You're Still In A Dream
Lose My Breath
I Only Said
Come In Alone --> WOW!
Thorn
Nothing Much To Lose
Soon
Slow
To Here Knows When
Blown A Wish
Feed Me With Your Kiss
Sueisfine
You Made Me Realise

I'm interested in how they vary the setlists (if at all) with each show, so could those going to other shows try and remember what they play. 

Oh, and in response to the girl trying to mosh behind me who shouted 'What's wrong with everyone?', some of us don't like being shoved around and jumped into.

Aside from that, and the pit that eventually emerged around me (prompting me to move), that was a killer show, and well worth the journey and earache.

[Ghost World]

what was the song when the backdrop was showing the looped video of the woman falling down the corridor? It was fabulous.

Either Lose My Breath or Slow, I think. Don't quote me on that.

Oh, one more thing I thought I'd add. After the gig, this conversation between my friend and her boyfriend kinda encapsulated the evening:

(yelling)

"WOW, THAT WAS AWESOME!"
"WHAT???"

[mistershields]

How is the Roundhouse as a venue? Are the bars nice? Any problems picking up tickets? Thanks! I'll be there on the 24th

[d_r_e]

Oh, and in response to the girl trying to mosh behind me who shouted 'What's wrong with everyone?', some of us don't like being shoved around and jumped into.

I hate it when people try and mosh to a band that's not really mosh-able. Well, you CAN mosh to anything really ... but MBV deserves some good body twitching & head banging.

[KIERAN]

I hate it when people try and mosh to a band that's not really mosh-able. Well, you CAN mosh to anything really ... but MBV deserves some good body twitching & head banging.

I dont know when ever im listening to them on the train or anything its always leg pumping time that or Air drums

[thomasboy]

OK, I'm pretty sure this was the setlist for the first night:

1.   Only Shallow
2.   When You Sleep
3.   You Never Should
4.   (When You Wake) You’re Still In A Dream
5.   Lose My Breath
6.   I Only Said
7.   Come In Alone
8.   Thorn
9.   Nothing Much To Lose
10.   To Here Knows When
11.   Slow
12.   Blown A Wish
13.   Soon
14.   Feed Me With Your Kiss
15.   Sueisfine
16.   You Made Me Realise

[cre055(T)]

Hello, new to the forum
Glad to see that this is turning out to be such a magical expereince for those that have seen them so far.

Just a quick question, can anyone remember well enough to say if they are playing way louder than when they last toured?  Have seen them several times in the late eighties/early nineties and it did hurt by the end but earplugs were never even on the agenda.  I only ask because I am kind of shocked that they can even get away with playing louder when regulations seem to be so much more restirctive nowadays.  Currently hoping that so many years down the line my hearing is dulled enough to cope with it.

Thank you to all that have been sharing their experiences, it is keeping the anticipation at fever pitch.