Wellington, The James Cabaret and Mogwai's management
Went to see Mogwai last night. The venue The James, (never been before), is another piss poor music venue in Wellington which is too small, cramped and only has one bar.
It was Mogwai FFS of course it was going to sell out. The venue was heaving and I'd hate to think what would happen should a fire alarm go off.
The main issue was the volume. It was ear-splitting. I have tinnitus and hearing loss after almost destroying my hearing going to gigs. The band's PA system was sat above the croud so there was nothing to absorb the sound. I looked around to see people putting their fingers in their ears.
We lasted two and a half numbers. We also watched other people leave the gig. I asked another couple why they were leaving and they said it was because of the volume of the sound.
The gig cost $75 a ticket each and we where in there about 20 minutes and about 10 minutes of that was the band was playing.
In this day and age no public event should be inflicting that much sound on an audience. Sure it used to happen but in those days none of us realized the effects of hearing loss.
When will Wellington build a decent venue? For a capital city it is a joke.
The Town Hall - good sound but only one bar.
ASB - Terrible sound, poorly designed for safety and bouncy floors.
"Jimmies" - Rubbish seating and soulless.
The Opera House - rubbish seating and gets way too hot in the gods.
SF Bath House and Bodega - good venues but too small for a lot of bands.
http://myspiltmilk.com/last-night-mogwai-threatens-organ-integrity - interesting will email the band.