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Robyn Hitchcock
Concert appearance: Fri., 29 Sep. 1995
Backstage
Seattle, Washington US
Set list:
DeChirico Street acoustic
Lysander
The Wind Cries Mary (Jimi Hendrix)
Cool Bug Rumble
Wide Open Star
I Something You
I'm Only You
Glass Hotel
Trilobite
You & Oblivion electric
Birdshead
Each of Her Silver Wands
Queen of Eyes
Encore: Devil's Radio acoustic
Encore: I Got A Message For You
Encore: I Am Not Me electric
Encore: Kingdom of Love
The Seattle show was the best I've ever been to. The Backstage is a
wonderful venue with a good stage, a small floor area, and terraced tables
going around; I'd guess five hundred people but I may be way off. We opted
for the floor to get a closer view (and easier access to the bar). I'm an
Oregonian and have been for most of my life, but I have to admit that there
was something about the atmosphere and the crowd that put the Portland show
to shame (People were dressed as Devils and Ghosts and were openly sharing
their recreational um...foliage). Details like this made me feel that the
crowd was more 'into' the show. Again Tiddas opened up to a good reception
(they are now touring with Billy Bragg). Morris Tepper didn't fare as well
since the crowd was getting restless. I think Robyn sensed the 'vibe' when
he came out because he seemed to put more energy into the show than in
Portland. The sound system was definitely better; Robyn chatted quite a bit
more than in Portland and he played several more songs. He paid tribute to
Jimi Hendrix with a more than respectable version of The Wind Cries Mary
that seemed to surprise a lot of us Robyn freaks standing at floor level.
He also added I Something You, Message For You, and again ended with Kingdom
of Love. The only songs he didn't repeat from the Portland show were Only
the Stones Remain and The President. It took a long time for the crowd to
give up on a second encore.
Like always, I was amazed at how flawlessly Robyn performed and played the
guitar--never a dead note. Interestingly, no songs from Respect or Queen
Elvis, and only Lysander from Persplex Island. The new songs went over very
well; one that stands out was called (I hope I'm getting this right) Cool
Bug Rumble. There was also one that I told myself I would remember that
somehow got erased from my brain. My wife Lorrie stands by me in that such
a song was played (both shows) and was extremely cool. The mystery song had
something to do with the Devil and it must be new unless it somehow sneaked
past me on a previous B-side. I had to double-check to see that You and
Oblivion is not on the album of the same name and must also be new. A few
more shows like this at the Backstage or any of Seattle hundred other clubs
and we'll have to move.
We were treated last year to a solo-Robyn Portland show that was one of only
a handful either right before or right after the Soft Boys reunion shows. I
won't complain, but the Northwest has been exceptionally lucky to get these
spontaneous, small venue shows when the tours are so short-lived.
Please feel free to E-Mail me your own experiences if you were at the
show(s), and no, I was not the guy dressed as the Devil. Hopefully, we'll
be doing this all over again, (with Eugene, Oregon hopefully added) after
the record release. Now if we could only get Julian Cope!
Grant
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