So you’ve seen our Giant Half Man Half Biscuit Set List Chart and shivered in horror at so many numbers in one place. Now it’s time to see what we can make of it all. The chart covers over 140 gigs from November 2000, and ignores cover versions. Occasionally the set lists might not be 100% accurate, but if you think you see anything odd, that’s what the comments section is for (amongst other things).
Parsfan has created a separate site now – The Half Man Half Biscuit Data Retrieval System – with lots of setlist data – well worth a look. His stats include number of times played, a list of all the songs played in order of how many gigs in a row they’ve been played down to how long ago they were last played, cover versions played and more.
Update January 2020:
The first 33 comments below refer to the chart posted in November 2017. Those stats are now out of date. Scroll to post 34 for any discussion relating to the latest spreadsheet.
This page is an update on an original first posted in 2011, covering the 71 gigs from 2000 to that time. The original comments made on that page can be found here. There was a second version in 2015 – comments made then can be found here. Those of you wishing to play with the statistics and comment below, may like to take a look at those comments first, and see if any of them are worth updating in the new comments section below.
Chris The Siteowner
Thanks so much to Rob MacD for the update to the chart. Silver Biscuit Award. OK spreadsheet fiends, you know what to do. Time to get cracking and put those expensively-learned analysis techniques to work. Averages? Surprises? Album charts? Let’s show the literary girls and boys that the nerds can contribute to this site too.
12 November 2017
dr desperate
Magnificent work!
15 November 2017
The harbinger of nothing
Bow (or Bough) taken, but not left on the passenger seat!
I’m glad you appreciate the joy I bring. It filled me with joy to see it completed. I shall wear my Silver Biscuit and feel spartan and monastic.
I’ve been working on some stats but thought I’d test the memory of fellow Biscuiteers first. No cheating now.
So… How many of yous lot know which (and how many) songs have been both first and last in the setlist?
16 November 2017
GORDON BURNS
Excellent stuff.
I’m always hoping for Arthur’s Farm one day. They’ve played 1966 a couple of times lately.
16 November 2017
transit full of keith
My experience runs to only 5 gigs, all since 2015 but in that time I’m fairly sure Light at the End of the Tunnel has been both first and last. First song in Lincoln in 2016 and last perhaps Cambridge 2016 or London 2017? Top work on the spreadsheet by the way …
16 November 2017
transit full of keith
^ London 2015, sorry.
16 November 2017
EXXO
Yes, ‘Light’ is one of the two I’m sure about, together with a third song that I know has opened once and is often in the encore, and I’m 90% sure it has been last several times, and a fourth that I know has opened once and was recently in the encore, maybe only once, and I don’t think it was last but I’m not totally sure. so if it was a forecast whist shout I’d go 3 at the mo, but that’s minimum three and some others may come to mind…
16 November 2017
hendrix-tattoo
My guesses are Bob Wilson, Everthing’s AOR and TLATEOTT….
16 November 2017
EXXO
You have one of my definite three and two of my maybe four … but AOR is among the Imperial Guard of tunes that is never deployed too early.
16 November 2017
Phyllis Triggs
Trad. Arr. Tune?
16 November 2017
hendrix-tattoo
Without cheating I haven’t a clue, I guess 3 and one of the songs will be off the first L.P.
16 November 2017
hendrix-tattoo
Good call Phyllis.
16 November 2017
parsfan
Vatican Broadside? Though I can’t specifically remember it ever being last.
16 November 2017
Mr ed
There was a time when Twenty four hour garage people seemed like a regular as a last song, not sure about first though.
16 November 2017
The harbinger of nothing
I’ll keep you in suspense a bit longer by revealing how many there are tomorrow, and what they are the next day. Don’t hold me to it though, I might forget. Got a lot on my mind. But I get by.
More haven’t been mentioned than have so far, so keep guessing…
17 November 2017
BOBBY SVARC
In my other life I saw them open at the Charlotte in 2000 with Irk The Purists and feel pretty sure they ended with it too in the same year. Dunno but they did play it a lot or it seemed so that year
17 November 2017
EXXO
Well I didn’t think it fair on other guessers to mention them, but Gargoyles was the other definite for me (along with Light and Village as already mentioned) because the surprise when they finish with it always lingers long in the memory. So judging by your hint it’ll be a total of about seven, then? So my 50-50, which was Bob Wilson, I’ll move tentatively into the deffoes…that’s 4.
17 November 2017
The harbinger of nothing
Spot on! There are 7.
Anyone want to have a go at a complete list?
17 November 2017
bobby svarc
I’ve got to cut my toe nails else I would.
17 November 2017
hendrix-tattoo
The magnificent 7 are: TLATEOTT, Gargoyles, IRk, Bob Wilson, Trad arr. tune, JDOG, Fred Titmus….
18 November 2017
hendrix-tattoo
Oh! and Trumpton….
18 November 2017
The harbinger of nothing
Here are the official stats:
Light/Tunnel: first 31, last 6
JDOG: first 1, last 21
99% of Gargoyles: first 1, last 7
Trad Arr Tune: first 1, last 6
Best Things in Life: first 1, last 4
Look Dad No Tunes: first 1, last 1
God Gave Us Life: first 1, last 1
A good effort, but still a no-rosette situation for Mr Tattoo.
18 November 2017
EXXO
Thanks for that Harbo – if I may call you that (rather than Harb-o-0). It’s a wonder anyone got close given that 6 out of 7 of them were only selected to open the batting once!
Even during the 2009-2013 days when it always seemed that ‘Light’ was a good bet to face the first ball, the selectors seem careful not to become predictable, and in fact during it was the first song at around 44% of gigs even during that period; the opener has never been more predictable than that, nothing like.
(I’m getting a strong sense of déjà écrit here; apologies if I’ve already said the same thing in previous setlist comments).
Not much time for analysis, alas, but I’ve just noticed that one of my favourite songs, Hedleyverityesque, has only been played live 7 times since 2001, but has been first in the set three times, second song three times, and eleventh once. Presumably this is because it is both quite tricky and quite jaunty …. (as well as being one of the very best HMHB tunes to whistle). Has any other song (let’s say any other song which has been played at least 5 times live) got such a high % (43) as opener?
*though ‘Harry Quinn’ is at least as good. To whistle. Possibly better. Easier too.
19 November 2017
Chris The Siteowner
OK, here are the batting order sequences. I’ve classified the first 10% of songs (usually 3) as “openers” (“O”); the last 10% (usually the encore) as “subs bench” (“S”), and divided the middle of the set (40% each) as “middle order” (“M”) and “tail enders” (“T”).
