Hawkwind London Astoria 20/12/06

Astounding Sounds, Amazing Music - Great Party!

A freezing cold foggy night in London, packed pubs, busy shoppers rushing along the crowded pavements, then out of the gloom a throng of ageing hippies and the pungent aroma of weed - this must be the place!

Once inside the Astoria in Tottenham Court Road, it is full but not uncomfortably packed, there is a typically festive atmosphere with some punters wearing fancy costumes (a tin man?) but some more interesting ones were to appear on stage, and some unplanned events were to take place first!

I couldn't help feeling sorry for the "support" act - there were only two of them, their drummer had been involved in a hospital incident that morning, and they were left to rely on an unreliable drum machine, and after having technical problems with her effects pedals the lead singer/guitarist's amps packed up! Only two and a half songs into their set off they went, and after a long wait who should come on stage to save the first half of the night but Huw Lloyd-Langton to entertain the happy but impatient crowd with a few "ditties" on his Electro-acoustic, which included "Hurry on Sundown" and a JP "White Summer" style piece. Having seen Hawkwind once only before at Donington open-air festival in 1982 I can't say if this was a regular part of their show or a rare event in the circumstances, but Huw's little solo acoustic set was well received.

A roar goes up for the main event, the group appear in front of a huge backdrop curtain with coloured lights and patterns and flying saucers projected on it, for the next hour or two i was taken on an amazing journey through space and time, swirling space effect keyboards and a huge wall of sound from the guitars of Dave Brock and Alan Davey, joined by Huw Lloyd-Langton on lead guitar, soon I was easily imagining being back in 1972. Many familiar Hawk songs, (and one or two unfamiliar ones) including the "Hashish" song, "Orgone Accumulator", "Images" (excellently sung by their "singing drummer" Richard Chadwick), a rousing version of "Spirit of the Age" and "Motorhead" great Lemmy impression from Alan Davey, accompanied onstage at various moments throughout the set by some strange looking insect-like creatures who danced the "Robot" song and doing some strange things during some other songs, and altering their dress accordingly. These Mime Dancers were joined onstage with the group by a pretty girl wearing a red evening dress during the extra encores.

An exciting party from the Hawkeyes, thoroughly enjoyed by all, and confirming their place as the world's Kings of Space Rock, and soooooo Prog! Hope to see them again next year for what may be the Astoria's last Hawkwind Christmas party? Who knows. Merry Christmas, Hawkfans!

Photos from Hawkwind website -








    
    
    
    

Edited by mystic fred - July 21 2008 at 11:04

Bob Greece wrote: Sounds great. Thanks for that Fred. Was it very loud?

Edited by mystic fred - December 21 2006 at 09:03

Nice to hear that you had great show!

COOL!  Looking forward to HW at NEARfest this year........

oliverstoned wrote: Please Cyndee, tell us about the Gong unconvention.

I like the instrumental of "Assassins of Allah" ("Hassan I Sahba") that's on your website, Cyndee. I've added it to my folder of Hawkwind cover versions, so you're now rubbing shoulders with the likes of Sloterdijk, The Meads Of Asphodel, OverMars, Alien Sex Fiend, the Sex Pistols, Monster Magnet, Sisters of Mercy, Mudhoney, Los Natas, and lots more...