Posts Tagged ‘concert’

27 Aug

U2 Sheffield Don Valley August 20th 2009

Posted by vintagerock in Elbow, U2. Tagged: , , , , .

U2 Don Valley Stadium Sheffield 20th August 2009
Support Act : Elbow

Somewhere along the line the rest of the family have lost faith in U2, so they couldn’t be tempted to join me and I ended up going along on my own to see them in Sheffield’s Don Valley stadium. To be honest I wasn’t too sure about going myself, but I figured It would probably be worthwhile. I’ve seen U2 9 or 10 times since the early days when they supported the Police at Gateshead Stadium, and played Newcastle Mayfair. So I set off around 4pm to drive to Sheffield. The traffic was OK until I reached the M1 a few junctions away from Sheffield, at which point I crawled for the rest of the journey. When I got off the motorway the police were directing cars into a car park near Meadowhall which is fair walk from the Stadium (I didn’t realise you could get the tram along there!).

By the time I had walked to the stadium Elbow were coming to the end of their set. I bought myself a programme and made my way down onto the pitch which was packed with fans. I wandered around to look for a good spot and realised that the 360 degree spider stage really did give a good view from all angles. After a short wait U2 took the stage at around 8.30. The sound was loud and clear and the crowd were really into it. And the stage and lighting were the best I’ve ever seen, much more impressive than other recent big shows such as the Stones Bigger Bang, Muse or Take That. Bono and the Edge took turns in coming into the crowd on walkways which revolved around the stage and took them to different parts of the stadium, giving everyone a chance of a good view. The set list was a good mix of old and new; highlights for me were Vertigo (the crowd really jumping to this), Sunday Bloody Sunday and The Streets Have no Name.
I left during the encores to get to the car and get out in good time and was home by 12.45 (while some people I heard on BBC Radio Sheffield were still in the car park). So yes I did enjoy U2 this time and probably will go again next time. Perhaps there will be time to convince the family its worth the effort next time.

Set list: Breathe; No Line On The Horizon; Get On Your Boots; Magnificent; Beautiful Day; Elevation;I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For;Happy Birthday;Stuck In A Moment You Can’t Get Out Of;Unknown Caller;The Unforgettable Fire;City Of Blinding Lights;I’ll Go Crazy If I Don’t Go Crazy Tonight;Sunday Bloody Sunday;Pride (In The Name Of Love);MLK;Walk On;Where The Streets Have No Name;One
Encore(s): Ultra Violet (Light My Way);With Or Without You;Moment of Surrender

website: http://www.u2.com

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28 Jul

Eric Burdon at Maryport Blues Festival July 26 2009

Posted by vintagerock in Eric Burdon, Maryport Blues Festival, The Animals. Tagged: , , , , , .

Eric Burdon and the Animals
Maryport Blues Festival July 26 2009
Marie and I went across to the Maryport Blues Festival on Sunday specially to see Eric Burdon and his new Animals. We hadn’t planned on going to Maryport this year, but when I heard that Eric Burdon had been added as a late replacement for Taj Mahal, we decided to make the journey over to Cumbria to see him. We last saw Eric at Newcastle Tyne Theatre a good few years ago and his visits to the UK are all too rare these days.
We arrived in Maryport during the afternoon and had a few drinks in a couple of pubs on “the trail” catching a few bands on the way. We made our way up to the main marquee just before 7pm and took our places in the front row of people, right on the barriers. Eric and his band took the stage at aorund 7.15 starting with When I Was Young. Eric looks and sounds great, his voice is still strong. The set was a great mix of old songs. Eric was followed on stage by Ruby Turner, and by this time the marquee was full. We left around 10pm ; got home aorund midnight.

A great night

Setlist (something like, have probably missed some):
When I was young
Don’t bring me down
San Franciscan Nights
Don’t let me be misunderstood
The Night
Boom boom
I believe to my soul
It’s my life
Paint it Black
Encores:
We gotta get out of this place
House of the rising sun

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19 Jul

Bruce Springsteen Glasgow Hampden Park July 14th 2009

Posted by vintagerock in Bruce Springsteen. Tagged: , , , , .

