Blue Oyster Cult Newcastle Tyne Theatre 2002
I lost touch with Blue Oyster Cult for some time, after seeing them several times in the 70s and 80s. There was a 17 year period between my BOC experiences, between seeing them in 1985 at Newcastle City Hall and a gig at Newcastle Tyne Theatre in 2002. I went along with my mate Norm who is a big Blue Oyster Cult fan. The Tyne Theatre is a Grade 1 listed building, which opened in 1867 as the Tyne Theatre and Opera House. Its a lovely venue, and I have fond memories of going there in the 60s with my dad to see King Kong, which seemed a marvel to me at the time. The Tyne Theatre wasn’t full that night, but a respectable crowd had gathered to see BOC. The line up at that time featured old timers Eric Bloom, Buck Dharma, and Allen Lanier and the set contained a healthy mix of old favourites. It was great to see the band again, and the performance was as good as the old days, bringing back memories of those nights in the City Hall. BOC have been back once or twice since then, although I missed those gigs. Its about time I caught up with them again. Setlist: Burnin’ For You; OD’d On Life Itself; ETI; Pocket; Harvester Of Eyes; Teen Archer; Quicklime Girl; Perfect Water; Cities On Flame; Golden Age of Leather; See You in Black; Last Days Of May; Godzilla; (Don’t Fear) The Reaper; Dominance & Submission. It was great to hear Last Days of May again; it remains one of my favourites songs.
Posts Tagged ‘R&B’
11 May
The Bureau Information Tour 1981
The Bureau Information Tour 1981
I’ve been reflecting on Dexy’s this week and renewed by acquaintance with the band on Monday when I saw them play in Whitley Bay. That also made me think to this gig, by the Bureau, which I attended in 1981. The Bureau were a Dexy’s spin off band, and consisted of most of the members, apart from Kevin Rowland. “We split from Dexy’s Midnight Runners because the musical ideas we always stood for just turned into posturing”. They also featured Archie Brown on vocals (from the Upset who had supported Dexy’s on an early tour) and Mick Talbot (who is now in Dexy’s; this is confusing) or organ. I recall little of this gig; in fact I can’t even recall where it was. I suspect it was at Newcastle Mayfair (although it could have been at the Poly or University?). I do remember them as a brass driven soul band. I’ve just checked and see that they have recently reformed and that Mick Talbot is with them again (as well as being a member of Dexy’s; this is just getting confusing for me).
10 May
Dexy’s Midnight Runners Newcastle Exhibition Park 1982: Radio 1 in Concert from the Big Top
Dexy’s Midnight Runners Newcastle Newcastle Exhibition Park 1982
Radio 1 in Concert from the Radio One Big Top
I went to see Dexy’s on Monday, and this has encouraged me to reflect on my previous experiences of the band. This gig was the second time I saw Kevin Rowland and the band, and the last time until I saw them again this week, and it was just amazing. I’d seen Dexy’s once before at the time of Geno, in Newcastle Mayfair. They were good that night, but nothing could have prepared me for this gig. The concert was one of (I think) two which were held in a large marquee on Exhibition Park as part of a Radio One in Concert weekend. The other gig was The Boomtown Rats, and I decided to go along to one of the gigs. I’m so glad I chose this show, because it was a revelation. Part of the reason that it was so good was the surprise element. Neither Come on Eileen or the album Too-Rye-Ay had been released at this point, and the image of Dexy’s that I had in my head was of the soul rebels in their donkey jackets and wooly hats. This was the first performance of the new gyspy folk Dexy’s, and the entire crowd was just stunned when the band came on stage, Kevin dressed in a pair of dungarees and with his new curly hair cut. You could see that everyone was just speechless and totally shocked by the complete transformation that the band had undergone. They were straight into a set which drew heavily from the forthcoming Too-Rye-Ay lp with its hybrid of soul and Celtic folk. They also included Geno, and Jackie Wilson said. The rest of the band were dressed in dungarees, scarves, leather waistcoats, and what was described at the time as “a generally scruffy right-off-the-farm look”. Kevin Rowland said at the time of the new image: “These are my best clothes. Again it just feels right for the music. Everybody else is dressing up sort of straight-laced and we come in wearing these and it’s like, y’know here we are, a bit of hoedowning is even possible”. And hoedown they did.
