Mammoth WVH
Marlay Park, Dublin
4 July 2023
I do recall a bit of a shower when I saw the Stones at Don Valley stadium in Sheffield back in the mid-1990s, but this evening in Marlay Park delivered a drenching of a different order of magnitude.
It happened as Mammoth, led by Wolfgang Van Halen were coming to the end of their set.
I had thought about bringing a coat but weather forecasts had led me to incorrectly assume any showers had blown over. Fortunately a member of security was on hand to give me a pac a mac as it became clear the rain was intensifying.
Motley Crue
Marlay Park, Dublin
4 July 2023
Joint headliners - they were alternating with Def Leppard as to which band finished the show, although I think Def Leppard had the stronger Irish following which may have contributed to Motley Crue taking this slot at Marlay Park. When they retired in 2014 Nikli Sixx told Rolling Stone when asked if they would tour again (they had signed a legal agreement not to reform):
"The only loophole is if all four band members agreed to do it, we could override our own contract. But we know that will never happen. There are people in this band who will refuse to ever do it again, and you're talking to one of them"
Without doubt they were right to blow up that 2014 contract and their show on this night was very enjoyable.
Def Leppard
Marlay Park, Dublin
4 July 2023
Another band with its roots in Yorkshire and another that had been around for over 4 decades, although this was to be the first time I had seen them live.
As their set drew to a close I decided to make an exit as I was to catch an overnight ferry to Holyhead as this had been the start of a new gig road trip.
Those Damn Crows
Scarborough Open Air Theatre
5 July 2023
It was another near 400km drive from Holyhead to Scarborough, and I broke up the journey by stopping in Helmsley on the fringes of the North Yorks Moors, where I had spent a few years at primary school, and then on to Whitby spending a bit of time at the Captain Cook Museum. Captain Cook had gone to school in a small village called Great Ayton where my parents had seen out their later years.
I knew the area well, and Scarborough was a seaside town I had visited may times as a child, but this was the first time I had been there since the mid-1990s when I had taken part in a coast to coast bicycle ride from Morecambe to Scarborough.
No parsley, no sage, no rosemary, no thyme. There was an Alice, a Joe, a Tommy and a Johnny though.
This was Scarborough - an open air theatre with standing in front of the stage and seating behind.
Some people had paid an extra £150 or so for early entry, a guitar pick and a fancy ticket with lanyard. Some had paid an extra £1,000 or so to meet and greet the vampires. I think we have a bat in our attic and I felt little need for the extras on this occasion. When I did get in I made a quick venture through the hut where they were handing out wristbands for the standing section. Plenty of people were already at the merchandise stall, so I left that for the end of the gig and headed into the theatre getting a position one back from the barrier. More than happy with that.
I was parked up and at the theatre two hours before the stated opening time. But there were already a couple of hundred queuing. I went off for a quick coffee and returned for what would be a second 7 hour or so marathon on my feet on successive days. This time I had another layer to protect me from the elements and a likely cool breeze coming off the North Sea.
Two support acts had been advertised, but only one, Welsh rockers Those Damn Crows, actually appeared.
The Hollywood Vampires
Scarborough Open Air Theatre
5 July 2023
Some could see Johnny as he approached the stage but that was from the cheap seats at the back of the open air amphitheatre
When he did enter the stage Johnny did so in an unassuming way giving a little wave to all those who's screaming had become fever pitched. He was to get his chance in the limelight later on. For now Alice was centre stage, flanked by Joe Perry and Henriksen.
Alice had plenty of stagecraft built up over more than half a century. But everyone on stage had a chance to shine, including Glen Sobel on drums and Chris Wyse on bass.
The beauty of this format is we could get the best of Cooper's own back catalogue along with Aerosmith's such as "Walk this Way", while also covering other classics such as Baba O'Riley, The Jack and Heroes. Then there was a tribute to Jeff Beck with Joe Perry playing one of Beck's guitars.
My feet were suffering after all the standing and as soon as the gig ended I went to pick up a T-shirt before heading back to the car for another hour or so in the car to my hotel for the night.
UB40 featuring Ali Campbell
Craven Park, Hull
6 July 2023
Two down, and two to go. Fortunately the next gig was just down the coast in Hull. The Who were playing at Rugby League’s Hull Kingston Rovers stadium, Craven Park. Fortunately this was an all seated event, giving my feet a bit of a break after the pain I had suffered over the previous two evenings.
In support was an act I should have seen 40 years ago, except they never turned up to support Bad Manners at Manchester University. Buster Bloodvessel regaled a tragic story of how the band had crashed on the way to the gig, killing all its members.
Well in 2023 one of those members must have had a Bobby Ewing moment and was still capable of putting on a show. And there is a second UB40 with other members of the original band having risen from the dead.
This version had Ali Campbell as its front man. Another former member of this iteration, Astro, had passed away last year.
The band could fill a large stage and entertained us with some of the original reggae based hits of the band. Everyone seemed to enjoy their set.
The Who
Hits Back
Craven Park, Hull
6 July 2023
I suspected the Rugby League club may have had little experience of holding gigs as there was nothing protecting the hallowed turf, allowing plenty of alcohol and other spillages with thousands of seats potentially damage the playing surface. And it was not only that. Their beer bottles were glass. Something I have not seen at a gig for decades.
I was out on the wing, but only 4 rows back. I discussed with the person next to me tactics once the main act came on. There seemed little organisation with many from further back making their way to the barrier in front of the stage. That was not particularly intrusive for UB40. However there seemed little resource dedicated to managing the crowd when the Who came on stage. Hence we stood and moved a few yards closer to the barriers.
Stewards attempted to move people back but they were fighting an incoming tide. After a couple of efforts asking people to move back they gave up, leaving it a bit of a free for all for anyone on the front seated sections.
This was the Who’s first show since I had seen them in Paris a couple of weeks earlier. Their first show on English soil (barring a couple of appearances at the Royal Albert Hall for the Teenage Cancer Trust) since the pandemic. And we were treated to their first live performance of My Generation since 2017.
As with Paris it was a great show and one I plan on seeing one more time in the near future.
It ended with a KISS
The final leg of this road trip involved heading back over the Pennines to Manchester. I had intended seeing KISS at Donington Park in 2022, but had to miss that when I went down with Covid a couple of days before I was due to catch the ferry over to Britain. That had been billed as part of their “final” tour, as was this gig at Manchester Arena. Part of their “End of the Road” tour. The last time I attended a concert of part of a tour with an identical name was when I saw Status Quo at Manchester Apollo back in 1984 – 39 years later and they are still going strong, albeit with only Francis Rossi remaining of the original line-up.
This was another gig involving standing in a queue to get a decent vantage point and then standing for another near 3 hours through the two support acts before the headliners came on stage.
The first support was the Wild Things, who I had seen supporting the Who at the Royal Albert Hall the previous year. And on both occasions they put on a good performance. Next up was Skindred, a Welsh band who’s page on Wikipedia describes them, amongst other things, as “Reggae Metal”. And they put on a great show, with their frontman, Benji Webbe, was very entertaining.
