Cocteau Twins: Live and Kicking

[mmmender]

how many times have you been to see a cocteau twins concert?

http://www.newwavephotos.com/CocteauTwins1/12227CocteauTwins.jpg

[Lucibelle]

Wish I could've said more than just 2. :(

[someotherian]

likewise for the 3 times i saw them.
it could so easily have been more...

[zed]

.......*sob*....................*sob*............. ..HONK!

Z:( :( :(

[watchlar]

3 times for me as well...if i'd known then...i would have taken the round the country tour following them in 96 like stratton did...

the third time was amazing...as was the first...but that second one...universal amphitheater 94...we don't talk about it

[steven]

5 times. fav by far Wiltern Theatre in LA 1990 with Lush opening...

S.

[zed]

.......fuck i love that picture!!

Z.:D

[watchlar]

Originally posted by steven
5 times. fav by far Wiltern Theatre in LA 1990 with Lush opening...

S.

yes that was my other time...amazing

[zed]

...hey, watchy................pm me with how i can reach you.
i sent a very long email to "watchlar71 today!!
poor sonovabitch is really confused now. roflmao

Zed.

[iceblink555]

Only once: June 4 (I think), 1996 @ DV8 in Seattle

I lucked out cuz I had just moved to Seattle only a couple of weeks before. Still remember waiting what seemed like forever for the band to come outside after the show. Robin and Simon were pretty laid-back and chatted with the half-dozen or so fans who'd stuck around. But Liz made a B-line for a little compact pickup truck! I'll never forget my pen running out of ink when she was signing my ticket :-/

Would have liked to have caught them in '90 or '86 too, but I count myself lucky since I know so many fans never even got to see them once. --Alan

[Maria Jose]

Only four times :(
Pure bliss !
ballerina

[PhillipT]

I was fortunate enough to see them twice; the HoL and FCC tours. Personally I thought the FCC show was the cats meow. I was simply completely_blown_away. I flipped out when I saw the full drum AND percussion set up. If there is one thing I think is sorely missing from the Twins catalog it’s a live recording.

-Phillip

[JohnnyV]

only zero....I hate all of you ;)

Just kidding. Problems of being a late convert.

[ezzydynamine]

technically just 1.... I was inside my mum's tummy when she and my dad went to the only concert that they ever played in Northern Ireland in the Ulster Hall in Belfast city back in 1986.

Apparently liz was spat at by some drunken hooligans... and they walked off stage and didn't completely finnish the concert.... WANKERS!!!

we don't get alot of concert in Northern Ireland, the bands don't reeally want to come, and the tour promoters don't include n.ire on their lists.... shame really....


UK TOUR are usually like this ::: stopping in
London,
Cardiff,
Endinburgh,
Birmingham,
Manchester,
Newcastle,
Bristol,
Southhampton,
London again,
Cardiff again,
Possibly a jump over to Dublin in Rep. of Ireland
Glasgow,
London again,
London again,
Closing night in London

never really ever a stop in Belfast

[mmmender]

Originally posted by erinn
technically just 1.... I was inside my mum's tummy when she and my dad went to the only concert that they ever played in Northern Ireland in the Ulster Hall in Belfast city back in 1986.


i don't thing this quite counts erinn but nice try! ;)

i'm honestly amazed that nearly half of the people who've voted in this poll have never even seen the band live??!!!

[E-Lo]

Originally posted by watchlar
yes that was my other time...amazing

Yes, my all-time favorite show was also Wiltern + Lush -- what a combination!!

1) HOLV tour + Lush at Wiltern, Los Angeles
2) FCC "screamin' dolphin" tour (Mayan Theater in L.A. I think?)
3) Milk & Kisses L.A. (forgot the venue)
4) Milk & Kisses Boston/Avalon (2nd favorite show)

[watchlar]

Ernie the Mayan was the 96 show...the FCC was the Amphitheater

how strange to think you were there...were you in line early at the Mayan? i was #4 in line

LOL
that was sooo long ago

[E-Lo]

Originally posted by watchlar
Ernie the Mayan was the 96 show...the FCC was the Amphitheater

how strange to think you were there...were you in line early at the Mayan? i was #4 in line

LOL
that was sooo long ago

Thanks for clearing that up. Every CT concert seen I've been *really* baked! pimp

Don't remember (;)) getting there particularly early, as I was sitting fairly high up. But I do remember the acoustics at the Mayan not the greatest, and distinct case of vertigo in the steeply angled seating areas

[dynamine]

7 times for me:D

[Maria Jose]

Originally posted by dynamine
7 times for me:D

As the page opened I saw this person had seen the Cocteaus "7" times
and wondered who he/she could be ,for voodoo purposes,basically . . .;)
Good for you !!!!!


ballerina

[Brien]

6 times.
1990 2x (both nites) Brixton Academy, London (with 'by the sea')
1991 2x (both nites) Warfield, San Francisco
199? (forgot the year, anyone know?) Roseland, NYC
1996 Warfield, San Francisco

[stratton]

man...has it really been seven years? the last time i saw the twins play was in nyc on june 12, 1996. it was a day i'll never forget for the obvious reason but i also have a very sentimental attachment to that day because my youngest niece was born while i was waiting outside the roxy for the doors to open. :) also saw the twins two days before in boston at the avalon ballroom. the first time was on march 15, 1991 at the metroplex arena here in dallas. those lights, that hair! :)

here are a few pics from the roxy show in '96.

stratton

[stratton]

here's another...

[stratton]

and another...

[stratton]

and just to prove i was there. that's me in the red cap. ;)

stratton

[stratton]

and last, but certainly not least...the inimitable mr. guthrie doing his 'thang'. ;)

stratton

[iceblink555]

Thanks for the pics, Stratton. So are you gonna tell us how many times you saw the CT live?! --Alan

[mmmender]

Originally posted by iceblink555
Thanks for the pics, Stratton. So are you gonna tell us how many times you saw the CT live?! --Alan

i can answer for him........3

[Maria Jose]

Originally posted by stratton
and just to prove i was there. that's me in the red cap. ;)

stratton


You stood THAT close to the goddess while she was SINGING !!!!
:dance:

[stratton]

yep, we were right up front in nyc. here's a shot from the show at avalon in boston on june 10, 1996. we were about ten rows back or so here. the sound was better because we were closer to the board but the view wasn't as good.

stratton

[stratton]

here are a few more from the roxy show...