So we can see that with all those “T”s, songs like Vatican Broadside and NSD are the Phil Tufnells of the squad; and I think Fred Titmus, were he still with us, might be surprised to be considered our best hope of playing the new ball. You need to go all the way down to Nerys Hughes to find a song which has never been played out of position (always on the bench, in this case, our Gary Pratt).
Truly the man who types out the set lists is The Tinkerman.
19 November 2017
EXXO
Wowza Chris, I’m unitited in the mysterious electrickery of Excel but I hope that took fewer keystrokes than one might expect. Very impressive.
Small point, but I’m not sure why that very first gig on the chart has only 17 songs recorded – and therefore only the first song in that gig is down as an “opener”. There were at least 20 recognisable HMHB originals at this gig (plus other bits), and presumably “R the mtn” is ‘Lock up your Mountain Bikes’. I only noticed this ‘cos on your list Hedley Verityesque was spelling out MoooMoo in such an obviously unjustified manner.
19 November 2017
EXXO
Sorry 18 are on your chart for that gig in Manchester, not 17. But here’s Gus’ review showing there were at least 20
Manchester review, Fri 24th Nov (27/11/00)
Gus Woodhead:
Having looked forward to this gig for weeks on end the night came upon us with great haste, and so we returned to the venue where people just sit on the floor sporadically and unnecessarily, but this wasn’t going to spoil the night, oh no.
Upon entering the Hop and Grape I came across several people off the e-group which is always nice and as was mentioned a few weeks ago everybody is your friend at a HMHB gig. So we entered the venue proper and it filled steadily until approx. 9.20 when the place really did begin to fill and a heady atmosphere was created. There was to say the least an air of anticipation due to the lack of support band (no bad thing there) and the presence of several video cameras and people in smart suits – could they be signing for a major!?!?!?!? Doubt it! although on tonight’s showing they would be foolish not to!
So enter the band stage right, well Neil, Ken and Carl to a rather vociferous drum roll – supplied by the sound engineer – then enter the masked Nigel. He was sporting a long blue “Flashers” coat with SLIPKNOT across the back (and something else but I couldn’t read it!) on his head he had a mask on his face and one on the back of his head. He stood statuesque eyes closed raised his hand with the devil symbol and the tape rolled “Zulu” blared out for a good 2 minutes as the rest of the band just stood and waited. Surely they were not playing to the cameras! Anyway it was a superb way to enter and made a pleasant change from “are we ready?” Indeed the playlist was instructing the band to “…turn tape off after ‘arnihialated'”. And so what followed from such a brilliant entrance was a purely superb set, which of course kicked off with the brilliance that is “Who the fucking hell are Slipknot?” which is growing in popularity and splendour gig by gig.
The set was as follows:
Zulu. “…turn tape off after “arnihialated”
1.Slipknot
2.Hedley
3. R the mtn = Lock up
4. F Titmus
5. Irk
6. Bad review
7. Vitas
8. 24hr garage
9. PRS
10 Look dad
11. Venus
12. Skinny kids
13. Matthew
14. S.gig
?. Deep house *
?16. H.Quinn *
? 17. Faithlift *
15. C.Curig
16. Worried man
17. Best things
18. Gubba
19. Trumpton
RIP Zatopek
Caroline
20. AOR
The songs with * were not actually played (well I don’t think they were!) but Uffington Wassail certainly was in there place, thanks to a call from the crowd. RIP and Caroline were new ones to me but they were great songs. A notable absence from recent weeks has been Rons 22 (think you may have seen the last of this – Gez) this looked being there for some time, but never mind there were better songs in its place.
From the start there were three of us at the front moshing away but come Titmus the moshpit had grown, and continued to do so song by song until the end, in fact the whole pit was pogoing in time at one point – Christ! But then the unthinkable happened the Elmo rucksack from Ashton returned to haunt me the eyes were there again glaring at me as though I had done something wrong, it may be right!
The set was a fine array (although still no M6-ster) of new and old stuff glued together with the usual little ditties and several new ones that were preached from a sheet of paper by the bard himself. Look dad really set the place alight and I think that this was the best live performance of Look Dad EVER! along the lines of PRS in Sheffield….for those who were there.
It was such a night that we even had people trying to stage dive, well 2 guys one made it good, the other OK but for the final attempt everyone moved!
I have often wondered what Nigel does for a living well this question was answered tonight, as we walked down Oxford Street we passed “Blackwell’s” book shop; this answered the question and also gave reason for the “Bard of Birkenhead’s” mastery with words.
Tonight was like a marriage there was something old (Venus, Trumpton, Best things, Titmus), something new (IRK etc.), something borrowed (Worried man, Caroline (Carter?)), something blue (Nigel’s flasher coat, “View From” running top (which is NOT a shell suit!) and his “airflow” Ron hill top).
The band did us proud and really gave a great show what a way to end a fantastic year of HMHB gigs!
Having taken my mum and girlfriend along this was a great one for them to see a real show of instrumental brilliance, who knows they may go again!
Our Neil will be very annoyed at missing this as it was truly BRILLIANT.
Roll on Scotland!?!?!?!?!?
19 November 2017
EXXO
Actually since his review is all we have to go on, I think we should stick Uffington Wassail in the place of the 3 asterisked songs, making it 21 on that setlist not including cover and intriguing Zatopek song.
(incidentally love the way he seems to think Caroline was an original).
19 November 2017
EXXO
If you wanted to tidy up my last 4 comments into 1 that would be very nice of you – and I’m not sure what happened to ‘uninitiated’ there. Thanks in Auntie Sipation.
19 November 2017
hendrix-tattoo
4 out of 7 Is not bad I suppose even though JDOG was only my contribution the other 3 titles were mentioned in earlier posts.
Just found this pic of 2 Nigels.
19 November 2017
The harbinger of nothing
Here are the full stats of set openers and closers – as in, first or last only. And no, I haven’t got anything better to do!
Openers:
Light/Tunnel 31
Fred Titmus 20
Harry Quinn 7
Bob Wilson 6
Restless Legs 6
Shit Arm 6
Irk the Purists 4
Evening Sun 4
Hedley Verityesque 3
San Antonio 3
Asparagus 2
Bad Losers 2
Evening of Swing 2
Joy in Leeuwarden 2
Mathematically Safe 2
Problem Chimp 2
Sealclubbing 2
Vatican 2
27 Yards 1
99% of Gargoyles 1
Constant Sorrow 1
Eno Collaboration 1
Fretwork 1
God Gave Us Life 1
JDOG 1
Look Dad 1
Old Age 1
Petty Sessions 1
Secret Gig 1
Hornbeam 1
Best Things in Life 1
Vagaries 1
Uffington 1
Venus 1
Trad Arr Tune 1
Westward Ho! 1
Closers:
Trumpton 30
JDOG 24
AOR 23
Light/Tunnel 11
99% of Gargoyles 7
Nerys Hughes 7
Trad Arr Tune 6
Best Things in Life 4
Time Flies By 3
A Country Practice 2
4AD3DCD 1
DPAK 1
God Gave Us Life 1
Look Dad 1
Shite Day 1
See That My Bike 1
Wrong Grave 1
21 November 2017
The harbinger of nothing
It would be fun to extend these stats back to the very beginning of the band. It would surely be impossible to come up with a definitive list of the most-played songs (although number 1 must surely be one of Fred Titmus, DPAK or Trumpton). But I figure it would be possible, using a combination of long memories and old bootlegs, to work out a definitive list of songs which have NEVER been played in a live environment… (And for clarity, I am excluding radio sessions – proper gigs only).
