Hurts Manchester Apollo 25/10/13
We last seen 'Hurts' in the blog mentioned back in April of this year,so as a rule I wasn't going to review this show,but I have since changed my mind.
Tonight they are supported by 'Paaws' a European band fronted by a female singer and some electro melodies they are clearly influenced by the Brit 80's electro scene,they have a fan base here in amongst the fans too, most here tonight are not U.K. fans some have come as far as Italy,Russia,Ukraine, Romania, I had never heard of the support band personally.
By 9pm the stage was set on a sort of raised steel platform designed to look circular, with steps off to left,'Adam' was to the right on keys and guitar and 'Theo' took to the stage in Black shirt and Black trousers ,still with gelled back hair but minus the leather gloves tonight.
As the dry ice builds the atmosphere,they begin with 'Mercy' and a mixed setlist longer than the shows before the tracks from 'Exile' sit nicely and go down a treat with the sold out crowd, 'Theo' seems to have them in the palm of his hands tonight ,they play singles 'Miricle' and 'Blind' he is bursting with energy bouncing on feet like a frustrated Tigger and laughing at the sudiences reaction,he laps up the attention,both arms outstretched,head back grinning like a mad man.
They play my least fav song on 'Exile' 'The Sandman' he gets us to wave our arms about,which further puts me in mind of a moment in 'Depeche Mode' history (remember the 101 DVD on 'Never Let Me Down'),'Theo' throws his arms about from side to side and the crowd join in, he want's Dave's crown I'm convinced.
One of the key moments in the show is an acoustic version of 'Blood,Tears & Gold' which was the first real 'Hurts' song to be played it's poigniant and the crowd love it, a special moment where 'Theo' says "I want you to get your mobile phones out switch them on and hold them in the air,everyone from front to the back".
Everyone obliges it looks magnificent it put me in mind of 'Coldplay' in '2011',all the white glowing lights set the scene for the next song 'Illuminated', its a memorable sight 'Theo' looks like he's going to burst with excitement he takes the moment in.
There are no covers in the setlist tonight ,just their best songs from 'Happiness' including 'Better Than Love' which they close with,tonight you can see how much people adore them,they seem to of made it to the peoples hearts.
'Theo' and 'Adam' take a bow it feels like they've conquered another venue in their hometown a they usually play small venues I can see them playing in arenas in 2 years time or less, Suddenly the lights come on and its all over again another euphoric show.
More to come soon ...
Lmi x
The Voice The Blind Auditions 03/10/13
Day 1
Here is something that I hadn't planned for or even knew was coming up,I was invited to be a part of the audience in The Studio for the filming of The Blind Auditions of 'The Voice'.
I knew the chances of my getting a seat anywhere near the coaches on the Big Red chairs were slim, but was willing to take a chance,it paid off nicely in the end as we were priority seating more later...
When I arrived at the studio I found my accompaniers at the front of the queue waiting to get our wristbands ,I had no idea how the system would work as there were different colours I thought Gold would have the best seats.
Eventually we were called in to studio after much hanging around due the other lot being delayed as a contestant couldn't pick which coach to represent them,so there we all were waiting in a haphazard line (I guess they don't use barriers in TV land) by 5pm the audience from inside the studio walked past us the studio apparently is around 500 capacity where we were going so I was excited as I knew that was small :0)
Before went we had our phones and any media stuff taken off us it was difficult to give it in but had to ,it was bagged up with number on it so was reassured only slightly ,I go in my with my 2 companions Ian & James we are led past a backstage area and led down some steps to 3 seats along the middle section the seat is one up from the front on bottom row and I almost can't believe how close I am ,the seats are 10 up and 10 across like a small theatre really, I spot a little metal block by one of the chairs it can only be for one person , its Kylie's chair and William I Am was next to her I was between the 2 coaches I could not believe my luck it was surreal.
