Gig List (Part 3 - the 2010 - 2015)

After speaking to my cousin (who isn't my cousin but is related in some way and I cannot be asked to work out the exact correct link) was discussing Iron Maiden concerts and some Stranglers concerts as well I thought this again would be a good space to put down another list. Gig's so from the old grey matter I put together a list of bands that I remember seeing, then patched together dates and venues to complete the list below. Now somewhere I have some reviews I've typed up for a few of those and will see if I can dig any of them out and include them under the gig list below. I am sure many of you have been to more gigs and to be honest I know I have too as there are definitely more Stranglers gigs that I've been too that I have listed here but cannot find a reference point for them so happy to take advice if anyone was with me and I have dates and information incorrect. For example for years I have said that my first Maiden concert was in 1992 and it wasn't it was in 1993!! So what do I know? Very little it appears. Anyway there are some great memories here and I will try and share some when they come back to me. As for this list, it is a work in progress - Enjoy!!

Sonisphere - Iron Maiden - 1st August 2010

Knebworth, Stevenage

Slayer, Madina Lake, The Cult, Bring Me the Horizon, Dir En Gray, The Fab Beatles, Cky, Rollins Spoken Word, Sean Hughes, Jarred Christmas, Jim Jeffries, Brian Posein,

The car park!!

It was the summer of 2010 and the beginning of a beautiful sunny day which began with a detour to visit a couple of friends who started the day of well with a quick hello and enjoy yourselves before heading back to the A1(M) and Knebworth. It was here at the setting of Knebworth that the Heavy Metal Festival called Sonisphere, was called to order. Driving there and finding a parking space miles away from the entrance which was annoying, but little did I know would come into a major benefit later in the day. The festival was very well organised in certain ways in that they have two main stages and the acts flip-flop between the two. This meant that you simply walked from one to the other and the wait time between the acts were so much shorter than certain other festivals. That said there was plenty of other stuff going on and the massive site did me in as it was a hell of a lot of walking followed by moshing then more walking and repeat. The stages were all named after space type themes and I did take loads of photos which are all over certain social media sites. For me to remember the day I must look up the stages as we began with a walk from one end of the site all the way to the other end just to get to the day entrance. I was pretty much parked behind the main stage and the entrance was at the farthest point from. I had the day planned with bands I had to see with some, we will have a look and then Iron Maiden to conclude the day. The plan was Henry Rollins Spoken Word, (11am), Slayer (3pm), Funeral For A Friend (8pm) and Iron Maiden (8.40pm). Frustratingly many other bands I like were on the day before! D’Oh!

a very blurry image of Henry Rollins

I am in... so the ticket worked so I head straight to the tent to hear Rollins Spoken Words which I wasn’t sure what to expect. I didn’t know if it was just Henry Talking, or a new band called Spoken Words. Well, it was the former with Henry telling stories of meeting dictators of the far east. Being the opening act for an Iron Maiden gig and various other anecdotes. All were very entertaining and if you get chance to catch them listen out for them. Leaving the Bohemia tent, I stepped out into the midday sun and straight into one of the smaller stages. The beer tent basically or officially called the Strongbow Bowtime Bar where I caught a track or two from a band called Firebug which seemed generic but palatable.

Madina Lake

From there I headed past the booze (I was driving there and back today!) and went towards the second stage. This was called the Saturn Stage with Apollo being the main stage. (not that you could tell much difference in terms of size. On the Saturn stage I caught some of CKY’s set which wasn’t too bad although not really my type of thing. They were ok (don’t get me wrong) but I would not have picked them for the day shall we say. Passing by the second stage I headed for the main stage to join Madina Lake who were a band I had mistaken with another and had no idea who they were. They opened with Never Take Us Alive with its fast tempo to get everyone going at nearly half past noon. They moved on to a steadier pace with House of Cards, rapidly followed by Adalia. Here I Stand was up next and One Last Kiss before the penultimate track of Let’s Get Outta Here. Rounding out their set with a shouty number of True Love. They were all done and had been entertaining enough to keep me at the stage and not wander off.

With the day feeling like it was about to ramp up the sun high in the sky and food now on my mind. A stage or a food van was the decision. Fish and Chips won out but I managed to sit by the stage manager cage and watch the main stage where The Fab Beatles were finishing their set. On the Saturn Stage the tribute band played many of the classic Beatles tracks. I remember the fish & chips van owner saying finally they are playing something on stage that I know! To be honest they really did get everyone around singing along with the iconic tracks such as A Hard Day’s Night, Ticket to Ride, Love Me Do, and St Pepper. They impressed me by getting everyone that I could see to join in with their final track of Hey Jude which they subtly changed halfway through to conclude the song of Iron Maiden’s Run to the Hills. I top my hat to you. Well done.

The park

I probably should have enjoyed them first and then gone for food as there was a lull in the entertainment for me as I didn’t bother with the Apollo stage act of Skindred. Which I may have regretted in the future but I was simply not up for it. It was around 2.30pm that I checked the stage times photos on my phone and was thinking about going back to the Bohemia Tent where there were some comedians due to take to the stage. Before getting there, I managed to head back to the Saturn Stage to catch a few moments of Dir en Grey and one word assessment would be “weird!” I remember the lead singer almost curled into a ball screeching something I honestly could understand if there were any words there. I know they were Japanese, and I have no issue with people singing in their own language but the section that I caught them he was not singing he was just making noises. Which simply kept me walking on by from other stuff I’ve heard they are not too bad. Very heavy and dark but all to their own give them a try and make up your own mind. My 30 seconds of action isn’t really a fair judgement for them. I had somewhere else to be around that time.

