That's great. I've only seen them once, but it's a nice story. At Cardiff University Student's Union, early 2000s, I was browsing the record fair outside and got talking to Ginger who was doing the same and mentioned I was a bit skint to go to the gig and he put me and a friend on the guestlist. Good gig, Therapy? supported.
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Gigs or concerts attended
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Razorblades
Member
Has anyone else on here seen Blyth Power? The lead singer, Joseph Porter, is a 'crank' and when I saw them in Leeds around 3 years ago, he started telling the audience he'd been down to London photographing Southern 455s a week or two earlier...
1989 - 1993 I saw them plenty of times, many references to rail subjects: Signalman White, 47001, Ixion etc...
Blyth Power kind of spawned Eastfield, via guitarist Jessi Adams, Eastfield singer/ guitarist. If you want even more rail enthusiast subject matter in song, check EASTFIELD out: Roverbrain, Jesus Christ Turbostar, Faredodging, 47002, Air-Con One, Port Talbot Transport Police....
SteveP29
Member
Saw them in Newcastle on that tour, got Andy cairns to sign my ticket as he came out to the merch stand after their set.
I got my own mini show from them once, they were playing Edinburgh as a Download warmup gig, I was only working part time then, so wandered down to the venue to see if they were about after work at 2pm, they were just doing the load in as I got there, Dunc, their guitar tech asked me if I knew where I could get a phone charger from, and if I could get him one, he'd let me stay for the soundcheck. I did and I did, I got 5 songs and it lasted about half an hour
Sun Chariot
Established Member
2000 / 2001, they played in a pub on Fulham Palace Road. I'd not heard them (nor heard of them) until that day. My brother was in London to see them, so we met up there.
I recall one song cleverly interwove all the class 50s' names; and, after the gig, Joseph and my brother sat down and they swapped photo prints of Pacers!
Razorblades
Member
I was working at the Warley model railway show at the NEC in November 2019 when Josef wandered past; we had a chat about rateable traction!
Peeled Apples
Member
An addition, Stereophonics, Birmingham NIA 13/12.
Two bands I really want to see whenever they next do UK headlining tours are The Pretty Reckless and Paramore.
87electric
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Blyth Power have been a staple of my gig scene since 1985. Often see Joseph at Severn Valley galas.Has anyone else on here seen Blyth Power? The lead singer, Joseph Porter, is a 'crank' and when I saw them in Leeds around 3 years ago, he started telling the audience he'd been down to London photographing Southern 455s a week or two earlier...
There was a hilarious review of their Rebellion Punk Fest show a couple of years ago saying they were too weird for punk rock. Badge of honour for sure.
nlogax
Established Member
Have found myself at many iterations of the usual synthpop gigs in various countries... Pet Shop Boys, New Order, M83, OMD, Depeche Mode, but I've also been to many great gigs involving actual guitars. The Verve in the late 2000s were a particular highlight, they just blew me away. Also a few terrible ones...here's looking at Paul Weller in Brixton in 2008 (could barely see for the all Jam fans / bald heads bobbing up and down at the front) and U2 @ Wembley Stadium in 2009 which may as well have been staged in a BA maintenance hangar.
Pet Shop Boys in Hong Kong during late 2014 lives long in the memory. We turned up at Asia Expo, found our seats and while treated to the usual fab PSB show, inside the venue had all the architectural charm of a massive school assembly hall. Also the *politest* crowd I've ever witnessed at a gig. Later that night when back on on HK island, I sat ten floors up and watched the Occupy Central protests kick off on the streets below. Couldn't have been a more surreal evening.
Pet Shop Boys in Hong Kong during late 2014 lives long in the memory. We turned up at Asia Expo, found our seats and while treated to the usual fab PSB show, inside the venue had all the architectural charm of a massive school assembly hall. Also the *politest* crowd I've ever witnessed at a gig. Later that night when back on on HK island, I sat ten floors up and watched the Occupy Central protests kick off on the streets below. Couldn't have been a more surreal evening.
CharlieSpotted
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Snap! I also (reluctantly) saw Weller on the same tour, for the mind-numbingly dull 22 Dreams album, and I also count it as one of the worst shows of my gig-going life. I've had more fun walking round Primark on a Sunday afternoon. Terrible.
nlogax
Established Member
Hah! Well I hope you at least enjoyed an overpriced beer on the night? If memory serves me correctly we didn't stay until the very end, there was little point.
