Arctic Monkeys Birmingham Barclaycard Arena 15.09.2018

Arctic Monkeys

Birmingham Barclaycard Arena

15.09.2018

 

A long time ago 2007 I think, this band played a secret gig in the 'Parr Hall' Warrington,  I recall people queueing round the block to get their hands on tickets the band were so popular after uploading their tracks on My Space, hailing from Sheffield (Rotherham), I missed the chance to go and wasn't aware of the fuss at the time.

 

 

Fast forward 11 years and the band still sell out every venue having to play 3 shows in Sheffield and 2 in Manchester, the demand was even more so with the new album 'Tranqility Base Hotel  And Casino' not even fresh in everyone's mind and having just headlined Glasgow's 'TRNSMT Festival' they rolled out on a Huge UK Tour.

 

 

 

So far the girls are outnumbering the boys in the queue for 'Alex' & Co, as we wait to go into the venue I know 3 things avoid the left as there is a camera on stage and don't even try to sing the new songs , and 3 prepare for 'Aggro' the latter not as bad as anticipated, though I imagine 'Manchester' would be top in those stakes.

 

 

 

 

There's 1 support band tonight 'Lemon Twigs' from Long Island in New York, much touted as the band to see ,lets see.. well they've clearly been taking lessons from 'Jet' that's for sure their sound is very similar and , frontman 'Brian' plays the arrogant card by not speaking to the crowd after the songs (when he did speak I couldn't hear him he was trying to sound stoned) it looks a bit awkward and juvenile.

 

 

He also thinks he's the new 'Mick Jagger' he wears  70's style tight jeans, 'Jaggeresque' bob with his constant 'Trademark' high kicks with butt sticking out... fine if it was for one song ,but he over-cooked it a bit ,they need to learn that as a support band there's no room for not Thanking the audience, they walked off without saying a word,potentially a good band with the right advice ,right now no charisma and not believable.

 

 

9pm nearly time for 'The Arctics' the bands unique 70's style 'Tv Set' stage with theatrical curtains is certainly very imaginative ,no doubt the brain child of 'Alex Turner', the lights go down  and the band walk onto the stage to the roar of the crowd .

 

 

'Alex' with his freshly shaved hair and suave suit, trousers with red stripe side detail, take's a seat at the keyboards and begins with 'Star Treatment' from the new album, a bold choice , it's the critically acclaimed album everyone has been talking about  this year , it even had fans divided, its the furtherest from an 'Arctic Monkeys' album they dared to make, lounge music with 'Bowiesque' vocals it's as experimental as 'Low' I'd say, sounds interesting live and some of those tracks get the crowd going. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

'Alex' grabs the mic and guitar and welcomes us to the show and launches straight into 'Brianstorm' everyone goes crazy the crowd are up and jumping and then another fav immediately followed 'Snap Out Of It' , later  'Crying Lightening' that 3 of my favs already.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

It was great to see everyone singing in unison to all the lyrics theres clearly an unbroken unity between band and the crowd 'Lyric' wise, equally the band look relaxed with it all, later on we are treated to 'Cornerstone' and 'Don't Sit Down Cos I Moved Your Chair' Bloody love that song!!.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In my opinion 'Do I Wanna Know' is a masterpiece it's one of the best songs without being too far commercial,glad they put it in the setlist, the crowd wanted more so after a good 5 minutes they returned with an encore, 'Alex' smiling looking chuffed with himself kicking off the encore with 'Arabella'.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They then lifted the roof off with 'I Bet That You Look Good On The Dancefloor' and finally closed with another of my fav's  'R U Mine', extremely riveting band to watch, the new songs are an acquired taste but are captivating when delivered in a live performance to a sell out crowd like tonight.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next Time...

 

 

 A Full Tour report on The Impossible Princess

 

 

Lmi xo

Garbage Manchester Academy 20 Years Paranoid Tour 09.09.2018

Garbage-Manchester Academy

20 Years Paranoid Tour

 09.09.2018

 

I last seen 'Garbage' in '2012' for the '20 Years Queer' Celebration of the debut album titled 'Garbage', I recall meeting 'Butch Vig' before the show and having a great conversation about him producing 'Nirvana's 'Nevermind' album while he smoked a Cig, he even kindly got the whole band to sign my stuff .

 

 

This year I can hardly believe it's 20 years of 'Version 2.0' their second album, this time I had the good fortune to meet the delightful 'Ms 'Shirley Manson' who spent time chatting with a  few of us, signing things and even doing photos, she has always been an Icon to me- I told her this she was quite humble , she was the one person that influenced me to dye my hair red even though I was blonde .

 

Tonight support comes from 'The Estrons' from Wales, Swansea who came straight from the 90's rock band old skool, singer 'Tali' is nervous , she says "This is the biggest crowd we've played to Thanks Manchester!", they were great I enjoyed their set, as they come to the last song in the set she says "We'll be over at the merch come and say 'Hi' cant hang around I'm in court tomorrow Fxxking 'Swansea' crowd look astonished, she tells us the Ep will be out next week and then they were gone-One to watch.