Namely the Apollo stage where suddenly the weather changed, and the skies darkened and storm clouds formed. See below:

The gathering storm clouds

I was at the main stage front and centre as the mighty Slayer walked onto the stage. The slow and eery intro to South of Heaven began and as it grew so did my excitement. Slayer live a mere few feet in front of me, this was why I paid the money to be here! For these Californians to almost blow me away literally and the four horseman of the apocalypse pretty much did that. The original four Tom Araya, Kerry King, Jeff Hanneman, and Dave Lombardo all back together just for me, it would appear. Following the opening track with World Painted Blood which was played at three hundred miles an hour. Where could they possibly go next?

Slayer in full speed

The answer was Hate Worldwide. Following that was the screamed announcement of the next guitar racing and tub bashing track of War Ensemble. It was time to change speed and slow things down and for those that know I am joking as these boys don’t slow down. Jihad was next followed by a slower intro track of Dead Skin Mask. They finished with three classics which literally blew my mind and at some point, in the middle of one of those three songs my ankle went left whilst the rest of me went right. I honestly didn’t care I was in the pit as Slayer were screaming at me. Beginning the end with the all-time classic Raining Blood. They followed that at speed with Mandatory Suicide before the conclusion of the set. Without stopping for breath they raced into their final track of Angel of Death. This was my last chance to waved goodbye to them as they finished not only this set but with the last time, I was going to get to see them live and the original four members. They are now retired, and this did turn out to be the final goodbye from them to me. I may shed a tear in later years as not being able to see Slayer enough, but I can take some crumbs of comfort to know that I saw them in their pomp. Today at Sonisphere and for the act that they were in the world at the time they had a mere 45 minutes on the stage for a festival such as this was a poor show. Even Tom made a comment of being here for such a short time which was royally booed by the enthusiastic crowd. On just after 3pm they were all done well before 4pm and the rain held off. My ankle on the other hand didn’t fare so well. I missed their goodbye tour and their final UK appearance at the Download Festival which I was gutted about. They were a band that moved me from run of the mill rock to discovering a whole new world of metal. They could play at 3,000 miles-an-hour and do it again and again to perfection. They will be missed by me in particular but their influence will continue with so many new bands coming through to this day. I will raise a beer to thee and thank them for all that they brought to this planet. Thank you!

Oh! Smurfs!

From there I headed over to the Bohemia tent where Jarred Christmas introduced a host of comedians. He was very funny himself and then there was Brian Posehn. Who was very funny but came across as very nervous. He bitched about W.A.S.P. who I used to like but they still made me laugh. If I thought, he was funny talking about metal and rock then Never Mind the Buzzcocks captain Sean Hughes take to the stage. He stole the show, so funny and off the script he just went with whatever kept the crowd happy and boy did he milk it. They were flashing lights and ultimately dragged him off the stage so they could get the next act on. The next act was the controversial Jim Jeffries with his close to the mark humour which made me fully laugh out loud many times. I do like him and find him funny, but I fully appreciate that he is not to everyone’s taste. The comedy was finished off with the host Jarred Christmas finishing off the jokes before heading back to the metal.

There were a few other people there

Heading back out into the English Summer, the standing around had not helped the legs recover from Slayer and it felt like a good time to find somewhere to go and sit. Maybe eat or more importantly have a drink. More chips no doubt (I can’t be sure of that) but I sat near the vendor van where some girl decided it was a good time to kick the crap out of me. If I wasn’t completely done by then I may of said something but I was not in the mood to argue so you enjoy getting your boot in honey. I will head for the Apollo stage to see what fuss is about with Pendulum after catching some of The Cult on the Saturn stage first. If you have read my review of Sisters Of Mercy, then The Cult is the band I thought I was going to see when it was in fact the Sisters. She Sells Sanctuary sounds so much better by The Cult anyway. I did really get to hear them sing this track live, just so I can tick it off my list. Job done.

British Metal - That's my translation

So, here is the chance to see what’s this Pendulum on the main stage at Sonisphere what all the fuss about is then. Huh!! They are playing dance music and some kind of an electric light show! I took in about half of the first song surrounded by ravers and said noooo thank you and headed for the safety of the Bohemia Tent again. Slayer was on at 3pm these started at 6.30pm and the next act on that stage was Iron Maiden. That is all I am saying.

Toilet facilities were great

Under the safety of the big blue tent at exactly (well I think) 8pm after sitting around outside and anywhere I was safe from girly size 7 DM boots to the guts. I allowed my ankles to try and fuse themselves back together. Funeral For A Friend took to the stage. This is a band I like and wanted to see more of them than the days’ timetable would allow. They opened with Roses for the Dead which was a great way to start for me particularly as they followed it with the melodic Juneau. They kept it nice and calm with the next track of Into Oblivion. Returning to my favourite album of theirs they hit me with the track Storytelling and then a lesser track for me with Wrench. Sadly, for me I was heading for the exit of the tent to elbow my place at the front of the main stage as they played my last song of She Drove Me to Daytime Television. Which is another one I like so it was a good way to wave goodbye to them. Again, another band I would never see again and unless they reform I won’t be seeing again. This makes me sad. They finished their set with All the Rage, Streetcar, The Art of American Football, before finishing with one of their favourite tracks of Escape Artists Never Die.

Before Maiden there is appears to be a rule that there is a plastic bottle fight left side v right ride. Apologies for the language records but this was tame in comparison to Download Festival years back when it got darker with the number of bottles blocking the sun.

