Liverpool Sound City
Liverpool Clarence Dock
Sunday 28th 2017
I arrive at the festival site mid morning after the delayed journey into the city roads closed off everywhere due another event 'Liverpool Marathon',my taxi driver manages to get me near to my destination.
Queueing at the gates for the Sunday line up, its not exactly sunshining like it was on Friday but its not raining thankfully, I wander over to 'Atlantic Stage' where I will be most of the day,theres the usual food and drink stalls arts and crafts and festival merchandise,even a competition to win Skull Candy earphones.
First band on stage today are 'Red Rum Club' a band of lads in Black leather jackets, they are very entertaining and good to start things off with reminiscent of 'Arctic Monkeys' early sound and tonights headlining act 'The Kooks' (Who I shall not see due to travel plans on the railways), up next Re:Tros a Japanese Synth Pop Dance band.
I had a look around the site at some of the other stages, I let myself get carried away thinking that the band over on 'Cavern Stage' was 'Billy Joe' (Green Day) son's band 'Swimmers' it wasn't it was actually 'Swwimers' they were from 'South Korea' Oh dear I got that wrong, luckily I got my place back at the front in time for 'The Sherlocks' I have to say they were brilliant and the sun came out at last.
Next was crazy kids of 'Cabbage' the craziest band of the day who are like 'Madness' crossed with 'Sex Pistols', a bizzare young male in a suit and tie dances on the stage with a Space Raiders crisp packet on his head,its like watching one of those bizarre Uni parties that got out of hand,they even had their own pinup singer with bare chest parading about the stage, they've just supported 'The Charlatans' at the Emirates LCCC Stadium the previous day.
Next up as the chants behind me get louder mainly male voices shouting "You Fat Bastard" to 'Milburn' who just walked on stage,the singer has matured since they first played a stage this big, sporting a moustache and wild curly hair style,they've been going for about 5 years so have a core fan base and they knew all the words it was amazing,I'm not even squashed in its politely aggressive which is cute.
Local Natives are on they are a band from 'LA' that only came to my attention this year when 'Kings Of Leon's Hyde park show was announced they are on the bill.
I'd describe them as early 'Foals' V's 'Friendly Fires' with that 2009 sounding vibe present,singer and guitarist likes to engage with the crowd as he appears to get nearer to me at the barrier wait No ....he's actually in my face now, with one foot on the barrier so I move out of his way as he does the mic cable slackens and catches my neck not enough to get Chinese burn thankfully, as he runs towards the back of the crowd... but I'm nearly ready again for 'White Lies'.
The next act need no introduction I've supported them since early 2009 and regard them as Musicians and Friends,as 'Harry' walks on stage he's in the summer spirit, with stripey trainers and a red and navy striped t-shirt, oh and that beard from Big TV lol, missing from the setlist is 'Getting Even', 'Price Of Love' and they also didn't play 'Come On' I don't know why ?? its a great song to end on, 'Harry' looks happy and pleased at the crowds response throughout,its a great atmosphere.
This is brought into perspective when after the boys leave the stage, the Mayor of Liverpool and Mayor of Manchester 'Andy Burnham' take to the stage to speak about the greif of 'Manchester' and how we as 2 cities are united to overcome this, we are led into a moment of silence, there is not a single sound , I have a bigger love for 'Liverpool' after that #WeStandTogether, we are led into a spontaneous singalong of 'Oasis' 'Don't Look Back In Anger',its very moving that I find it difficult to sing at times, but I'm soon feeling euphoric as everyone joins in,The moment was beautiful.
Its then I have to head off home to get my shuttle bus to the station and a train hopefully... problem there is engineering works no train... instead a bus again but to 'Hunts Cross' by the time we got there last train had gone and few people were squabbling and shouting about tickets and transport back, so I ended up in an uber as no free taxi's turned up still on site waiting for fares in the city more likely, I got home at 12.45am and finally had my dinner.
Despite the travel stress afterwards I really enjoyed the festival and the company of all the people, Thanks Liverpool.
LM i xo
Bank Holiday 90's Weekend Special
The Charlatans A Different Day 26.05.2017
Gigantic A Big Big Love Indie All Dayer Vol 27.05.2017
Part 1
Before I start the blog , I didn't even know that the above events would be taking place after Monday Night 22nd May's Awful events at the 'Manchester Arena', it never felt so close to home, much of the week I doubted myself and felt physically sick.
But "Manchester" people are strong, resilient but most of all "Loving" so it is with that attitude I approached this weekend,as did we ALL as a nation.. "We Carried On".