The main act certainly knew how to put on a show, with plenty of pyrotechnics adding to their traditional made-up faces and stage gear. I think they had struggled to sell out some of the large arenas they were playing, but they have a core support who seem to faithfully follow them. From my own perspective it’s another tick on the bucket list and their stagecraft resulted in some great photos.
The Wild Things
AO Arena, Manchester
7 July 2023
Skindred
AO Arena, Manchester
7 July 2023
KISS
AO Arena, Manchester
7 July 2023
Where Next?
A Rugby Union stadium in Paris, followed by a Rugby League stadium in Hull. Who could possibly be appearing on a cricket ground in Derby? Who? The Who of course. The third and final time I would be seeing them on their “Hits Back” tour. Who knows if they will tour again. At least the 8th time I have seen them, and 38 years and one day since I first got pictures of them at Live Aid.
I had planned a day return expedition, involving catching the morning fast ferry from Dublin to Holyhead, driving over to Derby for the evening show and having to leave before the rush at the end to get the early morning ferry back. Over 800km driving , 6+ hours on the ferries and a 4 hour gig in less than 24 hours. Except the day before I got a text telling me the fast ferry was in doubt. A storm was on the way. I changed plans and caught the late evening ferry from Rosslare to Pembroke Dock, getting in around 1.15am with then an hour’s drive to a Travelodge near Llanelli. The following morning, as the storm clouds were peppering my windscreen, I started the 330km drive to Derby, getting there with a couple of hours to spare. I had to pick up my ticket and ventured from the car park into the downpour to pick it up from a temporary box office at the cricket ground. The weather continued to be miserable, and I made sure I was better togged than at Marlay Park with a waterproof covering.
The doors were initially advertised to open at 5pm, but I got a message the day before that they would be opening at 4.30. I therefore returned to the ground shortly after 4pm. People in front who had VIP tickets were complaining that the backstage tour was due to start at 5.10pm, and encouraged the guys on security to get the gates open and let them in. Everything had been delayed due to the weather and the Who had not even done their soundcheck while we stood in the queue. Indeed a large luxury bus arrived with what I think would have been the orchestra onboard, as I had seen the band turn up in luxury Mercedes saloons at Hull.
Eventually the pestering worked and the VIP attendees were allowed in. And on this occasion I was one of them. I had the full front row, backstage tour, autographed memorabilia package. No one bothered checking our bags or indeed searching any of us “VIPs”. And we were able to go into the Cricket Club Members Lounge before the backstage tour. We could see the Who on stage doing their soundcheck from the balcony. The weather was starting to improve, but due to the late running the backstage tour was curtailed. I fortunately had a waterproof file in which I could put the autographed “UK Tour” poster, although I did have to fold it. It would remain dry though.
I headed down to my seat ahead of what I had anticipated to be a 6.30 start by the main support, UB40, featuring Ali Campbell. There had been another support on when we did the backstage tour and it became clear things were still running a bit late. Compared to the gig in Hull it was pretty much a 15 minute delay, which would eat into my buffer for catching the 02:40am ferry. The rain had eased significantly, although it did return for a while as the Who were on. However my front row seat gave me the protection of the stage from the incoming wind and I saw much more of the rain on the big screen than falling on me.
All on the front row had paid significant premiums, and although we did not bother too much with interlopers during the support, we made sure security were on the ball for the main act (unlike at Hull where it had become a free for all). A nod towards a member of security would usually result in a rapid moving on, although I did not mind too much if they were just there for a few seconds to take a snap or two. One guy did earn my wrath, which he did not take too kindly to, when I asked him to move. He had been one who had been there during UB40, and I knew he needed a “hint”.
Having seen the full performance in Paris, and having reviewed the various setlists, there were two “sections” involving the orchestra which did not change between performances. There was a middle section involving the band only where they were introducing different songs at most events. Tonight I initially thought there was a problem with Roger’s microphone as I thought it was not as powerful a performance as either of the 2 prior events I had attended. However he did mention he was having issues with his voice. I’m sure the weather did not help, but equally someone of 79 years blasting out those songs every other night was probably catching up on him. I've no complaints though—I thought it was another excellent show, and there were two occasions at each gig were he appeared to be near to bursting his lungs with what I would consider to be near perfect “screams”.
I knew Baba O’Riley was the last song before the encore and made my escape as it was reaching a climax. The timing worked well and I had nearly half an hour to spare when I got to the ferry port. Given some of the acts I have seen, it’s quite an accolade, but I would put these three shows to be among the best I have seen all year, with only Roger Waters being older than these two who had been together in a band for 1 year short of 6 decades.
Perhaps this will be the last major tour they undertake, although even if it is I would jump at the chance of seeing either of them individually, or perhaps at the Royal Albert Hall for the Teenage Cancer Trust that they have supported so extensively.
UB40 featuring Ali Campbell
Incora County Ground, Derby
14 July 2023
The Who
Hits Back
Incora County Ground, Derby
14 July 2023
Galway International Arts Festival 2023
Another new venue. I had seen the Kaiser Chiefs just before lockdown in Dublin, and they were due to play in Galway in the summer of 2000, but covid resulted in the gig being delayed 3 years. And now this involved a 4 hour drive to the Galway Arts Festival and their “Big Top”. A circus-type tent that was put up to host gigs throughout the festival each year.
I had planned on getting there early to take in some of the festival atmosphere, but traffic into Galway delayed me a bit and I only really had time for a coffee and a bite to eat.
I still had plenty of time before they opened up at 7, and I visited the Big Top and got a sneak preview allowing me to plan my location. I hung around near the main entrance and they started setting up security a little further away. I was happily sitting on a wall thinking I had not only circumvented the security cordon, but I would be first into the Big Top itself as there were no others in the same advantageous position.
Alas a few minutes before they were due to open up I was asked to leave and join the queue. Fortunately there were still only 20 or so in front of me. Although they were searching people it seemed a bit disorganised and I walked through, paid a quick visit to merchandise and then managed to get a place pretty much centre stage against the front barrier.
First up was a band described as an Irish Acoustic Folk Rock band, from just down the road in Limerick. Hermitage Green. And they were entertaining, with the audience fully appreciating the effort they put into their show.
When it was time for the Kaiser Chiefs the audience was fully warmed up. I’ve said before that Irish audiences are more involved than those I have experienced elsewhere and I feel they encourage acts like the Kaiser Chiefs to put even more effort into their show. And as in the last occasion I had seen them perform, they really put on a good show particularly with some of their barnstorming anthems, with Ricky Wilson displaying great stagecraft, albeit with a much smaller space to work with than when I saw them in the 3Arena in 2000.
Hermitage Green
Galway Festival Big Top
27 July 2023
Kaiser Chiefs
Galway Festival Big Top
27 July 2023
The spreadsheet failed
Well I could blame Excel, but it’s only as good as the data that I input.
The plan had been to take a short trip over to our holiday home in Cornwall, returning via Cardiff to take in a cricket ODI between England and New Zealand, and then St David’s Hall in Cardiff for Lindisfarne the same evening. I knew I would have to leave the cricket early to get the full concert in, but I would play that by the ear on the day.
