::UK TOUR DIARY 2004::
::2nd Leg: London - Liverpool::
CAST:
Steve - Tour Manager
Rory - Manager
Paul - Bus Driver
Frank - Backline Driver
Megan - Lighting Director
Gavin - Backline Technician
Jana & Marionne - Merchandise
Michael - Drum Technician and goafer
Jason - Videographer
4 lads who have come along to play to some music...
DAY 1 - London
Arrive in London - it's cracking flags as they say back home. (Very hot). At
Shepherd's Bush work has already started on setting up. Gavin tells me his skateboard
has had an argument with the conveyor belt at the airport and is snapped in
two - the conveyor belt smelt of burning rubber. He couldn't take it on the
plane as it was classed as a weapon. It's given back gaffer taped together.
Liam meets up with Siobhan about a penny whistle project. Go for a wander and
bump into Jana, Fiachna, Marionne and Jason. Grab a coffee and sit round the
back with Gavin and Megan. It's sweltering. Meet Bex and Laura again and Peter
invites them up to the dressing room to hang out. The band say hello and chat.
Jerry has the whole audience on the floor sat down for a song! Sorry
about the pic (Click on the pic for a larger version).
Then it's show time...
Feel Like Living
Out Of Nowhere
Easier In The Morning
Be Good
This Is It (Your Soul)
Thing Of Beauty
Movies
She Moves Through The Fair/Tell Me
Better Man
Don't Go
Magic Bacelets
Hallelujah
Your Love Goes On
- - - - -
End Of The Road
Hallelujah Jordan
Sí do Mhamó í
Peter walks out for the opening bars of 'Feel Like Living' followed by Liam
- it's a huge welcome from a packed house (while Dave and Fiachna are arsing
around in the wings). There's a lot of expectation in the room. Fiachna bangs
straight in to 'Out Of Nowhere' which is rocking. 'Easier' starts in a dirty
jazz mode and has the crowd singing the lines. 'Be Good' has a wild end from
all members of the band; the mobile ones jumping around the stage and Dave crashing
everything to hand on the kit. Liam finishes off with a harmonica solo flourish.
Fiachna and Peter set about duelling during 'Your Soul' - thrashing chords and
notes out. Out of the blue comes 'Thing Of Beauty' - Liam laughs at himself
for forgetting the lines - it has been a while since they'd played it!
OOOOOHHHH!!! MOVIES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Somehow 'Tell Me' latches on to the end of 'She Moves Through The Fair' - Liam
realising where he's gone and grinning to the others as they realise too. The
brass sction come on for 'Better Man' and Liam gives his necklace to Peter.
A nice touch.
The opening guitar riff of 'Don't Go' starts... Liam's motioning people up for
a dance. Okay. I'm ready. I remember what happened the last time the band played
here. There were more than just a few of The Legs & Co. Dance Troupe on
stage last time. High barrier down there. Someone's gonna fall clambering over
that. Best jump down and make sure there's no casualties. That's 1 over ...
okay 2. Okay 3 and 4 ...5...6... yeah 7. Yeah, I'm your best mate, Mr Aussie...
that's my head your using to lean on, love... I'll put your handbag down here,
okay? I manage to turn around to see Fiachna waving madly at me and smiling,
'No more!' Fine by me. I sit down in the middle in front of the barrier and
count... 31, 32 and 33! All sorts of moves and shapes being made up there ...
is that the Funky Chicken over there? Liam's leading waving to the left and
right. Someone's trying to talk to Dave as he drums. Peter's trying to find
some room. Fiachna's trying to find his pedals.... Ah well! Gavin's rescued
the bodhran from an excited dancer and I'm playing Find The Beater which is
being booted around the stage! Great fun! There's so much energy up there.
We all calm down and people are hugged, kissed, thanked and led offstage. 'Magic
Bracelets' swirls around the room to a very quiet auditorium. Sorry about the
pic (Click on the pic for a larger version).
Then the intro to 'Hallelujah' always has me tingling. It's different from the
record - Fiachna picking notes on the electric guitar to which Dave thumps into
the verse for Liam. The set finishes with an energetic and robust version of
'Your Love Goes On'.
'End Of The Road' begins the encore. Felim and Stefano come on again for 'Hallelujah
Jordan'. Felim's having a time trying to tell the monitor guy he's getting strange
sounds in his monitor. He's smiling though. The brass section push a climbing
phrase over and over - it's sounds majestic! 'Sí do Mhamó í'
finishes off the night - the crowd are deafening! (Click on the pic for a larger
version).