[stratton]

robin and russell fong. the platinum blonde with shades on her head is deborah(best friend of troy-again from .com) and that little bit of red cap on her right is me. troy-again was on my right.

[stratton]

liz was really enjoying herself that night. :)

[stratton]

ready for an encore...

[stratton]

'i am not afraid of your anger...'

[ScottL]

Sigh's Smell of...I never f**king got to see em...:(

whaaaaa...ok I'm better ;)

[watchlar]

thanks for sharing the pics stratton...i can still remember that show in LA at the Mayan...i wish i would have flown up to San Francisco for the night before...

just standing there...trying to hold back the tears because it was all so beautiful...trying to ignore the speedgoth kids next to me who seemed oddly out of place...

hearing the Ooooo LA LA LA LAs in my head as Liz sang the main melody on the chorus to Calfskin Smack

and remembering the guitar solo on Violane shooting through my body like hot electric fire....

and hearing GREEN for the first time, thinking it was ALICE that I had been hearing about before Stealing Beauty came out...later finding out it was Touch Upon Touch

and blue bell knoll with the addition on the end sending chills up my spine...

it's all so sad now

[iceblink555]

Originally posted by mmmender

i can answer for him........3

But I thought someone said on here recently that Stratton followed the CT on the M&K tour?! Maybe they were exaggerating a bit? --Alan

[iceblink555]

BTW, Leesa, how many times for you? I know dynamine is the "7". Are you the "6"? --Alan

[stratton]

a buddy of mine and i flew to boston and met up with a few people off the mailing list before the show at avalon. we drove to manhattan two days later and saw the band again at the roxy. it was only two dates but that was the primary reason for the trip so i guess we were following them for a split second. ;) if we had more time and could have continued on for another date or two then we would have. they were in such good form and seemed to really be enjoying themselves.

stratton

[Brien]

Originally posted by iceblink555
BTW, Leesa, how many times for you? I know dynamine is the "7". Are you the "6"? --Alan

I think that's me...

[MCocteau]

I kinda hate you, everyone...Only saw Liz for the Mezzanine Tour...she had sang Teardrop and Group Four and I was flying on top of the people around me...Now I just came back from Massive Attack's concert and hearing Black milk,Teardrop and Group Four sang by some false singing blonde was terrible :( And I saw Violet Indiana, one, almost two (second concert cancelled - we were 15 people waiting...)...It doesn't count, I know...and it will never be :(((((((((((((((:(

[MCocteau]

Do you have any vocalists in mind for the next album?
We sort of almost had a brush in with Tom Waits, you know what I mean, which would be really good, we want to fulfil that. And we worked with Mos' Def on a piece of music for The Blade soundtrack and we want to work with him again. And I mean I'd still love to work with Sinead and also Liz Fraser again to be honest, I still think there's loads of unfinished business there.
I AGREEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!!!!

[E-Lo]

Originally posted by MCocteau
I kinda hate you, everyone...Only saw Liz for the Mezzanine Tour...she had sang Teardrop and Group Four and I was flying on top of the people around me...Now I just came back from Massive Attack's concert and hearing Black milk,Teardrop and Group Four sang by some false singing blonde was terrible :( And I saw Violet Indiana, one, almost two (second concert cancelled - we were 15 people waiting...)...It doesn't count, I know...and it will never be :(((((((((((((((:(

Was this the show at Paris/Bercy in 1999? I was at that show (which was *incredible* with Craig Armstrong opening and then joining MA later) but don't remember our dear Liz appearing :(

[Brett]

Six

[MCocteau]

No, E-Lo, it was the one from the beggining of the tour. She was pretty scared :) I never understood why she didn't came for the second one, to perform This Love and then with Massive Attack....That's when I starded hating MA concerts :)))

[zed]

a question,........did they ever get to the point where they were playing to really BIG crowds? or, was a few thousand a nice average?...just wondering.

anybody?

Z.:)

[crushed]

alas, only twice, although the only reason I missed the third was my honeymoon.

[REPLICESS]

3 for me,
but for some, dumb reason I 'voted' 2 !!!!! :p

[petroldarling]

being a relatively young person as well as a fairly new cocteau fan of only about two or three years, i obviously never had the chance to see the twins perform live. perhaps this thread has been done before, but any of you who did get to see them perform live, i'd love to hear your memories and your stories of those performances. i know there have been individual posts of concert memories, but i would like to hear anyone who's got one, as . . . i dunno. i just really like stories of this sort. :D hehee.

[3colors]

At the risk of become the lame poster boy for this board here's my M&K tour story. Warning: serious lameness.

Went to the venue. Bought a t-shirt. Gave ticket away to cute cocteau chicky. Went to the pub and got sloshed with me mates.

Why you may ask? Simple. FCC tour sucked so hard. Liz was in dolphin slaughter mode the whole night. I didn't want to be heart broken like that again. I just wanted to support them.

*puts paper bag over head*

[PhillipT]

Wow. I saw them on the FCC tour and count that show in my top 5 greatest shows attended. I'm simply curious, was it just Liz that you had issue with? Did you like FCC as a recording?

-Phillip

[Jeek]

I saw the HoLV tour and the FCC one.

The best of the two was definately HoLV, as they performed in an old church on Rachel Street in Montreal. We all sat in the pews, the effect lights flashed and flowed all over the interior, and the music swept us all away. A religious setting for what was a pretty much a religious experience. It was just so beautiful.

The FCC show took place at Metropolis, one of Montreal's biggest dance clubs. It seemed to me that Liz was experiencing some sort of throat/voice trouble that only served to piss her off. My friend and I felt really bad for her.

Didn't buy any t-shirts.

