Sultans Of Ping FC @ Gigantic Indie All Dayer-Manchester Academy 24.05.2014

Sultans Of Ping F.C.

Gigantic Indie All Dayer   

Manchester Academy 24.05.2014

I'm here today in the rain to witness the happy re-union of some of the 90's best Indie bands.

On This afternoon and Tonights bill are 'Neds Atomic Dustbin','Wedding Present', 'Cud' and 'The Chamelons Vox',What ??  ....you haven't heard of them?

 

Oh Well.. Good because it isn't them I'm reviewing today,No I'm here to see a band that formed in 1988 in Cork, Ireland, and a band with an outrageous stage presence and a brash audience...Now are you interested ?

 

I'm talking of course about Indie punk rock band 'Sultans Of Ping F.C.' ,I can remember when I first heard that name thinking 'What The ...? They have been on TV in the U.K  and Ireland in the mid to late 90's . on 'The Beat' and some arts programmes .

 

You Have to look really hard to find any CDs on them these days but worth seeking out the 3 albums 'Casual Sex In The Cineplex','Good Year For Trouble'and 'Teenage Drug'.

 

Back in the day singer 'Niall 'O Flaherty' was quite a sight on stage wearing tight purple leggings bobbed hair and later an updated  PVC and rubber fetish stage look..Ooh how exciting ..

 

 

So 23 years later here I am a HUGE fan of their music waiting to see them, what will they be like, will they sing my favs, Will I recognise the band I'm about to find out.

 

'The Frank & Walters' finish their set with 'Indie Classic' 'After All' they're another Irish band who were out around the same time as 'The Ping', dressed in Brown Trousers with orange shirts and braces the atmosphere is particularly bubbly friendly relaxed.

 

 

Something shifts from the back of the venue the invasion slowly builds up and you can hear it the chanting.. ,"Sultans,Sultans,Sultans !!" ,the old skool lads army are in the house waiting for 'The Ping' to get on stage.

 

My ears prick up and lights go down,the band arrive onstage to a familiar guitar riff slowly building and engulfing the crowd, 'Niall' walks onto the stage in PVC Trousers, black leather look jacket and black shades he swaggers over to the mic singing 'Back In A Tracksuit' (1st track on CSITC Album),he act's aggressive and Arrogant... No... more Important than Arrogant.

 

He trawls about the stage and begins leaning on the amps,There is someone in the crowd at the front pogoing yelling and swishing their arms around..Oh no Hang on that's just me, I came out of my box as soon as they got on stage, I have to say I forgot the impact their music had on me until that very moment ..but well I was transformed shall we say.

 

It was turning pretty raucous out there already ,I was getting battered by barging blokes but I was going nowhere and wasn't bothered about the intrusion, I was too in my zone to care.

 

'Niall' steps up to the mic to start the next song 'Mescaline' and he's provocatively dancing about like a demon possessed,I'm transfixed, the band have amazing energy on stage, I'm yelling like a banshee forgetting that I'm right under their noses and yes they've seen me and could it be because I'm shouting 'Niall' when the noise was dying down from the crowd god know's where it came from, he pointed gestured and the audience were laughing on with the show (I put my genie back it's bottle).

 

 

'Teenage Punks' came on ,and at some point in the show 'Niall' takes his sunglasses off so he is now playing to the crowd with crazy eye contact, and then onto a football inspired anthem  'Give Him A Ball And A Yard Of Grass' (which was on Vodaphone's TV ad early this year apparently), later on in the show the hardcore 'Ping' songs 'Indeed You Are','Stupid Kid' which is so catchy its crazy and the even more crazy 'Wake Up & Scratch Me' followed by 'Veronica' in which 'Niall' play's a harmonica the pace of the show gets more upbeat.

 

 

For The encore they play 'You Talk Too Much' and I'm shouting again as 'Niall' speaks to the crowd who are shouting for  the song 'Where's Me Jumper' he  is a bit stunned and say's "Thats it, and be Thankful",the fierce beat kicks in my legs are bouncing ..no pogo-ing, and the hook of the chorus that grabs you round the throat "Dancing At The Disco bumper to bumper ..wait a minute Wheres Me Jumper,Where's Me Jumper,Wheres Me Jumper!! ?"

 

 

The place erupts and everyone is dancing around, and spotted one older male crowdsurfer, oh the 90's we didn't give a Fxxk back then it was about partying and there is one here tonight, then they were gone.

