Writer Thinker: December 2011

Monday, 19 December 2011

Duran Duran, Manchester Evening News Arena, 16/12/2011

This gig had been delayed since June due to voice issues, so it was with relief that the gig actually went ahead. We'd been told to expect a lot of middle-aged women waving knickers at the stage during this gig, fortunately although the place was crammed with women and men, they were of my age (I'm not middle-aged am I???) and there were no voluminous panties being flung at the stage. Which is perhaps a good thing as we were quite a distance away!

The event was being filmed, which is perhaps why it took so long for them to get on stage, but when they go there, they did an excellent set of both new and 'classic' tracks. Most people stood up, but as this is the fourth gig in a week for us, we decided to sit, which is why occasionally the view gets obscured. I also had to hide the camera from the security who were taking an interest in people filming the gig... plus also the amount of ladies that got up and went past us...either then needed incontinence pants, or they should cut down on the alcohol intake...

They had quite an interesting feature, well two if you count the girders that had lights on them (for the filming???), they had several faces projected onto large plastic faces over the stage. Naturally it was the band, plus the lady singer who came in for some of the tracks. She had an amazing voice by the way. It was a nice touch, plus they also got the crowd involved by getting one girl to introduce Simon Le Bon and also another to start The Reflex (I think...). He also sported a very dodgy beard.

I haven't listened to the band since the '80's, in fact I didn't really listen to them then either, but of course I knew the songs pretty well. They did a great job of getting the audience up and moving, and it was a great evening out!

Oh, and we got out of the car park really quickly, which is good as the MEN is a pain...

http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/duran-duran/2011/manchester-evening-news-arena-manchester-england-33d1106d.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QNWnbsR5ZhM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AeI4tW64XPM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ziRVq06HFw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H_78-MvXA2w

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Atz5OPMkqNk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DRU8QSm6vH8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NoLqwZSED80

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRnzibJa2JQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PYd7GI6D0Yc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NokKe_Kf24o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CMt5ruWn1FI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RTSTReHewdk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zf2-om2qI1M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTSgbECTPao

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Cfn2W8q7JA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJs6ulXOMEM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37qrro1NL1M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M0BsXScaxsQ

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GeorgeEBirch.com
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Friday, 16 December 2011

Marillion, Manchester Academy, 12/12/2011

Marillion is another band I do not know well, but was introduced to by my boyfriend, who is a very big fan!

We arrived just on time to see the band. I was blown away by the performance, Steve Hogarth has an amazing voice that just soared though every song. He was quite the showman too, acting out some of the lyrics in a way that was amusing as well as moving.

He also tried a little carol near the end, with an amusing bit of banter I had to capture!

The fans were amazing throughout, I overheard an impassioned conversation about live albums in the ladies, and there wasn't any talking at all. The cheers and clapping after each song went on for far longer than I have ever seen of with any band, astonishing.

http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/marillion/2011/manchester-academy-manchester-england-53d11b21.html

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yQYeTHWfVG8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Or_htcBNlpQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OI_HqfSsNmM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DZ9iMfyU_UA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xBk6x8CvaKs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=POMGyJWaLPo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D7gvDEPdTqI

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wFDk-5f15iY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1vwL1d4Axe8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPdTldGmE2s

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YYnP2Yn2ew

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZnZRVIKo98

dragoncity publishing

Steel Panther, Motley Crue, Def Leppard, Manchester Evening News Arena (MEN), 13/12/2011

First off, I'm not a big Motely or Leppard fan. I don't remember Motely at all, but I do remember some of Leppard's stuff. Just never quite got into either.

However Steel Panther, well, they're old friends. http://writerthinker.blogspot.com/2011/06/guilty-pleasures-2.html.

Steel Panther

So I was really looking froward to seeing them, especially as they are touring in March, just when we will be in Edinburgh meeting a new addition to the family...and going to a horror film festival. Multi-tasking? Yeah.