Out of the 43 songs listed at the top of the page, I know (mainly from Jim’s SoundCloud recordings) that the following can be excluded:
Arthur’s Farm
Ted Moult
Faithlift
I, Trog
Let’s Not
Prag Vec
Reasons to be Miserable
Song for Europe
Split Single
That leaves 34. So, what else can be excluded from the all-time rejects list? Which song do you remember hearing live once back in 1995, but never again since?
(Once we have a final list, I propose that it forms the setlist for a secret gig. I for one would jump on the nearest tube to go and see Studio Banjo and Stavanger Töestub played live! Not to mention Back of Iceland and Lord Hereford’s Knob… I can’t believe they’re on the list!)
4 December 2017
Chris The Siteowner
I added a few stats and colours to the chart, indicating the songs which have been played most and least frequently in the period: grey for never, red for under 2% of the possible times they could have been played, yellow for under 5%, light green for 70–80% and darker green for over 80%. There’s also a couple of rows showing the % of the “under 5%” songs played, and the % of the “over 70%” songs. So, for example, in the Manchester 2000 gig (column F), none of the rare “under 5%” songs were played, and 63% of the “over 70%” songs were played (i.e. 5 out of the 8 available at the time).
10 February 2018
EXXO
Some research was done for the Xmas quiz into how many different songs were played at the 11 gigs last year, so I might as well attempt some discussion. Thanks to Dr. D we know this number to be 83 and a half (the ‘slipper’ chorus from ‘Reasons’ always counts as a half at best). It was also interesting to note that 11 songs were played at every gig, with 5 of those from the last album, plus Light, Shite, EAOR, JDOG, DPAK & Trumpton. So it was variety very much built around a solid central core.
If we go back to the year prior to ‘Hedge’, ie the 10 gigs of 2017, we see that only 5 songs were played at every single gig (in a year when set-lists were partially disrupted by a couple of last-minute indispositions from Ken): NSD, EAOR, JDOG, DPAK & Trumpton. There were, however, a lot more songs played at nearly every gig – at least 7 more songs, probably a few more, were played at 8 or 9 gigs out of the 10 that year. The total different songs at 10 gigs played that year was 77. So really pretty similar.
I’ll try to follow this in a couple of days comparing the number of rarities given outings in 2019 compared to 2017, and I suspect the difference will not be pronounced.
The only real difference you can really point to in the general content of the set lists, is that at gigs in 2017, with 3 years having elapsed since the release of UFO, songs from the most recent album were already a rarity, with only ‘Bane’ being regularly played, and even that one falling off the list half way through the year.
8 January 2020
Chris The Siteowner
Thanks to Exxo for updating the spreadsheet to January 2020. Excellent work. If anyone wants to re-do any analyses above, or discover anything new, feel free!
Here’s how the all-time biggies have been featured in the last two years (17 gigs)…
11 February 2020
parsfan
I’ve just had a quick look and discovered a couple of things:
– I knew 2005 was my best year but it turns out I was at six not five as I thought.
– I’ve seen them play Blood On The Quad.
Great stuff and thanks to everyone involved. A bit of a shame there’s no cover versions but I suppose a line has to be drawn somewhere and that information is available elsewhere.
Cheers
11 February 2020
EXXO
The credit goes to Roger-Gez-Chris for doing nearly all the typing out and hosting of set-lists, with props to any other regulars who post a setlist, notably Mike C.
@Paul(Parsfan): we could add a row at the bottom for which cover version was played each time, going back to the beginning of Roger’s reviews, but without a number (anyway, everyone knows where the cover comes in the set-list ). Now that I know how to write the vertical text in Excel columns I’ll gladly do it, adding two decades’ worth of covers, perhaps even within the fortnight.
Incidentally, there has been the occasional appearance on the chart for songs which haven’t really been performed, because Roger sometimes lists a song where Nigel spontaneously and not-at-all-seriously played a few bars and tried to get the others to join in, always in vain. Usually this is what happens with Climie Fisher. Last time out it was Ted Moult, so I haven’t put that on the chart, in the same way that any mess-around partial excerpts of works-in-progress or excerpts from other people’s songs which aren’t proper rehearsed covers shouldn’t really be recorded on the ‘setlist’ IMHO. Though of course Roger’s record of these spontaneous occurrences for posterity is rightly and fully appreciated.
11 February 2020
parsfan
@exxo I think we agree. The likes of Blue Badge Abuser at Holmfirth in 2006, The Boy With The Arab Strap last time in Glasgow and Dean Friedman’s song in Bilston are examples of what I implied would be on the other side of the line.
Cover versions would be good if you could but I can see the argument for them not being there. If not, and my own little project ever gets off the ground, I’ll dig them out myself. Cheers
12 February 2020
Uncle joe
Finally got round to buying the entire back catalogue (save the three most recent releases) last month, hence coming across this excellent site a few weeks ago.
I’m probably being thick but where are the lyrics to Let’s Not (single) and Our Tune (a b-side)? The other b-side, Ordinary to Enschede, is there on Stony Ground. Always wanted to know what exactly was going on in St Neots.
And are the opening few bars of Trumpton Riots from the hymn To Be A Pilgrim?
Really hope Dennis doesn’t scupper Saturday as my wife is making her debut along with 11 other virgins, all coming on a minibus from the west corner of the county – fingers crossed.
13 February 2020
Chris The Siteowner
The answer to your first question, Uncle Joe, is on McIntyre, Treadmore and Davitt (1991), but it has inspired me to add an A to Z of songs on the albums page. Thanks.
13 February 2020
dr desperate
…and when the gig is over there’ll be a dozen virgins less.
13 February 2020
Uncle joe
Thanks Chris, I guessed there had to be an obvious answer, I just haven’t got to that album yet! Probably should have listened in release order for completeness’ sake but have been stuck on Cammell Laird and DHSS and haven’t moved on yet.
Any thoughts on the hymn thing at the start of Trumpton Riots?
