More From Edinburgh

I always enjoy staying in Edinburgh during the Festival Fringe. It means I can see shows later at night than I would otherwise. I enjoyed a couple of fun days at the Fringe and, as I did in my last post, here's a wee look at what I saw.

The Maydays: Oh Boy: The Quantum Leap Show

Cowgatehead, 14:30 (55mins)
Back in "the day" I was a big fan of the sci-fi TV series Quantum Leap and when I saw this in the programme, I wanted to go and see it. The premise is simple - improvisation group The Maydays improvise an entirely new episode of the now classic sci-fi show with a few simple suggestions from the audience. As with the show itself, the character of Dr Sam Beckett didn't know who, where our when he was. The difference here is that for the first few minutes of the episode itself, neither did the performer in the role! Now, before I go any further, I do have a bit of a complaint. It is not the fault of the performers but I have to say that the room they were performing in wasn't the best to see what was happening on stage a lot of the time thanks to an awkwardly placed pillar. That said, today's episode, called "Dynoplasty" took us back to 1981 and a plastic surgeon for animals. I thought it was a lot of fun, but if you were not a fan of the original show then I will warn you that this show won't really be for you as there are so many call backs and "inside" gags for Quantum Leap fans. But if you are a fan, make sure you go and see it.

Richard Wisemans and The Creative Martyrs: And The Goat Remained A Goat

Voodoo Rooms, 17:00 (1hr)

This was an hour in the company of Prof. Richard Wiseman and musical duo The Creative Martyrs who, between them, told the story of Harry Price: Ghost Hunter, Psychic Investigator, Conjurer and Debunker.  And what an entertaining hour it was with Richard telling part of the story and including some excellent magic with the The Creative Martyrs continuing the story with their humorous songs. But there was a lot more to it than just good magic and funny songs. Sadly, at the time of writing this, the show has now finished its run but if Richard ever puts it back on, make a point of going to see it. You won't regret it!

George Firehorse: 37 Years Of Childhood

Ryrie's, 19:30 (1hr)

An hour of magic, comedy and utter nonsense - otherwise known as fun! I had never encountered George Firehorse before but those I was with had seen him at a couple of magic conventions and had told me he was a lot of fun to watch. They weren't wrong. Some of his pieces were a lot of fun while others were so off the wall they were almost in another room. The show isn't suitable for children (due to bad language) and George handled the unexpected arrival of a youngster in his show about 10 minutes in with great professionalism and kindness. This is an hour of madcap fun that you'll either love or hate. If you go with the flow of the show, you'll end up having a fun time.

The Blues Brothers - Live

C Venues, 22:40 (55mins)

I went to see this show last year and had such a great time that a repeat visit was called for, especially since the producers are saying that it will be the last time it is in Edinburgh.  We had a different singer as Jake this year but he was just as good a singer as last year's and Elwood (the same one from last year) was just as good on the blues harp as the original. His opening to "Flip, Flop and Fly" was brilliant! This show isn't just for fans of the movies or the albums, they are for fans of great music. I was there with friends who had never seen the original movie (what's that all about?!?) had a wonderful time, dancing along with the rest of the audience which consisted of people of all ages. If you are in Edinburgh late at night over the coming week or so, make a point of going to see them.

Paul Savage Finds Every Joke In The Bible

Dragonfly, 16:20 (1hr)

I'll admit, this wasn't my choice but I'm glad I went. It was an enjoyable hour using the bible, and the people named within it, as the basis for his show. Paul Savage's father is a Baptist preacher (he told us repeatedly, almost as if to justify why he was doing the show) but he made a point of saying that he was not out to preach to us. His ability to keep his audience engaged meant that the audience participation moments in the show worked and the person he chose to stand with him at the microphone could not have been better. An hour that proves that a labour of love can actually work.

Danny Buckler: Punch

Cowgatehead, 18:15 (1hr)

This was my second time seeing Danny Buckler performing, for the most part, straight stand up after his last Edinburgh visit 2 years ago and it's a great way to spend an hour. He had the whole room laughing as he spoke about a whole host of subjects that most people in attendance can relate to including stories about live, love and his heroes and has one of the best sleepover stories I've ever heard. I won't spoilt it by telling you who it involves but it is a cracker! Seriously, miss Danny at your peril!

The Colour Ham

Just The Tonic at The Caves, 19:40 (1hr)

Take a mentalist, Colin Cloud, a magician, Kevin McMahon, and a comedian, Gavin Oates, together and put them on stage and what do you get? A whole lot of mayhem otherwise known to the world as The Colour Ham. This is a sketch show with a real difference - most of the sketches are brilliant magic routines, a number of which fooled me badly (especially the opening routine!). On the night I saw the show, the boys had to contend with some really difficult audience members who were not willing to go with the fun that they were trying to create on stage, but they handled them with charm and professionalism. They also brought back a TV character that anyone in their 30s or 40s who grew up in Scotland will no doubt remember. The theme tune is still going round my head!

Joke Thieves

Just The Tonic at The Caves, 22:30 (1hr)

Joke Thieves, the brainchild of comedian Will Mars, was another show that I saw last year and enjoyed so much that I wanted to see it again. Last year, it was a free show and it took me 3 attempts to get in to see it! This time, it is a ticketed show (very reasonably priced too!) making things a lot easier to get in! The premise is very simple - 4 comedians get paired up and then perform twice. First time, they perform their own material but the second time, they perform their partner's material! This can lead to some fun moments when someone performs their partner's material funnier than the person who originally performed it or if a performer comes out with a line or 3 that, coming from another performer, could cause a great deal of offence outwith the context of this show. On the night I was there, Jo Caulfield was paired up with Kevin Dewsbury while Prince Abdi was paired with Alex Edelman. It was a great show which, to be honest, will make those of us in the room that night smile at the memories of but is impossible to explain to anyone else. You just need to go and see the show for yourself.

And so ends another Edinburgh Fringe for me. Now I just need to wait for next June for the 2015 Fringe Programme to be released! Only 10 months to go!

Speak soon.

The Cardman :-)

R.E.M. - It's The End Of The Band As We Know It...

