Bananarama Blackpool Opera House 13th November 2017

Bananarama

Blackpool Opera House

13th November 2017

 

Cast your mind back to girl groups of the 80's and this band were topping the charts,setting trends and getting everyone dancing at the disco partys .

They are the original 'Spice Girls', tonight they are appearing as the original line up since 1988, That's 29 years ago pop fans!!

 

 

There are questions like what will we get on the setlist, can they still entertain and keep pace , all 3 Answers is Yes, yes they can !!

 

 

As the show begins,and 3 mic stands are ready, the back drop screens appear purple and pink artwork and lighting  the band start up the music,the girls walk on stage and immediately takes us back to '1988' with their take on  Motown cover 'Nathan Jones' doing all the choreography,everyone is on their feet and ready for a nostalgic night out in 'The Pool'.

 

 

 

 

 

"Hello 'Blackpool' ready to go back" the crowd cheer and clap as they start another classic 'Robert De Niro' from '1984'. The girls are wearing black and silver outfits with 'Siobhan' in gold and red over to the right of the stage, 'Sarah' the tallest 'Nana' in the middle and 'Keren' in front of our block laughing and doing the actions, then a few early era songs for the die hard fans.

 

 

There is no real costume changes throughout the set, formation change of the line up on the stage occur ,but no fashion parade which I think is a shame the next song my fav 'ShyBoy/Boy Trouble' I used to love this when I had the 'Greatest Hits Album' (still do lol) and then 'Really Saying Something'.

 

 

 Then the girls sat down on the steps of the stage to sing a song I didn't actually know, with vintage pics of them in the studio from the early years.

 

 A Huge moon appears on the screen and 'Sarah' appears to the left, with 'Siobhan' behind on top of the stairs during the chorus for 'Stay' a former no1 from 1992 , which was of course her song with 'Shakespears Sister' a spin off  dark toned duo with American 'Marcella Detroit' (a world away from the fluffy pop of the 'Nana's') but the duet works on stage .

 

 

 

Back to the 80's pop with another top hit 'I Heard A Rumour' and less of a hit but still one my favs 'I Can't Help It', the energy onstage is still there and they manage to impress their fan base.

 

 

 Most in my block however are embarrassingly quiet some are just sat down , about five in my row stood up , and some behind me went to dance outside the block, this was allowed mainly because of the age group a 30-60 age bracket audience with the exception of parents with children tagging along, so no 'Moshers' tonight.

 

 

'Sarah' points out that 'Siobhan' slipped but I didn't notice,  at least they can laugh at themselves and not take things too seriously which made for an entertaining night out.

 

 

On to more PWL hits 'I Want You Back' and the massive hit 'Venus' everyone got up for that and then, my absolute fav song 'Na Na Hey Hey (Kiss Him Goodbye)  this is of course (til Gala Bingo killed it and Supernatural Drama 'Kingdom Hospital' totally ruined it with the potty storyline featuring dead patients coming to life and singing it ..bloody weird).

 

 

 

I was up and dancing for that because I loved it since I heard it on the radio and didn't know who it was,it has a very addictive chorus line you end up sing over and over again.

 

 

During a break in the stage set , the changes the backdrop as the 'Bananarama' logo fills it and the girls play 'It Aint What You Do Its The Way That You Do It' though such a pity an opportunity to get 'Terry Hall' & Co on stage for this was one missed.

 

 They ended with  'Love In The First Degree' one last time everyone gets up and is dancing saving the best til last, cant think of any song they missed except 'Trick Of /Night' which I absolutely love and the video flashes back in my mind from '1987'.

 

 

 

I was lucky that they were leaving right by my hotel so I waited in the rain it got squally, but eventually later the girls came out and posed for photos, the manager took some peoples things for them sign on the bus  although they'd obviously been partying .

 

'Siobhan' was told to get on the bus (it was raining bad) and there was no time for photos, and 'Keren' after her but 'Sarah' came over to give me a hug and posed happily whilst on the bus, then it was time to leave, I got my setlist signed and met them all that was good enough for me.

 

 

 

Next time normal service resumes 'Rockers' !! 