13 February 2020
Uncle Joe
Indeed Dr D, my highly Biscuit – experienced acquaintance, attending with his missus (her first time in 20 years), has pointed out that I am basically helping enact Bladderwrack Allowance by bringing, or dragging as he puts it, 11 newbies along. Let’s hope it goes ahead, I think anyone who’s read this and attends will probably spot some of our group (ages 42-65), sore thumbs and all that.
13 February 2020
EXXO
Yes, definitely the tune of ‘Our Captain Cried all Hands’ and ‘To Be A Pilgrim.’
13 February 2020
lord leominster
@Uncle Joe, post 38 above, I am no longer the newest contributor to this site having, around a year ago now, re-discovered HMHB and 30+ years’ worth of back catalogue. What it is to hear the likes of Irk the Purists for the first time and it sound as new and fresh as Every Time a Bell Rings. The sorrow at all those missed years coupled with the utter joy of discovery is difficult to convey. Welcome aboard!
13 February 2020
cream cheese and chives
@Uncle Joe Welcome aboard! Put your thumbs away and banish your fears. Provided you are not all wearing hi-viz jackets (someone has a monopoly on that look) or planning to arrive in a Reception class walk-with-a-partner-crocodile you will not stand out. One of the nicest things about an HMHB show is the wide range of people who attend. 42-65 probably covers the vast majority of show goers. Not for us the unnecessary rudeness and posturing of ‘the yoof’, rather doors are held open and chit chat swapped. Imagine a group of polite kindred spirits with a tremendous soundtrack.
I have just booked my tickets for Durham, the first date I have been able to attend since Sheffield. For a variety of reasons, nearly all good, I have been unable to attend all the intervening dates but June 5th will see me back. Perhaps not a virgin then, but maybe one of those people that crop up in magazines talking about their extended periods of celibacy.
Has anyone else watched Britannia on Sky?Nobody I know saw it and I am starting to think I may have imagined it. Having sat through twenty episodes I still don’t have the slightest idea what it’s about but feel that its script could figure large in the future songs of our favourite band.
13 February 2020
dr desperate
Welcome everyone! Y’all come down to the front and say hello if you have half a mind, or even none – I answer to John.
I claim no monopoly on the Hi-Vis Jacket, nor on the Black Satin Tour ditto, nor on the triple-A laminate. To misquote Aleister Crowley (q v), wear what thou wilt shall be the whole of the Law.
13 February 2020
POP-TART MARK
Aye, and as Master Crowley further quoth: with first fire, now pestilence and tempest sweeping across the earth, those who hath spelt out the name of the beast “Dennis” backwards may well wish they were still virgins. Cruciverbalists will make the sign of the cross word and cry “end sin!” Are we living in the end times? Repair thee to the tavern of St. Giles, protector of the disabled, the cancerous, the beggars and the noctiphobics and PRAY on what’s left of your knees.
13 February 2020
POP-TART
Sorry about that, like Cheesy I’ve been watching way too much telly, obviously the Omens box-set in my case. WTF? With anything ‘fantasy,’ ‘horror’ or made-up-quasi-history these days you’re better off just reading the premise and then making up your own load of shite that might happen, ‘cos it will be better than the load of shite they give you.
13 February 2020
POP-TART MARK
Sorry about that, like Cheesy I’ve been watching way too much telly, obviously the Omens box-set in my case. WTF? With anything ‘fantasy,’ ‘horror’ or made-up-quasi-history these days you’re better off just reading the premise and then making up your own load of shite that might happen, ‘cos it will be better than the load of shite they give you.
13 February 2020
dr desperate
Hoping we (or at least NB) might spot that other adept of shamanistic magick, Alan Moore, in his home town.
13 February 2020
transit full of keith
CC&C’s picture of civilised harmony presiding at gigs seems roughly right, except occasional moshpit altercations, and a Bilston punter occupying the entirety of a narrow gap between bar and floor area who after I’d tapped him on the shoulder and politely eased past, said “what am I, a fucking door?”
13 February 2020
Lord leominster
I notice that, at zero, Slight Reprise appears to be under-represented in the spreadsheet. Indeed, Slight Reprise is listed in the LEAST FREQUENTLY-PERFORMED SONGS list at the head of this thread. But if Gubba Look-a-Likes has been played 15 times in the last 19 years it’s highly likely that Slight Reprise has also made 15 appearances. I was as Bilston in November 2019 and distinctly remember Gubba Look-a-Likes being neatly segued into Slight Reprise. I have made my own Bilston playlist on Spotify and it just wouldn’t sound right without Slight Reprise in there. Am I wrong? I would be happy to defer to the findings of better minds.
13 February 2020
GORDON BURNS
@EXXO
Great work updating the spreadsheet. Already used it to find how often Moshpits has appeared. And when last.
14 February 2020
Uncle joe
Thanks Lord L, Keith, Exxo CC&C and others, I’ve been about 10 times and concur with the vibe which is excellent. Tonight seems to be on so happy days. Anyone know if there’s any support or what time the main men are on? Seems to be nothing on the Roadmenders website and no answer on the phone…
I’m probably supposed to head to the correct song for this particular chat but anyone else hear a little Elton John’s “Saturday” (I know, I shouldn’t even be aware of that) at the beginning of “Christian Rock Concert”?
15 February 2020
EXXO
@Uncle Joe. Again, yes, I always think immediately of Umberto Tozzi/Laura Branigan with Gloria (1982), but in turn they paid royalties to Elton John for sampling his chorus, and in turn I bet he’s got it from something classical and choral.
Can’t remember who’s playing keyboards at that time but he will have been told to take the piss out of those kind of choral power chords and gone for “gloria!” with its obvious christian undertones.
15 February 2020
dr desperate
You’d win that classical, choral bet, @Exxo.
Sir Elton’s chords were in the mixolydian mode (G alternating with C), the modern version of which was based on one of the church modes of mediaeval chant theory.
20 January 2021
dr desperate
Also used, coincidentally, in Them’s (q v) ‘Gloria’.
20 January 2021
Cream CHEESE AND chives
Gloria by Laura Brannigan was played backstage in the warm up to Trump’s fateful incitement before the attack on the Capitol. Various acolytes and members of the swarm were jigging arhythmically to it.
20 January 2021
EXXO
Hi Chris,
I’d be grateful if you could re-enable downloading of the spreadsheet. Then can update, probably after Shrewsbury.
15 November 2021
Chris The Siteowner
See if it’s any good now.
15 November 2021
EXXO
Yep, works now. I’ll try re-jigging it too with the albums as a column alongside the tracks that can be alphabetised, and also as another column that can be numerically aged, and therefore make it easy to see the relative age of tracks at gigs.
This will probably (55-45) turn out to be just one my usual empty promises, but the fact that I can probably put anything involving Excel down as paid training at the moment is a motivational bonus.