Hi folks

Well, chances are that you will have heard about R.E.M.'s decision to break up.  If you hadn't before, I'm sorry to be the one to break the news.

Before I really get started, let me just say that this post may be a bit rambling.  I'm sorry for that, but I wanted to get my thoughts down before they left me.

I have been a fan of REM since I was in college.  I heard a wee song called "It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)" when I was in the Students' Union Bar one night.  A raucous song that went at 90 miles an hour for most of the song.  A wee while later, I heard a little known song called "Losing My Religion" which had just been released as a single.  It blew me away.  For me, the rest, as they say, is history.

It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)

Albums were bought.  Back catalogue sought.  First was "Out Of Time" which contained the afore mentioned "Losing My Religion", then "The Best Of REM", the compilation album that was permanently in the jukebox in the Students' Union Bar that encompassed their early days with the IRS record label.  "Automatic For The People" was bought on the day of release and all subsequent albums were bought as close to their release date as my pay days and finances would allow.

And then, finally, I got to see them live.  The Monster Tour in 1995.  OK, I had to wait 5 extra months as I had a ticket for the SECC concert that never happened (Bill Berry's on-stage brain haemorrhage saw to that).  I got to swap my ticket for their appearance at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh and got to see them live for the first time.  Sadly, for me, I was at the other end of the stadium from the stage and there were no big screens in use for this tour so the band looked like a few dots on a stage 300 feet away.  From then on, I was determined to make sure I was close to the front as I could for any subsequent concerts.  In the end, I got to see R.E.M. live 6 times - Edinburgh, Stirling, T In The Park, Glasgow Green, Loch Lomond and London - and I was not too far from the front for each of the last 5.  My 2 favourites out of that list were Glasgow Green and London.

R.E.M. play a cover of Wichita Lineman

(this is from their Rough Cut documentary, hence the interview footage part way through)

But now, the members of R.E.M. have decided to go their separate ways.  Bill Berry had already left his place at the drum kit in 1997 but Peter Buck, Mike Mills and Michael Stipe continued on for another 14 years and 5 albums before today's news.  Being used to not hearing much for a while before a new album, I was more than a little stunned by the news.  Even now, several hours later, part of me wishes that it is part of some great hoax or prank but I know that it isn't.  Fortunately, we still have the albums, the DVDs and the memories that will keep R.E.M. around forever and a day.

One of my all-time favourites, Pretty Persuasion.

To R.E.M. and all who sailed with them, thank you so much for creating and playing so much amazing music and good luck with whatever you do next.

Speak soon.

The Cardman :-(

Crowded House in Glasgow

Hi folks.

I'm Peter and I'm a Crowded House fan.  There, I said it and I am neither ashamed nor embarrassed by it.  Actually, I'm proud to say it - especially after their recent concert in Glasgow.

This was my second time getting to see them live - the first being about 2½ years ago in Hall 4 of the SECC.  This time, it was the Clyde Auditorium (aka "The Armadillo") which is part of the SECC complex.  The support act was Conan Mockasin who, at the time, I thought were a different enough to be interesting and to merit a second listen.  Upon finding some of their music online, to be honest, I'm still to be convinced.

After a wee break to re-set the stage, on came Crowded House.  Opening with "In My Command", their set contained a large number of classic songs as well as a number of songs from their upcoming album "Intriguer" (all of which are excellent) which comes out in the UK on 14 June.  The band themselves were making fun of the fact that they were doing the tour before the album came out.  It was a very relaxed night with Neil Finn holding conversations with members of the audience - something that he couldn't really do the last time they played Glasgow simply because bands can't hear what people are shouting at them too well.  In The Armadillo, however, the band members were able to hear requests being shouted during quiet moments between songs.

Another thing to be mentioned is the wide age range that was present at the concert.  There were children as young as 7 or 8 with their parents all the way up to people in their 50s and everyone - EVERYONE! - was having a great time.

I've always been one to shout out for the odd song or 2 at gigs in the hope that maybe, just maybe, the band will hear my request and play it.  On this night, in this venue, it was quiet enough and I was loud and clear enough to be heard.  At one point, Neil Finn was sat at his piano after playing "Archer's Arrow" from the new album (excellent song!) when things went nice and quiet.  I shouted out for an old Split Enz song called "Message To My Girl" but there was no response.  Someone a few rows behind me shouted for it too - still nothing.  A few moments later, I thought "sod it" and as loud and as clear as I could I yelled "MESSAGE TO MY GIRL".  Finn's reaction was "oh, alright then" and he went straight into it.  Yep, Neil Finn of Crowded House played one of my all-time favourite songs.  I still smile just thinking of that moment.

Normally, concerts have one or 2 moments that live with you for a long time.  This one had many.  Too many for me to write about here.  Suffice to say, I thought then - and still think now - that it was the best concert I have ever been to.  Considering that I've been to one or 3 concerts, that's a pretty lofty statement but I really do feel that it was that good.  Actually, no.  It was better than that!

Set List

In My Command

I Feel Possessed

Saturday Sun

World Where You Live

Four Seasons In One Day

Silent House

Amsterdam

When You Come

Either Side Of The World

Isolation

Sacred Cow - a snippet before Neil decided it was a rather depressing song!

Sister Madly - a quick blast of the chorus

Better Be Home Soon

10 Past Forever - made up on the spot and pretty good too!

Archer's Arrows

Message To My Girl - my shout!

Pour Le Monde

Pineapple Head

Weather With You

Don't Stop Now

Distant Sun

It's Only Natural

Encore

Fall At Your Feet

Don't Dream It's Over

Speak soon

The Cardman :-)

AC/DC at The National Stadium, Hampden Park, Glasgow, 30 June 2009

Hi folks

As I walked into Hampden for the second time in as many weeks, I found myself asking "could it really have been 10 days since I was at Hampden last and could I really have been here for a concert as different as the one I was about to see?" The answer to both those questions was "yes" as I was back at the National Stadium, this time with my brother in law, Callum, and best mate, Peter, to see one of the greatest rock bands of all time - the mighty AC/DC.

