John Grant

[coma girl]

Really hoping he'll be there, I was disapointed he didn't play last year.

Edited February 27, 2014 by coma girl

[Yesiamaduck]

Will def give it a listen tomorrow. If it's better than queen of Denmark, I'm very excited.

Saw him live at a strange little venue in Nottingham 3 or 4 years ago. Was stunning

EHHHHHHHHH I don't think it is, I think it's the weakest thing he's been involved with (The Czars & Queen Of Denmark)... it's still pretty good though.

[CaledonianGonzo]

It's 50% Queen of Denmark quality and 50% sparse 80s synthscapes that - in IMHO - aren't in the same league.

It's a frustrating album because some of it's brilliant. I don't blame him for branching out, but QoD has nary a duff moment and PGG has several.

[stuartbert two hats]

I heard PGG first, it was the combination of the synthscapes and his lush voice that drew me in.

If you're expecting Queen Of Denmark, but better, you'll be disappointed, but it is a cracking album in its own right, just something of a left turn instrumentally speaking.

[ThomThomDrum]

For me its predominantly about the voice............what a voice! QOD & PGG are very different, but the constant of that voice is simply sublime.

Glacier is currently the tune that is doing it for me. Especially when it hits the chorus and he sings about pain! Wow! Hits you in the gut!

[CaledonianGonzo]

Yeah. That's spine-tingling stuff alright...

[ThomThomDrum]

Yeah. That's spine-tingling stuff alright...

And that tune hits a totally different level when you consider John Grants subject matter and the rights campaign of Harvey Milk and his own personal fight and pain.

I personally make a tune my own usually, but when you know the true meaning behind it it gives it even more power somehow. I suppose its probably the thought of the person singing the lyrics truly meaning what they are singing about, with respect to said subject matter.

Awe..............

[suzie sue]

JG is the real deal, incredible musician at the top of his game

[5co77ie]

I remember seeing him a few years ago at Bestival, it was so quiet you could hear a pin drop and John's doing his thing, festival goers kept rushing in all noise and bluster, only able to stand the silence for 30 seconds at most before running out again. I look forward to that again, I suppose fitting him in the right venue at Glastonbury to do that could prove problematic.

[tevaburger]

supporting Elbow on their US tour in a few months' time. Those of us here, get two great acts in a tiny 1000 person venue. plan to catch NY and then Wash DC's great 930 Club venue.

[Wooderson]

His delicious Icelandic pronounciation of his bandmates' names is worth going to hear never mind the songs.

[Yesiamaduck]

JG is the real deal, incredible musician at the top of his game

I'd argue he was on the top of his game when he was in the Czars, but you all ignored him and made him super duper cynical! Poor John G

[Ruwise]

Was really excited to see him perform with Midlake at the 6 Music Festival. A shame he only did one song.

[tjamest]

Playing Bournemouth Old Fire Station on Thursday 26th June - has warm up gig written all over it.

http://www.o2academybournemouth.co.uk/event/64627/john-grant-tickets

[stuartbert two hats]

I'd argue he was on the top of his game when he was in the Czars, but you all ignored him and made him super duper cynical! Poor John G

Yeah, but he didn't have that raw, raw honesty then! I'm just getting into the Czars now, can you point me to good albums to check out?

[ThomThomDrum]

Saw him last night and it was a very enjoyable gig. Brought the Mrs who does not really know him and she is now in love! (barking up the wrong tree there love!)

Bit of a fuck up for Vietnam early on which had him singing out of tune. Think there was an issue with his ear piece feed, but there after it was a pretty knock out gig.

Sinead O'Connor of course joined him for a few tunes as was expected and also Conor O'Brien from the Villagers at various points. Some fear(ed) she may dominate the stage but she hung back mainly and did not impose her vocals too much on the tunes, simply providing another dimension that I found quite pleasing.

The highlight by far and away was Glacier, which absolutely blew the crowd away. It is simply a truly powerful tune and to experience it live, with every punter hushed in silence, was spine tingling. It really does inspire awe

The encore had a few strange tunes. He did an ABBA cover with Conor O'Brien (Angel Eyes) and then finished with a Patsy Cline tune (I fall to pieces). He was very engaging and spoke very comfortably to the crowd, even telling a few personal stories that were very interesting and held everyone's attention

A must if he is to play Glasto IMO. A slot up in the Acoustic tent would be perfect for him or even JP. A tent on site anyway..........

Edited March 4, 2014 by ThomThomDrum

[kingcrawler]

Playing Bournemouth Old Fire Station on Thursday 26th June - has warm up gig written all over it.

http://www.o2academybournemouth.co.uk/event/64627/john-grant-tickets

Friday Park headliner I think.

[CaledonianGonzo]

I think he'll make the leap to either the Other or even the big pharoanic tomb-shaped one.

[ThomThomDrum]

Yikes! I dont think an out door gig would be ideal by a long shot and if it had to be I would much prefer to see him at the Park or West Holts.

The Other Stage has disaster written all over it!

*Keeps fingers crossed for a tent gig (preferable croissant neuf )

Edited March 4, 2014 by ThomThomDrum

[cdm22]

Playing Bournemouth Old Fire Station on Thursday 26th June - has warm up gig written all over it.

http://www.o2academybournemouth.co.uk/event/64627/john-grant-tickets

and playing in Cambridge the day before that too *crosses fingers*

[Yesiamaduck]

Yeah, but he didn't have that raw, raw honesty then! I'm just getting into the Czars now, can you point me to good albums to check out?

Sorry to sound lazy but just go chronologically, I think all the albums are really good

[GlastoSimon]

QOTSA (2011)

Vampire Weekend (2013)

Both acts who have used the O2 Academy in Bournemouth as a warm-up venue before the last two festivals. So I'd say John Grant is extremely likely now, good stuff

Park headliner hopefully, not on Friday night though...

[stuartbert two hats]

QOTSA (2011)

Vampire Weekend (2013)

Both acts who have used the O2 Academy in Bournemouth as a warm-up venue before the last two festivals. So I'd say John Grant is extremely likely now, good stuff

Park headliner hopefully, not on Friday night though...

Urgh, that doesn't bear thinking about. That would be the only two acts I really want to see clashing.

[Zoo Music Girl]

Saw him last night and it was a very enjoyable gig. Brought the Mrs who does not really know him and she is now in love! (barking up the wrong tree there love!)

Bit of a fuck up for Vietnam early on which had him singing out of tune. Think there was an issue with his ear piece feed, but there after it was a pretty knock out gig.

Sinead O'Connor of course joined him for a few tunes as was expected and also Conor O'Brien from the Villagers at various points. Some fear(ed) she may dominate the stage but she hung back mainly and did not impose her vocals too much on the tunes, simply providing another dimension that I found quite pleasing.

The highlight by far and away was Glacier, which absolutely blew the crowd away. It is simply a truly powerful tune and to experience it live, with every punter hushed in silence, was spine tingling. It really does inspire awe

The encore had a few strange tunes. He did an ABBA cover with Conor O'Brien (Angel Eyes) and then finished with a Patsy Cline tune (I fall to pieces). He was very engaging and spoke very comfortably to the crowd, even telling a few personal stories that were very interesting and held everyone's attention

A must if he is to play Glasto IMO. A slot up in the Acoustic tent would be perfect for him or even JP. A tent on site anyway..........

Cheers for this review! Made me excited for Sunday

[YetAnotherOldHippy]

As someone that lives a 15 minute walk from the Boscombe Ballrooms (Bournemouth O2 Academy to you) I'm disgusted at the shockingly high quality of acts when I'm away on holiday...