NMA at The Live Rooms - Chester March 16, 2022...

[8]

Hello everyone,

Pretty much all I've been thinking about this week -- besides the atrocities happening in Eastern Europe -- has been NMA's mini UK tour.  Would somebody, anybody please jump into this thread and share with me everything I missed earlier this evening?  However slight or small the recollection(s) / detail(s).  All morsels tremendously and genuinely appreciated.

1.  What did NMA play?

2.  What words or short stories did Mr. Sullivan share between songs?

3.  Was Mr. Gill back with the band?

4.  Did any other musical guest(s) take part as well?

5.  Any noteworthy surprises, musical or otherwise?

6.  What would you say was the best part or highlight of the evening?

7.  Any new NMA merchandise for sale?  If so, what kind?

8.  Did NMA play any new song(s)?

[Ghosttrain]

I really hope people respond to this post..............very quiet on here these days.. ....

[fiddlesticks]

Hi 8 & Ghosttrain

Will do my best...

1.  What did NMA play?
Some people are really good at remembering, I'm not one of them. 
A few that I do remember, in no particular order..

End of Days
Where I Am
1984
From Here
Angry Planet
Never Arriving
The Charge
Before I Get Old
Vanity
Western Dream
Courage (for Ukraine)
Born Feral
Lust for Power
I Love the World

2.  What words or short stories did Mr. Sullivan share between songs?
I think he didn't want to get to much into current events, but saluted the courage of Ukrainians facing a terrible ordeal. It was very much, let the music do the talking.

3.  Was Mr. Gill back with the band?
No. No mention of him either. (We're planning to go and see Blackballed soon.) Dean more than held his own on guitar and keyboards though.

4.  Did any other musical guest(s) take part as well?
They had a guest bass player fill in while Ceri played drums with Michael. Apologies to him, don't remember his name.

5.  Any noteworthy surprises, musical or otherwise?
One or two songs I didn't recognise.

6.  What would you say was the best part or highlight of the evening?
Good crowd. Good solid gig. Could have listened for twice as long,  but I think they gave their all.

7.  Any new NMA merchandise for sale?  If so, what kind?
Wife got a new "Angel" TShirt. I haven't seen that design before. My son picked up From Here on vinyl, which comes on 2 12 inch records. (3 tracks per side).

8.  Did NMA play any new song(s)?
Unless I missed it? But I did hear somewhere that they are working on a new album so fingers crossed.

[fiddlesticks]

https://i.imgur.com/HBJrpLK.jpeg

[8]

Hi Ghosttrain, fiddlesticks, everyone.

I really hope people respond to this post..............very quiet on here these days.. ....

Although it has been a bit chilly in here lately, it is great to find that some folks haven't lost complete touch with this wonderful place; to see them occasionally choose to come back and read, message, post about things that strike their fancy.

Will do my best...

THANK YOU so much, fiddlesticks!!

https://i.imgur.com/HBJrpLK.jpeg

Snapped and shared a lovely photo of it too!

1.  What did NMA play?
Some people are really good at remembering, I'm not one of them.

lol, me neither, fiddlesticks!  So happy and grateful you didn't let it stop yourself from posting and talking about the show, here.

A few that I do remember, in no particular order..

Where I Am
1984
From Here
Angry Planet
Never Arriving
The Charge
Before I Get Old
Vanity
I Love the World
End of Days
Western Dream
Courage (for Ukraine)
Born Feral

Whoa!!  A number of great NMA rarities made the setlist.  I reckon that 'Before I Get Old' would work just as beautifully performed in the a cappella style also.  It's pretty bare as it stands.  I'd rather JS' make the girls 'cry', rather than say 'goodbye'.  Wonder if Mr. Sullivan swapped those two words on the 16th?  uh, just, make 'em (=the girls) cry in a harm-free mutually rewarding great way, though.

2.  What words or short stories did Mr. Sullivan share between songs?
I think he didn't want to get too much into current events, but saluted the courage of Ukrainians facing a terrible ordeal.  It was very much, let the music do the talking.

