listened to a couple of tunes off this and I really dig the album.

Any idea when tickets for wbster hall go on sale?

This is what I've been waiting for.....the chance to see Paul Simonon live.....on bass! Should be amazing.

The bookers at Webster Hall are doing a great job. Too bad the venue is terrible.

dammit why does it always have to be webster hall? Don't they know I am never going back there?

Besides the costs of drinks, what is everyone's problem with Webster Hall? And if there is a better venue of comparable size in the city, what is it? Sounds to me like you're just a bunch of cunts. Webster Hall is fine

And don't tell me that the sound at Webster sucks. That's just plain bullshit. The only sound guys who make that place sound bad is the ones travelling with the bands you are there to see. The house guys are great

the person above is a sound guy at webster hall.

I would like WEbster Hall much better if the music was so LOUD.

I have never complained about the sound at Webster Hall, it's everything else about the place that sucks, this is not an isolated opinion, many Many MANY people are just fed up with the jerks who have anything to do with running the place. If the above poster defending the sound works at Webster, case in point.

Webster Hall aside, what do people think of this band's CD? I'm immediately turned off by the supergroup thing. Thoughts?

I love the cd, but I am huge Damon Albarn fan. I am not convinced the live shows are going to be anything to write home about but I definetly would like to see them once.

If anyone gets word of when tickets to this show go on sale...please share with the rest of us.

Webster Hall, as a venue, is okay. The people that work there leave a lot to be desired. How aboug comparing it to the Nokia theatre? Is that place worth a damn? Or better yet, fuck Nokia and Webster and do three nights at the Bowery. Does it really make a difference? The crowd will be just as jaded as the last "big" show you saw at Nokia, Webster or Bowery.

My suggestion....fuck the industry heavy crowds in this fine city of ours and go to Philly or DC to get better venues, cheaper tickets, better crowds, nice security (holy christ!)....blah blah blah.

By the way - brooklynvegan.com is a fantastic site. Thanks for keeping it up.

i just heard that live concert where they played the album in full in order...i thought it was ultra weak...though, ive never been a fan of albarn. as much as i dig paul simonon, i doubt im missing much by seeing him play bass in this band.

SPECIFICALLY, what is so bad about the place?

'jerks who have anything to do with running the place'

Who? How? Examples?

I love Herculean and a couple other songs on the album are very good. It's not a bad album, just a bit dull in parts. I need to give it more time to really decide.

I think they put a lot of energy into the live show which was not at all captured on the album. The live songs sound completely different. Plus in all of their UK gigs they really put an effort into creating this old time circus atmosphere so if they do that here it may be interesting - or at least unique.

(Or maybe I should just say they suck so I can make sure I get a ticket.)

specifically:

the bouncers are nasty as hell

the bartenders are passive-agressively nasty, they let you stand where you think you are supposed to for 15 minutes and then when you get to the bar you are told you are not in the right line

the stairways are filthy and slippery with spilled drinks and trash as you leave the hall

the exits are all sealed off except for one, creating a fire hazard at the least when the show is over

anyone else care to join in?

the irony is that it is the same management group as Bowery, which in comparison is a delight vis-a-vis each of the above Webster observations; it's clean, the staff is courteous and helpful, there are multiple exits, the bar staff is friendly and informative, etc.

I think Webster Hall is a good venue, but I don't think it's the right place for the type of music The Good, The Bad, & The Queen play.

Maybe Town Hall or Radio City, which I wouldn't see them having any problems selling out.

I think BRMC at Webster Hall was one of my favorite shows last year, and I'm a big Damon fan - but I don't see that venue really working for their sound.

The primary reason why I never went back to Webster Hall was the layout was terrible. I relunctantly went back to a show last year, and I noticed a new layout. Not bad!

But the main problem with Webster Hall is the heat. Doesn't matter if the show is in Jan or Aug, the temperature inside is over 100 degrees.

I have no problems with the bouncers, but the bartenders are terrible. NYC is filled with bad bartenders, but WH is one of the worst. Plus, the stairs are a fire hazard waiting to happen. It's just a matter of time before someone dies.

Mr David McCaffredy you could not be more right. The Town Hall would have been PERFECT. It's my favorite venue in the city by far.

Albarn is a genius.
Like a posted said above, his live shows are amazing.
With the exception being the self titled blur tour in 97.

I would perfer to be seated for this concert. My girlfriend is gonna be mighty disappointed to hear its standing room, shes only 5'3.

Have her sit on your shoulders and show us her tits.....

The bouncers are the worst i've encountered anywhere. Especially the one being so polite to this female interviewer here (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LGsxL4Sj5Ng) at about 1:50.

