Random Play by Graham Reid

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Random Play: @fltfoxz. Gr8. C u 2moro

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  • Russell Brown,

    Fantastic. And I love the fact that you signed up to a blog commenters' community in order to share it with us!

    And the least you could do is visit James' MySpace to say thank you.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • philipmatthews,

    Okay, getting back on topic. Graham asks, "what could be so imperative that at such a time it needed to be conveyed?"

    Could be any number of things. She could be texting the babysitter to say they're going to be later than they thought. She could be texting someone who's still at the office about something she forgot to do before she left. She could be texting a friend or a partner to say, I'm over the limit, can you pick me up? Any of those would be important enough to justify a phone call - but it's better she sent a text. Is there an assumption that because she's texting, and because it's a gig, the content is frivolous?

    Christchurch • Since Nov 2007 • 656 posts Report Reply

  • Kyle Matthews,

    Finally after some internal debate and angsting I stood up and announced to the rest of the occupants of the theatre that the guy next to me "was masturbating.

    10 points!

    On Graham's original question, I dunno about texting, but I once realised that I should have phoned a girlfriend when I was a gig in Auckland in 2001, and just let the phone pick up the lyrics to a song that she had wanted to hear, but wasn't able to come with me to hear.

    I realised this after the gig of course.

    Since Nov 2006 • 6243 posts Report Reply

  • James Hart,

    This Atlantic article written by Polly Frost appears relevant.

    Fantastic. And I love the fact that you signed up to a blog commenters' community in order to share it with us!

    If you glance over at my info, you'll notice that I signed up two years ago (before you).

    Onehunga • Since Nov 2006 • 9 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    Now that you mention it, yes - and you're doing splendidly on the not writing or writing seldom thing.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • tim kong,

    I once worked on a "Smash Hits/Top of the Pops" type show in the UK and I watched the front row of the audience - spend the majority of the 90 minute show watching the large video screens. They were 5 feet from the acts and for the most part, ignored the performers.

    I wondered why you'd pay money to be part of a live experience, then spend the whole time with your facing to the left or right of the stage watching the experience being edited by a director.

    I remember thinking there was a generation of audience goers - who only know and relate to their musical heros if they are framed in 4:3 or 16:9 headshot. They're so used to seeing them larger than life, they struggle to actually watch them live and in person.

    I was a little disgusted with myself, seeing it was my work that they were watching - and that maybe I had a part in destroying a tradition of "live" music. But then I figured they'd made the choice, and I was getting paid well as a result- so I'd be OK with it.

    I'm not anti-texting, but my feeling is if you're going to be at an experience, enjoy the experience. That's any experience, the Grand Canyon, the pub, midway through a set by Yothu Yindi at Glastonbury. I really learned to enjoy travelling once I learned to stop fretting about recording every minute of it with my camera.

    I'm hoping to get to the Arctic Monkeys on Tuesday, so will make observations. After the fact of course - no iphone here. :)

    Wellington • Since Nov 2006 • 153 posts Report Reply

  • Craig Ranapia,

    Wait, it's just occurred to me: are you telling me that you're chickening out of the Sarah Palin bet?

    No -- but as a rule I don't impose myself on people who find my company uncongenial. Or have I missed some cross-cultural nuance where "pompous bore" is an Italian term of endearment?

    North Shore, Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 12370 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    I make a point of giving as good as I get, Craig - that is, yes, a cultural trait.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • James Hart,

    Now that you mention it, yes - and you're doing splendidly on the not writing or writing seldom thing.

    Maybe I neglected to read the disclaimer on sign-up that said you must post regularly to maintain the respect of the faceless and unnecessarily aggressive.

    I enjoyed the Fleet Foxes show - it was definitely not the kind of environment (compared to more energetic genres) where cellphone use would go unnoticed. That said, those who were more engaged in the music probably wouldn't notice, or care, about others texting, filming, whatever.

    Onehunga • Since Nov 2006 • 9 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    Maybe I neglected to read the disclaimer on sign-up that said you must post regularly to maintain the respect of the faceless and unnecessarily aggressive.

    Sorry, I must have expressed myself badly. I wasn't being sarcastic, it's a lovely article you posted and perfectly apposite to the discussion (the self-publishing of Facebook status phrases extracted the loudest lolnui).

    I am also, for what is worth, a rather faceful person, I'm in the book and all (although admittedly not the phone book). Apologies if I came across as agressive.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    I make a point of giving as good as I get, Craig - that is, yes, a cultural trait.

