Incubus @ Fort Canning Park - 7 March 2008

Lights! Camera! Transaction! The Incubus concert kicked off at 9pm sharp, after opening band Saosin from California psyched the crowd up with a one hour set and the obligatory waiting for the rock stars. I haven't heard of Saosin (don't you just love the pronounciation?) before until the media started to give them some attention but they definately had their own fans out there in the sea of Incubus fanatics. People who were already jumping and mouthing lyrics to their brand of emo hardcore rock.

Speaking of the fans, what a crowd I'm telling you. We reached Fort Canning a little past 8pm and the sloping grassy area before the stage was already packed to the brim. And so I conclude that we do have plenty of Incubus fans in the country (just that I don't happen to know alot of them) and they were out in full force that night. I got the concert T-shirt which they were selling @ $40 before we weaved into the dense forest of people to find a good spot. The idea was to try to squeeze to the front when there was an opportunity.

The concert people decided to treat us to some 80s retro music while we waiting for Incubus and well, at least there were some people who were enjoying the good memories.

Once the band burst onto the stage with the very charismatic frontman Brandon Boyd, they began with introducing two songs from their latest album Light Grenades, "Quicksand" and "A Kiss To Send Us Off". "OK now the monster is awake..." crooned Brandon and how apt that line was. The built up was fantastic to the energetic chorus of AKTSUF and the band cleverly followed up with old favourites like "Nice To Know You" and "I Wish You Were Here". I wish you were there to experience that sort of phenomenon whereby you have the whole Fort Canning singing along. It was like some hippie movement whereby everyone was obsessed with the Incubus cause and where happiness permeated all the molecules in the air, which started to thump with the deafening beats of pure adoration. Who knows...maybe the security guards and bouncers were head-bopping too. It was that infectious.

One of the highlights has got be when Brandon sang one of their biggest hits "Drive" acoustic when the crowd's voices almost threatened to drown out his voice. The sound system was fantastic and the band were in top form, despite their intensive tour schedule. Brandon's vocals were solid, lead guitarist Michael Einziger stole the show at some points and DJ Kilmore added the unique factor with his turntablist skills. Mr Brandon showcased his guitar skills and played the bongo drums during one of the songs. We got to experience some serious guitar riffs and amazing combinations during the longer than usual Pistola. Phew. Their secret arsenal must be an infinite ageless passion for music.

The crowd went berserk (including myself) when Megalomanic was played. Even back where we stood, some 4 metres away from the stage, there was some minor moshing going on. I got shovelled a few times and Siv tried to ensure I didn't get any broken bones lolz. Oh well, if not for the wierd sickness that overcame me during the last third of the gig, I would have lurged forward, joined in the moshing, whatever. So yeah, that was a little disappointing for me. Being at such an amazing occasion but trying not to faint from the sharp pain in the stomach, accompanying nausea and stifling whiff of sweat and cigarettes that wrapped around us like a thick blanket.

Brandon made some lusty fans very happy when he stripped from his red pleated shirt, to grey singlet and to topless. Blame our notorious humidity but I think he does that quite often during their concerts. During one part of the concert, this guy from behind actually shouted something about wanted to (censored word) Brandon and coincidentally, Brandon muttered "thank you". Siv and I just looked at each other and laughed. So Brandon is certified hot and his appeal extends to both sexes. I mean some groupie wannabies were definately there for him but I'll like to think that most of us were united in our love for their talent and distinctive music.

Megalomaniac was the last song of their 14 song set but after much cajoling for an encore from the tireless crowd, the boys returned with an encore set which comprised of "Stellar", "Circles" and "Aqueous Transmission".

I’m building an antenna
Transmissions will be sent
When I am through
Maybe we can meet again
- Aqueous Transmission

So it was of the best concerts I've ever attended, though they didn't play "Warning". It was nice to know Incubus, live. I hope we can meet again.

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Complete Set List

1) Quicksand
2) A Kiss To Send Us Off
3) Nice To Know You
4) I Wish You Were Here
5) Anna Molly
6) Vitamin
7) Favourite Things
8) The Warmth
9) Drive
10) Oil and Water
11) Pistola
12) Talk Shows on Mute
13) Sick Little Sad World
14) Megalomaniac

Encore set

15) Stellar
16) Circles
17) Aqueous Tranmission

Jet - The Shine On Tour 2007

Before I start this review, I have a confession to make. Unlike the previous Franz Ferdinand, Hoobastank, No Doubt/Cranberries and Linkin Park gigs that I have attended, I wasn't all that familiar about Jet when I was at their gig last tuesday. All I knew were a couple of lines from some of their songs and that their music is hard to resist. The loud hard ones are really catchy and boisterous enough to make you want to nod your head to while their ballads are mellow and heartfelt without being overly sappy.

