Coldplay
Live at the Reebok Stadium, Bolton, Tuesday 5th July 2005
Set List ‘Square One’ ‘Politik’ ‘Yellow’ ‘God Put A Smile Upon Your Face’ ‘Speed Of Sound’ ‘Low’ ‘Warning Sign’ ‘Everything’s Not Lost’ ‘White Shadows’ ‘The Scientist’ ‘Till Kingdom Come’ ‘Don’t Panic’ ‘Clocks’ ‘Talk’ ‘What If’
‘In My Place’ ‘Fix You’ played again for a video shoot ‘Fix You’.
You buy your tickets for these events in the hope that it will be a balmy summer night, which will add to the spectacle that is an outdoor summer gig, but what greets you as you drive to the stadium is rain that makes visibility through the car windscreen something of a lottery. Luckily the rain relents as soon as the car pulls up to the car park at the Reebok Stadium.
Coldplay touring the country after the recent release of the rapturously received third album ‘X&Y’ tonight is the second of two gigs held at Bolton Wanderers ground.
They are ably supported by local lads Doves, fresh from supporting Oasis and U2 on their recent stadium gigs they have certainly justified their elevation to the big league and with performances like tonight, it certainly wont be long before they are packing these places out in their own right. The set was a brisk run through the highlights of their three-album career to date and ‘There Goes The Fear’ was a fitting climax to a well-received set by the audience arriving for the main turn.
Fresh from Live 8 at the weekend it was back to the day job for singer Chris Martin and his band; the lobbying is put to one-side, he has an album to promote. Though judging by the charts it seems that he is preaching to the converted.
The new album is a lot more an expansive sound that its predecessors and prior to tonight ‘X&Y’ had left me feeling a little disappointed, but in the live arena, some of these songs seem to have an added dimension when belted out into the back of the arena, even when they slow things down with an intimate acoustic set with ‘Don’t Panic’ and the song written for Johnny Cash ‘Til Kingdom Come’ these more subtler songs work in the vast expanses of a football stadium.
With the bands elevated status it is now apparent that Coldplay now have their own resident guitar hero in Will Champion and on the new tunes such as ‘White Shadows’ and ‘Talk’ his skills are pushed to the limit to great effect.
Coldplay certainly have what it takes to be a stadium band and if U2’s star begins to wain then, it is likely that Coldplay can fill the void, but for the punter I’m still left a little cold by the stadium experience, but it was a good gig and one that justified the price of the ticket.
Tuesday, July 5, 2005
Tuesday, February 15, 2005
Paul Weller
Liverpool Royal Court Theatre, Tuesday 15th February 2005
The second of two nights in Liverpool and two nights that have been appended to the rescheduled winter tour of 2004, cancelled due to tonsillitis.
You would not have thought he’d been struggling with his vocals last year as Weller rattled through tunes from his vast collection of the last 25 years.
Drummer Steve White was welcomed back into the fold after a non-appearance last night, due to cited personal reasons. Despite the drummer’s kit making an appearance, the drummer was a no show, much to the annoyance of the reviewer in tonight’s Liverpool Echo. Last night the set was semi-acoustic, with Weller berating the audience to see him if they wanted their money back after the show.
Tonight, Weller was on top form and despite notable omissions from the set list the night included tunes that appealed to the cross section that is Paul Weller’s audience. Five Style Council tunes were played and they all sounded great with the addition of the backing musicians adding brass accompaniment.
Weller even included a trio of new songs amongst the crowd favourites, ‘Golden Sands’ was the pick of these tunes. The writing block that Weller has talked about now seemingly behind him and the respite of the ‘Studio 150’ release, should see an imminent bunch of new tunes in the offing.
The only possible disappointment of the night was the omission of now traditional encore finisher ‘Town Called Malice’, in favour of an impromptu rendition of ‘Heatwave’ which the band pulled off despite Weller’s reservations Weller thought he would make a mess off. A tune that The Jam used to play and one that was a welcome addition to the current set list.
