black midi - The Magician - Old Fruitmarket, Glasgow (14/11/2022)

[@uyamashiranui1833]

The Magician was the final BM song I saw them perform in 2023, and I couldn't ask for a better send-off. Maybe they'll have a reunion tour years from now, we'll just have to wait and see. Until then, I'm grateful for all the work this incredible band has put out.

[@nedd.8479]

They better not break up without releasing a studio version of their best song. Edit: Well this aged badly... Edit 2 now that it's on The New Sound: It's peak, I'm afraid.

[@snottymane7042]

if they are done what a fucking finale

[@twigthecheese6462]

I don’t think they’re done yet, but it’s going to be awhile until lp4

[@oop2805]

:(

[@caknut]

chat

[@LASTDINOSAUR]

He was joking. Look at the calendar its april 1st

[@ComradeJae]

Old fruitmarket was my nickname in high school

[@yukoandhiro425]

Old Fruitmarket is my legal name

[@clam6254]

old fruitbasket was my maiden name

[@jamrockdoom]

do you..look like one?

[@saulocampo802]

Cap

[@Player6576_]

are you ok, old fruit market?

[@ezr7305]

Will be coming back to this often, Geordie's studio version is magnificent but it's its own thing. I truly think if this was what they/he had recorded, it would have been one of the greatest songs ever made.

[@blahblahicrazynow]

however long it takes to come out it legit doesn’t matter bc this is going to be even more of a masterpiece than it already is

[@Momentarybliss_lifeisgood.420]

this is first time I felt like I could hear Geordie be moved by his own lyrics. The moments in this song when his voice breaks bring me to tears. This feels like so much more of a personal song, considering so many of Geordie's songs come off as completely fictional. By far his greatest work so far. Looking forward to yet another perfect album.

[@alexanderthompson7278]

Definitely. I can’t say many Black Midi songs feel like they’re about love, or the aftermath, but this one feels like it’s tapping into those feelings. So amazing.

[@martipin12]

i guess now it's fitting to say "i told you i loved you in front of black midi"

[@ryan-ltt]

12.5 minute version of this on Greep's solo album is going to tear me apart like Basketball Shoes. Looking forward to October!

[@alexz4752]

Did it tear you apart like Basketball Shoes?

[@polymorphic59]

@@alexz4752 it did, i was trippin on the subway

[@alexz4752]

@@polymorphic59 Shit had me spinning in circles under a street light at 1am. I'd been waiting for it to drop for 460 days, and the form it finally took was not something I was prepared for at all.

[@ryan-ltt]

@@alexz4752 Yes it did…

[@godawful5600]

The studio version is AMAZING but this live recording is always gonna be one of my favorite songs ever, PERIOD. The main thing that I was hoping for is that the album version would have the same level of frantic passion in the vocals, but it was a little more subdued which kinda bummed me out. He still sang it beautifully and with plenty of emotion, but the part in the live version where all the instrumentation falls away and it’s just him desperately belting out the words is my favorite part of the song. Was hoping he’d keep it the same way on the album but I understand that’s probably harder to replicate in the studio. Anyways I love both, I’ll just always be coming back to this one. Thank you for the upload, this will always be legendary and I’ll never forget hearing it live blind for the first time

[@ilyenamaru]

best thing to happen in glasgow

[@Year8mandem]

This tops the street parties when Thatcher died

[@kristoffer3000]

@@Year8mandem Nah, Black Midi are fantastic but nothing tops the sheer euphoria of Thatcher dying.

[@blahblahicrazynow]

i need this 4th album so bad holy shit

[@JTeter499]

I’m sorry

[@radicalz8056]

I’m fucking sorry

[@julenuriarte3419]

its iver

[@yuhmuhfuhkuh]

we’re so barack

[@plasmaearth1796]

the album version NEEDS to have this guitar intro it's so good

[@kubaswiatek7185]

They BETTER put that bit with no instruments on the studio version and Geordie better go just as crazy on vocals.