Alas those plans fell by the wayside when a potential family issue resulted in me changing those plans and staying in Ireland.
I managed to defer the ferry to another road trip later in the year. It was too late to do something about the cricket and Lindisfarne tickets though.
The morning I was originally due to get the ferry from Rosslare I received an email reminding me of the Elvis Costello gig the following evening. What on earth was this about? The email was from the National Concert Hall in Dublin. I knew Costello was due to be playing with Steve Nieve but thought I had missed out on that one. At the time those tickets were on sale I was still awaiting a re-arrangement of the Costello gig in Swansea that had been postponed from the previous year, only later realising the gig had been cancelled altogether (and I only copped on to that when the ticket agency sent me an email reminding me I had a credit to use).
A frantic search through my emails eventually uncovered the confirmation that I had a ticket for the Costello gig. Not any ticket. A ticket in pretty much the centre of the front row! That wasn’t on my spreadsheet!
The following afternoon I stopped off at a service station on the way up to Dublin. I checked my emails to find one from St David’s Hall in Cardiff. There had been news during the week of a large number of school closures in the UK due to some dodgy concrete used in their construction. Well it was not only schools. Apparently this venue had used the same material and was being immediately closed and would not re-open for at least 4 weeks while they undertook checks and possible remedial work. That probably means the Lindisfarne gig will be cancelled altogether, but even if it is rearranged I would still have the option of attending or getting a full refund.
Alas the hoped for downpour to get the cricket cancelled did not materialise. However I still had a gig to attend that evening in Dublin.
This was to be my 4th time seeing Costello play. The first time it was a single song, “All you need is Love” at Live Aid in 1985. I had seem him and his Imposters in Glasgow just before the first Covid lockdown, then last year in Oxford. This would be different – Costello on his guitar (mainly acoustic) and Steve Nieve on piano/keyboard. This was part of a “European” tour, but Dublin was the only place where English was the main language, and Costello certainly has plenty of Irish blood in him.
This was the best of the 4 performances. It was very different and the format worked very well. As is often the case the Irish audience warmed to the performer and I had the feeling he put more into it as a result.
Before the performance we were asked to switch off mobile devices. And from my own vantage point I could see no-one holding phones to take pictures or videos. I felt I would stick out like a sore thumb if I sat there taking photos, and waited until near the end before switching the camera on when people were stood up and others started using their phones. And the cricket – England lost, but I should be back later in the month to see them take on Ireland in Bristol.
Elvis Costello and Steve Nieve
National Concert Hall, Dublin
7 September 2023
Interlude
Nearly 3 weeks since my last gig, and another week until my next one, but there was cause for another road trip. This was not to be gig-related though
I have been a massive Manchester United fan since childhood, holding a season ticket for around 40 years since my University days in the city.
Around 2000 I first got into Manchester United memorabilia (and indeed music memorabilia, mainly comprising limited edition luxury signed books and prints). I pulled together one of the most comprehensive United programme collections in private hands, and then complemented it with match tickets, some international caps involving former players with strong United connections and also some medals and other trophies.
It reached the stage where we needed to raise some cash to help two of our children and grandchildren get a house. We decided to sell the collection and I was heading over to Graham Budd Auctions in Wellingborough for an auction billed as:
“One of the most important collections of Manchester United Memorabilia to appear at auction in a generation”
My own collection made up the first half of the day long auction—315 lots culminating with the most valuable item of the day – a European Cup Winners medal from 1968 originally awarded to a survivor of the Munich Air Crash, centre-half Bill Foulkes. My own collection alone was probably on a par programme-wise with the last similar auction in 2000, and arguably exceeded that earlier auction overall with the medals and other items included.
I have also placed some music memorabilia in an auction to take place during October, including some of those limited edition books, a unique artwork of David Bowie and some vinyl.
I was originally due to take in some cricket in Bristol on my way over but with poor weather forecast I decided to head over to our holiday home in Cornwall to pick up a handful of other limited edition books to bring back to Ireland. I also took some limited edition prints with me from Ireland to show the music memorabilia expert at the auction house, John Garrett.
The auction went very well, with everything going for overall values approaching the upper limit of estimates.
I headed back to Ireland the following day, although I took a couple of detours when I received a message of a delay to my ferry crossing due to bad weather. It was near midnight when I disembarked the ferry in Rosslare, well over 5 hours later than scheduled.
I was then asked by Customs what I was carrying. I explained I had some valuable limited edition books. They told me I had to make a customs declaration. I explained to them there is no VAT or other duties due on books, but they sent me to the nearby Customs depot to make a declaration.
When I arrived at the Customs depot I explained again that the books attracted no duties. I was told I had to fill out a declaration, but that could only be done by an agent. I explained I would be happy to fill it out myself (having spent my career working in tax), but when they said I would need specialist software it was clear that was not an option.
I was then left with two options. I could get an agent to fill out the declaration (the Customs agents could not give me any idea of what this would cost), or I could return the books to the UK.
I was due to travel back to the UK a few days later and said (forgetting I would then be travelling from Dublin and not Rosslare) I would take them back. That meant I would need to leave the items in the Customs warehouse, which I had no issue with.
I then drove into the Customs warehouse to drop the items off. I started showing the Customs officials the books, repeating that there was no VAT or duty due. I also explained the prints had been with me when I travelled from Ireland earlier in the week, and I was simply bringing them back (having initially bought them when the UK was part of the EU, with relevant VAT being applied at the time). They said that a temporary export was fine and that I could take those signed prints and photos home, so that was a minor win. I explained a bit more about the books, and then started showing them some of the pictures I had taken at gigs over the past 40+ years. Having had the win on the prints I mentioned again there was no duty on books. The Customs agents were becoming very sympathetic, and soon retreated to do some checks – returning 10 minutes later to tell me they agreed there was no duty due and I could take everything home. So I had a completely favourable result. I think the Customs agents were more than happy that no further action was needed, and indeed having seen both some very special memorabilia as well as some of the photos on display here.
The Dark Side…
..
This particular road trip may not have seen the light of day but for a show announced late in July, taking place at the London Palladium in October. Roger Waters turned 80 in September and he had decided to revisit The Dark Side of the Moon. A one off show was announced for 8 October, but my efforts to get priority tickets failed and indeed all tickets were sold pretty much straight away.
Then they announced a second show for 9 October. I knew the best way to get tickets for the Palladium was via the theatre’s own website. The likes of Ticketmaster tend to get allocated tickets towards the back of the theatre or upstairs. This time I was in luck, and I did not even have to resort to a premium or VIP package – centre stalls, row E – 5 rows back for what promised to be one of the highlights of the year. A 4 day road trip culminating in this event made quite a bit more sense than 3 days of Paul Carrack, Showaddywaddy and Francis Rossi (in a repeat of the format in Leicester earlier in the year).
