Liveblog: Billy Corgan and Spirits in the Sky Tour Kickoff 10:36 pm // Wednesday, August 26, 2009
Posted by Jill in live, news, photo.trackback
Well, folks, it’s time for the highly-anticipated Billy Corgan and Spirits in the Sky tour to begin. I’ve just been informed by HU blogger Jason that we’re about a half hour out from the show’s start at 9pm PST. He and HU reader Sebastian sent the photo at right of the growing line outside.
As some of you have been gathering from the pre-show Twitter feeds, the band was in soundcheck earlier rehearsing plenty of new material, and it really is true (pinch me?!) that stripey-socked Dave Navarro is playing with them tonight. I’m gonna have to get used to that one for the week.
Purple-dyed Linda Strawberry, longtime friend and drummer Kerry Brown, new-kid-on-the-block Mike Byrne, bassist Mark Tulin, and I’m assuming violinist Ysanne Spevack and flautist Kevin Dippold (does that add up to nine?) are in tow. Okay, I missed keyboardist Mark Weitz. (Phew.)
Jason and Seb have already started to send me updates, so let me catch up with my 20 new emails and commence the liveblog:
8:51pm PST – Show should start in about ten minutes. Apparently they let the tapers in early to set up their varying equipment. Picture from inside the venue here.
9:05pm PST – Awaiting first word from inside the venue, but just noticed that Dave Navarro will be calling in tonight to a radio show to give a recap of the Spirits in the Sky gig. Tweet here.
9:06pm PST – Here are the details about that upcoming radio show: Dark Matter with Todd Newman on indie1031.com 10pm-12am PST. Call in at 877-900-1031.
9:07pm PST – First word from Jason. They’re playing a cover of The Seeds – “Can’t Seem to Make You Mine.” Check out the video below [via Sky Sunlight Saxon].
9:10pm PST – “For the first time, I can make you smile” is a lyric from the next song, likely new.
9:15pm PST – Seb tweets and Flickr uploads the first photo of the stage at right. I bet he also fed it to his Facebook. Technology is blowing my mind.
9:18pm PST – Jason texts to say that all songs are full-band with Billy Corgan on acoustic guitar. The third song’s lyrics include “you take your chances on that open road.” Seb tweets that this song has got some “good groove” and the flute is rocking.
9:23pm PST – Apparently, after the third song, Billy jokes “Thank you, Vagina!” in a play on the town’s name. Har har. All Jason has to say about song numero four is “Oh, oh, oh, oh, oh, oh” which I’m assuming means those are lyrics. Jason remarks, “Hit material. Probably stay unreleased.” Har har.
9:24pm PST – Sebastian reports that Billy has invited the audience to sing along with the fourth song, “reminding us beforehand ‘I’m a tyrant, so if you get it wrong, you’re out.’” Hahaha. Let the indie blogs chew on that one. [HINT: What looks like a joke, sounds like a joke, and smells like a joke?]
9:29pm PST – Jason texts to say that “Shine, we’ll shine” was one of the lyrics to the last song. Now we’re off to a blazing start on the fifth song with more lyrics: “La la la la la la la la la.” I feel like this is a Mavis Beacon teaches typing exercise. Seb illuminates with a more allusive lyric: “I am burnt toast, as this West Coast devours you…”
9:32pm PST – Number Six is “Freak,” this time acoustic and Billy Corgan announced it by name. This one’s dedicated to Sky Sunlight Saxon.
9:36pm PST – New song (#7): “Walk me out in the morning” — I wonder how many songs we’ll hear over the course of this six-night tour. We’ll try to keep official count here, but I’m realizing that I’m a little rusty at this liveblog thing.
9:40pm PST – Sebastian sends another photo and adds that song number seven includes morning dew and babies crying in the lyrics. And yes, he needs to put down the phone and enjoy a little music.
9:43pm PST – Seb adds some shots of stage left and stage right to his Flickr stream. I’m beginning to feel like we’re in widescreen format. Maybe we’re moving slowly toward the drum circle formation?
9:44pm PST – Jason texts to say that Billy has already made a “Go Cubs! *cough*” comment prior to the 8th song. Ironically, Number 8 asks “Are You with Us or Against Us?” Subtle.
9:47pm PST – Jason adds that he loves this one, “of course.” And then mentions how he’s seen people in the audience reading HU updates on their iPhones. Meta. Tweet at us @HipstersUnited you anonymous people! How’s the show?
