In August of 1995 I saw them again, this time their own show at Festival Hall. Again I remember them being fantastic, but the show was hot, and completely packed. Halfway through the first song (which was either What A Day or Get Out) I had to go to the toilet and as a result missed them playing my favourite song at the time, Gentle Art, a few songs later. I also got snot all over my jumper thanks to some disgusting idiot. They played covers that I didn't recognise at the time (probably I Started A Joke or maybe Glory Box). I love it, as did the rest of the crowd.
They returned in October 1997 for two shows back to back, again at Festival Hall. I went to both shows. I loved it, as did the rest of the crowd. I was impressed at how different each night's setlist was, with the first night being more early album and Album Of The Year focused, while the second night was more King For A Day focused. I was enough into the internet at the time to have already seen their previous gigs setlists and so wasn't surprised by their covers, but knew enough to know that when they played Helpless on the first night, it was the first time they'd ever played it. I got concussion.
When Faith No More reunited in 2009 I hoped they'd come to Australia, but was cynical enough to know a Greatest Hits Live tour, even one by arguably my favourite band, wasn't the greatest thing to happen to rock.
While I thought they were fantastic, those Faith No More gigs were some of my first ever attended concerts. Since then I've seen Mike Patton on stage with various other bands (Mr. Bungle, Fantomas, Tomahawk, Peeping Tom) a total of nine times. On top of those I've seen many a gig that I would consider as brilliant (Ween in 2008, The Darkness in 2006, Prodigy in 2009, Secret Chiefs 3 in 2007, Gomez in 2000, Underworld in 2003).
I've seen a lot of amazing live shows in the 12+ years since I last saw Faith No More. I was going to be far harder to impress.
Worse than that, I've spent that time (thanks to the power of tape trading and later to YouTube) watching and listening to countless Faith No More concerts from their entire career, from the early days with Chuck, through the Jim years, the Dean years and right up to their last ever 1998 gig. I know this band back to front. It doesn't matter how much I love them, they were unlikely to do anything that would surprise me.
When they announced they were playing the Soundwave Festival (review coming later) I instantly bought tickets. When they announced a solo show at Festival Hall, I instantly bought tickets. When they finally announced a second Melbourne solo (stealing the stage and show from AFI) I decided against it. Partly because I was returning from an exhausting holiday the day they were playing, but also because I felt bad for the fans who missed out on buying tickets to the first announced shows (which sold out in minutes).
Being on holidays when they were playing in New Zealand and other Australian cities I (deliberately) missed any spoilers on the setlist they were presenting... but thanks to the power of RSS readers I accidentally spotted a few bits of info.
But I hardly needed spoilers to know what they would do. The setlist would be similar to those in 2009. They might throw in a new Australian relevant cover. They might rehearse an old song or two they hadn't played yet during the reunion... if we were lucky. But I wasn't necessarily going to see what they would play, I was merely going to watch them perform. Anything unusual could only be a bonus.
On the day, we drove in, got a good street park and meet up with friend Heath to have dinner. All the local pubs were full of Faith No More fans, some were playing Faith No More on their stereos.
In line for the gig we spotted and hung out with two other friends. Daniel had been to the gig the night before and had many good things to say. I might suggest that Daniel is more of a Faith No More fan (as in fanatic) than me. I was jealous of the news they'd played As the Worm Turns, knowing they were unlikely to play it both nights. There were suggestions they'd play Reunited as the first song again tonight, while I indicate it is far more likely to be Midnight Cowboy.
Festival Hall has notorious security, but I had checked the night before (via email) if it was OK to bring my (still) camera. It was. The four people before me were thoroughly searched. The person directly before me didn't have the correct ID (it turns out they might have been an undercover policeman which caused a great kerfuffle, and a result I wasn't searched. They didn't even blink at my camera. So different to 1997 when I saw people removed for having cameras.
Pity they've never put that much effort into policing the no-smoking policy.
Inside, I get a good look at the general audience. Mostly late 20s, early 30s. Some much older. Very few younger. Fairly good male/female mix, but male skewed. Nothing too surprising.
I buy a King For A Day themed 2010 tour t-shirt. I've always wanted a King For A Day t-shirt ($40). I also buy a hat ($35). Heath buys me a beer.
And next time... the actual gig review!..