BLOG Tuesday 11th November - Manchester Assemble in hotel reception 11.45 am, walk to Leeds train station (just around the corner) and train to Manchester. Just another day at the office. Hotel in Manchester is the MacDonald Townhouse. I have a suite - very nice. Doze off for an hour and its off to the Apollo. We frst played the Manchester Apollo in 1978 when we were supporting The Clash. It was mayhem. Seats were ripped up and hurled into the orchestra pit. We played there again on the 2-Tone Tour in 1979; that was mayhem too - more interior destruction. Somehow the venue got the message and took all the seats out downstairs - weve played there on every UK tour weve done since our reformation in 2009 and I still get lost backstage. Its the largest single venue on this trip, 3,500 capacity. A large stage with a lip that kinda separates us from the audience. We spend a bit of time in sound check working on Its up to you which, for some reason, hasnt quite gelled yet. Weve moved it up the set a bit too. Support from The Tones and the Sleafords and before you know it ... showtime. The set has developed its own pace now - starting with the majestic Ghost Town - the full 11 piece band version is stunning. Then gradually picking up speed with the punk rock last 15 minutes. Its always good to see people up the back of the balcony dancing away. Yes, you might have guessed - an absolute stormer of a show! Its up to you sounds great. Moving it was a good decision. Terry is very funny: O.K. were now going to play Spot the Retail Outfit ... Primark, TKMaxx, George at Asda .... I must confess to feeling tired around halfway through; the big stage and the third show in a row, but adrenaline comes to the rescue (doesnt it always) and I get the energy from somewhere to power through the show. What a buzz! Lots of mingling upstairs afterwards, hob-nobbing it with Roses (Stone), Carpets (Inspiral) and lots of other great and good Manchester types. A lot of people commented on how good the sound was. Take a bow Marcos......
Posted on: Wed, 12 Nov 2014 15:08:34 +0000
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