Then a week before the gig an email arrived. No phones or cameras allowed. They had to be put into the new “Yondr” devices – they are basically locked in a pouch, which while still in your possession remains locked when in the theatre. There is a certain irony, in that it was a Roger Waters gig in Las Vegas a few years earlier where I witnessed masses within the audience holding their phones up to record the event that prompted me to get back into taking photos at gigs.
I actually have no issue with such a restriction, but certainly would have appreciated an announcement about this at the time tickets went on sale. It may not have resulted in me giving this gig a miss, but I may have spent less time trying to get as close to the stage as I reasonably could. Anyway, the next question is how you can show what is supposed to be a mobile ticket when there is no access to the phone – as it turned out attendees had memorise or write down the seat number (and hope no-one was in it when they got to it).
It seems the whole purpose of the “redux” exercise is to try and show how superior he is to the likes of David Gilmour. Indeed he did emphasise that he was the “artist” behind Pink Floyd. I think though that one thing this exercise does establish is that Waters leaves me well in the shade when it comes to cantankerous old gits.
This road trip started with a drive to Dublin to get the early ferry, then from Holyhead to Manchester, checking into my Travelodge on the M62 before heading into Manchester to a new venue for me, the Bridgewater Hall. There is a large car park under the GMex Centre just across the road. GMex had been hosting the Tory Party Conference during the week, but that had largely dispersed by the Friday afternoon as I entered the car park. My main concern was that my prior experience in that car park for a gig resulted in a smashed window and stolen laptop. I made sure I was parked in a place near to the entrance this time, where there would be more people passing by my car to get to or from their own.
The gig itself was a very pleasant surprise. I had seen Paul Carrack at the Music for the Marsden event in 2020, but that involved three songs including a couple with Mike Rutherford who he had played alongside in his prior existence as a Mechanic. This time he had a setlist that included songs from his past experiences in Squeeze and Mike and the Mechanics, but also some of his own stuff and some other popular covers. And it was a high quality throughout. The support act, Hannah White, who’s husband also played guitar, was also excellent, and Hannah has a fabulous voice
The next day involved another long drive, this time to a place I do not think I have ever been to before, Whitley Bay, for Showaddywaddy. I had seen them at a Christmas party event in 1989. Only one band member remained from that day, drummer Romeo Challenger who had been part of this band for half a century. They do put on an excellent “good vibes” show playing all their hits while happy enough to make themselves the butt of the joke on occasion.
Part 3 of this trip meant another visit to Scarborough to witness the Francis Rossi Tunes and Chat gig for the second time in 2023. There were a few different songs this time. The chat was probably more entertaining as well as engaging and indeed less scripted. He had an audience who made it perhaps a bit more amusing with some typical Yorkshire quips thrown in. A compact venue definitely helped. He could see us all, and engage in banter as people in the audience reacted to his “chat”. On one occasion I glanced at my watch – he clearly saw me do it and looked at me then looked at his own watch as if there was some deadline to meet.
As last time there was an announcement that no videoing of photos were allowed. Except for the Meet and Greet, where I got a couple more pictures I had taken at prior Quo gigs, signed by him. In fact I had 4 photos with me but gave two of them to others in the queue who had nothing for him to sign. I understand Rossi was a bit suspicious when a second photo from Live Aid appeared on the table in front of him, querying if someone was selling these pictures to everyone!
Knowing the final song would be Caroline I did get my camera ready and took a few snaps just as the gig was coming to an end.
Rossi was pleasant throughout, and I enjoyed this performance more than the one earlier in the year. He is referred to as GOMOR – the Grand Old Man Of Rock. A more than suitable moniker.
Monday involved a drive from Scarborough to Reading, stopping off in Wellingborough to pick up the unsold lots from the auction 11 days previously. How will Customs react this time? Hopefully I'll be waived through as everything is being returned from where it came. Possibly best to declare that to minimise delays.
As I hit the M25, a glance down at the information screen in the car revealed a temperature of 25 degrees, and this was October!
Having stopped off to check in to my Travelodge at Reading services I decided not to risk London's Ultra Low Emissions Zone and headed to Reading railway station. Less than 30 mins to Paddington with returns until the early hours.
After the treat of the GOMOR on the Sunday, Monday’s artist will now be referred to by me as ROGOR Waters - the Right Old Git Of Rock.
And the music was OK. The rest of it, perhaps not so. Yes this was ROGOR's reimagination of The Dark Side of the Moon. His "reflux' version...
I understand there had been calls to scrap these shows following controversy ahead of his gigs earlier in the year. And there had been atrocities committed by Hamas in Israel over the previous couple of days. ROGOR had always been a supporter of the Palestinian cause which really should not be, and indeed is not, an issue in itself. Andrew Lloyd Webber, who owns the Palladium, had resisted these calls and Waters kept a low profile and avoided saying anything political or critical of Israel.
Having taken my seat on row 5 with camera and phone safely locked away I got speaking to a Geordie in the row in front. He had been there the night before and helped manage expectations. I had seen a review of the prior performance which had already lowered the bar. Tonight we only had one rendition from his possible future memoirs. We only got the story about his duck named Donald, and were spared 2 other “stories” that had been relayed the previous night.
A person just behind me had picked up a ticket earlier in the day. Highlighting there was perhaps not as much a demand for this show as I had originally anticipated. 5 rows from the front and 3 empty chairs in front of me, one to my left and another behind. It seems there were plenty others who had read the reviews and did not bother turning up. Indeed I could have taken a seat in the front row if I had wished, as some remained unoccupied throughout the event. The diehards seemed to lap it all up. To others it was perhaps not such a positive experience. Last night Francis Rossi had been totally engaged. Tonight it was an octogenarian who was allowed to self-indulge in his revision of a record which in my view remains behind the original. It was a little odd seeing someone who had put on great performances in front of audiences of 10k to 20k+ only a few months earlier struggling to keep an audience of 2,000 or so engaged. And for someone who seems to pride himself as an intellectual artist, I am amazed he did not address the most fundamental issue with the original. There was not even a byword about the fact the moon does not have a dark side….
He ran over by about 40 minutes having started around 20 minutes late. There is some guesswork in the timings as my watch, which is only smart enough to count my steps and measure my heart rate, was deemed unsuitable for the event and consigned to the Yondr pouch.
As soon as the music stopped I headed for the exit, not knowing what time it was but conscious I needed to catch a train back to Reading. Once I had left the theatre I was approached by a couple asking me what I thought of it. I was a little hesitant to be completely open until they mentioned they had walked out. Something I suspect quite a few had done. The prompt departure did not mean anything in the end as I got to Paddington, grabbed some food from M&S and still had 40 minutes or so until the next train to Reading.
So no pictures to remind me of a gig that I will probably forget before too long, save for the "memories" I document here. And overall the road trip was a pleasing an experience for those first 3 gigs, as it was disappointing for the 4th.
The journey home on the following day went without incident. On arrival in Rosslare Port I was ready to declare the fact I was carrying the unsold lots from the auction, but was waved through the border control. A less than 5 day road trip of over 2,100km. I think I’ll be cutting back a bit on this sort of adventure going forward.