Callum, Peter and I before the gig

The support acts - The Answer and The Subways - were not too bad, although I couldn't help but feel that the lead singer of The Subways was trying to play to the Glasgow crowd a little too much. Still, they stopped any boredom from setting in too quickly before the main event of the evening.

Brian Johnson and Angus Young on the
walkway not too far from me

Under an amazing blue sky, AC/DC started off their concert with a cartoon of a runaway train which ended with the train bursting through the screen. The concert started at 100 miles an hour and it did not let up for a moment. Song after song. Classic after classic. The crowd and the band seemed to be feeding off each other's energy.

Brian Johnson

The setlist had a good mix of songs from their current album, "Black Ice", as well as classic songs from their earlier albums, including the classic albums "Back In Black" and "Highway To Hell". Throughout the concert, Brian Johnson sang with that voice that makes you wonder if he really does gargle with glass and paint stripper every morning. Angus Young ran, duck-walked, lay on his back and headbanged without missing a single beat or note. Watching him for a few moments made me realise just how phenominal a guitarist he really is. And in the background, the "engine" of this Rock N' Roll Train - the rythmn section of AC/DC made up of Malcolm Young on Rythmn Guitar, Cliff Williams on Bass and Phil Rudd on Drums.

Angus Young

Angus gets raised up in front of the main stand
during part of his 15-minute guitar solo
during "Let There Be Rock"

A great concert and one that I would love to do all over again. I hope they tour again. If they don't, which is the current rumour, at least I can say "I got to see AC/DC live"

Setlist
Rock N' Roll Train
Hell Ain't A Bad Place To Be
Back In Black
Big Jack
Dirty Deeds Done Dirt Cheap
Shot Down In Flames
Thunderstruck
Black Ice
The Jack
Hells Bells
Shoot To Thrill
War Machine
Dog Eat Dog
Anything Goes
You Shook Me All Night Long
T.N.T.
Whole Lotta Rosie
Let There Be Rock

Encore
Bonny (the first verse and chorus of "Loch Lomond")
Highway To Hell
For Those About to Rock (We Salute You)

Callum, Peter and I after the concert had finished

Speak soon.

The Cardman :-)

Take That at The National Stadium, Hampden Park, Glasgow, 23 June 2009

Hi folks

So, 15 years ago, if you had told me that I would have been attending a Take That concert with my sister and enjoyed it, I would have probably looked at you in a funny way – and I don’t mean “funny haha.” Yet, a couple of Saturdays ago, I was with Mhairi, her husband Callum and her best friend Irene at Scotland’s National Stadium at Hampden in Glasgow to see the former Boy Band perform. I knew it would be an entertaining show, I did not realise how much of a spectacle it would be!

The scene as we entered the stadium with some
of the props in view before the show

Mhairi, Callum and Irene in the crowd waiting for the show to start

When we arrived at the stadium, we managed to find my colleague, and good friend, Lisa as well as her sister, Karen, and some of their friends who were all there too. We even managed to bump into an old school friend of Mhairi's who I hadn't seen in some 11 or 12 years! Cheryl's now married with 2 kids and it was great to catch up with her for a short time.

Me with Lisa (left) and Karen

Mhairi and Cheryl catch up

On the whole, the show had a feel of a Cirque De Soleil show with phenominal circus performers appearing at different times during the show. They even had a wire walker, the first one I have seen live since I was on holiday in Spain with my parents when I was 3 years old! However, one of THE most amazing things we all saw that night was an elephant that appeared out of the floor of the small stage across the stadium from us and that walked to the main stage. What was so amazing about it was that it was operated by some of the dancers. People operating the legs, some more operating the ears and a girl hanging upside down as the tail. It looked phenominal!

Irene and Mhairi singing along

The elephant

The show was nothing short of phenominal and I am more than a little glad that I went. Yes, I sang along to the songs that I knew - I'm not too proud to admit that bit - but I did not do any of the choreographed dances that seemed to be going on in the crowd. They were great fun to watch, especially part-way through "Relight My Fire". I might just go next time they're in town.

Setlist
Greatest Day
Hello
Could It Be Magic
Pray
Million Love Songs
Back For Good
The Garden
Shine
Up All Night
Wooden Boat
How Did It Come To This
The Circus
What Is Love
Do What You Like/It Only Takes a Minute/Take That and Party
Said It All
Never Forget
Patience
Relight My Fire

Encore
Hold Up A Light
Rule The World

Mark (left) and Jason wave their goodbyes
to the section of the crowd I was in

Speak soon

The Cardman :-)

Terrorvision, ABC Glasgow, 23 October 2008

Thanks to my best mate, Peter, I've been a Terrorvision fan for a number of years. It was him that pointed me in the direction of their albums after I heard a couple of their tracks being played at The Cathouse in Glasgow a long number of years ago. It was with great sadness back in 2001 that I attended what I thought would be their last concert in Glasgow as Terrorvision on that year's "Take The Money And Run" Tour.

Well, regular readers (greetings!) will remember my joyful post a short time ago when Terrorvision announced that they were performing at Glasgow's ABC venue in Sauchiehall Street. The tickets were ordered shortly after I heard about the gig and the long (7 year!) wait came to an end last Thursday night.

I was at the concert with my sister Mhairi, brother-in-law Callum and work colleague David, who was taking the place of Peter who had to pull out at the last minute. This was my first visit to the ABC and I have to say that my first impressions were all positive. The hall that the concert was in was huge with a bar right along the back wall. When we arrived, the support act - Million Dollar Reload - were on stage. When I finally got a chance to stop and listen to them (after visiting the cloakroom, bar and merchandise stand), I was impressed with what I heard. So much so that before they were finished their set, I bought their CD which is also well worth a listen if you like your rock loud.

After MDR finished, David and I made our way to the front of the hall for Terrorvision. Mhairi and Callum decided to stay up by the bar to watch the concert from there. While we waited on the stage being re-set for Terrorvision to step on stage, I got talking with a few of the fans standing around me. Terrorvision fans are, generally, a friendly bunch and although I didn't get any of their names it was great to have a chat with you.

