Category: Gig/Concert [Live Music]

227. New Order: The Warehouse Project, Manchester [5.12.15]

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226a_new-order-051215Artist: New Order

Support: Erol Alkan [DJ Set] / Factory Floor

Venue: The Warehouse Project, Manchester

Date: 5.12 15

So much anticipation . . . followed by so much disappointment.

Reinvigorated by the release of their critically acclaimed album, Music Complete; New Order tried to recreate their Haçienda heyday, at The Warehouse Project in their home town of Manchester.

When the gig was announced, many fans were bemused by the relatively small venue, and late stage time. Had the band considered their long-term fans and target audience, in an attempt to be cutting edge and hip?

The evening started off well, with Factory Floor playing a blinding set in the fairly spacious venue, consisting of three disused arches below Manchester Piccadilly Station. However, as Erol Alkan’s DJ set progressed, and anticipation built for the main act, most of the crowd converged in the venue’s central arch.

By the time New Order took to the stage, there were simply too many people in the available space. Many of the audience could not see or hear the band properly, and some left the gig early, in disappointment.

The band played a varied set with an emphasis on new tracks from their ‘Music Complete’ album. Songs featuring Elly Jackson (La Roux) on guest vocals were particularly good. However, the overall atmosphere was marred by being crammed in, with difficulty to see and no space whatsoever to move. At times the situation felt dangerous, and I left with a sense of ‘regret’.

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Setlist: Singularity / Crystal / Restless / Your Silent Face / Tutti Fruitti / People on the High Line / Bizarre Love Triangle / Waiting for the Sirens’ Call / Plastic / The Perfect Kiss / True Faith / Temptation // Atmosphere / Love Will Tear Us Apart / Blue Monday

226. Simple Minds / The Stranglers: First Direct Arena, Leeds [27.11.15]

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225a_simple-minds-271115Artist: Simple Minds

Support: The Stranglers

Venue: First Direct Arena, Leeds

Date: 27.11.15

Starting the evening on a high note, The Stranglers performed a support set of classic, timeless tunes, still sounding edgy but brilliant.

Simple Minds upped the ante and delivered a full-on stage show, flaunting an outstanding discography spanning decades. A spectacular showcase, bordering on glitzy but with a sense of celebratory style.

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225. CUD: The Wardrobe, Leeds [26.9.15]

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224a_cud-260915Artist: CUD

Support: John Parkes

Venue: The Wardrobe, Leeds

Date: 26.9.15

Asquarius [Live]: To celebrate the 25th anniversary of its release, CUD performed their third album in full, followed by a selection of other favourites.

The Wardrobe’s sound system struggled to cope with the mighty CUD during this intimate, but somewhat distorted gig. Hence my film footage ended up as a silent movie.

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223. Madness: Headingley Cricket Ground, Leeds [18.9.15]

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222a_madness-180915Artist: Madness

Venue: Headingley Cricket Ground, Leeds

Date: 18.9.15

Unbelievably, this was the first ever live concert to be held at Headingley Cricket Ground.

Always the showmen, Madness never fail to deliver a nutty selection of their classic tracks. Although, in my opinion, the absence of Chas Smash from the lineup left them ‘one step behind’ their former glory.

We opted for premium tickets, including tour merchandise and exclusive access to the Gladness Beer Garden, which served the band’s own brand of craft lager.

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220. Embrace: Unity Works, Wakefield [28.5.15]

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Artist: Embrace

Support: Sons of Great Men

Venue: Unity Works, Wakefield

Date: 28.5.15

Wakefield’s intimate and stylish Unity Works hosted this warm-up gig for Embrace’s forthcoming American tour.

A set of singalong anthems from one of the UK’s most consistently brilliant (and underrated) bands.

Setlist: Protection / In the End / Someday / All You Good Good People / Follow You Home / Come Back to What You Know / Save Me / Yeah You / One Big Family / Quarters / Gravity / Total Eclipse of the Heart / Refugees / Ashes // DNA / The Good Will Out.

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219. Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular: First Direct Arena, Leeds [27.5.15]

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218a_dw-symphonic-spectacular-270515Event: Doctor Who Symphonic Spectacular

Artist: BBC National Orchestra

Compère: Peter Davidson

Venue: First Direct Arena, Leeds

Date: 27.5.15

An excellent orchestral performance of classical scores and melodies from the Doctor Who timeline, with an emphasis on the music of Murray Gold.

The show was hosted by the 5th Doctor (Peter Davidson), and invaded by an array of aliens from different dimensions of time and space.

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215. Elbow: Manchester Apollo [7.2.15]

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214a_elbow-070215Artist: Elbow

Support: Black Rivers

Venue: Manchester Apollo

Date: 7.2.15

Justifying their reputation as ‘the nicest band in the world’, Elbow chose to host a four-night residency of smaller hometown gigs at Manchester Apollo, rather than play a stadium or arena.