A brilliant gig, by an artist that just gets better and better, the album buying public may have decided to take or leave the newer records, but the scramble for tickets for tonight proves that as a live entity Weller is second to none.
The second of two nights in Liverpool and two nights that have been appended to the rescheduled winter tour of 2004, cancelled due to tonsillitis.
You would not have thought he’d been struggling with his vocals last year as Weller rattled through tunes from his vast collection of the last 25 years.
Drummer Steve White was welcomed back into the fold after a non-appearance last night, due to cited personal reasons. Despite the drummer’s kit making an appearance, the drummer was a no show, much to the annoyance of the reviewer in tonight’s Liverpool Echo. Last night the set was semi-acoustic, with Weller berating the audience to see him if they wanted their money back after the show.
Tonight, Weller was on top form and despite notable omissions from the set list the night included tunes that appealed to the cross section that is Paul Weller’s audience. Five Style Council tunes were played and they all sounded great with the addition of the backing musicians adding brass accompaniment.
Weller even included a trio of new songs amongst the crowd favourites, ‘Golden Sands’ was the pick of these tunes. The writing block that Weller has talked about now seemingly behind him and the respite of the ‘Studio 150’ release, should see an imminent bunch of new tunes in the offing.
The only possible disappointment of the night was the omission of now traditional encore finisher ‘Town Called Malice’, in favour of an impromptu rendition of ‘Heatwave’ which the band pulled off despite Weller’s reservations Weller thought he would make a mess off. A tune that The Jam used to play and one that was a welcome addition to the current set list.
A brilliant gig, by an artist that just gets better and better, the album buying public may have decided to take or leave the newer records, but the scramble for tickets for tonight proves that as a live entity Weller is second to none.
Friday, December 17, 2004
Echo and the Bunnymen
Friday 17th December 2004
Liverpool Carling Academy
Set List: Going Up, With a Hip, Rescue, Seven Seas, Dancing Horses, Buried Alive, Crocodiles, Back Of Love, The Killing Moon, Never Stop, Zimbo, Villiers Terrace, Show Of Strength, Lips Like Sugar, The Cutter, Nothing Lasts Forever, Loose, Joe, Over The Wall, Ocean Rain.
In what looks like becoming a regular occurrence the Bunnymen took to the stage for this pre-Christmas show, with no album to promote Ian and Will rattled through a set of classics and old favourites; that kept the audience, who had braved Liverpool’s traditional Christmas party night suitably rewarded.
Ably supported by actor John Simms’s band Magic Alex, who share The Bunnymen’s, Velvet Underground fixation highlighted by including a version of the Velvet’s ‘Here comes The Man’ in their set.
The Bunnymen started off with tunes from the first two albums ‘Crocodiles’ and ‘Heaven Up Here’ ‘Going Up’ and With a Hip - a departure from their usual opener ‘Rescue’.
Mac was his usual self as a front man engaging in a bit of banter with the crowd; it must have been Christmas as he even had something positive to say regarding Liverpool’s recent derby defeat by Everton.
The set list covered the usual territory with songs from various points of their collection.
The encore saw the usual standards, ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’, ‘Over The Wall’, ‘Ocean Rain’. All delivered impeccably and in good voice from Mac. These tunes were interspersed ‘Loose’ the Stooges cover last played under the guise of Electrafixion.
They even had time to include a new song ‘Joe’ which augers well for the new album due next summer. Without doubt a top gig it had every element that a great Bunnymen gig should have. The band is certainly maturing into the great British band that they had always promised to become, but had always managed to find a way in shooting themselves in the foot.
Liverpool Carling Academy
Set List: Going Up, With a Hip, Rescue, Seven Seas, Dancing Horses, Buried Alive, Crocodiles, Back Of Love, The Killing Moon, Never Stop, Zimbo, Villiers Terrace, Show Of Strength, Lips Like Sugar, The Cutter, Nothing Lasts Forever, Loose, Joe, Over The Wall, Ocean Rain.