Old Yard Dog
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After my disappointment at Llynclys
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I went to see Bryn Terfel, supported by Fisherman's Friends and Eve Goodman, at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod.
While I enjoyed the concert, I have to say I felt rather short changed by the way it ended. There seemed to be a great deal of confusion about encores.
When Bryn & Fishermans Friends left the stage, I don’t think anybody thought that was supposed to be the “official” end and we were meant to start shouting for more. I had expected a long night having been promised Bryn’s Sea songs album in its entirety. He’d only done a few numbers solo up to that point.
He then muttered something about musicians changing instruments, which they didn’t. They all did a quick repeat of Drunken Sailor and left the stage. The lights went on and that was it.
The lady next to me had a set list in her hand and was expecting three more songs. And I read a review online, obviously written by somebody who didn’t even attend, suggesting he had sung a rousing rendition of Ar Hyd Y Nos which of course he didn’t!
All in all, Bryn was only on stage for an hour and some of that time was taken up by Eve Goodman solos.
It was a very disappointing end.
The end contrasted with a Waterboys concert I saw in Dublin in June. The audience listened politely rather than rapturously to a number unfamiliar songs and, in my view, didn't really cheer or shout for an encore. But they got one anyway. The Waterboys then sang their two greatest hits "The Whole of the Moon" and "Fisherman's Blues" which livened up the crowd no end, particularly when a former fiddler was brought out of retirement to play on the latter. They could have done with a fiddler throughout as he made all the difference to their sound.
Llynclys
The little used Llynclys section of the Cambrian Heritage Railway should have been running today but they couldn’t find a driver for the 142. Luckily I was able to get to Llangollen instead for the 1515 trip before going to the Eisteddffod tonight.
www.railforums.co.uk
I went to see Bryn Terfel, supported by Fisherman's Friends and Eve Goodman, at the Llangollen International Eisteddfod.
While I enjoyed the concert, I have to say I felt rather short changed by the way it ended. There seemed to be a great deal of confusion about encores.
When Bryn & Fishermans Friends left the stage, I don’t think anybody thought that was supposed to be the “official” end and we were meant to start shouting for more. I had expected a long night having been promised Bryn’s Sea songs album in its entirety. He’d only done a few numbers solo up to that point.
He then muttered something about musicians changing instruments, which they didn’t. They all did a quick repeat of Drunken Sailor and left the stage. The lights went on and that was it.
The lady next to me had a set list in her hand and was expecting three more songs. And I read a review online, obviously written by somebody who didn’t even attend, suggesting he had sung a rousing rendition of Ar Hyd Y Nos which of course he didn’t!
All in all, Bryn was only on stage for an hour and some of that time was taken up by Eve Goodman solos.
It was a very disappointing end.
The end contrasted with a Waterboys concert I saw in Dublin in June. The audience listened politely rather than rapturously to a number unfamiliar songs and, in my view, didn't really cheer or shout for an encore. But they got one anyway. The Waterboys then sang their two greatest hits "The Whole of the Moon" and "Fisherman's Blues" which livened up the crowd no end, particularly when a former fiddler was brought out of retirement to play on the latter. They could have done with a fiddler throughout as he made all the difference to their sound.
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Sounds like theres almost a ‘worst gigs’ sub thread. I’ve only walked out a few times:
- John Cale for being dull and unwisely having great punk/pop act The Boys rock the place before him.
- Glasvegas. Just disappointingly awful at (I think?) an NME awards tour show.
- Eric Clapton. Brought on by Jools Hollands excellent R&B orchestra towards the end of Cardiff’s Tsunami relief concert. ‘We’re going to play the blues.’ I got them, and left.
- John Cale for being dull and unwisely having great punk/pop act The Boys rock the place before him.
- Glasvegas. Just disappointingly awful at (I think?) an NME awards tour show.
