Category - Music

Way to go, you geordies! The Rush Time Machine Tour hit the Metro and it was even better than Manchester (which was better than Glasgow, and miles better than Sheffield) – and that was damned good itself.

Superb atmosphere from the moment the band appeared, with people jumping, dancing, and singing along loudly all the way through. It was a big crowd, too. It was obvious that Rush appreciated it and were playing up to it. Geddy even raised his vocals for this one (he tends not to hit the higher notes so much, but he was going for it tonight). There was also a fair bit of crowd interaction with Alex.

I’d got a good seat again – roughly the same place as at Manchester, but a couple of rows further back, so I managed to get a few shots of Neil this time. I’d have had him full on at the end when he stood up to wave if it hadn’t been for the sea of hands that went up.

I was a bit worried on my way up there this afternoon. The Metro website says that photography isn’t allowed, but I checked with the staff when I got there and they were great about it – as long as it isn’t a professional camera and you don’t overdo it with the flash you can take pictures. (so doing a gig review was still on)

Once again, the band really seemed surprised at the reception. I can never understand why – Rush has a massive following (Lord knows where they were in Sheffield, though). Mind you, it always strikes me as odd that the people looking for reviews like this one were actually there themselves, so they know what it was like. I mean, I do it myself – look up reviews to see what others thought.

But there’s no denying Neil’s superb drum solo, and Geddy and Alex’s respective skills. I was talking to someone else who was doing the grand tour of UK gigs, and he said that he hadn’t realised until now just how good Geddy’s bass playing was. For myself, I’m always amazed at how they get the timing right with the triggers (though they nearly missed a few last night because they were having a laugh with each other and playing up to the audience).

So, the big question now is can the Brummies better it tomorrow night? Let’s see how it goes at the Birmingham NEC.

Edit: A reader has done an excellent write-up on her blog of this show. Take a look at According to Bex.

Third leg of six, and this one was easily the best so far.

It started off good when I arrived at about 5pm, and found a free parking space in the MEN multi-storey on the ground level (last time I was here, it took over an hour to get out being up on the 4th or 5th level).

It was even better when I got inside the arena – I’d been worried that the seat numbering began from the opposite end to which it actually did, which meant that I was right in front of Geddy’s keyboards, and only three rows back.

And this new camera is bloody brilliant – even the blurred pictures are still good.

The crowd was up for it right from the start (in huge contrast to the Sheffield lot). The band obviously felt this, and is was clear that they were really enjoying themselves – an impression which became stronger as the show progressed. Alex and Geddy were laughing among themselves, and when they brought Neil in on it there was even a deviation from the set (albeit for a few seconds) at the end of Closer to the Heart.The crowd was singing along and very animated throughout.

At the end, even Geddy’s farewell made it clear they were overwhelmed by the crowd response, even more than at Glasgow.

Being on Geddy’s side, my pictures were oriented to him, and it was difficult to get a decent shot of Neil from that angle (some of the better ones were when Geddy was away from his keyboard and Neil was behind him in some shots).

And I was right about the car parking space. I got out within 10 minutes.

Another awesome show. Next stop, Newcastle on Saturday. Get your backsides down there and make it a sell-out – and let’s make it the best one again.

OK. Second gig on the Time Machine Tour tonight at Sheffield’s Motorpoint Arena.

Now I have something to compare, the first thing I’d say is that the sound here was much better than at Glasgow SECC – clearer and sharper. Sheffield is also more vertical (with tiers), whereas Glasgow is more horizontal (only a single bank of seats around the edge of the floor). I find the tiered arenas give a better atmosphere.

Having said that, the crowd was initially a lot quieter than at Glasgow, and it was only around the point where Subdivisions was played that they seemed to wake up – after that it was much livelier.

I was seated (well, until the show started, then it was standing) centre stage. Now, I’m not going to go over the set again, because Rush always play absolutely to a schedule – you can see the review of the Glasgow gig below for that). I have never seen them deviate from the set between gigs, and only once did I see Alex miss a cue just after before “And the meek shall inherit the earth” during 2112 (I think that was the Hold Your Fire tour in the 80s if memory serves).

A reader made this comment about the show:

Show was great, and think the high points for me were the songs that I’d not seen live before, like ‘Stick It Out’, ‘Presto’ & ‘Camera Eye’ (can’t remember if they did that one back in ’81 as my memory is sketchy with age!!). To see ‘MP’ in entirety was a real joy. Found the sound quality to be very crisp too.

One of my friends who was with me last night also commented that it was the best show he’s seen them do – and he’s been with me for one show at each of the last three tours. His comments relate to the tour, not the individual gig.

At Glasgow, I had my old Sony digital camera with me, and in all honesty that photo I posted was just about the only one that came out properly. Tonight I was trying out my new one. Just take a look at some of these:

And this is just a sample. Virtually every one is crisp and detailed, and since they are over twice the size of my 2,048×1,920 monitor, there’s a lot you can do with them.

I also recorded Neil’s drum solo in HD and that is also crisp and clear.

Anyway, another awesome performance by Rush. Clinical, skilful… just brilliant!

