Michael, sorry mate! you missed a belter - just to make you feel really bad! Only 'cos I'm so jealous of the number of gigs you've been to!
Arrived uber early (note the new word in my vocabulary - thanks Joe) as I was working in Manchester. Sue & I went for a Chinese Buffet meal and I got changed out of my suit, shirt and tie into more acceptable jeans and T shirt in the restaurant gents toilet before going to the venue. Then parked up in the rain (it's Manchester for God's sake) There were a couple of tour buses around the side, but wasn't sure whether Joe would be using one for the hop over to the UK for just one gig. When we arrived the boys were sound checking, seemed rude to barge in so went back to the dry of the car for a while. Then Aaron came out for a smoke, so strolled over for a chat. Man he seemed knackered. He said that they were all feeling pretty done in, adding that they had only brought the essential bits like the guitars, theramin, screens and cymbals - they even left the carpets behind - jeez they WERE travelling light! Then Bogie popped out, all wrapped up, cheerful as ever and chatted briefly before heading off for a bite to eat. Joined a few Bonavirgins who must have heard that you need to queue early to get at the front at a Joe gig at about 5.30pm and chatted away the time until the queue got longer. Pete, who was next to me at Birmingham showed up and announced that he had already sorted his photo pass out and that he'd introduce me to the guy that got him his. Good job I took Rachael's e-mail, as yet again, I wasn't on the photo pass list! Not to worry, the e-mail saved the day and we were let in a couple of minutes early to set up. Press pit users only got the first three songs, so we opted to pitch up in our usual spot front & centre. It was F*&%$*&g freezing, as super cooled air was being blown out from under the stage so we had to keep our coats on all night - honestly, it got no better through the gig!
The support band of three local guys (Mike Sweeney, who used to be in the Salford Jets years ago) were quite entertaining. Obviously they expected the place to be half empty, with about six people at the front and the rest at the bar - I think they were quite blown away with 2300 eager Joe fans giving them a good reception. Tell you what, for 61, the lead singer was lean and fit for his age!
Dave had some heartstopping moments setting up the borrowed PA, but like the star that he is, got the show on the road. Dave, Aaron and the rest of the crew deserve a whole heap of credit for pulling this show out of the bag - it can't have been easy. Joe's setup was all hired. Twin Marshall Silver Jubilees (I think) and Marshall speaker cabs, but the screens were there, which add so much to Joe's signature sound. We needn't have worried about the borrowed gear, the sound was awesome - congratulations, knowing how precise Joe is about his sound, I can tell you that what we were hearing was absolutely awesome.
After opening with Ballad of John Henry, Joe ripped through his set and was clearly enjoying himself, working the audience from side to side. Dave even managed to get an extension on Joe's guitar lead, to give him more scope (nautical term) Often wonder why Joe still doesn't use a radio transmitter??? Maybe he'll let us know?? The Great Flood was a great addition to the show, which he didn't play at Birmingham (probably because he was feeling ill) The Sloe Gin opening once again had tears in my eyes. The roof was slowly but surely getting lifted off the hall and by the end of the night, the many Bonavirgins had picked their jaws off the floor and were converted. I spoke with many after the gig as we waited to see the boys, all were absolutely dumbfounded by Joe's skills and the quality of the sound and the relentless set. As usual Joe and the boys were gracious in their approach to the fans that greeted them after the show, before jumping into the back of their Ford Transit - well almost! and heading for Gatwick and an early flight to Spain.
Thanks to everyone on the tour that made last night happen, especially to Bogie, Joe, Carmine, Rick, Dave, Aaron, Warren and the rest of the crew. Sorry about the MAnchester weather!
Geoff O
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