- Eric Clapton. Brought on by Jools Hollands excellent R&B orchestra towards the end of Cardiff’s Tsunami relief concert. ‘We’re going to play the blues.’ I got them, and left.
dangie
On Moderation
Some years ago I accompanied the wife to see Michael Bolton at the NEC Birmingham. This was when MB was at the top of his popularity. All he did was just over one hour with no encore. Not being a MB fan this was an hour too long for me, but I really felt sorry for the MB fans. They were definitely short changed that night. Terrible.
CharlieSpotted
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Oh, if we're doing worst gigs, apart from the aforementioned Paul Weller dishonourable mentions must go to:
* My Chemical Romance - Wolves Civic 2005 - One of those nights where the sound engineer was clearly just asleep at the wheel. Couldn't make out half the songs, just a mess of noise and distortion. Walked out and went to the pub instead.
* The Dandy Warhols - Manchester Ritz 2014 - The best gigs happen when the band's energy is reflected back by the crowd and it turns into a wonderful feedback loop. So what happens when the band has no energy at all and is clearly just going through the motions?
* Super Furry Animals - Cardiff University 2015 - Really hyped up as a big homecoming/reunion show, it was shambolic and dull. The venue didn't help - the stage was so low that you could see precisely nothing from just a few rows back. Saved only by The Magic Numbers opening who were, as they always are, brilliant.
My worst gig is Gruff Rhys (Super Furry Animals frontman) and Tony Da Gatorra (Brazilian musician) at Clwb in Cardiff. Can't remember exact date but must be going on twenty years ago now. Gatorra had invented his own instrument, a sort of high pitched droning synth that made dying vacuum cleaner noises, and he and Gruff had collaborated on an album together. I'd not taken the time to listen to the album before going to the gig. Absolutely dreadful stuff, bordering on painful, left well before the end.
Closely followed by Lauryn Hill where a third of her set was taken up by the DJ shouting "Ms Lauryn Hill" over tracks with her not on stage, was underwhelming when she did make it onto the stage.
Closely followed by Lauryn Hill where a third of her set was taken up by the DJ shouting "Ms Lauryn Hill" over tracks with her not on stage, was underwhelming when she did make it onto the stage.
Old Yard Dog
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My best concerts/shows were
Leonard Cohen at Manchester Opera House, June 2008
Bellowhead at the Middlewich Folk Festival, June 2005
Dubliners, "25/30/40 years a greying tour", I can't remember when or where or even how many years as I saw them that often, possibly Warrington, Liverpool, Manchester, Bradford or Rhyl
Pirates of Penzance, Old Vic, London, late 1970s - my first introduction to the magic of Gilbert & Sullivan
Evita, Prince Edward Theatre, London, late 1970s - ditto Andrew Lloyd Webber
Noel Murphy/Draught Porridge, Manchester Sports Guild, late 1960s/early 1970s
The most disappointing concert I can remember was Bob Dylan at the Manchester Apollo in April 1995. He didn't perform a single song that I recognised, just later forgettable rock songs . I wasn't aware at the time that he had forsaken his older work. I was angry when he was awarded a Nobel prize in 2016 for songs he refuses to sing.
(The set list on setlist.fm seems very inaccurate to me)
Leonard Cohen at Manchester Opera House, June 2008
Bellowhead at the Middlewich Folk Festival, June 2005
Dubliners, "25/30/40 years a greying tour", I can't remember when or where or even how many years as I saw them that often, possibly Warrington, Liverpool, Manchester, Bradford or Rhyl
Pirates of Penzance, Old Vic, London, late 1970s - my first introduction to the magic of Gilbert & Sullivan
Evita, Prince Edward Theatre, London, late 1970s - ditto Andrew Lloyd Webber
Noel Murphy/Draught Porridge, Manchester Sports Guild, late 1960s/early 1970s
The most disappointing concert I can remember was Bob Dylan at the Manchester Apollo in April 1995. He didn't perform a single song that I recognised, just later forgettable rock songs . I wasn't aware at the time that he had forsaken his older work. I was angry when he was awarded a Nobel prize in 2016 for songs he refuses to sing.
(The set list on setlist.fm seems very inaccurate to me)
Puffing Devil
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The best gig for me was Elbow at Jodrell Bank in 2012. Using the Lovell Telescope's dish as a huge screen for video projections was a masterstroke. It rained, biblically, for most of the set. You would think that would ruin the experience, but the atmosphere was fantastic. The whole crowd just got on with it, soaked through but singing along regardless.