Terrorvision guitarist Mark Yates

After a wee while, the stage was set, the lights went out and Terrorvision walked on stage to the theme tune of the classic TV police drama "The Sweeney". From the opening track, "Problem Solved", the pace was relentless, hardly drawing a breath between tracks at times. It was a great concert and an excellent set - even if they did miss out 2 of my favourite tracks: "Bad Actress" and "Some People Say". Suppose it shows just how good the gig was!

Tony Wright hardly stops dancing around while he's singing.
In the background, Shutty (drums) and Leigh Marklew
(bass) play their hearts out.

For their encore, some stools were brought out and they did an accoustic mini-set, including a swing version of Discotheque Wreck, the rock version of which they had played a short time earlier. After a few accoustic tracks, the stools were packed away, the electric guitars brought back out and they finished off the gig in phenominal style.

Mark was kind enough, and patient enough, to
pose for a picture for me

Set List
Problem Solved
Celebrity Hit List
Pretend Best Friend
Friends and Family
Josephine
Enteralterego
D'Ya Wanna Go Faster
Discotheque Wreck
Sometimes I'd Like To Kill Her
Dog Chewed The Handle
Fists Of Fury
New Policy One
Hide The Dead Girl
Didn't Bleed Red
If I Was You
Middleman
Perseverance

Encore
Killing Time
Swingotheque Wreck
Tequila
My House
----
Alice, What's The Matter?
Oblivion

It is safe to say that I enjoyed myself at the concert. According to Mhairi and Callum, who apparently had a clear view of the back of my head when I was at the front, I didn't stop dancing the whole night. I'm not surprised that I was sore the whole of the next day. Even so, I still want to do it all over again - and soon!

Mhairi and Callum enjoy their Chips 'n' Cheese
while waiting on the train home

To Terrorvision, I only have one thing to say - please don't make your Scottish fans have to wait another 7 years before coming to visit!

Speak soon.

The Cardman :-)

The London Trip - long post!

Hi folks

Well, it took a while to arrive but in what feels like the blink of an eye, my trip to London has been and gone. It was a great few days. I just wish I had a little more time to enjoy it all!

Thursday
I arrived at my hotel - the Wardonia Hotel in King's Cross - and quickly unpacked as I had a few things to get done before I presenting my magic lecture for International Magic that evening. Let me get this bit out of the way first. I liked the hotel. OK, so they don't serve food and the room was small, but it was comfortable, had everything I needed and there are loads of places to eat in the immediate area. I'll certainly stay there again.

I visited International Magic to make sure everything was arranged for that evening and a brief conversation with Jerry Sadowitz, who had not long returned from performing at the Edinburgh Festival Fringe. When I returned a couple of hours later to get myself ready for the lecture, I couldn't help but continually think "who's going to turn up to see an unknown Scottish card magician?" Well, I only had to wait until people started arriving to realise that there would be a good crowd there to hear what I had to say and what I could do. In all, just over 30 people came along and they made for an excellent audience. My thanks to all of you for coming along and being interested in what I had to say.

Friday
I had arranged to meet up with my good pal Julie and her eldest son, Peter, at the Science Museum. While we were there, Julie wanted to find out some information, so while she was speaking to the people involved, Peter and I went and acted like big kids with some of the interactive stuff that is located on the 3rd floor of the Museum. Great fun, too! I even had my first experience of an IMAX movie. A fascinating film about dinosaurs that looked pretty cool in 3D.

Afterwards, we went walkabout for a wee bit. First of all to try to find a Pizza Hut for lunch, which we found, then to go to Covent Garden to see what was going on there. We stood for a wee while watching one of the buskers performing his slackrope walking routine - the exact opposite of a tightrope walker. Pretty entertaining stuff.

Julie and Peter (foreground) watch the slackrope
walking Busker in Covent Garden

After Julie and Peter left to head back home, I wandered about London a little more then decided to go back to my hotel. I was full of good intentions for the Friday night - go out to a show and enjoy myself. The truth, however, was that I was really tired and so decided just to stay in my hotel room, watch some TV and have an early night so I could ready myself for the following day.

Saturday
Finally, the day had arrived. REM at Twickenham. When I woke, I wasn't as hyper-excited as I thought I would be, but that soon disappeared as I made my way towards Twickenham. On the way, I decided to make a slight detour and go look at a couple of London landmarks that aren't that well known - some clock and a big wheel that sits on the banks of the Thames.

Some big clock I'm sure I've seen on the TV somewhere!

The only ride at the London Amusement park -
it doesn't go that fast, but it's really tall!

Even though I had my REM Fan Club wristband, that allowed holders access to the stadium about half-an-hour before the rest of the crowd, I still wanted to get to there early so I could soak up some of the atmosphere, the surroundings and a little sun. I was, by no means, the first to arrive. From what I could gather, Fan Club members had been gathering since breakfast time so they could try to get a spot at the very front-centre of the barrier - right in front of Michael Stipe.

The wristband

REM Fan Club members sit inside the stadium
and discuss the tour so far

As it was, I got a good spot just one person back from the barrier and to the left centre stage, right in front of Mike Mills. Conversations that had started in the queue outside were continued inside the stadium and new ones started with the new Fan Club members sitting waiting on the first band on - Guillemots. Some of the others who had been to REM's other UK gigs during the week had said that they were not that impressed with them. However, it turns out that this happened to be the day they played a blinding set and where everything was perfect. Mike Mills even made a surprise appearance playing percussion during the last track of their set. Afterwards, more than one person was heard to say "they were a different band!" Very enjoyable and I'm going to have a wee listen to their albums.

Guillemots on stage

Next up were Editors, a band whom I've heard some of, but not a great deal. A lot of us had heard REM cover their song "Munich" on Radio 1 a few months ago, but other than that I didn't really know a lot of their songs. Like Guillemots, they played a great set and I'll certainly be sitting down and listening to their albums in due course.

Editors playing at Twickenham

Then, finally, REM made their way to the stage. They played songs from pretty much their entire history - from their current album "Accelerate" going all the way back to their first album, "Murmur", from 1983.

