I find myself being drawn in mostly by the tracks without vocals. I really like the earlier Zitronen stuff. I'm sure you wrote about them here before. I already watch some of the live stuff. I can't remember which article it could have been.
Sounds like an amazing show! Sorry about the loss of your two friends, that really tough. But channeling the memory of your friend by heading to Denver for the GFO concert is an incredible way to honor her message of living each day like it’s your last.
I’m not sure I knew you were vegan. My wife and I ate at the most amazing vegan restaurant in Plymouth last night called Cosmic Kitchen. If you ever find yourself in that city you should definitely pay a visit. A few years ago they were voted #1 vegan restaurant in the UK and #3 in the world on TripAdvisor.
Thanks, Mark. I went vegetarian in 2016, and during the lockdown of 2020, we both decided to go all in on being vegan. Nearly four years later, there's no going back. We also enjoy cooking and eating fresh food. As we came to veganism as vegetarians, we had already made that transition from meat, and we very rarely ever eat the "impossible" vegan meats (other than tofu and tempeh, which don't really count as "meat" but rather a protein source that has been around forever).
We are very fortunate to live in one of the best cities in the US for vegans. But, thanks to apps like Happy Cow, we had no problem finding vegan restaurants in Peru and Turkey, both countries that like their meat. We have a couple of great vegan cookbooks from British-based vegan chefs. It sounds like the UK vegan restaurant scene has definitely grown since we were last there in 2022.
How fun! We all need to grab that seize the day mentality more often. Your love of music is infectious and your description of the band and your night out exciting. Thanks for introducing me to GFO. I've been enjoying listening to them today. But I know what you mean. Watching, listening, to them live, surrounded by other enthusiasts, being immersed in the joy of the moment with your lovemate at your side--nothing could compare to that.
Great write-up! And great to hear that your decision to make the journey was so well rewarded. I live in a city that has a vibrant music scene but which gets missed out often enough by artists on tour (especially overseas acts) that often have to contemplate whether or not to make a journey, arrange accommodation, etc. When it works, it really works because of the extra effort involved (there's nearly always some experience to be gained in addition to seeing the artists). I'm currently contemplating a few such trips, especially as I'll have a bit more time in coming months due to a sabbatical.
Thanks, Richard. Portland has a brilliant music scene; however, sometimes larger acts will skip it for the larger cities of Seattle and San Francisco. That's ok, as I don't tend to see many large touring acts. The size of our country is what can sometimes cause smaller bands to pick and choose. Playing the West Coast gives bands six large cities to hit on their journey south or north (Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, SF, LA, and San Diego), plus smaller cities such as Eugene, Spokane, Olympia, Bend, Sacramento, Chico, etc.
But the western states are massive, and the distance between Vancouver and San Diego alone is 1,400 miles, which is a bit further than London to Bulgaria! When I spoke with the main Ghost, Seth, about coming to Portland and Seattle on their autumn tour of California, he said they would love to, but distances make it hard (SF to Portland is a 12-hour drive and Portland to Seattle is 3 hours). I know they will return, but until then, I'm glad I went to Denver as it was worth every penny.
Side note: I have friends in Harrogate, and one of my friends there often tells me about the greatness of the Brudenell Social Club. I'd love to see a gig there one day!
I realise there was a missing 'I' in my comment; it was supposed to say that I often have to contemplate a journey rather than that the bands do (though they do too, of course!). And I know that distances in the UK are trifling compared to those in North America, but these things are relative and feed into the decisions about where/whether to go to see touring artists (roads can be pretty clogged here, and public transport isn't cheap).
Yes, Brudenell Social Club gets some great acts and is not a million miles away.
Loved reading this, Michael, and hearing how much it meant to you to seize the day and get to see them. I’d only heard about one track by GFO before but, like Kevin, I feel I’ve been missing out! Hope they make it to Europe soon… sounds like they’re a cracking live band.
Thanks, Rich. I hope they make it over to the UK/Europe soon. As I said to Steve Bradley, I am sure Seth has it on his radar. A 10-piece band, however, is no doubt not a cheap band to take on the road, let alone overseas. But with each gig we have seen, their audience has definitely grown. Keep an eye out for them!