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

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19 Jul

Brian Wilson Sage Gateshead July 12th 2009

Posted by vintagerock in Brian Wilson. Tagged: , , , .

Brian Wilson Sage Gateshead July 12th 2009

Review by Laura

The “Beach Boys” were one of the bands I was raised on, I particularly remember listening to “Good Vibrations” and “Surfing USA” on a sixties compilation cd we had in the car and their Christmas album remains a family festive favourite. It wasn’t however until I was 13 when I began to learn a little more about the band’s history and after watching a documentary on television, I became particularly fascinated with Brian Wilson’s own story. I loved the fact that he’d been through so many hard times and yet was the last remaining Wilson brother to tell the tail. For a while I was slightly obsessed with the man, I bought his albums, DVD’s and watched any television programme he appeared on.
I saw Brian for the first time on the “Smile” tour at the City Hall a couple of years ago and was absolutely mesmerised by him. As well as him performing better than I’d expected I was also a little in awe of his very presence. To be honest, he could have just walked on stage and clapped his hands a couple of times, that would have been enough; just the fact that he was there, despite his troubled past was certainly something.

When dad told me he was to play the Sage, I jumped at the chance to see him again. So last Sunday David, dad, mam and I drove to Gateshead. There was just enough time for me to buy a t-shirt and for dad to purchase a programme (which included a signed single) before we took our seats up in the gods of the auditorium.
We didn’t have long to wait before Brian and his band took to the stage. They began with “Our Prayer”, an intricate accapello number which immediately demonstrated the band’s precision. The crowd began clapping and singing along when the band burst seamlessly into “California Girls” and after this the hits kept coming. Occasionally Brian invited one of the band to sing a number, most notably “Don’t Worry Baby” a personal favourite of mine which was sung very well by some chap called Jeff.
I think that Brian was singing and playing perhaps even better than last time I saw him, his backing band were wonderful as always and Brian also appeared more talkative than usual. He kept thanking the audience for coming and telling us stories about the songs he performed. He and his musicians seemed to be really enjoying themselves which rubbed off on the crowd.
After a performance of “DO it Again” there was a short interval in which we all got ice creams; (incidentally the Sage do very tasty ice-creams indeed, I’d recommend the double ginger flavour.) Once fed, we all retook our seats and the second set began. Once again Brian and the band played their way through a long list of old favourites, pausing between numbers to chat to the crowd. The highlights of this half included “When I grow up”, “Wouldn’t it be Nice” and “God Only Knows”. The set finished with a version of “Good Vibrations” and it was nice to hear Brian singing the lyrics from the single as aposed to the words sung on the “Smile” version which he has favoured in past performances.
The band returned for two sets of encores which included two more personal favourites “Fun Fun Fun” and “Help me Rhonda” which got a great reception. We all agreed it had been a great night.

I was rather disappointed when the following day I heard a caller to BBC 6 Music state that he’d seen Brian Wilson recently and he was little more than a bumbling incapable shell of his past self. I’d strongly disagree with this claim. Although it is evident that the impressive group of singers and musicians behind Brian somewhat carry him through the show, his own singing is still strong, he seems to really love the songs he performs and after all you are seeing a musical legend in the flesh. I couldn’t recommend this concert more highly.

Setlist:
First Half:
Our Prayer
California Girls
Girl Don’t Tell Me
Dance Dance Dance
Happy Birthday Sue (Levinson)
Surfer Girl
In My Room
Salt Lake City
Custom Machine
409
Shutdown
Soul Searchin’
Desert Drive
Don’t Worry Baby
Row Your Boat
I Get Around
Sail On Sailor
Do You Wanna Dance
Marcella
Do It Again

Second Half:

You Keep A Knockin’
Then I Kissed Her
Your Imagination
Add Some Music To Your Day
When I Grow Up
All Summer Long
Little Deuce Coupe
The Little Girl I Once Knew
Sloop John B
Wouldn’t It Be Nice
God Only Knows
Midnight’s Another Day
That Lucky Old Sun
Goin’ Home
Southern California
Good Vibrations

Encore:
You Keep A Knockin’ (again, because Brian likes it!)
Johnny B Goode
Help Me Rhonda
Barbara Ann
Surfin’ USA
Fun Fun Fun

Love and Mercy

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19 Jul

Eagles Manchester Arena July 11th 2009

Posted by vintagerock in Eagles. Tagged: , , , .

