Adele Newcastle Tyne Theatre April 2008
This gig doesn’t seem that long ago, but its getting on for four years since Laura and I saw Adele at the Tyne Theatre in Newcastle. I recall at the time being surprised how quickly this gig sold out, and that was well before the mega-stardom that she enjoys now. At the time I had only heard “Chasing pavements” but was caught up in the wave of new female singers, such as Amy Winehouse and Duffy. So Laura and I decided to check Adele out. The show was very impressive, particularly considering that Adele was just 20 at the time. She struck me as quite shy, and couldn’t seem to believe it all herself. I remember her singing the Dylan song “Make You Feel My Love”, and realising that it was one Dylan song that I didn’t know. Good to see how her career has gone from strength to strength since then. I wonder if we’ll ever see her back at the Tyne Theatre again? And with a ticket price of £15?
Posts Tagged ‘concerts’
7 Mar
Adele Newcastle Tyne Theatre April 2008
4 Mar
Bryan Adams Gateshead Stadium July 12th 1992
Bryan Adams Gateshead Stadium July 12th 1992
Support: Squeeze, Extreme, Little Angels
Bryan Adams was at the height of his success at the time of this concert in 1992. He’d just had a mega hit with Everything I do. Although that particular songs is not one of my favourites, some of his others songs, and especially Summer of 69, are great. A packed Gateshead Stadium gave him a great reception that night. Setlist: House Arrest; Kids Wanna Rock; Hey Honey – I’m Packin’ You In!; Can’t Stop This Thing We Started; Is Your Mama Gonna Miss Ya?; Cuts Like a Knife; It’s Only Love; Touch The Hand; Heaven; Lonely Nights; (Everything I Do) I Do It for You; Run to You; When the Night Comes; Somebody; There Will Never Be Another Tonight; B-Stage: C’mon Everybody; She’s Only Happy When She’s Dancin’; Encore: Summer of ’69; Diana; Straight from the Heart. 
The concert also sported strong support acts in Squeeze, Extreme and Little Angels. Little Angels are a heavy rock band who come from just down the coast, in Scarborough. I can’t recall seeing them, and probably arrived after they played. I do remember seeing Extreme, and made a point of making sure I saw them. Although they are also primarily heavy rock, there best known song is the classic ballad More Than Words, which had been a hit just the year before this gig. Squeeze have some top songs and got the crowd singing along. This is the only time I’ve seen Bryan. I’m not a fan, really, and haven’t felt the need to see him again, although he has returned to the region several times, playing the Arena, Gateshead Stadium again two years later, and a recent unplugged show at the Sage.
3 Mar
Average White Band in concert 1976 and 1980
Average White Band 1976 and 1980
PIck Up The Pieces! The Average White Band were great favourites of some of my mates in the 70s. Their blend of funk and rock would fill the dance floor in discos. I saw them in concert a couple of times, at Newcastle City Hall in 1976 and again in 1980. I remember that as a tight rock/jazz outfit, great at what they did, but to be honest they were never really by cup of tea. I went to see them along with friends who were more into them than me.
The Average White Band split up in 1982 but regrouped after some years and are still playing today. They played recently at the Royal Glasgow Concert Hall as part of the Celtic Connections festival. Looking back through the programmes, which are pictured here, from those gigs did bring back some memories. The support act on one of those tours, I owuld think 1976, was Kokomo. 
Now there was a band, who are all but forgotten now, and much under-rated. Their blend of soul and funk was much more to my liking. Kokomo drew its musicians from a number of UK bands including The Grease Band, Arrival, and King Crimson. I recall seeing Kokomo quite a few times: a great gig in Newcastle Poly and at the Reading Festival, but can’t recall any of their songs. I must try and find one of their lps.
Bands like Average White Band and Kokomo represent a particular time and period to me; in fact I’d almost forgotten them. I’m finding the exercise of working through my programme and ticket collection very interesting. Its bringing back old memories, and reminding me of bands and times that I had forgotten. Its taking longer than I thought, however; I’m working through them, at least in part, alphabetically, and I haven’t yet completed the letter A…..
