mathieu_c

Wow, this is insane. The kind of stuff you'd only see in one of those made-for-tv movies.

Can't believe she got nominated.

Strong class this year. Really unpredictable. I'd say Anna Calvi, James Blake, Katy B and PJ Harvey have the most chance of winning. Can't see Elbow winning it twice in a row.

I'll make one too.

That's rather brilliant!

Probably the most consistently brilliant band of the last 10 years. :) I do think it's a bit of a shame that they seem to be forgetting their first two albums on this tour. Newborn used to be a highlight at every gig. And I absolutely adored this song: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nj8Pwqc-Bc]‪Elbow performs "Switching off" live‬‏ - YouTube[/ame] Seriously, just how good can music be...

The Doors, one of the few universally loved bands. I just cannot get into them. Don't know why...

That setlist is just sick. And it's nice that he mixes up the selection of Beatles songs from tour to tour.

Here's a very grainy, lo-fi pic of me playing guitar at The Cavern Club in Liverpool. I know the stage isn't in the same place as in the Beatles days and all, but it's still good fun to play a couple of Beatles tracks there.

Ah, didn't know they were performing together again. It's a one album/hit band, but a good one at that.

It may be a shame that he isn't really the tallest man on earth. This however, is one of the most hauntingly beautiful songs I have heard in a while. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6e2GgQFRPdM]‪The Tallest Man On Earth - I Won't Be Found (piano version)‬‏ - YouTube[/ame]

Yeah, front row is much more comfortable than the middle of the pit. At least you have something to hold on to and it's easier to retain your spot.

I have never witnessed a bigger crush at the front than during a Strokes gig. Then again, that was during their heyday, so things may be a bit calmer now. :) Probably not much though. :P

Here's a pic of me with Matt. The pic was taken a couple of months ago in Brussels.

Just booked a hotel for the Paris show next week. Only one small problem left. I don't have tickets, and it's sold out... .

Hmm, I think rock doesn't get any more real than this: [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2O8KiE2SlNQ]‪The National - Aula Magna Lx 16 Mr. November part 16/18‬‏ - YouTube[/ame] Once you get to know their songs a bit, I think it's one of the most rewarding bands to listen to. Even the calm and slow songs have a brooding intensity underneath them.

Happy birthday Lore!

The album cover is really handsome as well. :cool:

Yeah! Loved it! And the gig just got better and better as it went by.

Oh, another good exercise to build strength would be to do a series of quick up/down strokes on a chord (or chord sequence) and alternate between applying (holding your fingers down) and releasing (muting the strings) pressure. Try to find a good strumming pattern for that. It will help improve your sense of rhythm as well.

I have to add that new Horrors album to the list somewhere. 2011 has been a great year so far. And there's still so much stuff I haven't even listened to.

Perrine, your pics are so awesome! I want your camera. Or your spot in front of the stage. :P As a matter of fact, I do recognise some people in the crowd. :cool:

I've uploaded the rest of the footage to my YouTube channel. It was a four hour drive in non-stop rain, then the gig where it started to rain even harder and then a three hour drive back in the rain as well. Quite a memorable day, but next time I want to see a gig at a location with guaranteed sunshine. :P

It's something that comes with practice I think. Don't put too much pressure on it! It doesn't help to make them sound better and it makes it a lot harder on you. Don't play them with the flat part of your index finger. You should use the edge of your finger. The position of your thumb is also very important. Try to google some pics or video tutorials to get the right position.

OK, I shot this by holding my camera with two fingers underneath my chin and with my arms inside my poncho. So some of it is shaky, but this should give you an idea of how amazing it was. This was Abel, check out what happens to the mic stand at 1:05! [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CwwsyE4xlhU]YouTube - ‪The National - Abel @ Caprera, Bloemendaal‬‏[/ame] This is part of Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks, performed unplugged in the middle of the crowd, getting very very soaked. [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPVyEc31MEI]YouTube - ‪The National - Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks @ Caprera Bloemenda‬‏[/ame] The general awesomeness that is Terrible Love (with the Dessner brothers standing in the rain in front of the stage at the end) [ame=http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JN_0LnbmcjU]YouTube - ‪The National - Terrible Love @ Caprera, Bloemendaal‬‏[/ame] I've got more video footage that I'll add later on. Here's a pic I took as I entered the venue: The National @ Caprera by mathieu_cp, on Flickr