Hannah White
Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
6 October 2023
Paul Carrack
Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
6 October 2023
Showaddywaddy
Whitley Bay Playhouse
7 October 2023
Francis Rossi Tunes & Chat
The Spa Theatre, Scarborough
8 October 2023
The Right Old Git of Rock
The Dark Side of the Moon Redux
The London Palladium
9 October 2023
No photos of the event itself, but here's one I got earlier
Miles Kane
3Arena, Dublin
17 October 2023
This support act came on a couple of minutes before 8, meaning I had by then spent 2 hours on my feet, and was expecting another 3 hours before the main act left the stage just ahead of an 11pm curfew.
And for once this was a proper warm-up. Like Michael Monroe earlier in the year I was delighted at this performance, and they had the audience fully engaged. A quality act from Birkenhead that, it pains me to say, were on a par or even perhaps a bit better then the headliners from Yorkshire (albeit Sheffield in South Yorkshire). Kane spent some time interacting with the audience and put a lot of effort into his stage craft. An act I will probably try and see again when they are not constrained by a limited set as the first on the bill.
Arctic Monkeys
3Arena, Dublin
17 October 2023
Back Home...
Another road trip to the North East of England, but this time starting off not too far away from where I was born in the then North Riding of Yorkshire.
Middlesbrough had always been considered our local “town” when I was growing up. However there was another “large” town almost next door to Middlesbrough – Stockton-on-Tees. In fact Stockton was a bit nearer to my home village and when I was very young, before my mother passed her driving test and certainly before I started school, I recall catching a bus to Stockton, but never to Middlesbrough – there probably were no direct bus routes to Middlesbrough at that time. That would have been my first experience of a “big” town, although there were a couple of nearer smaller market towns, Yarm and Stokesley together with Northallerton a bit further away that we visited quite a bit.
This was to be my first trip to Stockton in not far off 60 years. I stopped off on my drive from Holyhead at Scotch Corner. A place I had travelled through quite a few times. I was booked into the local Travelodge for a couple of nights. In my early years Scotch Corner was a stop off place for people travelling up the A1 to Scotland or Northumberland/Newcastle. The A1 intersected with the A66 which was (and still is) a route over the northern Pennines to places such as the Lake District and Glasgow. It was almost certainly the route taken by my parents on their way to honeymoon in Gretna Green
There was a large hotel at the junction, but with motorway upgrades to the A1 and indeed A66 it had become a Motorway “Rest Area”. The original hotel remains as part of the Holiday Inn franchise, but the services are home to the Travelodge.
This is part of the Richmond parliamentary constituency – the constituency I grew up in and currently held by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, and before him William Hague who had taken over from Leon Brittan. One of the safest Conservative seats (Sunak held a majority of over 27,000 at the 2019 General Election, the 12th largest Conservative majority, and Hague previously had the largest majority of all in one General Election), and held by the party since 1929. The prior MP had been a member of the Unionist Party, which had already merged with the Conservatives
So what was there to see in Stockton after all these years? Jools Holland and nearly 20 more musicians including a number of vocalists and a 10 strong brass section. At times there were 18 on stage together.
Holland is a familiar figure, but not one I had seen in real life before. In my post university years he presented the Tube with Paula Yates. Since the early 90s he has regularly presented a TV show, Later with Jools Holland, as well as his New Year Hootenanay.
The thing that struck me about this gig was how happy/positive Holland and the musicians were, making it almost certainly the best “feelgood factor” I have ever experienced at a gig (although it would have a long way to go to get anywhere near the best non-family related “feelgood” time I have experienced during my lifetime - 3 minutes at the Nou Camp in Barcelona in 1999)
The support was Irishman, Jake Lukeman, who kicked off the show in a positive manner and could be described as a “proper warm-up” act. He benefited from an audience who encouraged him to deliver an excellent performance.
Holland and his band arrived on stage and from the start had a beat that engaged the audience. A bit like his TV show he delivered a variety of music experiences, with a couple of female vocalists adding to that variety. Later on we had 2 stars of the early 80s Ska scene with Pauline Black and Arthur “Gaps” Hendrickson delivering some numbers from The Selecter. As the gig drew to a close Holland was joined on stage by Ruby Turner who put on a great performance and hitting a new peak that I never expected given the quality of what had gone before.
A very worthwhile venture to a town I had only had very vague 60s memories of.
I am pretty sure even my football trips never ventured into Sunderland as they were typically at least one division below Manchester United. This was a trip to see a local talent, Dave Stewart, but this time without Annie Lennox, the other half of the Eurythmics. Apparently Lennox has retired from touring, although I did see both halves together at Manchester back in 1999. This was one of only two UK gigs where Dave Stewart would be performing Eurythmics material, the other being the London Palladium a week later.
I spent a lot of the day revisiting some of my childhood haunts. This was the first time I had done so in a positive frame of mind since before my father’s death nearly 6 years previously. Once I reached Sunderland I found the theatre relatively easily, and decided to park at the nearby Bridges shopping centre only to discover the car park closed at 6.30. After spending some time in the shopping centre I found a few 24 hour car parks nearby. On leaving the first car park I discovered the wonderful technology in place could not read an Irish number plate resulting in a delay as I discussed it over the intercom. Rather than risk similar issues after the gig I managed to find some free on-street parking near the local university perhaps a 5-10 minute walk from the theatre.
I got to the Sunderland Empire around 6.30. The ticket indicated doors were due to open at 7.30. However the doors were already open. I could not see any mingling inside the theatre so I asked if entry was permitted and they allowed me through.
There was a notice that merchandise was available at the upstairs Circle bar and I headed up to take a look. When I got there I realised everyone who had already entered had headed up to the bar, and were knocking back various drinks .
When they opened the doors to the theatre I was one of the first ones in. As the advertised start time approached more took their seats. The audience was typically a bit younger than had been at the Jools Holland show the previous night, but that did not reflect what was probably the most fundamental difference. Tonight there were bars open, and plenty had consumed significant amounts already, and were then often turning up at their seats with drinks in each hand. Throughout the gig people were getting up and heading out presumably for more drinks or to the bathrooms. A completely different experience to the one in Stockton. It was a bit inconvenient, but equally I don’t think anyone had grounds to complain about me taking photos when so many were inconveniencing significant numbers in the audience with continual interruptions forcing others to stand up to make way for them.
The show started at 8.15pm. After a couple of numbers Dave Stewart took to the microphone and told us he had been allocated the Sid James room in the theatre. Sid James was a comedian and actor, famous for many of the Carry On and other comedic films during the 1950s and 60s. There was a particular link to the Sunderland Empire that only us of a certain vintage are likely to remember, but anyone who does not can check out Sid James’ Wikipedia page….
Stewart had 3 very talented vocalists on stage, who could cover the full range of Annie Lennox’s vocal talents, and perhaps even a bit more. They included Stewart’s own daughter who’s godmother is Annie Lennox. This was another excellent feel good show. Barring a brief reference to current political and military conflict there was no other negative commentary. Indeed there was quite a bit of banter between Stewart and his own “Home Ground” fans. Overall I would put this on a par or even better than the full Eurythmics experience. It was definitely helped by those Home Ground fans, but also some talented musicians who could tease the best of the Eurythmics back catalogue.
