Robyn Hitchcock (now playing festivals) played Bonnaroo & the Bell House w/ Ken Stringfellow & Takka Takka (pics)

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Posted in music | pictures on June 24, 2009

Robyn Hitchcock (now playing festivals) played Bonnaroo & the Bell House w/ Ken Stringfellow & Takka Takka (pics)

backstage shenanigans at the Bell House
Robyn Hitchcock

On Thursday [June 11th] I saw Robyn Hitchcock and the Venus 3 - R.E.M.'s Peter Buck, Bill Rieflin and Scott McCaughey - at the Bell House in Brooklyn. Ken Stringfellow of the Posies opened in a solo capacity; he was preceded by Takka Takka.

Despite owning at least eight of his albums, and enjoying them always, I'm not the world's biggest Robyn Hitchcock expert. But I was surrounded by people who were, and they rated it one of his better shows... [Tony Fletcher]

Robyn Hitchcock opened for the Decemberists at Radio City a day before that. Two days after the Bell House show, he performed at this year's Bonnaroo...

"This is the first festival I've really been to since seeing Jimi Hendrix at the Isle of Wright in 1970," [Hitchcock] tells Spinner. With his typical self-deprecating sense of humor -- we think that's what it is, anyway -- he recalls that after the massive Isle of Wright festival, as a performer he "decided to take a different tact and wherever there were going to be lots of people I'd be naught," says Hitchcock. "And, 40 years later, I'm beginning to reconsider my game. Should I do more public appearances where there are people? A lot of my colleagues in show business have answered with a vigorous nod -- 'Yes, Robin, play in front of an audience.'"

So Robin Hitchcock and the Venus 3 did indeed take the stage, to massive applause and in front of thousands...

That trend continues. His next show is at Glastonbury later this month. His next scheduled stateside gig will be at the Austin City Limits Festival in October. More Bell House pictures below...

Takka Takka

Ken Stringfellow

Robyn Hitchcock

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Tags: Bonnaroo, Eugene Mirman, Ken Stringfellow, Peter Buck, REM, Robyn Hitchcock, Takka Takka, The Bell House, The Posies, Tony Visconti

Posted on June 24, 2009 8:11 PM

Comments (7)

Having seen Robyn Hitchcock & the Venus 3 on tour for their "Goodnight Oslo" LP this year AND having seen the Posies play their best album in its entirety, I kinda wish I was at this show! Both bands were so freakin' great - keep up the good work!

Posted by Anonymous | June 24, 2009 8:37 PM

worst set at bonaroo.

Posted by Anonymous | June 24, 2009 10:29 PM

God Drew Thurlow is hot.

Posted by Anonymous | June 24, 2009 10:41 PM

Not a huge fan , but it wasn't a horrible set (Bonnarroo) at all. More of a throwback though ,lot's of banter about the "old days" 12-string electric gtrs (a la The Byrds), songs about the dangers of television ...etc. Pretty funny guy actually...

Posted by Burg | June 25, 2009 9:12 AM

Thanks for the pictures, these are lovely. What a great show -- took my breath away. (Feel like I'm forgetting something though -- weren't there three opening acts? Takka Takka, Ken Stringfellow, and who?)

Posted by The Modesto Kid | June 25, 2009 10:08 AM

nope, just takka takka & ken stringfellow :)

Posted by Lori | June 25, 2009 3:51 PM

Huh, guess it's just my memory acting up.

Posted by The Modesto Kid | June 25, 2009 5:11 PM