2 Mar
After the Fire October 1979
After the Fire October 1979
I saw After The Firs a few times in the 70s. The band formed in the early 70s as a progressive rock band, but by the time of this gig in 1979 they had moved to a more poppy new wave sound. I recall the song Laser Love, which was also the title of their lp of the time.
After The Fire were regulars at The christian-based Greenbelt festival throughout the 70s. Greenbelt ran on the same August bank holiday weekend as the Reading festival, which I always attended. However I’m pretty sure that they defected to Reading one year; think it was in the late 70s. They were also support act on a number of tours. I remember seeing them at a gig at Newcastle Polytechnic in 1977, supporting The Damned. Think that gig was cut short because the crowd were throwing bottles and glasses at The Damned. I found a programme and a copy of their fanzine Friends, in among my programme collection. 
I was surprised to find that they have reformed, are gigging again, and that there is now a Friends website, which is attempting to connect old fans who subscribed to the fanzine.I’m not sure I’m too impressed with the posing on the programme cover! I must take the time to read the Friends magazine, which I’m sure will bring back some memories. I’ve just read through the band biography on the Friends website. This band gigged a lot, and achieved a lot in the late 70s, including headlining The Rainbow Theatre, and touring Europe as support for ELO and for Queen.
1 Mar
The Rolling Stones Shine A Light movie Cineworld Boldon April 17th 2008
The Rolling Stones Shine A Light movie Cineworld Boldon April 17th 2008
I’m writing a chapter for a text on the Rolling Stones, focussing on my recollections of the Stones in concert. As part of that I’m also reflecting on the recent Shine A Light film, which Laura and I went to see in 2008. A strange one this in several ways. The cinema was pretty empty, which surprised me a little. There obviously wasn’t a great appetite for a Stones movie in the North East. Technically the film was outstanding, and the film sported some great guests playing with the band. However the set list was not a normal Stones show, and a little disappointing for me. I enjoyed the film, but wasn’t knocked out by it. Setlist: Jumpin’ Jack Flash; Shattered; She Was Hot; All Down the Line; Loving Cup (with Jack White); As Tears Go By; Just My Imagination; Champagne and Reefer (with Buddy Guy); Tumbling Dice; You Got the Silver; Connection; Sympathy for the Devil; Live with Me (with Christina Aguilera); Start Me Up; Brown Sugar; (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction; Shine a Light
27 Feb
Fairport Convention Sage Gateshead February 26th 2012
Fairport Convention Sage Gateshead February 26th 2012. Support Act: Kieran Goss
Marie and I spent a very pleasant evening in the Sage Gateshead last night seeing Fairport Convention. This time the band had chosen to visit the smaller Hall 2, which had been sold out for some weeks. We bought a programme on the way in, which Dave Pegg and Ric Sanders, who sitting at the merchandise table, kindly signed. Support came from Irish singer songwriter Kieran Goss, who delivered a short, but enjoyable set, before being joined by the Fairports for a nice version of Reach Out (I’ll Be There), the old Motown classic. This was Fairport’s 45th (!) anniversary tour, and for the occasion they asked fans to nominate songs, via email, that they would like to hear from their massive back catalogue. This has resulted in a set list with old favourites and a few surprises. 
