Gogol Bordello, 27 November 2010, Leeds Refectory

-
Gogol Bordello are an eight piece incredible force of energy which turned an icy Saturday night skate to the Refectory into a tsunami of punk-gypsy-rock debauchery. Having watched their release 'Live From Axis Mundi' the month prior to the gig, I knew it would be a show not to be missed yet I wasn't expecting the gig to be so incendiary.



Standing in the middle of the Refectory, a fairly decent venue with a stage fit for kings, was never going to be a good idea. Waltzing on to the latest release 'Tribal Connection' the crowds descended into mass circling, moshing pit of carnage...rampaging fun.Within the first five minutes, one unlucky pogo-er had lost their left shoe.

Retreating back to admire Hutz and his insane band of fire-bucket force from the edges of the crowd, it was brilliant to watch the showmanship and punk cabaret that Bordello gave. An incredible live performance, every band member give it their all to deliver an intense rendition of songs spanning their six album releases. The crowd too played it's part, the mass waltz that broke out to 'Start Wearing Purple' was triumphant.

Eugene emerged for an acoustic encore which burned as brightly as any of the punk paced songs earlier. Finishing with 'Alcohol' Bordello bowed out in true punk cabaret style, the crowd pouring out past the abandoned shoes, coats and drinks to the winter night.

A band that belong on stage for the right reasons, truly believing in music and their power to change the landscape around them, Gogol Bordello are well worth checking out if you get the chance.

Setlist:
Tribal Connection
Not A Crime
Wonderlust King
My Companjera
Last One Goes The Hope
Trans-Continental Hustle
Immigraniada
Break The Spell
Raise The Knowledge
American Wedding
Pala Tute
Start Wearing Purple
Break The Spell (Reprise)
Encore:
When Universes Collide
Sun Is On My Side / Undestructable
Alcohol

Comments

  1. Unknown17 December 2015 at 14:14

    Hi there,
    Great piece on the Gogol Bordello gig! My name is Becky and I work in the University of Leeds Alumni office on our online scrapbook (https://alumni.leeds.ac.uk/alumni_scrapbook). We are currently working to build a music section into the scrapbook and would love to feature you photo and post on it! Would we be able to? We would, of course, give you full credit for anything used.
    Let me know and have a lovely Christmas,
    Becky
    extalum9@adm.leeds.ac.uk

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Cribs, York Barbican, 3 November 2012

-
Image
It's been a bounty of gigs this week, and to add to the loot was a headline set by the Cribs. Hailing from nearby Wakefield there was a huge turnout from seemingly across the county which led to the biggest gig attendance in York I've ever witnessed. On the way in, we walked past someone taking a leak outside which summed up the atmosphere when entering the venue - people were here to have a good time, and clearly the party had already started. Getting a beer involved navigating a bust-up, dodging Bez-style dancing and a beleaguered bouncer - it felt like entering the ring, no doubt about it - seeing the Cribs was going to be an event. Topical  winter photo. Walking onstage to 'God Gave Rock 'N' Roll To You', the Jarman collective swaggered on stage in a way that only a band in the richest of forms do. The reaction was incredible from the crowd, there was an air of welcoming heroes back which seemed to spur the band on, they fed off the atmosphere. We
Read more

Thomas Truax, Fulford Arms, 18 May 2016

-
Image
The night magic came to York… The night started in Fulford Arms, York (one of the city’s best venues for live music) and ended in Wowtown, courtesy of Thomas Truax. I admit prior to the evening I knew little of his work, save for his reputation of inventing his own instruments. Starting with ‘Inside the Internet’, complete with dial up tones, it felt like the beginning of, what was, a very special evening. Words can’t really describe the gig in justice, but here’s a selection. There’s an incredible inventiveness about Thomas Truax that’s completely mesmerising. Sounding at times like a complete orchestra, it’s an one-man show like no other. It sounds impressive, ‘invents his own instruments’, but it’s more than just putting an extra string on a guitar (which may also be great). We’re talking hornicators, gramophones, beaters, mouthpieces from saxophones, fishing reels, a spinning jenny, just to list a few. I’m not one for superlatives, but to me, it’s complete genius. Th
Read more