Quick as a flash everything is loaded up by the fantastic local crew. Clear
stuff out of the dressing room. 'What's this? A setlist!??!' 'Nah - just some
scribblings,' says Liam. (Click on the pic for a larger version).
The bar is open and there's a bit of signing and autographing going on. Dave
is armed with a marker and draws rude pictures on my arm then attempts to make
it into a rocket - my arm is just a mess of scribbles now. Peter finds this
most amusing. There's family and friends of the band here and it's a great but
quick drink as we get booted out. 7 of us pile into a taxi back to the hotel.
The rock 'n' roll lifestyle with a massive party of one drink each in the bar
for Peter, Rory, Steve and I. Football is the main conversation. Where's that
bed...? We all deserve it.
DAY 2 - Milton Keynes
LIAM'S QUICKIES:
This is a great venue - small and really well run - lovely people. We all had
fun with the music. Thanks Birgit and Annette. Had a great drink with Shelley
and Fran - in flying form. Ah.... laughs!
- - - - - - -
Most people make it to breakfast. Throw my stuff on the bus and find Gavin sorting
out his new board outside the hotel. (Click on the pic for a larger version).
Buy some more postcards. Fiachna is soooooooooo impressed with the rock and
rollers who stayed up (for a whole hour!) Check in to a hotel in Leighton Buzzard
on the way. I pop to the shop and see the bus setting off. A quick dash and
back on to happy laughing faces... PAH! Straight off to The Stables to find
The Last Of The Mohicans has been driving Frank's van - Frank has had a haircut.
Liam spots the grand piano on the back of the stage and says it must be played
tonight. Peter, Liam and Rory go off to Hobgoblin Music Shop to check out some
instruments arranged by Birgit. Paul, the new bus driver, tells a bunch of kids
on bikes it's Robbie Williams inside the bus and a Tour de Milton Keynes follows
the bus. The shop owner gets a phone call later from a mother asking if Robbie
had been in the shop.
Boredom sets in back at the venue as it's the middle of nowhere. Fiachna makes
bread. Eventually go for some food with Peter and Jules. We get lost. Megan
and Gavin are walking behind us somewhere and are ringing for directions. We're
none the wiser and have to ask a guy pulling up to his house. We find a 'Hungry
Horse' but have to wolf it down to get back to soundcheck. Liam's chatting with
Shelley and Fran and I say 'Hello!'. See Annette and Birgit who give Piggy a
birthday present... Felim is outside indulging in the legendary muso past-time
known as arsing about but just look at the colours! (Click on the pic for a
larger version).
Show time...
Feel Like Living
Out Of Nowhere
Easier In The Morning
Forever More
End Of the Road
Isn't It Amazing/Knockin On Heaven's Door
Movies
Happy Birthday
Don't Go
Better Man/Give It Up
Hallelujah
Hallelujah Jordan
Your Love Goes On
- - - - -
Last Few Minutes
Peace Tonight
Sí do Mhamó í
Peter appears out of the gloom and plays an extra long intro to 'Feel Like Living'.
After 'Out Of Nowhere', Liam thanks Jerry and ambles into a monolgue about things
being 'wild, ironic, divided, seen, pointed out... Dear Brethren! LIFE!' Everyone's
laughing away as 'Easier' begins with an instrumental intro. Liam wanders over
to the grand piano. 'Right - I'm raring to go!' Straight onto 'Forever More'.
He's teasing me going back from keys to piano and back again 'cos I have to
move the monitor on the floor. Bugger it - you can suffer without it! : - )
Liam expresses his appreciation of Theakston's bitter. He screams the EEEEEEEEEEEEEENNNNNNNDDDD
out of 'End Of The Road'.
He knocks a few chords out on the keys, Peter recognises the song and starts
belting out the low thump of 'Isn't It Amazing'. Yes - it is. Liam's dancing
around again. He has the audience singing 'nockin' On Heaven's Door'. Frank
joins in - a unique voice one must say. Fiachna points out 'Frank Beckham ladies
and gentlemen!' Again, Liam's at the keys playing the start of a song... it's
a fuzzy effect he's picked. Playful again toinght. It's 'Movies' and the floor
begins to fill. (For some reason I remember something about Fiachna and the
word 'cowboy'...) It's birthday time for Jason, Tony the bus driver (he likes
Robbie Williams, you know) and Rachel and Gavin. A cake shared is a cake no
more! A jazz rendition of 'Happy Birthday' follows.