In what looks like becoming a regular occurrence the Bunnymen took to the stage for this pre-Christmas show, with no album to promote Ian and Will rattled through a set of classics and old favourites; that kept the audience, who had braved Liverpool’s traditional Christmas party night suitably rewarded.
Ably supported by actor John Simms’s band Magic Alex, who share The Bunnymen’s, Velvet Underground fixation highlighted by including a version of the Velvet’s ‘Here comes The Man’ in their set.
The Bunnymen started off with tunes from the first two albums ‘Crocodiles’ and ‘Heaven Up Here’ ‘Going Up’ and With a Hip - a departure from their usual opener ‘Rescue’.
Mac was his usual self as a front man engaging in a bit of banter with the crowd; it must have been Christmas as he even had something positive to say regarding Liverpool’s recent derby defeat by Everton.
The set list covered the usual territory with songs from various points of their collection.
The encore saw the usual standards, ‘Nothing Lasts Forever’, ‘Over The Wall’, ‘Ocean Rain’. All delivered impeccably and in good voice from Mac. These tunes were interspersed ‘Loose’ the Stooges cover last played under the guise of Electrafixion.
They even had time to include a new song ‘Joe’ which augers well for the new album due next summer. Without doubt a top gig it had every element that a great Bunnymen gig should have. The band is certainly maturing into the great British band that they had always promised to become, but had always managed to find a way in shooting themselves in the foot.
Friday, October 29, 2004
The Finn Brothers
Tuesday 26th October 2004, Liverpool Empire Theatre
Not the best of days to perform a gig in Liverpool, What with the passing of John Peel, but New Zealand’s finest certainly are what’s required to lift the mood of any crowd
Supported by Minnie Driver, the Hollywood Actress seemed to be visibly nervous during her 30 minute set. The music was pleasant enough in an inoffensive way - musical wallpaper. It was listenable but it didn’t make you want to rush out and buy the album.
The brothers Neil and Tim Finn took to the stage and before the rest of the band joined them they played a couple of new tunes from their latest album ‘Everyone is Here’.
The new album is a quality collection of songs from the Finn’s; from the latest single ‘Won’t Give In’ which has all the Finn trademarks – a cracking melody and an unexpected twist in the tune towards the end. ‘Edible Flowers’ is also a potential classic and was performed tonight immaculately.
All points of the duos careers were also visited, Split Enz classics such as ‘I Got You’ ‘Six Months in a Leaky Boat and Crowded House hits such as ‘Weather with You’ and ‘Don’t Dream It’s Over’ were played much to the delight of the crowd.
The surprise of the night came when Manchester’s finest Johnny Marr took the stage, accompanied by good-natured boos – because of his Mancunian heritage, to join his friend Neil Finn for a rendition of The Smiths ‘There is a Light That Never Goes Out’.
As this was the day that Peel died, Neil Finn had remarked about the passing, whilst doing so a member of the audience called out to Marr to play The Undertones ‘Teenage Kicks’, Marr duly obliged with an impromptu rendition that almost brought the house down, it was rough and ready in a style that Peel would have admired. Marr admitted afterwards he’d played it in the wrong key and this gave him problems when it came to singing the song.
Neil Finn gigs are never really a passive experience for the audience and more often than not he will make his way into the crowd or beckon them forward. Tonight he incurred the Roth of the Liverpool Empire security when he did so.
A great night of music after what could be argued as the worst day for music what with Peel’s passing.
Not the best of days to perform a gig in Liverpool, What with the passing of John Peel, but New Zealand’s finest certainly are what’s required to lift the mood of any crowd
Supported by Minnie Driver, the Hollywood Actress seemed to be visibly nervous during her 30 minute set. The music was pleasant enough in an inoffensive way - musical wallpaper. It was listenable but it didn’t make you want to rush out and buy the album.
The brothers Neil and Tim Finn took to the stage and before the rest of the band joined them they played a couple of new tunes from their latest album ‘Everyone is Here’.
