alfa.org.uk

It’s that time of year again.

It’s rare you see an internet startup that’s a genuine “wow, cool idea” these days, but Lulu may just be one..

Threadless is another if you haven’t already seen it - if only they took PayPal though :(

The BBC Philharmonic are performing a series of concerts containing all nine Beethoven symphonies. Even better, you can download free MP3s of all of them!

The first two are up now, and are excellent recordings from a first listen.

I like optical illusions. Here are two good ones.

Wow, what an amazing gig. Ben Folds totally rocked the Barbican (I doubt they have ever had an entire audience shouting “FUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUUCK” along with a band before).

Through a mixture of the interwebnet and my memory, I *think* the setlist was:

1. In Between Days (The Cure cover, from the Speed Graphic EP)
2. Gone
3. There’s Always Someone Cooler Than You
4. Purple Haze (yes really!)
5. Jesusland
6. Bastard
7. Still Fighting It
8. Carrying Cathy (wonderfully played)
9. All U Can Eat (I’d never really noticed how funny the lyrics are before!)
10. You To Thank
11. Landed
12. Rock This (Barbican) Bitch (”The Barbican is NOT your bitch, it is a respectable place”)
13. Zak and Sara
14. Bitches Ain’t Shit (hilarious Dr Dre cover)
15. Emaline (just Ben, audience request)
16. Evaporated (just Ben)
17. Army (just Ben)
18. Where’s Summer B? (I love this song!!! Highlight of the night)
19. Rockin’ the Suburbs
20. Annie Waits
21. Popcorn (yes, the cheesy 80s electronica song!)
22. Late
23. Philosophy

Encore:

1. Not The Same (with extended audience participation conducted from on top of the piano)
2. One Angry Dwarf And 200 Solemn Faces