#Troxy

[aneverydaything]

Day 2313, 22 October 2024

The wonderful Art Deco Troxy in Limehouse, London

Opened in 1933, the Troxy started life as a cinema. It was then used as an opera training school before becoming a bingo hall. It is now a live music venue

[noirgasmweetheart]

Lorre's Cat Café: Troxy

Troxy technically isn't one of our cats, but he visits our cafe because he's Ugarte's brother, from the same mixed-breed litter. While not as immediately eye-catching as his brother, Trox is far more elegantly athletic. When startled, he doesn't tear about frantically like our Ugarte; instead, he sails around the furniture, turning escape into a form of expressive dance, usually seeking refuge somewhere high up. When captured, he only squirms until you start petting or scratching him, after which he'll turn surprisingly mellow.

Troxy is a YouTube celebrity in his own right, as his humans film him doing all kinds of stunts, often in different costumes.

[fkatwigsfashion]

FKA twigs at the Artists for Aid charity event in London - 7/4/24

Wearing:

Elastomeric Tower Sleeves by Joel J Hunt

Bandage Bodysuit by Joel J Hunt and Anushka Sanghvi

Horn Bag and Belt by Cathy Meyong

[soundsandnoises]

Concert review: Billy Talent with Snayx in Great Hall, Cardiff and Troxy, London

(17/06/24, 20/06/24)

Sometimes one finds themselves in a certain mood and takes a look back, takes stock of sorts... Maybe I was tired, maybe I was feeling a bit unattached (again)… It dawned on me that I have been listening for Billy Talent for over 15 years. Some would say, it's nothing, because they've been fans for longer, but I think 15 years is quite impressive. Especially that this band seems to be a good constant in my life. People and things come and go, they change, you change, circumstances change... Taste in music changes... And yet, I have always find ways to connect with BT's music, sometimes more, sometimes less (being in a certain headspace doesn't allow you enjoy things as much as you would like, at times). They have been a good omen of sorts, a lucky charm.

When I moved to another country, half way through Europe (it seems now like a lifetime ago) I don't think I considered myself brave. I never really was. I remember being, scared, overwhelmed, because things were not going the way I thought they would. Reality was hitting hard and the plan wasn't working. The simple act of kindness got me into BT's show in The Garage in London. It was sweaty, it was brutal, it was all emotions. But what I remember the most is how impressed Jon was when I told him I just moved, on my own. He called me brave for taking such a leap. It stuck with me. Their kindness always does.

All these years later, their music is such a wonderful outlet. I will repeat it like a broken record: it's cathartic.

All these years later they are still the lucky charm. Their music hitting me like a dump truck on reverse. Drenched in sweat, out of breath, flooded by emotions I laugh, I cry, I forget for a moment about the outside world as the setlist takes me on the journey and it's not The Shire anymore.

There's something special no matter how small or how big the venue when from every throat comes out the song, strong as a bell, every word sung like it's a Sunday choir, ringing through the space.

It seems that in Great Hall I was just so filled with joy to be there, to be able to see Billy Talent again, my face must have radiated like Marie Curie after discovering radium. Not exactly right reaction when you scream the words to the 'Devil in the Midnight Mass', but I was too overjoyed to contain it. Even 'I Beg to Differ (This Will Get Better)' struck a different chord than usual – it seemed in that moment I channelled Agent Mulder [from X Files] and in my head appeared 'I want to believe!'. Who wouldn't want to believe that it indeed gets better? Also there must have been someone cutting onions around, because my eyes got watery (very curious case)…

One of my favourite (and it looked that my taste aligned with the rest of the crowd) – 'Try Honesty' roared through Great Hall like a lion on the prowl. And yes, of course, I was tempted to sing the wrong lyrics: 'Forgive me father, I shoot your mother' is definitely not it, but it has been somewhat an iside joke for years. Should have made the poster. I would be funny. Maybe.

'Surrender', 'Tears into Wine' and 'Saint Veronika' shifted the mood towards more vulnerable state (just like heavy with meaning 'Nothing to Lose', especially with Ben's speech about not giving up and 'we want you here', 'it's better with you here' reasurrence).

Togetherness and unity of the crowd was so present as if it were an entity, hovering above people there, gathered to let go off the negativity and recharge the good energy to the maximum level.