Eagles Manchester Arena July 11th 2009

Great night. Great to see the Eagles again (my last time was 30 years ago on the Hotel California tour!). Much much better than I had hoped. I’d feared that it would be too slick and too AOR, and some of it was, but it was also really really good!
The sound was faultess, even from my cheap (£50 ouch!) seat at the back of the vast MEN arena , and the set was a good mix of old and new. I must say that I was not entirely impressed by the suits that the band wear. What is that all about?! Joe Walsh stood out as the star of the show for me. I’d forgotten how good some of his songs were. Walk Away brought back memories. I probably haven’t heard it since the last time I saw him play it in the 70s. Glad I made the effort to see them again while they are still touring.

Setlist:
How Long
Busy Being Fabulous
I Don’t Want to Hear Any More
Guilty of the Crime
Hotel California
Peaceful Easy Feeling
I Can’t Tell You Why
Witchy Woman
Lyin’ Eyes
Boys of Summer
In the City
The Long Run

No More Walks in the Wood
Waiting in the Weeds
No More Cloudy Days
Love Will Keep Us Alive
Take It to the Limit
Long Road Out of Eden
Somebody
Walk Away
One of These Nights
Life’s Been Good
Dirty Laundry
Funk #49
Heartache Tonight
Life in the Fast Lane
Encores:
Take It Easy
Desperado

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19 Jul

Quadrophenia Sunderland Empire July 9 2009

Posted by vintagerock in The Who. Tagged: , , , , .

Quadrophenia Sunderland Empire July 9 2009

So Jimmy goes to Brighton on the 5.15 and Laura reviews the show below.
Having never heard of the show and with a somewhat sketchy knowledge of “The Who”, it was totally on dad’s recommendation that I attended this one.
It made a welcome change to only have to travel five minutes down the road to the Sunderland Empire. I hadn’t been there since seeing Morrissey a year or two ago and it was nice to be back in the theatre. It brought back memories of seeing pantomimes when I was young, watching musicals after the stage was extended and chatting with Russell Brand after a comedy gig.
For an opening performance however (particularly one with the promise of two tickets for the price of one) the auditorium wasn’t so full. From what I could hear, a lot of the people around us were big “Who” fans or else fans of the film. Not knowing what to expect I settled back in my seat and awaited the show’s beginning.
After a series of odd sounds and snatches of conversation coming over the sound system (I don’t think they were part of the show) the curtain rose. I can only apologise as what followed still remains a complete mystery to me. The show was very difficult to follow owing partly to the show’s lack of content and largely to the performer’s poor delivery. It was near impossible to decipher what they were singing and their vocals in general weren’t as good as I’d hoped.
During the interval dad explained the story to me, (the little story there was that is) and he too commented on the poor performances. The second half was little better. The rest of the musical was presented through a series of unteligable musical numbers far too frequently interspersed with heavy rain sound effects which wouldn’t have been out of place in a low budget children’s television programme.
All in all dad and I were quite disappointed with this one. Perhaps it is a little harsh to fully blame the cast; I think the poor sound quality and the weak plot also didn’t help matters. Dad says he’d advise anybody interested to just buy the album rather than going to see the show.

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flyer

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5 Jul

Steely Dan Edinburgh Playhouse June 28 2009

Posted by vintagerock in Steely Dan. Tagged: , , , , .

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

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27 Jun

Blur Newcastle Academy June 25 2009

Posted by vintagerock in Blur. Tagged: , , , , .

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

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laura's blur tattoo

laura's blur tattoo

23 Jun

Roger McGuinn The Sage Gateshead June 21 2009

Posted by vintagerock in Roger McGuinn. Tagged: , , , , , , , .