[@uyamashiranui1833]

Based on how Holy, Holy sounds, I know the studio version will deliver. Morgan may even be drumming on it... Edit: OK, it was Andrei Martynchyk on drums instead. But everything about the song blew me away as expected.

[@towards_the_flame]

😮‍💨

[@bigpest]

@@towards_the_flame yeah real sad

[@godawful5600]

The only part that’s inferior in the studio version. Was also really hoping for that moment too. It’s still great tho, that’s just the part that makes the song imo

[@genericuser669]

Every time that crescendo hits I'm left knowing I'll be back here in 50 years saying how this was my favourite song of all time and none of the new shit compares

[@big_sea]

yes

[@apothecurio]

Of course it won’t. Because there will be new shit in the future that’s amazing in it’s own right.

[@derse1292]

Geordie's vocal growth is so incredibly apparent on this song, dude is slowly but surely becoming one of my modern favorites

[@big_sea]

yes

[@Todomo]

greepin

[@Chigtology]

It’s so wild hearing a completely genuine and sincere song from them. There were small glimpses of it on Hellfire, but I’ve never seen Geordie seem so vulnerable. Wild.

[@youtubeuserdan4017]

What about Western?

[@Chigtology]

@@youtubeuserdan4017 Maybe it's colored by my overall feelings about Schlagenheim, but I feel like though Western comes close to being sincere, there's still a lot of disconnect that there isn't here.

[@youtubeuserdan4017]

@@Chigtology I agree honestly.

[@HunterW.Photography]

Might be an unpopular opinion but i kind of feel like ascending forth is really sincere and vulnerable, the intense and pained vocals at the end to me suggest a strong personal connection to whatever the song is about.

[@hipster_in_training_wheels]

I love these one-off sincere songs. Reminds me of Despair, which is another BM favorite of mine. I'm curious to see if this'll make it on to the next album or will be a stand-alone single like Despair

[@MrCactuss99]

Instantly came here after the release of the official version, I like this version a thousand times more... It's so perfect and much more emotional imo... I knew it was impossible to make something better than this haha literally one of the best songs of the decade. Will come here often I guess :)

[@middleman6855]

