Club Lestat
Location:
Kristiansand, Markens, Club Lestat
Lineup:
Zensor
+ DJ Cash
Audience:
100
Duration:
64 minutes
Setlist:
Passage
Nothing
Sick Puppy
Strict
Intimat
Wither
Anaemic
I wish
Epikris
Residuum
Stasis
Saliroman
After a learning experience playing at a not quite sold out Tribute in Sandnes the day before, we crammed ourselves into the Zensomobile and headed for Kristiansand and the halloweenparty at the local goth club "Club Lestat". Having a long list of things to be improved we went to the task with more than the usual optimism.
We arrived before schedule at "Markens", venue of the night, and the locals treated us well and we were given a backstage area that was rather impressive. Lots of space, drinks and food. Except for the vegetarian food that sucked, to say the least ("Just remove the ham.")- and the fact that we would be working all day, meaning one sandwich meal won't suffice. The fact offered later on that 'every mortal being eats buns' was hardly useful as consolation. The local crew boasted good enthusiasm, but amateur skill, with the exception of a few - who probably didn't get any time to think things through in between errands.
Problems always show up, and sometimes they have no solution. The previous night we had the worst lights ever, but this time there was no lights at all - and no one to mount some, or run them. Believe this; no matter how good you play, people will not care much if they can´t see you. Somehow, we failed to consider this a problem mainly because 1: We had long list of things to improve as a band and performers from the night before, and 2: We were unable to watch the videotape of the show before it was taped, of course. If we by any chance were given such an opportunity the concert would never have taken place. In addition, the soundcheck was deceivingly pleasant. But what was planned as a more audience friendly gig would turn into the most introvert, alienating show so far.
We played our set according to new regulations of last night, and it turned out pretty good, despite the room resonance giving Steinar and Sakari a hard time filtering out what didn't arrive from the monitors. Some adjustments were done to the setlist after the Tribute gig, making things slightly less bouncy. The set also sported the introduction of Passage - an ambient piece programmed in the car and mixed backstage just prior to kick off.
We were happy to see some couples performing master and slave dances in front of the stage, among the sporadic kissing and headbanging. The audience otherwise behaved a little odd through the set. Between most songs, not a single person applauded or did any kind of gesture indicating that he liked the show. However, the same audience wanted us back for enchores. That came as a little bit of a surprise. But what would we know about Kristiansand´ish concert behaviour?
After the show we had a few beers while trying to blend in as best we could, and were lucky enough to witness a show by a local performance group which demonstrated the ludicrous stage view and the short attention span of the crowd. The tension between regulars and the random dress up halloweeners was amusingly appearant, as well as general excessive intoxication as the hours ran out.
At the end of the night we were escorted to a nice, old little house downtown. Very nice and very crowded. Sleeping on almost every level surface offered, we did our best not to knock down the petite bowl of glass where a huge and probably not to friendly spider also tried to get some sleep. We swear the CD stack was in shambles before we arrived, and hereby restate our thanks for your hospitality, each one and all.
Well home again, the posters and flyers for the event returned unopened, forcing us to ad further points to the rider. All in all a thing not to be repeated, but by the looks of things, Lestat's next event will boast more effort in advance, and a new board of direction. Best of luck.