SKUNK ANANSIE, Manchester Academy, 18-8-19

Forgot to say, when we were staying at Hotel Rob, he said they’d be leaving very early, so he gave Jim a key for the flat.
Today (Sunday) the train would depart from Euston at 11.19 arriving Manchester Piccadilly 13.50.
I’ve been to Manchester numerous times for multiple bands, but today, I had trouble getting my bearings correct! After finding the hotel, myself & Jim went to the venue. There were a few people already there. Had a wander to the other side of the venue & saw a security guy.
Asked him if he could find Pete (TM). It wasn’t who I expected to come out ; it was Cass. He then gave us AAA Laminates ( ! ) & took us in.
I thought I remembered a very small balcony, so Cass too us up there. As there was no seating there, Cass opened a door where the bar was. He brought through a small square pouffe so I could sit on that later (Think he also got one for Jim also). Ok we were now set up for later on. We followed Cass downstairs, as we were walking along behind him he said ” What are you doing when you go out ” I replied, “We’re going to find a place that does food”. He then said “Why don’t you get food from the catering in here?” So we did ! I think he took us through to the room where a few people were already having food, after which he took us to catering.(Have a feeling he said to the caterers, it’s ok for these 2 to have food. The list of food that was available, looked very nice! Gave our orders,& the lass said “I’ll bring the through to you when done”. What a service 🙂 Oh, forgot to say that Mark & his parents were also sat in the food room. A couple of the crew came in later to have their food. When they finished, they went back to get desserts. They looked very appetizing… I was already thinking “I’d like one of those”
We had the main course, then went to get a dessert ! When we got back, one of the crew guys said ” You dirty bastard ! ” 😉 Pot>kettle ?
Yes, it was so yummy & also saved us a few quid 😉 Somewhere along the way, we bumped into skin. I said to her “I was wondering why, at Brixton, you all did one song 5 times ?” Then as some people will already know by now, it was because Paul Weller was gonna step up onstage ! I did ask her how it came about, but can’t remember her reply. But all being said, a unique experience or what ??!!!
When we got back in the balcony, the “seats” had gone. Had a word with security & told him I need a seat as cannot stand up for very long. His reply was “We need room here for 70 people!” I think he then went to get me a seat.
Enough of me rambling Got to say, I’m not so interested in the support bands. I think I saw “Queen Zee” open for Garbage, so I’d already made up my opinion.
But I will say, in my opinion, the best support act they’ve has was “The Virginmarys” (I think that was the 2010 tour) I thought they had the potential to make it big…a few years later, I found out they had “problems” with their management and that led to them doing it all themselves. If you’ve not heard The Virginmarys, have a look on their website www.thevirginmarys.com OR Facebook https://www.facebook.com/TheVirginmarysOfficial/along 😉

After enduring Queen Zee, we were ready for the mighty Skunk Anansie. I felt sure I took a few photos, but when I got back home there weren’t any photos on the memory card! But there were about 4 video clips 🙂 Oh forgot to say, when we bumped into skin earlier I asked here why she didn’t do the soundcheck (in Manchester) . As expected, she was saving her voice as they had a 3 day run of gigs. I’m not going to do a full review, I’ll just “Let The Music Do The Talking”

When it had finished, we got back to the hotel quicker than I thought it would be 😉

 

Garbage, Manchester Academy 13-11-15

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Oh my ! Memories of the last time we saw Garbage here & spent the afternoon in the Crowbar drinking 2 for 1 cocktails ! Surely, things couldn’t get as bad (worse?) as last time ??? This time, some of the Trashers got into Manchester the previous night. I’ve heard there were games of pool & THE GUYS pole dancing! Less said about that, the best 😉 I get up  to Manchester around 1pm & meet the guys at the hotel. Have a quick pint with them & Anette also joins us. Seems there’s a few of us staying at the same hotel 🙂 Eventually we leave & head towards the venue/Crowbar 😉 It’s raining, so don’t expect that many to be queueing already…

Skunk Anansie , Beware Of Darkness, @ Manchester Academy , 22-3-13

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Travelling to this one, there was quite a bit of snow around. I traveled on the train, so that was a great choice. Must confess, i didn’t fancy the idea of standing around outside in the cold, so i arranged to get in early on (Thanks Cass 😉 )

As i had a standard ticket & didn’t want to get kicked out, Stumpy gave me a pass. Oh i also had the offer of upgrading my accommodation from the Travelodge to the Malmaison hotel as someone wasn’t gonna use their room that night. As my Travelodge was much closer to the venue, i decided to stay there.

Once doors opened, the place soon filled up. Again, the opening act was “Beware Of Darkness”   Of course, everyone was waiting for Skunk though 🙂 Manc academy can get a bit rough down the front & tonight was no exception. As ever, the Skunks were great. Sometimes i just love my life 🙂        Skin showed off her levitating skills 😉

 

Garbage , Jezabels ,@ Manchester Academy 3-7-12

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This one got very messy…once in Manc land we had quick pint at the station. Checked into hotel & then off to the venue. The Crobar was en route & they were doing 2 for 1 cocktails. It soon all went downhill.P1010314 P1010321

We were basically in there all afternoon/early evening. There were a couple of us who had to collect tickets from the box office. I naturally assumed we’d collect, then go through the door that side. Oh no, they wanted us to go to the back of the main queue ! Well fuck that for a game of soldiers. I went & talked with security & eventually the head guy came over. I told him i wasn’t impressed ! Said we’d been here all day (bending the truth a little lol) & shouldn’t have to go to the back. He said “OK when doors open, just jump in here” I then told him there were about 6 of us… ” Not a problem..” . Looking back, it wasn’t the nicest of things to do, but hey, if you can wing it why not ? I’m amazed they didn’t realise how drunk i was tbh 😉 It all worked out. Got down the front. During the gig i went out to get 4 pints ( I NEVER leave front row) for the lads. Shows how confident/drunk i was. Of course, when i got back, after navigating the crowd & losing some of the beer along the way, i got the imortal line off Rob ” Can i have a full pint next time ?!!”

Skunk Anansie, The Virginmarys , @ Manchester Academy 13-11-10

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Julia took the train to Manchester & we met near the venue. I’d drove up there. We also met Marco (his group photo) & Nic at this show. Another killer gig from Da Skunks. I cannot remember if we stayed for a drink or not ?!? Pretty sure tonight bought the Skunk membership card or something….as once home i remember playing ” I’ve Had Enough ” on my PC & both myself & Julia were pretty excited about this new track…