When the smoke clears, what's left? Goodbye, goodbye You drop a kid in gasoline And give him a lit match And slap him on the ass When he lights himself aflame Like the man who pays his wife Two hundred pounds to have sex Because it's the only way he can come Like the girl, born a princess Too early or too late Who waits and waits and knows she'll never be queen What's left? What's left? The senile cat's incessant meow The childrеn's favourite canned cow The soundtrack of an unkеpt house The soundtrack of an abandoned spouse What's left? The whirring cogs of futile despair The anguish of unanswered prayers The writhing mass of moaning torment What's left? You lure a fly to a blazing lamp Shut the lid tight And watch it dance about 'Til it dies Like Sirin's chimp Who, when given a pen Draws only the bars of his cage Like the gown unworn Like the lawn unmowed/overgrown Like the car, all rust Like the lungs, black with tar Like the bones, black with dust Like the heart, black with shame Like the eyes, black with age Like the stillborns living in his formaldehyde grave Like his mouth open, crying out to be saved What is left? What is left? What is left? What is left? And I'm hiding from the government And my fictional wife From my dreams and from my memories I am running from my life I'm hiding from you, I'm hiding from you I'm hiding from you I'm hiding from my mistress And her dream sextets I’m hiding from my family I’m hiding from the explanations Of all I’ve been doing wrong I'm running from your lips I'm running from your mouth I’m hiding from your room I’m hiding from doubt I’m hiding from living I’m hiding from everything I'm hiding from you When did I meet you? Maybe two years ago So much has happened since You were a million fears ago So many since have taken your place A million more things to keep me awake I don't sleep any more I just rest my eyes I'm running from your lips I'm running from your cries Your convulsions that crack The crust of the earth Your pantomime moans So forced, so rehearsed Your little tongue That moves mountains That moves man to madness Your little tongue That deceives and administers lies/life Your little tongue in the ocean The iceberg that kills Your little tongue in my mouth Your little blade in my side (?) You're the first I call I hate the sound of your voice I hate the words you use The phrases you think so choice But I'd kiss you a thousand times If you'd only turn your head But you never your head Because just like me, you're not alive, you're dead In the German black forest of which I know nothing I dream you ride a black horse Back and forth Back and forth Back and forth With no compass to follow Or landmark to reach You perambulate aimlessly through nondescript trees In the nondescript forest Of which I know nothing And can't visualise at all Save your faint silhouette And I clutch and it evades I wake from the dream No, no, none of it’s true I don’t sleep, I don’t sleep! I wander through cowardice, thought And regret Through nothingness, through sagas That never took place Your kiss, never given Your touch, never felt Your words, never spoken Your gift, never dealt Your lies, all around Your deceit, infinite I’m hiding from your never ending torrent of shit Like the spouse happily married Who still dies alone Like the world famous actor Who's still completely unknown Like the German black forest Of you I know nothing I know not your eyes, your skin, your stench, your sins, your arms, your hold, your heart, your folds, your nails, your grip, your grin, your tics, your sex, your shame I know only your name And what’s left of the lover Who doesn’t exist? Who knows not how many fantasies Involve her kiss? And what’s left of the dreamer Who dreams, and dreams, and dreams and dreams… And who thinks he isn’t dreaming But thinks that he is free And what of the endless, heedless, needless are we And what of the endless, heedless, needless are we And what of the endless, heedless, needless are we Will it end Will it ever let me be? No, When the smoke clears, it rains, it pours When it rains, it pours When it rains, your name When the smoke clears, what's left?

[@cooperrhodes4490]

The lyrics are so good, ‘convulsions that crack the crust of the earth’ and the next lines are so good

[@brandonwolfe4000]

Yes! My favorite being "You're the first I call, but I hate the sound of your voice"

[@rag4877]

"Like the stillborn living in his formaldehyde grave Like his mouth open, crying out to be saved" is just so devastating

[@RoachDoggggJR]

God this is my new favorite BM song by a mile. It combines my favorite things about a song like Marlene Dietrich with The Race is About to Begin. What a gorgeous masterpiece

[@snottymane7042]

is that the roach doggs boy

[@RoachDoggggJR]

@@snottymane7042 Heck yea

[@gustavrichard3348]

man i can't stop listening to it, the bit where greep keeps going without the instruments just gets me every single time - such a delight and already one of my favorites from them

[@roanchis5033]

Seeing that live absolutely incredible

[@gustavrichard3348]

@@roanchis5033 saw it live in paris and although the performance wasn't as on point as in this audio i just KNEW something special was happening

[@saucer_like]

lp4 is actually going to forever change my life

[@hollhollholl]

🤫

[@maximasgo]

⁠who’s gonna tell em ?

[@saucer_like]

@@maximasgo im gona kms

[@333sonny]

7:07 *fucking amazing*

[@AllWordsAreDust]

Not what I expected from BM, but I can't wait for this to be recorded.

[@graysonfelt4577]

LETS GOOO ITS GONNA BE RELEASED

[@rianamarillo4027]

this is the best live version i’ve heard yet

[@uyamashiranui1833]

I doubt we're gonna hear a better recording of the vocals until a soundboard surfaces, that's for sure

[@quenjankosky7348]

@@uyamashiranui1833 I do have to say, this is one of the best bootlegged recordings I've ever heard in general. Excellent recording!