15 November 2021
Chris The Siteowner
Thanks to Exxo for delivering on a 2022 update to the chart. Any errors, omissions or improvements, please let me know. I’d like to have it as a Google Sheet or other online chart, but I don’t think they do rotated text, and I can’t think of a way around that. Let me know if you have any ideas.
15 March 2022
Parsfan
Chris,
I’m working on something. No time scales but I’m planning a preview of sorts next week.
15 March 2022
parsfan
As I mentioned last week, I’m “working on something”. I finished the second, hopefully most time consuming, part of that today. The result is that it’s now very easy for me to pull out stats from the accumulated playlists, like:
How many times each song played;
Cover versions played and how often;
The 53 unplayed;
and what I’m calling a song ladder for now. Sort of a form guide for each of the songs – positive numbers being how many played in a row to date, negative numbers how far back to when last performed.
The links are to Google docs, the next step will be to make it all a lot more presentable, accessible and dynamic. I was going to hold off until I was finished but Chris was asking for ideas and some of you might find the above helpful for Fantasy Biscuit Ball.
This is just the 148 gigs from the giant spreadsheet, once this is up and running properly I’ll see what I can bring in from before then using Gez’s site and setlist.fm.
PS Exxo, I’ll email you all the cover versions and what gigs they were played at – save you trawling through the other hundred.
20 March 2022
EXXO
This is an outstanding contribution to Applied Biscuitry, Paul. I hope there will be many others who appreciate it as much as I do!
21 March 2022
dr DEsperate
Yes, tremendous work @PF! Future generations will praise your name.
21 March 2022
Chris The Siteowner
Really interesting stuff – nice one PF! I probably need to update the stuff at the top of this page based on that!
21 March 2022
EXXO
Just seen your email too thanks Paul – incredible work! (I only check that email once or twice a week). Going back before the Epistles of Roger, I reckon the number of outings for “Song from under the Floorboards” in the 90’s would be eclipsed as a cover only by the number of times they played “Lonesome Pine” in 1986. That’s just a guess and maybe we can find out what Neil reckons.
21 March 2022
EXXO
Forget that about ‘Lonesome Pine.’ I now suspect the first impressions at the Bull and Gate have created false memories of hearing it several times in ’86.
‘Shot by Both sides’ probably a clear table-topper if we had every setlist ever.
21 March 2022
parsfan
I’ve entered the setlist from Nottingham and updated the four docs with the latest numbers. Same links – just updated data.
One thing worth pointing out…Vatican Broadside caught Light At The End of the Tunnel in first place with 136 outings in the period covered.
Chris, I’ve just noticed you’ve put the links at the top of the page, thanks for that. It might best to remove the number from the unplayed link – it’s no longer 53. Something like “Unplayed Songs”, up to you. I’ve also not included unreleased things like Mr Cave this time as I’d have to enter them manually and I can’t be arsed just now. I’ll create something to cover them later.
A couple of quick questions for anyone there on Friday. I see Roger lists Black Night before What Made Colombia Famous, was it enough to list as a cover or just the opening riff? Also, I take it Yipps was the whole song not just the “Ultra Sur Chants” bit?
Cheers
27 March 2022
Bad loser
@parsfan #70
Just riff, Yipps full song.
27 March 2022
dr desperate
Whole of ‘Yipps’, just the opening riff of ‘Black Night’.
27 March 2022
Bad loser
@Exxo #69
I may still have a tape somewhere of that Bull & Gate gig in 1986 despite it being at least a decade since I had something on which to play it. I used to love hearing them play that.
27 March 2022
FlintloCk
Yipps was stuck on the end of Awkward Sean, and started at the “My baby got the yipps” bit, missing out the entrancing dell.
27 March 2022
EXXO
@Bad Loser. At that gig I was stood at the back just next to the camera, sound desk, etc so it’s always uncanny seeing footage of that one and it has definitely affected my memories of other London gigs in ’86, when I saw them I think 5 times in 3 months, and I now genuinely can’t remember if they did often do Lonesome Pine or just a couple of times, or even just once.
Good timing this, maybe, because Neil sometimes wanders past this site about 48 hours after a gig – Neil did you do Lonesome Pine many times in ’86?
27 March 2022
Bogus official
I’m sure you are aware of this, but any lists could be cross-reffed with this site to fill any blanks? (or vice versa)
https://www.setlist.fm/stats/half-man-half-biscuit-3d62da7.html
29 March 2022
EXXO
It’s more realistic to see it the other way round. Gez’s site and Roger, from whom we draw our data, were here long before Setlist.com and are solidly reliable. Most of what Setlist.com have seems to comes from those sources.
29 March 2022
parsfan
The four docs at the top of the page updated to include the Durham setlist.
2 May 2022
Chris The Siteowner
Exxo/Parsfan: I’ve updated the spreadsheet to include Nottingham and Cardiff, and in doing so, I noticed the “possible plays” column had gone wrong, suggesting that all songs could have been played at every gig. This in turn affected the “% played” figure, which should for example be 100% for JDOG. I’ve fixed this so the “possible plays” (column D) is now the number of gigs since the start of the spreadsheet minus the number of gigs before songs from that album were generally played (column FM on the far right). However, there will be a small handful of anomalies by taking that approach, such as Bogus Official having been first played several years before Achtung Bono was released. I’ve fixed that one (so BO has 148 possible plays rather than the rest of the album’s 134), but let me know if there are others.
10 June 2022
EXXO
May I be the first to applaud such attention to detail, Chris. With 16 entries already in so far for tonight’s predictions, and my own still at the research stage, I just hope the revised spreadsheet won’t give me an unfair advantage!
10 June 2022
Dr desperate
I was wondering who would be the first person to spot that.
10 June 2022
Parsfan
Chris,
There’s plenty – I could send you/post a list but I’ve made a call on them for my thing (hopefully see the light of a screen this year). The stats I post are based on my interpretation of things, 99% the same.
BO was one of my inevitable asterisks.
10 June 2022
Chris The Siteowner
Feel free to send a list and I’ll update the spreadsheet accordingly. Interesting to see a couple of rare omissions of TLATEOTT in recent gigs, so (other than our runaway leader) things are getting competitive in terms of % of gigs when a song has been played. Here’s my latest table of the songs that have breached 50% since November 2000 (excluding the new album). Caveats apply of course.
10 June 2022
Woodnoggin
I noticed the spreadsheet wasn’t correctly calculating the total number of songs played at each gig either. The formulae in rows 4 and 5 should be looking down to Row 224, but they only look as far as Row 212, missing out everything from Visitor for Mr. Edmonds to You’re Hard.
10 June 2022
parsfan
I’ve updated the four docs at the top of the page.