Michael practices his T-Rex moves during "The Wake Up Bomb"

Michael even came down to the front of the crowd - twice. Once during "The One I Love" and again during "Losing My Religion". The first time he came down, I managed to grab his hand for a second or so. Don't ask me why I did it, I felt it was something I had to do at that exact moment in time. When he came back down during "Losing My Religion", however, he was less than 3 feet from me. I held the sleeve of his suit jacket. Then I offered him my hand to shake and he did so! I shook hands with Michael Stipe!!! I couldn't believe it - I still can't! I got to shake hands with the lead singer of my all-time favourite band! I'm not going to be stupid and say "I'm never washing my hand again". The important thing is I have the memory of that moment when Michael Stipe shook my hand while singing "Losing My Religion". Fan-smegging-tastic!!!

OK, so it's a little blurry, but this is how close I got to
Michael Stipe. The blur near the bottom of the picture is
my left hand holding onto his sleeve.

Then, almost as soon as it had started, it was all over. The band were saying goodnight and I was working out how to get back to my hotel. But what a concert! What a day! Great weather (I got sunburned!), good company (thanks to Sarah, Samantha, Charlie, Ros and the others who's names I did not catch for your company during the day) and a phenominal concert.

It's the end of the gig as we know it (and we feel great!)

Set List
Living Well Is The Best Revenge
These Days
The Wake-Up Bomb
What's The Frequency, Kenneth?
Drive
Man-Sized Wreath
Disturbance At The Heron House
Ignoreland
Walk Unafraid
Hollow Man
Fall On Me
Electrolite
The Great Beyond
I’m Gonna DJ
Exhuming McCarthy
The One I Love
I’ve Been High
Let Me In
Horse To Water
Bad Day
Orange Crush
Imitation Of Life

Encore
Supernatural Superserious
Losing My Religion
Perfect Circle
Country Feedback
It's The End Of The World As We Know It (And I Feel Fine)
Man On The Moon

Before I go, however, I do have one amusing story for you from the concert. While waiting in the Fan Club queue to get in, one of the guys in front of me dug something out of his bag and started to inflate it. It turned out it was a 3-foot tall blow-up doll but he had been made up to look like Michael Stipe. When he was inflated and dressed, he really looked like Stipe in miniature - a "Mini Stipe" if you will. Best of all was that "Mini Stipe" managed to get into the gig with no problems from the security people and survived at the front until REM came on.

Mini Stipe being held up by his owner

During full-size Micheal's visit to the front of the crowd during "The One I Love", Michael shook hands with Mini Stipe and continued on his way along the front. At the end of the set, after REM had left the stage, one of the stage crew came running round from backstage and said that Michael had requested Mini Stipe for the encore. The owner duly gave Mini Stipe over and the next time he was seen was being carried on by Mike Mills and placed beside the piano. At the end of the concert, after taking their final bows, Michael walked over, picked up Mini Stipe and placed him in front of his microphone at centre stage.

What a great few days! What a great concert! I want to do it all again! I'll just need to wait for the next tour to come along.

Speak soon.

The Cardman :-)

P.S. Did I tell you I shook hands with Micheal Stipe? No? Let me tell you about it...!

#remlondon

London, Here I Come!

Hi folks

Just a quick post to remind you that I am presenting my card magic lecture for International Magic. The lecture will be taking place on Thursday 28th August at their usual venue - 'Casa Italiana', 136 Clerkenwell Road, London EC1R 5DL (click here for a map). If you are interested in coming along, please e-mail or telephone Martin MacMillan on martin@internationalmagic.com or 020 7405 7324. Times are 7:15pm for a prompt 7:30pm start, and it will be finishing around 9.45pm. The cost is £10 per person.

Once I have presented my lecture, I will be able to relax and start properly looking forward to the R.E.M. concert at Twickenham on Saturday. I have been looking at the setlists for all the previous shows on the tour and am hoping that they will play one or 3 of my all-time favourites. Songs like "Pretty Persuasion", "Driver 8" and "(Don't Go Back To) Rockville". I don't ask much! Please?! And with me being in posession of an R.E.M. Fan Club early entry wristband, I am looking forward to hopefully having a prime spot at the front of the crowd.

Now, roll on Thursday morning! I want to get to London!

Speak soon.

The Cardman :-)

Terrorvision in Glasgow!

Hi folks

Readers of my blog (hi again and thanks for reading!) may remember a post I made a while ago pleading (OK, begging!) for Terrorvision to play in Scotland. Well, that plea was answered earlier this week when the mighty Terrorvision announced that they will be playing at Glasgow's ABC1 on Thursday 23rd October.

The tickets, priced at £16 plus booking and handling fees, are available from the usual outlets. My tickets have been ordered and so I will be there along with my sister, brother in law and best mate, Peter. It will be a chance for Peter and I to re-live days gone by when we both had more hair! Can you guess I'm looking forward to it? You bet I am!

As a little warm up - 4 months early! - here's Terrorvision in action in May performing an unplugged version of "Some People Say".

Speak soon.

The Cardman :-)

Terrorvision Return?

One of my favourite bands is a group of lads from Bradford called Terrorvision. They played rock music like it was supposed to be played - LOUD! Sadly, in 2001, they decided enough was enough and, disillusioned by the music industry, decided to go their separate ways. Apart from a couple of wee semi-reuniouns, that was it. Well, we thought.

Last November, Terrorvision reformed, got themsleves an official MySpace page which was -and is - updated on a regular basis and even did a few gigs in the Midlands and North of England. They've now announced a few more gigs, this time in the South of England. I feel like I'm missing out here on one of my favourite bands! Sure, I could go see them down south, but the gigs that have either been or are coming up all clash with stuff I'm doing. Bit of a pain.

So, I guess the reason for this particular blog is an impassioned plea from one Terrorvision fan to the band to please, please get yourselves up to Glasgow. Heck, why not do what you did the first time I saw you - go to a wee club somewhere (maybe Kilmarnock? Hint!) and blow everyone away with a storming set.