 

I was awestruck what a great show, before they got onstage calm audience ...after complete chaos Fantastic just what I came for and got it. I left after that I didn't want to see the other bands as I just came to see 'The Sultans', what I know about 'The Ned's' and 'Wedding Present' you  could write on a stamp basically.

 

 

I Went off to go and catch up with 'Niall' after he got off stage and I greeted him and said I loved the show and then I asked him " You don't come here often to Manchester or the U.K. why ? I'd love to see a full show" he said "Well we're getting old now so we don't do that anymore" you wouldn't of thought that watching them on stage, they tend to play in special one off shows you can see them next in Cork festival later in the Year, he signed my CD posed for pics, he was really cool I told him I only came to see 'The Sultans' think he was quite impressed.

 

 

 

Such a great 'Rock N Roll' Day,and the sun came out in the end just in time for my moment "Fantasticular" !!!

 

 

 

God Save The Ping !!!

 

 

Lmi  x

 

 

Prince & 3RD Eye Girl Hit & Run Part 2 Tour Manchester Phones 4 U Arena 17th May 2014

Prince Manchester Phones 4 U Arena -May 17th 2014

PART One 1

 

First of all if you'd of said to me when I was a kid in the mid to late 80's that I would one day see 'Prince' in concert in my hometown region I'd of said you were mad ,1 he'd never come here, 2, I'd never get in as he's such a major star.

Cast your minds back to February,news breaks that 'Prince Nelson Rogers' is here in the U.K. why ?? he has been here for at least a month according to reports on the grapevine,he played secret gigs in Londons Camden Electric Ballroom into after midnight  with just slight clues sending fans on a wild 'Prince-chase' where is he playing what time is it a wind up is it really £10 on the door ? Twitter and Facebook was in meltdown with fans desperate for info.

 

About a week later after presenting an award on Brit Awards he announces to fans online that he is coming to Manchester and he's playing ....wait for it ...Manchester Academy 1,I couldn't believe it and I had no spare cash as tickets were going for £70 ,the rumour was true he played 2 gigs there for fans who wanted to queue though there was a mix up how long he would play for so they got in to the next show one 'Prince' is never far from is Controversy, then he went home for a bit and announced yes he's coming back soon wahay .

 

I recall his best songs in the 80's and 90's and how much of a controversial person he was for me he was the male 'Madonna' the two were closely linked and they were no strangers to one another as they worked on a track for her 'Like A Prayer' album in 1989 called 'Love Song'.

 

So Fast forward a few months an Arena tour is announced and yes he's coming to 'Manchester' again and this time I'm ready for him 'Jubilation',I have been excited for weeks and the time is near ...The Day is here.

 

After hearing about how devoted his fans are I wanted to get there early and take no chances,and it is the Manchester Arena where queuing chaos often drives people mad I'm familiar with the stress this venue can cause for serial queuers and No'd editioned fans ...it's not pretty.

 

I Arrived 6am to find 1 fan waiting as apparently last night the queueing sytem was a total shock to them (IE There is none)and they were not amused apparently why am I not surprised it's one the hardest venues to crack for getting best viewing areas and where to queue for wristbanding,I could write a manual but no time.

 

Tonight I'm an extremely lucky girl, I'm with a great bunch of people in the 'PrinceArmy' and I have a place slap bang in front of the mic stand with the huge imfamous Prince Symbol which is silhouetted under the lilac lit curtains.

 

I'm a little giddy but more expectant, watching the fluttering curtains and listening to the crowd chattering in excitement,I'm told I wont believe how amazing he is and to get ready, as some of these people have seen him up to 14 times this year and  are hooked 'Prince' addicts.

 

The lights go down and up at three times and nothing happens, finally they do go out the curtain drops and his girl band '3rd Eye Girl' appear in view in black rock Chic leather gear and sparkly wedges, The 'Prince' appears arriving in a White and gold tunic Trouser suit and and an afro that 'Sly Stone' would wish he had if he he were still alive.

 

'Prince' is certainly tiny as he stands only around  5ft 1 inch but star charisma hits you like a truck at a hundred miles a hour, he begins with a slowed but funky version of 'Let's Go Crazy' the crowd were already en-tranced as he pirouetted and grooved, as he is still an exceptional funky dancer as he moves across the stage , he doesn't look a day over 30 with his elfin looks and cheeky smile.