The bottle fight (WARNING of swearing on this vid)

By then I was at Apollo stage waiting for the greatest band in the world to blow me away yet again. This time without friends just me and a few thousand other metal heads ready to sing-along with Bruce in a field in Stevenage. As the sounds of Doctor Doctor slowly die away, they roar onto the stage with the racing The Wicker Man. Before you could take a breathe, they were into Ghost of the Navigator.

Recorded on a bad old phone (just warning you!) - Wrathchild Live

Going back into their history books next up was Wrathchild which they flipped with the new single (not one of my favourites) El Dorado. Next up was the epic track from the album of the same name of Dance of Death. Another meh track for me was next with The Reincarnation of Benjamin Breeg. When I say Meh to any other band that would be rubbish but to Maiden meh is better than some bands have every made. Coming back to the new stuff they played a track I loved live in These Colours Don't Run. The next song of Blood Brothers, Bruce dedicated to Ronnie James Dio - with all due respects paid. Speeding things up they raced into not just Wildest Dreams but followed it with No More Lies. Darkness had descended long before they raged out Brave New World. The darkness was a fitting scenery for Fear of the Dark before the inevitable conclusion of the gig with the countless classic Iron Maiden. If I’ve said it once I’ve said it many, many times on here they are the best live band I have ever seen and will probably ever. You have missed them if you haven’t seen them live, they are simply awesome.

The best of a very blurry batch of Maiden Pics

They returned to the stage with their typical three track encore flying into the scary and spooky The Number of the Beast. Then the haunting and melancholy Hallowed Be Thy Name finishing the whole festival with the Long Beach Arena classic Running Free. The gig and the festival was done and now was the fight to get home. This was to prove to not be as bad as I feared. After the moaning coming in the gates opened to the side and I was in the car and on the A1(M) in no time and home before 1am. Seeing as Maiden were still on stage at quarter to eleven that was surprisingly good going. Another great day was completed, and another Maiden gig ticked off the list. Damn they are good.

Iron Maiden - 5th August 2011

O2 Arena, London

Dragonforce

Eddie was ready for the gig

Well, who would of funk it another Iron Maiden gig to review and this time at a new venue for me. Having never been to the O2 arena before here we were me and some good friends heading towards a part of London I used to call home to see the big dome with a concert hall in the middle of it all. It was very impressive with a village contained within it and a photo/museum type thing for all things Maiden contained in one of the other halls. For tonight though we were here for the Maiden and as ever they were never going to let us down now were they.

Dragonforce (they were not as blurry in real life)

Opening for ‘The Maiden’ tonight was Dragonforce a band I liked but never really listened to in great detailed. It was all dragons, knights, castles, and maidens. They took to the stage and I was shocked to see a new lead singer and then a little disappointed as it wasn’t what I was hoping for. They had gone through the motions opening with Heroes of Our Time followed by Operation Ground and Pound. They were quickly into the middle of set with Cry Thunder. Just the two tracks left with the number of epic guitar solo’s that might explain where their time went. Not that they were bad, but they played five tracks for their entire set finishing with Fury of the Storm and Through the Fire and Flames. That was it they were done and onto the main event!

The wait for Maiden...

Opening to the epically long introduction of Satellite 15... The Final Frontier.

Finally we are alive and cooking!

They played that El Dorado tune again. Still not one of my favourites. You know at an Iron Maiden gig that it won’t be long before some classic tracks are rolled out well in this case they played some truly epics. Many great tunes as well as many of my favourites as well. Starting with the football chant of 2 Minutes to Midnight. Then came The Talisman the highly Bruce influenced Coming Home was next with the imagery of a palm covering continents is just a beautiful track. They ruined the beauty with the epic Dance of Death. The crowd was roused with the sing-along galloping tune of The Trooper.

The view from the pit

They returned to the previous tour’s opener of The Wicker Man. The haunting Blood Brothers and even more melancholy When the Wild Wind Blows.

[Poor Quality sound] - When the Wild Winds Blow

Building to the conclusion they hit us with the triple epic of The Evil That Men Do, the downright scary Fear of the Dark and the rampant rapid tune of Iron Maiden. Who is going to get ya? Iron Maiden is going to get all of ya!!

I think he spotted me...

and now he's mad!

Worried about catching the train home we managed the entire encore before running for the train. The encore consisted of classics of The Number of the Beast.

Satan appearing on stage for that one.

[Poor Sound] - Six, Six, Six! The Number of the Beast!

Them eyes!

Hallowed Be Thy Name, and Running Free.

Intro's to Hallowed Be Thy Name [Yes bad sound as always]

Bruce and Janick stopping for a chat.

and that was it for another great show!

[Poor Sound] I'm Running Free Yeah I'm Running Free!!!

Another great gig and another case of when will I get to see them again? Only time will tell.

Erasure - 3rd November 2011

Hexagon, Reading

Frankmusik

We went to this gig driven by my big sis and attended with my cousin. Who all grew up as Erasure fans this was a birthday present to my sister who over many years got me to appreciate Erasure’s music. The journey there was a horrid one as there was an accident from my house on the dual carriage way to Reading. I now know an alternative route and we could have got there much quicker but we cut it fine and managed a drink before darting in to see the support band of FrankMusik who played a couple of his own tracks before covering some eighties stuff as well. What those songs were I cannot remember as I was not really given them a chance despite them being surprisingly good and he didn’t speak all the way through he got his introductions over early opened with No Bueno and went on from there. They were pretty good in fairness, but I just wasn’t that interested. Beer and being in the vast minority of heterosexual males in the building was taking time to adjust to. Possibly more to do with the guys next to me who were enjoying each other’s just as much as the music being performed on the stage. They were having fun and that’s the main thing isn’t it.