Friday brings 'A Different Day' to 'Oldham Street' when 'The Charlatans hosted a get together as opposed to the planned celebration for their new album, there was specially created Food, Drink and Beverages only available today like the 'Different Day' T-Bags from Yorkshire Tea, Tim's fav Chips Peas & Fish were served at 'Leos Fish Bar' , free giveaways of Badges and Postcards, even a chance to own Tim's Union Corp jacket worn on Top Of the Pops in 1994 as they were dropped of at Oxfam to buy for a generous price all given to charity for the families of the bombing earlier in the week, That's how we roll in Manchester #WeStandTogether.
There was an acoustic set at 'United Footwear' from our special guests 'Tim Burgess' & 'Mark Collins' playing a set of new and old songs beginning with 'North Country Boy' and 'The Only One I Know' and my fav new track 'Plastic Machinery' , later at 12pm the band did a signing session session at 'Piccadilly Records', the first 150 in the queue win free entry to a future show,it was lovely catching up with them all I've known them since a teen, it was quite emotional.
Later in the afternoon a ticket to the Lowry show gets you a free ride on a Waxi in Salford to take you to the show and pick up more freebies 'I'm Such An Idiot' badges hidden.
After walking around the city I grew up in and around for the last 30 years or so, I went to pay respects, I'm so very moved by the love everyone in 'Manchester' is showing to strangers of all religions and beliefs its a very difficult time for ALL of us its still very raw its hard to believe all of this goes on while everyone is still heartbroken but it must.
PART 2
Saturday Afternoon 'Manchester Academy' hosted their yearly event 'Gigantic A Big Big Love Indie All Dayer' for the 'Bank Holiday', as I walked in 'Mark Morris' of 'The Bluetones' was finishing up his acoustic set ending with 'If' , and next up '90's band 'a Thousand Yard Stare' were absolutely brilliant I cant believe I never knew any of their material some tracks were familiar through me listening to 'John Peel' on Radio 1, they played a superb set and the lofty singer showed no sign of a'Rock N Roll' ego choosing to eat an apple on stage, he did some bizarre moves that reminded me of 'Tom Smith' of 'The Editors' and he still managed to look cool.
'Jim Bob' was next on stage with more hair than he had in the 90's (You'll remember he was in Carter USM), he played and performed an acoustic sing along to he said 'Lift Us' he played 'Do Rei Mi', 'The Only Living Boy In Cross' 'Sheriff Fatman' and more 'Carter' classics it was a proper participating sing a long great atmosphere..job done.
Next on stage 'The Primitives' a band I really liked from late 80's, they played my fav songs 'Sick Of It All' 'Crash', and some tracks from their debut album and follow up LP 'Pure', singer 'Tracey Tracey' is tiny of frame and height 3 and bit foot ,wearing silk pink jacket & Netted Black Skirt with her trademark cropped 'Monroe' look, I think her guitarist was her son.
The surprise act for me was 'Pop Will Eat Itself' or 'PWEI' as people know them, as I had no idea I knew all the songs,it was a full on rap spectacular which got the crowd going crazy pogoing and bouncing about, that I didn't get many pics of them it was WILD with 'Graham Crabb' on vocals with less dreadlocks in the 90's but this was represented by a younger guy on bass with Blonde towering Dreadlocks.
I had no idea that 'Their Law' was their song I knew it from 'The Prodigy' they must of sampled it on the '1992' album 'Music For The Jilted Generation'.
Finally my fav act took to the stage 'EMF' have arrived they took to the stage with sirens and bleeps for 'Children' to kick things off, Ian on bass, Derry on guitar with a beard and James in Red and Black luminous shorts with 'Raver style slogan 'Tshirt' 'Jack Your Body' and his trademark fishermans hat.
He grabs the mic as we are transported back to '1991' the crowd really come to life when 'I Believe' is on and my fav track not on 'Schubert Dip' 'Getting Through' from their 'Unexplained EP', hits from their 'Stigma' album 'Lies' and and then 'Unbelieveable' the ultimate 90's anthem still popular today they chose to end with an album track tonight whilst bringing 'Jim Bob' back onstage for 'E.M.F.' which was a bit brave getting the crowd to sing along "E Ecstacy M MotherFxxker MotherFxxker" F For What you Are", they certainly entertained me I was a fan years ago same time I got into 'The Charlatans', but I'd never seen them play live until tonight .
It was a great night for nostalgia, but also a poinient night of reflection as I caught up with some of the security guys I knew , so glad they are all ok, and so it goes on .
#AsYouWere as one Manchester Icon quoted this week .. I'll leave this blog with an image of Peace Hope & Solidary by artist 'Qubek' Manchester' who was actally doing his work when I photographed this and he's since worked on a beautiful mural with 22 bees for those who died on that awful night.
#StayStrong #ForeverManchester
Goodnight xo