9:50pm PST – Jason texts that the Spirits are gone and it’s now time for Billy Corgan solo. Some sort of English folk singer cover, he says, 1971? “Time has come for me to go” rings in the ninth song. Any ideas?
9:54pm PST – Billy Corgan is now with violinist Ysanne Spevack for the tenth song, which laments “You can’t break free…” Apparently there is already video uploaded here of tonight’s set. Holy crap. Even more video here. Mind blown again.
10:00pm PST – The next song is still with Ysanne, with this lyric: “Play in the sun, Caroline.” Sebastian has passive-aggressively resorted to begging Dave Navarro to please stand up because it sounds good.
10:02pm PST – We know this one: “Song for a Son!”
10:03pm PST – Hahaha, one of our readers in the comments noticed that the local ABC 30 Fresno news interviewed Billy this afternoon – stay tuned here for the interview if you live in the area!
10:10pm PST – Sebastian proclaims: “We have electric guitar.”
10:11pm PST – Jason chimes in – “BC electric now. #13. ‘Picture yourself…’” which I’m assuming is yet another new song.
10:12pm PST – Jason texts one word: “LOUD.”
10:14pm PST – Apparently, the crowd loves the rock. And Seb reports of a ‘barely visible guitar battle,’ pictured at above.
10:16pm PST – The 14th song is another rocker. Possibly titled “Everyone.”
10:20pm PST – Sebastian is “wondering how this song would have gone over at Tazzaria Coffee & Tea,” the much smaller venue they’d originally booked. Point taken!
10:22pm PST – Both Jason and Seb are reporting that the band is covering the Velvet Underground’s “Femme Fatale.” Jason is right on the money — this was on their banana LP.
10:25pm PST – Jason thinks that #16 may be another cover – “Something I Can’t Explain…”?
10:29pm PST – I tweet one hilarious non-sequitur.
10:31pm PST – @CrispyPumpkins says that Billy’s finger is bleeding, but the show must go on. But Sebastian is also saying they’ve left the stage after the rocker. Maybe time for encore? Now Monte’s tweeting a video of the setlist… good luck with that one.
10:34pm PST – I’m still laughing about the poodles.
10:35pm PST – Sebastian reports they’re back on stage and sends the photo above of what looks like a sea of LCD screens. And some rather well-known musicians. Jason texts to say that seventeen sings of “my long-haired lady.” Another new one.
10:38pm PST – Jason reports that we’ve entered a “Rainbow-esque” phase. And that he’s happy again. Oh no.
10:42pm PST – “Navarro shredding. Billy laughing.” Sounds way fun.
10:44pm PST – Sebastian uploaded another cool shot of the show, at right!
10:46pm PST – Both Jason and Seb: “Fini.”
Well, that’s all, folks! The first show is over and it is L-A-T-E on the East Coast. Remember to tune into http://www.indie1031.com/ for a Dave Navarro post-show update! And if you’re in the Visalia / Fresno area, your local ABC News should be playing the Corgan interview shortly!
First pic up, courtesy of Sabastian A. Bach (http://twitter.com/loafofjoy):
http://www.flickr.com/photos/loafofjoy/3860496503/
http://web1.twitpic.com/img/25891820-eed2f926fdf3357ef7bcf125b4618c98.4a9608f2-scaled.jpg
Via someone or other.
What it lacks in atmosphere it makes up for in intimacy.
Is it too early to start analyzing lyrics? So far they’re sounding a little more direct and soulful than most of what he got from Zeitgeist.
“most of what *we got from Zeitgeist”
Anybody figure out the lyrics to “Can’t Seem To Make You Mine” yet?
I think it’s too early to analyze, although it seems that they are more personal than Zeitgeist.
“I think it’s too early to analyze, although it seems that they are more personal than Zeitgeist.”
Yeah… I guess they would be…
I agree, too early to analyze, but what else are we gonna talk about? I think we’re going to have to try and entertain ourselves.
“Oh Oh Oh” lyrics, or just an excited reaction to an awesome song that is potentially “hit material”?
The oh oh ohs were a crowd singalong. The main lyric of the song was about “shine”… Still bringing the light.
@apm
here you go:
http://www.lyricstime.com/the-seeds-can-t-seem-to-make-you-mine-lyrics.html
I’m curious to see if Saxon was a big influence on Billy’s recent songwriting (excluding Freak).
I’m rusty at this. Sheesh. But it sounds fun so far!
“I’m curious to see if Saxon was a big influence on Billy’s recent songwriting (excluding Freak).”