[@sweeterskillz]

still true today

[@countvondutchessofwestmoor3974]

@@sweeterskillz that shanghai recording that starts from the second leg of the song is really glorious

[@sublxnary]

Studio version came out great but i'm very glad we have this recording - something very special about the sound captured in this specific performance

[@MrCactuss99]

A million thanks for this recording, after yesterday news it's the first thing that came to my mind... That we will probably never have a better version than this one. Even the talking at the begginig, the cheers... It's perfect. One of my favorites songs of all time, it evokes so many emotions. It's so bittersweet and nostalgic... I hope that they all have a great musical careers even after the split of the band

[@godawful5600]

I agree, I love the crowd ambiance at the beginning of this one. This song is so bittersweet now but I’ll always love this video version the most

[@sushiske]

ITS ON THE SOLO ALBUM WE WON

[@satiristtt]

best black midi song

[@luc-perrin]

I’ve literally listened to this like 20 times. So excited for LP4

[@conorhayes_vijeos]

Been listening to this song properly for over a year now and as Charles Dickens (never) said 'It was the worst of times, it was the worst of times' but anyway this song really has been there for me. It cuts through the mess and during these 9 minutes stuff somehow seems to make sense. It's comforting. Especially when that piano kicks in around the 4:40 mark. Then Geordie delivers. Articulating these funny ridiculous, bizarre, melancholic truths. He delivers them, singing in such emotional gravity which has been widely observed in the comments as to unique, feeling different to other Black Midi tunes. The lyrics are wonderful and you can hear he's truly invested. The fact it's a live recording obviously adds to this rawness. But really I want to thank the person who recorded this. I am very glad you did! Thank you. From the chatter at the beginning to the whoops and claps of the audience and of course the music. It's crystal clear and just beautiful. Thank you for capturing this moment and sharing it. This song is rare and special as are Black Midi. Lots of love

[@uyamashiranui1833]

Thank you for leaving such a thoughtful comment, I agree with all your observations about this recording. I adore BM and Magician is still on a whole other wavelength. But just to clarify, I did not record this myself. It was posted in bmcord along with the rest of the set. I cleaned up the audio and uploaded it here for others to listen.

[@elektrik-fz4up]

So sad to read with the recent news. Awesome comment

[@jameswilson807]

"Imhidingfromyouimhidingfromyouimhidingfromyouimhidingfromyou" - Geordie Greep

[@callumjmccurley]

here after black midi split up, this will still forever be my favourite song of theirs

[@capnbug]

This might be one of my favorite BM songs when it reaches studio

[@eficer04]

already my favorite bm song

[@emax333]

holy shit this might actually be my favorite bm song. like just the pure emotion of his singing, the lyrics might be the best weve heard from bm yet, the drastic climaxes and the capturing desperation of the buildups, like this just feels like more of a journey than any bm song up to this point

[@sweeterskillz]

still the best version

[@jamesjkealy_]

I am eternally lucky to have witnessed this in person. Sometimes the stars align I suppose

[@bryantreed9147]

Jesus this is GODLIKE

[@lohollywood1f428]

I love Black MIDI! The bass line is so groovy but also keeps the song sounding melancholy.

[@actualilluminati13]

I knooooooooooooooow only your naaaaaaaaame!

[@Azure1013]

Imagine black midi does the trolliest thing and just releases this as a single instead of putting it on the next album.

[@comicsans6215]

I think the thing they ended up doing is even more trollier

[@Azure1013]

@@comicsans6215 I agree

[@jackcroll]

This is the best version I've heard yet, I can't wait to see them in Aus.

[@juup5654]

I have never heard a song for the first time and knew that it would be my favorite, but when I first heard this I instantly fell in love

[@gorskiy1]

This is their matte kudasai

[@luc-perrin]

I'm ready for the studio release

[@dimwitted-fool]

pretty cool to now know that it's "cavernous thought and regret" i think i like it more actually

[@mindundi4162]

The long season live/studio phenomenon of this century

[@crispypretzelchickenfries]

Heard this yesterday in boston. i’m not even kidding, i broke down crying. i really cant get enough of it

[@Player6576_]

if i listen to this live on the Bogotá show i swear i'll cry so hard my face will melt i already cried today i cry a lot tbh

[@Player6576_]

i wish i was dead tbh

[@requiemforpsyche]

Each time i listen to this it gets better and better, I'm left with goose bumps and a shiver down my spine when the song ends but in the best way possible.

