Damien Rice – Reading Hexagon

 My first trip to the Hexagon in Reading, which could quite honestly be the ugliest building in the western world, but it has parking close by and places to eat in reading – so its not a bad venue. We pitched up at around 8pm, and the venue was nicely full of very well behaved couples – exactly as you’d expect the audience at a Damien Rice concert to be, we strolled into the standing area and managed to stand about three rows back to the right hand side of the stage.

About half eight, there was the sound of a violin tuning up or soundchecking, which built up into about 8 or 9 minutes of earsplitting violin/cello/bass loops…it was utterly shocking….and quite a few people had their fingers in the ears. I’m still not sure if it was part of the music played by the production crew, or whether it was an intro to the gig, but right at the end Damien and the band ambled on – and right on cue started talking.

He opened up with a gently rambling story, whilst a wine waiter served them all a glass of wine – and the delivered an excellent, drunken ’Cheers Darlin’ to kick us off. He played a fantastic version of my favourite ‘La Professor et la Fille’, with its lovely french ending, and a great version of Eskimo Friends. Towards the end he was talking with the crowd and asked a guy in the front row what he did…he obviously said he was a singer/guitarist and Damien Rice actually pulled him up on stage to sing with him, the guy did a great version of ‘Cold Water’ with Damien Rice singing Lisas backing vocals – it was an amazing moment at a great gig.

At the end of the gig – Damien Rice stepped in front of the mic, and sung one with out any amps – purely busker style, you could hear a pin drop.

Damien Rice redeemed himself yesterday- last time I saw him I didn’t think he was much good (Brixton Academy 2005), but last night he was excellent.

My pictures from last night in Reading are here

UPDATE : This is the guy that got up on stage last night with Damien Rice – he even has Cold Water as a cover on his myspace…