Magnetic Fields - Stora Vega, Copenhagen, 2/10/2004
by Tommy Gunnarsson
published: 18 / 10 / 2004

intro
In the smokey atmosphere of the Stora Vega in Copenhagen, Tommy Gunnarsson watches the Magnetic Fields put on a "fascinating" and compelling performance
Expectations were high when we arrived in Copenhagen on Saturday 2nd October, with the sole purpose of seeing Stephen Merritt and his bandmates perform their wonderful songs at the Store Vega (which means "Great Vega") venue. As there had been no talk of an opening act, I was quite surprised to see that the first band to walk onto the stage wasn't The Magnetic Fields. No, instead it was The Real Tuesday Weld, a band which normally just consists of Stephen Coates from London. For this tour he had, however, assembled a band of four sharply dressed men, including one playing the clarinet. To kick their part of the evening off, they showed two animated videos on a big screen. The second one, 'Bathtime in Clerkenwell', is quite funny and is accompanied by a a song that makes you tap your feet even if you try not to. You can watch it at the band's website at www.tuesdayweld.com. The gig was quite good too, with Coates acting like a cross between Jarvis Cocker and Suggs(of Madness, and sounding like a cross between the very same Cocker and Martin Rossiter from Gene. Their live sound is nothing like they sound on record, at least not if 'Bathtime in Clerkenwell' is somewhat representative of them. But I enjoyed the concert, and I think they have gained a few new fans in Denmark too. After a short break, the four piece Magnetic Fields stepped up to the stage, and sat down, just like us in the audience, which is something quite unusual in the indiepop scene. The good thing about it is that you can rest your feet and your back, the bad thing is that you can't move away if you happen to be seated next to, or behind, a guy that is smoking like a chimney. Which is what happened to me, if you might not have guessed it already. Claudia Gonson, the pianist and sometimes singer of the Magnetic Fields, also remarked on this early on, saying that they couldn't see the audience because of all the smoke, but she was sure that we were out there somewhere. Actually, I could go on and on about the lack of respect shown by people who smoke in public places, but I won't. This is supposed to be a live review, and so it will be. But still... it can make a great experience turn into a big mess of coughs. I would be lying if I said that I have been listening a lot to Stephen Merritt's music before this concert. Sure, I have the '69 Love Songs' album, and also the latest one, ''I', but that's it. So, even though I have enjoyed listening to these records, I was a bit afraid that I might not recognise all the songs this evening, but the truth is that I did know almost all the songs they played, so hats off to the band for choosing the right songs! Naturally, they played a heap of songs from the just mentioned triple-CD '69 Love Songs', with the highlights being 'Papa Was A Rodeo', 'Chicken With It's Head Cut Off' and the fantastic'Yeah! Oh Yeah' which was played as an encore, with Gonson and Merritt leaving their seats for the first and last time during the show. They also found the time to play some older songs, as their albums released prior to '69 Love Songs' will be re-released in Europe quite soon (it might already have happened now...), and 'All The Umbrellas In London''" was as good a crowd-pleaser as any. It was really fascinating to see that these four musicians,who played the piano, acoustic guitar/banjo, cello and ukulele, were able to re-create the music from the records in such a great manner, and to hear Stephen's fantastic, deep voice live. If I wasn't a big fan before this gig, I sure am now!
Band Links:-
https://www.facebook.com/MagneticFields/http://www.houseoftomorrow.com/
https://twitter.com/TheMagFields
Picture Gallery:-

live reviews |
Leadmill, Sheffield, 15/3/2010 |
![]() |
At the Leadmill in Sheffield Denzil Watson watches Bad Lieutenant, the post-New Order band of Bernard Sumner, play a distinctive set which unfolds to include his past exploits as well as his new group's first album |
Barbican, London, 22/3/2010 |
features |
Ten Songs That Made Me Love... (2017) |
![]() |
In '10 Songs That Made Me Love...', Tommy Gunnarsson boils down his love for New York based band The Magnetic Fields to just ten songs, which is easier said than done |
reviews |
Love at the Bottom of the Sea (2012) |
![]() |
Stunning tenth album from Magnetic Fields, which finds Stephin Merritt returning to the synthesizer sounds of his earlier records |
most viewed articles
current edition
Pennyblackmusic - Writers and Photographers' Albums of the Year 2024Peter Perrett - In Dreams Begin Responsibilities Interview Part One
Man From Delmonte - Interview
Clive Langer - Interview
Pennyblackmusic - Book of the Year Award 2024
Johnnie Johnstone - Interview
Marianne Faithfull - Reflections
Laura Nyro - Profile
Johny Brown - Corpse Flower
Vinyl Stories - Vinyl 2024
previous editions
Heavenly - P.U.N.K. Girl EPMichael Stuart Ware - Pegasus Epitaph: The Story of the Legendary Rock Group Love
Trudie Myerscough-Harris - Interview
Marianne Faithfull - Interview
Dwina Gibb - Interview
Joy Division - The Image That Made Me Weep
Henry McCullough - Interview
Beautiful South - Ten Songs That Made Me Love...
Peter Paul and Mary - Interview with Peter Yarrow
Marianne Faithfull - Interview
most viewed reviews
current edition
Dorie Jackson - Stupid Says RunRingo Starr - Look Up
Beabadoobee - This is How The World Moves
Pixie Lott - Encino
Dusty Springfield - The BBC Sessions
Unthanks - In Winter
Joan Armatrading - How Did This Happen and What Does It Mean?
Rosie Lowe - Lover, Other
Oïmiakon - Comptoir Des Vanites
Emily Burns - Die Happy
Pennyblackmusic Regular Contributors
Adrian Janes
Amanda J. Window
Andrew Twambley
Anthony Dhanendran
Benjamin Howarth
Cila Warncke
Daniel Cressey
Darren Aston
Dastardly
Dave Goodwin
Denzil Watson
Dominic B. Simpson
Eoghan Lyng
Fiona Hutchings
Harry Sherriff
Helen Tipping
Jamie Rowland
John Clarkson
Julie Cruickshank
Kimberly Bright
Lisa Torem
Maarten Schiethart