As a bonus, we hopped on our bikes to get home, while many were stuck in their cars in the mud.
As a bonus, we hopped on our bikes to get home, while many were stuck in their cars in the mud.
dangie
On Moderation
Last night I was at 'Rock for Heroes ' at the Gatehouse Theatre Stafford. After the interval the band announced the death of Ozzy Osbourne. They then played 'Paranoid'. The audience response was skin tingling. Ozzy would have loved it.
I was lucky enough to see Black Sabbath in their prime at Stafford Bingley Hall back in 1977. It was my first gig and I was 14 at the time. My ears were ringing for two days afterwards.
I also saw their reunion concert at Birmingham NEC in 1997. The gig was recorded for the live album 'Reunion'.
So yes, I'm on a Black Sabbath album.
I also saw Ozzy's solo band ( featuring the late, great, Randy Rhoads) at a festival at Port Vale FC's ground in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent in 1981. Ozzy was special guest to headliners Motorhead, whose frontman Lemmy was born in Burslem and had a statue erected there in his honour this May.
Sadly, all the classic 'Three Amigos ' Motorhead lineup are all now deceased.
RIP Ozzy✌️✌️
I also saw their reunion concert at Birmingham NEC in 1997. The gig was recorded for the live album 'Reunion'.
So yes, I'm on a Black Sabbath album.
I also saw Ozzy's solo band ( featuring the late, great, Randy Rhoads) at a festival at Port Vale FC's ground in Burslem, Stoke-on-Trent in 1981. Ozzy was special guest to headliners Motorhead, whose frontman Lemmy was born in Burslem and had a statue erected there in his honour this May.
Sadly, all the classic 'Three Amigos ' Motorhead lineup are all now deceased.
RIP Ozzy✌️✌️
londonbridge
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If we’re talking worst gigs now, mine was Adele…..early in her career when she only had the one album out. Basically just stood at the mike for the entire show, had zero stage presence, didn’t move around the stage, literally, just stood there singing and barely interacted with the audience, just went from one song into the next with hardly any banter or talk between songs, seemed to have very little confidence and appeared as though she didn’t really want to be there. Honestly one of the most boring shows I’ve ever seen.
The Killers at Cardiff uni were much the same. And no better when they supported U2 a couple of years later.
dangie
On Moderation
You mean they were worse than U2?
Must have been bad....
Peeled Apples
Member
Sounds grim, thankfully pretty much everyone I’ve seen has had some degree of stage presence/charisma
Like I said elsewhere, I’m so old I can remember when U2 were a rock band!
Peeled Apples
Member
And me!I loved the first 3 albums and Under A Blood Red Sky live album, Unforgettable Fire wasn’t too bad then, for me, it all went a bit bland.
Acey
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Saw them Wembley ,1984 front row,pretty stupendous ,ears buzzed for 2 days after ,like you say, first 3 or 4 albums good but a steady decline since then ( in my humble opinion )
SteveP29
Member
So, Iron Maiden in the Waldbuhne, Berlin last week, there are no words, Manchester in June was probably the best of the 9 times I'd seen them up to now, but the venue in Berlin made it even more spectacular.
And incidentally, what a city Berlin is.
We visited 2 of the 5 remaining sections of the wall, what a humbling experience.
And incidentally, what a city Berlin is.
We visited 2 of the 5 remaining sections of the wall, what a humbling experience.
Arglwydd Golau
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I've only walked out of a gig twice....and that was The Alarm on both occasions!
Should have left an Evan Dando gig earlier this year (Didn't think I'd like him anyway - but he was far worse than I
expected...he was drunk). Only stayed as I was with a friend who liked him in his heyday
CharlieSpotted
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Had the pleasure of seeing Wofmother for the first time, at the Ritz in Manchester last week, and it was a cracking night. Tune after tune. Support was a band called Asomvel who were also really good, and a highly appropriate support, but are a bit of a strange proposition in that they are absolutely a Motorhead cover band but with their own songs. The lead singer couldn't be more like a young Lemmy, in appearance and in sound, Rickenbacker bass, massive Marshall stacks, tache, the whole deal.