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Richard Ashcroft, Razorlight, The Feeling - Old Trafford Cricket Ground (Manchester) - 17th June 2006
Richard Ashcroft in Manchester Cricket Ground
Another great gig. Supported by the Feeling who are a new band with some good songs, and Razorlight
Razorlight were good but i wish they played more songs that I know lol. They mustve played about 4 new songs which nobody knew lol.
The weather was nice, which meant the nice women were wearing less
The stage effects werent too good but the sound was good and the croud knew a suprising amount of the words.
Nice to hear Richard changing some of the words from "Music is Power" to "Rooney is Power! Let him play from the starrrt, Come on
England!!!!! and Crouch is a starr"!
Transport was dead easy roughly 20-30 minutes!
My voice was pretty bad before the gig, but after it and today its totally fucked lol, can hardly speak! Cant imagine what its gonna be like
after the Foo Fighters gig today Cant wait!
Day one of the two-day gigs at Old Trafford Cricket Ground. Tis a good venue for festival-like gigs as it's really open, and the general
admission tickets means you have the freedom to go anywhere in the venue. Tends to have a good atmosphere here too, especially
chilled out in the afternoon before the main band(s) come on. For this day part of the ground was blocked off though which was a bit
of a pain, only 1/3 of seats were open for use and a small bit of pitch was blocked off. But the weather was nice and sunny throughout.
First up was The Feeling. I know about four of their songs and heard them all in the set, and they seem a pretty good new band. Was
kinda funny that midway through their set bitter sweet symphony started playing over the speakers, which seemed a genuine accident.
They got a good reception anyway.
Next up was Razorlight. We got a fairly good spot in the crowd and these were great. Lots of rocking tunes in their set. There were 4
new ones, but it takes me a while to form opinions on new songs. They played all their hits plus a couple of album tracks from the first
album. Think these exceeded my expectations as they seemed quite a bit better live than on record. Only downside was I was full of
hayfever around this time!!
Finally Richard Ashcroft took the stage was a great set to end the day. Opener Keys to the World was ace, quickly followed by a crowd
singer Sonnet. It felt like this was a big deal for Ashcroft himself, and I hope he recorded it for a future dvd release. Was cool in New York
when Richard Ashcroft ripped all the strings off his guitar. Lucky Man was prob the highlight of the set, which closed the main set. The
encore sadly didn't include check the meaning, but a song for lovers instead. Nevertheless it was still a good set overall, and break the
night with colour and bitter sweet symphony ended up day one at old trafford.
Review from MEN website:
| Quote: |
Richard Ashcroft @ Old Trafford
Shaun Curran
17/06/06
Vaccum-packed in a skint tight white ensemble, you could have forgiven Razorlight’s cocksure
frontman Johnny Borrell if he had been a little late on stage, as squeezing himself in to such
breadth-sapping garments must have been an ordeal in itself.
Not that it restricted his performance of course, with the wiry-framed one seemingly determined
to put his money where is mouth was and show his current arch-nemesis Luke Kook that Razorlight
were back for their indie crown.
Playing to Richard Ashcroft’s audience, the quartet wisely mainly stuck to tracks from their hit-filled
debut, Up All Night, despite having a new album in the can and all set to go.
From the scuzzy opening salvo of Rip It Up to arguably their finest moment to date, Stumble & Fall,
the atmosphere was soon flicked on to party mode.
Their monster, generation-crossing hit Golden Touch saw Borrell rest his vocal cords as the audience
took over, while new single In The Morning bounced along like the Boomtown Rats in their pomp.
While bombastic new track America hint at future Bruce Springsteen leanings.
As tight as both Borrell’s attire and Andy Burrow’s searing drumming, Razorlight proved why they are
one of the best live acts in the business.
SINCE The Verve’s acrimonious spit in 1999, Richard Ashcroft’s fortunes have certainly been mixed.
Whilst his hardcore fans (as well as Ashcroft himself) have always maintained his genius, for all but
the disciples Ashcroft’s edge has been blunted in a haze of domestic bliss and apparent egomania.
