11/12/14 Manchester Albert Hall

[The Holy Bum-Bum]

So yeah, wow. That was phenomenal.

A different vibe to last night - much more celebratory and euphoric, even during THB. The pit was AMAZING tonight. Last night I just made a point of listening, whereas tonight I went pogo mental - the crowd in the pit were really friendly and all pretty much overjoyed to hear the album in full.

Now some of that sleep stuff. It's gonna take me a while to process the last two nights.

This could have gone badly wrong, but nope - they absolutely fucking nailed it.

[newtransistorhero]

As someone in the pit, it was pretty tame TBH, although I guess it depends on your experience of pits. I scream in a Hardcore Punk band and pits are pretty violent. I appreciated the fact there was a pit though. I loved the bit in Revol when there was a proper pit seperation and rush through. Awesome! It reminded me of the one I was in when I saw Ben Folds Five play Underground! Basically unexpected.

The Bible set was awesome. Actually it was more than awesome. It was something else. I ticked off a song on my Manics Bucketlist that they might play (PCP) and even got one on the Manics Bucketlist that I'll never hear (IWATTTFODIWWFA).

However, I realise the second set has gone down well on here but I didn't really enjoy it. I thought it took all the energy out of the crowd. I think that was evident when it really went crazy when they played You Love Us.

Basically, the crowd were there to see THB. That was evident by the people screaming all the words to all the album tracks. It suggests the period of MSP that the crowd were into and I thought that they would have realised that and tailored the set to it, in a similar way to Therapy? when they played Troublegum. The second set they played was all the B-sides, a couple of covers and a selection of the early E.P.'s.

Don't get me wrong, I enjoyed it so much, and I'll never forget seeing that album live. I think I might even get tickets to the Cardiff Castle gig and get a hotel because I get the feeling that that gig is going to be special. It's also the first time I've been to the Albert Hall since it reopened and what a fucking venue! I just think that second set was badly thought out, especially from a band who's bass player is a bigger mark than Bret "The Hitman" Hart.

[NoOneInParticular]

Originally Posted by Marwood

Midway through ADFL I saw a single, solitary converse on the floor in front of Nicky's speaker stack. Laughed my head off at that. How'd it get there?

I seen a girl crowd-surf over, and the glimpse of her foot made me think she'd lost her shoe. Perhaps someone stood on it, realised it was there, and lobbed it towards the stage?

Originally Posted by tuckedaway

All in all, completely worth the voyage. Yesterday was amazing but I think they outdid it by a smidge tonight.

I was gutted when I missed the first night, because I didn't think we'd have the die-hards or the strongest vocals, but by christ, I couldn't have been disproven more effectively. Absolutely amazing stuff from James, really didn't expect it to be as good.

Originally Posted by Matt_o_Mac

[...]though have to say the water they give away does make up for it some what.

But then if you go to the bar (as I did in the interval) they charge you £3 a pop for the very same bottle they were happily giving away 20 mins ago?!

[Littlesue]

Not keen at all on the second bit, if they do this in Wolves at least I can leave a bit early and get the bus!

[Scarecrow]

Originally Posted by newtransistorhero

As someone in the pit, it was pretty tame TBH, although I guess it depends on your experience of pits.

Yeah, I've certainly been to a lot worse, attended gigs that have resulted in people being knocked unconscious. I managed to escape the injuries people are mentioning on here (saw plenty of crowdsurfers kicking people in the head), but I feel depleted and achy all over. Probably a combination of being a wuss these days and yelling a harrowing set of lyrics three times in four days.

It has been a blast this week though. That album live in the Albert Hall was a true sight to behold.

[sofarsideways]

Had to drop out of this one and come home after the mess the first night got me into health-wise, and though I know I couldn't have done otherwise I am pretty gutted. Glad I didn't miss anything that would have really hacked me off, I would have liked to see Running Out Of Fantasy but I can live without. Also managed to sell my ticket to a nice lady on Twitter who really REALLY wanted one so that was something at least

[Useless]

Faster clip from the front last night....

http://youtu.be/pM99tvbyaHA

[relic]

We stood at the back last night because Ade didn't get to Manchester after work until nearly 8:30, but it was still wonderful.

[relic]

Originally Posted by tuckedaway

So was I the only one to cheer at the Engage With Your Shadow mention?

No

[relic]

Nicky stuff ...

During the Holy Bible set he said something about it being a great singalong gig 'We are all walking abortions!' and some other lines that I can't remember now. He was much more relaxed than he was at Barrowlands.

Also, he said Georgia Ruth would be at the London gigs (one or all, not sure?) for Divine Youth. That's when he did the teaser for Ballad of the Bangkok Novotel or Engage with your Shadow.

Jamesy bit - at the end, he yelled 'MERRY CHRISTMAS' and then signed off as 'Noddy Bradfield'. I love this band.

[junkymotown]

The one complaint for me was the sound there - we were up on the balcony, towards Nicky's end, and the acoustics were rough in parts. For example, when James or Nicky spoke, you could hardly tell what they were saying.

Having said that, the music came through ok, so can't complain too much!

[manic1994]

agree with junkymowtown when JDB and Wire spoke you could hardly hear what they were saying from balcony side.
Went to both nights, sound was better 2nd night
highlight for me was mausoleum thought that came out tremendous and crowd slightly better 2nd night
Got my tickets for cardiff and cant wait

[mr bowlase]

Running Out Of Fantasy

[Scarecrow]

Originally Posted by relic

'We are all walking abortions!' and some other lines that I can't remember now.

"So damn easy to cave in! Sterilise rapists!"

[amaitheanhorn]

Originally Posted by mr bowlase

Running Out Of Fantasy

Gorgeous, thanks for posting it