The TV crew warm us up by getting us to do some crazy dancing our section was called 'The Dingles' they wanted one person to represent each section of the audience, so I don't know where it came from but yes I got up and did my dance on the stage in the dance off , the older lady won because her dancing was crazier than mine well can't show myself up too much can I ;0)
The floor manager compere who was slightly nuts running around like a muppet telling people not to cough whilst filming was on and not to shout to the coaches when they come out during filming and sit in the seats in front of us, so we were introduced to the new presenters not sure if I can say who they are its been announced I think so I'll say it quick Emma Willis & Marvin (JLS)
We were then introduced to the new 4th coach whom I didn't know about so was excited I was told he was a rockstar ,the presenter shouted in excitement "Please welcome your new coach on The Voice,Mr Ricky Wilson" he came bouncing onto the stage in check shirt with waistcoat, jeans and looked dapper as he saluted us, we all went crazy ,well I went crazy I've seen 'Kaiser Cheifs' a few times now and I can't believe its someone I have met and watched on stage, some people hadn't heard of him as they there to see one person, next up and it gets more surreal ''Mr Tom Jones!!",the silver haired 72 yr old singer from Wales whom I've seen on TV so many times and whom my mum likes was standing not far from me waving and smiling a cheeky smile at us all, he looks just like does on TV.
It was a case of this is a very strange dream is it happening?? Next coach "Miss Kylie Minogue" everyone went crazy, and I stood up and waved at her as she took to her seat, she looked really lovely in a little black off the shoulder dress and shiny gold strappy sandals, clutching her handbag which she placed gently by her feet and she smiled at us in our section she was eye level with me and my accompaniers and kept laughing and smiling at us, my accompanier Ian slightly shouted ''Hello Kylie" and waved to my disbelief she waved back at us and mouthed a calm 'Hello' I forgot the lights were down she can see everything which is exciting but at times unnerving she's one of my idols, the seat was much bigger than her and she looked demure .
Next coach we all started cheering 'Will I Am', he was dressed head to toe in black with a hat and crazy cowboy shoes, I was dancing on my feet as he greeted us and took his seat ,basically tonight is going to be hard work, its about clapping, screaming and dancing to get the energy going around the room and it was something hadn't took part in for longer than about 1 and half hours at gigs usually we were told it would last for a least 3 hrs.
I'm dancing and rooting for the contestants, so were ready for the first contestant and filming begins, there were 2 girls from East London who were very good singers in fact can tell you that all of the contestants I seen at this filming could sing such a breath of fresh air when you watch finalists in other singing competitions, I managed to get 'Kylie' to turn her chair along with the audience and she got an artist/s for her team, Tom also turned around but he said "I have too many women on my team,I think Kylie is the one for you" how sweet of him to offer his team mate first.
Ricky was a bit shy and didn't say too much to start with but eventually he turned his chair for a young lad who was a good singer, a few times the coaches missed some good acts we couldn't get them to turn their chairs but I imagine its hard just listening and not knowing what the artist is doing if they are playing an instrument or what they showing to the audience on stage what image they are projecting, I can't tell you names as it wouldn't be fair to the show which will air in January 2014.
'Will I am' was really funny he said a lot of things to contestants I didn't get , he was always texting and tweeting he's known for it he was really nice I thought he would be really arrogant but he seemed friendly with the crowd,and laughing at my exhuberant dancing, the most embarrassing thing was us all being asked to do the funky chicken standing up in between takes as we had rehearsed it and I'll never forget 'Ricky Wilson' looking at me strangely and laughing oh the shame oh the humiliation can I ever live this down in Gig land ...
The audition went on and on and 'Kylie' kept smiling sweetly,before I knew it, it was 11pm, by then I was tired and wanted to go ,not to mention had no phone to tell anyone where I was ( I thought it would finish at 8.30pm) it eventually ended at 11.30pm , I'd sat through Kylie having her make up put on ,Kylie being interviewed for TV with the other judges for separate interviews going on in the same room, basically it felt like I working with them I don't know how they all keep smiling and being nice my patience was already waning I couldn't do her job.
My accompaniers had already left to get their coach home an hour before it ended so I was alone again so had organise my own travel back ,the 2 seats were empty the coaches must have wondered what was going on eventually 2 people filled them and 'Kylie' beamed another smile at them.
My fav moment was when 'Kylie' got a tissue from her bag and turned to us for reassurance " Am I doing ok how am I doing" (she was feeling under the weather with the sniffles) so I stood up and said "You're a superstar" both thumbs up she seemed to like that and she carried on I do hope she's better now as I have been ill too as its not much fun when you need to look amazing on TV but she so did shes a trooper.