Once I got over the shock of the new image and the new line-up, I just sat back and enjoyed the music. How could you not enjoy those infectious folk tunes. This was the first time the new lp, including Come on Eileen was played live and the only time that the line-up featured the Searching for the Young Soul Rebels-era horn section alongside the Too-Rye-Ay-era strings. I knew that night that the new lp and those songs were going to be massive. Come on Eileen hit the charts and soared to number one a few weeks later and the band were back to play to a sold-out City Hall, a gig which I missed in order to see The Jam’s final North East gig at Whitley Bay (which was the right choice, but I still regret missing Dexy’s that night!). I remember going home buzzing about the gig, still not being quite able to take in or believe what I had seen. I tried to explain to my friends how good it had been, but they didn’t get it until they saw them performing Come On Eileen on Top of the Pops a few weeks later. This was one of those gigs which I wish I could return to and relive. The show was released on CD 13 years later in 1995 and features the following tracks: TSOP (The Sound of Philadelphia); Burn It Down; Let’s Make This Precious; Jackie Wilson Said (I’m in Heaven When You Smile); Come on Eileen; Respect; Soon; Plan B; Geno; Old; The Celtic Soul Brothers; There, There, My Dear; Show Me.
Note. I’ve just found (30 Jan 2014) a programme for the Radio 1 Weekend, which this concert must have been part of. The weekend featured all the DJs (Tony Blackburn, Peter Powell, Keith Chegwin etc) plus personal appearances by Dexys, Haircut 100 and others. There was also a local band stage which featured among others The Toy Dolls. The programme includes a free flexi single by Lindisfarne (although they were not appearing as they were on tour at the time). Fascinating stuff. I’d forgotten all about this.
9 May
New Order Newcastle Academy 8 May 2012
New Order Newcastle Academy 8 May 2012 
Laura and I went to see New Order last night at Newcastle Academy. So had were they without founder bassist Peter Hook? Pretty good, actually. We were sitting in the balcony and the sounds was reasonably clear from up there, although the vocals could have been higher in the mix. The set was a good selection of New Order classics, with Blue Monday as the encore. There were no Joy Division songs, which was a little disappointing as the encores have been Transmission and Love Will Tear Us Apart on the rest of the tour. The band played well, but didn’t seem particularly into it. The visuals were particularly impressive. There were problems with the sound mix throughout the show and some technical difficulties, and maybe that was why the show was cut short. 
The crowd remained in the hall for some time after New Order left the stage, not quite believing that there weren’t coming back. I sensed quite a few disappointed people as we left the hall, which was a shame, as the performance was excellent at times. Setlist: Elegia; Crystal; Regret; Ceremony; Age of Consent; Love Vigilantes; 1963; Bizarre Love Triangle; True Faith; 586; The Perfect Kiss; Temptation. Encore: Blue Monday
8 May
Dexy’s Whitley Bay Playhouse May 7th 2012
Dexy’s Whitley Bay Playhouse May 7th 2012
With the name streamlined from Dexys Midnight Runners to Dexys, last night’s gig was prior to the release of their fourth album, ‘One Day I’m Going To Soar’; the first Dexy’s album in 26 years. For this project Kevin Rowland’s Dexy’s features previous members Mick Talbot on keyboards, Pete Williams on vocals and Jim Paterson on trombone. It also features Neil Hubbard and Tim Cansfield on guitars, Madeleine Hyland on vocals, and Lucy Morgan on violin. This tour sees their first gigs for almost 10 years, taking in small theatres across the UK. Its 30 years since I last saw this band, and I have been really looking forward to it. I knew that this gig was sure to be something special, one way or the other. There was no support and no interval, with Dexy’s coming on stage at 8.30pm. Whitley Bay PLayhouse was packed and you could feel the anticipation. The band came on to a darkened stage, slick and smartly dressed in suits which looked like they had come from New York in the 20s. The show was very theatrical and is based on the story of a relationship between our hero Kevin and Madeleine Hyland, who first appeared on screen and later on stage in person. Kevin was as intense and passionate as ever, and at times I thought this was one of the best things I have ever seen. At other times, I felt the show crossed the line and became just a little too bizarre and absurd. The crowd clearly really enjoyed it, giving each and every song a tremendous reception. Laura, David and I were sitting in the second row and had a great view of the action. 