[@sal-lu8me]

the studio version of magician better be exactly like how they play it live. its so perfect

[@dimwitted-fool]

Classic setup for disappointment. Temper your expectations it’ll be awesome no matter what

[@borg8303]

oh my god greep

[@BonkersBuddy-g4w]

Goodbye, gooodbyeeeeeeee black midi…

[@janajusimi269]

this is my first impression of this band. i like it

[@TooManyEditsProductions]

Well enjoy your stay here

[@amli5741]

welcome❤

[@TooManyEditsProductions]

I just found about this a few days ago and it took 2 or 3 listens to grow on me but for whatever reason i've just been absolutely obsessed with it lately. I don't know how it gets so embedded and stuck in my head but i just want to keep listening to it over and over

[@davidginn6551]

When you thought Hellfire (the album, not the song) couldn't be topped, you hear this. Unbelievably amazing. The 4th album cannot come soon enough Edit: I can also see this being either a song in the direct middle of the album or the very end. I'm leaning towards middle however

[@uyamashiranui1833]

I have a gut feeling this will be the penultimate track and there will be a shorter, mellow closer (like ずっと on Vision Creation Newsun) to bring the album full circle. But it would make just as much sense for Magician to be at the end.

[@davidginn6551]

@@uyamashiranui1833 I am a massive fan of Black Midi. However, I haven't listened to their other two LPs pre-Hellfire, so I've only heard Hellfire. So I'm mainly going off 27 Questions, being sort of a mix between chaos and beauty and not calm. But I don't know. It could be like The Defence, which was calmer and let you breathe a bit, and then pulled you into 27 Questions. But, it comes up to whenever LP4 releases

[@davidparsons97]

If they put it in the middle, it'll be like Western, only better. Can you imagine this being done to transition perfectly into a title track.

[@alex11v3]

@@davidginn6551 Man, im gonna tell you, listen to their previous releases. Their Debut is easily 10x more brutal than hellfire, for me is like an easy top 10 albuns of all time, that album is batshit insane, creative and mind blowing. Cavalcade, their second album is good, all of the songs are good but not on the Schlagenheim and Hellfire level. Keep adventuring yourself on this band world my friend, I rewatch monthly their 2019 live shows because it is damn fascinating. They are one of the best bands out there easily.

[@davidginn6551]

@@alex11v3 I will indeed do that right now, however, for me coming in at the Hellfire era, it's hard to compare the heights and excited ness of Hellfire to both Schlagenheim and Cavalcade. I've gotten maybe a little below halfway on both albums, but my mind dozes off. But, I will definitely sit through both albums right after I finish typing this. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@mark3000]

Better than released lol

[@shaunhoodhitsthings4019]

I was there and am so happy that you recorded this, can’t stop listening! Thank you

[@uyamashiranui1833]

I appreciate that, but I've never even set foot in the UK lol. This was just posted as part of the whole show on the BM discord. I edited out the clicks in the beginning and uploaded it here to be more easily accessible.

[@disasteriz3766]

@@uyamashiranui1833 can you share the link for the bm discord?

[@uyamashiranui1833]

@@disasteriz3766 discord.gg/FbaphBYFgg

[@disasteriz3766]

@@uyamashiranui1833 thanks -_-

[@matto4076]

listened to this one last night for the very first time. live in são paulo. absolutely breathtaking.

[@CaesarSalads]

What a brilliant song and major props to Greep for the performance. I’ve been listening to this vid on repeat the last 2 weeks. What a treat it would have been to be there.

