That Susi Weaser - editor of Shiny Shiny - sure is busy. By which I mean she goes to a lot of gigs. Why, only the other day she was at Take That, and now here she is talking about those funny-looking Gogol Bordello people.
How did you rate the venue?
I quite like the Hammersmith Apollo. I’ve never had a bad night there. It’s sloped towards the stage so it’s easy to get a good view, and it’s not so big you lose any atmosphere. There was a lot of sweat involved, would be my only comment. Perhaps they could ramp up the air-conditioning for bands that involve getting the crowd to dance like mentalists.
What were the crowd like?
Excited. And energetic. I don’t know what it is about gypsy punk, but it gets everyone jumping. There were a few complete cocks. Lady in front of me who clearly was only there so she could say she’d been, who spent the whole night filming it on her phone rather than actually looking with her eyes, I’m talking to you.

Was the support act any good or did it send you to the bar?
We missed them – it was a Saturday night, and it takes a long time to get to Hammersmith. I believe it was a noun, preceded with the word “DJ”.
Bar – rip-off or value for money?
Seemed fine to me, but I was a few glasses of wine past caring, tbh.
Venue staff – nice or nasty?
I don’t think I saw any. Presumably they were there. It would be against loads of health and safety regulations if they weren’t. Although maybe they were on strike… Or on a break… Who knows?
Toilets – swilling with piss, or spick and span?
Not piss, per se. Just loads of seriously unfunny graffiti.
Highlight / lowlight of show?
American Wedding. The lead gypsy (aka Eugene Hütz, according to Wikipedia) led the crowd in a slow version, swiftly followed by a mental, jumpy finish which everyone loved. They managed to keep the pace throughout the set, which was seriously impressive.
Lowlight was watching Start Wearing Purple through a Samsung phone screen. See above.
Any other comments?
I was so close to selling the tickets. And I’m so glad I didn’t.

Possibly related:

1. Can You Gig It?: Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds @ Hammersmith Apollo, London, 7.5.08

2. I Don’t Like Them As Much As I’m Supposed To: Gogol Bordello

3. Up-and-coming acts: Gogol Bordello

4. Serbia’s Exit festival: where you can see Sex Pistols and Gogol Bordello rock an ancient fortress

5. Can You Gig It?: Take That @ London O2, 7.12.07

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Posted by mofgimmers on Thursday December 13th, 2007 at 9:37 am