It was tremendous to be so close to such a great showman. The set consisted of the new album played through in its entirity, followed by an old Dexy’s song, which I must admit I didn’t know, with a rousing and joyful Come On Eileen as the closer. The crowd wouldn’t let the band leave without one more song, and they returned to play This Is What She’s Like. An astounding show, which at time hit great heights and depth. A night that none of the audience will forget for a long long time. Setlist: Now; Lost; Me; She Got A Wiggle; You; Thinking Of You; I’m Always Going To Love You; Incapable Of Love; Nowhere Is Home; Free; It’s OK John Joe, ?, Come On Eileen. Encore: This Is What She’s Like
7 May
Dexy’s Midnight Runners Newcastle Mayfair June 1980 : Intense Emotion Review
Dexy’s Midnight Runners Newcastle Mayfair 1980
We are going to see Dexy’s latest incarnation at Whitley Bay Playhouse tonight, and I am really looking forward to it. Kevin Rowland may be an enigma, but he is also a hero of mine. He is undoubtedly extremely talented, and puts his entire heart and soul into everything he does. I first saw Dexy’s Midnight Runners in 1980 at Newcastle Mayfair on the Intense Emotion Review. The title of the tour said it all. Kevin was determined to create a band which was a vehicle for his passion and his vision; a band with a strong image, and built on the concept of soul and emotion. Geno was a hit at the time and the band came on stage dressed in donkey jackets and woolly hats, and delivered a set of great soul and r&b. Rowland said at the time: “we didn’t want to become part of anyone else’s movement. We’d rather be our own movement” and “We wanted to be a group that looked like something…a formed group, a project, not just random”. Master of Ceremonies and resident comedian for the evening was Keith Allen (see picture; doesn’t he look young!). Support came from The Upset featuring local guy Archie Brown, and The Black Arabs. Kevin Rowland lists his listening as Astral Weeks by Van Morrison in the programme (good choice). 
This was around the time of their first lp Searching for the Young Soul Rebels. I remember them playing Geno, and a great version of Breaking Down The Walls Of Heartache, which is one of my favourite songs. The Mayfair was packed to the walls, and the place went mad when they played Geno; lots of singing along. At the time the band seemed to fit somewhere between The Specials, and new mod in the form of Secret Affair etc. In fact they were much more that. As Kevin said at the time: “I’m going to do what I really want to do: form a great group. We’ll wear great clothes and make soulful music.” And they did just that for a short period. The next time I saw Dexy’s was at a Radio One In Concert programme which was recorded in a marquee on Exhibition Park in Newcastle. By that time Kevin’s vision had changed into the gypsy folk which was Too-Rye-Ay, and that gig was just astonishing; one of the best gigs I have ever been to; I’ll post about that night in a couple of days. Can’t wait for tonight’s show. Will post on it tomorrow morning.
6 May
Blue Oyster Cult Newcastle City Hall 1984 and 1985
Blue Oyster Cult Newcastle City Hall 1984 and 1985
Blue Oyster Cult underwent a series of line-up changes during the 1980s, and by the late 80s only Eric Bloom and Buck Dharma remained from the early days. I saw the band twice in the mid 80s, in 1984 and again in 1985. The 1984 show was BOC at their best. The City Hall was packed and the band delivered a great show, much better than the very poor performance my mates and I had seen at Donington a few years earlier. Support came from Aldo Nova. Setlist for 1984 gig: Me262; ETI; Hot Rails To Hell; 
Born 2 Rock; Cities On Flame; Burnin’ For You; Take Me Away; Joan Crawford; Shooting Shark; (Don’t Fear) The Reaper; Godzilla; Born to be Wild; Let Go; Gotta get outta this Place; Roadhouse Blues. Blue Oyster Cult were back in Newcastle the following year, and this time the place was only about half full. At this point the line-up featured three long time members: Eric Bloom, Buck Dharma, and Joe Bouchard. Support came from Girlshool. 
My memories of the evening are of a half-hearted performance, and little crowd reaction. Setlist: Dominance & Submission; ETI; Buck’s Boogie; White Flags; Take Me Away; Last Days Of May; Dancin’ in the Ruins; Joan Crawford; Shadow Warrior; Burnin’ For You; Godzilla; (Don’t Fear) The Reaper; Cities On Flame; Hot Rails To Hell. I lost touch with Blue Oyster Cult after the 1985 show, and didn’t get to see them for some 17 years. I’ll blog on that gig tomorrow. Looking back and reflecting on these gigs makes me realise just how good BOC were. There legacy is pretty impressive. They are still performing to this day and have released 20 albums; not bad going!
5 May
Blue Oyster Cult Newcastle City Hall 1975 and 1978
Blue Oyster Cult Newcastle City Hall 1975 and 1978
I first went to see Blue Oyster Cult at Newcastle in 1975. This was their first UK tour and at the time, they were not very well known at all in this country. I went along, with my friend John, largely out of curiosity. I’d read a little about them in NME or Sounds, and had heard a few tracks somewhere. By 1975, BOC had released three albums, and their live set featured such classics as Harvester of Eyes and my all time favourite Last Days of May, which I still love and play to this day. Set list: Stairway to the Stars; OD’d On Life Itself; Harvester Of Eyes; Flaming Telepaths; Last Days Of May; Before The Kiss; Candy Store (Fill-in Jam); Cities On Flame; Maserati GT; Buck’s Boogie; Me262 (5 guitars); Hot Rails To Hell; Dominance & Submission. 