A lot of people are searching for the setlist. Here it is:

First Segment:

• Spirit of Radio
• Time Stand Still
• Presto
• Stick It Out
• Workin’ Them Angels
• Leave That Thing Alone
• Faithless
• BU2B
• Freewill
• Marathon
• Subdivisions

Second Segment:

• Tom Sawyer
• Red Barchetta
• YYZ
• Limelight
• The Camera Eye
• Witch Hunt
• Vital Signs
• Caravan
• Drum Solo
• Closer to the Heart
• 2112 Part I: Overture
• 2112 Part II: The Temples Of Syrinx
• Far Cry

Encore:

• La Villa Strangiato
• Working Man

Definitely, you get your money’s worth with a Rush gig. Started at 7.30pm, finished at 11pm.

Next step: Manchester MEN Thursday. Get your arses there – you’re missing something really cool.

Addendum: People are asking about show times. The doors open at 6pm and the show starts promptly at 7.30pm. It ends at 11pm, and there’s a 20 minute break in the middle.

Well, it was worth the wait. No doubt about it.

This is probably the most polished show I’ve ever seen them do, and the quality of the rear screen images was superb. Although it has been written before that Alex isn’t into guitar solos (and the increasing use of keyboards in the 80s nearly broke them up), he was definitely the centre of attention tonight. As well as deviating from the pure album format – something they stopped doing some years ago – Alex even played keyboards at the start.

I know one thing: I must get a new camera.

They played some unusual songs – ones you wouldn’t expect – and that set some goosebumps off. Time Stand Still was there (from Hold Your Fire), along with Presto (from Presto – one of my favourite songs from one of my favourite albums), Stick It Out (from Counterparts), and Marathon (from Power Windows).

Closer To The Heart made a welcome return (I read some years ago that they were sick of playing that), and favourites like Spirit Of Radio (from Permanent Waves) and Subdivisions (from Signals) were also played. Freewill (also Permanent Waves) was also there – great guitar in that one.

The highlight was the performance of the whole of the Moving Pictures album – and that meant The Camera Eye was played live for the first time (one of my other favourite songs).

The running motif throughout was a sort of Jules Verne type time machine – hence the tour title – and the rear screen was frequently used along with this (see photo above). The intro video at the start of each section (Rush have an intermission these days – as Geddy says, they’re getting old) set the scene and was quite funny – even Neil had a significant part (good to see him becoming more involved in that). Right at the end, after the encore (which featured La Villa Strangiato (from Hemispheres) and Working Man (from their first album in 1974)), there was a short film featuring Paul Rudd and Jason Segel, from the film “I Love You, Man”, where the two characters from the film get into the band’s room backstage.

The show also featured the songs BU2B (Brought Up To Believe) and Caravan, from the forthcoming studio album Clockwork Angels – both of which sounded superb live. I can’t wait for the release of this.

Also, a masterclass of a drum solo by Neil, as always.

Sheer class.

There wasn’t an empty seat I could see, and the crowd went crazy over every song (only that jerk yelling during the drum solo – why is there always someone who doesn’t like drum solos?)

Anyway, I’m off to Sheffield Monday for the second show. And I have bought a new camera as of this afternoon. Let’s see how that one goes (see the results here from the Sheffield gig).

Well, it’s nearly here! After the waiting, the Rush Time Machine Tour is due to hit the UK.

Saturday I’m off to Glasgow for the first Rush gig of their UK tour, then it’s a busy week and a half travelling to Sheffield, Manchester, Newcastle, Birmingham, and finally London’s O2.

I’ve deliberately not looked up any footage from the tour – I want it to be new when I see it for the first time.

The tickets have cost me a small fortune (making sure I’m in the first 5 rows at all of them), and I’ll rack up over 1,500 miles travelling! Then there’s the T-shirts and other stuff.

I’ve made sure I have no morning lessons the day after each of Glasgow, Newcastle, Manchester, and London - but I have scheduled lessons for the mornings of the days I’m travelling to Sheffield and Birmingham. That’s the drawback to being self-employed: there’s no such thing as paid time off!

But it will all be worth it.

Updates – gig reviews:

• Glasgow SECC Review
• Sheffield Motorpoint Arena Review
• Manchester MEN Arena Review
• Newcastle Metro ArenaReview
• Birmingham NEC/LG Arena Review
• London O2 Arena Review

I got my first two tickets in the post this morning – Glasgow and Newcastle!

I’m not too impressed by the Newcastle one… it’s three blocks back. I’ll have to see about sorting that one out.

Glasgow kicks off the UK leg on 14 May, and it’s a busy two weeks after that slotting lessons in between travelling to the different venues.

Moving Pictures is also being re-released this week on DVD and Blu-ray, and featuring remastering and various extras.

I’ve been hearing a lot from these on Planet Rock lately.

They’re a “supergroup” comprising Glenn Hughes (Deep Purple, Black Sabbath), Joe Bonamassa, Jason Bonham (Led Zeppelin, Foreigner), and Derek Sherinian (Dream Theater, Billy Idol, Alice Cooper).

You can check out their official website here. [old article – they went belly up]

I’ve got tickets for the Leeds O2 Academy gig on 26 July, which I’m looking forward to.

They have a debut album out and it is well worth getting hold of.