    Except in this case, your retaliation was pre-emptive.

    There was no reason for you to call Craig "an insufferable bore" when he had simply expressed an opinion on the question posed by the original post and quoted an article by a columnist you don't like. He then proceeded to over-react in reply. I'd be obliged if both of you were to chill out on the personal stuff.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • giovanni tiso,

    Gotcha, Russell. Apology extended.

    Wellington • Since Jun 2007 • 7473 posts Report Reply

  • Jake Pollock,

    I saw Tom Waits (!!11!OMFG) in June. Before I sat down, I texted a friend in New Zealand, who isn't even really a fan, but I wanted someone to know, and I don't have many NZ friends' numbers in my cell phone. I then switched the phone off, but not before taking a crappy photo of the empty stage despite the photo ban in the theatre.

    During the show, however, there were two guys a few rows in front of us (it was a seated show, in a beautiful 1920s theatre that would put the Civic to shame), who were variously standing up during songs, taking their shirts off, and generally acting like dicks (this was in Ohio, natch). At one point, they lit up a joint, and then one of them walked out of the theatre during the Tom at the piano bit, of all things.

    This, I thought, was worse than someone texting.

    Raumati South • Since Nov 2006 • 489 posts Report Reply

  • Simon Grigg,

    At one point, they lit up a joint

    As a non hooch smoker (and one who starts thinking that everyone, my wife included, is a police person if I do) I hate this more than most, and far more than an innocuous txt. The smell makes me gag and, well.....don't.

    Then again, having gone through an anti Fleet Foxes period to a brief pleasantly-enjoyable FF period to my current they-sound-like-Coldplay-for-groovers stance, I'd probably be driven to do something similar on my cellular device if I was dragged along (by a partner or such like...it happens). Is playing Tetris on my phone ok? It's just that I think my snoring might be more offensive and I wouldn't be allowed to leave.

    [Very much with a ;) ]

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle,

    in a beautiful 1920s theatre that would put the Civic to shame

    Oh. No. You. Didn't.

    I love old theatres so much that I'll travel out of my way to see them. I even did a walking tour of Radio City Music Hall (I had my photo taken with a Rockette!), but you must not get all damned-with-faint-praise on The Mighty Civic, Jake, for it is glorious. Seriously, I'll come to Pittsburgh and cut you. ;)

    they-sound-like-Coldplay-for-groovers stance

    No, CSNY! (I think their live performance chops are way better than their actual songs, mind you.)

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • Simon Grigg,

    I love old theatres

    ahhh, we have something else in common. Well, just about. I like old train stations, although not trains, and to be honest I'd not go out of my way to see one, but chance encounters are good.

    When a few of us (Blake come in) drove thru Malaysia in June, we saw some beauties, not least of which was an old British one (those are the best..I think it was the repeated viewings of A Hard Days Night when a lad) in Ipoh, which now served a dual purpose as a brothel, which I guess was handy for some.

    Not sure why I'm writing this, I must be bored.

    No, CSNY! (I think their live performance chops are way better than their actual songs, mind you.)

    I always thought the best part about CSN&Y was Neil Young after he left them.

    Just another klong... • Since Nov 2006 • 3284 posts Report Reply

  • Jake Pollock,

    Danielle, I agree, the Civic is glorious, and as soon as I posted that I realised I didn't quite mean it. However, the Ohio Theater really is something else. Take the virtual tour, and make sure you look up at the ceiling with the 360 degree viewer.

    Simon: The thing that got me about it was that it was so unnecessary. Tickets to those gigs were US$90 and sold out in minutes. And, just between you and me, Tom Waits puts on the sort of show that doesn't need enhancement. Eventually one of the ushers came and had a word. The next night, at the Knoxville concert, people were leaving during songs in order to get beers.

    Go figure.

    Raumati South • Since Nov 2006 • 489 posts Report Reply

  • Danielle,

    However, the Ohio Theater really is something else.

    OMGsquee, etc. And their other theatres aren't too shabby either! Does this mean I have to go to Columbus OH now?

    I always thought the best part about CSN&Y was Neil Young after he left them.

    Good point. I always wondered how the generally inoffensive Nash could stand to hang out with Crosby and Stills without Young there. They're both so very... douchey.