[@dimwitted-fool]

SO FORCED! SO REHEARSED!

[@DEAKY3GAVUEL]

Lp4 will be the most prog

[@davidparsons97]

I expect it to be 68 minutes and 7 tracks.

[@jexielean]

this is ABSOLUTELY BEAUTIFUL !!! i love how versatile black midi is ! favorite band of all time ❤

[@poundcayx]

i keep coming back to this, could not be more excited for the studio version

[@borg8303]

didnt know this was recorded on my birthday

[@daisy-rose722]

so fucking good

[@SantyPLAY_]

guys

[@braxtonwise9897]

guys 😔

[@kvlvxn6186]

it's joeover

[@godawful5600]

Just heard this for the first time at the Carrboro show, Greep ripped off my weave and ate it live on stage with these vocals

[@Woodchuck799]

Was at this show, so happy to find this here. Haven’t stopped thinking about this tune. Met the guys at the bowling afterwards!

[@sal-lu8me]

back again for the daily listen of my favourite bm song

[@austinworkman9967]

i'm going to wheeze with laughter at these Rhett and Link clips

[@blahblahicrazynow]

every time i hear this song it reminds me how bad i need bm4 to release

[@disasteriz3766]

god my favourite black midi songs are the ballads. It's such a normie take that its weird

[@cuco583]

Omg your profile pic, I love betcover!

[@derk486]

I was there, best song ive ever heard from them

[@requiemforpsyche]

im so normal abt english prog rock band black midi😁

[@jmckenzie962]

I hope they play this in Auckland in March. God I can't wait to see these guys Update: they did indeed play it as the last song, and god, was it glorious

[@georgemignogna3109]

They’ve been playing this at every live show lately so I think you have a good chance!

[@rag4877]

same, flying 1600kms to see them in brisbane and so hyped !

[@bigpest]

It was so. good.

[@bienzoo]

please couldn't they just release a studio version of this as their final single. I just know they have recorded this in a studio, just remaster it and pack it as a single i dont care🥺

[@addison_deez]

cannot wait for a studio version of this 🙏🙏

[@brendoncooper4529]

Holy fucking shit this is heroin

[@brodietaylor8506]

This night was magical im so glad I could be there to catch this live :)

[@capnbug]

Holy

[@christianhaynes9981]

I was at this gig

[@soundjuggler129]

4 hours till release :) this i cant wait for

[@esther8262]

Usually feel so out of place on this earth- hearing this live made me really happy, so grateful!- what do you guys think is being said?

[@TooManyEditsProductions]

There's probably a lot more than my interpretation, but to me it all feels like it's just conveying one emotion - despair. No hope, trapped, doomed, by no fault of your own. The second half of the song seems to me to be the reaction to such despair, that being estrangement from everyone and everything you knew- hiding. It seems like its despair over some love, maybe something parasocial given the "i know only your name" part, maybe a relationship that ended before it even started. Glad to hear this song makes you feel a little less out of place here tho :)

[@cranberrysace]

holy shit

[@sublxnary]

can't stop listening to this

[@towards_the_flame]

what's left?

[@noahcameron5655]

Oh my god

[@maxhybner9206]

still cannot tell if it was real

[@smoshbooz]

I love the moment when Geordie said "it's greepin' time" and he greeped all over us. Truly greeptacular. Bravo Cam 👏🏻👏🏻

[@sleepingbaby9483]

GOOD GOD. LOOOOORD

[@Calasmeeer]

lp4 when

[@user-dn9tt8py6t]

This reminds me of bruce springsteen for some reason

[@youtubeuserdan4017]

Would be insane if Bruce covered this.

[@arturobelano6243]

The piano

[@gioramos9188]

God daym

[@afellowstruggler]

RIP

[@lucab1090]

wow

[@Tototoroto]

D:

[@lilhoodie1]

Rip

[@Tototoroto]

:D