The new album is a quality collection of songs from the Finn’s; from the latest single ‘Won’t Give In’ which has all the Finn trademarks – a cracking melody and an unexpected twist in the tune towards the end. ‘Edible Flowers’ is also a potential classic and was performed tonight immaculately.
All points of the duos careers were also visited, Split Enz classics such as ‘I Got You’ ‘Six Months in a Leaky Boat and Crowded House hits such as ‘Weather with You’ and ‘Don’t Dream It’s Over’ were played much to the delight of the crowd.
The surprise of the night came when Manchester’s finest Johnny Marr took the stage, accompanied by good-natured boos – because of his Mancunian heritage, to join his friend Neil Finn for a rendition of The Smiths ‘There is a Light That Never Goes Out’.
As this was the day that Peel died, Neil Finn had remarked about the passing, whilst doing so a member of the audience called out to Marr to play The Undertones ‘Teenage Kicks’, Marr duly obliged with an impromptu rendition that almost brought the house down, it was rough and ready in a style that Peel would have admired. Marr admitted afterwards he’d played it in the wrong key and this gave him problems when it came to singing the song.
Neil Finn gigs are never really a passive experience for the audience and more often than not he will make his way into the crowd or beckon them forward. Tonight he incurred the Roth of the Liverpool Empire security when he did so.
A great night of music after what could be argued as the worst day for music what with Peel’s passing.
Friday, October 8, 2004
The Wonder Stuff
Liverpool Academy 2, Wednesday 6th October 2004
The Wonderstuff ride again the staple of that indie disco are back as a full-time touring outfit with an album to promote, the bristling ‘Escape from Rubbish Island’.
Shorn of drummer Martin Gilks and Martin ‘Fiddly’ Bell the band are now down to two of the original line up - main-man and mouthpiece Mile Hunt and guitarist Malcolm Treece. They are augmented by Miles’ compadre in the Miles Hunt Club drummer Andreas Karu and bassist Mark McCarthy, whom Miles has described as the first serious contender for the sadly late and lamented Bass-thing’s role.
No keyboards or fiddle player for this tour, so that meant a return to the tunes of the ‘Eight Legged Groove Machine’ and ‘Hup’ era.
The hardcore of fans who came out for this trip on a cold October Wednesday were probably not too fussed at the omissions of songs such as ‘Dizzy’ and ‘Size of Cow’ these were the hardcore, the fans were rewarded to a smattering of rarely heard classics and forgotten b-sides to warm the souls on this autumn evening.
Miles’ was his usual crowd baiting best and any rumours of his mellowing were dispelled with a couple of diatribes at the current state of popular music…bands such as Coldplay were in Miles’ line of vision.
The new material complimented the older ‘Hup’ era material with tunes such as ‘Don’t Let Me Down, Gently’ sung with as much gusto by the thirty-something audience as it was by the band themselves. It is fair to say the crowd were suitably rewarded with a set of sing-along classics that harked back to days when the hair was longer and the t-shirts were a little less figure hugging.
The NME may not want to know these days but as long as they are producing tunes such as ‘Bile Chant’ and the audience are coming to the gigs. The Wonderstuff will be a welcome addition to a bill near you.
The Wonderstuff ride again the staple of that indie disco are back as a full-time touring outfit with an album to promote, the bristling ‘Escape from Rubbish Island’.
Shorn of drummer Martin Gilks and Martin ‘Fiddly’ Bell the band are now down to two of the original line up - main-man and mouthpiece Mile Hunt and guitarist Malcolm Treece. They are augmented by Miles’ compadre in the Miles Hunt Club drummer Andreas Karu and bassist Mark McCarthy, whom Miles has described as the first serious contender for the sadly late and lamented Bass-thing’s role.
No keyboards or fiddle player for this tour, so that meant a return to the tunes of the ‘Eight Legged Groove Machine’ and ‘Hup’ era.
