Mark Ronson and The Business International at The Hackney Empire
Friday, October 1, 2010 at 4:43PM Two nights ago I had an amazing night out at The Hackney Empire. After a dodgy dinner (with questionable service to boot), I walked in the rain through a crowded mixture of young trendies and media-types and ladies of a certain age, to the entrance. As the evening's events were a surprise, I was even more excited when I realised what we were about to watch! Mark Ronson's new album 'Record Collection' had arrived in the post a few days earlier so I had only listened to the whole album twice before the show. This did not matter one bit, as the songs are catchy in an un-obvious sort of way. They're sort of off-beat and kooky but at the same time accessible and so reminiscent of the '80s pop-synth records I grew up with (hence the ladies of a certain age!) :)
The band is joined onsatge by his idols and mine, Duran Duran
I find it amazing, watching musicians create their art in front of me, which is why I love gigs and concerts so much. It's the idea that I'm watching people 'in flow', doing what they love and sharing it with others. It's the 'liveness' of it all, and although it was utterly professional, I was able to see into the wings of the stage from where I was sitting, and got to see people milling about, out of character as it were. Whether or not you like the style of music or the bands, is of course a matter of personal taste. I think you can tell, I was blown away!
The band is joined onstage by Boy George
Mark Ronson onstage with Amanda Warner
Watching in awe, inside the Hackney Empire
Original mosaic work in the entrance to The Hackney Empire
The entrance to The Hackney Empire, a beautiful intimate venue