 

 

Much of the amps have disappeared ready for our main act, there's always a lot of space for 'Shirley' to stomp around. 

 

 

As the lights go down the guys in the band walk on and wave to us taking their position and 'Shirley' emerges to a rapturous welcome,in a baggy white t-shirt fishnet tights and 'Title' boxing boots, her hair is still Ginger tied back in tiny ponytail and shaved at the back, her eyes in 'Bowie- esque' make up with an Orange strip across her eyes adding to the 'Gothic/Glam' image. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They begin with 'Afterglow' a B side and 'Deadwood' then one of my favourites 'Temptation Waits' she speaks to us and tells us the story behind the making of this album, she says "We basically made this album  in 'America' and most of time we were drunk,we spent 100,000's dollars on a bar bill, it's a wonder it was finished" she then tells us she always enjoys coming back to 'Manchester' and dedicates 'Special' to us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

She glides across the stage the epitamy of 90's glam rock,posturing on the amps and 'Butch's' drumkit and coming over to us with the mic for an audience sing along, in fact she involves us in most of the show, she then begins the 'Bond Theme' a crowd favourite not on the album 'The World Is Not Enough' her vocals mesmerising and plays some more B sides for us.

 

 

 

 

 

 The album theme continues with a heavy version of 'Hammering In My Head' and 'Medication', the tour all about that era so they have dug out songs they haven't played live and some forgotten, 'Can't Seem To Make You Mine' was a favourite that made it to the setlist.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 Then it was time to go all out mosh with "I Think I'm Paranoid' the crowd were jumping it was a great atmosphere and 'Shirley' was in awe of the crowd and got rather emotional at times  she was very gratious to us saying "We're 50 somethings now to of got this far is all down to you guys".

 

 

She got particularly emotional  during another 'B-side' called 'Soldier Through This",then brought things back up to speed with 'Lick The Pavement' and it's A Side 'Push It' which everyone goes bananas for ( not to be confused with the Salt N Pepa track) it was an Indie Classic ahead of it's time with the most bizarre video at the time with aliens and supernatural goings on -You Tube it!!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They still haven't even left the stage yet and are belting out the songs, between each song there are monologues from various quotes in the past over the PA,'When I Grow Up' gets the crowd involved singing the lyrics and unifys the audience both Old and Young generations, then there's the sereneley marvellous 'You Look So Fine'. 

 

 

The show is simplistic  with no wardrobe changes  it's all about the music, the crowd, the connection between band and audience, there was a cover of 'Fleetwood Mac' song  'Dreams', there was an even more special  encore of 'David Bowie's' 'Starman', and then it was time to say goodnight, I remember how fantastic they were last time but they blew the lid off the box tonight it was 'Magic' !!. 

 

 

The 2 CD edition of 'Version 2.0' is out now on the super Deluxe edition is available for more than half price , I suggest if you don't know who 'Garbage' are it's time to learn. 

 

 

 

 Lmi  xo 

 

Next time- Strap In .. it's a rowdy one !

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 



Justin Timberlake Man In The Woods Tour Birmingham Arena 27.08.2018

Justin Timberlake

Man In The Woods Tour

Birmingham Arena

27.08.2018

 

 

Where do I start ? I've always wanted to see 'Mr Timberlake' play live since I watched the 'Future Sex Love Sounds Tour' on TV from his second album years ago ,he looked multi -talented and fascinating to watch, then he worked with 'Madonna' which only added to the appeal.

 

 

The 20/20 Tour was very expensive, I didn't like the stage set up of tables and Vip pits, (It is a gig right ?) so I missed out on 'Justin' tickets by choice, 4 years later he's back with a brand new sound with 'Man In The Woods', I heard he was touring this year and I went for it as there was more choice this time, it wasn't complex pricing.

 

 

The Tour was postponed from mid July to August he cancelled one date in Birmingham luckily not mine, he re-scheduled it to 27th August (My Birthday), I arrive early morning to see what happy campers are greeting me in the queue, I was shocked to find nobody here except a huge 25 ft Lego Giraffe, the weather is not particularly warm not cold but not cheerful either, so lucky I brought layers and warmers.

 

 

I'm no1 in the GA queue everyone is excited about the show,one fan even has a layout of the stage to the song numbers of where 'Justin' appears on each bit of the stage, he's from 'Lithuania' at least now I know where I'm aiming to stand tonight, what a guy that is dedication, by 6pm we're all wristbanded and ready to go.

 

 

It's the biggest walkway I've seen looks very complex and ambitious with Vip Bar in the middle just behind me,I could almost be in the Vip pit it's not far from where I'm standing without paying nearly a grand to drink shots and get goodies in a Vip package and sit on a stool for the duration of the show. 