The hardcore of fans who came out for this trip on a cold October Wednesday were probably not too fussed at the omissions of songs such as ‘Dizzy’ and ‘Size of Cow’ these were the hardcore, the fans were rewarded to a smattering of rarely heard classics and forgotten b-sides to warm the souls on this autumn evening.
Miles’ was his usual crowd baiting best and any rumours of his mellowing were dispelled with a couple of diatribes at the current state of popular music…bands such as Coldplay were in Miles’ line of vision.
The new material complimented the older ‘Hup’ era material with tunes such as ‘Don’t Let Me Down, Gently’ sung with as much gusto by the thirty-something audience as it was by the band themselves. It is fair to say the crowd were suitably rewarded with a set of sing-along classics that harked back to days when the hair was longer and the t-shirts were a little less figure hugging.
The NME may not want to know these days but as long as they are producing tunes such as ‘Bile Chant’ and the audience are coming to the gigs. The Wonderstuff will be a welcome addition to a bill near you.
Tuesday, September 7, 2004
Love with Arthur Lee
Liverpool Summer Pops, Wednesday 7th July 2004
One of the expected highlights of this years somewhat disappointing Summer Pops line up, last year promised and delivered us artists of the calibre of Paul Weller, James Brown and Burt Bacarach, this year has delivered the likes of Donny Osmond, Busted and Lulu.
A bit of a dream double header on paper; a quality band of today alongside a great band of yesteryear, sadly the crowd in the half-full arena did not seem to share the enthusiasm of the bands on tonight. The Zutons limbered up with a set comprising of their latest album ‘Who Killed The Zutons’ sadly the apathy of the crowd was apparent during their set as Dave McCabe The Zutons singer implored the audience to at least look interested. They seem to get better and better with each performance and they are certainly a band to see when they are performing in front of their own partisan audience.
Tonight and previous tours have been billed as the Forever Changes tour but Arthur Lee is keen to stress that he has more to offer than a justifiably classic album written and recorded almost thirty five years ago.
Unlike previous tours the band launched into a classic from Forever Changes straight away; ‘A House Is Not a Motel’, which certainly highlights the talents of Baby Lemonade, the new band performing under the guise of the Love brand.
‘Alone Again Or’ was again a highlight of the set as it always is and saw the arrival of the string quartet not for the last time tonight.
Arthur Lee was in prickly mood tonight and was slightly unhappy with the crowds’ demands for songs only from Forever Changes. He stressed hat he was in the process of writing some new material. He was trying to push some of his newer stuff, especially the catchy ‘All I Want Is You’ which is quite a entertaining tune but played in the company of his back catalogue it is obvious that the better stuff was written back in the 60’s.
Lee finally relented and played more tunes form the Forever Changes and other songs from that era. Lee’s mood wasn’t helped by the calls to halt is set at 10.30, the curfew time. This meant that a couple of songs had to be discarded before they finished with ‘She Comes In Colours’.
It was a bit of disappointing night a far cry from their previous gig in Liverpool, last year. No doubt the poor crowd didn’t help the atmosphere or Lee’s not so cheery demeanour.
One of the expected highlights of this years somewhat disappointing Summer Pops line up, last year promised and delivered us artists of the calibre of Paul Weller, James Brown and Burt Bacarach, this year has delivered the likes of Donny Osmond, Busted and Lulu.
A bit of a dream double header on paper; a quality band of today alongside a great band of yesteryear, sadly the crowd in the half-full arena did not seem to share the enthusiasm of the bands on tonight. The Zutons limbered up with a set comprising of their latest album ‘Who Killed The Zutons’ sadly the apathy of the crowd was apparent during their set as Dave McCabe The Zutons singer implored the audience to at least look interested. They seem to get better and better with each performance and they are certainly a band to see when they are performing in front of their own partisan audience.
Tonight and previous tours have been billed as the Forever Changes tour but Arthur Lee is keen to stress that he has more to offer than a justifiably classic album written and recorded almost thirty five years ago.
