Philip Sayce @ The Borderline, London 25 July 2011

Rather than clutter the main thread, I thought I'd start a new one for this amazing show last night as I'm sure all my Gig Buddies and others who were there will want to post their experiences.

This wasn’t planned to be but it turned into a real Forum gathering with two members from mainland Europe and one from Bonny Scotland.

Julia (of Operation Julia fame)
Marlies (Bonapostle)
Kenny
Maggie
Pete
Roger
Lydia
Tricia
Simon (eldo56)
Me
Plus Maggie’s nephew, Chris and Evelina, a recently acquired Gig Buddy. 

My first sight of Marlies last night was quite surreal. I left the venue to go to the Crowbar pub next door as Roger had heard that Rival Sons would be playing a free set there at 8. Yes, really! Kenny had already made his way there and I stood near the door and listened for a few minutes. They sounded pretty good. On the way back to The Borderline I heard a German accent and looked up and saw Marlies. I’m not sure who was most surprised. Marlies joined us downstairs for Marcus Bonfanti’s solo spot (always excellent and very entertaining) and was introduced to everyone she didn’t already know from previous visits to the UK.

Having warned our party how loud Philip is (a few had not had the experience before) everyone was prepared with ear plugs at the ready. Mr Sayce appeared just before 9.30pm and announced “Mind your ears down at the front. We’re not @#$%^^&# around, this is rock and roll!”, before blasting into One Foot In The Grave. As usual before the end of the number Philip was drenched in sweat from the passion and energy he puts into his playing. I’ve seen Philip four times now and each time he seems to move up a gear. He was just absolutely amazing last night and every song seemed to be slightly different but better than I’d heard before.

Philip only played one number from the new CD, the powerhouse King of New Mexico which he had us all singing on, which was fun. The full set list was:

1.    One Foot In The Grave
2.    Powerful Thing
3.    Slip Away featuring some nice pedal effects and bluesy guitar
4.    Bitter Monday
5.    Changes including a few lines of Blind Faith’s Can’t Find My Way Home
6.    Alchemy
7.    King of New Mexico
8.    Are You Ready
9.    Dream away
10.    Take You Away
11.    Angels Live Inside
12.    Cinnamon Girl including the usual bars from The Beatles She’s So Heavy

Encore

1.    As The Years Go Passing By
2.    What started out as Scars was cut short by the sound desk telling Philip that the show was over as it was already 20 minutes past the 11.00pm curfew. Philip didn’t care and neither did we as he carried on jamming for another 5 minutes before thanking us all for coming out on a school night.

Seeing Philip’s pyrotechnics with a Fender makes you want to learn to play guitar if you don’t and probably burn your guitar if you do.

It was lovely to see so many friends there amongst the packed Borderline especially Julia (you’re right George, she is a sweetie), Marlies and Kenny. Shame we didn’t have time afterwards for a complete group photo.

Here's Pete's first upload. The encore As The Years Go Passing By. Thanks from all of us for doing this, Pete. We owe you a lot. 

My photos are uploaded but need sorting as some of them are not so great. The lighting in The Borderline is not the best.

Phil