At The Roundhouse

Zappa At The Roundhouse

Of interest to those who live in the London area, Zappa at the Roundhouse:

…a three day festival from 5–7 November that will celebrate the life and music of this legendary American artist. The programme includes performances from his son Dweezil Zappa, screenings of previously unseen film footage, world premieres of unheard Zappa material, Q&A sessions with members of the Zappa family and music masterclasses with various members of Zappa’s backing bands.

25 thoughts on “At The Roundhouse”

  1. That poster really makes you think FZ is appearing there! Maybe they could place a small scale strat (or SG) with a lit cigarette in the headstock with a spotlight shining on it. Kinda like that old Saturday Night Live skit, “Elvis’ Coat”: Elvis might be dead, but his coat lives on! Appearing live on stage, it’s Elvis’ Coat!!!!

  2. Hmmmmm. Interesting how very little detail is given. Personally, it comes across as yet another big tease by the ZFT. Since they failed to win their case against Zappanale, now they’re going to go on the road and make the fanbase pay through the nose to see film footage they’ve already promised to release, and hear snippets of Zappa’s Dance Me This (my guess, fellow KUR-Meisters) under the euphemism of masterclasses.

    Save your money boys and girls and attend Zappanale. For 21 years, Zappa’s own fanbase has collectively known how to celebrate Zappa’s life and music.

  3. Thats a tad inflamatory urbangraffito, I very much doubt its got anything to do with the German case, and there is no clue of ticket price so I don’t know if I have to “pay through the nose” yet, so personally I’ve already got my tickets for Zappanale (and ZPZ in Europe) and more than likely will be going to the Roundhouse. As far as I’m concerned the more Zappa the better…I’ve had enough of worrying about the back-stage antics of the ZFT…fascinating as it is…if the price is right I’ll be there! (of course…I favour the lower price bracket to encourage new fans simply ‘cos I know Zappa is the greatest musical entertainment around… for Christ’s sake, he should be on the curriculum!)
    HOWEVER! If it turns out to be outrageously expensive I may give it a miss. What can you say? The consumer is a fickle creature!
    Save your money boys and girls and attend all Zappa events.

  4. Perhaps, Jimbob, perhaps. At least with Zappanale, ZPZ, you actually get what you pay for – excellent optional entertainment. But, Q&A sessions with members of the Zappa family under the guise of masterclasses? Sure, some fans may find this of interest. I see it as the further revision of the Zappa image, and history, according to the ZFT. Masterclasses belong in the proper venue: universities and colleges. Of course, this would only occur if the ZFT had carte blanche in determining that curriculum. So alternatively, we see these three day festivals in their stead.

  5. Unfortunately, I’ll be missing this as I’ll be 2,500 miles away at the time. But if the ticket price’s weren’t silly I’d have gone to some of it I guess. I think it just boils down to ZFT trying to generate alternative income streams besides CD sales, like the the rest of the music industry. Nothing wrong with that, in principle. We’ve all got to make a living!
    Never mind though, I’m looking forward to ZPZ next week.

  6. I, for one, am stoked. I only live up the road and this is a whole lotta Zappa for someone too young to have seen him live. I jump at any chance to celebrate his music I can get.

  7. Thanks for the link, Jimbob. Some very interesting performances planned (in particular, those involving Jeff Simmons, Ian Underwood, and Scott Thunes). And at somewhat reasonable prices, I might add. Tis a shame that only Zappa/Mothers fans in the London area will get to see them, though it’s my understanding that all these Roundhouse shows celebrating Zappa’s 70th are to be recorded. I certainly hope so. I would love to be proved wrong and forced to eat crow.

  8. Hi Urban,

    The Roundhouse site says that the performances are not only being filmed but also broadcast live on their website – I guess like the BBC do with the Proms – which, is true, is handy for those outside the south-east. And also that Filipetti is overseeing audio recordings, so maybe we’ll get a release of the full Sinister Footwear at last…

    Oh, hang on…

    Although looking at it today Sinister Footwear seems to have vanished from the Sunday night… did anyone else see it up there on Friday?

    I guess thing’s are still in flux…

  9. [quote comment=”12123″]Hi Urban,

    The Roundhouse site says that the performances are not only being filmed but also broadcast live on their website – I guess like the BBC do with the Proms – which, is true, is handy for those outside the south-east. And also that Filipetti is overseeing audio recordings, so maybe we’ll get a release of the full Sinister Footwear at last…

    Oh, hang on…

    Although looking at it today Sinister Footwear seems to have vanished from the Sunday night… did anyone else see it up there on Friday?

    I guess thing’s are still in flux…[/quote]

    This news is certainly going to make a lot of Zappa fans very pleased – especially those living on the other side of the pond.

    Do you think these functions will actually be broadcast live on Roundhouse Radio? It’s certainly an idea, though there is no announcement that this is their intention.

    Yes, I noticed the vanishing footwear…

  10. [quote comment=”12123″]… And also that Filipetti is overseeing audio recordings …[/quote]
    Oh, no! Not him again!

