Liverpool Carling Academy, Saturday 17th December 2005
Set list: Going Up, Show of Strength, Stormy Weather, Bring on the Dancing Horses, Seven Seas, The Disease, Scissors in the Sand, All That Jazz, The Back of Love, The Killing Moon, In the Margins, Never Stop, Villiers Terrace, Of a Life, Rescue, The Cutter, Nothing Lasts Forever
Lips Like Sugar, Ocean Rain
It’s Christmas, time for the now traditional seasonal Bunnymen hometown gig. This year sees a second night added.
It has been a good year for Bunnymen fans – it was the year, which saw the release of ‘Siberia’ – an album that has been described as a return to form and one that certainly evokes memories of the past.
It may well have something to do with the fact that Hugh Jones who’d previously produced ‘Heaven Up Here’, back on production duties. The talk of a classic Bunnymen album is probably not that wide of the mark.
Numerous reviews have alluded to a return to form – though this is seemingly always the case with new Bunnymen releases. It certainly has its fair share of magical moments that will keep the diehards happy. It is an album that has been described by Ian McCulloch as coming in from the cold hence the title ‘Siberia’. It’s a position that normally fires the band to record their best work especially when they are written off. It’s an album that sees the main protagonists on top form.
The so-called return to form is also a good recipe for the live dates and tonight sees the Mac and Will certainly on top of their game. There is certainly no feeling of going through motions after last night’s home gig.
The set list has a familiar ring to it. Though it may be a tried a tested format it is invigorated by the inclusion of ‘Going Up’ to start the proceedings. There is also the inclusion of a number of new songs from ‘Siberia’ that are not out of place amongst the list of classic Bunnymen tunes.
The two singles ‘Stormy Weather’ and ‘In the Margins’ plus ‘Scissors in the Sand’ are given an airing tonight. They are well received by the fans and certainly compliment the rest of the bands twenty-five year plus material.
Now with a collection of records going back over a quarter of a century there is always going to be the odd song omitted from the set list that disappoint the diehard. One song I was glad to see omitted was ‘Over Wall’ – my recently sprained ankle certainly would not have lasted another 8 minutes longer tonight – normally I would feel short-changed by its omission.
It was another cracking live experience to keep the home crowds happy for another year. Though on tonight’s form I think it would be advisable for the band to book a third night next year.
Saturday, December 17, 2005
Thursday, October 13, 2005
Half Man Half Biscuit
Thursday 13th October 2005, Live at the Liverpool Carling Academy
Set List: The Light At The End Of The Tunnel (Is The Light Of An Oncoming Train), Fuckin’ ‘Ell It’s Fred Titmus, CORGI Registered Friends, Running Order Squabble Fest, If I Had Possession Over Pancake Day, Restless Legs, Turned Up Clocked On Laid Off, For What Is Chatteris, Monmore Hare's Running, Them's the Vagaries, 99% Of Gargoyles Look Like Bob Todd, - Hallelujah/Vatican Broadside, C.A.M.R.A. Man, Shit Arm, Bad Tattoo, P.R.S. Yearbook, Quick The Drawbridge, Paintball's Coming Home, Tending the wrong Grave for 23 Years , All I Want For Christmas Is A Dukla Prague Away Kit , Them’s The Vagaries , Letters Sent , The Len Ganley Stance , Footprints, Look Dad No Tunes , I Think We're Alone Now , We Built this City on a Trad. Arr. Tune, Everything's A.O.R., Twenty-Four Hour Garage People, A Country Practice. Encores: Venus in Flares, Joy Division Oven Gloves, The Trumpton Riots.
Has it really been seven years since the four lads that shook the Wirral ventured through the Birkenhead tunnel to perform in Liverpool?
The band would baulk at the use of the word career to describe what they do. They would no doubt be as shocked by that statistic as would they by the fact that they are now in the third decade of their existence as a functioning band.
Tonight was certainly a good night to reflect on what had gone before given that tonight was the culmination of day of celebration for the life of the late great John Peel who passed away last year.
Today up and down the country events were taking place to celebrate the life of the DJ that had enjoyed the music of Half Man Half Biscuit and had afforded the band numerous Peel sessions. In attendance tonight was Peel’s wife Sheila and family.
Tonight’s set covered all points of the bands career as well as including a number from the latest album ‘Achtung Bono’. Highlight were my personal favourites from the new album ‘Shit Arm, Bad Tattoo’ and ‘We Built this City on a Trad. Arr. Tune’.