 

 

Lmi xo

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



The Killers Wonderful Wonderful Tour Liverpool Echo Arena November 9th 2017

The Killers

 Wonderful Wonderful Tour

Liverpool Echo Arena November 9th 2017

 

 

So here we are again, Round 2 This year of 'The Killers' shows, its much colder now,  waiting in line to get in from a breezy bitter wind and a lot of things have changed since the Summer, 2 members have left the line up due to personal change, Dave with his long curly hair will be missed on the left side tonight, and Mark left first ,this now leaves 'Brandon' 'Ronnie' and 'Jake' to gather a team of new members 'Ted' and 3 female  back up singers to fill in the missing gaps on this Tour.

 

 

Supporting tonight it's only 'White Lies' good mates and key support on the 'Friends' Tour 'Alex Cameron', I didn't think I'd see them so soon after this years tour but it appears they have done well  and have been recording songs with 'Brandon Flowers'  for their debut album and Alex is firm friends with 'Brandon' now. 

 

 

I'm centre stage watching them ,with Roy Malloy on Sax it seems he's got a whole new crowd of admirers on this tour in the 'Victims Fanclub' playing to bigger audiences than the 'Academy' venues now, Alex jokes "Who's heard of us already" I shout out ''4 people and you'' he jests, he plays the material that we heard earlier in the year and 2 new songs.

 

 

The stage is set ready, the curtains being one by one pulled away from the keyboards, drums and lastly 'Brandons' synth with male gender symbol (Think 'Prince') which will soon be lit up illuminated with bulbs. It's nearly time for them to come on stage over to the left in the far corner is a huge white tall water drum with the words 'Liverpool' emblazoned across the top.  Ronnie takes to the  drums to a roar of the crowd and the new guitarist 'Ted' followed by 'Brandon' and 'Jake' on bass guitar to the right, the stage backdrop is colourful with an envelope effect screen above different idea.

 

 

 

Title track 'Wonderful Wonderful' starts the show,its a good start from the crowd and then new track  'The Man' is a bit like an updated version of  'Staying Alive' by the Bee Gees, 'Brandon' is strutting his stuff like a peacock in the mating season and using that trademark wiggle, Pink & Red Confetti blasts out from the canons at front of stage spraying the crowd far and wide on the floor, in a glorious array of bright colours and we've only just begun.  

 

 

 

The crowd are loving it as 'Somebody Told Me' kicks in  and Brandon's million dollar smile gets this crowd jumping, the 'Hit's keep coming with 'Spaceman' and 'Brandon' at the helm of his specially designed keyboard/synths,his outfit of choice is 'Black Embroided lapel suit & trousers with a hint of sequinned design to the back of his jacket nothing too flashy but still fabulous. 

 

 

 

Then it comes to 'Run For Cover' and it gets the crowd singing every word, a fav from the album, its easy to forget how many albums the band have had... 6 studio albums, true not many for a period of nearly 13 years but a heck of a lot of 'Hit's' noteable 'Smile Like You Mean It' still in there from 'Hot Fuss', 'For Reasons Unknown' from 'Sams Town' and a stomping version of  'Joy Division's 'Shadowplay' Brandon is a fan of them and 'New Order' as we know. 

 

 

 

 

A fav slower song 'Rut' is emotionally charged and strikes a chord with me, later even more hits with 'Human' and the album fav 'Dustland Fairytale' with a segue into 'Black's Wonderful Life', some material from 'Battle Born' in the form of 'Runaways' and again 'Sams Town' classic 'Read My Mind', 'Brandon' tells us it is in fact 'Jakes' birthday so we all sing 'Happy Birthday' to him, he looked quite moved by that. 

 

 

 

The crowd above in the seats however seem to flag from that point, as their applause seemed to be quieter in appreciation and some were not as vocal as 'The Victims' on the floor its just something I noticed perhaps cos I'm not in 'Manchester' with the roar of that crowd I'm used to, which meant 'Brandon' was working extra hard during the next few songs .

 

 

'The Calling' being next off the 'Wonderful Wonderful' album when he changed into this fabulous perfect fitted Gold Suit and Ray Bans looking like the 'King' himself  with those moves prompting the crowd in a sing along to "All These Things That I've Done'' I did not have to be prompted for that one shouting out all the words as more confetti and long streamers went off wrapping around us like tentacles and looking like end of a World Cup Football Match.

 

 

 

 

The last song for tonight 'Mr Brightside' the place was jumping again for that one,then it was time to say goodnight , as usual the show was worth every penny 'The Killers' are one of the best live bands you'll see on stage they have the ability to smash it every time and 2 members down , don't matter cos you can rely on 'Mr Flowers' to Bring It !! 

 

 

 

 

Wonderful Wonderful Show   !! 

 

 

Lmi  xo