FEEDER – LIVE AT THE LIMELIGHT 24.6.2022 (AND A LITTLE BIT OF LIAM GALLAGHER LIVE AT ORMEAU PARK 24.6.2022)

This was a case of two concerts for the price of one, going to see Feeder at The Limelight, and then getting to listen to Liam Gallagher on my walk home, and then opening my window so I could listen to him belt out his hits from the comfort of my Living Room.

It was Liam Gallagher who had his gig in the diary first, rearranged from last year on medical advice after he fell out of a helicopter.

One normal day of Liam Gallagher, that is all I ask for.

Feeder acknowledged the competition and said they were glad to have people come out to see them. They would have loved to have supported him, but having supported Noel recently, he may not be keen on the idea as they will have been deemed to have taken sides.

Grant did state that Ash, who did support him, were brilliant.

If you’re wondering why I went to Feeder instead despite Liam being announced first, here’s why.

I’m finished with outdoor concerts in Belfast. Too many scumbags on the fags and vapes throughout. No matter where I move (and I shouldn’t have to) I find myself struggling to breathe. It’s just not worth the hassle.

I shouldn’t be letting them win but I have no choice, I have to look after myself.

It will be to my own detriment, as i’ll be missing out on Simple Minds, Madness and Stereophonics.

That will be around £120 that the Live Music Industry will be missing out on through their inability to tackle the problem. Something to bear in mind the next time they are on the news crying about how hard things are.

Don’t tell me they can’t do anything. They can confiscate chocolate bars when people are going into Belsonic and they can confiscate mobile phones at a Kevin Hart show.

You can do anything you want when you put your mind to it.

Not that The Limelight is much better, as people routinely vape right in front of Security Staff.

What is the fucking point of them being there if they’re not going to do their job?

We really do live in a society that has a culture of tolerance and appeasement towards it’s absolute worst.

Unsurprisingly, this was a show packed with hits, beginning with the most recent once, The Healing, lead single from their most recent album Torpedo.

If you haven’t heard it, it’s an epic footstomper that is best described as “Classic Feeder” and can stand up to any of their big hits.

Big hits, such as Feeling A Moment, Lost And Found, Just The Way I’m Feeling, Come Back Around, Just A Day and Insomnia.

One of the big hits that nearly didn’t make it was Buck Rodgers. I know, that is almost sacriligious.

Grant Nicholas was toying with the idea of not playing the song on this tour.

Toyed with it, but he was never going to get away with it. He acknowledged himself how many doors it opened for the band, and then they played it.

It went down a storm, the whole venue singing along.

As fans left the venue, The Limelight was now getting ready for it’s club night, with the DJ playing Mr Blue Sky by ELO.

An appropriate choice, considering how warm it had been all day.

The problem was, it was now pissing down.

At least I didn’t have far to walk home.

As I was walking home, I could hear the sound of live music.

I assumed that it was another band playing elsewhere in The Limelight.

As I got further away from The Limelight, it became obvious that it was the sound of Liam Gallagher.

I could still hear him as I arrived at my front door.

It would have been rude not to open my window and listen to him from the comfort of my Living Room.

He sounded great, especially as I had arrived perfectly at the point where he was belting out the big hits.

Hopefully, next time, will be at The Odyssey.

Photo Album

Feeder Live At Holywood Rugby Club 2019

Feeder Live At The Limelight 2018

Feeder Live At The Limelight 2016

DEL AMITRI – LIVE AT THE LIMELIGHT 6.6.2022

Always wanted to see Big Derek Amitri live in concert.

Ok, it’s not a man called Derek, but a band, fronted by a man called Justin.

I’ve loved Del Amitri for a long time, going back to the 1990s when they seemed to release a certified banger every two years, such as Nothing Ever Happens, Always The Last To Know and Not Where It’s At.

Radio Hits rather than Chart Hits though. Seriously, what is wrong with this country?

And of course, the much maligned Don’t Come Home Too Soon. Don’t let anyone tell you it’s not a decent song.

Our paths did cross once, in 2014, when they played Hammersmith Apollo when I was in London for a weekend.

Ticket prices made me decide against it.

If you live in Belfast and want to see Del Amitri, you will have had to travel.

“What’s 30 fucking years?” said Justin Currie. He did say “fucking” quite a lot when speaking to the crowd.

Well, he is from Glasgow.

Not quite 30 years, according to their official website, which says they did a Belfast concert in 1994, but no date or venue.

Currie did remember playing, in his words, “A pub in Belfast”, prompting the audience to shout out answers as if we were at a Quiz Show.

