Hawkwind London Astoria 20/12/06
Printed From: Progarchives.com
Category: Progressive Music Lounges
Forum Name: Live Performance Reviews
Forum Description: Performance Reviews by Members
URL: http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=32412
Printed Date: December 22 2024 at 18:54
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Topic: Hawkwind London Astoria 20/12/06
Posted By: mystic fred
Subject: Hawkwind London Astoria 20/12/06
Date Posted: December 21 2006 at 06:18
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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 -    -------------  Prog Archives Tour Van 
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Replies:
Posted By: Bob Greece
Date Posted: December 21 2006 at 06:41
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Sounds great. Thanks for that Fred. Was it very loud? ------------- http://www.last.fm/user/BobGreece/?chartstyle=basicrt10"> 
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Posted By: mystic fred
Date Posted: December 21 2006 at 07:14
....eh.....??
  ------------- Prog Archives Tour Van
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Bob Greece wrote:Posted By: N Ellingworth
Date Posted: December 21 2006 at 07:19
I couldn't hear properly for a week after seeing Hawkwind in October, mainly because I was standing front row centre  |
Posted By: Old Ned
Date Posted: December 22 2006 at 07:53
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Good report Fred
Was Stacia there waving her thruppenny bits ?
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Posted By: Minimalist777
Date Posted: December 22 2006 at 23:00
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Thanks for the report, sounds cool dude. ------------- WWOSD? What Would OliverStoned Do? |
Posted By: Eetu Pellonpaa
Date Posted: January 01 2007 at 14:51
| Nice to hear that you had great show! |
Posted By: sonic_assassin
Date Posted: January 12 2007 at 20:13
Nice pix, cool. Thanx Fred  I thought the setlist was pretty strong all the way through... starting with The Right Stuff and then Psychedelic Warlords... and ending with Motorhead and Brainstorm! And, inbetween: Lord of Light, Spirit of the Age, Greenback Massacre, Infinity, Hassan I Sahba... plus some others I can't remember right now. I was down by the right hand speaker stack - and my ears didn't stop hissing for 2 days (daze) The start of the gig is on YouTube at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wTYc09hEzA - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wTYc09hEzA |
Posted By: ViolinCyndee
Date Posted: January 12 2007 at 22:42
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COOL! Looking forward to HW at NEARfest this year........ ------------- http://cdbaby.com/cd/cyndeeleerule www.cyndeeleerule.com |
Posted By: oliverstoned
Date Posted: January 13 2007 at 05:42
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Please Cyndee, tell us about the Gong unconvention. |
Posted By: ViolinCyndee
Date Posted: January 13 2007 at 21:36
WOW it was incredible!!! 3 days of Gong! And: Steve Hillage Band!!!!! OMG! Absolutely amazing! I did write a review of the Gong Uncon in another thread..(will have to look for the link to it)..
What an honor for me that I was able to play at set there, at the Melkweg!!!
 ------------- http://cdbaby.com/cd/cyndeeleerule www.cyndeeleerule.com |
Posted By: ViolinCyndee
Date Posted: January 13 2007 at 21:37
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http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30983 - http://www.progarchives.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=30983 My review of the Gong Uncon!------------- http://cdbaby.com/cd/cyndeeleerule www.cyndeeleerule.com |
Posted By: sonic_assassin
Date Posted: February 01 2007 at 15:44
| 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... |
Posted By: Blacksword
Date Posted: March 04 2007 at 10:22
I saw them in the late 80's in a small club. Their sound system looked like their standard Hammersmith Odeon set up, and took up 25% of the venue!! My ears were ringing for days. I remember some guy with his head in the bass bin, and worried security and sound crew trying to prise him away from it. Bet he had a headache the next day.. Great show! ------------- Ultimately bored by endless ecstasy! |