Onto the main event Erasure entered the stage and if I am honest, I wasn’t sure what to expect they were promoting a new album so they could of easily of ignored the old stuff and left me in the dark but they did not leave me behind. Playing a heaped load of tracks from all areas of their cannon. Not ignoring the new they in fact opened with a track I didn’t know called Sono Luminus which wasn’t bad I have to admit. Andy Bell entering the stage with a Roman Centurion helmet with the brush running across the middle of his head. The Helmet was gone long before the start of the following song as they went back to some older stuff with 1994’s Always. I loved this track, so I was now into the gig and ready for a good night. Just to irritate me they returned to the current album with a track called When I Start To (Break It All Down). It began with Andy removing more clothes as his red sparkly jacket was gone to reveal the black vest within. This new track was clearly liked by the majority of the obviously more clued audience then me. Following this with another classic I started to see the pattern of old and new and old and new. Another loved tune was belted out with a much loved track from my old household with the beautiful track of Blue Savannah. This was followed by another track from the new album thus the up and down of my interest continued. This track was Fill Us With Fire which gave me time to check out the rest of the set and watch Vincent Clark play from behind the keyboards almost hidden at the back of the stage. His red sparkly suit jacket still on and shining. The two elegant ladies backing Andy wearing black feathery headdresses with black dress but with a red sparkly (I would call it a) red external corsets. They choreographed dances in between joining in the singing with Andy. They moved on to another classic to return my interest to the songs with 1992’s Breath of Life. When researching the year this song was released it has opened my eyes to just how old I am and long I have burnt the flame for this group. Another classic followed with Drama! Which was originally released way back in 1989 and I remember watching the video on a kids show called Ghost Train on ITV on a Saturday morning. I loved them in the alleyway filling up with rubbish and having to climb out to be able to keep singing. OK I’ll just say it I AM OLD!!! Back to the current ‘Tomorrow World album with the racer track of Be With You. They slowed things back down with Ship of Fools which was released back in 1988. I love this track and it was hard not to sing-along with Andy. I could see why Andy would strip off as he was sweating like he’d just taken a shower mid gig.

The Ballard was quickly followed by the much faster track from their fifth album (1992 if you are counting) Chorus. Another well-loved song by me what with the fishes in the sea are going to sleep, must be good doesn’t it. It was after Chorus that he was cut of his waistcoat by Vincent and then tried to get a T-Shirt held together with safety clips. He failed and ripped it off much to the delight of most of the crowd. He was quickly covered up with another version of a similar shirt with safety pins completed the look drawing boos who wanted Andy to sing a caveman song. From there it was classic followed by a classic from 1994 (that’s from their 11th Album by the way!!) Breathe, a mid-tempo track which led neatly onto a true classic loved by all Erasure fans – namely Victim of Love. Second album from 1987. An acoustic track followed with Alien with the boys sitting at the front of the stage. I was reminded of dancing on the water filled catwalk as they sped things up again with the racier track of Love to Hate You. Current album returned with I Lose Myself and A Whole Lotta Love Run Riot. Which concluded the tracks from the album as they raced to a conclusion with three classics from 1988, 1986, and 1988 respectfully. I do not need to say that I love every track from here to the end of the gig (including the encore which always must happen. Kicking off with Chains of Love which got the whole placing up and dancing and even I managed a feeble attempt at the ‘D’ word. Which continued with the sublime Sometimes which brought the place to a crescendo ahead of the greatness of a conclusion of A Little Respect.

That was it I could tick off something from the bucket list which I never thought would happen. I’d seen them live and they still very much have it. Would I recommend them? Damn right!! You’d love it and the audience will provide you with sights you may have never seen before!! Oh, there was an encore all kicking off with the slow introduction to the dance classic of Oh l'amour recorded in 1985. If that wasn’t fast enough, they closed the whole gig down with Stop! Another great one to finish a great night off. It was a great night, and I am fully aware how this gig fits into the list of metal gig followed by metal gig but my taste is what my taste is and I loved this trip down memory lane remembering some great times when I was a kid. Many of these tracks I would have been a 12-year-old singing along with these and it was great escape from real life and just loved it. It was a great gig at a new venue down the road from home. It was all good and I don’t care what you think! Just look at the next gig!!

The Darkness - 7th March 2013

Hammersmith Apollo, London

Ginger Wildheart

I went to this gig with Matt a very friendly neighbour who has a remarkably similar taste in music as myself but not in exact alignment but it’s pretty close. This was also where I met a friend of his called Phil who woke me up about the quality of AC/DC which I had dismissed previously as I had pigeonholed them and not really giving them a fair crack but speaking to Phil made me check them out and I have to admit he helped me change my mind. They then went on tour and I was keen to see them but then they chose to have Axl Rose be the front man replacing Brian Johnson who was having some hearing problems. Which put me off completely. I like Axl’s stuff and many of Guns’n’Roses tracks also but I just don’t like him and as such I don’t want to give him any more of my cash than he has already had. Thanks. That was a poor introduction, wasn’t it?