Somebody shouted out Mandela Hall, which this 2021 Twitter post suggests they did play in 1990.

A curious aspect of this concert was the amount of people in t-shirts of other bands ranging from fellow Scots and Glaswegians Simple Minds, partially Scottish and Glaswegian AC/DC to the totally not Scottish U2 and Thin Lizzy.

Support came from Aqualung, who you may remember having a hit with Strange And Beautiful from a commercial twenty years ago.

We were glad just to have them in Belfast, and not to do with the fact we haven’t hosted them since the 1990s, but due to the fact that the Dublin concert scheduled for the previous night was cancelled (at a few weeks notice) due to “Unavoidable scheduling conflicts”.

A moment where you panicked before rereading and then rereading the story again.

The setlist, was made up mostly of Greatest Hits and songs from their new album Fatal Mistakes.

Hits played included Nothing Ever Happens, Always The Last To Know, Kiss This Thing Goodbye and Not Where It;s At.

I’ve been to plenty of concerts where there has been a Guitar solo. I’ve been to plenty of concerts where there has been a Drum solo.

This was the first concert where there was an Accordion solo, which is what we got while the crowd were singing along to Nothing Ever Happens.

We were even treated to stand-up comedy as Justin Currie asked what the difference is between an Accordion and and Onion.

He was overshouted by his bandmate before when trying to deliver the punchline.

Nobody cries when you cut open an Accordion, if you care.

Nothing Ever Happens is a song that took on a new meaning when people read the lyrics after seeing it on a Top Of The Pops repeat on BBC Four in 2020.

“Janitors padlock the gates for Security Guards to patrol …….Gentlemen time please, you know we can’t serve any more …………..By 5 o’clock everything’s dead, and every third car is a cab …….and ignorant people sleep in their beds”.

This basically summer up life in Lockdown during 2020 ……… thirty years ahead of it’s time.

There was probably an angry person in Manchester complaining about seeing Top Of The Pops repeats on BBC Four.

Although, i’m sure Del Amitri are expecting a few angry letters for not playing Roll To Me.

They didn’t play Don’t Come Home Too Soon, although they might not have been in the mood for it after Scotland had been pumped by Ukraine five days earlier.

Despite that, it was an enjoyable show.

There was a bit of a novelty leaving at 10pm that there was still (a small bit of) daylight, a bit of a culture shock considering how you are used to leaving indoor concerts in the dark..

Justin Currie wrote a blog about his experiences in Belfast. You can read about it here.

Photo Album

2021 IN PICTURES – DECEMBER (SO FAR ….)

December began with a trip to Coleraine, to see Linfield get a vital win.

That was followed by a trip to Windsor Park to see Linfield draw with Warrenpoint Town.

Time for one last concert in 2021, to see Ash at The Limelight.

The following night, I headed to Inver Park to see Linfield take on Larne.

Another match in a football dominated month, this time back to Windsor Park to see Linfield beat Ballymena United.

Of course, this entry is titled “December (So Far) as there is another week of the month left to go.

I was hoping to use my time off for hillwalks and obviously getting some photos but the weather hasn’t been kind. Hopefully, i’ll be able to get out before I return to work.

Let’s not forget, off to Windsor Park on Monday for Linfield v Glentoran. Undecided as yet about the Steel and Sons Cup Final.

Hope you enjoyed my photographic look through 2021.

Let’s hope I have something to photograph in 2022. Let’s not be stupid and get everything close again.

Coleraine v Linfield

Linfield v Warrenpoint Town

Ash live at The Limelight

Ash live at The Limelight Photo Album

Larne v Linfield

Linfield v Ballymena United

2021 IN PICTURES – NOVEMBER

November began with a day trip to Dublin. Naturally, while I was there, I took the opportunity to check out Street Art. Might as well, seeing as it was my first time there in two years.

Later that week, I did something else I hadn’t done for a long time. Not as long, just over eighteen months. I am of course referring to going to a concert, in this case, Lightning Seeds at The Limelight.

That was then followed by two road trips for Linfield away games, to Portadown and Crusaders.

Sandwiched inbetween that was another road trip, this time to Ards to get some Street Art photos, with a recent event having taken place.

It was a month of doing things I hadn’t done for a while. This time, going on a flight.

The destination was Gatwick, but not to go to London, but Brighton instead.

So many photo adventures, where to start?

Street Art in Brighton, of course. Also, a walk along Beachy Head, OMD in concert, and some sunsets while I was in Brighton.

Back home, a return to Windsor Park to see Linfield beat Cliftonville.

Two days later, I headed to The Limelight to see The Charlatans in concert.