Didn’t Corgan address this fairly recently? It had sounded to me as though Saxon didn’t influence him in a direct sense, but certainly that the relationship affected him in certain ways, and that he might not have written certain kinds of songs (‘Freak’?) if he hadn’t known him.
I donts know what I needs but I needs it now and I cant takes the waits no more!
Probably a recording of one of the new song.
“And yes, he needs to put down the phone and enjoy a little music.”
So, so selfish.
I saw Arcade Fire once and the guy beside me (he came in a business suit–that says something) spent the entire show texting, directly in my line of sight. I had never before felt so acutely the impulse to commit murder.
Good news, everyone!
http://qik.com/video/2682790
Terrible quality, but he sounds terrific. His voice is clear and strong.
I knew it. He is getting frustrated with all the people talking lol
“people in the audience reading HU updates on their iPhones”
Hmm… Reading a liveupdate for a show you’re at.
It’s like a Charlie Kaufman movie.
exactly.
[...] This post was Twitted by stacycurtis [...]
homes of donegal by sean mcbride:
I’ve just dropped in to see you all
I’ll only stay awhile
I want to hear how you’re getting on
I want to hear you smile
I’m happy to be back again
And greet you big and small
For there’s no place on earth just like
The homes of Donegal
I long to see your smiling children
Standing by the door
The kettle boiling on the hearth
As I walk up the floor
And then to see a welcome free
For travellers one and all
For your hearts are like your mountains
In the homes of Donegal
I’d like to stay along with you
And while away the night
With fairy lore and tales of yore
Beside the turf fire bright
And then to see laid out for me
A shake-down by the wall
For there’s rest for weary wanderers
In the homes of Donegal
The time has come for me to go
And bid you all adieu
For the open highway calls me back
To do these things I do
But when I’m travelling far away
Your friendship I’ll recall
And please God I’ll soon return unto
The homes of Donegal
Donegal, Pride of all
Donegal, Pride of all
could it be this song?
Anne Briggs – The Time Has Come
http://www.informatik.uni-hamburg.de/~zierke/anne.briggs/songs/thetimehascome.html
“The Time Has Come” by English folksinger Anne Briggs?
My money’s on the Briggs one. Sounds up Corgan’s alley.
12 more seconds of somewhat-clearer sound:
http://12seconds.tv/channel/johnmc/232390
Yeah, the Briggs song was released in 1971, so that would probably be it.
http://twitter.com/abc30
“Action News caught up with Billy Corgan of the Smashing Pumpkins before his gig in Visalia ? Watch Action News Live at 11 for more”
I’m not that anonymous and I’m going to catch at least 2 more of these shows and Sebastian is cute ;)
that last 12 seconds clip sounds pretty awesome
I meant Jason. I’m sorta drunk lol
“that last 12 seconds clip sounds pretty awesome”
I like the shittier-sounding, longer clip better. Let’s start a debate about which is better. It’ll be like Siamese Dream vs. MCIS.
Oh God, please don’t distract our blogger, Lapis. ;) Whatever you do.. THE LIVEBLOG MUST GO ON!!
Lapis: If you can’t tell the difference between Jason and Sebastian, it’s time to stop drinking ;)
drbenway: I’m with you, the longer clip’s better. FTW!!!
Alright, we’ve already got a “long shit-sounding clip” camp.
Was Sebastian uploading a Youtube clip? Any updates on whether or not that’s working? Because I for one am in favour of it.
I just got the names confuzzled for a sec. I’m keeping yappers at bay for Jason’s tape.
ok, we need another video clip now that we have electric guitar…
This is the quietest metal song I ever heard lol
Picture yourself… On a boat on a river.
RC: yester deniers
That sounds like a real thing. Yesterdeniers. I think you’d call those “conservative republicans”. Ba-dum-bump.
Lapis–good call ;)
I joining the “long shit-sounding clip” camp.N
It looks like it’s pretty much Kerry drumming so far, with Mike B on percussion. Wonder if BC has decided to “save” him for SP tours/keep his drumming out of the spotlight until he’s had more time to brush up?
Oh we are SO gonna own the 12-second clear clip group, whoever they are! We’ve got fuckin’ Stace, we’ve got xyumachine now…
Love “Femme Fatale”. R.E.M. also has a really nice cover of that one, on their Eponymous album. And, Duran Duran covered it on their Wedding Album. I’m sure there are lots of other covers out there, but those are 2 of my favorites.
oh you’ve got me too. ME.