I remember much being made of a five guitar line up, and the show as being pretty good, with a half full hall being seriously impressed by this new band. Note the miss-spelling on the ticket! By 1978, when The Cult returned to the City Hall, they were much bigger news. They had released Agents of Fortune, and Spectres both of which were massive lp successes here in the UK. 
The single Don’t Fear the Reaper was played everywhere, and has since become their trademark. So this time the City Hall was sold out, and the concert was much anticipated. Nick Kent wrote in the NME: “See, the facts as I recognize ’em are clean-cut to a fine-boned T – the two kings of heavy metal rock in the world right now are Britain’s own Thin Lizzy and the U.S. Blue Öyster Cult.” I went along with a group of mates, all of us now being big BOC fans and they were just amazing. 
BOC were at the top of their game at this time, and the Newcastle crowd witnessed a great gig, and gave them a great reception. The show was much bigger than in 1975, with lazers, smoke and other pyrotechnics. In fact BOC were one of the first rock bands to make use of lazers, which seemed pretty exciting and dangerous for the times. Support came from Japan, in their pre-Ghost arty-rock era. They were hyped up quite a lot at the time, but were pretty disappointing on the night. The set list will have been something like: R.U. Ready 2 Rock; ETI; Harvester Of Eyes; We Gotta Get Out of This Place; Cities on Flame With Rock and Roll; Then Came The Last Days Of May; ME 262; Kick Out the Jams; Godzilla; This Ain’t the Summer of Love; 5 Guitars; Born To Be Wild. Encore: Hot Rails To Hell; (Don’t Fear) The Reaper. I’ve just found a flyer for the 1975 gig, with support act Birth Control. The flyer entitles me to 70p off On Your Feet or on Your Knees! from Virgin records. I wonder if its too late to cash it in? (Actually it is, the flyer says “offer closes 30 Nov 1975”. Shame).
4 May
Happy Mondays Newcastle Academy May 3rd 2012
Happy Mondays Newcastle Academy May 3rd 2012
Happy Mondays started their reunion tour last night with a great gig at Newcastle Academy. I was at a meeting in London yesterday, so David and Laura met me off the train at 8.30 and we walked up to the Academy. This meant that we missed support act Inspiral Carpets. The venue was absolutely packed and everyone was looking forward to seeing the first performance of the original Happy Mondays line up for 19 years. And we weren’t disappointed. Shortly after 9pm Bez walked onto the stage and introduced the band. Next up were Rowetta and the rest of the band, followed by front man Shaun Ryder. We were in the balcony, looking down on the stage, and the crowd downstairs were just going mental. 
The set was a mix of classics, with Step On You as the last song. Amazing gig, although the sound mix was a little murky from where we were. The band were very much up for it, and made lots of references to this being the first night back; they seemed pleased with themselves and the crowd reaction. Lots of swearing from Shaun, who had a cheeky go at Bez for being 50 and a grandfather. Star of the show for me was Rowetta, who looked and sounded stunning and had a smile right across her face.
2 May
Boney M Newcastle City Hall 1979
Boney M Newcastle City Hall 1979
This is definitely a guilty pleasure, and seemed so at the time. By 1979 Boney M had enjoyed massive chart success with (among others) Daddy Cool, Ma Baker, Rivers of Babylon, Brown Girl in the Ring, Rasputin and Mary’s Boy Child. Its easy to forgot just how big this act was. In 1978 Rivers of Babylon was (at the time) the second highest-selling single of all time in the UK. I quite liked Rasputin, and swept along by the popularity of Boney M, went along to this gig with a couple of mates. I remember thinking that the tickets were quite expensive at £7. We had seats pretty close to the front, and a great view of the action.
The gig was great fun. Great costumes, tongue in cheek songs, and Bobby Farrell’s amazing dancing had to be seen to be believed. And what a beard he wore for Ra Ra Rasputin….! A DVD exists of a live show from 1979 and this includes the following set: Let It All Be Music; Rasputin; Never Change Lovers In The Middle Of The Night; Do You Wanna Bump; Daddy Cool; Belfast; Sunny; I’m Born Again; El Lute; Gotta Go Home; No Woman No Cry; Rivers Of Babylon; Brown Girl In The Ring; Let It All Be Music. So I would guess the concert we saw would have included some of those songs. Trust me, this most definitely was not vintage rock, but it was good clean honest fun, and something I’m glad I experienced (once)!
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