The show finished shortly before 10pm and it was then a brisk walk back to the car to drive back to Scotch Corner ahead of the third leg of this road trip.
Saturday and another new venue and another new city. Down the A1 to the Fens, and specifically Cambridge. On the way I suffered a SatNav loop around Huntingdon, where changes to the road layout resulted in me doing 2 circuits of the town. Then on the A14 towards Cambridge I ended up following signs for services which took me to the wrong side of the A14, pretty much directly opposite my Travelodge on the other side of the A14.
I eventually got to the right hotel and subsequently set off towards Cambridge with that particular journey not causing any problems. I managed to find a car park within about 20 metres of a Starbucks meaning I could add to my collection of their “location” mugs. I think I am now only short of the Oxford mug across the England. The goalposts have moved a few times as I suspect certain places have complained about their lack of inclusion resulting in examples from the two major university cities along with places like Newcastle and Yorkshire which I picked up on a prior road trip.
I took my place in Row K, which was actually the 3rd row of seats pretty much at the middle of the stage, The Manfreds arrived as scheduled at 7:30.
When it came to Mike D’Abo explaining the way “Semi-Detached Suburban Mr Jones” was re-branded “Semi-Detached Suburban Mr James” to avoid embarrassment for the recently departed (from Manfred Man) Paul Jones, Jones piped up that Sid James may have taken offence at the new name. Sid James? I don’t hear the name for many years then it turns up twice in two days/gigs!
There were at least two “superfan” couples (AKA “groupies”) in the front row. I am sure I sat next to one of the couples on the front row in Harrogate in 2022. The other couple wore matching “60 years of the Manfreds” tee shirts (not available as official merchandise) and Paul Jones was on first name terms with the four of them. One of the 4 was merrily snapping away with a compact digital camera making me feel less conspicuous particularly given there were very few in the audience holding up their phones to record anything
It seems the line-up has settled down with just the 3 “originals” of Jones, D’Abo and McGuinness being 243+ years between them. And they were more than matched in the audience with a notable increase in walking sticks and wheelchairs every time I see them.
Another feelgood gig, making this probably the most “positive” road trip of all, except for some of the “road” bits!
On the way back I relied on the SatNav again, but this time went off the A14 at the right junction only then to be brought back onto the A14, resulting in a 30km+ diversion back to the A1. I largely reverted to my prior strategy of navigating by instinct on Sunday’s drive back to Pembroke Dock.
Jake Lukeman
Stockton Globe
9 November 2023
Jules Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
Stockton Globe
9 November 2023
Dave Stewart's Eurythmics Songbook
Sweet Dreams 40th Anniversary Tour
Sunderland Empire
10 November 2023
The Manfreds
The Corn Exchange, Cambridge
11 November 2023
Great Grimsby
Another town there is no reason to go through. You only go to Grimsby if that is your destination, or you are dropping off some dead fish from a trawler for the market. And I have never had reason to go there before I picked up a ticket for Robert Plant, which would complement the one for Suzi Quatro in Manchester the previous evening.
I also had a ticket for Quatro in Cardiff, but that fell foul of the dodgy concrete scandal and was eventually cancelled.
The name of the town conjures up images of a "grim" North Sea fishing port. It's parliamentary constituency is Great Grimsby. I need to check out that greatness. TV presenter Austin Mitchell had turned to full-time politics and become Labour MP for Great Grimsby in the 1970s. A seat he held for 38 years. The constituency would change in 2024, becoming Great Grimsby and Cleethorpes which would become a so called "key battleground" in the 2024 General Election
Grimsby has a football club. One that had been in the first division before the Second World War. They lost that honour at the end of the second post war season and never returned. In 1939 they played Wolves in the FA Cup Semi Final at Old Trafford, a match that still holds the record attendance for the stadium.
Grimsby Town were the last club to visit United in the 1st Division before the Second World War. The 1939/40 season was then abandoned. Once the football league re-commenced in 1946/7 the fixture list from 1939/40 was repeated meaning Grimsby Town became the first team to visit United in the league at Maine Road, City's ground, as United's had suffered bomb damage during the War.
Another point of note (to me anyway!) is I had in my Manchester United memorabilia collection programmes from that pre War game at Old Trafford as well as home and away programmes from those post war seasons. The 1939 one was bought for £850 13 years ago but recently sold at auction for £2,800! The 1947/8 away programme sold for £1,800.
Maybe "Great" is not a bad description after all!
First up on this trip though was back to Bridgewater Hall in Manchester for Suzi Quatro. Having secured my ticket in January the next issue was finding it. This was a paper ticket and I had no idea what I had done with it. No problem I thought—there was a phone number on the email confirmation that I rang to receive a message that they do not take phone calls any more. One option they offered was a Live Chat facility on their website. I headed onto the website to find their chat facility was only automatic and could not deal with any specific queries. So they said I could send an email if there was less than 3 days before the gig. By this time the gig was 30 hours or so away, and on a Saturday. I sent a message as soon as I could asking them to arrange a ticket for Box Office pickup (which I had used for my prior trip to the Bridgewater to see Paul Carrack, although that was the only option when I booked the ticket) and then waited…..
….and fortunately they got back to me before closing up on Friday afternoon confirming my ticket would be held.
The other good news is I now have the Hyundai I10 back from my son meaning I should be doing not much more than 4 litres of petrol per 100km, as opposed to the Ford Ranger at getting on for 8 litres of diesel per 100km.
My alarm woke me at 4am, and then I spent most of the next 35 minutes looking for the Hyundai key. I gave that up and headed into the garage where I keep all the spares. I was not overly confident as spares regularly disappear into someone’s pocket, not to be seen again for weeks or even months. Alas my fears were confirmed—the Ranger spare was there, along with the spare for the horse van, but not the Hyundai. So in the end I put everything into the Ranger.
I set off with the fuel tank estimating 102km to empty. Plenty to get to the Gorey Services on the M11. As I approached Wexford it was down to 80km. Still plenty so I decided not to head into the town to one of its 24 hour fuel stations. As I approached the M11 a mild panic was starting to set in. The range left was dropping 1km for every 0.5 or so km driven. By the time I reached the M11 the range was 40km, pretty much the distance to the Services. Cruise control was set at 90 and aircon was switched off. After a few km I I started clawing some of those km back, making it to the services with 11 to spare. I had done over 1,000 on a full tank I am pretty sure for the first time.1,027 to be precise, with the other 11 in the bank. I’ve not been that close to running out in over 35 years though (in those pre digital days I had one example where I ran out and coasted another 10 metres or so onto the pump)
It was then another early start to catch a ferry in Dublin sailing just after 8am, then driving to the in-laws on the outskirts of Manchester to pick up various Christmas presents before heading into Manchester to once again park up at the GMex Centre just across the road from the Bridgewater Hall.
