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Here are ten songs I've been listening to a lot lately. I'd love to see your ten songs @tomatodragon @tewz @pupspit @peachpixiebby @trippykittenn @gotankgo @sky-monster
INSPIRAL CARPETS – ALBERT HALLS, MANCHESTER 1 APRIL 2023
Despite coming to Glasgow, something told me that a road trip to Manchester was required when Inspiral Carpet’s UK tour was announced in October last year. The Albert Halls is one of my favourite venues and I just had the feeling that it would be a special night and I was right.
We queued up early so we could get a seat upstairs in the Albert Halls and the atmosphere built quickly with Manchester DJ Dave Sweetmore playing classic 90s indie to the expectant crowd. A short set by Wigan new boys Stanleys was great then another half hour set from Sweetmore led to an amazing sing-along that warmed the crowd up better than most support bands ever could.
The band last played live in 2015 but following the untimely death of drummer Craig Gill, they had been on an understandable hiatus. Craig was a hugely popular part of the Manchester music scene and his sudden death had sent a shockwave through the band and Manchester.
The crowd exploded as they opened with ‘Joe’, a single from 1989 and quickly rattled through a set with too many highs to mention, however ‘She Comes in The Fall’, ‘Directing Traffik’, and ‘Caravan’ were some highlights but the closing tune ‘Dragging Me Down’ was a particularly special moment. The sound of Boon’s keyboards is the thing that set the Inspirals apart from other bands in the 90s and it was great to hear live.
After the main set, the unmistakable face of Gilly was projection at the back of the stage and Clint announced that Craig’s son Levon would take the drum kit for the next song, there was not a dry eye on the crowd. Levon is about 18 and a quiet lad but did his dad proud and it was a special moment for everyone.
They ended their triumphant set with ‘Saturn 5’ and it was clear that we had just experienced a very special night that we’d remember for a very long time.