So many covers…
This thing’s over, then. Jill, put it in the headline: shittier-sounding longer clip takes it. Sorry, 12-second clearer clip jerks!
Boom! Roasted.
drbenway: is there *anyone* in the clear clip group? haha.
Interesting to hear about the drummer situation. I’d tend to think it has more to do with “saving him” for the Pumpkins stuff than with giving him time to brush up. Or, maybe even more to do with the large group spirit of this tour–allowing Kerry to be more of a prominent part of it, since he obviously won’t be there for the Pumpkins’ future tours.
In a nutshell, I don’t think Billy would have asked Mike to join the band if he wasn’t ready to play in public.
Jesus Christ, Jill, stay focused!
I agree with Stace. I think Corgan’s said a couple things, and made a few gestures, to make it very clear that this is NOT “The Smashing Pumpkins”, including, for the most part, having no Pumpkins on stage with him.
Also, I don’t think anyone was in the clear clip group either, which is probably why they lost so badly.
That third poodle down looks so sad…
@Stace:
Hey, I’m not at the show, so I’m not 100% sure…just looks like from the pics/vid that it’s Kerry playing so far….
Is anyone else weirded-out by muscular guitarists? It’s just not right. Same with muscular comedians. Joe Piscapo and Carrot Top are weirdos.
Cagle–maybe some of the people at the show can shed some light later. I’d be interested to hear more about it, at any rate.
drbenway–no, I can’t say that muscular guitarists really bother me.
The poodles made me kind of depressed. I think they’re going to want revenge.
One of them looks like a buffalo! Like pygmy buffalo.
recaptcha: one-man deciding
“drbenway–no, I can’t say that muscular guitarists really bother me.”
Well, they ought to. They’re freaks. They’re going to get their own reality show on TLC, soon. It’s called “Little Guitars, Big Arms”.
The buffalo poodle was awesome. I also enjoyed the peacock poodle, although I’m pretty sure he’ll be one of the ones exacting revenge on his owner soon.
drbenway, I’ll set my DVR for that one.
Bach just tweeted that the show’s over.
Stace, I’m just joking, don’t set your DVR, there’s no such show!
Well, that was fun. Thanks Jill!
Now it time to hear some reactions or setlist info.
Ah the waiting…..
My favorite one was the Whoopi Goldbergian Pirates of the Caribbean poodle. Hands down.
Anyone tuning in to http://www.indie1031.com to listen to the Dave Navarro interview?
Haha, I know, drbenway. I know. :)
Thanks Jill, Jason, Sebastian, and all you cool HU readers/commenters for helping me experience a little bit of the fun of tonight’s show. I still wish I was there, but I’m not pining as much as I was before the liveblog.
was Dave already on indie1031?
setlist from netphoria:
http://i32.tinypic.com/3005wfn.jpg
Not yet, I started listening 15 minutes ago.
Please post if Dave is coming on the radio.. I can’t handle this DJ
Navarro is on.
he hung up just now, but will call back.
I just hear the DJ again, did the interview already end?
Dave said Billy is gonna go places if he keeps this up…he is gonna call back
Oh ok.. back on mute for me.. keep us posted :)
Navarro is back on air.
LMFAO.
They looking at HU!
I tuned in late.. what did they say about HU?
Dave was talked very little about the show.
He mentioned reading the live blogging post here at HU.
How he thought Billy’s material is amazing.
He thought the show went really great.
also how Billy doesn’t get enough credit as a great guitar player.
Wouldn’t it been great if he mentioned the poodles?! That would make my night, sadly.
JUST GOT HOME!!! AMAZING!!!!!!! AMAZING!!!!!! AMAZING!!!!!
Jason it was nice to meet you!!!!!
Jason, i was the dude with the cell phone. How strange that my name is also Jason. It was a very awesome show though.
i cant wait to hear the bootleg …
i am happy to see song for a son played
Those PSTs should all be PDTs. :)
/pedant
And that poodle abuse surely needed its own post. :)
coll, waiting bbotlegs!!!
Lucifer Sam! Nice. Syd Barrett era floyd cover
FYI: “Walk Me Out in the Morning Dew” is a Grateful Dead song. I love that song!
Oops, “Morning Dew” is by Tim Rose. Grateful Dead version is just the most well known.
videos:
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=Spcherry84&view=videos
OMG!!!!!!!!!!!
We have some videos and pics on our blog:
http://fresnobeehive.com/2009/08/video_billy_cor.html
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