"Being worn out and tired for days after arriving, generally accompanied by a lack of concentration and motivation, especially for any activity that requires effort or skill". One of the symptoms of jet lag according to Nojetlag.com. No, they do not sponsor us :-) But the condition described seemed to apply to Woven Hand who had debarked a transatlantic flight less than 48 hours ago.

Ordy Garrison's drumming was energetic and to the point. And like on Woven Hand's previous jaunt through Europa he shook those fruit-shaped maracas as if his life depended on it and if he had never heard of RSI. But despite his efforts he didn't succeed in spurring on the other three band members to break through the dull mood.

The show's lead-off to the show was symbolical. The band was about to start White Bird when David Eugene Edwards became aware of some technical problems and broke off the song before it had begun. A false start. When they did get out of the starting blocks the trumpet of Shane Trost (who has previously played among others with Delta 72 and Him, no not the Finnish metal one :-) was almost inaudible. He also banged the drum during a few songs, but his main duties were on the bass. And he performed those duties modestly and competently. Daniel McMahon, seated on two chairs, one stacked on top of the other, looked as serious and distant as usual on stage.

David Eugene Edwards, the Kremlin-watchers noticed, was once again wearing the "16hp" horseshoe necklace, instead of the cross introduced on the first Woven Hand tour. He looked knackered - especially with the extra facial hair - and absent-minded. The gestures were there, illustrating certain words in the lyrics, but it looked as if his heart wasn't there. He was going through the motions. Just doing a job. The only time he played spiritedly was during Your Russia. That encore was the sole peak of the show. And unfortunately the song was marred by the distorted and muddled sound coming from the P.A.

"Gähnen ist ein Zeichen der Müdigkeit oder der Langeweile". A sentence from my high school German textbook from 25 years ago (the horrors of the nominative, genitive, dative and accusative :-) that flashed through my mind. Yawning is a sign of tiredness or boredom. I wasn't tired, yet I could not suppress a yawn on several occasions. I found the performance anything but compelling. It seems to be a recurring theme at the start of a tour, take for instance Pukkelpop last year. That involved 16 Horsepower, but the similarities are obvious. A band on stage that is too tired to play well. A band that isn't well-oiled yet, but still rehearsing, be it in front of an audience. It resulted in a below-par show. Perhaps Edwards should visit Nojetlag.com (no, they don't sponsor us :-) or a similar site before the next European tour :-)

By Martin