We bought a programme calendar when we arrived and Dave Pegg and Ric Sanders kindly signed it for us. For me, the highlight of the night was a beautiful rendition of Sandy Dennny’s Fotheringay from the 1969 lp, What We Did On Our Holidays. The sound was crisp and clear; the Sage has wonderful acoustics. Setlist: Reach Out (with Kieran Goss);Sir Patrick Spens; Crazy Man Michael; Farewell, Farewell; Albert & Ted; The Cell Song; Genesis Hall; John Gaudie / Shetland Tunes; Interval: Mercy Bay; Fotheringay; Celtic Moon; Rosie; Jewel In The Crown; I Wandered By The Brookside; Hexamshire Lass; Hiring Fair; Danny Jacks Reward; Matty Groves; Encore: Meet On The Ledge
26 Feb
The Rolling Stones O2 Arena London August 21st 2007
The Rolling Stones The O2 Arena London August 21st 2007
I saw the Stones in Sheffield in 2006 on the first leg of the Bigger Bang tour, which was the 9th time I’d seen the band, and convinced me I should take every chance I could to see them so, when they returned to the UK a year later in August 2007 to finish the tour at the O2 Arena London, I decided to go and see them again, and bought myself a ticket. Having already paid top prices for David and I to go to the Sheffield gig, I couldn’t justify paying for a seat down the front, so I bought a cheap(?!) £75 ticket up in the heights of the arena in the top balcony at the side of the stage. I figured it would be interesting seeing them from that part of the arena anyway. On the night of the gig I arrived in time for support The Kooks, who played to a pretty empty arena, and a largely uninterested crowd. I knew their hit “She Moves in Her Own Way”, which is pretty neat. However the crowd was very much there to see the Stones, and everyone was waiting for the main act. During the interval I wandered around the arena, exploring the place, taking in the crowd and sharing in the atmosphere of a Stones gig. 
As I came down an escalator, an official with a pile of tickets asked me if I would like to upgrade my seat. He offered to swap my ticket for a seat “right down the front”. Great I thought. The deal was done, and with around 15 minuutes to show time I walked downstairs to take my new seat. My eyesight is not so good these days and not having my glasses with me I couldn’t read the row and seat number, so asked a steward for help in locating where I was to be sitting. “Oh you are in the middle of the front row of the front block, continue down to the very front” I was told! So, excited as a little kid, I took my place in the middle of the front row, in a prime £150 seat. The band/promoter/arena had clearly kept some fromt row seats back, presumably to give out to surprised fans on the night! 10 minutes later and the band took to the stage, with Keith, Mick and the rest of them only a few feet in front of me. I never thought I’d ever be as close to the Stones again. Jagger was prancing up and down the stage, incredibly lean and fit. They kicked off with Start Me Up, and went through a set of usual favourites. It was great being so close; the sound was loud yet crisp, the band so energetic, particularly Jagger. Awesome. I was buzzing for days after. Setlist: Start Me Up; You Got Me Rocking; Rough Justice; Rocks Off; Let It Bleed; Beast of Burden; Can’t You Hear Me Knocking; I’ll Go Crazy; Tumbling Dice; You Got The Silver; Wanna Hold You. B-Stage: It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It); Respectable; (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction; Honky Tonk Women; Sympathy for the Devil; Paint It Black; Jumpin’ Jack Flash. Encore: Brown Sugar.
25 Feb
The Rolling Stones Don Valley Stadium Sheffield August 27th 2006
The Rolling Stones Don Valley Stadium Sheffield August 27th 2006
A Bigger Bang Tour
This was David’s first Stones experience. We had tickets on the pitch pretty near the stage. It was the second time I’d seen the Stones in Don Valley, and my 9th Stones concert experience. Support came from Paolo Nutini, who put in a respectable performance. He had just released the single New Shoes which I remember him singing. This was The Bigger Bang tout. I’d bought the new Bigger Bang album, and had played it a few times; there are a few OK tracks on the album, but overall nothing startling. The set up was as usual with am impressive stage set up and a B stage in the middle pitch. This time there was the added attraction for some, of being able to have a seat on the stage, looking down over the band. 
