The Dead Weather Newcastle Academy October 21 2009 October 24, 2009

The Dead Weather Newcastle Academy October 21st 2009

The Dead Weather are Jack White’s latest band. The fact that Jack White is in them raised enough interest in David, Laura and myself to go along and see them at the Academy on Wednesday night. None of us have seen Jack White before; we had tickets for the White Stripes the last time they were due to come to Newcastle, but the show was cancelled when Meg became unwell. The nearest that David and I got to seeing Jack was when he walked past us at a Dylan gig in Manchester a couple of years ago. Support came from Creature with the Atom Brain (great name), who we all agreed were not too hot. It wasn’t too long before Jack and the band took to the stage.  Jack played drums for most of the night, only coming to the front to sing and play guitar in a couple of songs. But the front person role is well covered by the singer Alison Mosshart (of the Kills), who runs round the stage like a whirling dervish. The music is very blues-based with many clear 60s influences. I can hear Beggars Banquet Stones, Dr John, The Cramps, Bo Diddley in there. Great guitar riffs played on cool-looking Gretch guitars and a square Bo Diddley guitar at one point. We all agree that they are pretty good, but to be honest, the songs begin to sound a little samey as the night goes on. It would probably be better if we had listened to the album. I certainly had heard nothing at all by them before going to see them.

website: http://www.thedeadweather.com/

I hate Ticketfast printed tickets

Bruce Springsteen Glasgow Hampden Park July 14th 2009 July 19, 2009

Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band Hampden Park Glasgow July 14th 2009

A fair few years have passed since I first saw Bruce at Hammersmith in 1975. I’ve seen him a few times since over the years, and in recent times I’ve really got back into him again. Laura likes the well known songs, Born to Run, The River etc, so decided that she would join me this time and see the Boss for herself. This gig promised to be something special. Its been some time since Bruce last played Glasgow and a lot of people were really looking forward to this.

We set off around 2pm to give ourselves plenty of time to drive up to Scotland and stopped off at Gretna for a short break. The drive was fine and we arrived in Glasgow around 5pm. I’d expected Hampden to be well signposted but soon got lost and ended up driving around the city centre. Driving past Central Station I saw a massive queue of people who were obviously off to the concert. So I stopped and offered a lift to anyone who could direct us to the stadium. We were quickly joined by Alan, Sandra and Janie who had come from Ayr and were pleased for the lift as they directed us up through the town to Hampden. We arrived in the Stadium carpark aorund 7.15; just in time to buy a t-shirt for Laura, a programme for me and a couple of (pretty disgusting and expensive) hotdogs.

Bruce and the band took the stage around 8pm. For the next three hours we were treated to a great show by what must be one of the best live bands on the planet today. Bruce seems to have unstoppable energy and really seemed to put everything into the show. And the Glasgow crowd wsere up for it. Lots of singing along (to every song; put me to shame). At one point Bruce goes down to the front and collects cardboard signs from the crowd and then palys some of the requests from the cards including Incident on 57th Street, which he hasn’t played in the Uk since the 75 Hammersmith shows. Clarence gets a special cheer from the crowd; he looks great. Bruce finishes with Twist and Shout (I was hoping for Mony Mony).

After the show the police keep us in the carpark until around midnight. We got home at 3am;and I’m up at 7am for work; tired but it was worth it.

Setlist:
Flower of Scotland: [Nils solo accordion intro]
Badlands
Out in the Street
My Lucky Day
She’s the One
Outlaw Pete
Working on the Highway
Working on a Dream
Seeds
Johnny 99
Atlantic City
Raise Your Hand (instrumental)
Incident on 57th Street
Pink Cadillac
Cover Me
Waitin’ on a Sunny Day
The Promised Land
The River
Kingdom of Days
Radio Nowhere
Lonesome Day
The Rising
Born to Run

Encores:
Hard Times
Thunder Road
American Land (with Evan Springsteen)
Bobby Jean
Dancing in the Dark
Twist and Shout

ticket

programme

Steely Dan Edinburgh Playhouse June 28 2009 July 5, 2009

Steely Dan Edinburgh Playhouse June 28 2009

Steely Dan are a band that I have always fancied seeing. My friend Norm saw them at the Liverpool Pops last time they came to the UK a couple of years ago and told me how good they were.  So Norm and I decided to catch them at Edinburgh Playhouse this time around.