The set also included the now traditional cover version – to some bands the selection would seem slightly ironic but for Half Man Half Biscuit there covers are always played in all seriousness. Tonight’s chosen tune was 80s pop starlet Tiffany’s hit – I Think We’re Alone Now’ – And to think I thought the fact they did Status Quo’s Caroline all them years back was strange.
All the ‘Twenty-Four Hour Garage People’ and ‘99% Of Gargoyles Look Like Bob Todd’ were wheeled out and sung word-for-word by the majority of the audience.
‘All I Want For Christmas Is A Dukla Prague Away Kit’ was greeted with cheers especially by those resplendent in afore mentioned football kit. The band finished with ‘The Trumpton Riots’ and it is hard to feel disappointed by any song omissions from the set list. It certainly felt like a greatest hits set tonight
Here’s to the next Liverpool gig let’s hope we don’t have another seven years before we wait to see them cross the Mersey.
Set List: The Light At The End Of The Tunnel (Is The Light Of An Oncoming Train), Fuckin’ ‘Ell It’s Fred Titmus, CORGI Registered Friends, Running Order Squabble Fest, If I Had Possession Over Pancake Day, Restless Legs, Turned Up Clocked On Laid Off, For What Is Chatteris, Monmore Hare's Running, Them's the Vagaries, 99% Of Gargoyles Look Like Bob Todd, - Hallelujah/Vatican Broadside, C.A.M.R.A. Man, Shit Arm, Bad Tattoo, P.R.S. Yearbook, Quick The Drawbridge, Paintball's Coming Home, Tending the wrong Grave for 23 Years , All I Want For Christmas Is A Dukla Prague Away Kit , Them’s The Vagaries , Letters Sent , The Len Ganley Stance , Footprints, Look Dad No Tunes , I Think We're Alone Now , We Built this City on a Trad. Arr. Tune, Everything's A.O.R., Twenty-Four Hour Garage People, A Country Practice. Encores: Venus in Flares, Joy Division Oven Gloves, The Trumpton Riots.
Has it really been seven years since the four lads that shook the Wirral ventured through the Birkenhead tunnel to perform in Liverpool?
The band would baulk at the use of the word career to describe what they do. They would no doubt be as shocked by that statistic as would they by the fact that they are now in the third decade of their existence as a functioning band.
Tonight was certainly a good night to reflect on what had gone before given that tonight was the culmination of day of celebration for the life of the late great John Peel who passed away last year.
Today up and down the country events were taking place to celebrate the life of the DJ that had enjoyed the music of Half Man Half Biscuit and had afforded the band numerous Peel sessions. In attendance tonight was Peel’s wife Sheila and family.
Tonight’s set covered all points of the bands career as well as including a number from the latest album ‘Achtung Bono’. Highlight were my personal favourites from the new album ‘Shit Arm, Bad Tattoo’ and ‘We Built this City on a Trad. Arr. Tune’.
The set also included the now traditional cover version – to some bands the selection would seem slightly ironic but for Half Man Half Biscuit there covers are always played in all seriousness. Tonight’s chosen tune was 80s pop starlet Tiffany’s hit – I Think We’re Alone Now’ – And to think I thought the fact they did Status Quo’s Caroline all them years back was strange.
All the ‘Twenty-Four Hour Garage People’ and ‘99% Of Gargoyles Look Like Bob Todd’ were wheeled out and sung word-for-word by the majority of the audience.
‘All I Want For Christmas Is A Dukla Prague Away Kit’ was greeted with cheers especially by those resplendent in afore mentioned football kit. The band finished with ‘The Trumpton Riots’ and it is hard to feel disappointed by any song omissions from the set list. It certainly felt like a greatest hits set tonight
Here’s to the next Liverpool gig let’s hope we don’t have another seven years before we wait to see them cross the Mersey.
Sunday, August 14, 2005
Kathryn Williams
The Eclectica festival St Helens, Victoria Square
Sunday 14th August 2005
She was perhaps the biggest name on the bill and kicked off the day’s proceedings at the un-rock and roll time of 1.00pm – like myself she had to be somewhere else later that day.
This was something of an un-rock and roll event, given that it was the first Eclectica festival organised by St Helens Council on a stage in front of the town hall. The council should be applauded for hosting such an event – though they were let down by the inclement British weather.
The weather was typically English grey with a threat of rain, though the line-up was atypically English and represented music from various nations.