I'm pretty tired of short people bitching about concerts. It's not that I don't feel bad for them--I do--but there's not much that can be done about it. I especially hate when I go out of my way to TRY and lean to the side, or move, or whatever to accommodate said short people, and it's still not enough and they still act all bitchy.

"I'm pretty tired of short people bitching about concerts."

Exactly. Blame mother nature for your inferior genetics, not others.

5 Reasons that Webster Hall sucks...

5. The bathrooms are too far away from the stage (& the dude in the bathroom is always playing some bad reggae).

4. The drinks are overpriced (even by NYC standards).

3. The set times are always dependent on other events and opening the "club".

2. The layout is terrible for concerts (especially for short people).

1. The sound is atrocious. You have to stand directly in front of the stage to get decent sound and even then all the sound escapes up into the ceiling.

"You have to stand directly in front of the stage to get decent sound"

That hasn't been my experience. I've found that standing well back from the stage is better -- that way you can hear the sound from the big banks of speakers above the stage.

"You have to stand directly in front of the stage to get decent sound"

That hasn't been my experience. I've found that standing well back from the stage is better -- that way you can hear the sound from the big banks of speakers above the stage.

I agree... I meant stand in direct view of the stage, not necessarily on top of the stage. Cheers.

thanks! i love the album and have been listening to it non-stop. i hope i can get a ticket for the show!

according to bowerypresents.com: tix on sale Feb. 7 at noon

$30.00

My main gripe with Webster is the sight lines--when you're upstairs, you basically need to be at the railing to see the stage. And if you're standing near the back on the floor, it's hard to see the stage very well.

Let's face it--Bowery is the best.

5. The bathrooms are too far away from the stage (& the dude in the bathroom is always playing some bad reggae).
* That's the lamest reason to hate a place ever. Irving, Bowery, Hammerstein... almost every venue has a toilet far away from the stage. You're just fucking lazy (or hold it too long)

4. The drinks are overpriced (even by NYC standards).
* $6 buds Webster, $5 buds Irving. Big deal. As if NOTHING else in this city is even more over-priced?

3. The set times are always dependent on other events and opening the "club".
* so what's wrong with that? The bands still play normal length sets; the doors just open a bit earlier. If anything, this is better as it assures you'll see a good show and get out at a reasonable time.

2. The layout is terrible for concerts (especially for short people).
* How is it different than any other venue. You have the floor, and at one end is a really tall stage. I fail to see how Webster is an anomale.

1. The sound is atrocious. You have to stand directly in front of the stage to get decent sound and even then all the sound escapes up into the ceiling.
* The sound is only as good as the people doing it. More often than not the place sounds fine. No worse than anywhere else, that's for sure

the bouncers are nasty as hell
* What do you expect? They're bouncers. I've never seen them manhandle anyone or anything; isn't that what's important? So they're mean? Don't be such a pussy.

the bartenders are passive-agressively nasty, they let you stand where you think you are supposed to for 15 minutes and then when you get to the bar you are told you are not in the right line
* Again, a very subjective comment that hardly represents their bar service as a whole. Have you ever seen how busy those bars get? Give them a break and don't be so spoiled man.

the stairways are filthy and slippery with spilled drinks and trash as you leave the hall
* That's YOUR fault, not theirs. Or have you seen the staff dumping beer and beer cups all over the stairs out of spite. That catty complaint is the fault of the patrons, not the venue. If you expect them to mop as everyone's leaving you're crazy.

the exits are all sealed off except for one, creating a fire hazard at the least when the show is over
* Not the case at all. I don't work there, but I know for a fact that they are entirely compliant with fire code. Some doors are locked as they are staff only

Anonymous = Mr. Webster J. Hall

Wow... you addressed all of our concerns! I am so happy now! I will rush back to Webster Hall for my next show since clearly all the above observations by everybody are just false because you think so. What a valuable service you provide by putting down as trivial our valid complaints about a crappy venue/team and its myriad shortcomings! Just conveniently ignore the fact that we aren't this upset with any other venue in NY, Webster is great because you say so, right?

Way to contribute Alex

I'm always amused when you are at a concert at Webster and you can hear the thump-thump-thump of the bass of the dance music from the club in other parts. It goes super-well with music like Neko Case or Calexico/Iron & Wine.

"I don't work there..."

THAT'S the funniest line!

I lost my viginity at webster hall. I make a fuss to visit at least once a year to pay homage to the bouncers who made it all possible. If it wasn't for them, I might not be here today in my parents basement in Staten Island. Thanks Guys!

tixs to webster are sold out already! im so depressed i've been hopelessly in love with damon for years

hey andera nieves,

there are tics as of now at the webster hall site.