Long Time, Much Seen: Gigs Galore

I think it's high time I posted again. It's been months now since my last post and I've been neglecting my blog (and any readers who hopefully have found their way to it). My recent lack of posts isn't due to having nothing to post about - on the contrary I've been that busy doing things that would make interesting blogging material that I haven't managed to get round to typing any of it for your viewing pleasure.



I'm going to Sheffield to see Livewire tonight, an AC/DC tribute band. I've never seen them before but my dad has and he says they're good so I'll write back after I've seen them and let you know if they live up to what he's told me about them. For your information, Livewire occasionally play alongside Limehouse Lizzy, a Thin Lizzy tribute band I saw a few years ago who were just about as good as the real thing.



In the past few weeks I've seen:



Pink at the MEN Arena in Manchester - 28th October

Shinedown at Manchester Academy 1 - 4th November

Seth Lakeman at Manchester Academy 2 - 13th November

The Illegal Eagles at the Grimsby Auditorium - 28th November



Each one of the acts I've listed put on one hell of a show, even though their musical and show styles are very different. Pink had an extravagant set, designed to look like a fairground; Shinedown gave us belting rock with decent lighting; Seth Lakeman's stage was beautifully lit by well-choreographed displays and his voice and the beautiful playing of his band were carried to us perfectly with crystal-clear acoustics; and the Illegal Eagles sang perfect harmonies and illustrated their technical proficiency with ease.



Notes on the venues:



The MEN Arena



The largest indoor stadium in Europe. The staff were extremely helpful and competent and wore bright yellow jackets and shirts which made them easy to spot in the crowd, which was swiftly and efficiently managed at the beginning and end of the gig.



Grimsby Auditorium



A venue much larger than I expected. A nicely sized stage and a cozy feel.