• Registered: 2013-04-02
  • Posts: 1

Topic: Hammersmith March 28

I was really looking forward to the gig - I'd seen Joe some years ago at Shephards Bush and enjoyed it a great deal.
Very disappointed at Hammersmith though - the sound was very poor (unacceptable these days) and they were filming the gig so that meant the house lights were on throughout - completely ruined the atmosphere....
£50 to stand and be jostled around in a brightly lit arena - very conscious of all the heads in front of me (esp the girl with bright red hair!) ... and anyone under 5'10" probably only saw people's backs...
Come on Joe (or the management) - respect the fans!
As to the music? I was too distracted to really appreciate anything though I did think the set list was weak... and the band only seemed to come alive (briefly) after the third number when the keyboard player did a solo and got a good reaction...
Not a DVD I would consider buying should it ever be released.

  • Registered: 2013-04-03
  • Posts: 7

Re: Hammersmith March 28

I had mixed feelings about this show too.  There were significant problems getting everyone inside at the beginning (longest queue I've seen at Hammersmith ever).   Many people were late arrivals, either because they couldn't get there any earlier after work (not everyone lives in London - we had a 90 minute dash through heavy traffic to get there), or because they were unaware of the unusually early start time (8pm with no support).  This resulted in crowds of people trying to find there seats in the Circle, which was very distracting for all concerned.  I wondered if that's why they put the house lights back up - so people could actually see where they were (Hammersmith has some of the worst seat signage out there).  This is of course, not Joe's fault, but due to the organisation on the ground and poor advance notice of the start time.

I too thought the sound could have been better, as it wasn't a patch of Joe's last gig at Hammersmith (which was about the clearest, most dynamic live sound production I've ever experienced).  I guess that's what happens when you set the bar so high, it's hard to reproduce every time.

We're looking forward to seeing Joe again (with Beth Hart at Hampton Court in June) and in Bournemouth in September - hoping this is better.

3 Reply by Lester

  • Lester
  • Guest

Re: Hammersmith March 28

Leaving the house lights on during the concert was not a good idea. Were they on at the other venues as well?

Lester

  • Kenny
  • Kenny
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  • From: Aberdeen, Scotland
  • Registered: 2009-09-04
  • Posts: 3,713

Re: Hammersmith March 28

Rehabilitation reported

  • Registered: 2010-07-13
  • Posts: 596

Re: Hammersmith March 28

Where one is sitting or standing obviously has a tremendous influence on the sound.  The sound at the Hammy was perfect where I was and the best and most exciting of any of the shows for me.  Can't say I was really aware of the lights being on.

Sandy

I know a place ....
  • From: Newquay, Cornwall.
  • Registered: 2010-07-06
  • Posts: 192

Re: Hammersmith March 28

I, too, was at the show. Firmly planted on the rail (a near 4 hour wait in the cold for the reward!). I didn't notice whether the house lights were on, or not, as I was entranced by the band's performance. I thought it was excellent! The loss of some vocal quality (for being so far forward) is small price to pay. No jostling at the front, very civilised. The light show was superb!
I guess you can't please everyone all the time, but the show was up there as one of the best I've seen from Joe! smile

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