Category: Gig/Concert [Live Music]

265. Gary Numan: Liverpool Exhibition Centre [27.7.17]

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265a_Gary Numan [270717]Artist: Gary Numan

Support: Gang of Four

Venue: Liverpool Exhibition Centre

Date: 27.7.17

265c_Gary Newman [270717]

Originally billed with double headline acts of Gary Numan and John Foxx & The Maths performing as Pioneers of British Electronic Music. Unfortunately John Foxx had to cancel his appearance resulting in Gang of Four guesting as the support band.

265d_Gary Newman [270717]265b_Gary Numan [270717]

A bizarre venue layout; all on one level with the standing fans situated behind the seated audience. However, Gary Numan (and band) filled the arena with a blend of electronic classics and new material from his forthcoming ‘Savage’ album, some of which was performed live for the first time at this gig. A preview of heavier post-apocalyptic things to come . . .

Setlist: Everything Comes Down to This / Films / Bed of Thorns / Metal / Pressure / Ghost Nation / Jagged / M.E. / We’re the Unforgiven / Mercy / A Prayer for the Unborn / Here in the Black / My Name is Ruin (with Persia) / Cars / When the World Comes Apart / Love Hurt Bleed // Down in the Park / Are ‘Friends’ Electric?

265e_Gary Newman [270717]

263. The Stone Roses: First Direct Arena, Leeds [20.6.17]

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263a_The Stone Roses [200617]Artist: The Stone Roses

Venue: First Direct Arena, Leeds

Date: 20.6.17

Let’s gloss over the extortionate ticket prices which didn’t appear to fund an illusive third album, or the abundance of middle-aged men in bucket hats (it never was a good look).

Having compromised on cheap seats in ‘the gods’ (where angels play), we soaked up the incredible atmosphere as The Stone Roses played the best of both their albums to an ever loving and loyal crowd.

Adored indeed.

263b_The Stone Roses [200617]

263c_The Stone Roses [200617]

Setlist: I Wanna Be Adored / Elephant Stone / Sally Cinnamon / Mersey Paradise / (Song for My) Sugar Spun Sister / Where Angels Play / Shoot You Down / Waterfall / Don’t Stop / Begging You / Elizabeth My Dear / Fools Gold / All for One / Love Spreads / Made of Stone / She Bangs the Drums / Breaking into Heaven / This Is the One / I Am the Resurrection.

A few days later the band announced that they would no longer play live: “Don’t be sad it’s over, be happy that it happened.” Ian Brown

263d_The Stone Roses [200617]

263e_The Stone Roses [200617] 2

 

257. Saint Etienne: The Trades Club, Hebden Bridge [26.5.17]

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257a_Saint Etienne [260517]

Artist: Saint Etienne

Support: Dean McPhee

Venue: The Trades Club, Hebden Bridge

Date: 26.5.17

Prior to this gig, the only other time I had seen Saint Etienne live was 27 years earlier at The Duchess, Leeds. An even more intimate show at The Trades Club showed how timelessly classy their output has been over the years, as they performed a perfect blend of new material and indie-club classics.

257b_Saint Etienne [260517]

Setlist: Nothing Can Stop Us / Magpie Eyes / You’re in a Bad Way / Whyteleafe / When I Was Seventeen / Take It All In / Who Do You Think You Are / Dive / Like a Motorway / Split Screen / Heather / Only Love Can Break Your Heart / Tonight / Kiss and Make Up / Sylvie // Train Drivers in Eyeliner / I’ve Got Your Music / He’s on the Phone.

257c_Saint Etienne [260517]

256. The Cribs: First Direct Arena, Leeds [20.5.17]

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256a_The Cribs [200517]Artist: The Cribs

Support: Slaves / Pulled Apart by Horses

Venue: First Direct Arena, Leeds

Date: 20.5.17

Appropriately raucous support slots from Pulled Apart by Horses and Slaves.

Men’s Needs, Women’s Needs, Forever – 10 Year Anniversary Tour: Awful sound for the first half of The Cribs’ set, which is a rare occurrence at Leeds Arena. Less is more in the case of volume vs clarity. However, they seemed to sort it out and make amends for the latter part of the show.

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Big is not always best – as The Cribs would prove by returning to their roots for their next Leeds shows . . .

253. Richard Ashcroft: First Direct Arena, Leeds [22.4.17]

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253a_Richard Ashcroft [220417]Artist: Richard Ashcroft

Support: Black Grape

Venue: First Direct Arena, Leeds

Date: 22.4.17

A reminder of how Richard Ashcroft and (The) Verve transcended their ‘90s Britpop peers – with a setlist ranging from ‘Urban Hymns’ to his latest album. Whilst Blur and Oasis bickered, and the Gallaghers’ sibling rivalry tore them apart, Ashcroft has always let his songs do the talking.

Setlist: Out of My Body / Sonnet / This is How it Feels / Space and Time / A Song for the Lovers / They Don’t Own Me / Ain’t the Future So Bright / Music is Power / Velvet Morning / Break the Night with Colour / Lucky Man // C’mon People (We’re Making it Now) / History / The Drugs Don’t Work / Hold On / Bitter Sweet Symphony

253b_Richard Ashcroft [220417]

253c_Richard Ashcroft [220417]

252. Haçienda Classical: First Direct Arena, Leeds [14.4.17]

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252a_Haçienda Classiçal [140417]Artists: Graeme Park / Mike Pickering / Peter Hook / Rowetta / Manchester Camerata Orchestra / Bez / MC Tunes

Support: Peter Hook [DJ Set]

Venue: First Direct Arena, Leeds

Date: 14.4.17

Manchester’s legendary Haçienda crossed the Pennines for an evening of old school club classics in classical style. Timeless tunes from a misspent youth, adapted for an adult audience. ‘Strings of life’ indeed.

