The official forum for all things Joe Bonamassa, guitars and blues music
You are not logged in. Please login or register.
Joe Bonamassa Forum → Show Reviews and Set Lists → Shepherds Bush Gig
Astounding show friday night at Shepherds Bush.
But I do believe the next London gig should be at a bigger venue. There will be no trouble
in Joe being able to fill a bigger place.
Thanks for a great night Joe.
Cheers
Jeff
Jeff, you beat me to it. If my post had been a bit shorter I'd have been first - LOL. Never mind, this would have been my heading.
Shepherds Bush Empire and four encores!
I'm surprised no one else has posted a resumé of last night's gig at Shepherds Bush yet. I guess they haven't come down off the celing yet.
The theatre is a lovely piece of art deco and has wonderful character.
After queueing in a raw easterly wind for nearly an hour the doors opened on time and I headed straight for the stage. I was not early enough to lean on the barrier in front of the stage but was immediately behind those who were and I had a great view, being only around 1.5 meters or 4 1/2 feet from the stage. Several press photographers were in attendance so look out for reviews and photos.
Crosby Loggins came on around 8.05pm and gave a lively performance. It's amazing how an amplified acoustic guitar can sound so fullsome. His singing is strong and at times reminiscent of James Taylor - that's meant as a compliment if you're reading this, Crosby. He also said he is the first artist to be signed to Joe's label and yes, he is the son of Kenny. His set finished at 8.35pm.
The road crew worked like ants to ready the stage for Joe's appearance which was at 8.50pm. The set list was per the earlier post by BriJBfanUK, ie:
Bridge to better days
Walk in my shadow
So many roads
Mountain time
Another kind of love
Sloe gin
High water
Don't burn down that bridge
Woke up dreaming
Just got paid
_______________________
One of these days
Asking around for you
_______________________
Ballpeen hammer
but with the addition of a fourth encore: You Upset Me Baby
I spoke to Michael Lynch afterwards (Hi Mike, great to meet you) who said it's the first time he's ever seen Joe play a 4th encore, and he's seen him quite a few times I hear!
My feelings on seeing Joe for the first time were that technically he's a great player who has tremendous passion for the music he plays, be it pure blues or blues/rock. I'd have liked to have heard some more slow blues numbers, but I really enjoyed watching him do his stuff at such close quarters. He really is something special.
Joe was knocked out by the "Sold Out" sign on the front of the theatre. I think 2008 could another turning point in Joe's career and the smaller venues may no longer be big enough for the number of fans wishing to see him. This is a shame in some respects but at least the word is spreading and proves those of us who preach to the unconverted are having some effect. I think there were a lot of post Sloe Gin fans there last night who will hopefully go and buy the rest of Joe's albums that we all love.
I hope to see Joe again later in the year. 
Phil
Nice posting Phil. Yes, it's great that Joe is selling out bigger venues and as a result it's going to be harder to shake his hand after the show. But isn't it fantastic to see so many people hear Joe for the first time and get hooked! He deserves every success for working so damn hard.
Geoff
Thanks Phil. Glad you got to meet Michael. From what I can see on youtube, Joe is now a man! Still lean and all spiffied up..Selfish me will miss the smaller venues, but maternal me swells with pride watching "my" boy outgrow them. A 4th encore! Special indeed. Thanks for keeping Joe & Company happy! Cathy
From a musical perspective I wouldn't necessarily want to see him anywhere *too* much larger than the Empire. Mind you, we were sat right up at the top of the theatre, so obviously it wasn't going to be a prime listening position.
I'd sooner see him do two nights there, than one night at somewhere twice the size. I suppose there are only so many nights in the year though! I certainly didn't expect to see touts outside the gig!
Even from up in the gods, where things were getting a little mushy, Joe's tone was just astonishing. That Marshall Jubilee certainly earns its keep. 
)
nick
Loved reading your posts. I would so much like someday to be able to see Joe in a show over there. It all seems to be filled with magical Mo-Joe and it would mean so much to meet all of you.
"He deserves every success for working so damn hard." So true Geoff, so true.