Drove up to Edinburgh on a hot Sunday afternoon and arrived in time for a snack before the show. We watched some of the support act who were a jazz quartet; OK; but straight jazz is not my cup of tea. Steely Dan started with the band playing an intro before Becker and Fagan took the stage to a great reception. They seemed in a good mood, quite a bit chattting to the crowd. The playing was excellent; the music that sort of lounge jazz / rock that they are so well known for. I enjoyed the show, but must admit I was quite disappointed at the lack of well known songs in the set.  In particular I wanted to hear Reelin in the Years and Do It Again (both of which they have been playing on some nights of this tour) and Ricky don’t lose that number (which I don’t think they have played for some time).  Also we only got one song for an encore; on other nights they seem to have been playing two. So although it was in itself a good show I did feel quite short changed (particularly at £55 a ticket for seats near the back). The crowd shouted for more and it looked like people weren’t going to leave; the lights came up and reluclantly we all went out into a warm scottish night (and a long drive home).

Setlist:

Intro – Jeri
Time Out Of Mind
Show Biz Kids
I Got The News
My Old School
Bad Sneakers
2VN
Aja
Hey Nineteen
Parkers Band
Babylon Sisters
Daddy Don’t Live In That New York City No More
Black Cow
Green Earrings
Love Is Like etc
Josie
Peg

Encore – Kid Charlemagne
Outro – Last Tango In Paris

 

ticket

Blur Newcastle Academy June 25 2009 June 27, 2009

Blur Newcastle Academy June 25 2009

Review by cub reporter Laura

After reading dad’s recent Anthony and the Jonson’s review, I noted that his writings regarding the bands that David and I persuade him to see tend to be a little brief. Indeed, dad often claims to not know what to write about when it comes to more recent bands. Although Blur, with their nineties Britpop routes, a six year split and reunion shows under their belt, could hardly be described as a “recent band”, it was definitely David and I who suggested dad got tickets. So to ensure the band get a fair and thorough hearing, I have nominated myself to take over this gig’s entry.

I was too young to appreciate Blur during the nineties, only knowing them as a band my brother liked. It wasn’t until about five years ago I began listening to their music and David and I always said we’d love to see them if they ever reformed. So when a tour was announced, dad, my brother and I all got tickets: initially for the Hyde Park gig later this month, however when the Newcastle date was added, we decided to see them at the academy instead.

We arrived at the venue at around eight o’clock and were presented in the busy entrance foyer with a “Blur 25.06.09” transfer tattoo. We then made our way into the main hall where support band Jolene and the Jing Jang Jong were finishing their set. From the little I heard they sounded pretty good, nothing exciting or unique but quite a nice sound all the same. Whilst waiting for Blur to come on stage, I bought my customary t-shirt, this time depicting the milk carton from the Coffee and TV video.

It was around 8.45 when Blur arrived on stage, kicking things off with “She’s So High” which got a great reception. The crowd however erupted into new levels of excitement when the band then seamlessly broke into “Girls and Boys” which began a sing along not ceasing till the show’s conclusion. Everybody seemed word perfect to each number, hits such as “Country House”, “Park Life”, “End of a Century” and an extended version of “Tender” particularly rousing. This, combined with the audience jumping so hard as to make the floor bounce, made the gig particularly atmospheric.

As well as the crowd, the band too seemed to be enjoying themselves. Although on the whole he didn’t speak too much, Damon proclaimed to like the venue as it reminded him of a music hall. He also made several ventures into the audience, diving into the crowd during “Trimm Trabb” and again later on in the show. They finished with “This is a Low”, returning to perform two sets of encores including a particularly energetic version of “song2” and a wonderful performance of “The Universal.”

All in all, the gig was incredibly energetic and exciting. The band played and sung as well as I’d hoped they would, backed perfectly by a group of vocalists, string and brass musicians. The set list was great, encompassing the right mix of hits, album favourites and early songs (which all three of us agreed to sound very punk).

We all had a fantastic night; however this was dampened by the news of Michael Jackson’s tragic death which we heard on the radio on the way home.