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Despite this, he is still revered with hysteria by many in a similar manner to Oasis, and following this
year’s improved effort Keys to the World, now was the perfect time to demonstrate he has regained
his, er, verve.
And, eight years on form his former bands era-defining gig at Wigan’s Haigh Hall – one of the best
shows this writer has ever seen – Ashcroft does a good job of recreating the spirit of days gone by.
History
It goes without saying the Verve stuff is met rapturously (anyone who isn’t moved by History and
The Drugs Don’t Work doesn’t have a beating pulse), but there are surprise delights to be had in
his much maligned solo output.
The likes of Sound of Science and Nature is the Law, flimsy faux-hippie ditties on record, come to
life in the vast arena, suddenly making sense.
Even New York, perhaps one of his worst solo songs, has added bite previously lacking.
Ashcroft himself also looks to have renewed vigour. He looks every inch the star, and whilst he may
no longer be ‘mad’ Richard, he is still as an alluring performer as we have.
Surprisingly humble yet confident, we looks thrilled to still be able to connect with the masses, to be
able to say to the detractors that, whilst fashions change and trends come and go, sometimes a belief
in what you do is all you need.
Transcends
He finishes with a glorious Bittersweet Symphony, a song so good it transcends any notion of genre,
class or race, and you realise that when Richard Ashcroft is in this form, there really is no-one else who
can unite so many people on such a grand scale.
He thanks us at the end ‘for letting me be myself’, but the pleasure was all ours.
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/entertainment/music/livereviews/s/216/216056_richard_ash
croft__old_trafford.html
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Review from BBC website:
| Quote: |
Richard Ashcroft (pic: Andy Stubbs)
Richard Ashcroft at Lancashire County Cricket Club - 8/10
Nick Bowden (gig: 17/06/06)
The other Old Trafford is awash with flip-flopped fops and beery fans singing Oasis songs, giving the place
a real festival atmosphere, which is only enhanced by the indecisive weather for Richard Ashcroft’s sort of
homecoming.
Support The Feeling’s feel-good opener, I Want You Now, provides a ray of sunshine, with the Beach Boy
harmonics piercing the rumbling bassline. Fill My Little World is infectious, rousing the crowd into song and
debut Sewn floats delicately around the arena.
The odd bout of tweeness is more than balanced by great tunes, as Rosé, the “song about love and about
alcohol” morphs into an angsty power ballad. I’m not sure if it’s more surprising that the song sounds like a
Rod Stewart number or that this isn’t a bad thing. In any case, The Feeling bring something unique to the fray,
and set the tone for the day.
Wild-haired and saucer-eyed, Johnny Borrell’s resemblance to Bob Geldof is uncanny as Rip It Up kick-starts
Razorlight’s well-oiled rock machine, and the moshpit to boot. There’s a hint of the Boomtown Rats and some
Talking Heads to new song In the Morning, while the back-to-back combo of Golden Touch and Vice is incredible,
as is Borrell’s surprisingly powerful voice.
Somewhere Else gets a rapturous response and shows the band’s ability for great songsmithery, beyond the
punkish thrust of their debut album. Finishing in a towering crescendo of guitar, In The City sees Johnny, Bjorn
and Carl side-by side, playing in unison. It’s a fitting end to an impassioned and professional performance, the
legendarily arrogant Borrell proving he’s not all mouth.
After a medley of Richard Ashcroft’s favourite songs, Primal Scream’s Come Together provides the Verve man
with his entrance, swaggering onstage to the Scream’s unifying message.
“Come on Manchester!” is his opening call, and Manchester responds with gusto. Sonnet is lapped up by his
faithful following, while Music is Power is jazzed up with sax. Ashcroft’s in jubilant mood, telling the crowd they’re
the best he’s ever had, and his exuberance spills out as he sings a ditty about Rooney (‘Rooney is Power’).
History sounds as powerful as ever, while New York is introduced as “a big slab of psychedelia”. It’s certainly
big, and the slightly over-indulgent length of the song is more than made up for by Richard’s boundless enthusiasm.
