Robert Fripp's Diary

Hotel Acceptable Chicago Room with

13.53

#1201, Hotel Acceptable, Chicago.

Room with a view I…

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On the street in search of a coffee-provider I…

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… to accompany morning reading…

… followed by shopping for in-room salad consumption after tonight’s show.

Practising & computing. Lobby call for 15.30.

22.56  To the venue I…

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Outside the venue I…

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Inside the venue I…

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A professional photo session after soundcheck! What! There was no mention of this beforehand. With flashes!

The SoundSculpture for walk-in: a threnody.

The performance: the Beast Is Back! During the first long climbing section in Larks II I felt the presence of King Crimson entering into the music, and almost wept.

Overall, a strong performance to a generous audience.

Discussion in the car on the way back with Artist Advocate Andy & Adrian re: dealing with photography.  A comment from Ade: if you want a career in this business, you can’t stop photography. And, accordingly, my own career in this business finished on December 12th. 2004 in Santiago, Chile with G3. This day is recorded in the Diary. But, musical profession & endeavour is not a business for me; although the musician must be businesslike (to quote Keith Tippett).

I acknowledged my weakness in the area; and tonight would not have been possible with photography, I suggested; with photography / viddying, I couldn’t have been there. In this, I accept performance conventions have moved close to the audience behave in any way that they want – because they have the right! If this is so, then the performer has the choice – yes or no. And mine is no. A decision recognised, heartbreakingly, on December 12th. 2004.

I enjoyed performing this evening very much. In a conventional touring scenario, with conventional professional promoters & agents etc., they would have paid lip service to no photography & then not bother (as at the Massey Hall in Toronto: denied to my face, acknowledged to others). Which is a large part of why I no longer do this, in a conventional touring situation.