After a puncture on the way there we all piled into Phil’s car and he tells us that he couldn’t remember the support act, but he and the rest of the car were not that bothered about seeing them. I remember thinking at the time I bet I would of actually heard of them for a change. We arrive and I did! Ginger Wildhearts who I remember in the Wildhearts incarnation. They had opened with Swimwear whilst I was on my third of fourth pint. We were still propping up the bar when they moved onto It Appears That the Party Is Over and Feral Days. At this stage I was keen to check them out so was going to poke my head into the hall to see what was going on whilst they were singing Lock for Rock. I missed How I Survived the Punk Wars, but I got to see them finish of Taste Aversion. Sitting for the first time in many a gig I was struggling to find my seat as they sang Brain Sugar. But I managed to catch the final three tracks of their set they finished with Over Easy, The Queen of Leaving, and completing their set with Do the Channel Bop. I have to say the small sample I had of them was enough to make me realise they were rather good. Would I have been a great fan of theirs (his) for year after year perhaps not but if you got chance, I would definitely suggest giving them a few minutes of your time. They are good!

Onto the main act and it was a strange one for me as I liked the band and a few of their tracks but when it came to an intense gig, I realised that I don’t know that many of their songs. Meaning I felt a bit out of my depth with many of this show with the odd tune sparking in my brain, but I remember spending most of the gig just sitting back and watching the show. The Darkness opened with a tune I knew (Good start!) which was Every Inch of You which they quickly followed with Black Shuck which I didn’t know that well. Next up was the appropriately named Growing on Me as the gig definitely did. They are a likeable band and on stage they simply have a presence which made me warm to them.

They moved onto She’s Just a Girl, Eddie, and the generic rock track of One Way Ticket which came across well. The intense of the live show was sped up with the racer tune of Nothin's Gonna Stop Us which raced along followed by the rockier Get Your Hands Off My Woman which had lead singer Justin Hawkins singing in a key so high that I couldn’t understand a word he was singing.

Slowing things down with Love Is Only a Feeling which eased into Friday Night. They then cranked it back up again with Concrete and How Dare You Call This Love?, Givin' Up and Stuck in a Rut.

Finally, a tune I knew well as they headed to the conclusion of the gig. I Believe in a Thing Called Love and another just to keep me happy as they belted out The Best of Me. The big finish was a cover of the Radiohead track Street Spirit which was performed at a pace and truly got the place rocking before signing off with Love on the Rocks With No Ice and no encore that I remember.

I must conclude this review by saying that I have not added a lot of flavour to this gig, but they demand attention when they are on stage and they are very good live. I was pleasantly surprised as I wasn’t sure what to expect. In particular, Justin as a front man is fantastic at commanding the stage. Even when moaning to fans who threw beer on the stage and he said I spent a long time get away from alcohol only to have your drink covering me with its smell. He didn’t appreciate it. He also wore truly little and was carried around on the shoulders of other members of the band. There was lots of personality up there and I know that if I knew some of their songs better I would have appreciated the whole gig so much more than I did for a first time. They were so much more than a gimmick band and if you have a chance to see them live then give it a go you won’t be disappointed.

OMD - 3rd May 2013

The Roundhouse, London

John Foxx and The Maths

Another gig with Matt from down the road (a bit) and another show where I was sure I knew none of the songs I was going to hear later in the evening. I loved a few of OMD’s tracks from years ago, but I have not followed the career of this band so at best I was hoping to know a couple of tracks. Matt kindly played their new album whilst on the drive there and it was damn good as well. He explained that the support was John Foxx who had a hit years ago called Underpass. Which he finished his set with. My memory of John Foxx and the Maths were two people stood behind keyboards singing some pretty good tunes at this. He covered many of his older tracks but opened with Evidence a new one. Then an older one of his called He's a Liquid. The flip flop of old to new continued with Evergreen followed by No-One Driving. They finished with a flourish of Summerland and The Running Man. Flipped back to the classics with Catwalk and concluded with his big hit of Underpass.

So full of this is going to pass me by we waited close to the stage for the boys to take the stage opening with Metroland [Sound Quality is Poor - Link to - YouTube or Alternatively better Sound but blurry pictures - Second version of the same song via YouTube ] the second track from their current album. Which was the tour we were seeing them on. It was the perfect electro-pop tune to open the show. The album was their twelfth and just to give you an idea how much effort they put into tonight’s gig they played they played 22 tracks in total and they quickly went way back to 1980 for the next tune Messages and I went hey I didn’t know they song this one I remember this. Yes!! a great track and to perfection when live. 1 for 2 wasn’t a bad start. Following with Tesla Girls from 1984 and another I remembered this one got me bopping but I will deny that in a court of law. (2 from 3- hey this is better than I thought). They went back to the current album with a tune called Dresden [Link to - YouTube] which is a good tune very middle of the road for me but still a worthy track. They went to 2010 with History of Modern (Part 1) [ Link to - YouTube ] which just so happened to be an album I brought to see if I could learn some of the tracks, they perform it to perfection so it paid off! Another oldy followed with (Forever) Live and Die which I knew but (shh) I didn’t really like that much but there you go you can have everything now can you?

Next was If You Leave from their 1986 album another great track that got me bopping again a truly catchy tune from a past era. Which they mixed in with another new track Night Café which was a great one and was just as good as any of their classics. I enjoyed. They then played three classics two of which with the same name. Kicking off the trio was Souvenir where Andy McCluskey stepped behind the keyboards to allow Paul Humphreys to sing. Although he forgets to set the keyboard for Andy who called him names for setting the trap. They then sang the original Joan of Arc (1981) followed by the other Joan of Arc the Maid of Orleans version, personally I prefer the 1982 (Maid of Orleans) version, but both are excellent tunes and you should check them out if you haven’t.

If you haven’t been counting, we are just at the halfway point right now and I was surprisingly loving all of this. What a fantastic gig to catch so unexpectedly.

