If pushed we'd describe it as a song cycle that's also a mystery play about London. (Mojo magazine)
The Good, The Bad and The Queen
Thursday 26 October 2006
Main Space, Roundhouse
Photos
See live shots from the night
The large crowd wait expectantly for the arrival of tonight's headliners The Good, The Bad and The Queen. Nobody in the audience knows quite what to expect - no one's heard any of the band's music before. But there's a feeling that the assembled musicians will produce something extraordinary.
There's plenty of talent in the line up. Britpop renaissance man Damon Albarn
, has brought together two musical legends in Paul Simonon of The Clash and Tony Allen of Fela Kuti, one of the most exciting drummers in the world. The band is completed by ex-Verve guitarist Simon Tong. The band take to the stage looking like a gang of vagabonds dressed in shabby suits - Damon's top hat completes the look.
The sound is a vaudeville music box of delights - enchanting lullabies that have a dark, mysterious edge but they still receive a warm reception from the crowd. 'Three Changes' ups the tempo as the audience dance and cheer, much to the relief of Damon Albarn. The band finish on a high with 'TGTBQ' and the audience leave in the knowledge that they've witnessed something quite magical.
Set List:
History Song
80s Life
Northern Whale
Kingdom Of Doom
Herculean
Behind The Sun
Intermission Jam
Bunting
Nature's Springs
Soldiers Tale
Three Changes
Green Fields
Mr Whippy
The Good, The Bad and The Queen
Your thoughts on The Good, The Bad and The Queen
kirsty
Saw the warm up gig in Ilfracombe and heard the electric proms gig on the radio. Damon always has been, and I GBQ confrims that he always will be a musical genius (and top totty!)
bigben
Tremendous performance, so glad to see Damon back in the dancing shoes. All the songs were great particuarly 'three changes' and 'TGTBATQ'. I'm a huge Blur and Gorillaz fan and can't wait to add the Good the Bad and the Queen's new album to my collection. Great Stuff!!! 10/10
Soton405
A-M-A-Z-I-N-G! But somehow something what I've been waiting for! Naive, beautiful but extra talented playing made the whole performance complete! Paul's simple and punkish bass riffs and stage gestures gave the last icing for the music! As they say "Keep it simple stupid!" Thanks lads...!
Lina P
Damon Albarn should be the patron saint of UK music. He's constantly in the front line, conjuring up brilliant new work, bringing together an amazing mix of musicians. We saw Gorrillaz in Manchester, the gig was unforgettable, just being in the audience was a huge privilege. Had to go and see The Good the Bad and the Queen at the Roundhouse and, again, felt we had been part of something truly unique. Damon is THE good guy of British music - ultra creative and so generous with his talent - see him on stage and he's just one of the blokes in the band. Thanks for letting us share in another amazing gig.
simsy
I only got into Blur in July (I am too young to remember when they were in their Britpop heights cos I was born in 1991) and I was longing to hear Damon Albarn's new project. I was very pleased by the standard of playing by all the band members and enjoyed many of the songs that the band performed. I will be definitely purchasing the album when it comes out on January 8.
kevin
yeah not bad but they still feel like blur b-sides to myself or more so gorrilaz b-sides they lacked the hooks that all the gorrilaz stuff and the genius that was the albarn-coxon relationship the songs where very similiar to the mlir and parklife stuff which was really cool to see him writing like that again but lacked the coxo to give it that edge but still nice though so to sum it up it felt a bit like the dirty pretty things are to the libertines a shadow of its former self
Sachin Patel
Who was the random guy on keyboards and synths? Otherwise, it was an incredible performance - their music is extemely relaxing, and yet thought-provoking at the same time, highlighting all the talent on offer from the four musicians.
Fields
TGTBTH delivered a set full of emotion fuelled songs which I thought caught the mood of the audience perfectly. With new single 'Herculean' being overshadowed by the tear jerking 'Behind the Sun', the group, looked very much at home together. With a line up that good, could they really have failed to entertain? I for one, think not.
Rob
I thought they were great - very "Modern Life is Rubbish" esq, though still fresh and relevant!
nrb
What a stunning set of songs! Despite a few technical hitches, and one song started three times til they got it right, the band created an atmosphere and tone from the off and held it til the rousing end. Damon Albarn's always had a genius way with gorgeous, melancholy melodies - think of the 'windmill, windmill' part of Gorillaz 'Good Feel Inc' loads of Blur from 'Sing' to 'Beetlebum' to 'Out Of Time' - and much of TGTBATQ hits similar sad peaks. All the while, meanwhile, Paul Simenon was striking larger-than-life Stagger Lee bad man bass poses across his half of the stage, and shook the floor with deeeeeeeeeep dubby bass, which, along with Simon Tong's guitar and Tony Allen's Afrobeat drum scatterings, highlighted what make this project so special - as well as having great Albarn tunes, it's incredibly inclusive, like they've taken EM Forster's 'Only Connect' maxim and run with it. The set connected time periods in English pop - one song recalling the likes of 'Ruby Tuesday', another almost like a dub-Genesis, pastoral AND urban at the same time - and, obviously, different national musical cultures. It wasn't horrifically 'political correct', simply big enough to embrace an awful lot, (and thus a lot of people, it got that heart and warmth). Everybody seemed nervous - even the audience, not sure what they'd be hearing, Damon visibly relieved (''It's good to be back''), and his dancing improving, when the crowd got louder and started jiggling along - but emotionally, atmospherically, the evening worked, and everyone left happy, hungry for the album early next year.
stacey
absolutley Fantastic- it was watching history a really special moment- every single person on stage was just 'on it' and soo talented and together there was a real magic. Plus Damon is still the sexiest man/performer alive, which i had forgotten. If you ever get the chance to see this collective perform again you must!!!!!