Unlike previous tours the band launched into a classic from Forever Changes straight away; ‘A House Is Not a Motel’, which certainly highlights the talents of Baby Lemonade, the new band performing under the guise of the Love brand.
‘Alone Again Or’ was again a highlight of the set as it always is and saw the arrival of the string quartet not for the last time tonight.
Arthur Lee was in prickly mood tonight and was slightly unhappy with the crowds’ demands for songs only from Forever Changes. He stressed hat he was in the process of writing some new material. He was trying to push some of his newer stuff, especially the catchy ‘All I Want Is You’ which is quite a entertaining tune but played in the company of his back catalogue it is obvious that the better stuff was written back in the 60’s.
Lee finally relented and played more tunes form the Forever Changes and other songs from that era. Lee’s mood wasn’t helped by the calls to halt is set at 10.30, the curfew time. This meant that a couple of songs had to be discarded before they finished with ‘She Comes In Colours’.
It was a bit of disappointing night a far cry from their previous gig in Liverpool, last year. No doubt the poor crowd didn’t help the atmosphere or Lee’s not so cheery demeanour.
Thursday, July 29, 2004
Simple Minds
Liverpool Summer Pops, Saturday 24th July 2004
Back at the Summer Pops after last years triumphant performance under the big top at the Kings Dock. The bands heyday may have seen them play football stadiums, but this venue seems to be made for Jim Kerr as he uses ever inch of the stage to get the crowd up and ready for the gig.
He need not have bothered, no doubt the capacity crowd had been tipped off from last years performance and were up on their feet from the off, as the band launched into a set that was predominately their greatest hits.
At times it felt like being at the Nuremberg rally especially with the crowds collection of hands waving in the air. Kerr worked the crowd and his stage moves defy a man into his mid forties. He promised at the start that they would destroy the place and it was very nearly mission accomplished.
There were numerous highlights tonight ‘New Gold Dream; sounded fantastic and as fresh as it did when it was first released. There was very much something for everyone in the set tonight. No doubt the band probably wished they had written some popular slower songs, that would have enabled Kerr to take a well earned mid set breather.
Simple Minds certainly didn’t let the audience down with its choices on the set list and they managed to keep some energy in reserve for the pulsating encore that saw ‘Waterfront’, ‘Somewhere in The Summertime’, ‘Alive & Kicking’ and ‘Sanctify Yourself’ leaving the audience in no doubt that they had received value for money.
The rousing reception from the audience and Kerr’s reciprocal appreciation of the crowd left the audience looking forward to next year and on this form they may actually bring down the big top.
Back at the Summer Pops after last years triumphant performance under the big top at the Kings Dock. The bands heyday may have seen them play football stadiums, but this venue seems to be made for Jim Kerr as he uses ever inch of the stage to get the crowd up and ready for the gig.
He need not have bothered, no doubt the capacity crowd had been tipped off from last years performance and were up on their feet from the off, as the band launched into a set that was predominately their greatest hits.
At times it felt like being at the Nuremberg rally especially with the crowds collection of hands waving in the air. Kerr worked the crowd and his stage moves defy a man into his mid forties. He promised at the start that they would destroy the place and it was very nearly mission accomplished.
There were numerous highlights tonight ‘New Gold Dream; sounded fantastic and as fresh as it did when it was first released. There was very much something for everyone in the set tonight. No doubt the band probably wished they had written some popular slower songs, that would have enabled Kerr to take a well earned mid set breather.
Simple Minds certainly didn’t let the audience down with its choices on the set list and they managed to keep some energy in reserve for the pulsating encore that saw ‘Waterfront’, ‘Somewhere in The Summertime’, ‘Alive & Kicking’ and ‘Sanctify Yourself’ leaving the audience in no doubt that they had received value for money.
The rousing reception from the audience and Kerr’s reciprocal appreciation of the crowd left the audience looking forward to next year and on this form they may actually bring down the big top.
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