Having picked up my ticket I waited in the foyer and then saw a familiar face coming through the doors. I say familiar but I had not seen him for 20 years, although I had worked with him for 15 years before that. We had plenty to discuss which meant the waiting time flew by.
Suzi Quatro
Bridgewater Hall, Manchester
18 November 2023
I had been on the 2nd row in Belfast and the 12th row at the Royal Albert Hall in 2022, the Cardiff gig was a 3rd row ticket. My original plan was to attend that one but when it fell by the wayside I reverted to the date in Manchester which was on the front row.
Robert Plant presents Saving Grace
featuring Suzi Dian
Grimsby Auditorium
19 November 2023
After the Suzi Quatro gig it was a drive along the M62 to the Hartshead Moor Services where I had booked a Days Inn room for two nights, planning on stopping off back there on my return to Holyhead for the following afternoon’s ferry back to Dublin.
No further dramas ensued and on the Sunday it was a leisurely drive to Grimsby. After no Suzi’ all year I was due to see a second one in as many days—this time Suzi Dian along with Led Zeppelin’s Robert Plant. This would be only my second viewing of a Led Zeppelin great after John Paul Jones at the Taylor Hawkins Tribute at Wembley in 2022.
I could have seen this act in Wexford last year, except I did not find out about it until after all tickets had been sold. Hence rather than a 35km round trip I ended up with one of over 1,100km, with the additional attraction of Suzi Quatro.
Alas the day itself was truly Grim, with continuous rain throughout the journey, until I reached the Great Grimsby sign when it pretty much stopped. The concert itself was excellent, except for the chairs. I had not had sat in such an uncomfortable one for years. I thought it would trigger a back spasm or worsen my sciatica. Fortunately not so although I did end up putting my arm behind my back for long periods to alleviate the discomfort.
This was an exceptional group of musicians, led by a 75 year old who’s voice remained incredible despite those advancing years. I am sure the songs chosen were some where he could make the most of that voice, but it sounded as good as it was on the LPs of Led Zeppelin I retained from my youth. And Suzi Dian’s voice seemed to complement Plant’s perfectly.
The rain had pretty much stopped on the return drive, although when I was about 5km away from the hotel the traffic ground to a halt for about half an hour, with the police apparently having to remove some pedestrians from the motorway.
Back in the Hyundai. Cruising on the motorway with time to spare ahead of the 6pm door time, which was also the time my pre-paid parking ticket at the 3Arena cat park became effective.
As I approached Dublin the ETA on the satnav started pushing out. No delays on the motorway, but it seemed there must be problems approaching the 3Arena. And delays there were. A nifty swich of route probably saved 10 mins or so, but it was still approaching 7pm when I got into the arena. No big deal as the headline Queens of the Stone Age were not on stage until around 8:45.
I was able to take a place about 8-10 “bodies” back from the barrier and the first support, Deep Tan, entered the stage at 7pm. They had a set lasting about 25 mins. No incidents to report with this 3 piece all women band.
Deep Tan
3Arena, Dublin
22 November 2023
Next up was Australian 3 piece band described in Wiki as proponents of “Shed Rock”. Shortly into their set 3 lads “bounced” over from my right, trying to push through. There was space for perhaps one of them to my front right. I was not for being pushed around and held my position as the other two tried to push through. After about a minute they gave up and moved on. In fact after that I found I had advanced a couple of bodies nearer the stage. No, you don’t push me around….
A few minutes later and my “smart” watch started buzzing me. Who could be ringing me at this time? It was not the phone though. It had a message I had not seen before. Apparently my HR had been over 120 for 10 minutes with no signs of activity. A few minutes to settle down and the HR dropped to under 100.
The Chats
3Arena, Dublin
22 November 2023
It was just after 8:45 when QOTSA entered the stage. And I was totally unprepared for the chaos that followed. It was not as bad as the most “intense” gig experience involving AC/DC at Deeside Leisure Centre in 1980s, but I had just turned 20 then and am now over 3 times that age. I quickly found I had lost any ground I had gained during the support, and indeed more. I stuck it out for a few minutes and then gave up, retreating to the side of the arena. Glancing at my watch a few minutes later and my HR was again over 120. No buzzing this time though. I suspect all the rough and tumble near the stage was considered a reasonable excuse!
I continued to get some decent photos, although lighting and focussing meant many were not so good. I took the opportunity to stay towards the back of the arena while moving round and getting more photos from various viewpoints.
I eventually found myself at the opposite site of the stage from where I started. Plenty of space and I continued snapping away. Then after a few minutes I was approached by someone from behind the barrier and told to put the camera away. It must have been a member of the tour crew as he was not wearing any arena clothing and indeed had a Scouse accent. I duly obliged and then retreated to take the camera he had not instructed me to put away out of my pocket….
I continued taking a few photos from the back of the arena and then made a quick getaway to beat the traffic, to then be held up at the car park barrier as the machine instructed me to go back to a pay station. It took a few minutes for anyone to respond to my push of the “help” button, by which time quite a few cars had queued behind me. They opened the barrier without even answering my “call” and I managed to get away before too many had left the arena. Then an unexpected road closure delayed me, although that was not a major issue as I had to pick my daughter up from her work in Wexford at 1am, and was still able to cruise down the motorway at just over 80 km/h, stopping off for a coffee on the way.
And the stats—320km at 4.1L/100km (petrol) in 5 hours 51 minutes driving.
Queens of the Stone Age
3Arena, Dublin
22 November 2023
It's Gonna be a Cold, Cold Christmas…
December and the first frost of the year. Actually I think it’s the coldest it has been where I live in Wexford for at least two years, needing to break the ice on the water troughs in the fields. With 3 grandchildren the Christmas lights were up early in the month, but today is not about them. It’s about the Darkness…..
I originally was unable to pick up a ticket for Dublin, and had therefore bought one for later in the month in Wolverhampton. Then a resale ticket appeared for Belfast on 2 December, so I planned to head all the way up the east coast of Ireland on the Saturday. Five days before the Belfast gig one turned up for Dublin the night after Belfast in the 2nd tier unreserved seating section. That meant I would need to get myself at the front of the queue to try and get on the front row of that section. I abandoned the Belfast option and bought the ticket for the Sunday in Dublin. Two days later and a resale ticket for the 3rd row of the 1st floor Circle appeared. That was a reserved seat and I did not then need to worry about any queues, making for a relaxed trip up the motorway, hopefully arriving after the Christmas traffic had largely dissipated. With a bit of luck there would be plenty of free parking available. This was going to be in the Hyundai which would be less of a target if any of the recent troubles in Dublin resurfaced, and there would be a strong Garda presence given those issues.
Then on the day of the gig a ground floor standing resale ticket appeared…
I’ve a standing ticket for Wolverhampton and was happy trying out the elevated view from the Circle so did not bother with the new resale ticket.
I probably spent 20 mins driving around to find an empty parking space. It was the same sort of distance from the 3Olympia as my regular car park, but this space was costing nothing.
I took my place with plenty of time to spare. The seat itself was quite good for my back, but a lack of legroom made it a right pain for my knees.
