May, 2005

For £7.50, I would’ve paid to see Nerina Pallot live, and I never even knew who she was before last night. But for that amount, getting her and Missy Higgins, I thought, was a friggin’ steal. But that’s what they say about best kept secrets; and why, on some level, some people want to still keep them as best kept secrets.

There is something about singing songs you wrote yourself, I suppose. Not much different from sitting in a circle reading your own poetry or short story. Nerina sang a few tracks off of her album – which is actually a sophomore effort – Idaho, Damascus, Geek Love, Mr. King (written about her former boss, who, every time he hears it, says the song makes an old man happy), and Everyone Goes to War; as well as a cover of Joy Division’s Love Will Tear Us Apart, which had an relatively older member of the audience singing along (and that made me stop instantly, realising everyone else around me didn’t know the song!)

What impressed me about her was the strength of her vocals – if she was ever on any of these reality tv shows, she’d blow everyone away; but am glad she wasn’t a sellout. I mean, Alex Parks, eat your heart out, this chick is potent. First time I heard them songs (except for Everyone Goes to War), but was enchanted.

Missy Higgins, while relatively unknown in these parts except for those who have either been to Australia, are from Australia or are just plain weird people who listen to slit wrist songs, came on about 20 minutes later to a rousing applause. The setting was nice and intimate; reminded me of the Crab Shack in the O.C. except there was only one floor; and everyone was seated on the floor towards the front, standing space at the back.

She played a selection of songs from her various EPs and her debut album – of those, which I can recall, are : Katie, The River, Peachy, All For Believing; a cover of Patty Griffin’s Moses; a couple of new songs; including one whe she confessed she had to delve into the more depressing episodes of her life to write, because being happy made it hard to write. She also played her more familiar stuff – Ten Days and Scar; which had everyone singing along. The encore was They Weren’t There and The Sound of White; which are, ironically, my two faves at the moment.

It seemed as if half of lesbian Manchester were in that room, though – sorry L Word fans, Shane I believe is a myth, no one there even resembled her – and that was kind of weird. But there were men there and also very hetero couples, you know, to restore balance to the force. A friend was confident Missy was not very straight.. hence the appeal, apparently. I disagreed.. and this transpired.

idlanzakaria (31/05/2005 10:03:42): sorry la tak clear sgt gambar. lighting kureng
friend (31/05/2005 10:04:03): sigh…
friend (31/05/2005 10:04:17): she’s sooooooooo not straight
friend (31/05/2005 10:04:20): !
idlanzakaria (31/05/2005 10:04:22): hahahahhahah
idlanzakaria (31/05/2005 10:04:30): that’s what you said abt me! but i’m straight.
friend (31/05/2005 10:04:46): of course of course
idlanzakaria (31/05/2005 10:04:51): eh shaddap
friend (31/05/2005 10:04:55): she can be as straight as you
friend (31/05/2005 10:04:57):
friend (31/05/2005 10:05:03): i wouldnt mind

So much for thy faith in me.

But gig was good. Now. Anyone, at all, for Ben Folds? 11 June, Manchester, tix are just £15… And maybe someday I’ll even enjoy the Counting Crows live. Try this as a sample of how good they sound – Rain King at the Carling Apollo, 2004

Pictures taken by Zeti; more here