And for those of you that want to know who and what I'm on about, here's a couple of my favourites as performed at one of their gigs last November.

Alice, What's The Matter

Bad Actress

Oblivion

Hope you enjoyed them. Now all I need is to be able to see them doing these songs live in front of me! I'll keep you posted.

Speak soon.

The Cardman :-)

Can heaven be a radio station?

Those of you that I talk to face-to-face may know that my work moved from the Maryhill area of Glasgow to the Auldhouse area on the Southside of the city. The move meant that I am no longer sharing an office with anyone and so, after some 11 years of listening to Glasgow's most popular Pop station, I'm able to choose what station I listen to.

I tried listening to a couple of different stations before I found what I consider radio heaven. Rock Radio, based and broadcasting in Glasgow, plays most stuff I love. This week alone, I've heard Foo Fighters, AC/DC, Metallica, Guns 'N' Roses, and so on and so on. It is taking a lot of effort for me to not start headbanging at times! I can only imagine what the reaction of some of the folk at my work would be if I didn't resist!

Anyway, if you like that sort of music - and yes, they do play some slower (rock) stuff, too! - then either go to 96.3 FM if you're in Glasgow or click on the link above, listen to them online and rock your day away.

For those about to rock, we salute you!

Speak soon.

The Cardman :-)

Crowded House, SECC, 30 November 2007

I've been a Crowded House fan since I first heard the Woodface album back in 1991 but, for one lame reason or another, I never got or took the chance to see them live. When Neil Finn decided that it was time for the band to split up, I thought "well, there goes my chance to see them." Luckily for millions of Crowded House fans around the world, Finn put the band back together earlier this year with Matt Sherrod (aka Max Shreddor) taking the late and dearly missed Paul Hester's place at the drum kit. Even luckier for me was that they brougt out a stunning album called "Time On Earth" and embarked on a World Tour. Of course I had to get tickets and the Glasgow concert was scheduled for St Andrew's Night.

The night started with a chance meeting with Matt Sherrod outside the SECC's Box Office. I had heard that he was very friendly and very approachable and, I am very happy to report, what I had heard was true. I wished him a good show and he turned with a huge grin on his face, shook my hand and we spoke for a moment. It was only a moment out of his life, but it meant a lot to me and I appreciate that. Matt, thank you.

Support for the concert was provided by Duke Special, a band that I had never heard before but I have heard a friend of mine, Davad Steel, talking about them on his Blog. When they arrived on stage, the arena was no more than 25% full, but they filled the arena with their presence and their music. I think I may be hunting some of their material down in due course.

Then, after a wee wait, it was the turn of Crowded House to do their first concert in Scotland in some 12 or 13 years. And what a concert it was! The wait was worth it and they did not disappoint. Opening with "Private Universe" through a set that included songs old and new - even a semi-obscure album track from "Temple Of Low Men" - the band were amazing. I had always heard stories of the crazy things that can happen at Crowded House gigs and this one was no different. At one point during "Weather With You", Neil decided he wanted to get up close and personal with the crowd so he left the stage and made his way to the tierd seating and ran along the entire front row of the tierd seating high-fiving as many people as he could. I couldn't help but think whether they do that at every concert, but also that it was brilliant to watch. Another brilliant part was the introduction of mobile phones in place of the lit Bic lighters for "Better Be Home Soon" at the end of the gig. What an amazing sight!

I'm not ashamed to admit that I cried for the first half of the set. Hell, I'd waited so long to see these guys live that it was like a massive release for me. I want to see them do it all again! I want to see them again YESTERDAY!!! Thank goodness that one of the biggest cheers of the night was for their comment that they'll probably be back next year. I can't wait!

Set List
Private Universe
World Where You Live
Don't Stop Now
It's Only Natural
Four Seasons In One Day
Heaven That I'm Making
Silent House
Whispers And Moans
A Sigh
Pineapple Head
Don't Dream It's Over
People Are Like Suns
Walked Her Way Down
Mean To Me
Distant Sun

Encore 1
Something So Strong
Glasgow Jam (Improvised)
In The Lowlands
Weather With You

Encore 2
Locked Out
Fall At Your Feet
Better Be Home Soon

Roll on next time!!!

Speak soon

The Cardman :-)

Foo Fighters, SECC, 9 November 2007

I was back at the SECC last Friday to see Foo Fighters in concert for the second time this year. If you are a regular reader of my Blog (and I thank you if you are), you’ll remember that I went to see them at Meadowbank Stadium in Edinburgh during the summer. Now, that was a good gig, but not a great gig. My main bugbear was that the music was too quiet – I could hear myself singing, which isn’t a good thing!

This concert, however, was an exact polar opposite – this was so good it goes straight onto my imaginary “Top 5” list of all-time great gigs that I’ve been to! Heck, it was so good, it may even be fighting for the top spot with the REM gig at T In The Park back in 2003!!!

The concert was all standing and I was initially wondering why this was. That was until I walked into the arena itself and found that there was a 40-foot runway leading from the main stage to a smaller stage in the middle of the crowd. So, I positioned myself at the side of this smaller stage and waited for the support acts to come on. The first was a band called Brady Cole who, it turns out, come from Fife. Very, very impressive. I really enjoyed their set and would have like to have seen more of them. As it was, they had to get off stage to make way for Serj Tankian – formerly of the band “System Of A Down” – to come on and perform his set. He was a little on the wacky side of nuts but it was a good performance, although I much preferred Brady Cole.

A short time later the lights went out, the crowd went crazy and the band that we’d all come to see walked on stage ready to play their hearts out. And play they did! They played a ton of stuff – including their most recent single “The Pretender” and their next one “Long Road To Ruin”, my favourite song off the current album – then moved onto the smaller stage, the main part of which was lowered down from the ceiling of the hall, to play a small acoustic set. Of course, they finished that part with “Everlong”, followed by “Monkey Wrench” and “All My Life” (I love how they finish “Everlong” (which starts with Dave solo with his accoustic guitar and finishes with a full band rocking finish) to go straight into “Monkey Wrency.”

