Discussion
Saw them at Sage 1 Gateshead last night and was mightily impressed - they have still got it.
I was a fan back in the day during the early period before they became commercial and so it was a blatant nostalgia trip for me
Mark King is a flippin' powerhouse - his energy and stamina is unbelievable and his voice is undiminished - and he's 60 this month!
All in all a great show where you sensed the band were actually enjoying themselves.
..as for the support act, The Blow Monkeys, well I'll will make no comment.
Standout number of the night - 'Sandstorm'
I was a fan back in the day during the early period before they became commercial and so it was a blatant nostalgia trip for me
Mark King is a flippin' powerhouse - his energy and stamina is unbelievable and his voice is undiminished - and he's 60 this month!
All in all a great show where you sensed the band were actually enjoying themselves.
..as for the support act, The Blow Monkeys, well I'll will make no comment.
Standout number of the night - 'Sandstorm'
I saw them on several occassions at the City Hall in their 80's heyday and around 10 years ago at the Tyne Theatre on Westgate Road (where incidentally I recently saw Camel, who were brilliant).
Not a cool band per se, mainly down to becoming a pop band in the late 80's. However in the early days they were what you might call 'underground' being purveyors of pure jazz funk, mostly instrumental - their first three albums are the best IMO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8DH_jbaL1I
..and I'm an old prog rocker!
Not a cool band per se, mainly down to becoming a pop band in the late 80's. However in the early days they were what you might call 'underground' being purveyors of pure jazz funk, mostly instrumental - their first three albums are the best IMO:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8DH_jbaL1I
..and I'm an old prog rocker!
Edited by Lotobear on Wednesday 17th October 14:38
How unusual, today I was just thinking back to my old Ashdown MK500 amp that I sold a few years ago. How silly of me!
Coincidentally, I have seen Level 42 live twice and my first time was at the Sage on the Retroglide tour. They were absolutely on fire and Gary Husband was on the drums. Mark was using an Ashdown backline and a mk1 Kingbass.
The second time I saw them, they were on an anniversary tour a couple of years later. I can't remember the year but it was just after the MkII Status Kingbass had come out and Mark used one live, with two singlecoils. This gig was at the City Hall and I recall the sound wasn't as crisp as it was at the Sage, but the band still kicked arse. They always put on a good show and appreciate that the fans want to see chops!
I'd love to see 'sandstorm' live. I had always thought that the melody in 'Hot Water' had been adapted from 'sandstorm' but the earlier track was wilder and faster.
Coincidentally, I have seen Level 42 live twice and my first time was at the Sage on the Retroglide tour. They were absolutely on fire and Gary Husband was on the drums. Mark was using an Ashdown backline and a mk1 Kingbass.
The second time I saw them, they were on an anniversary tour a couple of years later. I can't remember the year but it was just after the MkII Status Kingbass had come out and Mark used one live, with two singlecoils. This gig was at the City Hall and I recall the sound wasn't as crisp as it was at the Sage, but the band still kicked arse. They always put on a good show and appreciate that the fans want to see chops!
I'd love to see 'sandstorm' live. I had always thought that the melody in 'Hot Water' had been adapted from 'sandstorm' but the earlier track was wilder and faster.
If you were into them in the '80's just go and see them. There's some serious skills going on for the uninitiated as well. Enjoy
https://youtu.be/FS-e-A8OzfA
https://youtu.be/FS-e-A8OzfA
Edited by Dinlowgoon on Monday 22 October 03:46
Edited by Dinlowgoon on Monday 22 October 03:47
Aw F*ck it I'm going to Earls Court,I'm off work this week. Sh*t or bust. About the 15th time now,
https://youtu.be/ptdZUTEv0iw
https://youtu.be/ptdZUTEv0iw
My first ever gig. Hammersmith Odeon, 1985 I think. My father worked for the company that supplied Mark with strings and then, as well as over the next few years there were usually some complimentary tickets made available. At that first gig, my dad bluffed his way backstage and into the band's dressing room. Mark signed my programme and was an absolute gentleman.
Always had a soft spot for them since then despite the fact my musical tastes subsequently developed in other directions.
Always had a soft spot for them since then despite the fact my musical tastes subsequently developed in other directions.
Jasper3.0 said:
Damn missed them.
Did they play?
Kansas City Milkman.......
And my favourite.......
Love games....
No, and no. I was there, at the front with my 13 year-old. He plays bass but I'm not sure what he made of it all. We were amazed at all the dancing grannies. Did they play?
Kansas City Milkman.......
And my favourite.......
Love games....
I was at the ice rink too, way back. Sound was much better at the Sage.
I have to say I miss the Goulds, particularly Phil. He had a beautifully light touch.
Good gig, anyhow.
Has anyone seen them on the current tour?
I was at the Newcastle gig on Wednesday which, unfortunately, left me a bit disappointed - the sound was really poor in the City Hall and that didn't help. Mark's bass was so distorted and muffled which killed it for me.
Not enough of the early stuff either for my taste and they majored more on the pop stuff and, sadly, came across as a bit of a novelty act - more of an 80's revival band than the serious jazz funk/fusion outfit they can be (and were at the Sage 3 years ago).
Johnny Hates Jazz were meh, twas ever thus with them, for me anyway.
...be interesting to hear if any others thought the same?
I was at the Newcastle gig on Wednesday which, unfortunately, left me a bit disappointed - the sound was really poor in the City Hall and that didn't help. Mark's bass was so distorted and muffled which killed it for me.
