Manics gigs for Lions Tour Confirmed

[Futurologist]

Originally Posted by Miss Oceania

Just got home. Couldn't stick around for them to come ou and missed out on a set list (the perils of having a seat rather than the usual front row)

They took Australia off the set list. When James mentioned Australia in some chit chat he got a wonderful panto boo from the crowd. Heaps of lovely Welsh people were there, made me a bit homesick for Cardiff

It was a brilliant gig, brought back so many happy memories of gigs I've been to in the UK. Being in a seat was a bit weird and i think i may have scared the people behind me with my singing and pointy-shouty.

The gig wasn't a sell-out but there were only a few empty seats and the standing area was packed, I'm pleased we turned out for them and it sounds like they quite like it here in the City of Sails

I'm so glad I decided to go. Definitely the best day I've had since coming back to NZ!

Thank you James. Nicky and Sean for coming all the way here, we love you!

Glad you had a such great time Tracey.

[Frozendiva]

Originally Posted by autumngirl

The X Factor segment from last night. http://www.tv3.co.nz/THE-X-FACTOR-Ep...2/Default.aspx
This looks to be geo-blocked, but I'm sure someone cleverer than me knows how to get around it.

Someone put it up on YouTube.

[Frozendiva]

Someone wrote a review and posted some pics.

http://13thfloor.co.nz/reviews/conce...a-july-2-2013/

[cheaptarnishedglitter]

Originally Posted by Librarian On Fire

Surreal. Meeting the Manics after following them for 22 years. Sorry some ramblings, but here we go. I took the afternoon off work to go see the band record their performance for X Factor. I was going to finish at midday, but nerves got the better of me and after changing into a MSP t-shirt I was in the car and on my way at 11.50. Henderson is on the other side of Auckland from where I work. Arriving at the venue I’m met by a padlocked gate and a fence with barb wire around it. No-one around. I can’t see any side entrance. Phoned the number of the person organising the moshpit and get told there is a side street entrance. Panic over. Find the entrance, park the car, get my gear and casually walk in. Of course this being NZ it is casual and I walk into the grounds without a security guard around. Smells like lunch time. I wander into the studio. Past the X Factor judges dressing rooms. No one bats an eyelid. But I’m not here to see Ruby Frost, although she is tiny and cute! Go back outside by the toilets and finally a security guard asks me nicely “Alright sunshine?” Reply to the Scotsman saying I’m here for the moshpit and hoping to see the Manics to get them to sign a few things. “They’re in there mate” he says. Pointing with his head. The campervan is beside me. I walk past. I see Sean. Sean sees me. I can also see James. The band are eating so I thought it best to let them have some lunch in peace. Nicky comes out. Comes back. Gives a smile. So I wait. 10 – 15 minutes pass. I hover around soaking up the weak winter sun, but never going too far away. I realise I don’t want to come over the stalker, nor do I want to miss them. The girl organising the moshpit comes over telling me where to go for the filming. So, now I really had better make a move. James pops out to find a loo. It’s now or never. I go over. Sean is sitting by the door. I say hi and ask him if I can get a few things signed. He does, takes the items into Nicky for his autograph then he comes back. We start chatting. Thank him for coming. I asked when do you go back home to England? He winks and corrects me “Wales”. And to think I consider myself a fan! An epic fail. He’s not too sure, but after Sydney. I ask him about the new albums. First one out in September. The second one maybe April 2014. He said it’s a “lot darker, if you can get any darker”. It does have a working title but he never revealed what it is. I remarked on how far away New Zealand is. He was nice and said that if we were coming to Australia we just had to come over. The porta –loo is behind me and I quip to Sean “The irony of the Manics of being near a toilet after Crappergate isn’t lost on me” Not the funniest line, but then Sean and I have a chat about Glastonbury. James comes back and Sean chases him up for an autograph on the Truth album cover and the Polorid book. James is charming and says “It’s a beautiful country”. I thank them both and make my way into the darken recording studio.


The call to arms didn’t really muster the troops. There’s me, Autumn Girl, and our mutual friend. The other 35 people in the ahem “moshpit”, just look like they want to be on TV. The band record “Tolerate” and nail it in three takes. Nicky gets given some silver fern stickers and sticks them on his bass guitar. Afterwards I met up with Autumn Girl and we walk back around to the band campervan for our friend to get his signings. Honestly there is just the four of us. Nicky comes out and greets us. An opportunity for photos and a handshake. I tell Nicky that I think Lifeblood is a fine album. I didn’t quite catch what he said, but joked saying something along the lines of …..? Didn’t quite catch it. I joked that he better take the silver fern stickers off when he gets back to Sydney. Thanked him again for 22 years of being there. The Scooby Gang got what they wanted and I wanted to leave the band alone now and let them enjoy their time in New Zealand.


I have to say how healthy and fine they all looked. James was clean shaven. Sean, a bit of stubble and Nicky still the beard. Nicky was in his cammo blazer. Sean in very nice navy and deep green blazer and James in the black military shirt. All three of them were just really, really nice. Oh and I spotted Sean with a great big heavy looking mobile phone and busy with it! Nicky had the camera. I never thought 22 years ago sitting in a cold lounge room at my parents old house listening to “Generation Terrorists” that I would ever met the band. On a cool, golden lit winter’s afternoon in an non descript warehouse I was the most contented person on the planet.

P.S I have some photos but the posting rules say I can't send attachments.

what a lovely story, really enjoyed reading it, i'm happy for u, thanks for sharing

[handsome_devil]

Tolerate is currently 24 on the NZ iTunes chart so I guess it paid off in that regard

[mar]

Originally Posted by handsome_devil

Tolerate is currently 24 on the NZ iTunes chart so I guess it paid off in that regard

Ha!

[autumngirl]

Photos from last nights gig http://www.undertheradar.co.nz/photo...-Preachers.utr

[autumngirl]

Originally Posted by mar

What was Nicky's tee on the show? Blondie? Bowie?

I think it was the Bowie one, but he didn't take his jacket off all night so it was hard to tell.

[mar]

Doesn't look like any he posted on twitter, maybe he changed his mind or a fan gave him this one after reading his tweet

[autumngirl]

Review of last night from the NZ Herald http://www.nzherald.co.nz/entertainm...ectid=10894526

[autumngirl]

I feel like I'm spamming links! Here's the Bfm interview with Nicky from yesterday http://www.95bfm.com/default,211783.sm

[bachelorette]

Originally Posted by autumngirl

I feel like I'm spamming links! Here's the Bfm interview with Nicky from yesterday http://www.95bfm.com/default,211783.sm

Well, at least I'm awake in Blighty and thank you kindly for keeping me entertained on my nightshift!

[autumngirl]

But wait! There's more! http://www.hauraki.co.nz/video/manic...ideo-interview

[autumngirl]

Originally Posted by bachelorette

Well, at least I'm awake in Blighty and thank you kindly for keeping me entertained on my nightshift!

You're welcome

[bachelorette]

Originally Posted by autumngirl

But wait! There's more! http://www.hauraki.co.nz/video/manic...ideo-interview

Yippieh!