Set List
Let It Die
The Pretender
Times Like These
Breakout
Long Road To Ruin
Learn To Fly
Cheer Up Boys (Your Make Up Is Running)
DOA
No Way Back
Stacked Actors
Skin And Bones (acoustic)
Marigold (acoustic)
My Hero (acoustic)
Cold Day In The Sun (acoustic)
But Honestly (acoustic)
Everlong
Monkey Wrench
All My Life

Encore
In Your Honour
This Is A Call
New Way Home
Best Of You

It was a great concert and a great night out. I'm looking forward to the next time they come to Glasgow.

Speak soon

The Cardman :-)

Foo Fighters at T On The Fringe, 21 August 2007

I'm a bit of a Foo Fighters fan - not as much as I am a fan of REM, but I count myself as someone who will try to get to see them in concert if they're in Central Scotland. Well, last Tuesday saw Foo Fighters performing at Meadowbank Stadium, Edinburgh as part of T On The Fringe - the major gig off-shoot of the Edinburgh Fringe. I travelled through to Edinburgh with my sister Mhairi, who was attending her first Foo Fighters gig, and my friends Kate and Ray. Kate had a ticket for the gig while Ray was going to go walkabout around Edinburgh catching some of the stuff at the Fringe.

Mhairi and I

Kate and I

Our first port of call was the High Street where everyday sees a large number of Street Performers and Buskers performing shows for anybody and everybody. I managed to get really lucky and see Gazzo - one of the best Street Magicians in the world - performing his show from start to finish. The great thing for me was watching Kate and Ray's reactions at the end of Gazzo's Cups and Balls routine. Great stuff and if he's ever in a town near you, try and catch his show.

Mhairi and Kate

We went to the gig in plenty time to see the opening act - Silversun Pickups. I had seen them previously on Later with Jools Holland and liked them there. Well, I liked them here, too and hope to try and find the time to go buy their album in the next day or 3. Next up was Nine Inch Nails - not my cup of tea, to be honest.

Silversun Pickups

One little annoyance about the day was the rain. It wasn't heavy, but it was there. Ach well - one of those wee things.

Kate and Mhairi keeping dry

Mhairi models her Edinburgh Fringe poncho

No, I'm not train spotting!

Kate doing her best to keep dry

As for Foo Fighters themselves, what a gig! Dave Grohl walked onstage alone and played a solo version of Everlong that ended with the whole band on stage for the finish and went into a rocking version of Monkey Wrench - my personal all-time favourite FF song. Suffice to say, my throat was somewhat sore after the first 2 songs! The new single - The Pretender - sounds amazing (can't wait for the album - out on 10 September) and they even repeated their cover of The Arcade Fire's "Keep The Car Running" that they had performed for Radio 1 the previous week.

Dave Grohl opens the show with a solo version of Everlong

For those that are interested, here's the setlist:-

Everlong
Monkey Wrench
Breakout
My Hero
Times Like These
Up In Arms
Learn To Fly
The One
Stacked Actors
DOA
Generator
This Is A Call
Best Of You

Encore
The Pretender
Keep The Car Running (The Arcade Fire cover)
All My Life

A great gig and I look forward to seeing them again.

Speak soon

The Cardman :-)

The Soundtrack of My Life

I've posted this on my "networking" sites - MySpace and Bebo - and it is a very interesting wee excercise to do. What happens is you put your ipod on shuffle and then answer the questions by writing down the tracks in the order they come up on. Some of these are really spooky!!!!!

Opening credits:
Tombstone by Crowded House

Waking Up:
Billy Davey's Daughter by Stereophonics

Monday:
Pilgrimage by REM

Fight Song:
The Scientist by Coldplay

Breaking up:
A Day In The Life by The Beatles

Prom:
Going Out by Supergrass

Life:
Everybody Hurts by REM

Mental Breakdown:
Why Go by Pearl Jam

Driving:
Friend Of A Friend (Skin And Bones version) by Foo Fighters

Flashback:
Only The Good Die Young by Billy Joel

Getting Back Together:
The Rising by Bruce Sprinsteen

Wedding:
Sinner by Neil Finn

Birth of Child:
Live And Let Die by Paul McCartney and Wings

Final Battle:
Low (MTV Unplugged version) by REM

Death Scene:
Stab In The Back by Terrorvision

Funeral Song:
Night Life by Jools Holland And His Rythmn And Blues Orchestra

End Credits:
The One I Love (acoustic version) by REM

My thanks to Jackie for passing this on to me. Now, what about you guys? What do you get?

Speak soon.

The Cardman :-)

Terrorvision/Television Memories

Many moons ago - 10 years to be exact! - my sister, Mhairi, and I would have our regular Saturday night TV shows. One of these was Channel 4's "Last Chance Lottery", a gameshow based on that night's National Lottery draw and hosted by Patrick Kielty.

Our favourite memory of this mental show is the week when Tony Wright of Terrorvision appeared on it to sing one of the songs picked "at random" (ahem!) from a large spinning wheel. From a load of Eurovision "classics" (term used very loosely!), he ended up with Bucks Fizz's "Making Your Mind Up."

The great news for Mhairi and I - and now you - is that some genius has posted the video of it on YouTube. So, here for your enjoyment, and for Mhairi and I to singalong with the line "...trust your Terrorvision" once again, is Tony Wright of the mighty Terrorvision singing "Making Your Mind Up." Enjoy!

Speak soon

The Cardman :-)

Velvet Revolver, SECC, 10 June 2007

This all starts last Wednesday when I got an e-mail from the SECC tickets e-mail list saying that the promoters were giving away a limited number of free tickets to the Velvet Revolver concert at the SECC. All I needed to do was e-mail them with my name, e-mail and phone number and I’d be entered into the draw. A couple of days later, I got another e-mail saying that I had won 2 tickets to go and see Velvet Revolver! Nervously, I went to the SECC box office on Saturday morning to see about picking up my tickets – I wasn’t sure if it was for real or not! I showed the e-mails, the girl asked my name and she handed me an envelope with 2 tickets in it!!!