The month ended with Linfield matches against Glenavon and Carrick Rangers.

Dublin Street Art

Dublin Street Art Photo Album

Lightning Seeds live at The Limelight

Lightning Seeds live at The Limelight Photo Album

Portadown v Linfield

Ards Street Art

Ards Street Art Photo Album

Crusaders v Linfield

Brighton Street Art

Brighton Street Art Photo Album

Beachy Head

Beachy Head Photo Album

OMD live at Brighton Centre

OMD live at Brighton Centre Photo Album

Brighton Sunset

Brighton Sunset Photo Album

Linfield v Cliftonville

The Charlatans live at The Limelight

The Charlatans live at The Limelight Photo Album

Glenavon v Linfield

Linfield v Carrick Rangers

ASH – LIVE AT THE LIMELIGHT 16.12.2021

This concert should have taken place at the end of May 2020, to kickstart the Summer of 2020. A lot of things didn’t happen in the Summer of 2020. Instead, the rearrangements to October 2020, May 2021 and then December 2021 meant that this became the now triennial Ash Christmas Bash.

In 2015 and 2018 (later in the month, coincidentally both on 20th December) they held concerts in the run-up to Christmas, dubbed The Ash Christmas Bash, which descended into anarchy and farce. The good sort.

Even though this concert didn’t have the same billing, it was. We all knew it was.

The reason for this tour, was to promote a compilation album called Teenage Wildlife, released to celebrate 25 years of Ash as a recording act, except it is now 26 years. Almost 27, as we are two months short of it being two years since it was released, braving a very wet Belfast City Centre to see Tim Wheeler perform a solo acoustic set in HMV to promote it.

To be honest, as with the other concerts I have attended, I was a bit unsure about going to this because of you know what, especially when The Charlatans and Supergrass became the first of many band over the next few days to immediately postpone their tours.

Eventually, I decided to go, wearing two masks and having a hand held fan with me to be extra sure. I’d got my Booster Jab the night before.

For this concert, The Limelight were making something vaguely resembling an effort for once, checking Covid Passes as people went in. They even had signage up requesting people wear masks. Obviously, they didn’t enforce it, that would be too much of an effort.

You may be shocked to discover that Maskexemptionitis is still rife. If only somebody could find a cure for it.

Oh sorry, I forgot, Magnum Carter.

Eventually, Ash appeared onstage, jumping straight into Goldfinger, one of many of their big hits played early on.

Might as well give the people what they want.

That was followed by Shining Light, A Life Less Ordinary and Oh Yeah, as well as Darkest Hour Of The Night, the single to promote the compilation released nearly two years ago that they are only getting around to promote.

I was expecting some changes to the lyrics in Buzzkill to reference you know what, but that would be letting you know what win.

Throughout the concert, Mark Hamilton was adopted Peter Hook-esque poses with his Bass, holding it in every position possible. You could have just stood watching him all night and be entertained.

It wasn’t just their own hits, as they included a cover of Another Girl Another Planet and one of Rocking Around The Christmas Tree, as tradition dictated they have to, in their words, massacre at least one Christmas classic.

Before leaving the stage, Tim Wheeler declared “See you next year” that Ash would be going on tour in 2022 to celebrate 30 years since they started performing as a live act.

All being well, that is, because of you know what. I admire his optimism.

I only have one concert in my diary for 2020, Paul Heaton and Jacqui Abbott at Ulster Hall.

At least I did, returning home to an e-mail from Ulster Hall to say that concert has been postponed until a (as yet unannounced) new date.

Although, it was on my dad’s birthday, which saved me from an awkward double booking. Phew.

I was hoping to see The Cure at The Odyssey in December (It’s on Robert Smith’s favourite day of the week) but not with a £7 Booking Fee. I will probably relent nearer the time.

Just remember that if someone from The Odyssey is ever on the news complaining that they are struggling financially because of you know what.

As a footnote to this concert, Ash appeared on a TV show called Live At The Waterfront. Funnily enough, it was filmed at Waterfront Hall. It was broadcast on Sky Arts so if you have Sky Q, you should be able to download it.

So, 2024, the next Ash Christmas Bash. Let’s try and have Covid consigned to history by then. Is that too much to ask for?

Photo Album

Ash live at HMV Belfast 2020

Ash live at The Limelight 2018

Ash live at Titanic Slipways 2018

Ash live at The Empire 2015

THE CHARLATANS – LIVE AT THE LIMELIGHT 22.11.2021

31 years is a curious anniversary to celebrate, but that’s what The Charlatans were doing when they rolled into Belfast to perform at The Limelight.