In the meantime, I highly recommend giving their albums a spin. And I am convinced that Seth is a musical genius on the caliber of Jonny Greenwood. He must hear sounds in his head that most of us can't even dream of, yet he has the incredible talent of sonically painting it as a wonderfully cohesive piece.
Her words will forever stay with me, and I am determined to do exactly that. Even if it is something as simple as a nice long walk in the city, a stroll in the park, or kayaking on a mountain lake or river. Live each day, breathe, and savor the moments that we have. Thanks, as always, for reading, Andres!
It was, indeed! It was also somewhat sad, as we knew it was our last hoorah of the summer. Thanks for reading! Oh, and when GFO next come to Houston - see them!
This rules. I love that the two of you were able to jump on a plane and see one of your favorite bands. As for GFO, I'd heard of them, but not sure I'd heard them until now? "Eyes of Love" is playing as I type this, and man, have I been missing out!
Thanks, Kevin! Live music is something that feeds my soul. When I was younger, I followed the Grateful Dead for several years (all across the US), and in 2006, I designed a poster for The Brian Jonestown Massacre and went on their UK and European tour selling it. I am in the process of writing about both experiences and will eventually post them here at some point.
GFO are playing Chicago on the 14th; if you can make it, it will be a great show, and you won't be disappointed. Their albums are all so, so good but live, the music gets taken to next level awesomeness.
I find myself being drawn in mostly by the tracks without vocals. I really like the earlier Zitronen stuff. I'm sure you wrote about them here before. I already watch some of the live stuff. I can't remember which article it could have been.
I wrote about Zero 7...could that be who you are thinking about?
I remembered. It was you post 'Fuzzy Logic'.
Ah, yes. I must have misread your comment! GFO's music is very cinematic, especially the instrumentals.
No, it definitely wasn't Zero 7.
Love everything about this post!
Thanks, Phil. It was a fun weekend! Check out Ghost Funk and let me know what you think! 😎
Sounds like an amazing show! Sorry about the loss of your two friends, that really tough. But channeling the memory of your friend by heading to Denver for the GFO concert is an incredible way to honor her message of living each day like it’s your last.
I’m not sure I knew you were vegan. My wife and I ate at the most amazing vegan restaurant in Plymouth last night called Cosmic Kitchen. If you ever find yourself in that city you should definitely pay a visit. A few years ago they were voted #1 vegan restaurant in the UK and #3 in the world on TripAdvisor.
Thanks, Mark. I went vegetarian in 2016, and during the lockdown of 2020, we both decided to go all in on being vegan. Nearly four years later, there's no going back. We also enjoy cooking and eating fresh food. As we came to veganism as vegetarians, we had already made that transition from meat, and we very rarely ever eat the "impossible" vegan meats (other than tofu and tempeh, which don't really count as "meat" but rather a protein source that has been around forever).
We are very fortunate to live in one of the best cities in the US for vegans. But, thanks to apps like Happy Cow, we had no problem finding vegan restaurants in Peru and Turkey, both countries that like their meat. We have a couple of great vegan cookbooks from British-based vegan chefs. It sounds like the UK vegan restaurant scene has definitely grown since we were last there in 2022.
How fun! We all need to grab that seize the day mentality more often. Your love of music is infectious and your description of the band and your night out exciting. Thanks for introducing me to GFO. I've been enjoying listening to them today. But I know what you mean. Watching, listening, to them live, surrounded by other enthusiasts, being immersed in the joy of the moment with your lovemate at your side--nothing could compare to that.
Thank you, Deborah! It makes me happy that you have been listening to GFO today. 😊
Great write-up! And great to hear that your decision to make the journey was so well rewarded. I live in a city that has a vibrant music scene but which gets missed out often enough by artists on tour (especially overseas acts) that often have to contemplate whether or not to make a journey, arrange accommodation, etc. When it works, it really works because of the extra effort involved (there's nearly always some experience to be gained in addition to seeing the artists). I'm currently contemplating a few such trips, especially as I'll have a bit more time in coming months due to a sabbatical.
