Shepherd's Bush gig 2 ...THE END of the bluetones.

This was it. The last time I would ever get to see my favourite band.

I have seen them many times over the years and I can honestly say that these last four times have been the best. Knowing that this would be the last tour has meant some sad moments (more on that later) but it also meant that I would not be taking the gigs for granted and set out to appreciate them to the full.

I broke with tradition and stood 'Devlin' side, about 3 rows back. The view I had was good but after the first few songs it was apparent that the people around me weren't quite as 'into it' as me so I wandered back a bit just to see the whole thing from a distance. I lasted a couple of songs before the desire to punch some of those talking got too much so I headed towards the front again, this time pretty much in front of Mark. The people around me were 'proper' tones fans and I felt at home.

There wasn't as much of Mark's banter during the gig but following 'Slack Jaw' he did amuse the crowd thus;

'The mandolin, a very difficult instrument to play and look sexy at the same time. But as you saw, ladies and gentlemen, not impossible'

It was brilliant to hear some variety in the set list; 'I was a teenage Jesus', 'One Speed Gearbox' and 'Emily's Pine'.

Whilst I knew at some point I would probably shed a tear, it surprised me that the point at which it hit me was in the NA's of 'If'. I suddenly realised I would never be standing in the middle of a crowd of fans singing Na Na Na Na Na....at the band, ever again.

Emily's Pine was somewhat lost on me as I was crying pretty much the whole way through and it was during this song that a friendly faced chap appeared by my side and said 'They'll be back'. He put his arm round me and asked if I was alright. I nodded through the tears and he returned to his mates. Thank you, whoever you were.


And so came the last song, 'A Parting Gesture'. But it was these parting words from Mark which whenever I read them again will bring a tear to my eye;


'There's really nothing left to say. You take care of yourselves because we're not going to be able to anymore. Thank you very much, we were The Bluetones'.

Oxford gig...the end of the bluetones part 3

The penultimate bluetones gig for me....


I think I am correct in saying this gig was a sell out (or as good as), it was certainly packed and very hot. There's a 'smokiness' about the venue which makes for a good gig atmosphere (but crap for taking decent photos).

By this point I know what is coming as far as the set list is concerned but as with all gigs there are some unique and memorable moments to share.


Following the first couple of songs Mark whips off his jacket and then begins some amusing banter which went something like this;

Mark 'Is this a sell out then? I hope so, it's the only reason we're doing this (a final tour). So if it's not, then there's no point'


Man in audience shouts out 'So why are you doing it then?'


Mark 'Cos we're sick of being shouted out!'

More brilliant music follows. By the time we get to the 'last' song sweat is dripping down my back and I need a towel for my face.


In the first encore Mark dedicates 'Vostok of Love' to a lady at the front (also called Jo) who has racked up 100 Bluetones gigs.....lucky lady.


When Vostok finishes Mark says 'When your kids find your tour T-shirt in a drawer and ask 'who are The Bluetones? play them that (referring to Vostok).... and say 'and THAT was a B side!.....and they'll say 'What's a B side?!!'

In the second encore we get (as you know) 'Baby give it up' (Mark introduces it as the song of the tour) which is growing on me by now, and they do it brilliantly. (But I'd still rather have another of their own songs)

As we reach the end and another step closer to THE END Mark is still being light hearted about it all....'It's obviously horrifically sad' ...then laughing (I want to shout IT'S NOT FUNNY but then I'd be one of those people who shout at the band during a gig.....) and then, 'A parting gesture'. I have that trembly chin thing going on during this song but no flood of tears.

At the end... 'Thankyou very much. We were The Bluetones'.

Shepherd's Bush gig 1...the end of the bluetones part 2

And so I returned to the venue where I first saw The Bluetones what seems like a lifetime ago. It's a great venue and the quality of the sound is far superior to that of the Reading gig. 

The place was packed and standing at the front, looking back at the rest of the audience, it's a wonderful sight. Especially during 'Slight Return' and 'If'. I hope the band felt the same and we did them proud.

I was behind the folks leaning on the front barrier so the view couldn't have been any better (no tall people on the front row...now there's a first) and the atmosphere was different to that of the previous gig (lots of factors in play there...venue, number of people, Friday night...). It felt like we were all there together, if that makes sense? The downside of being so near the front, and I may be showing my age here, is that there is the constant distraction of being pushed around as always happens, particularly during 'Bluetonic'! That said, I have never been 'upstairs where there are seats' at a gig and don't plan to start anytime soon!