A perfect performance by the band, accompanied by the usual sing-along from the crowd.

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201. The Scandal: First Direct Arena, Leeds [22.6.13]

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200a_The Scandal [220613]Artist: The Scandal

Support: The Puppeteers

Venue: First Direct Arena, Leeds

Date: 22.6.13

A public open day, to test the facilities at the brand new Leeds Arena; a long overdue addition to the city’s music venues.

First Direct Arena [Icon]

Upcoming bands; The Puppeteers and The Scandal had the privilege of being the first ever acts to play live at the prestigious new venue.

As the audience, it was our job to test the venue’s acoustics, toilets and fire exits.

Although I prefer smaller intimate venues for gigs, I would visit First Direct Arena more frequently, were prices for tickets, refreshments and merchandise not so ludicrously expensive! However, on the plus side, the venue does attract larger bands, who would otherwise not play the city.

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199. Peter Hook & The Light: Manchester Cathedral [18.1.13]

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198a_Peter Hook [180113]Artist: Peter Hook & The Light

Support: Modern Blonde

Venue: Manchester Cathedral

Date: 18.1.13

Movement / Power Corruption & Lies [Live]: A marvellous and moving live performance of the first two New Order albums, in a historic and prodigious Manchester venue.

Setlist: In a Lonely Place / Ceremony / Procession / Dreams Never End / Truth / Senses / Chosen Time / ICB / The Him / Doubts Even Here / Denial / Mesh / Cries & Whispers / Everything’s Gone Green / Age of Consent / We All Stand / 5-8-6 / Your Silent Face / Ultraviolence / Ecstasy / Leave Me Alone // The Beach (Interlude) // Hurt / Temptation / Blue Monday.

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The gig was released as a digital download by Play Concert.

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Paul Weller: Jodrell Bank [24.6.12] – Cancelled

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X03a_Paul Weller [240612]Artist: Paul Weller

Support: Graham Coxon / Gomez / Craig Charles [DJ Set] / Baxter Dury / Little Barrie / Jake Evans

Venue: Jodrell Bank Observatory, Cheshire

Date: 24.6.12 [Cancelled]

Quasar vs quagmire as the ever unpredictable British summertime weather turned Jodrell Bank into a mud bank – resulting in the cancellation of what promised to be an incredible combination of musicians and venue.

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191. New Order: Manchester Apollo [26.4.12]

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190a_New Order [260412]Artist: New Order

Support: DJ Tintin [DJ Set] / Jake Evans

Venue: Manchester Apollo

Date: 26.4.12

A typically rainy day in Manchester set the scene for New Order’s return to their home town. The absence of Peter Hook from the band’s line-up was compensated for by the welcome return of Gillian Gilbert on keyboards.

The set list included a range of career spanning classics, many of which were given a subtle contemporary twist to bring them up-to-date and keep them sounding fresh.

Setlist: Elegia / Crystal / Regret / Ceremony / Age of Consent / Love Vigilantes / Here to Stay / Waiting for the Siren’s Call / Bizarre Love Triangle / True Faith / 5-8-6 / The Perfect Kiss / Blue Monday / Temptation // Transmission / Love Will Tear Us Apart.

A series of limited edition screen printed posters were produced to commemorate the tour.

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187. Peter Hook & The Light: FAC251 The Factory, Manchester [18.5.11]

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186a_Peter Hook [180511]

Artist: Peter Hook & The Light

Venue: FAC251: The Factory, Manchester

Date: 18.5.11

Closer [Live]: Finely crafted recreations of classic tracks, as Peter Hook & The Light (featuring Rowetta) played a live set of Joy Division’s ‘Closer’ album in its entirety.

For a second consecutive year, this special night at The Factory commemorated the anniversary of Ian Curtis’s death.

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185. From The Jam: Black Flag Venue, Wakefield [1.4.11]

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184_From The Jam [010411]Artist: From The Jam

Venue: Black Flag Venue, Wakefield

Date: 1.4.11 [Rescheduled from original date on ticket]

Being a massive fan of The Jam, since the 80s mod revival, I had reservations about seeing ‘Foxton & Co.’ performing such sacred songs live. Such fears were instantly alleviated, as From The Jam proved themselves to be so much more than a tribute band.

Bruce Foxton looked as sharp as ever, living up to his legendary mod status just as much as Paul Weller does. Russell Hastings pays respect to The Jam’s repertoire, performing well known and much loved songs with his own vocal style – never attempting to impersonate Weller.

Face facts; it’s unlikely there’ll ever be a reunion of The Jam. If you want to see their songs performed live with power and passion, From the Jam are one of the best options.