Melbourne 27th June

[jwow]

What a disappointing gig! When Hope and the band were actually playing it was great, but something happened after 3 or 4 songs, and Hope left the stage for 20+ minutes, followed by the band. Before walking off, the drummer gave some explanation, which I didn't quite catch, but other people said he mentioned "sound problems." I didn't pick up on any sound problems really, and in fact, the sound was a lot better than the second Bush Hall gig in May this year.

When they returned, they played a couple more songs, before doing the whole encore routine. Given the amount of time they'd been off stage for so long earlier, I think they should have played right through. Fugazi were right in refusing to do the whole encore thing.

I'm glad I managed to catch a better gig earlier in the year, and feel sorry for the people who only had this experience of Hope live.

[tonys]

Agree jwow...very disappointing...it was great to hear her lovely voice but she treated us all with contempt...

Bad value for money..wont be hurrying back to see Hope

[Steve C]

Hope, you know, if you don't wanna play, don't drag a bunch of excellent musicians half way around the world then act like a thirteen year old in front of an adoring crowd who have been waiting to hear you live for going on twenty years. And don't take their cash as if it doesn't matter. That kind of rubbish doesn't fly. It doesn't now and it didn't when Chan Marshall was doing it and even back when Neil Young was doing it. It's a privilege to do - and be able to do - what you do. So either take it seriously or get a day job.

PS It was all I could do when the band - finally - came back on without her not to yell out "You guys're hopeless!". I don't think I was the only one whose mind that crossed.

[tazzeyarms]

Wow. You hit it right on the nose. It is a privilege to do what she does - and yet . . .

I guess privilege is only visible to those who don't have it. She's been doing this since she was what? 21? I imagine she has had day jobs to know the difference. Still. We'll never know the reasons.

[snakes&ladders]

I don't know Hope personally and I've never seen her and the band live....yet....but do you guys really think she treated her fans at the gig with contempt?????!

[Scarecrow]

hey australian fans. sorry you had to experience that.

sad to say though, this sort of thing has tended to happen with Hope, a lot. Since she was around 21, in fact, in the early days with Mazzy Star.

Some fans have said they won't go see her again. My response is, it's the risk you take when you go to see Hope. Be prepared, that she might pull something like this. It's all part of the possible experience.

[Prima Donna]

Well said Steve C. Ive been a fan of Hopes for around 15 years I was very excited when I heard they were coming. What a let down. The thing was, within about 3 minutes into the show this was shaping up to be one of the most memorable gigs of my life, it sounded amazing. I still like the music, just not as much. Its lost a lot of its magic for me. I wont will be adding any more of her records to my collection. Dirt Blue Gene on the other hand...