Kings of Convenience

Photo: Åse Holte

It was our first time to watch a show in Esplanade so we didn’t know what to expect. We were in the Circle 3 section which was high up but in the center portion so it was okay. I would’ve wanted to be closer to the stage though. However, I knew the acoustics would have to be great since this was the Esplanade after all!

Kings of Convenience came into the stage amidst the thunderous applause and cheers of the Friday crowd. I think it was Eirik who said that we were louder than the people the other night. Ha!

Man, they are amazing live.

The place suited their show since you can hear the strumming and their clear voices very well. It was a little too orderly at the first half of the performance but Erlend managed to coax the crowd into leaving their seats. They had the crowd singing harmonies (which impressed them because the crowd sounded good!), snapping their fingers and clapping to the beats. Eirik had to leave the stage at one time because he was cold and went to get a sweater. I loved how Erlend was dancing around and making witty comments all throughout the show. At one point he asked the crowd at front to gather closer because “we need a mosh pit.” By the time they played “I’d Rather Dance”, Erlend went down the stage and stepped onto the chairs until he was in the middle portion. This was done while he was dancing!

It was a highly enjoyable show altogether. Even the husband, whose playlist consists of mainly Bon Jovi and Guns n Roses songs, liked it.

I Met Amanda Fucking Palmer and Neil Gaiman Last Night

I would like to thank my husband who is not into these kinds of things but he accompanied me nevertheless. (girlkiss)

Last night was absolutely amazing. And surreal. And insane. Amanda Palmer is fucking insane.

The gig was to be held in Stereolab but when we arrived there, we were informed that they were running a bit late because Amanda was still at a photo shoot. So they opened Stereolounge first so that guests can relax a bit, have a drink or two before the show started. We claimed our free drinks and I looked at the merch that they were selling while waiting. I was hoping to buy the Who Killed Amanda Palmer book but unfortunately Ms. Palmer was not able to bring copies (which she later told us was kinda weird since they were here primarily for the Singapore Writers Festival). They had a browsing copy though so I was able to thumb through the amazing photos and bits of stories. There were shirts there as well but it was pricey (but were slashed down later in the evening to clear all items). I settled for a CD and a poster since there was going to be a signing session after the show.

At around 9PM, they opened the doors to Stereolab. We settled at the middle part of the floor since it was an intimate setting and we would be able to see Amanda from where we were. While waiting, I was observing the crowd since it was my first time to go to a local gig and I’ve heard stories how tame the locals are compared to people back home. The crowd was composed of mostly young people with a sprinkle of expatriates. They were quieter than the Saguijo din that I was used to.

We didn’t have to wait long before the people at the front stirred and cheered. Amanda Palmer took the stage and I was struck by how beautiful she was. Admittedly, I am not familiar with most of the songs she performed but I liked them. Her music is strange, some dark, some were deceiving with their uptempo melodies and twisty lyrics and some were to me just macabre in quality. Husband said it reminded him of Dracula’s Lament sang by Jason Segel in Forgetting Sarah Marshall. Haha.

Amanda Palmer plays a mean piano, ladies and gents. She is loads of fun to watch and she can really charm a crowd. She banters, tells funny anecdotes while sipping an alcoholic beverage in between. Highlights of the gig include:

• Neil Gaiman reading a story from the Who Killed Amanda Palmer book. That guy is amazing. He knows just the right tone and inflections to use during a reading.
• Amanda Palmer taking her Black Sabbath shirt off. She just… took it off. I told you, insane.
• Dildo moment while Amanda was singing Coin Operated Boy. LOL.
• Amanda playing her ukulele.
• Amanda singing I Google You. That’s a fun song.

We were the first in queue for the signing! I shook their hands (how formal) and went on to chat with Amanda while she and Neil signed my stuff. I asked if I can have a picture taken with them but Amanda decided that this had to be done after the signing so that we don’t hold the queue up. So, we hung around and had some drinks. Some time later, I saw Neil leaving the signing booth. I was really sad because I though he would be going back to their hotel. Fortunately, I saw him hanging around at the back and so we hurried and asked him if I can take a picture. He said yes! And I had a chat with him about his dog and how I thought her daughter was really pretty. Anyway, the proof.

And with Amanda.

Amanda and Neil are so nice, accommodating and adorable! I’m so glad we went to the show. <3

How I Got Our Tickets To Amanda Palmer’s Show in Singapore

As soon as I found out that Amanda (fucking) Palmer will be having a show at the Stereolounge on November 1, I immediately emailed the address posted in the newspaper to reserve a couple of seats. Having not been able to secure the free tickets to Ms. Palmer and Neil Gaiman’s reading at the Singapore Writers Festical, I was very determined to watch the said show. I even went as far as tweeting that people should expect a bitch fit if I’m not able to buy tickets.

After an hour or so, I got a response saying that I have two options on how to purchase the tickets: either forward my credit card details for reservation OR go to Stereolounge (located at the Pan Pacific Hotel Marina) directly. Being quite far from where the place is (11 MRT stations away plus a 10-minute walk), I favored the first option.

I sent a clarification email asking which details about the credit card were needed. Another reply came which stated: “Will need credit card numbers, expiry date and cbc numbers.” Shocked, I called the husband to discuss. Uncomfortable with the idea of sending basically everything about the credit card, I asked if they had an online payment method. No, representative said. So I had no choice but to make the trip to the city to purchase the tickets. Oh, and please note that Stereolounge opens at 6pm during weekdays. Great.

I arrived at Marina Square (a stone throw’s away from Pan Pacific) with an hour to spare. Decided to hang a bit at a coffee shop so I can make use of Wireless@SG. Sent a question to Mr. Gaiman (via Twitter) asking if he’ll be at the show, though I wasn’t really expecting an answer. Surprise, surprise.

*SQUEALS LIKE A GIRL*

Anyway, proceeded to Stereolounge, talked to a staff saying I was there to buy the tickets, gave the payment and went inside to take a look around while waiting for the receipt and the actual tickets. I liked the look of the place with its velvet couches and disco ball, not sure about the cost of the drinks and food though. Not long after leaving me to process the transaction, staff returns and hands me the tickets.

Again, the details:

Date: 1st November 2009 (Sunday)
Venue: Stereolab, Pan Pacific Hotel Marina

Tickets are S$38 each (includes one standard drink) available in Stereolounge. For more details, call Eevon at +65 8182 5857 or email reservations@stereolounge.sg.

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See you all there!