Thanks, Richard. Portland has a brilliant music scene; however, sometimes larger acts will skip it for the larger cities of Seattle and San Francisco. That's ok, as I don't tend to see many large touring acts. The size of our country is what can sometimes cause smaller bands to pick and choose. Playing the West Coast gives bands six large cities to hit on their journey south or north (Vancouver, Seattle, Portland, SF, LA, and San Diego), plus smaller cities such as Eugene, Spokane, Olympia, Bend, Sacramento, Chico, etc.
But the western states are massive, and the distance between Vancouver and San Diego alone is 1,400 miles, which is a bit further than London to Bulgaria! When I spoke with the main Ghost, Seth, about coming to Portland and Seattle on their autumn tour of California, he said they would love to, but distances make it hard (SF to Portland is a 12-hour drive and Portland to Seattle is 3 hours). I know they will return, but until then, I'm glad I went to Denver as it was worth every penny.
Side note: I have friends in Harrogate, and one of my friends there often tells me about the greatness of the Brudenell Social Club. I'd love to see a gig there one day!
I realise there was a missing 'I' in my comment; it was supposed to say that I often have to contemplate a journey rather than that the bands do (though they do too, of course!). And I know that distances in the UK are trifling compared to those in North America, but these things are relative and feed into the decisions about where/whether to go to see touring artists (roads can be pretty clogged here, and public transport isn't cheap).
Yes, Brudenell Social Club gets some great acts and is not a million miles away.
Loved reading this, Michael, and hearing how much it meant to you to seize the day and get to see them. I’d only heard about one track by GFO before but, like Kevin, I feel I’ve been missing out! Hope they make it to Europe soon… sounds like they’re a cracking live band.
Thanks, Rich. I hope they make it over to the UK/Europe soon. As I said to Steve Bradley, I am sure Seth has it on his radar. A 10-piece band, however, is no doubt not a cheap band to take on the road, let alone overseas. But with each gig we have seen, their audience has definitely grown. Keep an eye out for them!
In the meantime, I highly recommend giving their albums a spin. And I am convinced that Seth is a musical genius on the caliber of Jonny Greenwood. He must hear sounds in his head that most of us can't even dream of, yet he has the incredible talent of sonically painting it as a wonderfully cohesive piece.
Those vegan sandwiches are on the TSA restriction list. A known explosive!
We're trying our best to disrupt the meat & dairy industry while also supporting live music and the arts! 🙃
This is great. Savour every moment, live each day as if it’s your last. We need to hear this more often. Thanks for sharing your experience!
Her words will forever stay with me, and I am determined to do exactly that. Even if it is something as simple as a nice long walk in the city, a stroll in the park, or kayaking on a mountain lake or river. Live each day, breathe, and savor the moments that we have. Thanks, as always, for reading, Andres!
It’s the best way you can honour her memory. Sending you lots of strength.
Good way to round out summer.
It was, indeed! It was also somewhat sad, as we knew it was our last hoorah of the summer. Thanks for reading! Oh, and when GFO next come to Houston - see them!
I'll keep an ear/eye out, as well as for Austin—which gets way more touring shows
They did play Austin on this tour (August 5th @ The 13th Floor).
Ah damn! Small venue too, that would've been great!
This rules. I love that the two of you were able to jump on a plane and see one of your favorite bands. As for GFO, I'd heard of them, but not sure I'd heard them until now? "Eyes of Love" is playing as I type this, and man, have I been missing out!
Thanks, Kevin! Live music is something that feeds my soul. When I was younger, I followed the Grateful Dead for several years (all across the US), and in 2006, I designed a poster for The Brian Jonestown Massacre and went on their UK and European tour selling it. I am in the process of writing about both experiences and will eventually post them here at some point.
GFO are playing Chicago on the 14th; if you can make it, it will be a great show, and you won't be disappointed. Their albums are all so, so good but live, the music gets taken to next level awesomeness.
Great band - need to see them live. Cheers for the next best thing!
Thanks, Steve. I hope you get the chance to see them live. I'm sure a UK and European tour is something Seth and the band would love to do.