| Norwich, 14 May 2008 |
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| Written by Gerald Mouse | |
| Thursday, 15 May 2008 | |
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I think this was the best show the band have done at the Norwich University of East Anglia. Due to the limitations of stage and venue size, the crew as ever did an amazing job with the sound and the spectacular light show. The animations were projected onto a white sheet on the wall behind the band, but we only got to see the top half of these films as the band and equipment obscure the rest. However the use of lasers and the vari-lights was absolutely brilliant from the limited number they could put up in the venue. No room for the disco ball during Comfy, but the white swirling light effects projected from behind Damian instead were stunning! I swear his playing gets better every time. The place was packed as usual, I went with three friends, all TAPFS virgins and met up with half a dozen folks I know from the local pub where I live, who I had been banging on to about TAPFS for ever, (they finally got tickets) so lots of newbies there last night. It was still very light outside when the band came on at 8 o'clock, a large side window to the venue did not have curtains and there are two rows of skylights in the roof, so it was unusual seeing the band start up with it not being totally dark. The lightshow though still seemed very impressive as 'In the Flesh' began and ending to a huge cheer and applause. On through the usual setlist, (Sheep was performed this time - my 4th gig on the tour and yet to hear Pigs!). After ABITW2 Steve did his welcome, he said 'it is the last night of the tour, and somehow we usually end up finishing here in Norwich'. He went on to say 'We're normally pretty tired by the last gig, but last night we had a night off and spent the evening out in Norwich...so now we're really F**king tired!' The crowd loved that one. So Steve's illness at the previous gig was thankfully short lived. After Sheep we had the interval, then unfortunately a fight broke out near to the mixing desk. It is always a crush in the UEA, having to get to the loo or the bar and then fight your way back to your spot. There was a big guy trying to push though and next thing I know shouting and two guys with their hands around each other necks with a couple of punches thrown too, but it was quickly over and I saw one guy afterwards using ice on his eye. The second set underway with Shine On and I noticed that Mike came on with both of his saxes around his neck, rather than the first one he uses set up on it's stand as usual. A great juggling act from him to switch saxes and not miss his timing. The crowd really seemed to appreciate the sax solo at the end of Shine On, Mike was on great form. When it came to Jason's band introductions before Comfy, there were none! He said 'Great to be back in Norwich, I hear there was a fight, I would have liked to have seen that!' He then said 'today's a very special day as one of us has a birthday'. With that Roger from the crew stepped up to give Amy a bouquet of flowers and the other three girls launched into Stevie Wonder's 'Happy Birthday to ya' with the crowd joining in. With that done straight into Comfy and then Run as the encore. The crowd went nuts at the end of both of these, my friends all reckoned it was amazing and were talking about going to the Ipswich gig in August. I blagged the list from Gareth, he tried to fob me off with an old one from Birmingham, but kindly got one from another guy on the crew. Mike, it's yours if you want it. So a great end to the UK spring tour (apart from the fight!) |
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