Kristins March tour.

Friday March 9th - I set out on a three night trek to see Kristin Hersh.

Sheffield - 9/3/07.

My train to Sheffield was at midday so this gave me time to get stuff together and get to town about 11 ish. I popped into the Marlborough to see if Hannah had droped of my copy of "On the road" she had thahk you.

I got to Sheffield about 2 ish and decided to see if I remembered where the Leadmill was as I remember it being more or less across the road from the station. Well what d'ya know they haven't moved it. As got there K's tour bus was outside and some crew were taking gear into the venue. Note the sunshine, well it is me, no matter where ect-ect.

My hotel was just up the road about 10 mins walk. Got there booked in and decided to go up into the city center and have a wander round. My knowledge of Sheffield city center deserted me, whether it has changed that much in 10 years or so I don't know. I grabbed myself a "street" sandwich and popped into a couple of pubs neither of which were inspiring. I decided I would eat after the gig as there was a curfew on it and it would end early, I'd spotted a nice Indian restaurant just up from the venue.

I got to the "bar" which had been discussed on the TM board as the meet place at about 6:30. I felt a little out of place here it was one of those trendy type places I never feel comfortable in. The fact here was that none of the other fans knew what I looked like (lucky them) unless I went up and introduced myself . The fact is I spotted a group of people at a table (1 wearing a Muses T) but there was a group round a table in the center of the place. There was a woman at the "head" of this group who I just could not stop starring at. She was the absolute spitting image of Kristin, I just kept saying to myself "is it ? isn't it? I became aware I was just staring at this poor woman. I just had to leave, I didn't introduce myself to the other fans, I think I just wanted to be in the venue, spot secured and feeling that wonderful pre-gig anticipation. It wasn't K by the way, she was too young, but damn! she had K's look of about 3/4 years ago. I got to the Leadmill about 20 mins b4 doors (wasn't sure about a queue here) was first in line though. I got in and prime spot right in front of K's mike. The support for the tour were the

McCarricks a husband and wife cello and violin duo who have played with K for years and generally provide the strings for K's albums. They set up a projector screen to play some weird film footage and use a backing track to support their doodling. They were ok though.Kristin came on soon after as there was a 10 pm curfew as there was a club night after the gig. She was looking pretty cool dressed in just plain white t-shirt. She opened the set with "Day Glow" which she really beefs up live. She has stated it's her fave on the new record and you can tell she
enjoys playing it. Next was "Wild Vanilla" one of my faves of the new album, which is really quite funky and would not be out of place on a Muses release. In the mid section of the set she plays a run of three older songs Gazebo, Dirty Answer and Ghost. Hmm I think she actually plays Winter in between there somewhere. Anyway after the single In Shock is played she steps back from her mike and starts the slow solo intro to Listerine. Goddamn this was so good, watching one of your favourite artists play one of your fave songs right in front of you. I had to keep putting my hand up to my face as I was emotionally overcome. I'm an old softie though. She ended the main set with Bikini Sand then encored with Letter and then Ice. A great gig and the first time Ive seen Kristin plugged in, damn she can play. After Rob and Bernie came out and had a chat with a few people so I went over and said hi. I then left and went to the Indian restaurant and had a nice meal and back to my hotel satisfied after a well executed day.

Manchester - 10/3/07.

Because of engineering work the journey to Manchester was by bus. This was fine, I got the 11:10 and got to Piccadilly at 12:45. The bus took the scenic route over the Woodhead pass which is a lovely part of the country.

Booked into my hotel and headed off for something to eat before meeting up with other TM board members. Before going to the meet venue I just thought I would check the Academy as I was about to walk away out walks Kristin and Billy. K was carrying Bhodi so I just said "Hi Kristin" and she said "Hi" back. I walked off down the road to Big Hands to met the others. Met up with some nice people from the TM board. Alister, Andrew and Rheon and some others whose names I forget now, sorry. I headed off to the venue before the others to make sure I got to the front. The doors were open when I got there so I walked straight in and into Academy 3. There were a few people already there but I walked up to the spot right in front of K's mike. There was a guy stood just to my right who I noticed was wearing a Thea Gilmore t-shirt. I told him I was going to see her in a few weeks time in Chester, he said he would be there too. I had a good long chat with this guy about music in general, he gave me a couple of cd's of singer songwriters he thought I might like. Again I forget his name but I'll see him in Telfords for the Thea gig, and by him a drink.