Yeah, that makes total sense to me, now that I actually think a bit more about it.  The lyrics; vocal and musical force, drive, delivery of said songs, would and do indeed relate all intended sentiments that NMA are aiming to express / exchange with their audience. 

3.  Was Mr. Gill back with the band?
No.  No mention of him either.  (We're planning to go and see Blackballed soon.)

I pray everything's okay.  This bit of the update, both saddens and worries me.

Dean more than held his own on guitar and keyboards though.

Mr. White certainly does!!  I love it when he straps on a guitar, although I'm a serious sucker for all things keyboard.  I love the instrument far too much to see the band cut it out in a more drastic or permanent way.  I actually long to hear so much more piano / synths / keyboards in NMA/JS' music -- without dropping the rest of the instruments.  I'm probably the only one here who wants more piano / keyboards.  I love melody and harmonics.

I heard it read or maybe said (somewhere online) that Mr. White doesn't particularly like keyboards and I'm not sure why.  Perhaps it might be because his keyboard parts are not challenging enough for him? Maybe the parts are too sparse and minimal?  Or, maybe it has something to do with the fact that his keyboard keeps breaking down while on tour?  I honestly don't know, I'm just speculating.

Heard Mr. White prefers playing guitar over keyboards.  I'd venture to guess that that's because guitars have always played a more significant role in NMA's music.  No matter, whatever DW's playing, he's terrific!!

4.  Did any other musical guest(s) take part as well?
They had a guest bass player fill in while Ceri played drums with Michael.  Apologies to him, don't remember his name.

Might this have been one of NMA's roadies or maybe Red Sky Coven's, Mr. Selby?  Anyone know?  Please jump into this thread, post?

5.  Any noteworthy surprises, musical or otherwise?
One or two songs I didn't recognise.

Ohhh!!!  I'm aching to find out the rest of the setlist, now!

6.  What would you say was the best part or highlight of the evening?
Good crowd.  Good solid gig.  Could have listened for twice as long, but I think they gave their all.

'GOD', I miss live gigs especially anything NMA/JS related.

7.  Any new NMA merchandise for sale?  If so, what kind?
Wife got a new "Angel" T-Shirt.  I haven't seen that design before.  My son picked up From Here on vinyl, which comes on 2 12 inch records. (3 tracks per side).

How lucky you are that your blood family loves the band, too!  Now that, is AWESOME!

8.  Did NMA play any new song(s)?
Unless I missed it?  But I did hear somewhere that they are working on a new album so fingers crossed.

YEA-ahhh!!  Absolutely thrilled about the new album update.  Apparently it's going to be recorded later this year.  Greatest musical news I've heard thus far, this year.  I'm hoping and praying it's going to be a long album.  Just like NMA live concerts, NMA albums are never, ever a drag or boring!!  Love 'em!! 

[fiddlesticks]

Yep, agree with you about Dean's awesome skills, and you're right about the extra atmosphere brought by the keyboards/synths/pianos. For me it adds rich texture to the music. I think it does work live, because he jumps between both. Of course, we miss Marshall though.

Ceri also managed to play bass, drums and a bit of electric guitar last night.

The other thing that makes it special is when they all sing.

I've enjoyed seeing Justin solo a few times, and he always mentions how he likes playing with a full band. For me it's just different - not better or worse.

[jjp666]

from setlist

End of Days
The Charge
Lust for Power
Bittersweet
Never Arriving
From Here
1984
Fate
Western Dream
Headlights
Born Feral
Before I Get Old
Angry Planet
Vanity
Courage
Where I Am
Young, Gifted and Skint
I Love the World

[MaoLee]

Guess, the setlist is neither in the correct order nor they did play YGAS At least nobody mentoned this on FB.

[Ghosttrain]

Thanks for the info... ..

[MaoLee]

Encores
Courage
I love the world

[8]

Yep, agree with you about Dean's awesome skills, and you're right about the extra atmosphere brought by the keyboards/synths/pianos.  For me it adds rich texture to the music.  I think it does work live, because he jumps between both. 

