First of all hello to Jamie, I hope you made it and if you did I’m sorry I didn’t seek you out - I’d not read this message for ages and forgotten you were going. Secondly, very nice to meet you at last, Baz. I think there’s a fair chance I’ll be at the club again in the future, hopefully next time we can have a bit more of a natter over a pint (or three!). Thirdly, big thanks to promoter Mark who saved me a copy of the Evening News with the article about the gig. Now then, what was it like?
I had meant to spend the afternoon in town but ended up leaving at about 3.30pm, thus meaning I hit all the rush hour traffic on the A1 and A19 around Middlesbrough, compounded by the worst rain I’ve ever had to drive through, I’m amazed I managed to find my way because visibility was about 20 feet. Coming over the North Yorkshire Moors as night fell though was priceless. I got to The Cask at about 7 and could hear the gang, loud and clear, as they soundchecked while I nursed a diet coke til doors opened.
The Sigma club/bar is a really nice little cellar, though peculiarly shaped for gigs with a booth which would have had no view and I imagine not great sound, rows of chairs which isn’t the best thing imo but at least there was room to stand if you wanted to, and some sofas round a coffee table at the back. I don’t know if there was an actual raised stage as I didn’t look, but I don’t think so - the guys were fairly squashed together LOL. I thought it was cosy at first, but it became sweltering as the night went on. I don’t know what actual numbers were, but I’d describe it as comfortably full. The sound was great, nice and meaty and everything in proportion, after Bison told Aynsley to turn his guitar up (twice!) lol. Aynsley played often on a guitar he tells me he was given by Dani Wilde and it had a really clear, rich tone to it. Even I (philistine that I am) appreciated the change! I could have done with a bit more volume to be honest, but the layout of the room meant that one of the PA speakers was directed away from the audience and towards the performers, so that obviously imposed limitations in that respect.
The setlist, split over two sets which is unusual in my experience:
Fallin Down
With Me Tonight
Sometimes It Gets To Me
Always Tomorrow
Everything I Need
Upside Down
Balls Of Steel
Getaway
Soundman
Purple Rain
Angel O’ Mine
Hero
Hush (encore)
Highlight of the night for me was the reappearance of Soundman, which is still one of my favourites and hasn’t been on the menu the last few times I’ve seen the band. Purple Rain absolutely brought the house down - even though there seemed to be fewer people there for the second half, maybe they had just moved to the back because of the heat. Following discussions of ‘Hush’ on this forum, I was really disappointed not to have any means of filming with me because it was everything it should be, effervescent and macho and the crowd got into joining in pretty well and I even escaped being told off for not doing so myself (trust me, that would have ruined a good night!!) 
What was best about last night though, for me, was the sheer fun the guys all seemed to be having. I began to wonder where James had mislaid his red nose, and he said to me later ‘If you forget some of the tunes, just jump about a lot and no-one notices, that’s my motto’ LMAO!! There were occasions when Aynsley just looked at him with bemusement on his face and creased up laughing at his antics. I’ve missed that. I told Aynsley it was like watching the Goon Show at times, but he had no idea what I was talking about!!! I hasten to point out that they’re before my time too, really LMAO!!
I got home about 2.30 and wasn’t tired even then, still buzzing with yet another excellent evening’s entertainment from my favourite chap and his fabulous band. Never fails. Roll on Bury 
