Go West live in Manila…How to fully enjoy retro 80s-New Wave concert

            English pop duo, Go West will be performing live in Eastwood Mall Open Park and Venice Piazza at Mckinley Hill, Fort Bonifacio Metro, Manila on November 11 and 12, 2011.  Go West was formed in 1982 by  lead vocalist and drummer  Peter Cox and singer-guitarist Richard Drummie. Among their popular songs  are : “Call Me," (1985) “ We Close Our Eyes,”(1985) “King  of Wishful Thinking”(1990) and their version of “What You Won’t Do For Love.” (1992) 

Pete Cox and Richard Drummie 

  

            With the spate of   80’s New Wave acts visiting our country, I thought of writing about the preparations I do before watching a live concert. In my experience watching recent and past 80’s New Wave live concerts,  I observed that many of the audience are 'casual fans' like me. By that, I mean a fan who is familiar with the 80’s hits  but  not  updated with the recent releases of their favorite New Wave bands. It is a common scene  in a live concert , that whenever an unfamiliar tune or a new song is introduce, the energy suddenly drops. It is understandable  for an exasperated spectator to utter the words, “not another unfamiliar track!” and "the reason we came here in a nostalgia concert is to hear the HITS!"... But think of this, what if a band/artist coming here for a live concert has only a few hits here.  A good example is Go West who probably has at the most, only 4 popular radio-songs here. If they will only perform their popular songs just for nostalgia,  then they would have to sing only four numbers,  pack their bags and  head home. That is why I think that to fully enjoy our favorite 80’s New Wave band/artist live concerts, it is necessary to get reacquainted and updated with their music.   My style is not unique. I’m certain many live concert goers practise the methods I do before attending live concerts:

       

1. Listen and Relive – I listen to my favorite tracks frequently and relive the good old days. If I don’t have a copy of any cd of the band’s catalogue, I buy a greatest hits compilation or an album containing the hits I’m familiar with. The cds are most likely unavailable in our record bar nowadays, so I usually source my copy in Ebay.  There are many Ebay sellers (both international and local) that offer used and brand new New Wave cds. 

Having an original copy  enhances my appreciation of a band or an artist's work. You can even have it autograph if the band or  artist will have a 'meet and greet'- A perfect souvenir!  I also listen to the artist's uploaded songs in YouTube. You can also checkout blog sites that feature New Wave music. 
  

    

            My favorite Go West songs are “Call Me and We Close Our Eyes”.  

We Close Our Eyes

Call Me

What You Won't Do for Love

King Of Wishful Thinking - Live

 

     

2.  Read – As a fan, I read about the band/artist's  informations on their website and Wikipedia.  I   pay particular attention  to the band history , local and   international hits, discography and recent gigs.

Go West released three proper   albums during their heyday: Go West (self-titled 1985); Dancing on the    Couch (1987); Indian Summer (1992) 

     

3. Get updated with their new songs –  Among our recent and past visitors who  kept on making albums long after their 80’s crest in  popularity  are Howard Jones, The Human League, Belinda Carlisle, Duran Duran and Tears for Fears. We no longer hear them on the airwaves but they continue to churn out beautiful music. After I read about the band’s recent hits and  album  releases, I  now begin the process of  listening. I focus on the singles released from the album.  If they have a new cd, it is likely they would  perform 2 to 3  tracks from it. Most likely, the singles, so familiarize yourself   with these songs. Again, YouTube is the perfect place...You can also of course listen to these songs if you can find them on New Wave blog sites. If I like the songs or the album , I buy it.     

Go West released an album in 2008( futurenow) and just   released two EPS, last April 2010 and March 2011

Skin Deep - from the 2010  3D  Ep #1

Fastest Man Alive, Live - from the 2010  3D  Ep #1

4.  Look for the set list of recent concerts. Chances are they would be performing   the same songs. The more familiar you are with the songs, the more you’ll enjoy listening to the concert.

       Set list from their April 2010 concert in Australia:

     

       Black and Gold

       SOS

       Gold By God

       Tracks of My Tears

       Sex On Fire

       Glow

       Don’t Look Down

       Call Me

       King Of Wishful Thinking

       We Close Our Eyes

Other songs performed  during their recent tour: “Fastest Man Alive”(new song), “Skin Deep”(new song),  "Sun And The Moon"," From Baltimore To Paris" and  "Faithful." 

5.   Watch  music videos and film clips of their live concerts in You Tube. It’s  better  if you can purchase  a dvd of their  concert/s.           

   

  6. Bring someone with you – now is the time to have a reunion with your high  school and childhood friends. You can bring along your wife and kids too. The more the merrier.

P.S.  I would like to acknowledge and thank the following:

   
           Warrick90.youtube.com for "Call Me" video 
           The80sJukebox.youtube.com for" We Close Our Eyes" video.
           Minemurakazuya.youtube.com for, "What you won't do for love" video
        Dashproductions.youtube.com for the, "King of wishful thinking" video
            JamesMarkBarton.youtube.com for the "Skin Deep" video
         Sjworthy.youtube.com for the "Fastest man alive"  video