I recieved their debut album "Get Born" as a birthday present when it was released in 2004 and took an immediate liking to their brand of rock and roll. I heard "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" and "Look What You Have Done" before they became way overplayed everywhere. But that meant exposure for the band which is a good thing. "AYGBMG" was featured in an Ipod advertisement on telly while "LWYD" was typical background music for teenage drama series (The OC anyone?). Anyway, their first album also consists of other rock gems and their music was a good enough reason to catch them live.

19th of June 2007.

Our tickets indicated that the concert was supposed to start at 8pm. As we made our way on foot from SMU to Fort Canning Park after dinner at TCC, we could hear strains of thumping music emanating from the hill above. We were worried. Surely, Jet couldn't be that punctual. Rockstars are well known for being exceptionally late and keeping their fans waiting in anticipation. The thought of missing any bit of Jet in action was unsettling. Upon reaching our destination, we realized that our fears were unfounded. The loud bass beats were courtesy of the opening acts.

We had to queue to get in but the line moved pretty fast. Once inside the gate, we saw that splotches of concert-goers had already made themselves comfortable on the slopey green grass patch in front of the stage. Not surprisingly, quite a significant percentage were non locals. There were three side tents selling the band's merchandise, booze and Botak Jones grub respectively. Botak Jones by the way is a very successful American food franchise that is reknown for its cheap restaurant quality grub in heartland areas. I bought myself a black Jet concert Tee, Jo got some nifty badges while Yv took home with her the band's poster and "Shine On" cd.

We found ourselves a good spot like 3 metres away from the stage and joined the crowd in hollering out for Jet. At 9pm sharp, frontman Nic Cester strutted out on stage followed in casual rhythm by the rest of the band. The first thing you notice is how sharply these dudes are dressed. Nic was at his modern bohemian best - long white flowing shirt, paired with a black blazer, pastel scarf and sandals. Somehow, he reminded me of a clean shaven John Lennon. In my head, I was just wondering how long he could last in that power outfit. The band didn't last long. Soon after, Nic uttered "Oh the humidity!" and did away with his thick jacket. His brother drummer Chris Cester was already shirtless but he looked really cool with his black police cap and white pants. "Did I just hear some guy say take it off??" he muses to the crowd. Sure enough, this Aussie guy just inches away from me was enthusiastically chanting "Rip it off! Rip it off!!!", making Jo and I collapse into fits of laughter.

Throughout the 90mins set, the band entertained the audience with songs from both albums, effortlessly alternating between adrenaline stompers like "That's All Lies", "Stand Up" and "Cold Hard Bitch" and acoustic slow numbers like "Move On", "Radio Song" and "King's Horses" but it was their two hit anthems which catapulated them to fame worldwide that really got the crowd moving. Kids as young as 7 and adults alike were all jumping to "Are You Gonna Be My Girl" while the band seemed pleased that the audience knew all the lyrics to "Look What You've Done". Some people even took out their lighters and started waving them in synchronized manner.

It was clear where the band got their influences (both in music and style) from. Their music were sometimes reminiscent of The Who, Rolling Stones and even Oasis. Guitarist Cameron Muncey was staggering stylishly around stage often with a cigarette sticking from his mouth while drummer Chris was in languid Iggy Pop mode everytime he rested from his drum duties. Lead singer Nic made an impression with his flexible vocals as he managed to sound good screaming/shrieking during some of the fast numbers and then incredibly poignant during his solo rendition of "Shine On". He mentioned that this song was really special to him and I later learnt that it was written in memory of the boys' father who had died of cancer. "Shine On" was part of the encore set that also included "Eleanor" and "Rollover DJ". I was rather disappointed that they didn't play "Sgt. Major" which is one of my favourites but the concert was nevetheless amazing.

One of the band's best moments came, not when they were belting out those famous radio friendly rock anthems but when the Cester brothers were singing in harmony to Eleanor, each armed only with a guitar and tambourine respectively. It was so earnest, tender and beautiful, it simply took my breath away. Just like this concert did.