Setlist:

She’s so high
girls and boys
tracy jacks
there’s no other way
jubilee
badhead
beetlebum
out of time
trimm trab
coffee and tv
tender
country house
oily water
chemical world
sunday sunday
parklife
end of a century
to the end
this is a low
***ENCORE 1***
popscene
advert
song2
***ENCORE 2***
For tomorrow
the universal

programme

ticket

laura's blur tattoo

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/

ticket

birthday laminate pass given out at the concert

Paul Weller Newcastle 16 November November 23, 2008

Paul Weller Newcastle Metro Radio Arena November 15 2009

I bought myself a single standing ticket to see Paul Weller. I guess I decided it was about time I forgave him for the Style Council and went to see him again. I saw the Jam probably every time they came to the North East (around 12 times I think) and did the same for the Style Council, but sort of lost my faith in the mid-80s. So I hadn’t seen Weller for more than 20 years. Laura decided she would like to come, and a search on ebay got us a second standing ticket at less than face value.

Arrived in time to buy a programme; no extra small t-shirts for Laura for this one; her wardbrobe will have to survie without a Weller shirt for now. Support came from the Rifles; the arena was pretty empty at this point. They seemed OK; clearly influenced by the Jam.   We found a couple of empty seats in the first block to the right of the stage. The place filled up ready for Weller to arrive.

Don’t know why I stayed away so long. As soon as he took the stage it was clear that Weller was well into it, strutting around ; his mannerisms sooo reminiscent of Steve Marriot (does he practice copying them from old Small Faces videos?).  I didn’t know that many of the songs but they all sounded familiar; bits of Small Faces, Traffic and 60s Hammondish organ. Great! Great to see him play Butterfly Collector and Thats Entertainment. The encore included a version of the Beatles All You Need is Love and then Town Called Malice (the crowd is going nuts at this point) is the very last number. So Laura and I both enjoyed it; and I promise that I’ll return to the faith and start going to see Weller each time he comes from now on.

Set List: Peacock suit; Out of the sinking; 22 dreams; Changing man; Wild blue yonder; All I wanna do; From the floorboards up; Seaspray; Shout to the top; Eton rifles; Picking up sticks; Wishing on a star; Have you made up your mind; Push it along; You do something to me; One bright star; Empty ring; 111; Why walk; Butterfly collector; Brand new start; wild wood; Thats entertainment; Echoes round the sun; Come on lets go; first encore: Whirlpool, All you need is love: second encore: Town Called Malice.

ticket

programme

website: http://www.paulweller.com/

Elbow The Sage Gateshead October 26, 2008

Elbow The Sage Gateshead Oct 20 2008

Laura and I went along to see Elbow at the Sage on Monday, largely as a result of Laura’s interest in them. She had listened to most of the albums and had been telling me how good they were. We bought the tickets before they had won the Mercury Music prize, and were both looking forward to seeing what they were like. The gig had been sold out for some weeks (since they won the Mercury prize).

Laura was going to a fancy dress party straight after the gig, so was dressed as Snow White under her coat;  and sporting a lovely bright red Snow White headband, which the girl at the merchandise stand complimented her on. The support act (who we missed) was Jesca Hoop.

I was actually pleasantly surprised as to how good Elbow were. The music was quite different to what I had expected; pretty difficult to categorize. They were accompanied by a string section and various other instruments. The crowd came from a mixed age range, and seemed to know all of the songs (unlike me!).  They even managed to get people on their feet, which is quite difficult in the Sage!

Set list was something like :
Starlings
Bones
Leaders Of The Free World
Mirror Ball
Grounds For Divorce
Mexican Standoff
Towercrane
New Born
Great
Weather To Fly
One Day Like This

Encores:
Puncture Repair
Station Approach
Scattered Black And Whites

my ticket

Portishead April 12 Edinburgh August 31, 2008

Portishead April 12 Edinburgh Corn Exchange

Support : A Hawk and a Hacksaw

I’d seen Portishead on TV and youtube performing Roads with a full orchestra in New York and was very impressed, particularly with Beth’s voice. So what with all the hype of them returning with new material and a tour, I didn’t take much persuading by David and Laura to buy tickets for the nearest date which was a Saturday concert in Edinburgh. David and Mari took the opportunity to go to Scotland a little earlier to explore the sights of the capital. So when the day of the concert came it was Laura and I who took the 2+ hour drive to Edinburgh. I decided to take the route up through Jedburgh, which is a little shorter than via the A1; however, it does involve some quite windy roads which did not impress Laura.  Especially as we saw a car on its side in the grass verge at one point on the journey.

