Bank Holiday 90's Weekend/ Gigantic A Big Big Love 4 26/05/2017-27/05/2017

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