'Reckless Paradise', 'Surprise, Surprise', 'Viking Death March' reminded everyone that it's a punk rock show – so no slowing down (unless there's someone down, then we help them up and carry on)! These songs (along the likes of 'Ghost Ship of Cannibal Rats') show perfectly that Billy Talent, however greatly underappreciated, is the voice of the generation. Not afraid to address current issues, challenge political views, tackle climate change, etc.

The anthem of them all: 'Red Flag' is waving as vividly as all these years before, when I saw them for the first time. And still, I scream these words at the top of my lungs. And no matter how many times I have seen Billy Talent live I get emotional just as if it was the first time. Feelings overflow.

Just like they did in Troxy. Only few days after Cardiff show, but it brought such a different vibe for me.

Maybe it was all the catching up with people I have met 10 years, 2 years ago... So many of us connected through this band: some local, some international fans. A lifetime ago and yet it seemed we've only just met; picked up where we left off, like we've known each other all our lives... Connection through music is such an amazing thing.

Or maybe it was lack of sleep? Well it was something. Also: one's brain is a funny organ. So, when I walked (well, speed walked) through a carpeted (!) Troxy's floor trying to reach front row and not seeing my friends, my mood skyrocketed.

'I'm in the crowd, but I'm all alone...' - this line had been a thorn in my side for quite some time, an arrow piercing the heart. And in Troxy my defences were down, my armour slipped. My eyes filled with tears as soon as first chords of 'I Beg to Differ' started.

'(…) if your will is strong. Enough under pressure. As time goes on, this will get better (…) Don't you surrender.'

Ah, yes.

Good, old 'Line and Sinker' distracted my brain from completely disappearing down into the rabbit hole. How great to scream it out loud. Crowd in Troxy did not disappoint and like a battering ram the song went throughout the venue's walls.

How could I know that this time I couldn't hide and the anguish would shoot to the surface like a volcano. Like acid reflux is gathered and went up my throat as Ben talked about meaning behind 'Nothing to Lose' and song itself becoming so much more than they ever intended. I belted out (it wasn't singing at that point) the lyrics as I bawled my eyes out, choking on every word. Letting it go in a song. Lonely heart gasping for comfort. Exhausted from beating out of sync. So much of it that it poured over half of 'Rusted from the Rain: 'You hung me like a picture, now I'm just a frame...'

What a whirwind. The response from the crowd was so mighty, so strong, craving more and giving it all in return (again going all in and hard that the show had to be stopped due to injury/someone fainting).

I recovered enough to laugh a little when 'Diamond on the Landmine' was called a deep cut. I mean... there are others that would be more deserving of that name, but I'll take it. Deep cut or not – every single words sounded through Troxy like an explosion.

Drenched in sweat, united by the band onstage, wrapped in gratitude for these precious moments we, the fans, raised our voices like weapons. Invincible together.

Cheering to the solos, singing guitar parts, clapping in and out of rhythm, following the “ooohs”, singing along. And laughing, because Ben's:

'I don't understand why you don't like the AC in this country. You push the button and you're comfortable.' doesn't really get old. I still remember his cheerful rendition [around 15 years ago in Poland] as he exclaimed in strange awe: 'The roof is sweating' as the droplets kept on dripping at sticky and soaked in sweat crowd, then just laughed so hard about it.

All of us just screaming in hopefull affirmation, screaming and letting it go, if only for a moment. The good omen. The saving grace. Lucky penny, that's never glued to the ground. Billy Talent always deliver a powerful show: sweat, tears, emotions flying high. And did I mention that they're the sweetest people? To carry on with BT related puns: when you go to BT show it's like you're hanging out with all the right people (I'll walk take myself out now, but hey, who doesn't love a cheesy pun?).

Oh, and no awkard minute or two away in the shadows pretending that the show has ended, when there's at least one song for the encore. All in one go, kicking ass to the very last song (or rather killer combo: 'Red Flag', 'Fallen Leaves').

