James 10/5 @ HOB Anaheim

[Ghoulish Delight]

Whoo, what a show!!

First, a word on the venue. I've got mixed feelings about the HOB. On the plus side, the sound is spectacular. Really clear, plenty loud without being ear-drum splitting. Seriously one of the best venues for music I've heard. I just wish the sightlines were better. I could see okay, but my sister, who's all of 4'10", was pretty unhappy most of the night.

But we had a blast anyway. Tim Booth rocks, so much fun to watch, he was clearly having fun. They sounded amazing, the crowd was great, definitely full of fans.

The band was having so much fun that, as the end of their encore approached, they actually shut the crowd up to ask what exactly the penalty would be if they went over their time. Booth, who seemed utterly amused all night that he was playing "at Disneyland" said, "We get a spanking from Mickey?" To which Saul Davies replied, "Oooh, let's go over."

In the end they decided to be nice to the venue and finish not sneak in one extra song (which would have been Laid, oh well). They finished with Sometimes, which is still in my head. The audience was belting the chorus out, and the band was soaking it up. So awesome.