Travis, Hong Kong, 2008-07-31

Leslie Cheung almost 17 years ago

The long-awaited Scottish band, Travis, played their first ever Hong Kong gig tonight (July 31). The band kicked off the show with "Selfish Jean" from their fifth album The Boy With No Name at 20:40. Before launching into "Side", frontman Fran Healy spent some time to talk to the audience, "You can't feel more flatering to meet so few from home, and... Your city rocks! It's like in the future. Its space is like from the 25th century!"

He then asked the audience to participle in a social experiment before "Closer", "Can you say 'hi' to the ones next to you, but remember say 'hi' to someone you don't know."

"We are going to play 4 new songs from our next album, released this October," said Fran" Personally I think that you have to try something first before you buy it. The first one is 'J. Smith' which you can listen at our MySpace page." The band also played "Something Anything", "Long Way Down" and "Song To Self". All are taken from the band's sixth album Ode To J. Smith, to be released on the band's own imprint, Red Telephone Box Records.

Bassist Dougie Payne provided vocals during the second verse of "Turn". The band left the stage for about two minutes and returned to give their encore performance. All band members stood behind Fran and played "Flowers In The Window" in acoustic. At some point Fran did not play any guitar and Dougie and guitarist Andy Dunlop stepped in playing it. During the last number of the night, "Why Does It Always Rain On Me?", some of the audience brought out their umbrella and opened it. Fran and co even asked the audience hopping along the final chorus of the song.

Setlist of the night:

Selfish Jean
Eyes Wide Open
Writing To Reach You
Pipe Dreams
The Beautiful Occupation
Side
Love Will Come Through
Closer
Sing
J. Smith
Something Anything
Long Way Down
Song To Self
Re-offender
Driftwood
As You Are
All I Want To Do Is Rock
Turn

[encore]
Flowers In The Window [acoustic]
Slide Show
Blue Flashing Light
Why Does It Always Rain On Me?

photos by Love Da Records