[dprid]

Main memories of seeing then at the Brixton Academy. Support band (Seefeel I think) were shite, floor was very sticky, smoke was opressive, band were musically accurate but Liz just wasn't with it that night, absolutely no communication between band & crowd other than 2 thank you's from Liz at the end of 2 songs, aching legs & knees from standing through it all. To sum it up - disappointing, as it offered nothing new & didn't improve on the recorded music :(

[fiftyfold]

the holv tour was fantastic... even if i did have to see it in the gymnasium of a college. the original venue burned down two weeks before the show. kudos to the band for not canceling. that was my first experience

[Brett]

Portsmouth Guildhall. Loves Easy Tears Tour

Wonderful old-fashioned venue with sticky carpet and huge dusty drapes. I remember standing by the mixing desk while Dif Juz played and vaguely became aware that Mick from The Wolfgang Press was standing next to me and I think Simon was standing next to him. The point is Dif Juz were SO FUCKING GOOD that any thought of moving, never mind ligging around those two just left my mind. I was in awe of Dif Juz.
The CT’s were excellent that night. Played some instrumental thingy that never ever got released. I have a tape of it somewhere. It was brilliant.

Brixton Academy HOLV tour (2 nights)

I saw both. The first night I went alone. I had a place to kip down in Peckham with an old mate. It was a squat. When I arrived things became very frosty between us. His girlfriend at the time was a bad influence. After a diet of bad tap water and barely sleeping on the sofa because of the mice (I hope) in the walls I did ‘the off’ pretty sharpish in the morning. Never even said goodbye, which I regret but it wasn’t a good time between me and Colin. I went into the city, met a girl at Euston and took her round the city ending with the 2nd gig in the evening. A much better night followed!

Bristol (somewhere) HOLV tour

I already had this one planned with my then girlfriend who lived in Bristol. Yet I’d met ‘next girlfriend’ (refer to above) So a totally awkward night ensued. I think I’d already split up with Sharon. Seems so long ago but yeah I had. So we had this awkward understanding which went totally belly up of course when it came to bed time. Again I shot off in a hurry the next morning and almost crashed my car. The M4 isn’t a great place to drive if you’re headed East at sunrise.

I’m……not doing much of a job reviewing these gigs am I! Soz. I can’t recall a single thing about the Bristol show but the London ones were great.

Portsmouth Guildhall FCC tour

Back to the Guildhall and what a shock. A tapping on my shoulder during the interval after Seefeel (who were good) and I turn to find my friend Jane. So we hug and chat but it soon becomes time for her to go (back up to the seated part). So as she’s going she shouts to me, ‘meet me here after and I’ll take you backstage’
Huh? Yeah, you heard right. (Cos Jane was very close to Simon. Actually the story of how she and I met is very bizarre but I’ll spare you all that one and save it for a rainy day)
This was like ‘grown man with jelly for legs’ syndrome. I kept saying this mantra to myself throughout the gig. ‘They’re only normal people, they’re only normal people.’
Inevitably the show ended, bouncers tried and failed to throw me out and my friend duly arrived after what seemed an eternity and whisked me backstage. There I met each and every one of the (then 5) CT’s except Robin who was busy bouncing Lucy. I spent the most time with Simon who was a pleasure to talk to (about football mainly) and received a not-unacceptable squeeze from Liz who I suddenly realised for the first time IS very attractive.
The evening ended with my realisation that I had a jacket in the cloaks. So Simon and I went on this Spinal Tap-esque journey down the wrong stairs and hallways until eventually finding the cloakroom area. I wouldn’t add this if he’d been around recently but since he hasn’t…..I have to say Simon Raymonde was very cool company indeed. Geezer.

Royal Albert Hall M&K

Shocking support (Lionrock) but terrific CT’s show. No bizarre incidences of rats in the walls, womanising or ligger activity I’m afraid!
Then the buggers split up.

[E-Lo]

I've seen the HOLV, FCC, and M&K tours

Favorite was HOLV show in Los Angeles with Lush(!) opening. Fantastic set list and they sounded great

Worst show was FCC when Liz had some hair up her ass and had to do that horrid shrieking shit

M&K was 2nd favorite. Went to visit a good friend in Boston with no tickets. We show up right before they come on stage at the Avalon and the cool-as-fuck security guard lets us in for half-price! Blue Bell Knoll was especially spine-tingling that night

[Avninder]

Oh my God i'm so old! I went to the HOLV, FCC, and M&K shows. The first Twins album I ever bought was BBK. I HATED it at first. I had a friend who was really into them. On an altered state, I gave the album another listen and have been hooked ever since.
Anyway, I have to agree that the FCC tour was one of the worst shows I've ever been to. I thought the album was ok but if you have a chance to get a copy of the New Orleans show from that time, you'll know what I'm talking about. Sure some loved it but you can tell that for whatever reason, Liz sounded a bit different during that tour.
My favorite show is a tie between M&K and the HOLV tour. The HOLV tour was awesome! It was the first time I ever saw them and they sounded (to me) just as good as they do on the album. I also liked M&K tour for its organic quality. Instead of using their traditional drum machines, they brought along a drummer(s) and performed their songs a little differently, ie. pitch the baby. Additionally, Liz's voice sounded especially sweet and beautiful.

[grnfaerie]

well, since i like telling this story, i will tell it again. :)
it goes a little beyond just seeing them live and damn i am sure it is already here SOMEWHERE on the boards, but since you asked...

saw them for the first time on the HOLV tour. amazing. SF warfield, front center balcony seats. beauty.

next time, FCC 2 nights in a row, same venue. waited for 3 hrs outside spending bout a half hour with my ear pressed to the door cuz i could hear the soundcheck. got in, front and center to the stage just a few feet from liz. i didnt even notice her strange vocal acrobatics, i was just mesmerized.
(next day ran into simon and liz on haight st, blustered my way into getting a photo)
that night, pretty much the same concert experience. front and center again (and then i decided i would never have it any other way), and a friend of mine gave me backstage passes. i think that was the only time where i was slightly anxious for the show to END. backstage was fun. i am shy so didnt talk much, but i did a little and by the time i talked to liz i knew she had heard so much praise that i just asked for a hug.

M&K, summer 1996. this weekend could be a novel. simple version. friday night party at a friend who knew the twins, robin and other band members present. lots of people on ecstacy (not any band members far as i know although robin kept saying he was...he wasnt though). so suddenly no inhibitions and i talk to robin lots and he hung out with me and my exgirlfriend most of the night (perfect gentleman may i add). next day was a BBQ in the SF hills all band members present. NO ONE was really talking to liz. it was strange. we left shortly after the twins so we could secure our spot in front of the stage. SHOW WAS AMAZING. the best ever. was the first time i heard touch upon touch and it broke my heart and made me fall in love immediately.
the show was magical. was invited backstage after and to the afterparty where i got to know simon. such a nice guy but you all know that. next morning off to LA. met up with robin for coffee on melrose. the show that night was a little...well the audience sucked. i was pressed up against the rail so hard that i thought i was going to pass out. liz even said something at one point about people ought to mellow out. went to the backstage afterparty and talked to liz a little. saw some celebrities which was just odd. i guess its LA though, to be expected. that was their last official show together, aside from a couple of festivals.

so yeah...thats it. and still not enough. i would kill to see them again.