New song Words Just Get In The Way is easy on the ear too, and on Nature Is The Law, Ashcroft’s resonant
vocals drop a shade to resemble Neil Diamond’s rich tones. He introduces Lucky Man as “one of the greatest
songs I ever wrote”, and it provides the cue for a staggeringly affectionate lighters-in-the-air moment.
The encore sees DJ Shadow take to the stage to perform Lonely Soul from UNKLE’s Psyence Fiction album.
It sits slightly awkwardly with the rest of tonight’s performance, but perfectly in to Ashcroft’s eclectic music ethos.
Finally, a heartfelt Break The Night With Colour precedes Bitter Sweet Symphony, a triumphant reminder of
Ashcroft’s prowess and of his importance in popular music. The Verve, like Oasis, soundtracked the background
noise of ordinary lives, and the devotion from the audience tonight is testament to the power of the music that
Ashcroft loves, and more importantly, creates. He’s one of a very few artists who can make hardened hooligans
shed a tear and share a hug, and that’s got to be special.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/content/articles/2006/06/19/170606_richard_ashcroft_feature.shtml |
Rough Set Lists Below:
The Feeling:
Fill my little world
Strange
Never Be Lonely
Sewn
Love it when you call
+ Others
Razorlight:
Leave Me Alone
Rip It Up
In The Morning
Bright Lights
Golden Touch
Rock 'N' Roll Lies
Vice
Fall To Pieces
Stumble & Fall
America
Dalston
Somewhere Else
In The City
Richard Ashcroft:
Keys To The World
Sonnet
Music Is Power
History (Acoustic)
Why Not Nothing?
The Drugs Don't Work (Acoustic)
Science Of Silence
Sweet Brother Malcolm
New York
Nature Is The Law
Words Just Get In The Way
Lucky Man
A Song Fot The Lovers (Acoustic)
Lonely Soul
Break The Night With Colour
Bittersweet Symphony
Foo Fighters, Strokes, Angels and Airwaves, Subways - Old Trafford Cricket Ground (Manchester) - 18th June 2006
Another great night at Old Trafford Cricket Ground. Weather wasn't as good but I didn't mind the rain, helped cool us down a bit and seemed
to kill off any potential hayfever!! The whole field and seating area was open today, and it was definitely more packed.
Ok start of the day was Subways. They were pretty much as I expected. As we sat through this one it was alright, and there was the odd
highlight (stage diving, energetic band, the odd ok tune).
Next up were Angels and Airwaves. Shocking how little reaction they got from the crowd. I dont really know much of their stuff yet but they
seem pretty good, I especially like the single the adventure. Think the rain during their set prob didn't help the crowd.
The Strokes were the final support act. They did a good set which lasted about an hour. One of the most uncharasmatic bands there is,
but still they have good tunes so that's the main thing.
The Foos were awesome. Good interaction with the crowd and they flat out rocked. We had a great spot in the crowd for these, top view
and good energetic crowd near us. The set list was similar to December but that was expected, and I think the ordering was better this time
(especially All My Life being early in the set). The laser lights seemed even more impressive outdoor, and fireworks at the end a nice surprise.
They came on stage late as guys were taking ages putting out the carpet cos of the rain, but they played till later so it's all cool. It was funny
seeing Dave's disapproving face when his mic messed up. Was also nice to hear him saying how the crowd at Hyde Park sucked
compared to us
This foos gig was a real unexpected treat considering we had to wait over 3 years between the last gigs. Have heard they're taking a break
now for a bit but they did mention recording a new album last night, so hopefully it won't be too long before they're back again. And next time
Dave promised we get free beer and brollies
Below is a review from the MEN site:
| Quote: |
Foo Fighters @ Old Trafford
Sarah Walters
ANTHEMIC: Foos18/06/06
PART two of the festivities at Lancashire Cricket Ground served as an opportunity to showcase some of the
biggest names in modern American rock.
The Strokes may be too cool for school, have zero stage presence or charisma, and are so technically proficient
that it's often like listen to the CD rather than a live show, but does that really matter when they have tunes like this?