I have wished upon that first star tonight that when Joe gets back to the states that You Upset Me Baby will stay in the line up. Starlight, starbright...............
pattyluvsjoe
Shepperds bush
Um what can i say the venue sound is just awful. The show would have been excellent if it wasn't for the poor PA system
And my first Joe gig.
Joe is definitely the man and boy was I impressed with him and the set. He is awesome. I am surprised with his reputation for sound perfection that this venue detracted so much from his performance.
I have recently seen steve earle at the basingstoke anvil and i have to say the sound is vastly superior.
Joe in this venue would be out of this would his tone and definition are second to none his technical ability and the way he makes it look so effortless truly belies his exceptional talent. This man deserves a better venue. hopefully next year
Crosby Loggins from where where sat just sounded like just a mess of noise no guitar or vocal definition as I love singer songwriters and have never heard of him it was a real shame.
Hopefully the money will be there for better venues
Keep it up
As has been already highlighted by some of us lucky enough to have been at the Bush on Friday I have just returned to planet earth having witnessed a truly awesome display of guitar playing by JB very ably supported by his band. Fantastic gig and long may he and they reign. I hope you are now a convert Lord S!!!!!!!!!!!!
Look forward to the day when Joe plays at the Royal Albert Hall! Now that would be awesome....
Sounds a great show at Shepherds Bush Empire... Sold out very good...
Unconfirmed but.......set aside... May 4th 2009. Like I say its yet to be Confirmed..
Joe Bonamassa
I'd have to fly in for that piece of musical history!!...definetly would have to be filmed...sure hope it happens Joe...we'll keep our fingers crossed
Dave
RAH???? Oh, that'd be so cool. Fingers (and everything else) crossed.
Unconfirmed but.......set aside... May 4th 2009. Like I say its yet to be Confirmed..
Joe Bonamassa
Unconfirmed but.......set aside... May 4th 2009. Like I say its yet to be Confirmed..
Joe Bonamassa
Somebody tell me how big of a piggy bank I need to set aside for this. pattyluvsjoe
Joe Bonamassa wrote:Unconfirmed but.......set aside... May 4th 2009. Like I say its yet to be Confirmed..
Joe BonamassaSomebody tell me how big of a piggy bank I need to set aside for this. pattyluvsjoe
$2000...ya got to make a vacation out of this...thats a long way to travel Patty 
Dave
pattyluvsjoe wrote:Joe Bonamassa wrote:Unconfirmed but.......set aside... May 4th 2009. Like I say its yet to be Confirmed..
Joe BonamassaSomebody tell me how big of a piggy bank I need to set aside for this. pattyluvsjoe
$2000...ya got to make a vacation out of this...thats a long way to travel Patty
Dave
Let's see...win the lottery, act of God, Sugar Daddy....hhhmmm????????????????????????
Patty
Snowed in Patty???? Busy girl.
Love
Jeff
Its a shame that you were disappointed by the sound quality. I guess you must have been sitting quite high up. I was in the stalls and thought the sound was superb and a vast improvement on Joe's previous show at the Empire. It sounded so much more dynamic and sympathic to Joe's requirements. I've sat high up at the empire and similar to other former theatres of its type they are surprisingly steep and the sound quality of music deteriorates as it rises. There seems to be one or two suggestions that joe might even play at the Albert Hall in due case, in which case get tickets at the lower levels, as I think the sound there is really poor higher up.
Bazzavibes - yeah, I'd definitely put the trouble we had hearing down to the altitude at which we were sat: literally the last row on the top floor. It sounded like it was probably great down among the fortunate rabble. We were rather spoiled the first time we saw Joe - at the Boom Boom Room in Sutton - where we were about 12' away from the stage in a very small space.
Having said that, it was a lot better than some that I've heard, even in smaller venues. I'm guessing that the amp baffles help to keep everything from spilling about all over the place.
Saw B.B. King a couple of times at the Albert Hall, also sat up fairly high (although not the highest), and it was impossible to hear anything that he was saying, although the music sounded fine.
Right, back to playing that "Woke Up Dreaming" intro to a slowly accelerating click-track...
Joe Bonamassa Forum → Show Reviews and Set Lists → Shepherds Bush Gig
Powered by PunBB, supported by Informer Technologies, Inc.
Currently installed 2 official extensions. Copyright © 2003–2009 PunBB.