[grnfaerie]

oh yeah, a good memory of the LA show, being the little fangirl that i am, was waiting outside...since there was only one entrance every time a Twin would arrive and go into the theater, people waiting outside would lose their shit, seriously.
so i am sitting there and simon comes out and comes over and picks me up in a huge hug and kiss on the cheek and asks me if i will be backstage after the show.
(gee, i'll *try* and make it)
sitting back down after he left and people were sure looking at me, lol.
it was just amusing.

[E-Lo]

wow, those are some great experiences! thanks for sharing the stories :)

[multymfoiled]

I saw the Four Calendar Cafe and Milk and Kisses Tour.

I was a freshman in college when the HOLV Tour took place, and since I was just getting into them and a broke college student I didn't go. I'm still kicking myself, especially because they played the Boston area TWICE during that tour!

Anyway, so for FCC a friend of mine bought our tickets, and I was STUNNED when we walked into the theatre and KEPT WALKING....all the way to the third row! Moose opened (they were great) and from my vantage point I could see Robin and Liz watching them from back stage. Then the Cocteaus came out, and they were amazing. Given this was my first live experience of them, I saw through any of Liz's wild vocalizations and was just mesmerized (not to mention I was so close to them I could see the color of Liz's eyes...Amazing.

When they came to Boston for their last tour, they played at Avalon, a very small club with standing room....Again I was close to the front. Another incredible show...I remember them doing a few songs (I don't remember which ones specificially) in a re-done funky manner...Lame discription, I know, but I'm not one to sribble down set lists. Anyone else at this show know of which songs I speak?

[iceblink555]

Wow, Melanie, some really cool CT experiences! I can see why you're hungry for more.


(next day ran into simon and liz on haight st, blustered my way into getting a photo)

Is this the pic you're talking about?

http://www.faeriecircle.com/data/CTencounter.jpg

[Phil Lawton]

Liz really is a short-arse, isn't she? What is she, about 5' 2"?

[Colin]

I saw & enjoyed HoLV, FCC, and M&K (2ce). M&K was most memorable because I was in London, saw them at Albert Hall, got backstage, not to mention that the band sounded best, Liz was in top form, they had some groovin' arrangements (Wax and Wane and Pitch the Baby versions should have been released). I finagled my way backstage and chatted Liz up. Asked them if they were recording the show -- Liz replied "No, that would be too anal!" Love her, wanted to slap her. Do they regret it now??

My fondest memory of the live shows, allimart, are Liz's vocals. Without backup singers, she could not recreate the layered quality of the studio vocals, so she reached for something very different. She sang without abandon -- I cannot find words to describe the style, but it was visceral and completely wild. Some seem disturbed by it, but it sent cold chills up my spine. I thought it was brilliant, and to my mind I don't remember FCC being all that different (though I don't have great memory). I can see how some think of that style as shrieking, but for me it was not without discipline -- she was definately channeling something with meaning. I have always wished she committed some of this to a studio recording. Perhaps those who love her live vocals are a cult within a "cult."

I love their live appearance on the US Tonight Show performing "Bluebeard" -- it is the best document of that live vocal experience, in my opinion. Those cold chills I speak of definately are generated, and some folks I know who are luke-warm on CT generally are impressed by the raw, primal quality of her vocals. I am curious if those who thought she was off during FCC -- do you like this performance? Is this the shrieking you complain about? If so, I will argue the other side. You just don't understand.;)

[Maria Jose]

Originally posted by Brett

Brixton Academy HOLV tour (2 nights)



Brett , so you were there too !!!!!!!!!!!!
I went both nights as well .
So did BTS , sorely missed . . . :(

ballerina

[petroldarling]

these stories are absolutely dead fucking interesting. and that picture, greenfaerie, to DIE for. so cute. liz is so tiny, i never really realised how itty bitty she is! tee hee!

[Summerblink]

My very first concert ever was driving down to detroit to see the FCC tour at the State Theater. I wasn't smart enought o buy my t-shirt on the way in (still kicking myself after almost 10 years). I measled my way to the front during the opening band's performance (The veldt).
When CT came out they started with Pur - blue lights and everything dreamy - I was in awe!
I still remember doing the Wayne's World salute with a chick I met to Liz and her laughing at us! WE'RE NOT WORTHY!!!

by the way...she had laryngitis in Chicago 4 years later....life is just so unfair sometimes.

[E-Lo]

Originally posted by Colin


I love their live appearance on the US Tonight Show performing "Bluebeard". . . I am curious if those who thought she was off during FCC -- do you like this performance? Is this the shrieking you complain about? If so, I will argue the other side. You just don't understand.;)

Yes, this is commonly referred to as the dolphin-in-heat noise Liz was channeling during FCC. I found it really horrible, because she did this style on every single song, even the more quiet and mellow ones, completely destroying the atmosphere.

[Brett]

Originally posted by Maria Jose
Brett , so you were there too !!!!!!!!!!!!
I went both nights as well .
So did BTS , sorely missed . . . :(

ballerina

Yup and yup

Such a shame there are no gigs now. We'd all be meeting up earlier in a selected bar. Tremendous nights those can be.

(Probably a good thing we didn't meet back then though ;) )

[mmmender]

the bbc scotland has my quote about seeing the band live on their website.....

www.bbc.co.uk/scotland/musicscotland/thevault/biogs/story.shtml?file=c/cocteau_twins/stories/02

[dprid]

Originally posted by mmmender
the bbc scotland has my quote about seeing the band live on their website.....


Yes, but they *gasp* capitalised your name! The bastards!

[ResetTwo]

I'm curious if anyone liked the FCC tour singing. I've only heard mp3s and might have felt differently if I was actually at one of the shows but knowing that she sang in that style on every song during a concert is pretty great to me.

[andylama]

I saw the FCC show at Universal Amphitheatre, Los Angeleez.

