Marillion - Leeds Metropolitan University 7th July 2004
Setlist: Set 1: Marbles Live: The Invisible Man / Marbles I / You're Gone / Angelina / Marbles II / Don't Hurt Yourself / Fantastic Place / Marbles III / The Damage / Marbles IV / Neverland Set 2: Old Stuff : This is the 21st Century / Quartz / Bridge / Living with the Big Lie / The Party / Between You and Me // The Uninvited Guest / Cover My Eyes /// Easter
It’s like public transport, you know; no Marillion gigs for twenty years and then two in the space of a week. Actually, if you’ve travelled on Virgin Rail recently, then two-a-week is a common statistic; it is the number of the trains that run on time and also the length of time that you will have to wait for the rest of their services. But, you’re not reading this to find out about the next Pendolino, limping in to Platform 2.
No, you want to know about the Aylesbury Five. Now, writing a review is never as straightforward as it would seem, especially when, just seven days earlier, you wrote slightly less than 2000 words on what was, ostensibly, an identical gig. What do you say that you haven’t already said before? Well, for a start, you ramble on for about 150 words, just to get yourself psyched up, and then you mention the support band.
It’s like public transport, you know; no Marillion gigs for twenty years and then two in the space of a week. Actually, if you’ve travelled on Virgin Rail recently, then two-a-week is a common statistic; it is the number of the trains that run on time and also the length of time that you will have to wait for the rest of their services. But, you’re not reading this to find out about the next Pendolino, limping in to Platform 2.
No, you want to know about the Aylesbury Five. Now, writing a review is never as straightforward as it would seem, especially when, just seven days earlier, you wrote slightly less than 2000 words on what was, ostensibly, an identical gig. What do you say that you haven’t already said before? Well, for a start, you ramble on for about 150 words, just to get yourself psyched up, and then you mention the support band.
Kid Galahad
I don’t really like support acts; as a general rule of thumb I try to avoid them. I can count on the fingers of one, possibly two, hands, the number of support bands I’ve really enjoyed in my twenty-odd years of gig-going: Budgie; Diamond Head; Rose Tattoo; Man; Ulrich Roth; Thunder; The Quireboys; The Darkness; oh, and a little band by the name of Marillion, remember them? But all of these bands had one thing in common - I already knew they were good when I went along to the gig.At Wolverhampton (I usually get there late because I always have difficulty finding the Civic Hall, and Marillion was no exception) Kid G had already been and gone before I even walked through the door. At Leeds, we - secondborn and I - had to get there early, as we had no tickets and needed to ensure I got two of the forty-something that I knew would be available on the door. Consequently, for once, we got to see the support band.
Normally, I’m not surprised and the opening act is just as bad, if not worse, than I anticipated (Funeral for a Friend on the last Iron Maiden tour, for example, who were uncommonly dreadful.) However, Kid Galahad was a revelation. They were refreshingly different, yet listenable. Their repertoire comprised some very good songs, which they performed with considerable flair and aplomb. Moreover, the singer could actually sing and, in spite of the technical gremlins being out in full force, they coped well with what could have been a difficult crowd. LMUSU is somewhat compact and bijou and the computer problems earlier in the day led to the evening’s proceedings running late. Nevertheless, Kid G performed their little socks off and won their well-deserved applause from the audience for a fine performance. Certainly, if you like your rock cooked on the Incubus-y side, flavoured with Chilli Peppers, and basted in a rather piquant, early-XTC quirkiness, they are an act to check out when they play in your area.
I don’t really like support acts; as a general rule of thumb I try to avoid them. I can count on the fingers of one, possibly two, hands, the number of support bands I’ve really enjoyed in my twenty-odd years of gig-going: Budgie; Diamond Head; Rose Tattoo; Man; Ulrich Roth; Thunder; The Quireboys; The Darkness; oh, and a little band by the name of Marillion, remember them? But all of these bands had one thing in common - I already knew they were good when I went along to the gig.At Wolverhampton (I usually get there late because I always have difficulty finding the Civic Hall, and Marillion was no exception) Kid G had already been and gone before I even walked through the door. At Leeds, we - secondborn and I - had to get there early, as we had no tickets and needed to ensure I got two of the forty-something that I knew would be available on the door. Consequently, for once, we got to see the support band.
Normally, I’m not surprised and the opening act is just as bad, if not worse, than I anticipated (Funeral for a Friend on the last Iron Maiden tour, for example, who were uncommonly dreadful.) However, Kid Galahad was a revelation. They were refreshingly different, yet listenable. Their repertoire comprised some very good songs, which they performed with considerable flair and aplomb. Moreover, the singer could actually sing and, in spite of the technical gremlins being out in full force, they coped well with what could have been a difficult crowd. LMUSU is somewhat compact and bijou and the computer problems earlier in the day led to the evening’s proceedings running late. Nevertheless, Kid G performed their little socks off and won their well-deserved applause from the audience for a fine performance. Certainly, if you like your rock cooked on the Incubus-y side, flavoured with Chilli Peppers, and basted in a rather piquant, early-XTC quirkiness, they are an act to check out when they play in your area.
Marillion
Question: How do you compare degrees of excellence?
Answer : You don’t.
That’s like trying to evaluate the relative merits of apples and kumquats. In short, they delivered another stunning show, last Wednesday. For me, I thought the Marbles set was slightly superior at Leeds, whereas the older material had the edge at Wolverhampton, a week earlier, what with the PA climbing and the beautiful rendition of Estonia, and all. To save me from repeating myself, everything I wrote about the Wolverhampton gig goes for this one too. But, I’d seriously doubt that anyone left either gig (or any other show on the tour, for that matter) feeling that they had not been treated to the best that the band could deliver on that particular night.