They did a bit of a flip flop with two from the current English Electric album sandwiching another classic from the mid-eighties. Kicking the sandwich off was Our System which was another solid track before Talking Loud and Clear and returning with Atomic Ranch. After playing another track from the current album Kissing the Machine, Andy pointed out how many new songs they will be playing tonight and how much he loved how well they were received and another reason why they will continue to produce more new stuff and look to come back on tour as much as possible as they had missed it and desperate to return.

As we moved towards the fantastic conclusion of this surprising night they dug into the archives and pulled out some well-loved tracks of mine that some I never even realised it was these guys. Starting this memory trip was So in Love which was a 1985 hit for OMD. It was another one they I forgotten until the chorus kicked in and I stood there going oh they sung this one as well. Moving back to the 2010 album of History of Modern they sung Sister Marie which has more of an upbeat dance feel about a tune that may not deserve it. They played an absolute classic next with Locomotion which I loved back in eighty-four when it was released. With its Caribbean feel with steel drums and if you remember the lyrics of Crossing every ocean for the sake of locomotion. I for it was not going to happen but they then played one of my personal favourites and I remember watching Sailing on the Seven Seas with my (then) girlfriend in 1991 on Top of the Pops. Which even prompted me to part with cash and buy it as a single which rarely happened back in my penny less days. The show finished with the only track that they possible could and if you know OMD then you could easily guess it!! They finish with Enola Gay [ Link to section of the track via YouTube ] of course with its upbeat tune despite being about a subject that may provoke some other thoughts. The end of a fantastic night, a great band lots of great songs that I had forgotten that I loved and great company. What more could I ask for.

An encore! Well, I got one with the video screens playing some videos kids marching which confused me as they returned to the stage with the 1996 track of Walking on the Milky Way [Link to - YouTube ]. An uplifting track with plenty of Hey, Hey, for the crowd to join in with. I cannot think of a better word to describe as I keep using fantastic, but this was a great way to come back to the stage and get everyone back involved ready for the finale. A finale that was their original single released back in 1979 when I was still in single figures and a track that brought it all back as I (again) didn’t realise that I knew it but also loved it and was a great one. The track was Electricity [Link to - YouTube] and just writing it here will prompt me to put it on YouTube straight away as it’s a great track and I deserve to listen to it again. Paul’s keyboard and electro pop bouncing along with Andy’s Bass if just another fantastic track and again if you haven’t heard it, let me know when you landed on our planet and what other delights have evaded you since.

A surprisingly great night, one that pushed me to go again but from the Roundhouse they booked a much bigger venue for the return to the capital and I for one could not afford the triple in price although I am sure those they could and attended had a fantastic night also. They are great live and another surprising band that I cannot recommend highly enough.

Download Festival - Iron Maiden - 15th June 2013

Donington Park, Derbyshire

Queen of the Stone Age, Motorhead, Black Star Riders, Walking Papers, Nekrogoblikon, UFO,

In June 2013 I decided that it would be a good idea to write reviews of gigs that I went to so I would be able to read them and remember how they were to me. I have managed to pull out one such personal review and here it is below just for you lucky people.

Unusually for a trip to Donington for a Heavy Metal dream day I was not driving on the way there! I did however agree to do the home leg, this was a tactical decision to help the no-alcohol in preparation for the 100km walk the weekend after, but I digress before I’ve even began! Well the day did not start so well. Having talked the driver into missing the correct junction we still managed to arrive in plenty of time. We took a gentle stroll around to the entrance a good half hour before the first band (UFO) was due on a band that I was looking forward to. So we got there and then were sent to the back of the queue and had to walk for a further 10 minutes to reach the end. Over the next 30 minutes we queued to get back to the entrance that we were at 30 minutes before!!

After the rather affectionate body search we were finally ‘IN’ and heading straight to the main stage to catch UFO! Well by the time we got there we had already missed Lights Out, Wonderland, Burn Your House Down and the first part of Love to Love. Luckily for us they followed the end of Love to Love with two cracking classic tracks. My first smile within the festival walls came with the intro’s of Rock Bottom. The stresses of just getting through the door were washed away with the truly great Doctor Doctor [ Here is the end of Rock Bottom and intro to Doctor Doctor via You Tube]. I could of walked away happy there and then but thought it might be worth hanging around to see who else might be worth a goosy.

We hung around for a bit until Young Guns headed to the stage we both knew nothing of them and there was a reason as they were not really our thing so headed off for a wonder to sample the shops and possibly the beer tent as well (YES THAT EARLY!. Technically the first beer went down at 12.01pm so it was at least the afternoon. After wandering around the shops we were wondering past the encore stage when we spied the backdrop for Hardcore Superstar and based on the name alone I didn’t hold out much hope of being entertained here. When they took to the stage and said they were from Sweden I suddenly forgave them for the band name (not that I had any right too!) and then waited to see what they were like. They opened to Moonshine from the Split Your Lip album which I was convinced I’d heard before and was a cover of some description (but what do I know). Being suitably rocky they held our interest as they moved onto Bag On Your Head which was equally good. They then belted out the anthem-est Last Call For Alcohol [ Here's a You Tube view from the mud] which really got us rocking. Our affection for them grew as equally as the dark storm clouds that slowly drifty above us. And as the heavens opened like a cut water balloon they sang Dreamin’ In A Casket & Above The Law luckily for us the rain had eased by the time they closed their set with We Don’t Celebrate Sunday’s which got everyone singing along (well nearly everyone!). After the pleasant surprise of Hardcore Superstar I followed my Hard Rocking Amigo over to the main stage to wait for BSR.