It was, sadly, disappointing and not very memorable. Liz was doing the aforementioned porpoiselike vocal gymnastics. Opening act was ...errrr.... Luna? Criminally boring and forgettable.

Sad thing is that this was the only time I ever got to see them live.

I just wish I had seen them during (any) earlier tour.

[Colin]

Originally posted by Reset
I'm curious if anyone liked the FCC tour singing. I've only heard mp3s and might have felt differently if I was actually at one of the shows but knowing that she sang in that style on every song during a concert is pretty great to me.

Yes, as I noted eight short postings above yours, I loved the FCC singing. I am sorry others don't agree. I find these 'whooops and hollers' riveting and chilling on a primal level. If you enjoy them on recordings, reset, (I think you are saying you enjoy them) you would have enjoyed them live.

Surely Reset and I are not alone!! Come on -- those who found this highly-charged style both primal and thrilling step up & show yer faces!!

(I suspect we may need a little tumbleweed icon here. Or the sound of crickets in a field. Or, given other comments, maybe a dolphin icon is next for the list. . .) :rolleyes: will have to do.

[stratton]

this thread always comes back around and yet i never get tired of it. those studio recordings kick ass but some of their live sets were simply indescribable. how do i really convey the feeling i got while standing outside the avalon ballroom before the boston show in june of '96 and hearing the band soundcheck to 'pur'? after getting up at 5 am, driving two hours to catch a plane, flying across the US, losing an hour in the time zone and finally arriving to be blasted by the super high octane sound of liz crying 'i am not afraid of your anger' before the show even started? simply unforgettable. how do i explain the fact that i literally held my breath for the entire show because i was so electrified by the experience? well, i think i did. i cried when they performed 'i wear your ring' and then again during the encore of 'pur'. i think liz's voice was at one of the most beautiful places in her career. all that aside, it was really cool to meet people from the original mailing list as well as the band after the show. two days later i got to experience it all over again at the roxy in nyc. met more fans, met liz, got really drunk and found out my niece was born while i was standing in line for the show.

the first show i saw was in dallas in march of '91 on the holv tour. that was brilliant as well. liz had the whole hormonal-just-had-a-baby thing going on. she sounded really good. it fit the music at the time for sure. the only weird thing was the venue was a boxing arena so it was like being in an auditorium. kinda cool but kinda strange.

i missed the 4cc tour altogether. go figure.

stratton

[ResetTwo]

Haha, sorry Colin. I missed your post the first time. Yes, I was trying to say I liked the FCC singing (not very eloquent these days). For me, it reveals another style of singing that might not be considered pretty in the traditional sense. Even most of the old CT recordings I wouldn't consider Liz's singing to be pretty but it still sounds so confident and strong, as if she didn't hold back at all.

[fornasetti]

3 for me, too.

Leeds University
Liverpool Royal Court
Sheffield City Hall

[Rad]

Any other sorry assholes like me out there who can confess to fat whopping zero?

[postlibyan]

Originally posted by zed
a question,........did they ever get to the point where they were playing to really BIG crowds? or, was a few thousand a nice average?...just wondering.

Zed --

if you are wondering if they ever played to arenas like, say, Metallica, on a huge spinning stage, with flames shooting up behind Robin during "Pink Orange Red", then the answer is no.

however, CT did play a few dates at Lollapalooza back in .... 96 i guess. i think they played on the main stage in Kansas City, since someone i know who lives in the "flat states" saw them on the big stage. could have been in a different city though.

i also have a recording of CT live at the Roskilde Festival in 1996. if you believe the hype the Roskilde people put out, that's like playing to 10,000 people or so. (i figure not all of them are watching the same stage at the same time....)

and isn't the Tokyo 85 show recorded at an ampitheatre? the crowd sounds large on that, but maybe the Japanese just clapped extra loud between songs.....

so i guess they have played to a few large crowds, but not too often.

PJK

[Jeek]

Saw them twice in Montreal. Late fall 1990 or early winter 1991. They played in a church on Rachel Street. They returned to Montreal in 1994 and played Metropolis.

[Baddy2shoos]

Originally posted by Radagast
Any other sorry assholes like me out there who can confess to fat whopping zero?

me too

[mattadore]

Originally posted by Baddy2shoes
me too

Me as well.

*shuffles feet and stares at floor sullenly*

[willy]

Originally posted by postlibyan
...with flames shooting up behind Robin during "Pink Orange Red"

Must have been some curry...

[petroldarling]

**weep**

[ossian]

i was at roskilde 96. they played in a tent, to not more than 3000 people. i was at the very front. liz was incredible and beautiful, the band was LOUD (the end of ella megalast was just crazy loud!!). the funny thing was, they somehow suddenly disappeared after barely more than an hour. some guy went onstage trying to explain something but everyone was just screaming. i think i was crying a little.

[willy]

Originally posted by ossian
some guy went onstage trying to explain something but everyone was just screaming. i think i was crying a little.

Were the people screaming in a Beatlemania sort of way, or was it in anger at the gig being cut short?

[ossian]

it was both. the gig was fantastic, but a little too short. there was no encore, everyone obviously hated the asshole that suddenly appeared there and it was obvious they weren't coming back.

[grnfaerie]

five times seeing CT...
once seeing VI...


still not enough.

[grnfaerie]

Originally posted by watchlar
thanks for sharing the pics stratton...i can still remember that show in LA at the Mayan...i wish i would have flown up to San Francisco for the night before...

just standing there...trying to hold back the tears because it was all so beautiful...trying to ignore the speedgoth kids next to me who seemed oddly out of place...

hearing the Ooooo LA LA LA LAs in my head as Liz sang the main melody on the chorus to Calfskin Smack

and remembering the guitar solo on Violane shooting through my body like hot electric fire....

and hearing GREEN for the first time, thinking it was ALICE that I had been hearing about before Stealing Beauty came out...later finding out it was Touch Upon Touch

and blue bell knoll with the addition on the end sending chills up my spine...

it's all so sad now


we have discussed this before right? lol. the farking speed-goth ass munches totally ruined that concert for me. one asshat was screaming in my ear and trying to CLIMB over my back to get over the barrier. i still hate that guy. the crowd was unusually rowdy for a CT show. oh well, the after thing made up for it for me.

