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Rockshield Festival: Diamond Head - Burton-on-Trent 22nd September 2001
Set list: It's Electric! / Lightning to the Nations / In The Heat Of The Night / To The Devil His Due / Sucking My Love / One More Night / Makin' Music / Home / Run
I think that's right. As far as I can remember, the above is what they played but, I must confess that I may not have it totally correct. I got quite emotionally involved with the whole affair, you see. I had seen Diamond Head in Crewe, back in July, for the first time in twenty years, and had been blown away by the re-engineered acoustic set (you will find my review of that gig elsewhere on this very site.) However, this was a special day for me, for two reasons. Firstly, my good friends, Demon, were also on the bill, and secondly, this was my eldest daughter's first Diamond Head gig. She is about the same age now, as I was when I first saw Diamond Head, but she has been a fan for years, and had been waiting for this moment for such a long time, thinking it would never actually come. She would not be disappointed.
I think that's right. As far as I can remember, the above is what they played but, I must confess that I may not have it totally correct. I got quite emotionally involved with the whole affair, you see. I had seen Diamond Head in Crewe, back in July, for the first time in twenty years, and had been blown away by the re-engineered acoustic set (you will find my review of that gig elsewhere on this very site.) However, this was a special day for me, for two reasons. Firstly, my good friends, Demon, were also on the bill, and secondly, this was my eldest daughter's first Diamond Head gig. She is about the same age now, as I was when I first saw Diamond Head, but she has been a fan for years, and had been waiting for this moment for such a long time, thinking it would never actually come. She would not be disappointed.
Musically, the performance from Floyd, Brian and Sean, on the night, was quite simply, stunning. Demon had performed earlier and had set an extremely high standard, but Diamond Head were equal to the task and had no trouble performing an acoustic set at an event. where every one of the other bands was full electric, very loud, and varied in heaviness.
At the end of the day, the Rockshield Festival was notable for its diverse range of artists and the excellence of their performances, in difficult circumstances, due to the restrictive time limits imposed by a) the Local council, and b) technical hitches. Diamond Head, in particular were notable because they managed to effectively hold an appreciative and receptive audience for the duration of an acoustic set, when everyone else had the benefit of a full electric band. They had just two acoustic guitars and a singer. You can only pull off something like that if you are very good indeed and have great songs. That, in my opinion, was one Hell of an impressive achievement. Diamond Head pulled as many people as anyone else on the day, and at the end of their set, received a well-deserved ovation from a very pleased audience.
At the end of the day, the Rockshield Festival was notable for its diverse range of artists and the excellence of their performances, in difficult circumstances, due to the restrictive time limits imposed by a) the Local council, and b) technical hitches. Diamond Head, in particular were notable because they managed to effectively hold an appreciative and receptive audience for the duration of an acoustic set, when everyone else had the benefit of a full electric band. They had just two acoustic guitars and a singer. You can only pull off something like that if you are very good indeed and have great songs. That, in my opinion, was one Hell of an impressive achievement. Diamond Head pulled as many people as anyone else on the day, and at the end of their set, received a well-deserved ovation from a very pleased audience.
Diamond Head is a class act, of that, there can be no doubt. Why the fame that they seemed destined to achieve has never materialised, is as much a mystery today, as it always has been. For sure, their songs sound as good today to my daughters, as they did to me when I first heard them twenty years ago, so they must be doing something right. What is more, they're nice people too. Sean and Brian were both extremely hospitable and took time out of their day to speak to my daughter and myself, not once, but twice. Many thanks to them for that, and for making it a very special and memorable day.
Keep on "Makin Music"
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
23rd September 2001
Keep on "Makin Music"
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
23rd September 2001
