Lynyrd Skynyrd Manchester Apollo 30th May 2009 May 31, 2009

Lynyrd Skynyrd Manchester Apollo 30th May 2009

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this. I saw Skynyrd three times in the 70s; once at Newcastle City Hall supporting Golden Earing (they blew them offstage), supporting the Stones at Knebworth in 76 (they were the better band on the day) and headlining the City Hall (was it 77? I remember they were unbelievably loud). I thought that this (re)incarnation of the band could’t possibly match those early shows, and wasn’t sure what to expect.

Support came from Ansley Lister who was pretty damn good, and went down well with the Manchester crowd. The place was packed to the walls. I had a standing ticket downstairs; it was really hot and sticky (mental note to myself: I am too old for this; always buy seats if you can). The crowd was of all ages; some kids who clearly couldn’t have seen the old band and some old timers like me who obviously had. Lots of cowboy hats on grey haired heads and lots of flags; people had waited a long time for this show and had come from far and wide. Saw a few familiar faces from Newcastle and Sunderland.

I took a place near the front towards the side of the stage. Skynyrd took the stage to a great reception and launched into a set mainly drawn from their 70s albums. So were they as good as in 70s? Actually yes; and the show seemed quite similar to those 70s shows as I remember them. They were still very very loud, with great guitar from Gary Rossington and the other guitarists. Johnny Van Zant does his brother proud. Standouts for me were That Smell, Simple Man, and Tuesday’s Gone. They finish with Sweet Home Alabama and encore with (of course) Freebird. Awesome. So those of you who think this is a cover band and not as good as the old band are wrong in my view. These guys have the same passion, spirit and values as the guys we all saw in the 70s. Tonight renewed my faith in old rock bands and reminded what it used to be like (mental note: yes I should try and make it to see Deep Purple in November even if it does mean a 150 mile drive on a weekday night). And my ears were still ringing when a got home at 1am! It really was like the 70s.

Setlist was something like:
Workin for MCA
I ain’t the one
Saturday night special
Whats your name
Simple man
That Smell
Whisky rock-a-rol ler
Medley – Down south Jukin, needle and the spoon, Double trouble and Tuesdays Gone.
Gimme three steps
Call me the breeze
Sweet Home Alabama
Encore
Freebird

website: www.lynyrdskynyrd.com

Antony and the Johnsons The Sage Gateshead 29th May 2009 May 31, 2009

Antony and the Johnsons The Sage Gateshead 29th May 2009

A strange one this. Antony’s voice is like no other. Laura says it is the most musical concert she has been to. His songs are quite jazzy and have a strange quality to them. He is backed by a band with sring players as well as drums, guitar etc. Antony was very chatty and the audience loved him. He told us how he was conceived in Sunderland (!) and told the story of Jesus as a Girl coming down from the mountain.

website: www.antonyandthejohnsons.com

Setlist:
Where Is My Power?
Her Eyes are Underneath the Ground
Epilepsy
One Dove
For Today I am a Boy
Kiss my Name
Everglade
Another World
Shake that Devil
Snake impro.
Crying Light
I Fell in Love with a Dead Boy
Fistful of Love
You Are My Sister
Hope Mountain
Twilight
Aeon
Encore
Cripple and The Starfish
Hope There’s Someone

Morrissey 50th Birthday Concert Manchester 22 May 2009 May 24, 2009

Morrissey Manchester Apollo 22 May 2009

Laura and I went to wish Morrissey a Happy Birthday at Manchester Apollo on Friday.

Laura had been waiting for this one for some time. The thought of seeing the great man in his home town on his 50th birthday was pretty exciting I must admit.

We left early on the Friday evening to drive to Manchester, as it was bank holiday weekend and we feared that the traffic could be busy. And busy it was. The drive normally takes us just over 2 hours. This time it took around 4 hours; the A1 south from Durham was OK; but we crawled along the M62 from Leeds to Manchester. Still we arrived on time and got into the Apollo before the support act Doll and the Kicks took to the stage. Saw the mother from Shameless outside, and heard afterwards that half of the cast of that show were there.

We took our seats upstairs. We were in the fourth row at the side overlooking the stage; a pretty good view. Doll and Kicks were OK; the singer danced around the whole stage; reminded me a little of Clare Grogan and Altered Images, though the music reminded me of Pauline and Penetration.

The atmosphere in the Apollo was electric. The place was full of hardened Morrissey fans from all over the place, and everyone was keen to make sure that he got a great birthday. He had cancelled a few shows the week before due to a sore throat; so this show was all the more special. The interval featured the usual Morrissey video show with his own (quite bizarre) selection of favourites: Anthony Newley, Shirley Bassey, The New York Dolls, and Vince Taylor (theres a lotta twisiting going on: have a look at it on YouTube and you’ll see where Morrissey gets his quiff from!).

