Gig Review - Zero 7
Monday 28th September 2009 @ Colston Hall, Bristol
The newly refurbished Colston Hall is tonight playing host to the first date on Zero 7’s latest tour in promotion of their latest album, Yeah Ghost. As with previous Zero 7 albums and tours, there are many different vocalists and musicians that make up the songs that you hear.
Their set was predominantly filled with tracks from the aforementioned album but each track seems to be given a beefy makeover for the live show like the opening track, the infectious and funky Mr Mcgee. Never would I have thought I would see people compelled to dance to such a chilled out band as Zero 7. It seems that this tour is as much about making people want to move as freezing them to the spot with beautiful down tempo songs.
Given that this is the beginning of the UK tour, it is forgivable to see that the changeovers and mixing of songs was a tad rough around the edges in places. As a whole live set, they have already perfected a way of building the audience up to a dancing frenzy then calming them with a soothing beat or vocal to lead to the next track. Famous tracks such as Destiny and Speed Dial No.2 were freshened up with syncopated beats and lush electronica for the crowd. The most noticeable change to a famous track was In The Waiting Line which was sang in an acoustic folk style with a completely new melody. This was brought in as a much appreciated encore and made the crowd perfectly still and silent as they listened to the new vocalist give the song a new life.
Speaking of new vocalists, even though there was no sign of Zero 7 favourites such as Sia Furler, Sophie, Jose Gonzales or Tina Dico, the new singers made the songs their own. As a long term fan of this band, I wondered if the lack of the original vocalists would lessen the impact of the songs they if they were performed but I was pleased to see that it didn’t at all. Although I missed hearing Sia’s vocals on her tracks, it did not detract from the show and the enjoyment of the songs themselves.
Zero 7 seem to have become a wonderful, versatile live act that will no doubt steal all of next year’s festivals. If anyone thought that this band were only as good as the sum of their recorded collaborations, then they need to see them live to realise that good song writing and musicianship can create a whole new atmosphere to songs you thought you knew. This band have become less of an act trying to recreate their records live and more of a live experience, recreating the reason why you fell in love with the songs in the first place.
Stu Freeman
Copyright © 2008
October 1st, 2009 at 4:54 pm
I was at this gig, and thought this new approach sucked big time, having caught them at Glasto in the tent with the old favorite singers I was expecting this again but was sorely let down by this new line up and from my ‘chilled fan’ point of view weak new material. The mix, well obviously like mentioned above it was beefed up for the live show and appeared to be mixed by someone clearly wanting to mix Iron maiden and Nine inch nails.
It seems the band are heading in new directions now, and from one fan who loves the recreation of the albums on stage and the sound production behind that, (that’s the first three ablums), well I am moving on and skipping this new album because it holds nothing of the older lineup I like. yes its good, yes its new, and that’s good. But, I like the old and new in the style of. Will wait for the next album or try see them once more in 2010 at a smaller fest if other older fav singers are confirmed.
I really did expect to see at least one of past singers, Sia Furler, Sophie, Jose Gonzales or Tina Dico, even Moses, and as soon as the new singers starting signing Sia’s songs I knew the gig was over for me and just tried to sit back and hang in there.
October 4th, 2009 at 12:55 pm
I was there too, i liked the gig, but there were a few things that could have been done better. totally didnt like the version of Destiny they did - for me that song will only ever sound great if Sia is singing it -. also thought it was a tad hard in places!!
October 5th, 2009 at 7:16 pm
Sorry… How did you post this review on Monday 28th October 2009?
October 5th, 2009 at 10:47 pm
oops - wrong month added!
All changed!
Cheers
x
October 6th, 2009 at 10:54 pm
I saw Zero 7 at Leeds last night. I was glad that I had bought and listened to the new album a few times, as expected the gig was largely centred around introducing and promoting the new sounds.
Having been a fan for some time, I loved Sia’s vocals and her interactive humorous stage presence at previous appearances, but determined to approach the gig with an open mind. I really enjoyed the addition of the new powerful singers and like the direction the band is taking. You will always get critics when introducing change, but progression is vital for a band to stay interesting and fresh and the new more uptempo songs were well received in Leeds.
I wasn’t so keen on the folk arrangement of ‘Waiting Line’ but otherwise loved the whole thing, especially some of the instrumental passages. It was impossible not to dance!
October 6th, 2009 at 11:38 pm
Just got back from the Brighton Gig - for the first time in my life I left something early. This was truly awful.
I Prefer Tinnitus
October 7th, 2009 at 9:49 am
I went to see them last night in Brighton and like ‘Jon in Wales’ disappointment ran through me. I have been a fan for years but had never got the chance to see them live - the songs that made me love Zero 7 were given different melodies, rhythms and a twist.
I guess the Zero 7 I expected to see has moved on and left me behind - shame.
October 7th, 2009 at 1:05 pm
I was at Brighton and agree with the last two comments. This was a schizophrenic band seemingly determined to alienate faithful followers of their smooth chilled-out groove by making everything, even the old songs, edgy and experimental (or more simply dull). Frankly it was boring. The attempts to get the audience involved and the occasional silly dances at the front of the stage were embarrassing. No one had an ounce of stage presence or real communication with the audience. Who wants to watch a dozen people hiding behind keyboards at the rear of the stage for 2 hours? The instrumentals were terrible self-indulgent noisy noodlings. Some of the more folky vocal arrangements were OK, and a guest appearance by Martha Tilston, was arguably the highlight of the evening.
October 9th, 2009 at 2:52 pm
I agree with the last three comments. I saw them in london last night and for the first time in my life I walked out of a gig early. Very disappointed!
October 10th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Just saw them in London, and have to say, where the hell did Zero 7 go?!
Saw them a few years ago, with Sia I think, and they sounded great!
Now theyre this horrible mix of gospel, drum and bass, and really old sounding new wave techno crap… wtf?!
2nd concert Ive ever walked out of
October 10th, 2009 at 2:22 pm
I was in London and totally agree with Shauna, there was no stage presence what so ever. I left early and it couldnt come too soon.
October 11th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
I remember the first time I heard Zero 7, it was 2001 and i was in HMV Oxford Street messing about on one of the listening posts and then Simple Things started. From that moment I would consider myself a fan who has just about everything they’ve ever recorded, even the more obscure b-sides.
I even think Yeah Ghost is a grower and not without merit, so it pains me to say I have to agree with Paul 2nd review above me. I was at the the Roundhouse on the 9th and left after 45 mins because what I heard smacked of muso self inulgence, we might as well not have been there. I was amazed by how many people had the same idea as we met on our way out.
If I want to be blinded by a powerful lighting rig while listening to rambling prog-rock, I’ll buy a ticket for a Rick Wakeman gig. If thats progress you can keep it.
October 15th, 2009 at 9:16 pm
[...] 4 weeks and not slept a jot (there is evidence, too) and I’m still reeling from that awful zero 7 gig that I walked out of last week. (FULL [...]
October 16th, 2009 at 6:01 pm
Having also left the London gig in a combination of shock and disgust (first time I’ve left a concert too) it just seemed Zero 7 were having some kind of major identity crisis - at one point I think they even thought they were Dreadzone, but mostly they sounded like a piss-poor pub band who needed to rehearse a bit more. Where were the beautiful melodies they’re deservedly famous for?
I was left hugely confused by the fact that there seemed to be people who stayed behind, apparently enjoying the concert. Granted, most of their dancing suggested they lacked any rhythmn / ears, but reading these entries has made me feel sane again. Phew. Thank you…