Personally I was not entirely sure what to expect from the Black Star Riders but I got them within seconds of them belting out the opening All Hell Breaks Loose track. If I thought that was good they then went back old school with Jailbreak and I was hooked. They then played Bloodshot, Hey Judas, Rosalie(cover) & Kingdom Of The Lost. As I burst with pleasure the sky burst with a thunderous rainstorm for the entire duration of Whiskey In the Jar [ I am guessing DI'd guess this was around 3pm see how dark it was], but no-one cared as the classic tune was received by an appreciative crowd (well some did as it was hammering it down). They followed that with Bound For Glory [ Here is a You Tube recorded from the mud and rain ] before closing the set down with the evergreen The Boys Are Back In Town [ Here is a link when the rain had stopped briefly]. I later discovered that the singer who’s voice I vaguely recollected from growing up was in fact THE Ricky Warwick of ‘The Almighty’ who later brought me back many a memory.. to conclude all I can say is if you get chance to see them then take it! Great!

From great classics we headed for the Pepsi Max tent more for cover than who was on as we didn’t have a clue! Nekrogoblikon [Here is someone elses recording of them] were rocking and there was no space for us in there so we were forced to wait patiently outside to hear the muffled sounds of Prince Of The Land Of Stench. The crowd seemed to approve as they belted out Powercore even though I couldn’t make out what was going on. The on-stage Goblin seemed to be having fun along with the crowd as they closed their set with No One Survives [Linked here ] s which I managed to hear and I have to say wasn’t bad!

Having fought our ways into the tent we waited for the next band. No Matter who it was we were staying in the dry!! I had my concerns as Walking Papers took to the stage. Pleasantly surprised as they were pretty bloody good The Whole World’s Watching , Red Letters and Your Secret’s Safe With Me stick in my mind. Duff McKagan of G’n’R fame joined the band a year after they formed and to be completely honest they were one of the tightest bands of the day! So wouldn’t mind seeing them again.

Leaving the relative safety of the tent we faced the weather without a real plan as we had little or no interest in Mastodon or Alice In Chains we headed off in search of the Maiden Beer ‘The Trooper’ we finally found it after some more beer and some lunch but the queue was too big to be bothered with! So we turn tail and headed over to the encore stage to watch the opening of numbers of Lit. We got through Four and headed off before the end of Lipstick And Bruises they weren’t bad but just weren’t my thing. So we headed to the mainstage to prepare for Motorhead.

Moving steadily to the front of the crowd to wait for Motorhead to take to stage and months of waiting finally came to an end for me!! With fingers tightly crossed hoping they would play I Know How To Die they actually opened with it!! If that didn’t get you moving they moved straight into Damage Case which was quickly followed with Stay Clean. With the more musical Metropolis [Another link for you to Metropolis] to follow they moved on with Over the Top. Bit of a break for Lemmy as they had a guitar solo which was an elaborate intro for The Chase Is Better Than The Catch. They stopped for a chat before belting out Rock It and followed The One To Sing The Blues with a drum solo. Then almost just to keep me happy they ripped out my personal favourite of Going to Brazil and followed that with the always excellent Killed By Death [Here's the official recording]. The crowd went into a frenzy as the intro’s of Ace Of Spades [You know what to expect] were bashed out. I went with the flow and equally went mental enjoying the classic Motorhead anthem. Well I thought Ace caused a frenzy little did I know it was merely a starter as it turned completely mental as they belted out one of the greatest metal tunes ever of Overkill. If there’s a better track out there I haven’t heard it!

Time for another break and a wonder around we had mixed feelings about joining the Queen Of The Stone Age boys and eventually decided not to bother and headed away from the stage. We did manage to catch Feel Good Hit Of The Summer and You Think I Ain't Worth A Dollar, but I Feel Like A Millionnaire. Following by Sick, Sick, Sick & First It Giveth I was thinking that I am not really going to know any of their tunes they pelted out No One Knows [ Right from the back] which really cheered me up. We kind of hung back a bit when they cranked up with Keep Your Eyes Peeled and Hangin’ Tree. Didn’t really get to enjoy Little Sister, I Appear Missing and My God Is The Sun [No worries saw it on TV and linked it on here (interview first) then the great No One Knows] we did however catch Go With The Flow and A Song For The Dead. So as they shuffled off thoughts turned to the Saturday Headliners the Maiden!

What can I say about Iron Maiden they never ever disappoint and they did the biz again. Even tho I was struggling and ended up heading away earlier than ever, they still have it and always will in my eyes!! Starting with a fly-by by a low flying Spitfire [ Linked (plus intro to Moonchild ] the atmosphere became electric in anticipation! The dying embers of UFO’s Doctor Doctor was still fading out when the intro’s of Moonchild [Spitfires, intro's and drunks from the back] began. With its long intro a perfect beginning as the crowd went into frenzy and I was not master of my direction. Before I could catch breathe they had moved onto a track that got me into Maiden all those years ago namely – Can I Play With Madness. Not a personal favourite but my partner in crime for the day, pointed out that The Prisoner [Link here] was on the original setlist from 25 years ago, so it got a rare outing tonight. Still got me rocking though! Moving onto the Maiden classic of 2 Minutes To Midnight which had us all in raptures. Bruce then dropped a huge hint about their plans for later in the year. He also explained where the Spitfire had come from and what hero’s the RAF and the armed forces are before changing era’s and introducing Afraid To Shoot Strangers.

