Looking out the hotel window this morning, the area that last night was full with the tour buses and trucks and a hive of active due to the load out, is now empty. The only evidence of last nights gig is the garbage truck feasting on the pile of rubbish bags like some trash devouring monster.
No doubt the crew are already parked up beside the Apollo in Manchester ahead of tonight’s gig. Some may be sleeping; others may be already unloading the gear. We, of course will catch them up later for what will be our last gig before heading back up north to Edinburgh. But there are more important matters at hand first, namely the Haribo shop in Pontefract. Which, we are currently heading to, and then on to the Trafford Centre for a bit more of retail therapy.
Coming off the back of the Birmingham gig. The Dome provided an up close and intimate experience for both the band and the crowd. Basically it was a gig in a gym hall that was narrower than it was wide. Think, American college movie on prom night, and you will get the idea of the dimensions. Gone was the high stage (the front barrier was taller than it) and the huge gap between the band and the front row. The light rigging that usually sits just behind Ed was now strung up above the projector screen instead of below it and with fewer lights attached.
We interrupt this blog to bring you a weather update….. Hail stones and sunshine.
Needless to say the gig was fabby. Both crowd and band were buzzing like a really really hyper buzzy thing that had just been given a shot of an extra strong buzz pick me up. Maybe it was the day off that gave the band time to recharge after giving their all four nights in a row or maybe it was the hyper crowd, helped in their jumping up and down by the wooden floor, that lead to such a powerful and electric gig.
For me it was all those things and more. What such a small venue did was to dilute the usual boundaries between band and crowd and force us together within the confines of its small space. They were right there in front of us and we, the sweaty screaming crowd, were right there, in their faces. There was nowhere to hide for either side. Each feeding of the others energy and passion and inspiring both to give even more (which we both did). And if both parties wanted to do so, they could reach out and touch one another. And as it turned out someone on our side broke ranks and made it on to their terrain during Smokers. Thankfully he was happy to have a quick boogie before being escorted away.
Other things of note on the night were Tom standing aloft his piano only twice. Maybe he was worried about banging his head (yes that semi-pun is intended) on the low ceiling. The projector wasn’t used as much as is had been. Must confess the old couple dancing amongst the glitter balls and lights was missed during Push Your Head Towards The Air as it lends a nice warm fuzzy feeling to the song. And of course there were the most pullouts I have seen on the tour so far.