Chris,
When I going through the reviews and comparing with the spreadsheet, I took notes on inconsistencies etc. I’ll send an email at some point, with simple errors (duplicate numbers, missing numbers etc), and drip-feeding others on here if I think they’re worth a discussion.
For The Mean Fiddler in July 2001 I don’t think Bogus official was played. One review lists…
Song To The Siren with extra smooth transition into…
Slipknot
Waterboard Man
Evil Gazebo
The spreadsheet has…
7 – Vatican Broadside
9 – Bogus Official
9 – Used To Be In Evil Gazebo
So it looks like whoever entered the data mistook that line from Lilac Urine for Bogus Official.
While I’m here, there’s no song for position 8 but two for 9, if you change BO to OPLU it should be 8.
Similarly, Look Dad No Tunes and Venus In Flares are both listed as 19, VIF should be the missing 20.
Someone else wrote “The only newbie I can remember was the Yes Show track”, any ideas?
14 June 2022
dr Desperate
And I think you’ll find the number of Latest Comments on the Home page’s incorrect.
(Sorry.)
15 June 2022
Chris The Siteowner
@Dr D: Intriguing. Why do you think that? Have you counted them?
@Parsfan: Thanks! Spreadsheet corrected and updated to include Leeds. I’ve also transferred it to Google Sheets, as the vertical text on that seems to be reliable nowadays.
15 June 2022
dr Desperate
The Latest Comments count on my laptop had been stuck on 48715 for the past week – it’s caught up now.
(Some sort of local caching issue I guess – CtSO)
15 June 2022
EXXO
That’s brilliant – thanks Paul and Chris. The other day when I said I was using the spreadsheet, I was in fact still having to use an old version and didn’t like to say that the latest version just wasn’t opening on my software. Now I can use it in all its ever-growing up-to-date glory.
The main thing I did notice in my attempts on Friday to find some ‘hundred-to-one shots,’ an extremely unlikely hundred-pointer or two that nobody else was likely to choose, is that really there are very few up-tempo songs that would use Karl to full effect (and that don’t need guest instruments) that aren’t already part of the ‘rotation’.
This in turn, though, leads me to reflect again with a little regret on how infrequently the talkies get an outing since Karl joined up.
Anyone else wondering if ‘Peak Voltarol’ may have passed and that setlists may become even more variable once again in the autumn?
15 June 2022
EXXO
Yeah for me too it got stuck on that same figure 2 days ago and caught up this morning.
Talking of counting and being stuck, I’m now 8 days positive tests and counting, while feeling totally fine, and it’s now prevented me from enjoying my holiest of holies that I dream about all year, the glorious 16th-17th of June fishing on the River Wharfe with my own idyllic version of ‘spring watch’ in every direction. Especially bad because this year I’ll be working every remaining summer weekday. (if I ever get out of the house).
15 June 2022
Chris The Siteowner
Here’s the current form chart for the Voltarol songs, with position in set list. (Ta for the correction Exxo – not sure why the chart had Headstone down as having been played)
15 June 2022
Chris The Siteowner
Exxo wondered if we’d reached ‘Peak Voltarol’. I’d say no, compared to most releases since 2000. But you want some stats on albums? We got ’em.
PRE-2000 ALBUMS
(Songs eligible for all 152 gigs on spreadsheet, in order of total song performances)
Back In The DHSS
Held the title of the album with its songs performed the most (since our records began, in 2000) until just a few weeks ago. Averaging 3–4 songs per gig, with 6 songs from the album many times, the big ones being Trumpton, Dukla Prague Away Kit and Fred Titmus. Scored a freak duck at Bilston in 2018 though. Only Architecture, Morality, Ted And Alice hasn’t been played in the 20-year period.
EPs, Peel Sessions, etc
A solid 3 songs per gig, peaking at 6–7 back at the time of the release of Saucy Haulage Ballads. Vatican Broadside and Bob Wilson are the biggies. Never scored a zero.
Trouble Over Bridgwater
Average falling steadily, down to 0–2 songs a gig in recent times, from 6–7 in 2003/4. Look Dad No Tunes the most frequently played, with Twenty Four Hour Garage People a distant second.
McIntyre, Treadmore And Davitt
A fairly steady 1–3 songs a gig throughout the whole 20 years, and hasn’t drawn a blank since Leicester in 2014. Scoring almost entirely down to Everything’s AOR, Vitas Gerulaitis and A Lilac Harry Quinn.
This Leaden Pall
1–2 songs are typical, although there were a freak 5 at Holmfirth in 2017. Running Order Squabble Fest and Turned Up Clocked On Laid Off account for most performances. With the recent unexpected performance of Whiteness Thy Name Is Meltonian, only 13 Eurogoths remains to get an airing since 2000.
Voyage To The Bottom Of The Road
Had some 4s and 5s in 2004/5, but more likely to score 0 or 1 nowadays. Bad Review, Paintball and Monmore have been its main scorers, but none of these have made as many as 1 in 3 gigs.
Back Again In The DHSS
More likely to be 0 than 1 for the past few years. Almost entirely down to performances of The Best Things In Life and The Bastard Son Of Dean Friedman.
Four Lads Who Shook The Wirral
Oddly low, and currently on a run of 10 gigs without any of its songs getting an airing. Only 71 performances of its songs in 152 gigs, so an average of less than a song every other outing. A Country Practice, Four Skinny Indie Kids and Secret Gig are all that we’re likely to have heard, and even those are rare, with the most frequently-performed managing just 13% of gigs.
Some Call It Godcore
Doesn’t trouble the scorers at all. Only 24 songs have been played in the 152 gigs, with 3 of these in one night at Sheffield in 2013. Otherwise, there’s never been more than 1 song, and on nearly half the occasions that’s been Fear My Wraith.
POST-2000 ALBUMS
(Songs only eligible for a proportion of gigs)
Cammell Laird Social Club
Properly burst onto the scene at Sheffield in 2002 with the only instance in the last 20 years of 8 songs being played from an album in a single evening. Almost instantly fell away to just 3–4 though, and a couple of songs is more likely these days. The Light at the End of the Tunnel and Evening Sun are the big ones.
Achtung Bono
Has just overtaken Back In The DHSS for the highest aggregate score, despite not appearing until 17 gigs into the period covered here. 5–7 songs was the normal contribution to a gig for a long time, but even now 3–5 is typical. There have been 5 or more songs on an incredible 52 occasions, over 1 in 3 gigs. This has been helped of course by the mighty Joy Division Oven Gloves, currently on a 135-gig unbroken run, but there have been strong showings too from Chatteris, We Built This Village, Restless Legs and Shit Arm, Bad Tattoo. Only one song out of the 14, Upon Westminster Bridge, has never been played live.