[Ghosty]

Originally posted by Radagast
Any other sorry assholes like me out there who can confess to fat whopping zero?
Yep. Never been much of a concert goer. I'm sorry I missed out on the Twins though. And I would have liked to have seen one of DCD's cathedral shows.

[Dewayne]

I am one of the many deprived souls who has never seen a CT show. I was wondering though, does anyone remember the setlist for any of the shows you went too?

[salbiez]

This is tricky - h,mmm

Manchester Apollo (1983 - supporting OMD)
Leeds University (1985ish)
Sheffield City Hall (1990)
London Brixton (1993?)

and another time I can't think of ...

[The Phoenix]

How many times?
How were they live? It seems to me given the nature of their music it would have been difficult to translate live. However, bands like Radiohead pull it off so why wouldn't the Twins be able to right?
Favorite show? Setlist? Tell me I'm curious. Re-live those moments here.

[The Phoenix]

thanks for digging that out of the archives for me Leesa. Looks to be an enjoyable read

[Adam]

one time Violet Indiana
one time Robin Guthrie

CT were here in 1994, but I was into heavy metal then...

[postlibyan]

one time Violet Indiana
one time Robin Guthrie

lucky you -- he has not played Atlanta, or, in fact, the entire American South, with either of those tours..... sigh.

PJK

[jottke]

lucky you -- he has not played Atlanta, or, in fact, the entire American South, with either of those tours..... sigh.

PJK

there was arlington... but if you're a virginian, you generally don't even include northern virginia as part of the commonwealth; and it works both ways, too--they think we've all got cows.

[The Phoenix]

is there an archive of show dates and or setlists somewhere? I noticed that not one person has mentioned seeing them in the 80's. Now either I'm older than dirt or I'm mistaken in thinking they did a US run in the mid 80's to support Treasure??? I swear I remember them coming to the San FRancisco Bay Area around '86? I must know. It's pretty much a matter of life and death. :spear:

Okay perhaps that is a bit of an exageration I just wanted to post that smiley. I would like to know though. Thanks

[darkh0rse]

Once, Chicago in '91. It was sublime!

[david porte]

Glasgow Barrowlands (consistantly voted best venue in UK) in 1993. Absolutely stunning. Pink Orange Red made me cry. Stood open mouthed with shivers running down my spine for an hour and a half.
Glasgow Arches 1996. Still excellent, but couldn't top Barrowlands.

[waterviolet]

I put down 8, but I think it's actually nine.

1. HOLV - Boston. Flew there on frequent flier miles and saw them with my parents.
Flew back to LA about 12 hours later. Mazzy Star opened.

2. HOLV - Wiltern, Los Angeles. Mazzy Star opened.

3. HOLV - Wiltern, Los Angeles (didn't they do a 2nd show? I remember them doing three
Los Angeles shows around the same time.) Really tired of seeing Mazzy Star at this point.

4. HOLV - The Palace, Los Angeles

5. HOLV - UC Irvine, CA. I think Galaxie 500 opened.

6. HOLV - Las Vegas, Aladin Showroom. Have no clue who opened, if anyone.

7. FCC - Claremont College, CA. Interviewed Robin for Dewdrops right before it.

8. M&K - Mayan(?) theater, Los Angeles

9. I think this other one was at Universal Amphitheater for HOLV. I remember the walk back to the car
in the rain. I might be thinking about the UC Irvine show though. Mmmender has all my ticket
stubs, so at this point she knows better than I do what concerts I saw!

Someone else mentioned DCD. Twice for Aion, once each for Toward the Within and Spiritchaser. F****** incredible each time.

I think I'd better duck now.... :spear:

[E-Lo]

At one of the Wiltern Shows, Lush opened, so it must have been the 2nd one because I don't remember seeing Mazzy Star

Had no idea they played Claremont College for FCC! That would have been much easier to go to instead of schlepping to Universal as I lived in San Dimas at the time

[dprid]

is there an archive of show dates and or setlists somewhere? I noticed that not one person has mentioned seeing them in the 80's. Now either I'm older than dirt or I'm mistaken in thinking they did a US run in the mid 80's to support Treasure??? I swear I remember them coming to the San FRancisco Bay Area around '86? I must know. It's pretty much a matter of life and death. :spear:

Okay perhaps that is a bit of an exageration I just wanted to post that smiley. I would like to know though. Thanks
They played Wolfgangs on 17-9-1985

[waterviolet]

They played in Columbus OH sometime in 84 or 85. The way I remember the story, Tim Anstaett of the fanzine The Offense Newsletter pretty much single-handedly got them to come there. Anybody else familiar with Tim and his zine? I think he called it quits around '89 or '90, but his zine seems to have been pretty influential, catching the attention of Ivo early on. That 4AD issue of Emigre mentions it all over the place.

[vio-ivo]

The New York shows in 1985, 1990, and 1991 for me...
At the 85 show I bumped into Joey Ramone in the audience. He had a drink in each hand and had his sunglasses on. Was the lighting so bright on that tour? I forget.
;-)

[grnfaerie]

awww revisiting this thread and i guess i can add one more time seeing robin live.

i miss those CT concerts so.

i DO think that we will see them play together again someday. i dont care what they say now. i dont care where it happens, but i will be there.

[paulr]

Ive definitely posted in this B4 but it appears to have gone into the ether...

Im one of the 3 thats seen them over 11 times - saw them 6 times on the same tour - the UK is small so its easy. I was heavily into CT from the start so it was easy to rack up the concerts over the years. For some reason I got into asking for the playlists and Im sure I have a couple lying around somewhere

[BrownBread]

CT live at the Roxy ,NY. Incredible.

[vog75]

just bumped into this nice thread.
i was fortunate to see them 8 times :
1985 : with dead can dance at "le printemps de bourges" in april
1986 (2 concerts) : with dif juz at "l'élysée-montmartre" in november
1990 (2 concerts) : don't remember the support, still at "l'élysée-montmartre" in november i guess.
1994 : with seefeel at "le zenith" in january
1995 : black session in paris in december
1996 : with lionrock i guess at "l'olympia" in may
1986 and 1996 were my best souvenirs of them and of course the black session where i was nearly in front of liz at the first row !!
listening back to my remastered tape of l'olympia, god! that was a gig with liz who sang beautifully that year.
i miss you guys !! (robin or simon if you're reading this)
vivian aligre

[Mr. ED]

I saw them twice, once for Heaven or Las Vegas at the Ritz in NYC. The show was OK as it had some technical difficulties, but the song selection was pretty ace. I actually have this one on tape somewhere.