And I wasn't disappointed, they were brilliant. The music was lively and fun (and sexist) and they kept in character, Lexxi Foxxx was grooming at every opportunity. They are a spoof band, and they do have very evil lyrics, but the show was amazing, the quality of the music played was top-notch, and each song clearly and well delivered. The banter between songs could get a little strained at times, but mostly it was funny, in keeping with the band, and well delivered. Long live da Pather!

And I'd love to see them with the money for a huge set...

Oh, and there was a lot of spandex and long wigs in the audience. Not quite sure which band they were all dressed up for...

http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/steel-panther/2011/manchester-evening-news-arena-manchester-england-43d11f8b.html

Motley Crue

After not too long a break, da Crue were up. The stage set was amazing, the drummer was sat in a giant wheel, so I was waiting for the drum solo knowing he was going for a ride! They had brilliant pyrotechnics, and the light show was fantastic. During Girls, Girls, Girls, a photo of Justin Bieber showed in the photos of ladies!

And what photos. As I enjoyed the music it occurred to me just how much of this music is about sex and women, and how Steel Panther may take it to the crudest point, but in reality they are just simply taking the subtleties out of the music, and saying what the other bands didn't dare say! And also the other bands wanted air play...

And yes, the drummer went for a ride. I caught it all on film, but I left off where he called up a member of the audience and sent her on it as well. I have to say that is the first drum solo I have ever enjoyed, brilliant!

http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/motley-crue/2011/manchester-evening-news-arena-manchester-england-5bd11f94.html

Def Leppard

Def Leppard were headlining, and got a massive response. The stage was amazing, all lit up. Actually the set change from Crue was fast, they had the big wheel to take down, and it came down with very little delay.

All in all they did a great job, and my camera lost battery power at the end, so no more film or photos, sorry. The music was well delivered, and they did a great show.

Oh, yeah, We were seated, with a good view. But when Leppard came on, the guy in front of me decided to sit on the top of the back of his chair. So my view went. Now if I had done the same, everyone behind me would have had to stand...as I could lean without obstructing anyone, I did.I try my best not to film and obstruct people, or if I move I try to not get in people's way, but this was darn right ignorant. There was a woman beside him who did the same, so I can only think he thought it was ok. But she was wrong too...

http://www.setlist.fm/setlist/motley-crue/2011/manchester-evening-news-arena-manchester-england-5bd11f94.html

Steel Panther

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F19vg-1piaY

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lV-445NOgoU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ3agmYUnBw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cTOdSqyNwZU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jnFKbsEUEhc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jt4x3mfS4TQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b5KwRZBy5O4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrP4UIg8qD4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rpC3YzjHvgo

Motley Crue

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qtLGPxESpDU

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QPV2yiK1oB4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L_ioNNczkBw

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nG0GuI_vTfA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gn_sSnVoTG0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SZxSVdfNYw4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eoC0K0VnIrk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rw9aokh9nk0

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ySnvUz-aNWs

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AcDXFfk-JrQ

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pncndMEGOI8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LWWrl8FcHVo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6hWUGgc47d4

Def Leppard

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sDEfXo7MIj

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FnNQrekJNA4

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oODJPi3Mqz8

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MeECJmmYT-o

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDx7lfzQ16M

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2LznVUXlgA

Bad!

Hawkwind, Manchester Academy, 10/12/2011

Hawkwind is one of those bands we've only just got into, so as a consequence we weren't quite sure what to expect.

We didn't expect there to be naked dancing ladies (as I understand there were in the past) and we weer almost right...

Hawkwind do space rock, so we were greeted with silver gimp suits with what we assumed were ladies. They gyrated well to the music, adding a bit of atmosphere to the intricate music. The costume changes came thick and fast, a space alien/devil, strange Indian style headdresses, more gimp suits and stilts, multi-legged creatures (which is my favorite photo, the light caught the costume and gave it 'eyes', see below).

They had a backdrop with images on, some were quite strange, and there was a lot of spaceships! But overall it suited the music very well. The music itself was complex, with long songs, but it was played very well. Lyrics are hard to come by with their music, mostly it's about the playing, and they could be a little thin can difficult to hear. However, the music was engaging, and flew by.

We loved the gig, and will certainly try more of their albums.