Paul Draper Performs 'Spooky Action' and 'Attack Of The Grey Lantern' in its entirety Manchester Ritz 1st March 2018

Paul Draper Performs  'Spooky Action' 

& 'Attack Of The Grey Lantern'

'In Its Entirety'

 Manchester Ritz

1st March 2018

 

I never thought I'd get the chance to hear all these songs live again, you have to rewind to '1996' to the 'Brit-Rock' Indie era when a band from 'Chester' (Paul's from Deeside actually) ruled the Indie Charts they are of course or should I say were .. Mansun.

 

Tonight front man (And 'Jedi' according to some blokes at the front due to his bearded appearance and Icon status) 'Paul' is geared up with his own band assembled to perform his solo album 'Spooky Action', its absolutely freezing outside with only a few people braving it for the front row as its early yet, most people wander off to the bar and merch stall, support act is acoustic think his name was 'Phil ' but didn't catch it.

 

By 8pm the room is filling up nicely everyone is waiting as the lights go down for 'Paul' as he walks onto the stage he picks up his guitar buoyed by the crowd Cheering and Whistling expectant he takes a sip of his Special Brew tea simmering away near the mic stand.

 

Beginning with 'Don't Poke The Bear', its true to say that the new songs have not lost the 'Mansun' Touch,mainly due to the guitar signature and 'Pauls' unmistakeable vocals for which this showcase a treat if you never heard the tracks before, my fav ones from this set were 'Things People Want', 'Friends Make The Worst Enemies'.

 

The Crowd are on board vocally what else do you expect from a Manchester crowd, as Paul begins to play 'Attack Of The Grey Lantern' in it's entirety we begin with main overture 'The Chad Who Loved Me' followed by 'Mansun's Only Love Song', its then it starts to pick up volume as 'Taxloss' starts I'm almost having an out of body experience as I'm back in '1997' at a 'Mansun' gig.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It would of been great if at the end of the song the crowd would be covered in 'Mansun/Draper' Money to have it floating around like in the video but it didn't happen,instead he went straight into the next song 'Who Do You Hate?'.

 

 

The Crowd are nuts tonight so as 'Wide Open Space' starts we're all jumping up and down singing along, by 'Stripper Vicar' it's a great feeling onstage with the band and the crowd it feels special, another single 'She Makes My Nose Bleed',  and 'Paul' is noteably very clever lyrically some these are the work of genius, once 'NME' darlings with their 'Punk', Rock' Fashion statements 'Brit Rock' was born when 'Mansun' created this album.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

We only mellow a bit for 'Naked Twister' but pick it up again for 'Egg Shaped Fred' the crowd are definitely living in the moment right now 'Dark Mavis' ends the set subtley with the band waving and walking off stage.

 

The crowd are stamping their feet and chanting 'Draper, Draper', finally after lot of noise 'Paul' walks back out to the demanding crowd looking a little overwhelmed at the response the show obviously a hit with the 'Manc' crowd.

 

So we're treated to the 'Secret Track' which I'd forgot about, I'll try to explain to a younger generation on CD's in the 90's there was sometimes a hidden track on the end track where there is no sound after it ends,but the clock counter keeps going round for anything up to 5 minutes (more in the case on 'Nirvana's 'In Utero' Gallons Of Flowing Alcohol.. track) then a track comes on how I miss those secret tracks.

 

This track 'An Open Letter To The Lyrical Trainspotter' was on there and so concludes a magical night as the band walk over and take a bow, and 'Paul' thrilled with the crowd takes a final bow and and walks away for the last time tonight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

What a Great show, what Great memories and critically acclaimed quite successful tour really!!.

 

 

 

Next time we go further back in time where I had not expected to go in a rather special "Easter Blog" Part 2

 

Lmi xo