herge smith: My Bloody Valentine - Roundhouse Sunday 22nd

The Guardian and others are all over this series of gigs at the Roundhouse in Camden - read about it here -

Yep, I was there, and as The Guardian reports, it was motherfucking loud - like standing in front of a jet engine. I have never been to a gig, or anything, louder.

The final tune that everyone goes on about, 'You made me realise', that includes that ear bleeding infinite chord bit was phenomenal, and I was chuffed I experienced it without earplugs (which were given out at the door!), but the fact is I wouldn't do it again.

The infinite chord, which you can only hear if you're there because sound recording just shrieks out lasted about 33 minutes. I finally relented and put my plugs in (yeah, i was lying before) during the last 10 minutes. Why'd I put myself through any of it? Because I wanted to experience it myself and I was chuffed to be seeing MBV after all these years.

Thing is though, the rest of the gig was much better than this and I feel it's the delay/ feedback/ ultimate chord whatever that takes all the attention. My Bloody Valentine, even after all these years sound utterly beautiful, with the delicate tunes and beautiful etherial vocals resting just below the surface of layers of sliding guitars.

Loveless is, and always has been one of my favourite albums, it's peerless and just gets better with every listen.

Anyway, like they say in the article above and all the articles I've read about them, my ears are still ringing and I'm hoping I haven't done any permanent damage. But if I have, my, what a way to do it.