CSI: Ambleside
With 7 songs on no fewer than 5 occasions, a consistently strong performer. Built up over a few gigs to the first of these at Edinburgh in 2008, followed by 10 consecutive gigs with at least 5 songs. Now more likely to be 2–3 songs. Only National Shite Day is a real monster though, we’re down to lower numbers with Petty Sessions, Bad Losers and Totnes Bickering Fair. Only Lord Hereford’s Knob has never been played.
90 Bisodol (Crimond)
Opened its account with 4 songs at Bilston in 2010, and by Manchester in 2011 was peaking at 7. Settled down to 2–3 for a long time, but of late unlikely to generate more than 1 song. Joy in Leeuwarden and Rock And Roll Is Full Of Bad Wools are neck and neck for the most performed, but no songs have made more than 50% of gigs since the album’s release.
Urge For Offal
Built up over a few gigs to a run of 6, 7 and 7 starting at Manchester in 2014 but faded fairly quickly. Settled down to 3–4 for a while, but has recently disappeared off the face of the earth, with the last performance of any of its songs being at Bristol in 2020. No songs have made more than 50% of gigs since the album’s release, with The Bane of Constance getting the closest. However, only False Grit hasn’t been tried at least once.
No-one Cares About Your Creative Hub…
There were teasers for this for a while, but its big unveiling in London in 2018 was the first of a massive 15 consecutive gigs to feature 5–7 songs from the album. It’s been supplying at least 4 songs for nearly every gig since, with Every Time A Bell Rings and Terminus both appearing in 26 out of 27 shows.
The Voltarol Years
This seems to be following the strong (5–7 songs per gig) start of all the albums released since 2000, and has already outlasted the two which died off quite quickly. The most played so far have been I’m Getting Buried in the Morning, Awkward Sean, Midnight Mass Murder and Oblong of Dreams, but others could still come up on the rails.
Full data
15 June 2022
EXXO
I suppose the reason I wondered if we’ve see the peak of ‘Voltarol’ is that in the last 8 gigs it’s gone 1-1-1-2 – (then release, at the end of a fairly long pause between gigs) -5-6-7-7, and that in three of the last 4 gigs one track from the new LP has been rotated out. We haven’t seen 8 songs from one album since 1986, even at a 30-song gig like last Friday’s, and to do so would give very little leeway for the odd surprise.
15 June 2022
Parsfan
Good stuff Chris, but the first album’s stats would be very different if they didn’t include the songs from The Trumpton Riots EP. They’re separate releases and shouldn’t really be bundled together like they are on CD.
15 June 2022
EXXO
@Pars Paul, true, we should only count the 10 original tracks from Back in the DHSS so I suppose I should also take issue with the claim that “Back Again in the DHSS is more likely to be 0 than 1” because of DPAK.
15 June 2022
FEATURELESS TV PRODUCER STEVE
I remember during the Lux Familiar Cup lamenting how few votes the songs from Godcore were getting, and now it appears the band aren’t are more fond of those songs than its fans are.
O Some Call It Godcore, my enchanting little collection of quirky delights, am I the only one who loves you?
15 June 2022
fEATURELESS TV PRODUCER STEVE
That should say “aren’t ANY more”, of course. No matter how many times you proofread…
15 June 2022
EXXO
@Steve. No. I imagine many of us love it dearly. I do myself. But if we had to leave one LP behind as a fire raged through… no I’ll rephrase that … if we could only take say 12 HMHB LPs with us into the fires of hell, I doubt many of us would take ‘Godcore.’ And when NB is putting the setlist together he takes feedback and popularity into account, so it’s not primarily about what they love playing, though that’s clearly a large factor too. Plus the gigs these days feature less ‘quirk’ than they used to and more and more WELLY.
15 June 2022
Chris The Siteowner
Exxo: Thanks for the correction to my long post above. We have had eight songs in one gig – see the Cammell Laird Social Club entry – but that’s the only occasion in the last 20 years.
15 June 2022
EXXO
Oh yeah. Not only had I read you saying that about an hour before I wrote that (whoosh) but I was at that gig – was that even possibly the banana beer ‘Spoons one where Loop and Taylo met?
15 June 2022
FEATURELESS TV PRODUCER STEVE
Godcore easily makes my top 12 – in fact, a quick survey of the album titles puts it in my top 10 (and it’s the only one from the 20th century).
CtSO, have you thought about doing some sort of Lux Familiar Cup for albums? That could be fun and astounding.
16 June 2022
Bad loser
Yesterday I played Godcore from start to finish for the first time in years. Sadly, I still don’t see it as ‘A grower’. My HMHB playlist, now at the 50 mark for essential tracks, includes ‘Even Men With Steel Hearts’ and I will sometimes pop by to hear ‘Sensitive Outsider’ and that is it until shuffling their work picks one. The album doesn’t make me laugh. The album includes one of just 2 songs that are automatically skipped: ‘£24.99 From Argos’.
Having never been a fan of the B-side of This Leaden Pall, this album suggested a terminal decline. Despite some great tracks on the next few albums, I never truly fell in love with the band again until hearing ‘Bob Wilson’ and the subsequent ‘Cammell Laird’ CD.
20 June 2022
Borough surveyor
Godcore is classic biscuit. So different, unique, experimental in places and bizarre. I like it. Shows how good the rest of their work is if this is seen as a weaker album.
20 June 2022
TRANSIT FULL OF keith
Am I the only person who thinks ‘£24.99 from Argos’ is really good?
20 June 2022
Pirx The Purist
Whilst not their best album, Fretwork, Moshpits, Friday Night and – especially – Wraith have to be seen as substantial tracks.
20 June 2022
TRANSIT FULL OF keith
Not to mention ‘Tour Jacket’ – best song on the album for me (if it is a song).
20 June 2022
HendrIx-tattoo
I agree Godcore is classic Biscuit…
21 June 2022
FEATURELESS TV PRODUCER STEVE
Good to hear some love for Godcore.
I’ll fully admit it starts off slowly – I really only like the song ‘Sensitive Outsider’ because the title is so appropriate to my situation here (the rest of the lyrics don’t really describe my experience as an American HMHB fan). Anyone who would ignore or even disparage ‘Fretwork Homework,’ ‘Faithlift,’ and ‘Song For Europe’ will get little more than a feeble argument from me.
But then, I think we all agree ‘Steel Hearts’ is classic Biscuit, and ‘£24.99 From Argos,’ while not everyone’s cup of tea, certainly has its merits. I absolutely love both ‘Sponsoring The Moshpits’ and ‘Fear My Wraith,’ and ‘Styx Gig’ properly reflects a feeling we’ve all had at one time or another. ‘Friday Night And The Gates Are Low’ is excellent, especially the last line, and personally I think ‘I, Trog’ is brilliant. Misfits, anyone?