Not enough of the early stuff either for my taste and they majored more on the pop stuff and, sadly, came across as a bit of a novelty act - more of an 80's revival band than the serious jazz funk/fusion outfit they can be (and were at the Sage 3 years ago).
Johnny Hates Jazz were meh, twas ever thus with them, for me anyway.
...be interesting to hear if any others thought the same?
Level 42 was my favourite band growing up in the 80's, with Mark King being the person to inspire me to play the bass guitar. I must admit that I stopped going to watch them live about 5 years ago as I never really got on with their latest sound featuring a horn section crammed into all of the songs - they sound much better as a simple 4 piece with occasional sax, plus his Status basses always sounded too dry and lacking bottom end compared to the earlier JD and Alembic days.
It certainly looks like the usual generic set list looking at videos from the latest tour, which was supposed to happen last year for their 40th anniversary, although there are a few rare gems in the links below. Plus Mark King has wheeled out his JD Supernatural basses for the first time in about 34 years so I now wish I had gone to at least one concert just to hear whether that awesome bass tone has returned!!
Heathrow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_Whifx6zNA
Dune Tune / Kansas City Milkman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QVsnKxkt04
Coup d'Etat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_jQytc0hRU
It certainly looks like the usual generic set list looking at videos from the latest tour, which was supposed to happen last year for their 40th anniversary, although there are a few rare gems in the links below. Plus Mark King has wheeled out his JD Supernatural basses for the first time in about 34 years so I now wish I had gone to at least one concert just to hear whether that awesome bass tone has returned!!
Heathrow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_Whifx6zNA
Dune Tune / Kansas City Milkman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QVsnKxkt04
Coup d'Etat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_jQytc0hRU
Mutton said:
Level 42 was my favourite band growing up in the 80's, with Mark King being the person to inspire me to play the bass guitar. I must admit that I stopped going to watch them live about 5 years ago as I never really got on with their latest sound featuring a horn section crammed into all of the songs - they sound much better as a simple 4 piece with occasional sax, plus his Status basses always sounded too dry and lacking bottom end compared to the earlier JD and Alembic days.
It certainly looks like the usual generic set list looking at videos from the latest tour, which was supposed to happen last year for their 40th anniversary, although there are a few rare gems in the links below. Plus Mark King has wheeled out his JD Supernatural basses for the first time in about 34 years so I now wish I had gone to at least one concert just to hear whether that awesome bass tone has returned!!
Heathrow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_Whifx6zNA
Dune Tune / Kansas City Milkman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QVsnKxkt04
Coup d'Etat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_jQytc0hRU
Sadly at the City Hall his bass sound was really poor - very muffled and distorted, which kind of spoilt the whole purpose for me. Lot's of non muso 80's revival fans seemed to enjoy it though.It certainly looks like the usual generic set list looking at videos from the latest tour, which was supposed to happen last year for their 40th anniversary, although there are a few rare gems in the links below. Plus Mark King has wheeled out his JD Supernatural basses for the first time in about 34 years so I now wish I had gone to at least one concert just to hear whether that awesome bass tone has returned!!
Heathrow: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5_Whifx6zNA
Dune Tune / Kansas City Milkman: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1QVsnKxkt04
Coup d'Etat: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_jQytc0hRU
Personally I didn't mind the horn section too much.
The 2018 gig at the Sage was extremely polished in contrast and they did more early stuff which was a bonus for me. That said the Sage is a dedicated purpose designed concert venue with superb acoustics.
Cracking show last night from the boys, Mark is still a force of nature and Pete Ray Biggin is one hell of a drummer - massive future IMO.
A bit too much of the later pop hits and very little early fusion stuff but I guess that's what most folk wanted. Great night all the same.
BUT, The Christians were the support act and were absolutely fantastic - I'd forgotten about them but what a treat (and some great self deprecation form the singer, though not deserved), never heard a support act get such a reception at the end of a set!
All in all a bloody good night.
A bit too much of the later pop hits and very little early fusion stuff but I guess that's what most folk wanted. Great night all the same.
BUT, The Christians were the support act and were absolutely fantastic - I'd forgotten about them but what a treat (and some great self deprecation form the singer, though not deserved), never heard a support act get such a reception at the end of a set!
All in all a bloody good night.
Lotobear said:
Wow, how time flies - 5 bloody years!!
Off to see them again next Saturday at the Sage with Mrs Loto, stopping over in the toon so a few drinks in the afternoon and a nice meal somewhere pre gig.
Anyone seen them on the current tour?
I managed to get a last minute ticket for their opening night at Wolverhampton - having never seen them before, I was blown away.Off to see them again next Saturday at the Sage with Mrs Loto, stopping over in the toon so a few drinks in the afternoon and a nice meal somewhere pre gig.
Anyone seen them on the current tour?
A superb show & musically flawless.
You're in for a treat.
mart73 said:
Lotobear said:
Wow, how time flies - 5 bloody years!!
Off to see them again next Saturday at the Sage with Mrs Loto, stopping over in the toon so a few drinks in the afternoon and a nice meal somewhere pre gig.
Anyone seen them on the current tour?
I managed to get a last minute ticket for their opening night at Wolverhampton - having never seen them before, I was blown away.Off to see them again next Saturday at the Sage with Mrs Loto, stopping over in the toon so a few drinks in the afternoon and a nice meal somewhere pre gig.
Anyone seen them on the current tour?
A superb show & musically flawless.
You're in for a treat.
What did you think of the Christians (I though they were very good)?
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