Question: How do you compare degrees of excellence?
Answer : You don’t.
That’s like trying to evaluate the relative merits of apples and kumquats. In short, they delivered another stunning show, last Wednesday. For me, I thought the Marbles set was slightly superior at Leeds, whereas the older material had the edge at Wolverhampton, a week earlier, what with the PA climbing and the beautiful rendition of Estonia, and all. To save me from repeating myself, everything I wrote about the Wolverhampton gig goes for this one too. But, I’d seriously doubt that anyone left either gig (or any other show on the tour, for that matter) feeling that they had not been treated to the best that the band could deliver on that particular night.
Marillion is the quintessential English rock band. You would not be surprised to see them turn up in cricket whites, ready to take a turn at the crease and uphold the honour of the nation against those pesky foreign johnnies. You would gladly take them to visit your maiden aunt for afternoon tea and fondant fancies, safe and secure in the knowledge that they wouldn’t OD in the bathroom, vomit all over the Persian rug and try to take liberties with her Scottie dog.
Similarly, you know that they are playing each show for the fans who bought the singles, the album and turned out to see them live. The overall feeling is that this is not a band that is trying to rip you off. Before going to see them, I felt that the ticket prices were eminently reasonable. Having attended two gigs, I think that the cost of admission was even better value than I had first thought, given that I’ve witnessed five hours of some of the finest rock music I’ve ever seen, or heard.
I was also surprised by the merchandise prices. At Download, I bought secondborn a girly, skinny t-shirt and was relieved of £22! Marillion t-shirts are very good quality and only £12. Now, I know how much that these things cost wholesale, that everyone gets their cut and there are many factors to take into account, but even at £12, they are still making a profit. No-one begrudges the artist from trousering some folding-stuff from merch sales, this is how they earn a living and few bands make anything at all out of the actual tour itself, once costs and percentages are deducted, but sometimes I feel that some bands are just taking the piss. If Marillion can sell t-shirts for £12 and still make some cash, surely other bands are ripping us off?
Similarly, you know that they are playing each show for the fans who bought the singles, the album and turned out to see them live. The overall feeling is that this is not a band that is trying to rip you off. Before going to see them, I felt that the ticket prices were eminently reasonable. Having attended two gigs, I think that the cost of admission was even better value than I had first thought, given that I’ve witnessed five hours of some of the finest rock music I’ve ever seen, or heard.
I was also surprised by the merchandise prices. At Download, I bought secondborn a girly, skinny t-shirt and was relieved of £22! Marillion t-shirts are very good quality and only £12. Now, I know how much that these things cost wholesale, that everyone gets their cut and there are many factors to take into account, but even at £12, they are still making a profit. No-one begrudges the artist from trousering some folding-stuff from merch sales, this is how they earn a living and few bands make anything at all out of the actual tour itself, once costs and percentages are deducted, but sometimes I feel that some bands are just taking the piss. If Marillion can sell t-shirts for £12 and still make some cash, surely other bands are ripping us off?
Once again, we come back to that essential marillion-ness of the entire situation. The unprecedented levels of reciprocal communication, loyalty and trust between band, organisation and fans is astonishing; it’s a family unit, albeit a hugely extended one. Many other bands could learn a lot from Marillion, but I suspect they won’t. As long as Marillion exists, there is hope for the music industry and my blood pressure, because I know that there’s still one concert I can go to without having to rant about the price of the tickets and goods, and still come away having enjoyed a magical evening of musical excellence.
So, for the UK, that’s almost it for the Marbles tour; and it’s depressing, that’s what it is. I wish I could have gone to more gigs, but I’m glad I got to the ones I did. How long will we have to wait for the next live shows? Probably a while. In the meantime, put me down for two tickets for the next Marillion Weekend, in March 2005. I can hardly wait.
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
9th July 2004
So, for the UK, that’s almost it for the Marbles tour; and it’s depressing, that’s what it is. I wish I could have gone to more gigs, but I’m glad I got to the ones I did. How long will we have to wait for the next live shows? Probably a while. In the meantime, put me down for two tickets for the next Marillion Weekend, in March 2005. I can hardly wait.
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
9th July 2004
About the photos...
Now then, I've taken a bit of a break from my normal Live Gig web page format - and it's not an accident.
I took plenty of photos at Wolverhampton, which were not at all bad. I already had pictures of the band doing their thing. I didn't want to just have another hundred pictures exactly the same.
With the photos from Leeds, I wanted to try something a little different. So, what we have here is my attempt to give a visual flavour of what it was like to be at a gig on the Marbles tour.
Now, I know the limitations of my camera and taking pictures without the flash is very hit and miss, depending on how steady your hands are - and mine aren't. But, these were never meant to be 'big' pictures, I wanted them to be small, so that you could see them all together. That said, if the cursor changes to a hand when you hover over a picture, click on it to see a larger version.
If you were there, I hope these bring back some of the memories. If you didn't make it to one of the shows, this is what you missed! Hope you like them.
I took plenty of photos at Wolverhampton, which were not at all bad. I already had pictures of the band doing their thing. I didn't want to just have another hundred pictures exactly the same.
With the photos from Leeds, I wanted to try something a little different. So, what we have here is my attempt to give a visual flavour of what it was like to be at a gig on the Marbles tour.
Now, I know the limitations of my camera and taking pictures without the flash is very hit and miss, depending on how steady your hands are - and mine aren't. But, these were never meant to be 'big' pictures, I wanted them to be small, so that you could see them all together. That said, if the cursor changes to a hand when you hover over a picture, click on it to see a larger version.
If you were there, I hope these bring back some of the memories. If you didn't make it to one of the shows, this is what you missed! Hope you like them.