There was a member of security just over to my right. The support band, the Bad Nerves, were very good. Described as a punk band but they were from Essex and there was no spitting or blowing snot at the crowd – guess punk has moved on a bit since its heyday!
I resisted the temptation to take photos, as I was conscious of my last experience when sitting at the 3Olympia when I had been told not to take photos. I suspected Bad Nerves would be support for the full tour and should get a better chance in Wolverhampton later in the month.
When it came to the Darkness the whole show was great – probably the best I have seen all year. Not a particularly long set, but it was focussed on the 20th anniversary of Permission to Land which they played in full along with a handful of other favourites. There was also a short tribute to Shane McGowan who had died only a few days previously.
They all came back wearing dressing gowns for the encore, although Justin quickly discarded his to leave us with a near full Monty we experienced last year, although this time there was no cap, no moustache but a few more tattoos.
I am pretty sure the security guard saw me with my camera early on and I quickly put it away. Throughout the concert I was conscious of him over my right shoulder and tried to be as discrete as possible while still getting quite a few long bursts of photos particularly when he was looking away. I never held the cameras up for more than a few seconds and there were a few seated between me and him to making it a bit more difficult for him to intervene. When it came to the encore he was too concerned with what was going on both onstage and in the standing area downstairs when Justin took to the shoulders of one of his roadies to venture into the audience.
This was my final Irish gig for 2023, and the next one I have on the spreadsheet is not until the middle of February. I still have one road trip of Britain later in the month including Wolverhampton to look forward to.
The Darkness
3Olympia, Dublin
3 December 2023
One more time…
The final “overseas” road trip of the year started with the ferry to Pembroke Dock and then a drive to Leicester. It was a Friday afternoon and timings would be tight if there was any delay on the motorways.
The traffic was fine and I was able to stop off at the final services on the journey, at Corley on the M6.
As soon as I got out of the Ranger (the I10 was written off by one of my children last week!!) I was approached by an Irish man asking if I was Irish. My Wexford plates has clearly influenced the question and when I said no but I lived in Wexford he told me I sounded Irish! That's the first time anyone has accused me of that.
He went on to explain that due to major overstocking he had some cheap Samsung OLED TVs in the back of his van. Massive discounts were available but I respectfully declined and headed into the onsite Starbucks.
On the way back to the car I was approached by someone else with the same "offer"!
I had previously been in Leicester at Filbert Street to see Leicester City take on United in the late1980s. My only other excursion to the outskirts of the city was to see Leicester Lions speedway take on Belle Vue a couple of years ago.
As experienced in Bristol earlier in the year there was an O2 priority queue. Less than a dozen in it when they opened the doors at 7 and another 5 or so ahead of me in the plebs queue.
On entering the hall I was surprised to see there was no standing, just unreserved seating. A sign of low ticket sales or an aging audience? I guess it may be both.
I stopped off at the merchandise stall to pick up a tour t-shirt. A group there were taking an age, trying on different sizes of many of the garments. After about 5 minutes I gave up and moved on to find a spare seat in the middle of the front row. About 5 mins later I left my gilet to "reserve" my seat and headed back to the merchandise stall to discover they were still at it. A few more minutes and I gave up again although did pick one up after another 10 mins or so when they had made their own way into the hall.
Sons of the Seventies
O2 Academy, Leicester
15 December 2023
Slade
O2 Academy, Leicester
15 December 2023
When it came to the headliners there was a little trepidation as I had not found the sound very good last year. This year was different again as they celebrated the 50th anniversary of Cum on Feel the Noize and Merry Christmas Everybody. My faith restored ahead of a trip to the "home" of Slade, Wolverhampton, the following day. In fact the main thing that bothered me was whether Dave Hill had acquired yet another chin or was this simply an extension of an existing one.
Next stop, Wolverhampton. This was a Christmas treat for myself. The Darkness, but I had paid an extra 100 quid for a VIP package. A chance to experience the sound check and get my photo taken with the band. And also hopefully the chance to get some photos signed by band members.
I made sure I had some spares to show them as well.
Alas all that failed as we were told before entering the hall for the sound check that no photos were allowed and no autographs could be requested. A quick change of plan and I decided to hold one of the photos from Dublin in front of me for the "official" photo. I then gave Justin the full file with all the photos in. My VIP email was also in there along with a marker pen. Maybe they will get the hint, but either way I can easily print those photos again and it's no great loss with the outside chance of a gain.
And the show itself? My 41st gig of the year, and the 3rd to feature the Darkness - this one goes straight in at No 1 for the year so far (only 2 remaining chances to surpass it).
The support, Bad Nerves were very good as last time in Dublin.
After Justin's obligatory head stand someone shouted out "where is the naked lady" (a reference to the Permission to Land album cover). Conscious of the current debates about gender, Matty, the gentleman who asked the question, was invited onto the stage to deliver a stunning performance.
During the encore Justin again took to the shoulders of someone to go through the crowd. This was also a first - the slightly built woman standing at the barrier 2 down from me was the first female to undertake this task.
Bad Nerves
Civic Halls, Wolverhampton
17 December 2023
The Darkness
Civic Halls Wolverhampton
17 December 2023
On to my Days Inn Hotel on the M54 and another night of poor sleep. I was therefore up early on the Sunday morning and on the road to Cardiff.
Not much more than a couple of hours and I dropped into the Designer Retail Outlet at Bridgend to do a bit of Xmas shopping before heading into Cardiff. They had made my usual parking street one way and even though it was a Sunday there was a charge for parking, so I parked a hundred metres or so away for free.
I have a single football memory of Cardiff. Not a bad one as I was in the then named Millennium Stadium for the FA Cup Final in 2004 when United beat Millwall 4-0.
The warm up was an American called Sari Shorr. Just her and someone on an acoustic guitar. She was good, but her performance was spoiled a bit by incessant chatter from behind me. Well almost everyone was behind me as for the third time on this trip I was up against the barrier.
The main act arrived on stage at 8.30. Sweet put on am excellent performance. The main thing contrasting them with Slade (who I had seen exactly a year ago on the same stage, as well as two days ago in Leicester) is they had a different setlist. Yes the big hits were there but they were trying to be a bit different.
And I was well placed behind the barrier as Andy Scott “hurled” his plectrum into the crowd at the end of the set.
Last year I saw Sweet the day before Slade. And funnily enough Slade are due in Cardiff tomorrow. They clearly had nothing on tonight as when I was leaving the venue I saw none other than keyboardist and backing vocalist of Slade, Russell Keefe. I quickly confirmed he had been at Leicester two days previously, and we shook hands as I was heading back to the car.
Sari Schorr
The Tramshed, Cardiff
18 December 2023
Sweet
The Tramshed, Cardiff
18 December 2023
Another Year Over....
.
42 gigs across 5 of the "6 nations" involving 2 flights, 4 train journeys, 20 ferries, around 17,000km driving and 21,256 photos. 30 different venues across 18 towns/cities
Having initially thought I would be winding down a bit in 2024, it looks like next year will be similar to this one, with the potential of 1 or 2 more major acts announcing tours in the new year