Sunday, March 23

[Moby]

*revised to prevent misunderstanding*

Well I've been, seen and returned with numb ears. The evening didn't begin all that well because I'd dug up one of the shirts I bought in Hong Kong which I probably shouldn't wear anymore, and I felt a bit like a member of the Village People or something. Pippa's company lent a huge positive dimension to the evening, but can I just say from the outset that it was such a shame that Groove Terminator was the support act because he was not to my taste at all. I don't do happy house, or whatever it was.

Anyway Moby came on, accompanied by a full band, and raised a very warm reception that is typical of all Adelaide gigs. And it was a lovely show, even though my enjoyment was hampered by a girl who insisted on leaving a vast gap in front of her at the expense of the gap in front of me. I think she'd probably worn the same shirt two nights in a row, so Moby's music will now forever be accompanied by the recollection of a pungent smell of sweat.

Unsurprisingly I knew all but about two songs, and they were performed with enthusiasm and vigour. I particularly enjoyed his old rave classics (such as Go and Feeling so real), which are probably where my preferences lie with regard to his music. I'm a bit indifferent to some of his later stuff. At times the music suffered from a poor mix, and the guitar distortion reached ear-blistering proportions.

The concert drew a diverse and strange crowd (generally not my scene), and likewise the performers were an eclectic bunch. We had the mandatory attractive female bassist resplendent in white-chic; two violinists, suitably demure and also adorned with white; a shirtless drummer (originally from Adelaide) who had a penchant for twirling and hurling his sticks and might have confused some insecure boys; a wonderfully busty singer with an amazing voice and attractive personality; a very hip London DJ with loads of funky attitude; and of course Moby himself who commands a fun stage presence which is, as Pippa commented, at times redolent of an American tele-evangelist.

All in all a great show, but I think I would have preferred the concert two years ago, as it might have more closely matched my musical tastes then. But this coming from somebody who is currently obsessed with Joni Mitchell... perhaps my opinion should be ignored.

posted by pete at 11:07 PM

  .......