'Don't Go' has everyone up dancing and some people down. Liam twirls a dancer
around. Both fall over the drums and acoustic guitar. Gavin and I rescue the
equipment as the band continue to play - Liam and the dancer (we all know who
you are!) sort themselves out and carry on. Fiachna hits all sorts of pedals
and untamed sounds are wailing out of the amp. Peter's loving it. A huge grin.
Brilliant enjoyment.
'Better Man' pushes into 'Give It Up' - all the band are bouncing to the rhythm.
Liam has fun with his guitar strap at the start of 'Hallelujah Jordan'. It keeps
slipping off his shoulder so he steps out of it - again and again and again...
The ending is a fragile refrain.
Liam sings and ad libs 'Nearer My God' into 'Your Love Goes On'. He asks everyone
to participate, 'It surrounds us like peace!' Frank certainly joined in again!
If we don't feel like singing we can do 'Do do pup bop!' He divides the crowd
into three sections - the ones on the right sound like angels. No - they really
do!
Encore time has 'Last Few Minutes' - Jason's favourite; 'Peace Tonight' - 'Ready
for some lovin'?' and couples reverse onto the dancefloor; 'Sí do Mhamó
í' whips his mic lead around like a cowboy. 'I Can See Clearly Now' finishes
off a fine night!
Barbara calls me and completely throws me off as I have no idea who the mad American is on the other end of the phone while I'm struggling to carry four bags of merchandise to the back of the venue. Anyway, all sorted. Watch some of Jason's footage from the Holmfirth show on the bus. Back to the hotel. Annette, Birgit and Rory are discussing Street Team stuff. No bar. Sleeeeeeeeeep... Why there is a curtain covering the wall I will never know...
DAY 3 - Aylesbury
LIAM'S QUICKIES:
I have a lovely day - pizza with Marionne. We watch stone craft at work. An
extraordinary ale and Colm, my bro', shows up with his lady, Fiona. Ah... the
blood!
- - - - - -
Make it to breakfast... and most people go back to sleep - this touring lark
can really sap the energy. Off to Aylesbury and some of us watch 'Stir Crazy'.
Everyone appears to disperse when we arrive so Gavin, Megan and I start setting
up on the stage which is reeeeeeeeeeeeeally wide. The sound guy here is a comedy
star - his own stand up routine checking the mics and monitors. Dave is doing
some photos with Piggy for Zildjian Cymbals who he's endorsed by. A bit of posing...
(Click on the pic for a larger version)
... and a bit of brushwork.... (Click on the pic for a larger version).
Grab a shower and listen to Stefano. He scares the bejeezus out of me when warming
up in the tiled dressing room - LOOOOUUUUUUDDDDDDDD TRUMPET!!!!!! He starts
playing the game 'Name That Tune' - Theme from the A-Team amongst others...
meet up with Birgit and Annette who have a birthday card for Barbara. Jerry
takes Stefano into the bar and announces that the Jery Fish & The Mudbug
Club Show is about to begin... (Click on the pic for a larger version).
Backstage there's a discussion going on about what to start tonight's show with...
'Let's see when we get up there!' says Liam.
Leave Your Troubles Behind
You Can Love Me Now
Easier In The Morning
Isn't It Amazing
Giving It All Away
Forgiven
Hallelujah
Better Man
Don't Go
Love Don't Work This Way
Seeline Woman
Magic Bracelets
Your Love Goes On
- - - - -
End Of The Road
Sí do Mhamó í
The band all run on together and take their places. Ok - this is different.
They all look at each other. What's going to happen next? 'What do you want?'
asks Liam to the crowd, arms open. It's a bit of a stunned silence until someone
shouts 'FUNK!' (At least that what it sounds like!). 'Leave Your Troubles Behind'
skips and grooves everybody to start the night. 'Did we funk you up?' asks Liam.
The answer is in the affirmative. Fiachna smacks the start of 'You Can Love
Me Now' on his guitar and Liam's really spreading his energy across the stage.
