If you want to take a glimpse of the band as they were almost 5 years ago, then this post is one you'll want to check out. I will say up front, however, that there is a slight skip-glitch in the videos of Two Hearted Spider and The Phonebook. It was present in the source material, unfortunately. I did manage to virtually fix the problems on the audio version, so I hope this doesn't spoil your enjoyment too much.
This was a show that happened a week before TWOYL had even hit the shops, and the band were still edging tentatively back into the spotlight with an awful lot to prove, and a lot of questions to answer (most of which they'd end up being grilled on over and over again). Not only do you get to revisit the solo version of Nothing, now that everyone is used to the fantastic full band version, but you also have a chance to hear the rarely played album sleeper track Bird of Prey. Two Hearted Spider is still in a longer form prior to some minor trimming that was done, with Justin's solo after the second chorus still intact. It's striking to think just how many twist and changes that song has been through since it probably began life on Tom's piano/guitar at home.
In addition to being played at night, it fells like there's a clearly defined atmosphere surrounding this show, and it's enhanced by the use of the stage lights and the smoke machines which can be a tricky thing at the best of times. They obscure the band if they're overdone, reducing them to a group of barely visible limbs moving around in a fog, but here it only compliments the sounds you're hearing. When they play In This Light and on This Evening, it feels just as cold watching it as it does listening to the recording. The way the dry ice dances around them rather than acting as a static cover really adds something to the experience.
For all you fans over in Croatia, there's also some subtitles to help you understand Tom's chatter between songs and the band introductions during Bricks and Mortar. Watch out for the slightly sinister way that Tom says "You better do what he says" as Russell leads the audience at the start of ERM=BD. It's not clear what will happen if you don't...
Enjoy the music ;)
Enjoy the music ;)
Sugar
Ton of Love
Munich
Bones
Two Hearted Spider
AEHAS
Bullets
Formaldehyde
Bird of Prey
Nothing
ITLAOTE
Bricks and Mortar
ERM=BD
The Phone Book
Racing Rats
Smokers
Honesty
Papillon
stream it here
Sugar - download here
Ton of Love - download here
Munich - download here
Bones - download here
Two Hearted Spider - download here
AEHAS - download here
Bullets - download here
Formaldehyde - download here
Bird of Prey - download here
Nothing - download here
ITLAOTE - download here
Bricks and Mortar - download here
ERM=BD - download here
The Phone Book - download here
Racing Rats - download here
Smokers - download here
Honesty - download here
Papillon - download here
All in a Zip - download here
being brought to you with lots and lots of lemming-love :) x