As well as Kathryn Williams others on the bill who took part included Baka Beyond, a European and African band. Samuel Oyediji, a Nigerian artist, The Coal Porters, a five-piece country rock band and headliners Dreadzone fresh from their recent appearance at the Glastonbury Festival
Kathryn Williams born and raised in Liverpool, but now a resident in Newcastle gave a stunning performance with her band made up of an additional cellist and guitarist who helped beef up the sound.
She played a half hour set covering all points of her career. From the Mercury Music Prize nominated album ‘Dog Leap Stairs’ through to the latest album ‘Over Fly Over’.
‘Hallelujah’ the Leonard Cohen song popularised by Jeff Buckley was well received by the crowd who were more familiar of that particular song than others from her set.
Kathryn Williams is not just a performer – she is quite an engaging presence and in-between song banter is worth turning up for alone.
A good start to today’s proceedings – hopefully the weather and the turn out will improve. Sadly I have to be elsewhere.
Sunday 14th August 2005
She was perhaps the biggest name on the bill and kicked off the day’s proceedings at the un-rock and roll time of 1.00pm – like myself she had to be somewhere else later that day.
This was something of an un-rock and roll event, given that it was the first Eclectica festival organised by St Helens Council on a stage in front of the town hall. The council should be applauded for hosting such an event – though they were let down by the inclement British weather.
The weather was typically English grey with a threat of rain, though the line-up was atypically English and represented music from various nations.
As well as Kathryn Williams others on the bill who took part included Baka Beyond, a European and African band. Samuel Oyediji, a Nigerian artist, The Coal Porters, a five-piece country rock band and headliners Dreadzone fresh from their recent appearance at the Glastonbury Festival
Kathryn Williams born and raised in Liverpool, but now a resident in Newcastle gave a stunning performance with her band made up of an additional cellist and guitarist who helped beef up the sound.
She played a half hour set covering all points of her career. From the Mercury Music Prize nominated album ‘Dog Leap Stairs’ through to the latest album ‘Over Fly Over’.
‘Hallelujah’ the Leonard Cohen song popularised by Jeff Buckley was well received by the crowd who were more familiar of that particular song than others from her set.
Kathryn Williams is not just a performer – she is quite an engaging presence and in-between song banter is worth turning up for alone.
A good start to today’s proceedings – hopefully the weather and the turn out will improve. Sadly I have to be elsewhere.
Friday, July 29, 2005
Bamber Bridge (0) 2 Dundee United (2) 4 (Friendly)
Bamber Bridge made a game of it today in a keenly fought encounter with Scottish Premier League side Dundee United.
It was Brigs illustrious opponents that enjoyed the best of the first-half exchanges’.
On 23 minutes Brig’s Andy Reid brought down the lively Lee Miller on the edge of the box. Barry Robson curled the free kick around the wall and into the bottom right hand corner of the net.
Three minutes later, Jim McIntyre made it two-nil when the ball rebounded to him unmarked and from 15 yards out he made sure.
Brig were more of a threat in the second period following a procession of changes at half time. One of these changes Dave Campbell’s knock down 54 minutes into the game found Greg Brickell, who unleashed an unstoppable shot from 30 yards past United’s Derek Stillie.
Eleven minutes later, Campbell levelled the score, as he slid in unmarked to steer home Lee Pryers cross from the left, following good work from the fullback.
United were rewarded with a third goal after 71 minutes. Lee Miller curled a free kick around the wall into the back of the net, almost identical to Robson’s effort in the first half.
United made certain of victory when from five yards substitute Derek Robertson converted James Grady’s cross.
Att: 265
It was Brigs illustrious opponents that enjoyed the best of the first-half exchanges’.
On 23 minutes Brig’s Andy Reid brought down the lively Lee Miller on the edge of the box. Barry Robson curled the free kick around the wall and into the bottom right hand corner of the net.
Three minutes later, Jim McIntyre made it two-nil when the ball rebounded to him unmarked and from 15 yards out he made sure.
Brig were more of a threat in the second period following a procession of changes at half time. One of these changes Dave Campbell’s knock down 54 minutes into the game found Greg Brickell, who unleashed an unstoppable shot from 30 yards past United’s Derek Stillie.
Eleven minutes later, Campbell levelled the score, as he slid in unmarked to steer home Lee Pryers cross from the left, following good work from the fullback.
United were rewarded with a third goal after 71 minutes. Lee Miller curled a free kick around the wall into the back of the net, almost identical to Robson’s effort in the first half.
United made certain of victory when from five yards substitute Derek Robertson converted James Grady’s cross.
Att: 265
Tuesday, July 5, 2005
Coldplay
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.
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, 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.
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