This was a warmup show for Blur’s major summer show at Wembley Stadium. Tickets sold very quickly and were all snapped up in a few minutes.
On the night we arrived early and took our place on the disabled platform. The staff were incredibly helpful making sure that Laura, I and our respective carers were safely in place with a great view over the standing throng who started to enter the venue. All of the seats had been taken out to allow a massive crowd to stand, go crazy and enjoy the evening. There were two support acts, apologies, I did not catch the names of the bands who warmed the crowd up as the venue slowly filled to capacity.
By the time Blur took to the stage the venue was absolutely crammed downstairs and upstairs. Everyone was waiting for the main act and and ready to really enjoy themselves. All I say is that Blur were simply incredible. Damon and the band were on top form and delivered a set of classic songs from throughout their career. I had forgotten how many great hits this group has had. “Beetlebum”, “Parklife” and “Song 2” all brought back so many memories. Damon switched effortlessly from electric guitar, to acoustic guitar, vocals only and to piano and was really up for it.
He threw lots of glasses of water over the crowd who simply loved it. The packed in people down the front were obviously suffering from the heat and were passed glasses of water by the security staff. The staff even came round onto our platform and gave us one ice pop each to cool us down. Thank you so much and it was very welcome. They also came round and took our drinks orders (double whiskey for me please :-))
I can see so many influences within Blur: the Sex Pistols (at times Damon reminded me of John Lydon), the discordant guitar of Public Image Ltd, the Englishness of the Kinks, the Cockney swagger of Small Faces. This band draws from the past and blends it together to create their own classic indie pop tunes. Of course after closing with “This is a Low” they returned for an encore which included more smash hits: “Girls and Boys”, the wonderful “Tender” and finished with “The Universal” with everyone singing along, arms aloft and swaying. A fantastic night and a great warmup for the band ahead of their massive Wembley stadium concert which I sure will be excellent.
Laura, I, Elaine (my companion for the evening) and Pete (Laura’s companion for the evening) all agreed that it was simply fantastic. A great evening with a classic English Brit pop band in an intimate venue. It doesn’t get much better. Many thanks to Blur for choosing Newcastle City Hall for one of their four warmup gigs. Laura, David and I attended a similar concert many years ago when Blur played Newcastle Academy as a warmup for their Hyde Park concert. We met David and Shauna outside and had a quick chat before I got into my taxi. They both thought that, like all of us, the concert was excellent. Thank you Elaine for taking the photographs.
Setlist: Tales of the Unexpected (Theme); St. Charles Square; There’s No Other Way; Popscene; Tracy Jacks; Chemical World; Young & Lovely; Beetlebum; Trimm Trabb; Villa Rosie; Coffee & TV; Out of Time; End of a Century; Parklife; To the End; Sunday Sunday; Advert; Bank Holiday; Song 2; This Is a Low.
Encore: Girls & Boys; The Narcissist; Tender; For Tomorrow; The Universal.
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Posted by john on May 31, 2023 at 3:35 pm
You lucky thing. Thats sounds like an epic evening. One to savour!!! Great review, capturing the excitement and giddyness of it all. Excellent!
Posted by vintagerock on May 31, 2023 at 3:39 pm
It was fantastic John! Great night. Happy days Peter