The Stone Roses Heaton Park Manchester July 1st 2012
I never saw The Stone Roses fist time round; they were around during a period where I wasn’t seeing quite as many gigs as usual, focussing on family and work. In recent years Laura has become heavily into the band, so when they announced this series of reunion gigs in their hometown we decided we should go along. Laura is singing at a friends wedding in a couple of weeks with a group of mates from university who are scattered around the country at the moment, and they were rehearsing at a studio in Wakefield on Sunday afternoon. So my first task was to drive to Wakefield, pick her up and drive across to Manchester for the gig. Picked Laura up about 5pm in Wakefield and then we drove across to Manchester, arriving at Heaton Park, around 6.30pm. We got straight into the disabled parking, and it was a short walk to the nearest entrance to the park, and then up to the disabled platform, which was at the back of the park, facing directly onto the stage. Full marks to everyone for the organisation. The place was rammed by the time we got to the platform, but we got there without any problem at all, and everyone was very helpful. Laura had brought her white cane, and everyone made room, and we got through the crowds no problem at all. The Wailers were on as we arrived, playing a selection of old Bob Marley classics. They were pretty good, but the crowd din’t seem to be taking a lot of notice of them. Next up was Plan B. His current act is a mixture of a 60s soul revue and hip hop / rap. I thought he pretty good, much better than I had expected and the crowd gave him a good reception. But everyone was there for the main event. Around 9.10pm the Supremes “Stoned Love” boomed across the PA, and then the heroes of the night took to the stage, starting with “I wanna be adored”. Not being a fan and feeling quite old; I did feel a bit like an intruder at a stranger’s party at times. This band means so much to everyone there. Everyone knew every word, and the atmosphere was just great. 
The Stone Roses played all of the first album and a few tracks from the second. John Squire was just astounding on guitar. I hadn’t realised how good he was, and how much of a guitar band The Roses were. Ian sang ok, and was in 100% control of the crowd. Mani had a smile right across his face. Reni kept the rhythm at the back. I heard lots of the 60s in the music: Jefferson AirPlane, Love, The Byrds, The Doors, The Floyd, there were all there in Squire’s guitar and in the visuals. We were chatting to a guy called Eddie on the platform, who kindly explained all the visuals (which were also impressive) to Laura. We left during the instrumental jam part of “I am the Resurrection” but could hear all of it as we walked to the car. Just as we got to the car park we saw the fireworks light up the sky. Our plan of leaving during the last song worked well; we were straight out of the car park just after 11pm, and straight onto the motorway, which was amazing. Back home at 1.15am. Have been reflecting on what I experienced last night. The vibe of the day was like no other gig I can remember. This was much much more than a concert. It was a generation celebrating their youth, and reaffirming their belief in four guys that took them on a journey which was all too brief and stopped short; and for three special nights everyone in the park were at one with those guys on the stage again. It was something special to be part of. Support acts: Justice Tonight Band, The Wailers, Plan B, The Stone Roses.
Setlist: I Wanna Be Adored; Mersey Paradise; (Song For My) Sugar Spun Sister’; Sally Cinnamon; Where Angels Play; Shoot You Down; Bye Bye Badman; Ten Storey Love Song; Standing Here; Fools Gold; Something’s Burning; Waterfall; Don’t Stop; Love Spreads; Made Of Stone; This Is The One; She Bangs The Drums; Elizabeth My Dear; I Am The Resurrection.
Posts Tagged ‘indie’
2 Jul
The Stone Roses Heaton Park Manchester July 1st 2012
15 Aug
Radiohead Lancashire Cricket Ground
Radiohead
Lancashire Cricket Ground, Old Trafford, Machester Sun 29 June
Support Acts: MGMT, Bat for Lashes
I don’t get Radiohead. I’ve tried really hard to get into them, but still can’t see it. I’ve listened to their albums, and been to see them before in Edinburgh (mainly due to pressure from David and Laura and some curiosity). I’ve read about them being the best band in the world, and started to believe it; but its no good, they are just a bit too new for me.
Anyway, it was time to go and see them again. This time Laura, David, Mari and I were travelling to Manchester to see Radiohead at Old Trafford Cricket Ground. The journey took longer than expected due to an accident on the road to Wetherby. We took a diversion through Harrogateand Leeds; passing Harewood House where Eric Clapton was playing (as I passed I was wishing that I was amongst the queueing crowds for that concert). The extended journey gave us a chance to listen to OK Computer and In Rainbows in their entirety. I still didn’t get it.
We arrive at Old Trafford, having missed MGMT the first support act. Mari has a spare ticket which David and her attempt to sell outside. However, even the touts can’t shift tickets today, so they give up (mental note; next time don’t buy a ticket; buy one outside for less than face value). When we get into the ground David and Mari go onto the pitch and try to make their way to the front. Laura and I have a walk around during Bat for Lashes set which sounds OKish. Laura buys a t-shirt which claims to be made from recycled bottle tops and bears a quote from one of Radiohead’s songs. We eventually go and find seats in the family area where we sat for the Arctic Monkeys gig almost a year ago.
Radiohead come on stage to a great welcome from the crowd. Everyone is singing along and are word-perfect in every song. They recognise each song within a split second (unlike me who vaguely recognises three songs form the entire set). I am finding it to comment on the set, because they are quite beyond me. However, David, Laura and Mari assured me that it was a great setlist, fantastic atmosphere and Tom Yhorke’s voice is outstanding.
Towards the end David and Mari come over to the seated area and join us. We all watch the 3 sets of encores from there, and even I manage to sing along during Karma Police. When they finally leave the stage we go over to the car park, where we have to wait almost an hour before leaving. The car next to us is blasting out Raidohead from its speaker system. I personally opted for Radio 2 for the journey back to the hotel.
ticket
Set list:
1 15 Step
2 Airbag
3 There There
4 All I Need
5 Nude
6 Arpeggi
7 The Gloaming
8 The National Anthem
9 Faust Arp
10 No Surprises
11 Jigsaw Falling Into Place
12 Reckoner
13 Just
14 Bangers + Mash
15 Everything in Its Right Place
16 Fake Plastic Trees
17 Bodysnatchers
Encore 1
18 Videotape
19 Paranoid Android
20 Myxomatosis
21 Optimistic
22 Karma Police
Encore 2
23 Pyramid Song
24 2+2=5
25 Idioteque
Encore 3
26 Lucky
Website : http://www.radiohead.com/deadairspace/
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