There's so much room to move and dance up there. A girl is offered to sing a
few lines of 'Easier' and she does a great job. Liam blows water into the air
as the chugging intro of 'Isn't It Amazing' hums along. The watery mist creates
a rainbow through the lights. Brilliant! Dave changes a bit of the drum line
near the end to a bit of military style drumming on the snare and the band jam
along.
Next, 'Giving It All Away' and a moment I'll never forget on the tour. The line
'..and we have hands to hold together...' People I know and don't know join
hands in a line exactly at that moment in front of the stage and all looked
connected and happy. It felt as if there were different meanings for each -
happiness, sorrow, friendship. How amazing one line of music can affect so many...
even if someone up there is forgetting chords!
'Forgiven' is dusted off and into 'Hallelujah' with Fiachna introducing the
horn section. 'Don't Go' with the usual solos and jolly japes - Liam casually
lights a cigarette for a laugh and looks like some French free jazz artist watching
the solos unfold, casting his assessing eyes around the room. Fiachna is going
mad clapping away and Liam... well only he knows where and what he played! There's
a 'F*** off! Suck my... HAHAHAHAHA!' from Liam too! One string on the guitar
provides great amusement for Fiachna making all sorts of weird sounds.
Go for a curry with a load of people and realise after 3 Stellas that I've hardly drank any liquids all day - bad move that. Peter is on top form and Dave stands up and makes a slurry, tongue-in-cheek speech to thank everyone and wishing a successful remaining tour. He may be taking bookings for after-dinner speaking. Round of applause! Back to the bus through town where it's all kicking off - cops everywhere ... An overnight journey to Aberdare...
DAY 4 - Aberdare
I'm suffering - hardly any sleep and the Stella is rearing its ugly head. The
bus is sweltering. We've dropped Liam and Rory off at the airport as Liam is
going back to Dublin for his son's communion. The drivers all clean the buses
and vans. The local crew pass comments on which colour I am today. Feel lousy
all day until I get a brilliant surprise - Dors turns up (my girlfriend). She's
come with her friend Karen on a 2 hour taxi ride! The Welsh are mad! Peter watches
the FA Cup Final somewhere and Dave, Fiachna and Jerry chill under the trees.
Feel Like Living
Out Of Nowhere
Forever More
She Moves Through The Fair
Movies
Be Good
End Of The Road
Song of Aberdare
At Last
Gypsy Fair
New Orleans
Close Encounters
Love Don't Work This Way
Don't Go
Your Love Goes On
- - - - -
Sí do Mhamó í
Cathain
Peace Tonight
I Can See Clearly Now
The local crew are hilarious - 'Not bad for a tribute band these boys!' I nearly
fall for it. 'The singer even looks like him.' Say goodbyes after loading and
travel with Frank to my birthplace in the pitch black. Stop off at services
where Jerry's bus has pulled in, too. Jerry buys stuff from the Summer Sun display:
badminton raquets and child's golf set for Frank. (Click on the pic for a larger
version).
In front of us, Liam watched the sunrise with Paul on the bus. It was great
- mist lingering over all the canals and waterways around Birmingham. A beautiful
sight! Shame I couldn't take a decent pic but Frank's sticker is witty enough.
(Click on the pic for a larger version).
We arrive at 6.30am. It's daylight now and Paul and Tony have a life-saving
brew ready... What day is it again?
DAY 5 - Liverpool
LIAM'S QUICKIES:
A sunny day strolling in Liverpool blew my mind, Liverpool is alive, no doubt.
Saw a great mural. Well appointed City Of Culture 2008 - I'll go!
- - - - - -
Get some sleep and everyone manages to have a dander around Liverpool. Liam
is really impressed - 'I've never got to see this city - I'm normally walking
round with my head up me arse. It's really vibrant.' I swell with pride. He's
bought some new snazzy Puma trainers, too. I go for breakfast and Nina Simone's
'Seeline Woman' is on in the background - today is going to be a good day. The
band have an interview with Spencer Lee from local radio. Liam manages to eff
and blind his way through the interview - Spencer says he'll have to beep it
out - so Liam effs and blinds some more. In the green room, Megan and Sandy
have utilised Jerry's overnight shopping spree and set up a badminton court.
All sad faces when the shuttlecock is lost behind the piano. Peter chills out
reading the papers. Fiachna makes more bread. Meet up with Geraldine - a fantastic
Street Teamer - and her friends. My mum and dad make an appearance. How does
she know about the marble urinals in the Gents of The Philharmonic Public House?