It's difficult to believe that they already have three albums under their belt, which means they have a wealth of quality
tracks to dredge up.
The great thing about the Strokes is that you can chart the change in their style over time - they open up with Heart In
A Cage and Juicebox from the current First Impressions Of Earth album which has seen them become more primal
and almost heavy metal in style.
But it's clear that it's their debut album that still holds dearest with this crowd - Hard To Explain, New York City Cops
and in particular Last Nite temporarily make 50,000 Mancunians do bizarre flailing-leg and arm-waving dances. They
really were a ray of sunshine amongst the showers.
With the crowd thoroughly warmed up by Eagle Of Death Metal, The Subways, Angels & Airwaves and New York’s
uber-cool hipsters The Strokes, the heavens opened and the field erupts in colour as 40,000 umbrellas spring open.
But not even grey skies and constant drizzle can dampen the spirits of those awaiting the arrival of the mighty Dave
Grohl and his Foo Fighters crew.
Grohl’s catwalk entrance and battle cry opener In Your Honor does not disappoint, and singles All My Life and Times
Like These unite the crowd in a jumping and clapping frenzy.
The ex-Nirvana drummer delivers an impassioned performance – screaming so loudly that he shorts out his microphone
– but he always remains characteristically playful with the crowd.
Learn to Fly, Breakout, the rousing Best of You and the guitar face-off and drum solo are tip of a set of anthemic highlights
and make everyone forget about the weather.
http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/entertainment/music/livereviews/s/216/216018_foo_fighters__old_trafford.html |
Review from BBC Online:
| Quote: |
Foo Fighters at Old Trafford Cricket Ground - 7/10
Alex Davies (gig: 18/06/06)
It’s always the way. An abundance of glorious sunshine, right up until the day of an all-day outdoor concert. It was grey skies
and umbrellas galore as thousands crammed into Old Trafford for one of Foo Fighters’ largest headlining shows to date.
Indeed, the only band to really bask in the seconds of sunshine that stuttered across the arena were the stupidly energetic
Subways. With the potential to look very small on the massive stage, the trio set about ripping such expectations to shreds
with hi-octane run-throughs of Oh Yeah and Rock & Roll Queen and, in the case of frontman Billy Lunn, speaker climbing
and general on-stage shenanigans that peaked with him running down the Foos’ catwalk and launching himself into the crowd.
A real case of a job well done.
First of the heavy hitters to take the stage was Angels & Airwaves, ex-Blink 182 main-man Tom Delonge’s new band. If we
were to believe the various interviews and insurmountable hype surrounding this band, then even the near-torrential rain couldn’t
stop Delonge making us feel ‘closer to heaven’ with his band’s epic stylings.
First off, the quality of the sound did not help. And this was a problem throughout the day. Opening up with Valkyrie Missile,
a 7-minute prog-lite stormer, the band met with indifference from the majority of the crowd, playing their set as if headlining,
yet without the audience participation to justify it. Delonge’s new-found messiah complex and penchant for U2 flavoured space-rock
operatics have numerous high points, namely recent single The Adventure and set-closer The War, but it’s far too early to see if they
deserve even half the hype.
The Strokes were next, much to the delight of those in the crowd who didn’t favour being told that together they could ‘change the world’,
and just wanted a good sing along to forget the weather.
The Strokes provided a walk through their numerous hits, and some of the finer album tracks, and you can’t deny the band’s musical
skill or their ability to write a solid tune (Someday and Hard To Explain in particular, making for stand-out moments). But in terms of
stage presence, the band are rather lacking. Standing around in leather jackets and looking distant might work in smaller venues,
but at this scale, a little more is needed.
Maybe if they spent less time trying to be the New York Dolls and more understanding that stagecraft makes a set worthwhile, they’d
be more worthy of their status as main support.
That ‘little more’ that the Strokes lacked definitely found its way to the stage with the entrance of the Dave Grohl band. Sorry, Foo
Fighters. Nate Mendel, Chris Shiflett and Taylor Hawkins’ glorious credentials aside, tonight was all about ‘the nicest man in rock’.