This concert, wasn’t actually put back, it was on the actual date it was announced to be on, calling it The 31st Anniversary Tour was very much tongue in cheek to the current situation.

Getting in, it was a ticket on my phone. Ugh. I was asked to scan a QR Code for Track and Trace but they let me in anyway when it wouldn’t work on my phone. No request to show proof of vaccination or mask enforcement.

During the support act, Aoife Nessa Francis, Tim Burgess was stood in front of me on the floor, watching her. Wearing a mask as well, setting a good example. You’d think if the singer of the band you’re going to see can wear a mask you could do so too. I forgot, Maskexemptionitis is on the rampage. Let’s hope they find a cure for it.

As Tim dedicated a song to Steve Strange, a Belfast based Promoter, not the Welsh Pop Star from the 80s, someone asked if it was My Beautiful Friend, only to be told it was not, but they should have done that song for him. They ended up not performing it. Pity, it’s a decent tune.

Sadly, Tim responding only encouraged the Banter Bores in the crowd. You know the sort, think they’re mates with the band and that they’re so funny. We’re not here to see you.

This was a Greatest Hits Tour, we were treated to, um, hits and lots of them – Forever, Weirdo, You’re So Pretty We’re So Pretty, North Country Boy, One To Another, Tellin Stories and The Only One I Know.

As Tim Burgess was introducing the rest of the band, Pete Salisbury, formerly of The Verve but now very much a Charlatan declined to do a drum solo despite being egged on by the crowd.

Pleasingly, they played two of my favourite songs, Love Is The Key and Blackened Blue Eyes.

A Greatest Hits Tour that did what it said on the tin.

Photo Album

The Charlatans live at Falls Park 2013

The Charlatans live at Custom House Square 2015

The Charlatans live at The Limelight 2017

STLFTEM ROUND-UP 2011

Seeing as it’s the end of the year, almost, I thought I’d keep you all up to date with my STLFTEM for 2011.

For those who don’t know, STLFTEM is basically Something To Look Forward To Every Month.

I started it in 2009, and it basically is to have something to go, see or do every month, and look forward to it.

The only rules are that it has to be something seen in person. Therefore, watching Euro 2012 on TV won’t count for June next year.

Also, I can have more than one STLFTEM each month. In fact, I can have as many as I wish.

January was a bit of a cheat, as I went to the Linfield v Glentoran match postponed from 26th December 2010. But, my lifestyle ethos, my rules.

February was a bumper month as I went to Barcelona for a weekend, and then the following Wednesday, I went to see Northern Ireland take on Scotland.

March was also a Northern Ireland match. A 0-0 draw v Slovenia. Yep, that was well worth the wait.

April was a bumper month with a title showdown for Linfield against Crusaders and three matches against Glentoran, one of which was an Irish Cup Semi-Final. Not only that, but there was also the matter of Beady Eye’s first concert in Belfast.

Four wins, and an excellent concert made it a worthwhile month.

May was all about travelling as I went to the UEFA Cup Final, and Manchester United’s last match of the season, against Blackpool.

June was quiet, but I did go and see 3OH!3

July was also quiet, but Linfield playing in Europe and a pre-season friendly against Derriaghy were enjoyable. As I stated earlier, some months are a struggle.

August was busy with the start of the new Irish League season and trips to Edinburgh and Brighton.

September was the Arthur’s Day concert at Ulster Hall (Any my ticket was free)

October was another concert at Ulster Hall, Noah and the Whale. There were fantastic.

I’d hoped that November would be going to the MTV EMAs. Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to get a ticket, so I had to make do with a trip to Old Trafford to see United take on Sunderland.

December will be the Boxing Day match at The Oval. If that bites the dust because of the weather, I’ll make it the Ulster v Aironi match two weeks ago (Again, a free ticket)

Well, that is how i’ve managed to have STLFTEM throughout the year, but I’ve already got some lined up for 2012.

In January, I’m going to see Roy “Catchphrase” Walker as part of the Out To Lunch Festival.

February will be a busy month as I’ll be taking a break to Amsterdam from 3rd-6th, then going to see Noel Gallagher at The Odyssey on 16th, before flying to Manchester on 23rd.

I’m hoping to see United v Ajax. I’ve no ticket sorted as yet, but I’m confident I’ll get one.

Pretty tempted to go and see The Beat at The Limelight in March. Undecided as yet.

August of course, will see me head to Edinburgh for the Festival. If I could afford to, I’d spend the whole month there.

So that, is how I’ve managed to enjoy myself at least once a month this year and how I plan to do so next year.

If you have any suggestions for any of the months, feel free to get in touch and suggest.