So, last night, Peter and I went to see Velvet Revolver. We were right at the very back of the sloped seating, but who cares – we were at a gig that, to be honest, we didn’t know anything about until a few days before hand. They opened with a track from the upcoming new album Libertad, which comes out at the start of July, then followed it up with some stuff from their first album, Contraband. The new stuff sounds excellent and I’m looking forward to the new album but my personal highlights were a couple of the covers that they did – Talking Head’s “Psycho Killer”, Pink Floyd’s “Wish You Were Here” (which started off with Slash doing a phenomenal guitar solo) and Guns ‘N’ Roses “It’s So Easy” – if you can call that a cover considering 60% of the Velvet Revolver were in GNR!

Excellent gig and I look forward to seeing them in concert again next time they’re in Scotland. For those of you who are interested, here’s the setlist…

Let It Roll
Do It For The Kids
Sucker Train Blues
Superhuman
The Last Fight
She Mine
Big Machine
Get Out The Door
Fall To Pieces
Vasoline
Just Sixteen
She Builds Quick Machines
Set Me Free
Wish You Were Here (Pink Floyd cover)
It's So Easy (Guns ‘N’ Roses cover)
Psycho Killer (Talking Heads cover)
Slither

Speak soon.

The Cardman :-)

Billy Joel, Glasgow SECC, 24 July 2006

Last Monday saw Billy Joel's first solo concert in Glasgow for about 12 years. I had seen him when he last performed in Glasgow when the Face To Face tour he did with Elton John came to Ibrox Stadium in 1998. That was great, but this one was even better!

I had a great seat in the middle of the auditorium and as I waited for the concert to start saw one of the best things I've seen at a concert in a long time. A few members of BJ's staff appeared in the arena with small strings of tickets. They then went to some of the not-so-good seats in the arena and asked the people if they would like to move seats. When the people said yes, they were handed the new tickets and pointed in the direction of the nearest security person. The security person then escorted the people to their new seats - one of the front 3 rows right in front of the stage!

The looks on their faces were ones of amazement and bewilderment, but it was great to see and great to think that someone would do something like that as a little surprise for people who take the time to go to one of their concerts.

Personal highlights from the concert itself included the opening, "Miami 2017" immediately being followed by "New York State of Mind", the band covering AC/DC's "Highway To Hell" and the last half dozen or so tracks (including the whole Encore). Here's the setlist.

Prelude/Angry Young Man
My Life
Everybody Loves You Now
The Entertainer
Just the Way You Are
Zanzibar
Miami 2017
New York State of Mind
Downeaster Alexa
She's Always a Woman
Allentown
Don't Ask Me Why
Movin' Out (Anthony's Song)
Keepin' The Faith
Innocent Man
Uptown Girl
River of Dreams
Highway To Hell
We Didn't Start The Fire
It's Still Rock and Roll To Me
You May Be Right

Encores
Only The Good Die Young
Scenes from an Italian Restaurant
Piano Man

It's been a long time since he toured and, sadly, it'll probably be another long time until he tours again. One thing's for certain, though, I'll be there!

The Cardman :-)

P.S. Which concert did I prefer - Guns 'N Roses or Billy Joel? As good as GNR were, Billy Joel wins it!

Guns N' Roses Concert, Glasgow SECC, 21 July 2006

Last night was a night for nostalgia. A night for letting whatever hair I've got left down and enjoying a great night out listening to songs that got me into rock music in the first place. Guns N' Roses came to Glasgow last night for what I understand was their first ever gig on Scottish soil. My best mate, Peter, and I went along to see if Axl and the new band that he had created under the GNR banner would be able to even remotely match the band that we grew up listening to - and that Peter had seen live in Gateshead however many years ago.

They blew the place apart!

The 2 support acts - Towers Of London and Bullet For My Valentine were, ahem, competent. Towers did a great metal cover of Lynyrd Skynyrd's classic "Freebird" (the only track we were in the arena to hear them play) while BFMV basically sounded like it was just one long session of screaming into microphones.

I had read the reports on the internet about Axl apparently not going on stage before 10pm on this tour. BFMV left the stage at 8:30pm and the stage crew set to work getting the stage ready for GNR. They were done by 9 and the crowd stood there waiting. And waiting. And waiting. After about half-an-hour of waiting, the booing and jeering started between the songs that were being played over the PA system. Another 15 minutes and the paper cups that people's drinks were in were starting to get thrown. At 10:04pm, the house lights went off and the place went mental and cheered the opening notes to "Welcome To The Jungle" as each member of the band walked on stage. With everyone on stage and Axl at his microphone, he shouted "you know where the f*** you are?" and we were off on a trip down rock memory lane as the first 2 tracks on "Appetite For Destruction" - GNR's first album - "Welcome To The Jungle" and "It's So Easy" were played - brilliantly. Peter and I felt like we were 15 again!

Personal highlight tracks during the concert were "Live And Let Die" (during which I realised the drummer sitting in with them was Abe Laboriel Jr. who I last saw drumming with Paul McCartney - coincidence? Actually, it was as he was sitting in for the regular drummer), "You Could Be Mine", "Nightrain" and "Paradise City". Here's the setlist:-

Welcome To The Jungle
It's So Easy
Mr. Brownstone
Live And Let Die
Better
Robin Finck Guitar Solo
Sweet Child O' Mine
You Could Be Mine
Knockin' On Heaven's Door
Jam Session
Dizzy Reed Piano Solo
The Blues
Richard Fortus And Robin Finck Guitar Duet (Christina Agulera's Beautiful)
Out Ta Get Me
Jam Session (with Axl on piano)
November Rain
Ron "Bumblefoot" Thal Guitar Solo (instrumental version of Don't Cry)
Think About You (with Izzy Stradlin)
Patience (with Izzy Stradlin)
Used to Love her (With Izzy Stradlin)
Nightrain (with Izzy Stradlin)

Encore
Madagascar
Robin Finck Solo (Over The Rainbow)
Paradise City (With Izzy Stradlin)

Right, I'm off to try to recover! I hurt in places I forgot that I would hurt in after a rock concert like that!!!

The Cardman :-)