The second time I saw them was for Four Calendar Cafe with Moose at Roseland in NYC. This one was GREAT!

I missed their last tour. :(

[xixax777]

I saw the twice during the North American HOLV tour, once in NY,NY & again here in Philadelphia, and then a few years later in Philadelphia, after 4 Calendar Cafe.

I couldn't attend many years before, when the did a gig in Philadelphia. If I'm not mistaken, it was the first time they played here, but I don't recall if it was after Head over Heals, or maybe later, after Treasure...

As for the title of this thread, "Live and Kicking", I surely hope that after Coachella, they're not "kicking" each other, but instead feed off the love, respect and joy from the Audience, and build on that momentum, to remain together as a group in some capacity, and not totally dissolve again.

[Zus]

As for the title of this thread, "Live and Kicking", I surely hope that after Coachella, they're not "kicking" each other, but instead feed off the love, respect and joy from the Audience, and build on that momentum, to remain together as a group in some capacity, and not totally dissolve again.

:clap:

Well said, triple-seven. I hope that too.

[Huremics]

Had to check the gigography to make sure it was 10.

First saw them in 1986 at Portsmouth. I'd just had my tonsils out and was supposed to avoid smoky places where you can pick up infections, so, obviously I headed straight off for the gig.

Last time was the Royal Festival Hall in 1994, when they did that fantastic version of Lorelei that had everyone heading up the front to jump around!

[noboybands]

i saw them 4 times -
Theatre Royal, Nottingham, 1986
Town & Country Club, London, 1990
Brixton Academy, London, 1994
Ministry of Sound, London, 1996

I'm hoping to see them for a fifth, and maybe sixth, time this year

[poplife]

1 - Heaven or Las Vegas - Paris - Elysee Montmartre
2 - Four Calendar Cafe - Paris - Le Zenith
3 - Milk and Kisses - Paris - Olympia

[postlibyan]

what i want to know is, who are the 3 people who responded to this survey saying they have seen the band 11+ times. or, wait, is that Simon and Robin skewing the results? who has seen them so many times?

PJK

[Huremics]

[QUOTE=Brett]Portsmouth Guildhall. Loves Easy Tears Tour

Wonderful old-fashioned venue with sticky carpet and huge dusty drapes. I remember standing by the mixing desk while Dif Juz played and vaguely became aware that Mick from The Wolfgang Press was standing next to me and I think Simon was standing next to him. The point is Dif Juz were SO FUCKING GOOD that any thought of moving, never mind ligging around those two just left my mind. I was in awe of Dif Juz.
The CT’s were excellent that night. Played some instrumental thingy that never ever got released. I have a tape of it somewhere. It was brilliant.


That was my first gig as well, and I agree with you entirely about Dif Juz...they were awesome!

Does your tape include their set as well? (Go and dig it out, you know you want to!)

[Monk]

Sadly, only once, during the HOLV tour.

I had tickets for the MAK tour, but Liz apprently got sick/lost her voice the week they were to play here and they cancelled the show. No one from the ticket office called to let me know, and my friends and I ended up going to the hall thinking all was well - only to find a note taped to the door saying there would be no show. Very, very disappointing. crying

[Musette]

That bites.

No chance I've met you in Chicago somewhere, Dan?

[paulr]

what i want to know is, who are the 3 people who responded to this survey saying they have seen the band 11+ times. or, wait, is that Simon and Robin skewing the results? who has seen them so many times?

PJK

Me - Im one of them.

As I posted earlier the UK is small so its easy to follow them around (the major cities aint too far apart - If I can drive 9 hours round trip for a 'home' football match - I sure as hell can see CT many times on a tour - very rarely sold out except London) saw them 6 times in 1 tour - would have been 7 but missed them in Norwich because it only take 3cm of snow to fall and Engl*nd goes in a fuckin panic and the road was closed !!

[andylama]

Paul,

You censored "England", but not "fuckin"? That was good for a chuckle.

Stick around - your witty posts have been sorely missed 'round these parts.

[paulr]

Andy - your new medication is working me old son -
Its quite funny to see how Engl*nd panics when the white stuff falls from the sky - theyre not used to it and the country virtually comes to a standstill. As Scotland is a bit further north (& more mountainous) we get a bit more snow & were used to it... but its funny to watch these daft fuckers panic and then you hear stories of people stuck in cars on mototways overnight when less than 2 inches fall - I kid thee not. Plus the advice on the news reports are funny - wear extra clothes, take a flask of tea & a torch with you etc - its never learn to drive ya bastards !! puff puff rant over !!

Have a good weekend and remember - everytime a Scotsman emigrates to Engl*nd, the average IQ of both countries goes up !!

[dan699]

Last time was the Royal Festival Hall in 1994, when they did that fantastic version of Lorelei that had everyone heading up the front to jump around!

What a night that was! I had only saw them once before (Brixton Academy - Feb 93). For me, that seemed to turn into a "greatest hits" night. Everything they played was magical that night. I remember exactly the moment they played "Lorelei". I had gone to the bar (during "Evangeline", I think) and when I came back they had started "Lorelei" and I saw everyone heading down towards the stage! Remember, this was a sit-down venue! I couldn't run fast enough down to the stage either. Spilled most of the 3 drinks I was carrying. From then on it was just heaven.
BTW, I've asked this before, but was anybody else at the Beggars Banquet 25th Anniversary series of gigs, when CT played the first night? Early (March, I think) '96? That was also the only time I managed to meet and talk to CT!

[Monk]

That bites.

No chance I've met you in Chicago somewhere, Dan?

I don't think so - whereabouts in Chicago did you live?

[oarblades]

BTW, I've asked this before, but was anybody else at the Beggars Banquet 25th Anniversary series of gigs, when CT played the first night? Early (March, I think) '96? That was also the only time I managed to meet and talk to CT!
Yeah - I was there at that gig too....at 'Subterrania' in Ladbroke Grove. It was a really small venue - I remember I ended up paying 40 quid for a ticket as I'd just decided to travel down from Brum on the day....but needless to say - well worth it.

