So, did anyone (2-J?) get along to any of these gigs? I managed to get to the Southend and Wolverhampton ones. Southend was good, although the venue is a bit too big for my tastes, and I was a bit distracted by worrying about how to get back afterwards (ended up leaving 4 songs from the end, although in the context of a 26-song set, that's not so bad...)

Wolverhampton on Wednesday night was brilliant though - a relatively small venue with the band on top form playing to a totally up-for-it crowd. I can't compare them with how they were live in the 90s, as I never took the chance to see them then. But they didn't seem at all tired or going through the motions. Damon in particular seemed totally fired up, even doing a ridiculously dangerous sudden stage dive during "Advert" and getting away with it.

The setlist was interesting - I didn't expect them to play any songs from Think Tank, since it was recorded after Graham's departure, but they played a couple. It seemed a bit cheeky to have him playing songs that he had no part in, although he seemed happy throughout. And I've seen a few live videos from the 90s where he *really* looked unhappy to be on stage with the others, by contrast.

A few videos I made at Wolverhampton:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yTlswEomhE&fmt=22 <- Trimm Trabb

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X_Nmd-WJRfQ&fmt=22 <- Advert / Song 2

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RUsnqfkkyY4&fmt=22 <- The Universal (set-closer)

I'm looking forward to watching some of the Glasto set on TV this weekend hopefully

excellent quality videos there mate. You've gone pro Upgraded camera?

I was considering going to Manchester but I hate big gigs. MEN arena was built for giants

quote:

Originally posted by drykid:
Damon in particular seemed totally fired up, even doing a ridiculously dangerous sudden stage dive during "Advert" and getting away with it.

It seems that one of the fans didn't get away with it. Looks like he injured someone.

quote:

Originally posted by sgt.8:
excellent quality videos there mate. You've gone pro Upgraded camera?

Thanks! Well it's the same Sanyo I used for Crispian's solo thing in Brighton earlier in the year, but I haven't been using it that long. I've never recorded KS with it for instance, though I hope to get the chance sooner or later

As for going pro, I wish. Although I did put a video of Sweet Billy Pilgrim on youtube, and the band's management contated me on there to ask if they could have the footage for possible future use. Which is quite flattering: it's nice to think that I've actually done a band a minor favour by filming without permission.

quote:

I was considering going to Manchester but I hate big gigs. MEN arena was built for giants

Yeah, just the word "arena" is enough to put me off, to be honest. The Wolverhampton one wasn't exactly near me - I live in the London area - but it seemed like one of these occasions where band and venue combined made it worth putting up with the extra hassle. I don't regret it anyway

quote:

Originally posted by sgt.8:
It seems that one of the fans didn't get away with it. Looks like he injured someone.

Yeah I didn't notice it at the time, but someone on the Blur forum said a girl got slightly hurt during the incident. (I think it's her that Damon speaks to during the intro to Song 2.) Maybe I should take the video down before it becomes evidence in some kind of civil action heh :P

Actually it's ironic that they have all these security people to try and make sure the crowd behave themselves when in the end it's a member of the band that manages to do someone an injury. Still, I guess they can hardly throw the lead singer out mid-set...

Thanks for doing those videos dude - I was also at Wolverhampton, and Trimm Trabb was one of my personal highlight of an excellent, excellent set! I only saw them a couple of times back in the day (one pre-Graham, one post), but this was easily the best of the three. I was surprised at how much they played, but it flew by. I was so happy to hear Chemical World too, and closing on the Universal was magical. Amazing. I'm glad that Nick got up so early to queue on my behalf...

I really like the Civic and Wulfrun Halls though, the sound is great...particularly compared the Birmingham equivalents, which are frankly dismal. Did you come to the Kula Shaker gig at the Wulfrun? That was great too. I think the only gig I haven't enjoyed in Wolves was Dirty Pretty Things, and that was because they were shit.

quote:

Originally posted by Exodia:
Thanks for doing those videos dude - I was also at Wolverhampton, and Trimm Trabb was one of my personal highlight of an excellent, excellent set! I only saw them a couple of times back in the day (one pre-Graham, one post), but this was easily the best of the three. I was surprised at how much they played, but it flew by. I was so happy to hear Chemical World too, and closing on the Universal was magical. Amazing. I'm glad that Nick got up so early to queue on my behalf...

Cool, it's interesting to hear the viewpoint of someone who's seen them pre-split. I mean, I've seen plenty of old live footage of them, but somehow it's not fair to compare that with an actual live experience.

I put a video of Chemcial World (well, actually Oily Water and Chemical World together) on youtube also. I just didn't link to it above as three songs was more than enough to give a general idea.

quote:

I really like the Civic and Wulfrun Halls though, the sound is great...particularly compared the Birmingham equivalents, which are frankly dismal. Did you come to the Kula Shaker gig at the Wulfrun? That was great too. I think the only gig I haven't enjoyed in Wolves was Dirty Pretty Things, and that was because they were shit.

Hah I like Dirty Pretty Things, although they don't compare with The Libertines (though nothing much could as far as I'm concerned.) I didn't see KS at Wulfrun Hall; the only band I've ever seen there were The Divine Comedy, and that was a few years back. (I seem to remember enjoying the gig though.)