Apparently, they are very famous my dad says. (Click on the pic for a larger
version).
Peter chills out reading the papers. Fiachna makes more bread. Peter models
one of the t-shirts. (Click on the pic for a larger version).
Anyway... on to the gig...
Be Good
Christchurch Bells
Out Of Nowhere
Santa Monica
Peace Tonight
An Emotional Time
This Is It (Your Soul)
Better Man
Hallelujah
Don't Go
Magic Bracelets
End Of The Road
Give It Up
Stand Beside Me
Easier In The Morning
Hallelujah Jordan
Your Love Goes On
- - - - -
Sweet Marie/Is Your Love In Vain
Love Don't Work This Way
Sí do Mhamó í
Rory walks on to the stage to a rammed auditorium and announces 'From Dublin,
Ireland. Hothouse Flowers!' Loads of noise greets the lads as they come on stage.
They are very welcome and well loved in this city. They rip straight into 'Be
Good' with Liam playing a bit of harmonica and elongating the lyrics in the
verses just for variety. Then a slow start to 'Christchurch Bells' - Dave banging
the cymbals with his fists, washing the sound into the song until finally picking
up the sticks. The end is big and bold.
Fiachna rings out 'Out Of Nowhere' while Liam looks amazed at the keys as for
some reason there's no sound! (Try that button there!) Liam mentions after 'Santa
Monica' that it's from their new album 'Into Your Heart' - cheers all round!
A guy to my left, whose seat is in one the many boxes, is shouting at me for
a pen. I didn't argue ... well, let's just say he was that big he could have
asked for my hand in marriage and I would have said 'What date?'. He scribbles
down a request and after 'Peace Tonight' Liam tries to read it out. A conversation
ensues with the guy across the room who says that the band didn't play 'An Emotional
Time' last time. 'Ok! Are you ready? Arrrrrrrrrrrr....' testing the voice and
off they go. The guy loves it and nods away in appreciation. (I don't think
anyone wants to disagree with him!!!) Liam and Fiachna are enjoying it, too,
both singing into Liam's mic together.
'Your Soul' is next and people are up dancing - there's a guy in a red shirt
who is dancing like a man possessed. Liam catches my eye and I'm nodding towards
red shirt. He laughs and chuckles through a few lines until the crowd are singing
'Let the light inside' by themselves. Jeez - it's LOUD!. Liam also mentions
Dave Clarke on drums - cheers abound again and a brilliant solo from Fiachna.
Brass section on for 'Better Man' and there's Ray at the front who Liam thrusts
the mic down to him to sing a few lines! Liam and Fiachna are impressed by such
gusto!
'Hallelujah' and then 'Don't Go' which my mam loves. I try and spot her as I
know the lads will ask for dancers tonight. But she's off round the other side,
passed a bouncer and on the stage. Mad, mad, mad! yep - there's a few people
up there tonight! (Click on the pic for a larger version).
Everyone settles down for a soothing 'Magic Bracelets' and then into 'End Of
The Road' where Liam is pointing at Fiachna for a good choice. (I've 'Friend/enemy'
written down here and I can't remember why???!?!?!)
Peter enjoys 'give It Up' so much he forgets to do the backing vocals and Liam
anf Fiachna laugh and smile - so does Peter. The song rocks away brillaintly.
All quiet again for 'Stand Beside Me' and 'Easier'. Fiachna shouts 'Hallelujah
Jordan'. Liam and Peter are duelling one side of the stage axes in hand. (Click
on the pic for a larger version).
Not to leave Fiachna out, Liam goes to the other side, leans over the edge
with Fiachna and eventually down on their knees, lash away at their guitars.
'This is a song that's.. 4,000 years old,' jokes Liam and the set finishes with
'Your Love Goes On' - how they managed to go into a reggae version I'll never
know!
Back for the encore with a massive cheer for 'Sweet Marie' which meanders into
one of Liam's favourites 'Is Your Love In Vain'. This eventually wonders into
the first few bars of 'Love Don't Work This Way' and exactly when Dave smacks
into the song, about 30 people at the front jump to their feet and groove away.
Stefano and Felim join the rest of the band 'Sí do Mhamó í'
to finish the night off.
The local crew are magnificently quick (and full of traditional native wit!) Everyone hangs around for a bit of chinwag after, too. Load up and see y'all in a couple of days...