Ticket prices for the seats above the stage were exorbitant, as were all seats. We paid the princely sum of £150 a ticket for good seats on the pitch, plus I paid fan club membership for the privelege of being able to buy such good seats in a presale. Still it was worth it to be quite close up to the band. The Stones played great that night; however towars the end of the show it started pouring down with rain, which truly and literally put a damper on the occassion. The set was standard Stones, no big surprises. It was good to hear Lets Spend the Night Together, which was a favourite of mine at the time. Setlist: Jumpin’ Jack Flash; Start Me Up; She’s So Cold; Let’s Spend the Night Together; Sway; Streets Of Love; Bitch; It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It); Tumbling Dice; Slipping Away; Before They Make Me Run. B-Stage: Miss You; Rough Justice; Get Off Of My Cloud; Honky Tonk Women; Sympathy for the Devil; Brown Sugar. Encore: You Can’t Always Get What You Want; (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction
24 Feb
Noel Gallagher High Flying Birds Newcastle Arena 23 February 2012
Noel Gallagher High Flying Birds Newcastle Arena 23 February 2012
Good showing on all fronts for Noel Gallagher last night. The place was packed, and the crowd gave Noel the sort of reception only long time heroes can expect. I missed the support and arrived just before Noel and his band took to the stage. The set was a mix of songs from his recent album and a few Oasis songs thrown in for good measure. He didn’t include as many of the Oasis hits, as I’d expected. This was by no means a greatest hits performance. None the less, His new songs are potential anthems in their own right. The crowd certainly knew the lyrics of every song and sang along with every word. Better than I expected. Great band, and an orchestra and choir for a couple of songs. 
Some cheeky banter from Noel, who even had the nerve to tease the crowd about the Sports Direct Arena issue, brave man; only he could get away with it! Setlist: (It’s Good) To Be Free; Mucky Fingers; Everybody’s on the Run; Dream On; If I Had a Gun; The Good Rebel; The Death of You and Me; Freaky Teeth; Supersonic; (I Wanna Live in a Dream in My) Record Machine; What a Life!; Talk Tonight; Soldier Boys and Jesus Freaks; Broken Arrow; Half The World Away; (Stranded On) The Wrong Beach; Encores: Whatever; Little By Little; The Importance of Being Idle; Don’t Look Back In Anger
23 Feb
The Rolling Stones Twickenham Stadium London September 20th 2003
The Rolling Stones Twickenham Stadium London September 20th 2003
Support Act: Primal Scream
By 2003, and the Licks tour, The Stones tours had become corporate rock, and ticket prices had rocketed. I was really up for seeing them again, and wanted to be sure of tickets for one of the gigs, so I joined the fanclub and bought tickets as soon as they went on sale. I still only managed to get tickets half way back on the pitch. This was also the first time I’d seen them use a seated arrangement on the pitch, and the ticket price had rocketed to £75. The show was originally scheduled for 23 August and was postponed the day before the show, as Mick Jagger had flu. This was frustrating as I had to change train tickets, and hotel arrangements, which cost us. Still Marie and I stuck with it, rebooked the train and our hotel (having to settle for a hotel in Richmond, as we could get in the same hotel near the stadium) and went to the gig a month later in September. 
The support act was Primal Scream, who didn’t impress on the day. The sound was poor for their set, and the crowd didn’t warm to them. I’ve seen them since in Newcastle Academy, and thought they were great. The Stones were superb, the stage set, screens and lights stupendous. Keith had a camera on his guitar neck from which his fingers were projected onto the screens. Angus and Malcolm Young from AC/DC joined them for Rock Me Baby. I was sold again. A review of the time by Nick Bosworth from the IORR site summed it up well: “I was sitting at the back of the stadium for this show in the corner and what a great show. Right from the off the crowd were into it dancing in the aisles, in their seats, singing along and well just going nuts. Well to sum up, this was a great gig and The Stones managed to make me feel I was in my living room but sharing it with 55,000 fellow fans.”
Setlist: Brown Sugar; It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll (But I Like It); Don’t Stop; Miss You; Salt of the Earth; Rock Me Baby (with AC/DC); Midnight Rambler; Tumbling Dice; Slipping Away; Before They Make Me Run; Sympathy for the Devil. B-Stage: Respectable; You Got Me Rocking; Street Fighting Man; Gimme Shelter; Honky Tonk Women; Start Me Up; (I Can’t Get No) Satisfaction. Encore: Jumpin’ Jack Flash
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