 

He keeps us all guessing what song is coming next because he generally dosent decide on a setlist until the night he's very secretive of his act and it adds to his appeal he keeps up the momentum with 'Raspberry Beret' and he parades around making the fans go crazy it's fascinating to watch the band they sound tonight so disco funky it is like being in a discoteque.

 

The other thing you cant fail to notice is his guitar skills he's a genius playing guitar it screams and speaks the emotions of his anthems clearly and precisely that its like watching 'Jimi Hendrix' in 1967,my energy is through the roof and he's managing to make me feel like a giddy fizzy orange I've no idea how it's happening,he gets us all clapping and singing the ad libs to kick the songs off ,atomosphere is pure electric.

 

Another female singer walks on stage with a silver sparkly jacket and a cane and she sings 'U Got The Look' (originally by Prince and Shelia E.) and then an amazing version of 'Kiss' his vocal range is well and truly explored on this classic the 'Tom Jones'  version relatively forgotten once you hear the original.

 

I'm drawn to a new song  which does what its says on the label its called 'Funk N Roll'  the bass is hip shaking string slappingley marvellous as he bumps and grinds he knows he owns the stage.

 

I've lost count of the classics he played tonight 'When Doves Cry' was particularly a memorable moment where he looks at the crowd and points and if all that didn't excite there was 'Sign O' The Times' did I love that song !! I was singing all the words back to him on the stage showing my appreciation.

 

 

Part TWO  II

 

 

 

Prince has such a huge back catalogue dating back to 1978,with his latest project he gives us a glimpse of what to expect in 2014 and although I wasn't familiar with them still  I enjoyed it,there is a piano/keyboards section to the right of he stage where 'Prince' dons a brimmed hat and turns DJ doing different mixes of the tracks including a superb version of 'I Would Die 4 U', and using his vocal techniques he can go low he can go high is there nothing this man can't do tonight. 

 

He speak's to us all the time telling us to clap but now he speaks to introduce and to get us all singing an intro beat to kick the song off  and of course it is 'Purple Rain' and we all wave arms about, the intro goes on forever until he finally sings "Never meant to cause you any trouble,Never meant to cause you any pain ...",he leaves the stage to a lot of chanting for him to come back on .

 

1st encore of the night, the band arrive back on stage ,'Prince' has changed his outfit to a long sleeved spiritual t-shirt with an Eye on it,he begins the set again with 'Controversy' followed by '1999' and 'ittle Red Corvette' I'm all danced out with the clapping the arm waving  sheesh he can go on all night !!

 

Then he engages further with us asking us to sing a song about 'Maaanchesster' for which I'm stunned we all sing 'I Live In Maaannchesster" it's a funky tribute I'm so impressed,'Prince' speak's  again "I told you I'd come back to you Maaancchester' but will you come and see me in Minneapolis U.S.A.? Everyone screams.

 

He plays another encore and 2 more covers where he declares "Tonight this is my house and you are in my house now" with that he launches into 'Play That Funky Music' and toward the middle a bunch of men and women are dancing on the stage presumably picked from the audience pre gig the ultimate fans dream.

 

He closes with 'Live it Up by 'Isley Brothers' which has even more energy,I've  danced for 2 and half hours I'm shattered,what a party what a superstar,he remerge's again with a handful of coloured balloon and he lets them go in the air and pounds his chest to say he felt he love and then he was ...Gone ............
Party Over Oops Outta time...

 

Due to the artist's restrictions and bodyguards with torches I did not get any photos of 'The Purple One' had I of been able to I'd of had the best pics close up, I'm gutted I can only dream of when he says Photos allowed folks one day.

 

 

 

Til not long now

 

 

 

 

 

LMi    xx

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                        

 

 

Courtney Love Manchester Academy 1 May 13th 2014

Courtney Love -Manchester Academy 13th May 2014

 

Today I'm here to see a 'Woman Icon' of the Grunge era,she founded the 'RiotGirl' movement of female artists who kick ass and play guitars and rule the world before the Spice Girl's were even out of school back in the early 90's.

 

She married another Rock Icon of the Grunge era none other that 'Kurt Cobain' of 'Nirvana' and they made headlines in both newspapers and the Music press worldwide for their relationship and their music.

 

'Courtney' inspired a generation of female's across the world and made it ok to be Grunge Girl in a male dominated world proving women have a huge place in society and can be be strong and powerful she is of course the one and only 'Courtney Love Cobain'.