Great Hall/ Troxy setlist:

Devil in the Midnight Mass

This Suffering

I Beg to Differ

Afraid of Heights

Ghost Ship of Cannibal Rats [GH]/ Line and Sinker [T]

Perfect World

River Below

Nothing to Lose

Rusted from the Rain

Try Honesty

Pins and Needles

Surrender

Tears into Wine

Saint Veronika [GH]/ Diamond on the Landmine [T]

Reckless Paradise

Surprise, Surprise

Devil on my Shoulder

Viking Death March

Red Flag

Falling Leaves

Also few words about Snayx, who definitely understood the assignment and indeed warmed up the crowd for Billy Talent. Cranked it all up to the maximum volume, they were at it like there's no tomorrow. Even though they've had a hell of a journey from Brighton to Cardiff they were unstoppable and their punk energy, paired up with gritty lyrics and elements of dance and rave made the crowd move to the music. Uncompromising, fast paced rock with the attitude.

[tainted-pale]

Siouxsie - Troxy, London 06/09/23

[cinemedios]

Todo sobre 'Songs of a Live World', el nuevo álbum en vivo de The Cure

Hace apenas un mes que The Cure sorprendió con su anticipado nuevo álbum 'Songs of a Lost World' y ahora se acaba de anunciar el lanzamiento de este álbum en su versión en vivo, ¡Entérate aquí!

Hace apenas un mes que The Cure sorprendió con su anticipado nuevo álbum ‘Songs of a Lost World‘ y ahora se acaba de anunciar el lanzamiento de este álbum en su versión en vivo, ¡Entérate aquí! ‘Songs of a Lost World‘ es uno de los álbumes más esperados de la década, desde 2008 la banda liderada por Robert Smith no nos entregaba material nuevo y el pasado 1 de noviembre nos entregaron uno de los…

[greencatsbabies]

[VIDÉO+ALBUM+TOURNÉE] Petite leçon de mates élémentaires par SUPERBRAVO.

[kentengland]

SUNMI ~ Good Girl Gone Mad Tour ~ London Troxy

[herewegobebe]

TAEMIN | Taemin's European Tour Vlog ✦ Backstage in London 💞[x]

[noirgasmweetheart]

He did get an expanded role in at least one stage(ish) version of "Casablanca."

Apparently in 2013, a theater in London called the Troxy had a "Casablanca" themed event that recreated Rick's Cafe for guests to attend, with scenes from the story playing out around them.

Whoever wrote this event appears to have had a favorite character. Ugarte's arrest is expanded into an elaborate action sequence, that apparently is the highlight of the show; the trailers emphasise it, and the only recordings I've found are of that scene.

They went so far as to hire a notable stage performer from Colombia who actually somewhat resembled Peter Lorre--maybe with some makeup. (Miguel Hernando Torres Umba.) In one recording, Ugarte even seems to have a love interest, as a woman desperately calls his name. (Though maybe that was just a guest being a fangirl.)

Compare to Rick of all people, who bears no resemblance to Bogie at all, and has little to do in this scene besides unenthusiastically saying "Ugarte, stop," while the cut-rate parasite completely steals his show.

So far I've found two different versions of the scene, or three if you count the snippits shown in the trailer.

Here's the fullest version of the scene I've found so far. Ugate's lady calls his name around 1:00.

Here's a shorter version, from a different angle, and with the addition of chloroform at the end:

It's kind of interesting to figure out the stage tricks going on here. When they tackle him to the ground, I'm pretty sure they're slipping a safety rig on, so they can carry their costar without dropping him. The chloroform was probably added so that the actors wouldn't have to continue fake-struggling for the next five minutes as they hauled him through the theater. In the longer version you can also see a guard giving him a boost up when he's climbing up the stairs like Spider-Noir.

This is just one of those things where I notice something new every time I watch it.

Peter Lorre as Ugarte in "Casablanca," 1942

Ugarte needs a whole movie. Prequel, extended Casablanca scenes, miraculous escape...

[soundsandnoises]

Billy Talent in Troxy, London

20/06/2024

[kaleidoscopeminds]

sometimes its that serious

[lookninjas]

Oh this is a fucking magnificent "Endsong."

[longliverockback]

The Cure Songs of a Live World: Troxy London MMXXIV 2024 Fiction ——————————————————————— Tracks: 1. Alone 2. And Nothing Is Forever 3. A Fragile Thing 4. Warsong 5. Drone:Nodrone 6. I Can Never Say Goodbye 7. All I Ever Am 8. Endsong ———————————————————————

Jason Cooper

Roger O’Donnell 

Reeves Gabrels

Simon Gallup

Robert Smith

* Long Live Rock Archive