    Charo World. Cuchi-cuchi!… • Since Nov 2006 • 3828 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Gotcha, Russell. Apology extended.

    No worries. I think it was the weather.

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Blake Monkley,

    When a few of us (Blake come in) drove thru Malaysia in June, we saw some beauties, not least of which was an old British one (those are the best..I think it was the repeated viewings of A Hard Days Night when a lad) in Ipoh, which now served a dual purpose as a brothel, which I guess was handy for some.

    The railway stations that we visited in Malaysia had that charming old-world feel. To have a brothel at the Ipoh station was a shame.

    Auckland • Since Jul 2008 • 215 posts Report Reply

  • 3410,

    I always wondered how the generally inoffensive Nash could stand to hang out with Crosby and Stills without Young there. They're both so very... douchey.

    The money, I guess. I've been trawling the CSNY catalogue a bit recently (in order to round up some of the CSNY-only Neil songs - Sea of Madness , Everybody's Alone , Country Girl , Pushed It Over The End , etc.) and it's struck me how awful the rest of them are. Crosby's songs are generally embarrasing, with a few of 'em (Triad, Almost Cut My Hair) so cheesy that I actually like 'em; could never play them without headphones, though. Steve Stills seems like a good bandleader, but his songs are all dull or weak or embarrassing, especially next to Neil's (the same applies to Buffalo Springfield.) Outside of For What It's Worth I can't think of any good ones until Love The One You're With . Nash? "Generally inoffensive" pretty much covers it.

    For Neil, CSNY seems to me to have been largely a career move. His first solo LP, Neil Young_ (late 1968) did not sell well, but 1969's Everybody Knows This Is Nowhere fared better, on the back of his raised profile. Hard as it is to imagine now, CSN & CSNY were very popular, and their '71 live record seems to indicate that they were adored, by many. Stills' lead guitar solos on the 14-minute Southern Man are ghastly. Neil left soon after, but I think tried again with them in '74.

    With the exception of the ungradable Journey Through The Past ('72) Neil's six or seven LPs during this period are, of course, all great. </lecture>

    texting

    When I was a performing "artist", I used to prefer to be ignored by the audience. Rather them just get on with drinking and having fun with their friends than staring at us. Maybe if I really was an artist I'd feel differently, but I just wanted the chance to play, a couple of beers on the house and hopefully 20 bucks at the end. I always thought the purpose of a Rock show was to give the people a good time, rather than to garner "appreciation."

    Occasionally you'd get a real munter, who'd go front and centre and , facing the audience, "dance" with shirt off and arms flailing. I never found it "offensive", mostly just mildly amusing, and if necessary dealt with it by just thowing half a glass of beer or a mild kick at the dude.

    I suppose an acoustic or otherwise quiet set is a different matter, though. Some people just have no respect. You can't let it get to you.

    Auckland • Since Jan 2007 • 2618 posts Report Reply

  • Geoff Lealand,

    However, the Ohio Theater really is something else.

    'fer sure. I recall see a silent movie there (Lon Chaney in "Laugh, Clown, Laugh), with full Wurlitzer. How did you get from Pittsburgh to Columbus, Jake? Did you go by the r'n'r Hall of Fame in Cleveland (I have a liking for those , slightly shabby mid-Western cities--Toledo, Akron, Cinncinnati). And I would travel anywhere in the world to see Tom Waits!i

    Screen & Media Studies, U… • Since Oct 2007 • 2562 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    I think it was the weather

    I did wonder..

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

  • Russell Brown,

    Oddly enough, Graham's post made Blog of the Week in the Herald on Sunday, including his PS:

    PS. Five or so hours after I made this post I have checked back on the discussion thread. While I am bemused at the tangents and disappointed by the profanity and seemingly personal insults being tossed, I would like to make a small point.

    I wasn't objecting to people texting at concerts (hell, you want to pay all that money to be in the real world but watch your postage stamp screen then knock yourself out) but just asking what could be so imperative that at such a time it needed to be conveyed?

    I will have my phone at the BDO and may well even use it, but at a sit-down concert, or the movies?

    So despite the vitriol, insults, oblique comments and so forth in the thread I am still no wiser with regard to the questions I actually posed. Anybody care to stay on-topic?

    Or fail to do so?

    Auckland • Since Nov 2006 • 22850 posts Report Reply

  • Sacha,

    There was a PS? I really must start using RSS..

    Ak • Since May 2008 • 19745 posts Report Reply

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