Roger McGuinn The Sage Gateshead June 21 2009

Roger tells a good story. We get treated to the story of his life, wrapped around those great songs. And what a life he’s had. From working in folk bands to backing Bobby Darin, to song writing, through the Byrds and beyond. He explained how the Byrds concept was putting a “Beatle beat” to Dylan and folk songs. He played us Mr Tambourine Man, Turn Turn Turn, My Back Pages, All I really want to do, Chestnut Mare (Laura finds this amusing).  Just him on his guitar, swapping between acoustic guitar and his 12 string Rickenbacker, telling his stories and singing his songs to us. He finished with Eight Miles High, explaining that it was a mix of the Beatle beat, John Coltrane and Ravi Shankar. It was good to see him again. The last time I had the pleasure was in Hyde Park on a free show with Roy Harper and Julie Felix.

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16 Jun

Zappa plays Zappa Edinburgh June 18th 2009

Posted by vintagerock in Frank Zappa, Zappa plays Zappa. Tagged: , , , , .

Zappa plays Zappa Edinburgh Picturehouse June 18th 2009

Went to see (Dweezil) Zappa plays Zappa on Thursday night in Edinburgh. I figured it would be interesting to see how Dweezil lives up to his dad’s legend; all reports suggest that he does so very well and that the show is great. I knew it would bring back some memories; the first time I saw Frank Zappa live was at Edinburgh Playhouse in the mid-70s. We’re  only in it for the Money was played a lot in our house in the late 60s; it was one of my favourites albums at the time.

Drove up to Edinburgh at around 4 o’clock. The journey took longer than usual because of traffic; I got into the city at around 7pm. I’d planned to drive through Princess Street, but found it closed due to road works so took a diversion up the Royal Mile, round by the castle, and after a few twists and turns I found myself in Lothian Road and opposite the venue. The Picturehouse is a lovely old cinema which has been recently converted into a rock venue. When I got in all the seats upstairs have been taken (to my dismay, I really do need to sit down these days) so I find a spot close to the front of the stage downstairs. I buy a Suzie Creamcheese t shirt for Laura (have to explain who Suzie is) and make my way back to the front of the stage and wait for the band to come on. 

Dweezil and the band take the stage to a great reaction. “We finally made it to Scotland” he says to a great roar. A lot of people have waited a long time for this. Straight into Black Napkins; great guitar; Dweezil’s playing could well be his dad.  The band is great, great singer, and Sheila on sax, flute and keyboards is a star. The band is tight and plays the Zappa music exactly as meant.

Some of the set list was quite unfamiliar to me. I was hoping for more 60s Mothers material which is the stuff that I know well. But the 2.5 hours went over quickly; the music was great even though I was hearing some of the songs for the first time. To me it was worth going to see them play Peaches en Regalia and Willie the Pimp from Hot Rats alone.
 The place was packed with hard core Zappa fans (both old and young) and they gave Dweezil and the band a great reception.

At the end Dweezil and the band stayed at the front of the stage to shake hands and sign things. It was a bit of a crush, but I managed to get his autograph and a plectrum. The guy next to me was shouting (in a strong Scottish acent) “Dweezil, I’ve got your dad’s autograph and I need yours”. He turned to a young lad by us and said “I’m 56 you know and I saw his dad a few times”. There were several people telling him that his dad would be proud of him. Quite emotional to see really.

Drove back and got home around 1.30am. Very stiff the next morning and have to drag myself out of bed for work  (mental note; always get a seat if I can).

Setlist : Black Napkins-Magic Fingers-Wind up working in a Gas Station-Montana -Pygmy Twilite-Village of theSun-Echindas Arf-Outside Now-Bamboozled by Love-Inca Roads-King Kong (solos incl Careless Whisper on sax!) – Zombie woof -Encores Peaches En Regalia – Bobby Brown  (with music from the band and vocals by the crowd!) – Willy the Pimp

Website: http://www.zappaplayszappa.com/

my ticket signed by Dweezil

my ticket signed by Dweezil

plectrum given to me by Dweezil

plectrum given to me by Dweezil

zappaflyer

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