Gossip, MEN and Silly Kissers at Le National
Three years later, Gossip finally decided to book a night in Montreal again! The town was so excited that it got the first venue, La Sala Rossa, sold out in a few weeks. The demand was so high that Blue Skies Turn Black decided to move the show downtown to Le National to get it once again sold out.
I, of course, got my ticket months ago knowing I couldn’t miss this show. I have been listening to Gossip for so many years and I discovered MEN, with key member JD Samsom from Le Tigre, earlier this summer when they came to town for Meow Mix.
The show started around 9:30pm with Silly Kissers opening the night. They were just recently added to the line-up. I got to catch the last song of their performance. The band was made up of several members (that could all be easily living in the Mile-End) and two mime-looking dancers. I did enjoy their sound but it was more a band to watch than actually listen to. I don’t think I’d pop their cd while working. I wouldn’t mind seeing them again to get a real idea because a song isn’t enough!
Photo credits to www.bernardofernandez.com
MEN than got on stage, barely 20 min after Silly Kissers. The band was composed of three members featuring JD Samson on the main vocals. The stage performance of the band and mostly the singer was very entertaining. Bernie Bankrupt and Lynne T, from the famous and missed Montreal band Lezzies on X, came on stage a few times holding signs that had relations to the songs being performed. MEN started with their slower songs, always backed up by the new disco sound I love so much, to finish with Simultaneously, Off Our Backs and Credit Card Babie$, their three biggest hits yet.
MEN – Simultaneously
MEN – Off Our Backs
MEN – Credit Card Babie$
Gossip wasn’t so fast to get on stage. They redid a soundcheck with each instruments and mics before starting the show. I think the wait was easily over forty-five minutes and I find it insulting to make a crowd wait that long on a Tuesday night.
(Another thing that I find insulting is for very tall guys to come stand in front of a small group that has been waiting at the same spot all night just at the last minute. You know what, if you’re tall and you’re here to dance, it’s cool. If you’re tall and you take someone else’s spot and you don’t move at all, go stand in a corner. Geez!)
Photo credits to www.bernardofernandez.com
Enough bitching. As soon as Beth Ditto came on stage the crowd went delirious. Each song was solid and moving. It turned the show into a dance floor and I swear I did not stand still for a second. Gossip was made up of your regular four-member group with everyone having it’s own look and vibe. But of course, Beth Ditto was the star of the night – with her new flashy red hair. She even got a bra thrown at her. That’s what I call a rockstar.
Gossip gave us a great overview of their new and vibrant album, Music for Men. Hits from the previous album such as Standing In The Way Of Control were also well delivered to make the crowd go crazy.
The end of the show didn’t need an encore as the band let anyone get on stage and dance to the last songs with a great finale on We Are The Champions from Queen, a very queer song as stated by Ditto.
I would have LOVED to hear a few covers and songs produced with other bands so here’s two of my favorite and new songs featuring Beth Ditto:
Gossip – Are You That Somebody? (Aaliyah Cover)
Simian Mobile Disco – Cruel Intentions (Featuring Beth Ditto)