Soon the lights go down and the birthday boy takes to the stage to an innovation that I swear I have never seen the like of before. I thought the crowd were never going to stop cheering. Morrissey is clearly moved and kneels down in front of us all. The set is the same as the rest of tour; no big surprises. We do get a chance to sing happy birthday to him, and a couple of shirts are thrown out. The crowd downstairs look pretty wild; lots of people are dragged out and a few get the chance to shake Morrissey’s hand. He gives the mike to a few people at the front who wish him happy birthday. He’s clearly enjoying it and is on good form.

One note of disappoitment. Laura had promised herself a signed lp. They sell them at the end of each gig, and are limited to around 20 copies. So I went down to the merchandise stand in the foyer during The Loop; a couple of songs before the end of the set; and join a queue of less than 10 people waiting to buy the signed vinyl. As he leaves the stage they start selling the lps; but the first 3 or 4 people in the queue buy 4 or 5 each and the rest of each don’t get a chance! A few unhappy people start to argue with the guy on the stall, but nothing can be done. I do think it would have been fairer if they had limited sales to one each! So we have to settle for the special laminate pass which they were giving out free to everyone.

All in all a great experience; and a wonderful night. Laura declares it the best concert she has ever been to!! Two hours later we arrive home at around 1am.

Setlist : This Charming Man / Irish Blood, English Heart / Black Cloud / How Soon Is Now? / All You Need Is Me / How Can Anybody Possibly Know How I Feel? / Girlfriend In A Coma / I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris / Let Me Kiss You / Ask / Something Is Squeezing My Skull / One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell / Why Don’t You Find Out For Yourself? / The World Is Full Of Crashing Bores / I Keep Mine Hidden / When Last I Spoke To Carol / Best Friend On The Payroll / Sorry Doesn’t Help / Some Girls Are Bigger Than Others / The Loop / I’m OK By Myself // First Of The Gang To Die

website: http://www.itsmorrisseysworld.com/

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birthday laminate pass given out at the concert

Al Stewart The Sage Gateshead May 18th 2009 May 24, 2009

QAl Stewart The Sage Gateshead May 18th 2009

I’m not sure if I have ever seen Al Stewart in concert before. I think I may have seen him in the early 70s in his folk days before Year of the Cat; but can’t swear to it. So I figured it was time to put that right and went to the Sage last Monday. The downstairs hall was 3/4 full; while upstairs was almost empty; I understand on previous visits it has been better attended.

Al’s show was OK. He had a pretty good guitarist with him and the songs were pleasant enough. The only ones I knew were Year of the Cat and on the Border. As an eveing out it was quite enjoyable, but nothing particularly memorable.

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Little Feat The Sage Gateshead 11th May 2009 May 16, 2009

Little Feat The Sage Gateshead 11th May 2009

Not a lot to say about this one.  I saw Little Feat a couple of times in the 70s; once headlining at the City Hall and once supporting The Who at Charlton. I can’t remember much about those performances; nothing stood out I guess.  Thought it was time I saw them again. It was OK but nothing outstanding. I recognised Dixey Chicken. Fraid I left during the encore.  

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Bob Dylan Edinburgh Playhouse 3 May 2009 May 10, 2009

Bob Dylan Edinburgh Playhouse 3 May 2009

This was Laura’s first Dylan experience and my 14th. David decided to pass this time, and Laura was keen to claim the ticket so she could see the legend in concert and see what he was like for herself. I’d prepared her for the show and told her that he sings the songs somewhat differently to the album versions which she has heard. I even played her a CD of the last Manchester Arena show that David and I went to.

The Edinburgh Playhouse is a lovely venue and the smallest in which I have ever seen Bob. We drive up the A1 (Laura doesn’t like the bumps and turns on the A68) and arrive in time for something to eat in the Slug and Lettuce close to the venue. We say hello to Mike and Maureen who are also in there.

Laura buys her customary t-shirt (a small, but still too large for her) and we take our seat in the circle. Bob comes on stage at aorund7.40 and starts withLeopard Skin Pill Box Hat, and then into Lay Lady Lay and Tangled up in Blue. His voice is strong and he is singing a lot better. Unfortunately, the songs that follow are all in a similar blues vien to me, and not some of his best tracks. Things pick up again towards the end when we get Highway 61 and Like a Rolling Stone. The encores include All Along the Watchtower and Just Like a Woman, with Dylan playing some pretty good guitar. Not the best time I’ve seen Dylan, but by no means the worst. Laura has enjoyed it but is disappointed that he didn’t play I want You which is her favourite. The A1 seems to go on forever on the way back (too many speed cameras) and we get home at 12.30pm; not too late at all.

Set list:
Leopard-Skin Pill-Box Hat; Lay, Lady, Lay; Tangled Up In Blue; When The Deal Goes Down; Rollin’ And Tumblin’; Tryin’ To Get To Heaven; Stuck Inside Of Mobile With The Memphis Blues Again; Sugar Baby;High Water (For Charley Patton); I Don’t Believe You (She Acts Like We Never Have Met); Po’ Boy; Highway 61 Revisited; Ain’t Talkin’; Summer Days; Like A Rolling Stone
Encores: All Along The Watchtower; Just Like A Woman; Blowin’ In The Wind

 

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