Union Chapel tonight

[Rob Wheeler]

I've got to say, this is one of the best venues I have ever been to. The sound was awesome, perfectly suited to the intimate venue, and it had a really fresh and welcoming atmosphere that is definitely lacking in most conventional venues. Lots of eager fans getting there very early doors and a fantastic performance from Daniel, and great support from the support acts.

I must say, it was a first for me to see a drummer play without any toms, but the band that finished up the show with Daniel was perfectly complimentary to him.

So yeah a well put together gig, and a legendary performance from Daniel!

[colder]

we were there last night at Union Chapel, it was perhaps one of the best times we have had at the Chapel everything was really good about this show. I was so thrilled that I was there. It was really good and so so so so much better than the last time when we saw him play at the Barbican

[whatofwhom]

yes i agree, i've seen Daniel play 3 times and this was the best show, it was a longer set with sympathetic support. You could see those guys workin hard to do the music justice, the guy on the 'chord organ' Adem really pounded the thing on 'speeding motorcycle'!. Great set list full of personal fav's 'living life' 'grievances' 'caspa' 'do you really love me' it just went on and on!!. Great sound for a roomy, echoey old church too. So great to see Daniels face with us applauding every song like an old friend 

[Rob Wheeler]

The reverb in that Chapel was ASTOUNDING. If you are any kind of folk performer, that is the place to go.

[Thom]

What a great show and what a fantastic venue! The only other time I've been there was about 12 years ago at a festival for disabled musicians that my sister was playing at. Although my memories of that time are hazy, it doesn't look like it's changed at all. I love the feel of the place and the attitude of the staff. It doesn't feel like a gig venue at all, but more like a community centre run by the Woodcraft Folk or something. Even the doormen are overly helpful and polite! Because of this atmosphere, people felt like they could reserve their seats while they went for a drink by leaving their coats there. This I found slightly annoying, but that's my fault for not getting there earlier. If I got there early enough to get a good seat it would have been a god send. Try doing that at a NIN gig in Brixton Academy and you'll return to find your seat and your coat have gone.

Daniel's set was so great. I'd had "Living Life" going around my head all day, so I was extremely happy that he played it. And "Hey Joe"! I got into Daniel through being a Sparklehorse fan, so it was really great to see him play one of my favourite Sparklehorse songs. I didn't even realise it was originally a Daniel Johnston song until I looked it up today! On the Sparklehorse album "Good Morning Spider" it says all songs by Mark Linkous.

I had a feeling that the guy who played chord organ and ukulele might have been Adem Ilhan, but i was too far away to tell (i probably need glasses) and I thought that if he was there he probably would have been a support act. But I see someone above me has confirmed that it was him, so did he support? I'll kick myself if he did because I love Adem and have been dying to see him play again since I first saw him in '04, and i arrived in the middle of James Yorkston's set because of things like work and trains.

In summary, that was one of those special gigs that, in a year filled with "special" gigs, was easily the "specialest". And I wish my hair wasn't so shocking that day as I seemed to have been in shot of one of the cameras a lot of the time!
 

[Rob Wheeler]

I've just spent the evening transferring the tapes from the camera you are probably referring to. As of yet I am glad to report I have not noticed any anomalous coiffure related obstructions. I don't think you have any need to worry

[Thom]

I've just spent the evening transferring the tapes from the camera you are probably referring to. As of yet I am glad to report I have not noticed any anomalous coiffure related obstructions. I don't think you have any need to worry

That's a relief, but also, strangely, a disapointment.

I can't wait for the DVD. I'd easily spend £20 on it, which is more than I'd spend on any ther DVD. Please don't take that as an indication of how much it should cost though!

[tobloggler]

I was at this gig, how wonderful was that! I've posted a full Daniel Johnston concert review over at my site. I would be very interested in buying a DVD, so I've added myself to the mailing list. Good luck with it all!