Happy 51st birthday Mr Smith.
An excellent audience capture by young Toby of the Consortium. Thanks to Iftikhar for the photos.
"I do not actually act like this,
I am not from Manchester,
I am not a member of the Stone Roses,
I only acted like this because it was my birthday"......
Mixed views on this from those who attended. Taking out the off stage sections probably the shortest gig on the Spring 2008 tour. I rather like it. its not got the professional demeanour of some of the later gigs on this tour but it's great fun and the meister is clearly enjoying himself.
Noteable that the tour staple "Wings" is missing tonight. Interesting also to see rare appearances of "What about us" and "Theme from Sparta FC" which was dropped from the squad for the rest of the tour. Also of note a truncated version "50 year old man" which got up to around the 9 minute mark on the rest of the tour. Primarily due I think to a shorter than usual part 1 and "banjo" part. Part 3 (Inferior Product) is about the same length as other outings and the synthy bit in the middle is missing.
A Niki-less "Tommy Shooter" is very good indeed with Mark scatting all over the rhythm.
I think the stand out is an exceptional "Alton Towers" which is a masterpiece of brooding unresolved tension added to by Marks laconic delivery and the chittering sounds produced from EPs Korg.
"Blindness" is great. Mark plays with the words and at one point drops a cheeky little quote from "Rowche Rumble". There are some key quotes from the history of the song with references back to the leg operation, the BBC, Bilston, ID Cards, and mention of the sainted village of Ramsbottom. There is some immense sound on this including a particularly rabid keyboard solo from Mark and some immense cymbal abuse from Keiron.
Matters conclude with a robust "White Lightning" with some pinpoint keyboard noise and a great sense of unbridled fun.
A good one to have.