Nottingham Rock City Set list, 23rd December with a couple of thoughts...

[Master Ray]

I know it's pretty much the same as previous gigs this month but just to save anyone clicking on other links...

Long Goodbye
Running in the Rain
All Of This
Strogoula
After Something
Inheritance
Over the Wire
Courage
Modern Times
Eleven Years
Ballad of Bodmin Pill

second set

Angry Planet
Lights Go Out
Innocence
Winter
Prayer Flags
Ambition
Ghosts
Higher Wall
March in September
Island
Summer Moors
Born Feral
Eyes Get Used to the Darkness
Poison Street
225

Encore:

Vagabonds
Get Me Out
Believe It
Purity
Betcha


Utterly loved it.  So many tunes I had never heard before or ever thought I would.  And the re-arranged versions of certain tracks?  Please, NMA inner-circle, let us have some decent recordings of them, somewhere somehow.  Running In The Rain, in particular...

OK, something that genuinely surprised me... a few people outside the gig afterwards seemed kind of down on the first set, people I talked to and people I overheard (a couple of my friends report the same).  I truly don't understand that!  Some great re-imagined tracks, some wonderful rareties (Courage, Modern Times and Eleven Years all in a row?  ), just to pump some fresh blood into the set?  I completely respect the opinion of others, but if anyone here was also disappointed I'd love to hear why!  No judgement here, always interested in whatever folks think of a gig!

And secondly, the age old question of 'talking loudly at a gig'... I lost my friends about four songs in so I wandered around the venue and watched some of it from near the front, some of it from near the back, some of it on the balcony and at every point therewith... yup, many quiet bits usually drowned to chatter and I rarely heard anything Justin said between songs.  Anyone have a real problem with it last night? Hey, if it's just me, apologies!  But again, from the folks I talked to last night, it's not just me... 



Well, that's the moaning done (bring on the posts telling me how wrong I am!), can I end this post by saying it was great to meet a few more Forum folks last night, particularly at the excellent aftershow, great to put a few more faces to Forum names!  Once again, it was a phenomenal gig that exceed all expectations.

[Bunny]

I imnediately thought of you when Modern Times hit (also one of my faves) and Shush got his Running in the Rain...... I got Strogoula, which for me takes a song to another level. Great show.

[jackroadkill]

A bit of an odd one for me...  I loved the first set but was a bit underwhelmed by the second, at least until Summer Moors.  The band seemed well into it, but for me it didn't do it for me like NMA usually do.  I thought the re-arrangement of Higher Wall was unnecessary, for example, and didn't do much for the song.

That said, there were some excellent moments that I really loved - Running In The Rain, Courage, Eyes Get Used To The Darkness and Purity being standouts for me.

[lupus225]

I thought the re-arrangement of Higher Wall was unnecessary, for example, and didn't do much for the song.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7IVGMQQltlU 

[dilla]

Had to tell a group of people that their talking was louder than the band during the first set.Spoke to Welshbeard afterwards and he also had to tell the same people shortly afterwards.
Was also pissed off that Michael Dean was refused entry to the aftershow because he had his kids with him and they were under age.The doorman insisted rules were rules

[Master Ray]

Nice to know it's not just me... perhaps we're just a bit older and a bit grouchier?  *thinks for a moment*... nah, it's just rude!

Also, nice meeting you at the aftershow, dilla!  We must have a proper conversation one day when we can actually hear each other... 

[Shush]

Had to tell a group of people that their talking was louder than the band during the first set.Spoke to Welshbeard afterwards and he also had to tell the same people shortly afterwards.
Was also pissed off that Michael Dean was refused entry to the aftershow because he had his kids with him and they were under age.The doorman insisted rules were rules

Sorry to hear MD couldn't get in with his kids. That does I believe answer a little mystery for me. I thought I saw a young man appear from behind the curtain to crash the last symbols of the night for MD. I assumed it must have been his son, now I am pretty sure.

Nice touch. 

[Vagabondage]

The gig was as always excellent, Sorry for Michael not getting in afterwards, If I had known beforehand I might have been able to help with the jobsworths, can't think of a safer place for children to be on a saturday night in Nottingham! Thanks to all who came to the aftershow - will have a 'conference call' with LCG at some point to sort out next years venue xx

Best songs were Strogula, Running In the rain, BOBP & 225

[Vagabondage]

Inheritance!!! Just watching this -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zArOmdYMwFk&feature=youtu.be