252b_Haçienda Classiçal [140417]252c_Haçienda Classiçal [140417]

252d_Haçienda Classiçal [140417]

249. Peter Hook & The Light: O2 Academy, Leeds [18.3.17]

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249a_Peter Hook [180317]Artist: Peter Hook & The Light

Venue: O2 Academy, Leeds

Date: 18.3.17

Substance [Live]: Continuing his quest to eventually play every Joy Division and New Order song live, ‘Hooky’ (& co.) played an epic gig featuring the ‘Substance’ (best of) albums of his former bands.

The fact that the band played the Joy Division set after the New Order tracks implies that Hook’s true loyalty lies with his earlier work – but what a choice to have. A substantial back catalogue indeed.

249b_Peter Hook [180317]249c_Peter Hook [180317]

Joy Division_New Order [Substance]

249d_Peter Hook [180317]

248. Pet Shop Boys: First Direct Arena, Leeds [18.2.17]

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248a_Pet Shop Boys [180217]Artist: Pet Shop Boys

Venue: First Direct Arena, Leeds

Date: 18.2.17

Incredibly, during a career spanning 31 years of pop perfection, Pet Shop Boys had never played live in Leeds – until now.

It was worth the wait, to see and hear decades of electronic anthems performed in spectacular style. Remixed and revamped for the modern day, with sensational lights and lasers.

Setlist: Inner Sanctum / Opportunities (Let’s Make Lots of Money) / The Pop Kids / In the Night / Burn / Love is a Bourgeois Construct / New York City Boy / Se A Vida É (That’s the Way Life is) / Love Comes Quickly / Love etc. / The Dictator Decides / Inside a Dream / West End Girls / Winner / Home and Dry / The Enigma / Vocal / The Sodom and Gomorrah Show / It’s a Sin / Left to My Own Devices / Go West // Domino Dancing / Always On My Mind / The Pop Kids (Reprise).

248b_Pet Shop Boys [180217]248c_Pet Shop Boys [180217]

248d_Pet Shop Boys [180217]

243. The Ordinary Boys: Lending Room, Leeds [25.9.16]

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243a_The Ordinary Boys [250916]Artist: The Ordinary Boys

Support: Benson

Venue: Lending Room (The Library), Leeds

Date: 25.9.16

It would be fair to say that lead singer (Preston) well and truly had his 15 minutes of fame during his Britpop and Big Brother days.

Recently reunited, The Ordinary Boys took to the stage at the Lending Room, before a crowd of merely 100 people, many of who were there for local support band Benson. However, the intimate venue and no frills performance took ‘the boys’ back to basics, with the focus on live music, rather than the trappings of fame and fortune.

Less is more. Ordinary is fine.

243b_The Ordinary Boys [250916]

243d_The Ordinary Boys [250916]

Setlist:

243e_The Ordinary Boys [250916]

242. OnRoundhay: Roundhay Park, Leeds [17.9.16]

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242a_OnRoundhay [170916]Artists: James / Primal Scream / Wolf Alice

Venue: Roundhay Park, Leeds

Date: 17.9.16

With sponsorship from John Lewis and Puffin Books, and an emphasis on being family friendly, the inaugural OnRounday event had a somewhat middle-class feel, but proved to be a rather pleasant one-day festival.

It was nice to see so many kids enjoying their first experience of live music, from an excellent selection of bands. The family-friendly vibe (or possibly the expensive drinks) seemed to ensure that the event was devoid of the usual herds of drunken knobheads – always a plus-point!

OnRoundhay would be a welcome annual event, so long as they can match the high standards of its first year.

242b_OnRoundhay [170916]242c_OnRoundhay [170916]

238. Centre Stage 2016 – The Final: O2 Academy, Leeds [27.7.16]

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238a_Centre Stage [270716]Artists: The Mallrats / Tree / The Elephant Trees / Faux Pas / Lewis Crossley / The Indigo Project / Big Bad Rabbit / Shaarks / Liberate / Territory / Blyss

Venue: O2 Academy, Leeds

Date: 27.7.16

Centre Stage is an annual ‘battle of the bands’, curated by Martin House Children’s Hospice. The competition showcases fresh young talent, many of whom go on to greater success in the music industry. The winning band receive the prestigious prize of playing live at that year’s Reading and Leeds Festivals.

The 2016 final kicked-off with a set by the previous year’s winners; The Mallrats.

The winning band of Centre Stage 2016 was Faux Pas.

238b_Centre Stage [270716]

238c_Centre Stage [270716]

233. An Evening with Marc Almond. Accompanied by Leeds College of Music Contemporary Orchestra and Pop Choir: Leeds Town Hall [8.7.16]

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232a_marc-almond-080716Artists: An Evening with Marc Almond. Accompanied by Leeds College of Music Contemporary Orchestra and Pop Choir

Venue: Leeds Town Hall

Date: 8.7.16

Generations of home-grown talent took to the stage of Leeds Town Hall – as local legend, Marc Almond performed a stunning set of re-arranged classics, accompanied by some of the city’s finest musicians.

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