Eventually got taxi back at 1.30am but had to work a full day next morning ,was definitely an experience I never thought I'd have my arms were aching lost my voice (how ironic) from shouting yelling etc..
Back to Gigs soon folks ....
LMi xoxo
Manic Street Preachers Manchester Ritz 27.09.13
Its been 6 years since I last seen this band play in the city, tonight they are playing one of their smallest venues to date, Manchester's Ritz, although they are much thought of as an Arena band 20 years plus in the music business and well respected.
The 1st time I seen the band was in 1992 I was an upcoming teenager they played a small local venue and Richey was in the band at the time and it was at the time I was finding my music roots I chose to watch from the low balcony on the left not really part of crowds, I recall Richey wearing a Bright Pink feather boa and Nicky a Kylie T-shirt with Bright blue eyeshadow on I still remember like it was yesterday. they were still Breaking out onto the scene from Blackwood South Wales in early 1990's waking the world up to Punk Rock of 21st Century they certainly woke me up .
Fans came from far and wide today just to see them one lad had travelled from Oxfordshire and some from Leeds and Cambridge mixed age group some really young and some in 40-50s the band have universal appeal and are loved by many, queuing started early so I organised us by number again.
Doors opened at 7pm ,support tonight came from "Public Service Broadcasting" a male 2 peice from London,they were a bit like a modern 'Kraftwerk' and the used computers to talk and old samples from war related era films as the music was a bit strange, on stage there were 2 old style tv screens one huge on centre stage and another to the left ( well it is the year of #BIG TV sorry..) Their samples reminded me of how the Manic's used to use a lot of samples in their work so it fitted nicely with the theme.
At around 9pm the stage is set ready for the band ,I can hardly believe I'm standing here waiting for this band to play, they walk on James Dean Bradfield wearing a suit and Nicky Wire wearing a Red Suit (No Skirts tonight folks) looking charismatic, Sean taking to his drum kit at the back, additional musicians to the left a guitarist and trumpet player.
They kick things off with 'Motorcycle Emptiness' this would of have been an epic moment only 3 drunken people decided to make mine and my guests live's difficult because they were basically peaved they were not at the front so they proceeded in calling us names like slxg, cxnt (did I mention by the way they were women) oh and they didn't like me taking pictures ah shame !!
Anyway I thought let them get on with it not budging .. tonight was about showcasing 'Rewind The Film' so we were treated to new songs and very clever well thought setlist they played album favs and singles such as 'Ready For Drowning' followed by 'Your Love Alone Is Not Enough' which prompted a sing along and the classic indie anthem 'You Stole The Sun' a classic B side taken 'From Despair To Where' single called 'Sleepflower' such a tune I forget about how ace the guitars sounded on it.
They followed it up with the epic Rock Anthem 'You Love Us' and 'If You Tolerate This...' one of their biggest selling no1 singles in the U.K.,there was a lovely acoustic set with 'James' on guitar a lovely version of 'The Everlasting' and 'Cant take My Eyes Off You' which always reminds me of MUSE as they covered it in 2002 although 'Manic's covered it before they did respect.
They even played a track from 'Holy Bible' 'Revol' and the haunting 'Tsunami' lovely to hear these songs again live its been too long.
My left arm is doing the work crunching down on intruding fingers on the barrier the person behind me has scrapped and scratched my skin to try and push her way on 'Bitch' still I stand there enjoying the band that I have long admired for years and showing my appreciation .
Encore time and 'Nicky' returns to the stage in a white suit covered with patches and a captains hat, he looks iconic tonight, they speak about 'Richey' and how he was a legend still at which point they dedicated 'Motown Junk' to him, I almost cry its moving to see how they have all coped with his loss and yet still play with passion and conviction, I hope they are still together in another 10 years.
They finish with Indie Anthem 'A Design For Life', at one point James stops playing as the audience take over the second verse,he still does the twisting around with his guitar and he still looks like he's in his youth.
It's quite possibly the best Manic's show I have seen this decade, totally amazing if you have never seen 'Manic Street Preachers' where have you been ?? this show was worth the bruises.
I Should have some pics soon from the show keep your eyes peeled folks!!
Stay Beautiful xox
Lmi x
