Here Come The Tears*
*warning: this post contains gushing.


Stuart and I had dinner at the Slug and Lettuce Pub in Shepherd's Bush. It was surprisingly empty, but that was a good thing. We got comfy window seats by the door. This came in very handy when Bernard Butler, Nathan Fisher and Tears hangers on walked in.

Stuart and I acted totally cool and didn't stare too much. Bernard looked like the rock star he is in his leather jacket as he propped up the bar.

We must have been in Shepherd's Bush for two hours before we actually wandered over to the Empire. Sadly, we missed The Veils, whom people have been raving about. Even more sadly, we caught the Jules, who were utter dribble and hard-work.

I wore big boots to the gig so I could have a better view and my feet were killing me by the time The Tears were due to come on. The lights dimmed, and the music started. Suddenly Brett was standing at the edge of the stage in a messianic pose under the blue-black lighting. The crowd went wild, Brett smirked and then they launched into Lovers (due to be the next single out June 20th.)

The music was sounding tight, fluid and big. The band seemed far more at ease and confident with the material than they had at their previous London show in February. Most interestingly they seemed incredibly grateful to the audience and Brett repeatedly thanked everyone for their "enthusiasm and patience."

The audience was definitely far more receptive and-dare I say it-adoring than in previous shows.

My complaints would be that Brett kept crouching down low so that for quite a bit of the show we couldn't see him. Also, Brett's mic seemed turned down a bit low, so it's a good thing his voice is so loud and powerful.

Bernard was just the guitar hero he always is. It's no exaggeration when the press refer to him as the greatest guitarist of his generation.

What the Tears are great at is ballads, the slow stuff. New track "Europe After the Rain" and "Song for the Migrant Workers" are intense, powerful and elegant. My favourite track has to be Apollo 13, though. brat's voice just shines in this one. Has to be heard to be believed. When he announced it was the next track the audienc cheered wildly, to which he asked wryly "How do you people know all these songs?"

Overall, it was just a fantastic, heartfelt show and I cannot wait to see them live again. *contented sigh*

Here are some pics from the show.


Set List:

lovers
autograph
imperfections
lowlife
asylum
europe after the rain
song for the migrant worker
brave new century
beautiful pain
refugees
two creatures
apollo 13

------------ Encore

love as strong as death
ghost of you
southern rain