Martyn Lovell's Music Activities

Concerts
The thrill of live music

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Chris Jones gave me my first experience of live music during my time at Eton - we went as a tutor group to see Tom Waits at the Hammersmith Odeon in late 1987. I loved the concert and the atmosphere, despite the fact that I had little familiarity with Waits music at the time. Since then I've caught concerts by my favourite artists at least every year, and a few times a year since I moved to Seattle. The list includes my concerts, and comments on the recent ones.

Simon & Garfunkel - Key Arena- 1st November 2003

One of the best things about seeing Simon & Garfunkel is the strength of the back-catalog of superb songwriting they have to draw on. This was a 2 hour set (including a three classic tracks done by the Everly Brothers) filled with songs we recognised, performed with the same grace and gusto one recognises from when they were first written. Sure, Art Garfunkel's top register is not what it was. And Paul Simon never was very showman-like. But these songs really have stood the test of time. There were some poignant moments, some witty exchanges, and a few rough edges. But this was well worth spending time, and a sell-out audience at the Key Arena were begging for more during the two pre-planned Encore breaks.

A really great set: 9/10.

[Present: JayK, StaceyD, MartynL]

Avril Lavigne - Tacoma Dome - 28th April 2003

Josh Joplin - Crocodile, Seattle - 23rd October 2002

Paul McCartney - Tacoma Dome - 19th October 2002

Randy Newman - Seattle Zoo - 24th July 2002

I was pretty unfamiliar with Randy Newman's works before this concert. He's clearly a highly talented writer and a witty performer. He did a full two hour concert in the beautiful outdoors, only singing stuff he had written himself. He has a fairly narrow singing range, but makes up for this with a diverse repertiore and excellent patter between songs.

A very enjoyable evening: 7/10.

[Present: ErleenA, MartynL]

Britney Spears - Tacoma Dome, Tacoma - 29th May 2002

I've always been a fan of simple upbeat pop music. Throughout the years I've enjoyed the early work of mainstream pop artists. Unfortunately, these artists normally either fade from view (Spice Girls) or transition to more 'mature', 'intelligent' music that is generally slower less dance-oriented. Sad but true.

Britney's work so far is exciting, upbeat and fun. Just the sort of thing I enjoy. And by now, she's almost got enough good songs to carry a full concert. Her show at the Tacoma dome was distinctive in several ways. First, her audience is clearly more diverse than that of the Spice Girls (which I saw at the dome about 3 years earlier), which may speak to greater longevity. Second, she had two opening acts, one while people were arriving. Both were dull, but this was probably good for keeping the kids interested.

The most stunning part of the show was the staging. From great lighting and dance routines, to aerial maneuvers, to a complete rainstorm on stage this was the most spectacular concert I've ever seen on stage. But the most surprising part of the show was the quality of the music and the apparently-live singing. Britney was able to hold the audience well for a whole show and deliver a very compelling evening. Once her repertoire expands with one more album, her live show will be a force to be reckoned with.

Great spectacles, good songs. 8/10.

[Present: MartynL, JayK]

Garbage - Moore Theatre - 24th May 2002

[Present: SumedhK, TVivian, JayK, MartynL]

Bjorn Again - Moore Theatre - 3rd May 2002

[Present: PhilipOt, ErleenA, JayK, StaceyD, TinaN & Tony]

Nelly Furtado - Paramount Theatre - 30th January 2002

[Present: KorbyP +1, StaceyD, JayK, RandyK and AmandaK]