On arriving in Edinburgh we picked up David and Mari in Princes Street, and set off to find somewhere to eat. After some driving around we eventually stopped at a steak restaurant in Gorgie Road. Our steaks and burgers were lovely; straight after finishing we went directly to the Corn Exchange. We caught the tail end of the support act who sounded quite weird, and Laura bought a lovely P t-shirt.

David and Mari made their way to the front of the crowd, while Laura and I took seats in the disabled area which was at the back of the hall, directly in front of the stage. Portishead started with Silence which is the first track on their new album. Although many of the songs were new, they seemed to be familiar to most of the crowd, who greeted each new number with a roar and then fell silent as soon as Beth’s wonderful voice cut through the wall of sound. The light show was pretty impressive, with imaginative use of black and white video alongside some liquid lens effects reminiscent of 60s psychedelia. The well known songs (which were the only ones I knew!) were included; Wandering Star and Glory Box going down particularly well. My favourite, Roads, was one of the encores; Beth’s voice sounding amazing.

After the encores were finished we met up with David and Mari and made our way back home. We all agreed that this had been a great show and well worth the trip north of the border.

set list:

Silence
Hunter
Mysterons
The Rip
Glory Box
Numb
Magic Doors
Wandering Star
Machine Gun
Over
Sour Times
Nylon Smile
Cowboys

Encore:
Threads
Roads
We Carry On

website: http://www.portishead.co.uk/

The Cure Wembley Arena August 21, 2008

The Cure Wembley Arena 20 March 2008

Hadn’t seen the Cure for ages. Must have been 20 years; Whitley Bay Ice Rink was the last time I think. Laura had been listening to a lot of their old stuff and I’d been given the best of the Cure as a present, so we were all getting into them again. So Laura, David and I decided to buy tickets for their only UK gig in 2008 at Wembley Arena. We bought the tickets ages before the show and we were all really looking forward to seeing them.

Travelled down to London on the afternoon of the show, went for a pizza and then took the tube to Wembley. Didn’t really watch the support act; spent the time looking at the merchandise stall; Laura bought a great t-shirt with a full size face of Robert Smith, which looks great on her.

This was a long set; with the Cure playing for around 3 hours. Yet we didn’t get bored. I would say that I know less than half of the set ; still enjoyed it though. Great to hear The Forest, Three Imaginary Boys, Love Cats and Arab again. Brings back memories. David and Laura thought they were great (which they were!).

Memories of old Cure shows:

Seeing them at Reading in the late 70s, seeing them support the Buzzcocks (I think?) at the City Hall; seeing them in Newcastle University Ballrom on a Saturday night in the late 70s or early 80s. Have scanned in the old tickets and programmes that I have below.

Mainset:

plainsong
prayers for rain
a strange day
alt.end
a night like this
the end of the world
lovesong
to wish impossible things
pictures of you
lullaby
from the edge of the deep green sea
hot hot hot!!!
the only one
the walk
push
friday i’m in love
inbetween days
just like heaven
primary
a boy i never knew
shake dog shake
never enough
wrong number
one hundred years

Encore 1
at night
m
play for today
a forest

Encore 2:
the lovecats
let’s go to bed
freakshow
close to me
why can’t i be you?

Encore 3:
three imaginary boys
fire in cairo
boys don’t cry
jumping someone else’s train
grinding halt
10:15 saturday night
killing an arab

 

 

ticket for wembley

 

programme for wembley concert

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Going to see Oasis!!! August 21, 2008

Bought tickets yesterday morning for Oasis. We were originally aiming to get tickets for Sheffield, but bought tickets for Aberdeen instead because of the slowness of the website. So Laura and I are off to Aberdeen Exhibition Centre in November to see Oasis. Can’t wait!!

 Change of plan ; journey by train to Aberdeen is pretty long; managed to buy 2 tickets for Sheffield after all and have sold our Aberdeen tickets.