They returned to the Jurassic Period with the Beer promoting The Trooper [Maiden playing the Trooper so you know its good], which was and always is great. Personally I was struggling to stand and had already been knocked down once also I was stuck behind the three tallest people in the field and couldn’t see. I started to think about ducking out for some space and some air but the intro’s to The Number Of The Beast kept me in the throng for the time being. Although a classic and one really not to be missed the opportunity to escape the madness and find some air presented itself I took the chance and headed away from the front to the tones of Phantom Of The Opera [Official TV recording version]. I arrived by the left side of the packed crowd to watch Run To The Hills. I started to move around to a more central position as the boyz were belting out Wasted Years. I had a made it to a more central position to be able to fully enjoy the visual spectactular of Seventh Son Of A Seventh Son. They followed this with the bass filled intro of The Clairvoyant an evergreen of the Seventh Son Album. They then dropped from character and sneaked a different era classic in the mix with the Haunting timing changes of Fear Of The Dark [TV Recording version]. To conclude the night and not for the first time Bruce roused the crowd with a ‘Scream For Me Donington’ as Eddie put in another appearance for the grand finale of Iron Maiden. The boyz left the stage to the usual chanting of Maiden! Maiden!

They soon returned for the encore beginning with Winston Churchill’s legendary speech which led into Aces High [Link here]. Returning to the Seventh Son album the penultimate track for the night was The Evil That Men Do. So we reached the conclusion of the night and the day for me and pretty much the weekend as well as they returned to the ultimate get the crowd to sing-a-long Running Free. It was just before the end that Bruce’s earlier hint was revealed in full they were coming back to the UK as part of the current tour. August was less than two months away and the boyz would be back in London!! Can’t wait to do this all over again!!

Iron Maiden - 1th August 2013

O2 Arena, London

Voodoo Six

[The pic's on this one are not mine.]

Iron Maiden are back on the list and celebrating 25 years since the seventh son of a seventh son tour and album. They said thanks and for those that want some nostalgia or missed it the first time around. Here it is served again with a new and modern version. Played out at the O2 Arena under the big dome at London. I knew a few people in the audience that night but I cannot remember who I was with. I think it was Ian and I know Phil, Wayne and probably Dave was there.

The poster

Supporting the band was Voodoo Six a band I knew extraordinarily little about before the show. Having listened to them I currently till no truly little about them. What I can tell you is that Maiden like to get as many British metal bands highlighted as possible. With Voodoo Six being created by Tony Newton who was the bassist of Dirty Deeds. A band that toured with Maiden a few times so would have been mates with Harris and that would get you supporting Maiden in one of the biggest venues in the UK.

Voodoo Six opened with Falling Knives followed by Sink or Swim. I am not going to criticize a British Band for playing metal music and they rocked the place whilst on stage. Playing Stop followed by Something for You. Which again was good solid metal track’s, but they didn’t have the charisma on stage that would make an impact on my memory for me to remember them in detail. Take the Blame followed and Your Way following that one. They rounded off their set with a final two tracks the first being a track from their Songs To Invade Countries To album called All That Glitters before they concluded their set with Long Way From Home. Another good solid metal track which is all good and they thanked the audience and shuffled off.

Now was the time for Maiden to return to London. Here we go, the intros began with a recording of Bruce singing the little ditty of Seven deadly sins, seven ways to win, seven holy paths to hell and your trip begins. The very electro into burst in building up to the big explosion and I tell you something Janick running at you at pace where you are at feet level after an explosion of noise and pyro DOES work to get you going. Bruce loomed up from the raised back of the stage. The track was Moonchild and its an epic tune especially one to open the 25-anniversary tour with. We were off and as always, they went straight into the second track of Can I Play With Madness. Two great tunes to launch the gig with where the hell could they go next?

Bruce in full 'Scream for me mode'

The answer was backwards… back to The Prisoner, a track that is underrated by myself I must admit its solid enough. Maybe I overplayed in my younger days. Followed by the legendary 2 Minutes to Midnight. Ignoring the fact that the next track did not exist 25 years ago they played Afraid to Shoot Strangers. A track I personally love.

It was classics from here on. Starting with possibly the most covered track ever, if you don’t believe me type The Trooper into YouTube add the word cover and see how many there are. It was time for the goat style Satan to return to the stage glaring across the hall the boys burst into The Number of the Beast. I remember trying to learn this song from the official book. It said this cord and this one just play it as fast as you possibly can! I remember seeing that and putting the book down knowing I was beaten before I started. The epic track of Phantom of the Opera which is so good to hear live as such an intricate track to play, they do not play it often and when they nail it live it is truly epic. If you haven’t heard it live go treat yourself even YouTube does it some justice.

The song that probably started it all for me all those years ago was next up - Run to the Hills (Never disappoints). The lesser heard Wasted Years was up next but without the mob running onto the stage this time. If you look at my other posts you will know that Seventh Son is my favourite album (all mathematically calculated) so for me the next two tracks were very much enjoyed by me. The epic Seventh Son of a Seventh Son and the mysterious The Clairvoyant.

The pic quality is poor but the set was so stunning I love this picture.

To finish the night they played two classics the spooky and scary Fear of the Dark followed by the only way to truly end a gig with the greatest live track ever. I will have an argument with anyone who disagrees. Oh yeah, the song is Iron Maiden.

Off they go.

The Maiden, Maiden chant begins.

Followed eventually with the encore.

Age the set in full explosive flow.

The encore is a whole new gig beginning as they play the intro to previous concerts with Churchill's Speech which leads neatly into the explosing football chant of Aces High. Back to the seventh son album with The Evil That Men Do all concluding with the massive sing-along that is Running Free. All fantastic and thank you Maiden. You won my heart years ago and you never let it go!

END OF PART 3

🚩 - The Stranglers gigs have become slightly confused and some have potentially been missed from this list as well as potentially mixing them up.