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OT Ian Hunter at Kinross, Saturday night

Posted by: teleblaster ()

Date: March 24, 2013 18:06

I was going to tag this on to Simon's thread, but I was so knocked out by the venue (as well as Ian and the band) that I started this thread.

Backstage at The Green is set within a fairly large hotel, but once inside, it's perfectly self-contained with its own bar, toilets, etc. The walls are covered with memorabilia with enough Stones stuff to keep the interest up. The hall itself has a nominal capacity of about 120 and last night seats were laid out in rows. It is about the size of a small village hall. Doors were meant to open at 8 p.m., but we were seated with our drinks by 7.15. We had our choice of seats, so plumped for front and centre. This made for an incredibly intimate experience, with one of my heroes facing me not six feet way on stage barely 18 inches high. From a photographic point of view, this was not a good move (as Ian's face was often obscured by his mike and its stand) but what an experience!

After a hugely entertaining set from Jason Ringenberg, Ian took to the stage with his two fellow musicians and played a blinder. The setlist was virtually unhanged from Simon's review (although he did play an extra piano one that I didn't recognise and wasn't on the setlist). There were a couple of minor bloopers which simply added to the laid back feel. Ian was in great form and seemed to be enjoying himself. Many of the songs -Ta Shunka Witco springs to mind - were simply stunning in the stripped down trio format. Girl From The Office was great fun and Ian lambasted Mrs Teleblaster for taking a toilet break during it. As with the recent Rant Band shows, the new material stood up really well live. Some of the hits - like Roll Away The Stone - work better in a full rock band, but it was fun to sing along in such a small audience and the banter was good.

For all you guitar players, I can confirm that a number of songs were, indeed, performed in open G.

After the show we repaired to the bar from whence we came. Being a hotel, it'll stay open late for residents. I cannot comment on rumours of drinking until 3a.m. as I retired at a relatively puritanical 2a.m.

This is very special venue. Tickets are a bit pricier than my local small venues (last night was £40) and it will involve travel and overnight accommodation for most. Bar meals were reasonable. Spirits were rather expensive compared to pub prices and come in 25 ml measures so despised in Scotland where we still retain a 35ml measure in enlightened establishments (for the time being at least).

This is a great venue for a special occasion gig or to see one of your favourite artists in an intimate setting with a like minded audience. It is extremely laid back and I'm already planning my return. Because of the relative remoteness, etc., this is a boutique gig that attracts dedicated fans and the pre and post gig conversations were great (was talking to a guy and halfway through we realised that we had met before at a Pretty Things gig). Highly recommended.

A couple of shots from the front row: -

Jason joined the band to sing chorus on "Dudes"

Ian's own setlist (and the pick he used to play the gig)