The set list was the same as Reading, with one notable exception; during the first encore, we got an additional track...Vostok of Love...for the 'anorak fans', as Mark put it. I am happy to be considered an 'anoark fan' if it means hearing at least one 'less well known' track. 
Two gigs left for me....Colorado Beetle please....?

In some ways, it would be true to say I enjoyed last night's gig more than the previous one but what I didn't get last night (and I did at Reading) was to feel the reality of what's coming. And I need to. I don't want it to hit me AFTER the end, when it's too late. I want to feel it while I am there, with the band in front of me, so I can soak up what's left.

So next week, Oxford (where I will remember to take the camera!)


Then the final gig at Shepherd's Bush where I will hang back away from the madness at the front. I will watch, listen, savour the moment and allow it all to sink in. After all, it has to last me a long time.

Reading gig....the end of the bluetones (part 1)

It finally arrived. That day that seemed so far away. The first of my four gigs on the Farewell Tour at sub89 in Reading.

The set list:


Unpainted Arizona  ..straight into...


...Zorro

Surrendered

Fast Boy


Autophilia

Cut Some Rug


Tiger Lily


Bluetonic (at this point the crowd start to warm up)

A New Athens


Sleazy Bed Track


After Hours (a personal favourite of mine but it seemed a lot of people around me were unfamiliar with this one)
Keep the Home Fires Burning


Solomon Bites the Worm

Marblehead Johnson (at this point I was joined by some idiot bloke who tried to steal MY SPACE while he sang along, he wandered off when this song ended)


Carry Me Home

Slight Return (Richard Payne playing acoustic. Idiot bloke from earlier wanders back to sing along to the only other song he knows/likes)


Never Going Nowhere (Mark introduces this as his favourite...interesting, it's also mine....)


(The boys pretend that's the end and exit stage)

Slack Jaw (Mark's mandolin failed to play along though. He tries to give us a technical explanation.... 'it's f***ed')


If


(More pretending the gig is over and the boys return wearing their dressing gowns and carrying flowers)

COVER version of Baby Give it Up (personally, no thanks. You have SOOOO many brilliant songs of your own...sing one of those instead)


Mark thanks everyone for their support over the years...and then...


A Parting Gesture (and yes, I did shed a tear at this point)



Looking at my first blog and comparing the set list I wished for and the one I got I am more than happy.


I have mixed feelings about the inclusion of Richard on this farewell tour, it'll be interesting to see what other fans have to say on that one.


The next gig will be Shepherd's Bush on the 16th. In the meantime I am going to sort out getting my photos on here and reliving the gig in my head.

All good things...the end of The Bluetones

I mocked the reaction of those teenage (mainly) girls (mainly) when Take That split up (the first time), seemed silly to me that anyone could get that emotional about a 'pop group'. And yet, just over a week ago when I heard that the Autumn tour by The Bluetones would be the last, I cried, and this is why.


Once upon a time... I saw a group on Top of the Pops performing 'Cut Some Rug'. I recognised them as the group that had also produced the gem that is 'Slight Return' and so with two songs I liked, I bought 'Expecting to Fly'. I didn't even had a CD player to play it on at the time!

'Expecting to Fly' has not lost any impact on me over the years. It is my favourite album, not just by The Bluetones, by anyone and I can't ever see a time when it will be anything but the best thing in my CD rack.


A couple of years later I saw them live at Shepherd's Bush, where I shall return in September to see them for the very last time (as well as a few other gigs on the farewell tour). But in between there have been many memorable gigs and new tunes which have brought with them an increasing depth to my love of The Bluetones.

It would be a bit boring of me to mention all the songs I like but some deserve a special mention...just because. I like to think of it as the set list to be played in September;

Talking to Clarry
Never Going Nowhere
The day that never was
Bluetonic
Surrendered
After Hours
Carry me Home
Slight Return
Sleazy bed track (might have a little cry)
A Parting Gesture (more tissues please)

Which brings me towards the end of the story, but not without a note on my more recent encounters with some of Mark's solo gigs. I guess I didn't really know what was in store the first time but suffice to say it exceeded all expectations. Mark, his guitar and a usually some amusing banter with the crowd...I would recommend to anyone.

And so it only leaves me to say A MASSIVE 'thankyou' to The Bluetones for all they have created and produced which has had more than a little impact on me...and will continue to do so.