 

The last time she came to 'Manchester' it was for a solo tour in 2010, I missed it as I was on another tour at the time,I have always wanted to see her play live.

 

Here in 2014 on a spring sunny but showery day I am here to say "Hello" and wish her "Good Luck" on stage tonight,I'm fortunate to be chatting to the crew and support band 'White Miles' (Yes you do hear me right I did say White Miles),also present in her band is 'Ginger' from 'The Wildhearts' I'm lucky enough to get a photo signed after soundcheck as I bumped into her by accident,I later rejoined the queue triple excited .

 

Doors open at 7pm and the crowd are already at the bar I staked a great place at the front.

To start things off are 'White Miles' a duo from 'Austria' they play a set of tracks which is influenced by Rock bands such as 'Led Zeppelin','Rolling Stones' and 'Jefferson Airplane' with a female singer on guitars and a drummer called 'Loafie' over to the right side of the stage, they have a tremendous energy and really go for it on stage,and the crowd get into the mood to rock.

 

At around 8.30pm 'Courtney's' band take to the stage,followed by a glam looking 'Courtney Love' in a Japanese Kimono top and Silver jeans,with her trademark Orange 'Rickenbacker' guitar,she pretty much knocks us all out with her voice and performance from the beginning.

 

The first song she starts with is 'Wedding Day' a new song and then she cranks it up with anthem 'Miss World' from 'Hole's Live Through This' Album,on the front row with me are young teenage  'Courtney' wannabes moshing,it's like a really cool girls night out.

 

Off comes the Kimono and she shows off her figure in a Silver Grey slip,her hair White blonde and that infamous Red pout as in the 'Hole' years,she doesn't disappoint and continues to play a bunch of their songs from 'Live Through This'.

 

She talks to us throughout the set and one girl shouts 'Celebrity Skin' to which 'Courtney' retorts  in her unique American dialect "Oh you only want me to sing songs from when I  was 20 something and pretty I'm nearly 50 now" she laughs it off and carries on with some songs from that album 'Celebrity Skin' then she speaks to us again "Ok now I'm going to do a song about a place where most of you will never get to...", at this point the crowd are poised and so loud that it just erupts for 'Malibu', she skilfully perches on the front amp crouching and lapping up the attention.

 

It' s a relaxed side of 'Courtney' on stage the public haven't seen in a while,she's back on form tonight and in her element ,she banters with her band over the next song to play including a cover version that no one knows,but she insists on singing it as its a fav of hers who are we to stop her ,it's a great song anyway,'Courtney' is loving the 'Manchester' welcome and plays us her new single 'You Know My Name' she's just finished filming the video for it,she keeps a good control of her voice these days too hitting the high notes in the right places without over emphasising I'm glad I seen her now as back then I don't think she'd of smashed it as much as tonight as her concentration was mainly on controversial stage antics not so much her vocal talent the balance is right these days.

 

I'm so overwhelmed, and not one to disappoint she plays more 'Hole' songs and hints that there could be a reunion soon and she goes into 'Asking For It' and one my favs 'Violet' she really can play that guitar she scowls in style down at the mic.

 

Eventually she does play 'Celebrity Skin' and it's an amazing end to the first part of the show,as she leaves the stage the crowd chant  " 'Courtney',Courtney' Courtney" !!!

 

She returns barefoot and dressed in a white lacy gown for an acoustic version of 'Northern Star',as it begins she walks over to the right and takes a Bright Pink Ribbon from a fan at the front and ties it in her hair and ends on 2 more 'Hole' songs 'Awful' and 'Doll Parts',the crowd cheer like crazy she takes a bow smiles at the fuss,looks pleased it went well and leaves the spotlight of the stage and lights come on again

 

Everyone I spoke to said they had an amazing time and were really into it, and glad to have her back most were more than a little excited about the rumours of a reunion being almost confirmed,my night was topped off  by chatting to a guy who looked just like 'Kurt Cobain' it was almost uncanny,I tipped him off that 'Courtney' was in the other coach if he wanted a chance to meet her.

 

Just as I said that I thought 'Have I done the right thing ,imagine if she thought he looked like 'Kurt' too..he really did look like the late great 'Mr Cobain'......

 

I had a great time tonight and met some great people I was lucky enough to get some great live shots which I shall be putting into the  Itsallinthemusic gallery very soon...keep watching...

 

Riot Girls 4 Eva  !!

 

 

 

LM  x