  11. [quote comment=”12123″]… the performances are not only being filmed but also broadcast live …[/quote]
    When the 200 Motels had been performed in Amsterdam in 2000, a radio broadcast was intended.
    The Mother Of Prevention did what she always does and prevented just this – and even demanded that recordings were to be erased and destroyed forever.

    Th.

  12. [quote comment=”12184″][quote comment=”12123″]… the performances are not only being filmed but also broadcast live …[/quote]
    When the 200 Motels had been performed in Amsterdam in 2000, a radio broadcast was intended.
    The Mother Of Prevention did what she always does and prevented just this – and even demanded that recordings were to be erased and destroyed forever.

    Th.[/quote]

    Indeed, Thinman. As much as I have search the program, I could find no details for a web broadcast. I get the eerie feeling that history is going to repeat itself.

    I will say this, though, Roundhouse is one heck of an organization. No matter what occurs, they cannot be faulted.

  13. Well, I’ve bought a “golden ticket” for this event, which (amongst other things) yields me a champagne reception with GZ and guests (hopefully Scott Thunes and his Terrifying Penis Of Discipline). So if it turns out that it isn’t also streaming out over the web then possibly I’ll get the chance to harangue her in person.

  14. [quote comment=”12205″]Well, I’ve bought a “golden ticket” for this event, which (amongst other things) yields me a champagne reception with GZ and guests (hopefully Scott Thunes and his Terrifying Penis Of Discipline). So if it turns out that it isn’t also streaming out over the web then possibly I’ll get the chance to harangue her in person.[/quote]

    Hmmmm, yes… Make certain you thoroughly enjoy yourself first before getting tossed out of the function head over heels. It wouldn’t surprise me if part of the Roundhouse/ZFT arrangement was the right to refuse Anything, Anytime, Anywhere For No Reason At All…

  15. [quote post=”3736″]… It wouldn’t surprise me if part of the Roundhouse/ZFT arrangement was the right to refuse Anything, Anytime, Anywhere For No Reason At All …[/quote]
    Maybe the deal is already to be cancelled because the Roundhouse made their announcement too early. There is still (August 2010) nothing about this on the official ZFT-site.

    Th.

  16. [quote comment=”12206″][quote comment=”12205″]Well, I’ve bought a “golden ticket” for this event, which (amongst other things) yields me a champagne reception with GZ and guests (hopefully Scott Thunes and his Terrifying Penis Of Discipline). So if it turns out that it isn’t also streaming out over the web then possibly I’ll get the chance to harangue her in person.[/quote]

    Hmmmm, yes… Make certain you thoroughly enjoy yourself first before getting tossed out of the function head over heels. It wouldn’t surprise me if part of the Roundhouse/ZFT arrangement was the right to refuse Anything, Anytime, Anywhere For No Reason At All…[/quote]

    In all reality, though, I suspect that basic human decency will win out in the end and that any encounters will be suitably polite. For as it is written, The Meek Shall Inherit A Limited Edition T-Shirt And Poster.

  17. I would very much like to hear the Scott Thunes Q & A. I just hope he doesn’t get hassled by people that think he was the cause of the ’88 tour break-up. I find it interesting that he’s agreed to it as from what i’ve read he doesn’t consider himself a groundbreaking bass player and I’d be suprised if he is doing a technical type bass masterclass (as much as i would love to see that!). As an ex-doorman maybe he’s just there to provide security for Gail!

  18. [quote comment=”12236″]I just hope he doesn’t get hassled by people that think he was the cause of the ’88 tour break-up.[/quote]

    Most people indeed think so, which means that he’ll have to expect quite a bit of hasslement. He definitely was the target of some heavy finger-pointing.

    (I initially also thought that he was “guilty”. Some statements by various ’88 tour employees convinced me otherwise by making clear that the reasons of the ’88 tour breakup were more complex than “Scott is an asshole, let’s stop the tour”.)

  19. I got one by phoning the sales line pretty much the second that they went on sale (I’ve been to high-demand events at the Roundhouse before, so I knew the drill). The very friendly salesperson I spoke to basically told me to buy it there and then with no hanging about as they were going fast. So I did. Sorry about that. Hope you can make it along to some of the individual events anyway.

  20. Interesting comment about selling out fast.

    As far as I can see, and I’ve been following the website pretty much since the info went up, I got three tickets for the actual gig but tickets for all of the Q&A events were ‘unavailable’ from the start. Having called the Roundhouse the box office to enquire about the Saturday afternoon session they said it looked like a block booking, however, customer services said they were sold to different people. The only tickets that are still available are for the actual band performance!

    Funny how they sell out for the Q&A but those same people don’t actually want to see the band and hear the music! Is access to the whole event a stitch up or what?

  21. Hi Q,

    I was able to get Q&A tickets when I booked back in August, so they were certainly on sale to ordinary folk, but maybe they’re taking place in smaller rooms than the evening gigs. (This is mere speculation based on no facts.)

  22. I’ll be there – Golden Tickets and all! I’ll try to post “a Yank’s perspective” when I return, maybe make some pics available somewhere. Hopefully have an impromptu conversation with a fellow KUR poster. Although not listed on Roundhouse site, there is Internet chatter about a 10pm – 1am FZ disco in the foyers nightly. Hop-la!

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