Even if you’re not a fan of his band, with Grohl heading it up, you cannot help enjoying yourself, such is his onstage manner. Also,
tonight was a reminder just how many big singles this band have. It seemed every track had the audience on backing vocals. After
having a bit of a rotten time with an ordinary crowd the day before in Hyde Park, he was quick to extol the virtues of the Manchester
crowd.
The brilliance came thick and fast, from the opening scream of In Your Honour through old and new glories in the shape of Monkey
Wrench and Best Of You and out to an unexpected but warmly-welcomed rendition of the band’s debut single, This Is A Call. One of
the biggest ovations of the night was for Breakout, but a personal highlight was the encore of Everlong, with Grohl performing solo
until the song burst into a whole band crescendo.
On reflection, one energetic set, two very average performances and a throbbing attempt to wipe away bad weather and gloss over
any earlier shortfalls was just about worth it, but didn’t quite let you forget just how wet you were.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/manchester/content/articles/2006/06/19/180606_foo_fighters_feature.shtml |
Rough Set Lists:
Subways:
I Want To Hear What You Have Got To Say
Oh Yeah
Rock & Roll Queen
+ Others
Angels and Airwaves:
Valkyrie Missle
It Hurts
The Adventure
Distraction
+ Others
Strokes:
Heart In A Cage
Barely legal
The End Has No End
Someday
Juicebox
Vision of Division
Killing Lies
You Only Live Once
Last night
Hard to explain
Reptilila
New York City cops
Take it or leave it
12:51 (?)
Possibly others too
Foo Fighters:
In Your Honour
All My Life
Times Like These
Up In Arms
Learn To Fly
No Way Back
Best Of You
The One
Stacked Actors
My Hero
Generator
This Is A Call
Breakout
Monkey Wrench
Dead Or Alive
Cold Day In The Sun
Everlong
Links to more:
http://static.flickr.com/72/170765195_3665043b30.jpg?v=0
http://static.flickr.com/63/170765196_105380a4ac.jpg?v=0
http://static.flickr.com/75/170765200_e1d1741f93.jpg?v=0
http://static.flickr.com/62/170766900_845c99a372.jpg?v=0
http://static.flickr.com/45/170768775_898cfee24c.jpg?v=0
http://static.flickr.com/56/170768778_fe1be74422.jpg?v=0
Videos:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=9RjT3OiIdcs
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E0NHhSz6lMI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=skv3ytzTQB0
i almost forgot to do my review for the foos gig!
although yours is fantastic i wanna record some of my favourite bits.
there was alot more people than at the richard ashcroft gig, to be expected i suppose. we were there just on time to see the subways which
werent as
good i expected
the sexy girls were more covered up today no thanks to the colder weather and probably the fact that most were wearing mosher clothes.
angels and airwaves came on. man they sounded ace from where i was standing. but then it started heaving down with rain!
ran to the clothes stall, eventually got served, got myself a nice big black foos t shirt with a cool blue pic of the band on the front
definitely wouldve been too cold with only one t shirt on!
i'm still very suprised at how shit the audience's reaction was to the ex-blink 182 singers new band! i thought they sounded damn good, so i
went and jumped
around with a couple of the only appreciative members of the audience lol.
the strokes came on phill and i gradually got closer and closer to the stage and the fast food stall
they came out with some new songs which didnt sound too fantastic, but they might grow on me when i get hold of their new album. there classic
songs were
very popular with the crowd thank god!
got myself the same meal as yesterday cheese burger and chips and only took 5 minutes to queue unlike yesterdays 45 minutes!
waited ages for the guys to sort out the soaked stage ready for dave grohl and his fellow foos. and hell yeah was it worth the wait! we were right
near the front
and rockin with the crowd!
a great song list, with daves fantastic burps in between speeches prooved very popular with everyone. the night topped off with a suprising
amount
of fireworks.
cheers for getting them tickets phill! such a great weekend! one to remember for a looooooong time!
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