09.02.09 - 14:05 -
Set List
The weather in southern Spain had been above average in the few days before the day of the gig, but on the day of the Bunnymen's arrival in Malaga, it was as if they have brought the northwest of England's weather with them [Ocean Rain, anyone?].
The Teatro Cervantes is one of the most beautiful venues I have ever had the privilege of attending a rock concert in and was so perfect for the band. It resembles a mini Albert Hall, with many of the seats around the perimeter contained in 6 person capacity boxes, each with it's own numbered door! A great venue for an Ocean Rain gig - maybe next time?
And so to the gig ... I have to say it was one of the best Bunnymen gigs I have ever attended since the band re-formed in '97, possibly since I first saw them in '81.
I was relieved that the Liverpool vs Everton match was a late kick off as I was dreading Everton gaining on Liverpool and thus putting Mac in a bad mood!
I did shout 'what's the footie score, Mac?' - his reply was 'there's always one in every crowd' but he did update us throughout the gig - he must have had a direct line to the match.
The band seemed to approach the songs with a slightly softer touch, the arrangements more sympathetic with Mac's voice these days.
A few reasons why I thought the gig was so exceptional:
1: Mac was on fine form, only smoked about 3 ciggies and sang better than I have heard him since the '97 Evergreen tour.
2: The sound quality was excellent - hats off to the hat man! And it was possible to understand Mac's between song banter.
3: All the band played brilliantly, they really work as a band now, not just a bunch of session guys behind Mac and Will.
3: All the band played brilliantly, they really work as a band now, not just a bunch of session guys behind Mac and Will.
4: The audience. There was a respectful attitude, and for me it was a real bonus to go to a gig where half the audience aren't talking throughout! Nobody felt the need to hassle Mac in the way that various sorts seem to at gigs in the U.K. The closest it came to heckling was a Brit shouting to Mac to turn it up [Mac's response was to tell the heckler words something along the lines of 'if you shut up, maybe you'll be able to hear the gig'!]
5: Mac's attempts at spanish :p]
6: The spotlight on Will and his Vox Teardrop guitar during the Killing Moon's middle 8 solo with the rest of the venue in darkness.
One negative was not finding Will in any of the bars by the venue, I usually seem to bump into him before gigs and have a chat.
Steve Griffiths in Priego De Córdoba [Brummie in Exile in Andalucía with one foot in the Mersey]