And while I know the spoken word stuff isn’t for everyone, ‘Tour Jacket With Detachable Sleeves’ is beyond brilliant. I read a commenter somewhere (I don’t think it was at this site, but I can’t be arsed to search) who said “I like to think that Nigel came up with that bad wordplay about Jan Ackerman, and then wrote the entire song around it.” For some weird reason I like to think that, too.
Bring on the Lux Familiar Cup for albums! I find myself with a weird urge to die, and Godcore looks like just the hill to do it on.
21 June 2022
Rob R
I also think the songs are pretty strong but to me it’s the lacklustre recording and production that makes Godcore sound flat and uninspiring. Needs a polish to bring it to life.
21 June 2022
Chris The Siteowner
Love that, Rob – I cannot think of a band in the world less likely to revisit their old work with a Director’s Cut version. Consequently, it’d be brilliant! Perhaps get Steven Wilson in? I’d love to see what he did with the master cassette tape for Back in the DHSS.
21 June 2022
Chris The Siteowner
Not sure about a Lux Familiar Cup for albums – but we can discuss it (and reviewing the albums too) on this page right here.
21 June 2022
FERENCVáROS FAN
Each to their own, but imo Tour Jacket is an absolute tour (sorry) de force, probably up amongst my top dozen Biscuit tracks. Incidentally we nearly had life imitating art a few years ago in Birmingham when, faced with a bus driver shortage, there was a recruitment drive amongst workers from within the EEA (well before Brexit ofc) exercising their Treaty rights. Problem solved, apart from the day that the (double-decker) driver took a wrong turn, and couldn’t take on board (apologies again) the warnings from the passengers that he was heading for a low bridge. Those on the upper deck made their way downstairs just in time, so no HELEN moment, but the bus was in pretty sorry shape.
21 June 2022
parsfan
It’s taken forever but my wee project based on the Giant Setlist Spreadsheet is now live, if not finished – it will never be finished.
My analysis of the reviews of the early years brought up a few discrepancies with the spreadsheet. There’s comments for the gigs in question where I’ve gone with something different and I’ll send Chris a list with details (I think this must be at least the third time I’ve said that). Some of the stats might vary from what you see there but, hopefully, explainable by the variations above and I’m sure no one has memorised them.
If you’re on a mobile device, use the hamburger icon (the three horizontal lines) to bring up the side menu to get to the interesting stuff (making that more obvious and easier is on the list).
I’ve done some mobile testing – but there’s too many kinds, screen ratios and browsers to cover everything. It works on mine but I’ve already noticed something I need to change.
Have a look here: biscuitgigs.
Still lots to do but if anyone has any feedback/ideas please let me know. Here to begin with, assuming that’s okay with Chris, but can also go through Twitter @biscuitgigs.
Cheers
16 March 2023
Chris The Siteowner
Lovely job!
16 March 2023
D list paul ross
Pleased to be your first Twitter follower!
17 March 2023
The harbinger of nothing
This is brilliant! A few songs will be climbing the ladder after the latest gig. +60 for Capel Curig!
19 March 2023
EXXO
Outstanding work that, Paul. Will be a really useful complement to the setlist chart for FBL predictions.
One suggestion is just to add the date of the earliest available setlist on all pages, because for some songs (particularly those which require no keyboards, effects or guest musicians) we only know that it hasn’t been played since then.
21 March 2023
parsfan
I lost internet for the last couple of days so only just getting to do this now.
Thanks @DLPR, a few more now.
Apologies if anyone has seen pages going stale and/or getting 404s when hitting refresh. It’s one of those things that only started happening when it went live. I’ve added something which should sort it. It also allows links to inner pages, eg specific gigs.
@Exxo Up until the day of going live I had the “158 typed out setlists from Manchester 2000 to…” bit in the banner so did what you asked for. I moved it to make more usable room on mobiles and to have something on the home screen.
@Chris, I’ve removed all the data from those four docs at the top of this page and replaced them with links to their pages on the website. Feel free to delete your links to those docs, but could you add in a link to the website please? Cheers
I’ve more or less just being using the Song Ladder for FBL all season. Scroll down to the 1s to see what to drop then further down for new appearances and how many points each is worth. I’m not sure I can recommend it though, given my performances so far.
21 March 2023
EXXO
Nice one. When writing on here I often forget to mention the thing that made me write the comment in the first place, and in this case it was the fact that Steve Hill’s Guardian article last year mentioned that a song hadn’t been played live – Tour Jacket – which had – I remember it at the Duchess I think in the nineties, along with songs like Styx Gig which also show as never played on your list. Mr. Hill then had to correct his article (I’m guessing after an email from NB himself) and I’m just thinking that someone stumbling on your site could just make a similar mistake.
21 March 2023
EXXO
By the way “pages going stale and/or getting 404s.” I didn’t know what that meant but found it somehow poetic, then googled it and somehow I still do. I’ve learned some internet stuff two posts running.
21 March 2023
professor Abelazar Woozle
@Exxo – when looking up what a 404 is, did you see what a 418 is too? If not, then look that up for a laugh…
21 March 2023
Chris The Siteowner
Just for a bit of fun, here’s some very simple analysis of what song gets played where in the setlist, done after the Cambridge (2023) gig and looking at the songs which have been played 20 or more times since the chart began
– The song that gets played in the same position the most frequently is ‘Light at the End of the Tunnel’ (opening song in 26% of its plays)
– ‘Fred Titmus’ and ‘Lock Up Your Mountain Bikes’ are the songs which will most likely be played towards the start of a set if they’re featured
– ‘Joy Division Oven Gloves, ‘The Trumpton Riots, ‘Everything’s AOR’, ‘Time Flies By’ and ‘Every Time a Bell Rings’ are the songs which will most likely be played towards the end of a set if they’re featured
– ‘Everything’s AOR’ has not been played earlier than 9th, despite 131 runouts since the chart began
– ‘Joy in Leeuwarden’ has not been played later than 13th, so it’s always been in the first half of a set
17 April 2023
parsfan
I’ve added a load more YouTube links, 200 so far, and there’s now something for everything from this year and last (or very nearly, I see Andy’s just uploaded his from Friday – I’ll get to that tomorrow).
It’s now much easier to page through the setlists, from one gig to the next. Ideally I’d like to get it so that you can add things to a playlist from within the app – that’s one for the future. That said, when you see links with “…[x of y]” you need only click on the first one and the whole thing will play. It’s all one video clip on YouTube, but it allows you to start on the song you want and will help later when you’ll be able to list them by song/album. Again that’s for the future but that shouldn’t be too far off.
So, starting with Manchester 2022, eight songs (four with two) then Sheffield where the whole gig is covered and on from there.
30 April 2023