Goldfrapp @ Beacon (4/28/8)

So I had typed up a small review for Goldfrapp already, but somehow scribefire decided to lose it. Which is probably for the best as it sucked. Anyways, heres a 2nd attempt.

Goldfrapp was playing her 3rd and final show of a small tour supporting her album, The Seventh Tree, at the Beacon Theater on the 28th of April 2008. She came out following the rest of the band, wearing a peachy-colored sorta dress with the little puffy tassled balls that were reminiscent of clowns attire (which of course is a song on the album and a theme in its related artwork) and introduced the show with the unfortunate comment that the she and the band were all recovering from colds.

I was excited for this show as she rarely comes to the US, and because I really enjoyed the new album. Though my friend had said that one of their past shows had a lot of different costumes and lights, I had thought (correctly) this one would be more toned down due to the change in sound from the prior album, Supernature. Whether it was because of the that album and its glam-electro-disco sound or not, Goldfrapp has a noticeable homosexual following (with one particular individual I’ll mention later). The venue itself had seats, so people sat for most of the beginning, those few trying to dance told to sit by the guards, and only until near the end that people were standing.

Though I forget most of songs and order, I know the second song they played was “A and E” the single off the new album, with “Happiness”, “Caravan Girl” and “Road to Somewhere” as well. While at the beginning the visuals were mostly just the lights, they later became twisting abstract or nature images. During “Road” it depicted a forest for example. They also played “Utopia” an earlier album standout that sounded particularly majestic, with Goldfrapp singing notes across multiple octaves and reminding me of the diva’s song in the movie, The Fifth Element.

The show started around 9 I presume, but around 10 they left the stage for a break. But before that the songs “Number One” followed by “Strict Machine” turned the previously mellow set into a showcase of lights, people finally standing and dancing in the aisles or raising their arms up. There was one particular fellow who sat near me that was up shouting for her to play the song “Ride the White Horse” and adding that he ‘wanted to ride a big white horse’ repeatedly. Other than that, it was good to stand and feel the music a bit more.

There had been some minor sound problems I hadnt noticed, but unfortunately, I never did get any shivers. And as the night ended with “Happiness” around 10:15 or so, I had expected a longer set, I felt let down by that, despite an otherwise wonderful performance. Would I see Goldfrapp again? Yes, but I think I would pay quite a bit less than my $65 seat next time.

Happiness clip

~ by arakias on May 3, 2008.