 

 

There's a DJ onstage playing 'Missy Elliot','Pitbull' (yes him again), 'Flo-Rida','Usher' (I know what you're thinking.. 'You' don't like R&B you're right but I don't mind few dancy numbers, the party's started).

 

 

 

The DJ asks the crowd "Anyone here tonight celebrating a Birthday get your hands up"!! (I decline) "Anyone want to come up to the bar area who's 'Justin's biggest fan get your hands up !! drinks on us "Come on Birmingham"!! there's 3 places to give away, (later more places) DJ wanders along the walkway (I still decline). 

 

 

 

'50 cent' is blasting out and everyone here in my group of people is singing and pointing "It's Your Birthday" I'm not going in that Pit and missing the action on stage ahead of me... just as well there was a fight yep a full on physical scuffle/scrap between a man and a woman and her man ,and the show hadn't even started they were led out by security -what a waste of money.

 

 

In between the DJ a young 'Justin A-Like' called 'Bazzi' he's very much 'Justin's prodigy it turns out he's signed to 'Justin's label, he's playing on the B Stage at the back I can only see him on huge draped LCD screens projecting him performing to the crowd at what I term the back of the arena, I hope that won't happen too much with JT. 

 

 

 

After 'Bazzi' finishes the DJ comes on again to play a couple more tunes,everyone is excited for the main event knowing in minutes 'Justin' will be standing on that stage.

 

 

Around 9pm there's movement on the main stage 'Justin's band of musicians walk up to the main stage and wave, there is a full live band of musicians on Bass, Guitars, Drums, even Bongos and Trumpeters,then 'Justin's funky dancers appear both Male and Female one by one... and theres a pause as a familiar shadow appears undercover by dry ice Yes it's 'Justin ' himself, he's in a Blue denim jacket, baggy black trousers, orange trainers looking uber cool and casual. 

 

 

 

Immediately he's on the main stage with his moves and his dancers working with him kicking off with 'Filthy', he's then dancing and singing live 'Love Stoned' when he passes me on the walkway it's a low walkway he basically is right alongside us on the barrier but as quick as a flash he's off to the other end to greet the crowd on the other side ,he high fives a few and flirts with some girls, they are mainly in the corner of  the walkway and he's leading his dancers back over again but so fast he barely glimpses me.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next up my absolute fav 'Sexyback' it's a funky jazzed up version, later 'Justin' is on stage with a specially designed Keyboard/Piano, he asks us to sing along with him if we know the lyrics.. from 'Justified' it's 'Senorita' followed by 'Suit & Tie',I'm still waiting for my moment to greet 'Justin' myself he's so quick over that walkway.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

His dancers male dancer one in particular with a trilby hat on makes a grab for my hand (am I dreaming, I think), I look at him thinking WTF, I'm not getting on stage , but I relaxed to find out he kissed me on the hand and wandered off stage, well I never of course I wished it was 'Justin' ha .

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Next half more amazing dancing and 'Justin' playing an album fav from 'Future Sex Love Sounds' 'My Love' followed by 'Cry Me A River' where 'Justin' actually steps down in front of me he looks nervous as the crowd try to reach out for him, he glance's at my t-shirt didn't look too amused I guess it was a 'Madonna' t-shirt ..have they not made up yet oh dear, some of his fans reach out and manages to hold his hand I just about manage to touch his hand with all the hysteria around me . 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The one time he was in front of me with his dancer still and close up he didn't make eye contact with anyone in the crowd and he did'nt look relaxed, I forgot its not 'Manchester' the wild abandon of the crowd is not too abundant tonight, I chose not to take any close ups, chosing instead to be in the moment but he looked like a startled android. 

 

 

 

It was off to the other side again for 'Mirrors' love that song,it was then 2 songs later and a change in theme with 'Justin' a music t-shirt of 'The Cure' in  denim jeans and flowery jacket, another change of trainers lime green in colour still 'Nike's and he's with an acoustic guitar, he later goes down to the B stage to an artificial campfire scene with some session singers, and the bloke he sang with at the 'Brit's earlier this year,he covered 'Ex Factor' by 'Lauren Hill' and 'Come Together' by 'The Beatles' ...what is it this year .... 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

They performed my fav song 'What Goes Around Comes Around' again not within shot  of us at the front instead having to watch on screens again, later on when the pace pics up again 'Rock Your Body' ,he played all the songs I wanted to hear , just some were not in front of me which was a bit annoying 'Like I Love You' was in there too.

 

 

 He ended with an extended version of 'Can't Stop The Feeling', with his musicians and dancers all very friendly to the crowd as they danced their way with 'Justin' to the main stage and one final bow from the whole crew and it was over I don't recall confetti or streamers either. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

As it goes it was a great show but it lacked the charisma I expected, trying so hard to be in so many places at once and please all the people just didn't work.

I would probably see him play an intimate venue without the complex staging and overpriced Vip pits. 

 

 

 

Not quite Justified but entertaining!! 

 

 

Lmi  xo