The McCarricks came on and did their thing, It was better here cuz they had the video screen in the center of the stage. Kristin came on soon after and again opened with "Day Glow". She played a similar set to Sheffield with the three older songs "Gazebo", "Ghost" and "Dirty Answer" in the middle. Again she was superb though it has to said the sound was not as good here as last night. During the second solo in "Listerine" she shook her head indicting she was not happy with the sound. Again she ended with "Bikini Sand" which was super again. When she came out for the encore she announced they had forgotten to play the single "In Shock" which is listed in the main body of the set on the set list. Anyway she played "Shock" and "The Letter as the encore. Surprisingly she came out again by herself and played "Me and my charms" which was a lovely treat. When they were tidying up the stage I tried to get Billy to hand me K's set list. He handed it to the Thea shirt guy. He said he only wanted a photo of it and that I could have it, now I definitely owe him a drink. When I turned round I spotted Nick who I know from the S-K board and various Manchester gigs. I had a quick chat with him and we discovered we're both going to the Laura Veirs show next month.

Whilst leaving the Academy I nabbed the "Kristin Hersh Sold Out" poster that was on the door, he! I headed back to Big Hands for a drink before going back to the hotel after another satisfying day.

Glasgow - 11/3/07

I nearly had a cock up here, for one I overslept but got myself to Piccadilly fairly quickly with it being a Sunday morning and 8:30 am. Secondly I should have realised the mistake. My ticket said Picc - Newcastle 8:58. Now I know all major line trains heading north from Manchester generally leave from Victoria. When I couldn't see my train on the board it dawned on me. I jumped a taxi (again) and got to Victoris with 5 mins to spare, phew!! the rest of the journey went like a dream. Got into Newcastle about 5 mins early which gave me 25 mins to have a coffee and stock up on food for the second and third legs. I eventually arrived in Glasgow at 2pm (via Edinburgh). I was staying at the same hotel I stayed last year for the S-K gig so made the 20 min walk and sorted myself out. Guess what? it was raining, take note of the date

I got rained on, ok drizzled. I decided to make my way up the Great Western Rd towards Oran Mor as I though I would eat there, like last time. I like this venue, it's unusual Oran Mor itself is an old church converted into a bar/restaurant. The concert venue is underneath in the crypt (where the red car is in the photo) and is a great little place, with surprisingly good acoustics. It was about a twenty min walk from my hotel so I stopped of in a bar on the way. I got the place about 4:20 ish had a drink and a wander round. I didn't fancy anything of the menu to be honest so I decided to take a look around to see if there was anywhere else I could eat. Yay! I know I always trust my instincts. I walked down the adjoining main road for about a couple of mins when I took a glance down a side street which just had the feel of something as there were people about. I walked down then to my right came across the start of this little cobbled street full of bars and restaurants. It was a lovely little place and I found a nice French restaurant down at the end so of course I ate there. According to the waitress I talked to it is one of Glasgow's famous streets. Do you know what I don't know the name of it, I should have asked. Had a lovely meal and got back to "church" about 7:15. There was no queue but I decided to wait even though it was raining, within a few minutes there were a few people in line and they opened the doors at 7:35.

I took up the same position as the previous two nights. Again didn't have to wait long before the McCarricks came on and played their set. I'm starting to like them now.

Kristin came on soon after and again played a very similar set. Opening with "Day Glow", I

love this song live now. The version of "Dirty Answer"stood out here for some reason she really pelted out the vocal on this night. Oh and we got "Cottonmouth" I almost forgot jeez!! Cottonmouth!!. Needless to say K was excellent she seemed happier than in Manchester, I think the fact the sound was spot on here helped. At the end I just went to the back and stood watching the stage being cleared taking in the ambiance of the venue.

When I left it had stopped raining so I just walked back to my hotel again feeling a glow of satisfaction having seen a true artist at work.

Kristin has a peculiar way of performing she doesn't sing to the audience she sings over the top of them. She just stares straight ahead and eyes fixed forward. She has this cute way of moving her head in a snake like manner to the rhythm of songs that is totally unique. K is one of those artists who you either adore or just passes you by wondering what the fuss some people make is about. She also has the reputation of being a dark songwriter, yes a lot of her early work is angst
ridden. If you take the time to listen to her she is very funny, even in serious mode she uses irony which is far too often taken dark.

Ah well just my view but then I fall into the "adore" category mentioned above.

As footnote here a mention to the best merch table I've seen in many a year. Billy put post out on the TM board offering any fans who would want to run the stall for the tour. This took in the whole deal getting the merch put together, transporting it round Europe ect ect. So to Graham and Ali what can you say, more than one T design, badges, stickers the lot.

I only bought this amount!