Exactly!  It definitely works live, fiddlesticks.   I think having multi-instrumentalists in the band has worked, served, saved and benefitted NMA + their back catalogue (=repertoire) on numerous occasions.  It's likely been a real blessing + convenience, both in terms of NMA studio recordings + live concert performances. 

Of course, we miss  Marshall though.

Yeah, been missing MG's talent + presence as well.  Genuinely hope everyone in and around the band are doin' well + that nothing's gone wrong --- no illness or bad blood among / between them --- 'cause that would fcukin' suck, big time.

Ceri also managed to play bass, drums and a bit of electric guitar last night.

Definitely want to see + hear that.  Seen 'n heard CM play an acoustic before --- (if I'm not mistaken, I believe it was during NMA's 40th anniversary online gig, filmed at the Mill in Bradford, but don't quote me) --- and CM's just as good on acoustic as well.  Fiddlesticks (or anyone else), I'd love to know the name of the NMA song CM played electric guitar on the 16th, in Chester.  Better yet, is there a clip of some sort that we could all view or listen to?  Have a minute to spare?  Care to post?

The other thing that makes it special is when they all sing.

Ohhh, fcukin' hell YEA-ahh!!    
 

I've enjoyed seeing Justin solo a few times, and he always mentions how he likes playing with a full band.  For me it's just different - not better or worse.

I'll never get to take in Mr. Sullivan's words and music in such an intimate manner as you've been incredibly blessed to have.  Those completely solo tours are just so rare, that he'll likely never 'cross the water' / Atlantic to play a string of solo dates on this, the wrong side of the earth.

I'm not one who runs or lives for money, never have been.  However, if I had whatever amount it took, I'd try my damnedest to fly (either or both) JS or full 5-pc NMA over here, to Canada, to do a month-long mini tour or something of the sort.  And 'if I had a' billion 'dollars' -- of which I also do not -- nevermind buy the beautiful man's love (=JS'), I'd bring together however many, willing bands / recording artists whose works I've ever loved over the years, to play a 4-day festival with the bulk of the proceeds going to my favourite local charities -- where the music acts would be solely picked by me.

sad, soft, sweet, heartbroken, sigh... it's nice to dream, isn't it?  All I've ever tasted / had in life and all I ever will.

'It's alright, it's okay' --- by now, anyhow --- 'I'm just used to it that way'.

oxOxo

[8]

Cheers for the awesome setlist pic MaoLee!!      and also jjp666,      fiddlesticks,      Ghosttrain!

Whether you're on the road travelling with or to see the NMA or not, take care out there, everyone.  Genuine thanks for popping into this thread to read / post.  Might not mean very much to most folk floating here, but this kind of generosity, participation is what keeps me 'alive and kicking', breathing, truly.

----- encores -----
Courage
I Love The World

[8]

Video clips uploaded to YouTube by Joshua Thetford and cahillfra.
If anyone here has found others, please post links... I only found these four.

End Of Days

Lust For Power

From Here

Vanity

[Red]

For those that are asking it was Dave Monck who played bass on Born Feral and he has done for the full tour and a bloody good job he did too.

[8]

For those that are asking it was Dave Monck who played bass on Born Feral and he has done for the full tour and a bloody good job he did too.

Cheers Red.   Mr. Monck did an excellent job!  If I'm not mistaken, Mr. Gill normally plays the bass on "Born Feral" when the band play the song live, because Mr. Monger gets swapped to playing the extra floor toms (or whatever they are).  Is that correct?  I can't swear on it, but I think I saw an older video clip of "Born Feral", a while back, where I think it was an actual bass guitar that was in Marshall's hands.  Or maybe I'm just dreaming it.  My mind is so fcuked up lately, that I can't tell up from down, left from right anymore.

Please forgive me NMA / Mr. Monck / Red / everybody, for I'm an idiot.  I don't know who Mr. Monck is? Is he an NMA fan, or roadie, or something like that?  I ask because he did the entire mini UK tour, just for the one song?  Seems like a lot of waiting around just to play one song or am I missing some crucial detail?

Anyone reading this is welcomed to answer, if Red happens to be too busy to pop in to post.
.