[mwddrwg]

saw them at birmingham 'hummingbird' in 1990....because i was so drunk i only remember three things.

1...girl next to me saying she only came for frazier chorus(the support).

2...thinking to myself that liz frasers' chest must be black and blue from all the self-hitting.

3...taking turns to push each other back to my friends brothers house in a supermarket trolley....getting completely lost in the city and getting back horribly hungover just as day was breaking.

*sigh*

[grnfaerie]

gonna have to reset this poll after coachella!!!

[DJ SMITHMIX]

I saw them twice, once for Heaven or Las Vegas at the Ritz in NYC. The show was OK as it had some technical difficulties, but the song selection was pretty ace. I actually have this one on tape somewhere.

The second time I saw them was for Four Calendar Cafe with Moose at Roseland in NYC. This one was GREAT!

I missed their last tour. :(

I was also at that show (hung out with Liz in the bar after the show)and it was not "Moose" but Luna open for CT that night. I chatted with the lead singer
also.

[Baddy2shoos]

what's she like then?

[paulr]

saw them at birmingham 'hummingbird' in 1990....because i was so drunk i only remember three things.

1...girl next to me saying she only came for frazier chorus(the support).

2...thinking to myself that liz frasers' chest must be black and blue from all the self-hitting.

3...taking turns to push each other back to my friends brothers house in a supermarket trolley....getting completely lost in the city and getting back horribly hungover just as day was breaking.

*sigh*

I liked the Hummingbird as a venue - I believe its closed now ??

[Outofspace]

I was also at that show (hung out with Liz in the bar after the show)and it was not "Moose" but Luna open for CT that night. I chatted with the lead singer
also.

What did she talk about/what was she like?

[Seryas]

2 times

Seattle 1991 at the Paramount
Seattle 1996 at DV8 (very small venue)

And after much searching, I have RoIOs of both now.

[cico]

I saw them twice, I originally had a ticket to see them in Manchester but ended up seeing them in Paris, took a coach trip and had a mad weekend away. The concert was amazing, no one moved apart from one loan French lad who went absolutely mad and wheeled around. I just stared (Im sad to say) I couldnt quite take it all in or believe I was even there. I had always avoided seeing them - feeling that it might not be a good idea to go - after hearing of the problems in their early live performances, and also the idea that it might ruin the perfection of the records - I was (of course) badly wrong and it was wonderful.
The second time was in Warrington, (near Manchester) a small town venue, I took my then girlfriend and held her so tight all way through she thought she would faint. It blew me away again.

[paulr]

The second time was in Warrington, (near Manchester) a small town venue, I took my then girlfriend and held her so tight all way through she thought she would faint. It blew me away again.

I saw them that night & they were superb...

[cico]

I saw them that night & they were superb...

It's easy to look back at these things with rose tinted specs so Im really glad you backed me up on this one mate!

[Mr. ED]

I was also at that show (hung out with Liz in the bar after the show)and it was not "Moose" but Luna open for CT that night. I chatted with the lead singer
also.

I think you may be confusing tours. I recall a gig that I did not attend where they played with Galaxie 500, but the show I saw at Roseland for FCC was definitely Moose. Perhaps Luna played an earlier or subsequent show on the same tour, but not the night I went. UNLESS...they both played!! ;) That I don't recall.

[serpentine]

well, i COULD have said ive seen them at least once...but alas............


*grrraaaah!!*

[scottielaw]

I've seen them 14 times including The Tonight Show taping. Where they performed Bluebeard twice. First time there was a technical problem.

Beacon Theater 11/13/90
Ritz Theater 11/14/90
Boston Univ 4/3/91
Wash. D.C. 3/8/94
Philly 3/9/94
Boston 3/10/94
NY 3/12/94
RI 3/13/94
LA 4/3/94
The Tonight Show
Boston 6/10/96
NY 6/12/96
San Fran 6/22/96
LA 6/24/96

Thank you for indulging me. My Mom passed away in 1993. I took it pretty hard so, I decided to travel across the country and see them as many times as I could. It brought me tremendous comfort and joy. The First Day of my journey in D.C. I saw Simon in Tower records. I told him my story and he introduced me to everyone after the show. Getting to know them was amazing.
I'm grateful to this site and to all who post on it. We have a bond like no other.
Peace,
Scott

[mmmender]

Thank you for indulging me. My Mom passed away in 1993. I took it pretty hard so, I decided to travel across the country and see them as many times as I could. It brought me tremendous comfort and joy. The First Day of my journey in D.C. I saw Simon in Tower records. I told him my story and he introduced me to everyone after the show. Getting to know them was amazing.
I'm grateful to this site and to all who post on it. We have a bond like no other.
Peace,
ScottThat's very touching, thanks for sharing with us.

[davespear]

saw them just the once at the Albert hall in London on the M&K tour.So glad I got to see them before they split.

[hebe]

ZERO for me.
I was living in Portugal, they went to Brazil. 1991
I came back to live in Brazil, they went to Portugal. 1996

I'm not a luck girl. :2cry:

[ludwig]

how many times have you been to see a cocteau twins concert?


3 times in The Netherlands.

[Les Jumaux]

Just the once for me - HOLV tour at the Town & Country in North London. I'm just glad I got to see them before they split. I seem to remember Liz was pregnant at the time.

I'm betting Mmmender is in the 11+ category! :queen:

[Bettina]

I think I might have been at the same gig - various members of the Pixies and Throwing Muses were in the audience and I seem to recall Nick Cave was there too. However, as far as I'm aware, Lucy Belle was born before the release of Heaven or Las Vegas.

[edward]

I saw them on the 4CC tour , where Liz was barking, but they had a kick ass double drum section. It was probably the best band ever, and Liz fucked it up by yelping. I still loved it, and afterwards, when I was stranded for an hour, I learned alot about hustlers... but that's another story....

[tengoku]

5 times. fav by far Wiltern Theatre in LA 1990 with Lush opening...

S.

oh my GODDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDDD . . .

i would have just died after that show. like . . . died right then on the spot, because there could be nothing better than what had just happened . . .

[zero-k]

Liverpool (Head over Heels tour Felt - support?) 1983, Cornwall (Love's Easy Tears tour Dif Juz - support) 1986 ?, Brixton (Heaven or Las Vegas tour) 1990