No idea who the support were, no-one cared, no-one watched.
For those of you who have no idea who Gogol Bordello are, be introduced to the world of gypsy punk and the finest live show ever. A night with Gogol is party night. It's new years eve mixed with a St Patrick's day atmosphere and a lot of jumping around. It's the best fun you can have. Phil Jupitus described them on 'Later' as 'The Clash and The Pogues having a fight in eastern Europe' and he's not wrong.
The sound wasn't great, but that didn't stop the inevitable, there's no fighting the lure of the front and off Josh and I bounded. Traditionally, I always go slightly to the right, for Pam. But this time there was more middle action as Pam didn't stick to the Pam plan of sticking to her side. So, the usual two or three songs, then a breather for several while I tucked my lungs back into where they should be, then back to the jumping around.
Lots of new songs this time, I mean new to the live shows for me from their latest album 'Super Taranta' and to be honest, they don't compare with the older ones. I'm a traditionalist, the set from this time last year was best. To be fair, there was a good load of the old played stuff and they were just as good as ever and worth it for them alone. The old favs, Mishto, Undestructable, 60 Revolutions, Not A Crime, Think Locally... and of course the crowd pleaser Start Wearing Purple (not a personal favourite, but good for a jig about) plus my far and away favourite Baro Faro, others too East Infection and Bordelllo Kind Of Guy.
A bloomin' good evening it was. What's great about Gogol gigs is the smiles, everyone has a big smile on their face and it's one big party, everyone loves one another. It's always fun to watch the security at the front, they start off all hard and tough, a few songs in there's a twinkle in their eye, 7 or 8 songs in and they are in full on party mood too, they don't care about looking tough any more, they are having a good time, there seems to be a sense of wonder and disbelief in their smiles. They've been security for years and years, but you can tell that they've not experienced anything quite like this before.
How did this one compare? Well, it has to be said that this wasn't anywhere near as good as Oxford or Paris last year, they will be very hard to beat. In terms of all the Gogol gigs I've seen, it was well down the list, due in part to the bad sound, the set and the lack of intimacy with the band these larger venues deliver. Perhaps a big chunk of the old becoming a victim of their own success was starting to shine through. However, not all is lost and it was a great night I wouldn't have missed, compared to other Gogol gigs it was mediocre, compared to other gigs from other bands, it blew them out of the water.
If I have no other purpose on this planet than to urge any of you people to go to a Gogol Bordello gig then it's all been worthwhile. Please go and see them, but please go soon before it's too late.
