Like Leamington last week, another venue visited at approximately two-year intervals in recent times. “The North’s most intimate music venue”, they say. With a capacity of 690, however, a full house would increase the population of Holmfirth by over a third for the evening. That’s the equivalent of three million fans going to London. Anyway, enough whimsy. What was the gig like?
Iguana Andy
Holmfirth’s Picturedome is a venue I’d not visited previously and I was pleasantly surprised. Easy to find, good sounds (involuntary feedback and PA mishaps allowing), great atmosphere and a good turn-out. Sonnenberg did a nice set I thought and I’ll certainly be investing in an album of theirs.
NB57 and the others performed with their usual aplomb (does this count as a commentary? – apologies if not) with the customary odd lyrical idiosyncrasy to please us pedants. Nigel’s invitation to join him on stage for their cover of Joy Division’s Transmission during the encore provoked a fair bit of nervous shuffling where I was standing at the side of the stage as we tried to work out what it was from Neil’s first few bars and then dredge the lyrics from the back of our respective minds, no takers as it turned out but the guy next me was almost up. Roll on the long awaited album and future northern gigs.
20 April 2014
EXXO
Great, great gig.
Matching the distinguished style of this outstanding venue, NB10 was very much The Man in Black last night. During ‘Tending the Wrong Grave’ he told us he was dressed for a funeral, rather than for Summer Eights practice. The funeral was the one for the traffic warden from that joke (banging on the coffin as it’s lowered down and shouting “I’m still alive in here!”, priest says “I’m sorry mate, the paper work’s been done”), not the funeral for the cinema manager joke, which came later as a terrible revenge extracted for some heckling (masterfully dealing with a heckle during the joke itself too, just before the punchline. “I’m trying to give some important information here. The funeral’s at 2.20, 5.00 and 7.30” sort of thing). In The Meadow of Consolation he wasn’t expecting a jam session but if he was expecting any wildlife noises from Ken, there were none on this occasion.
With the Rotherham Postie continually shouting “Free Ronnie Moore!” NB10’s rejoinders included “with every 3 packets yeah” and “the stupidest part was that he wasn’t betting on Tranmere to lose.”
‘Mountain Bikes’ triumphant I-told-you-so was that:
“That’s when I was saying, that’s when I was saying,
Arthur Strong on the telly wouldn’t work.”
While ‘Paintball’ contained the dire warning that
“They’ll be football experts all through June
They’ll be football experts all through June…”
And that the playlist at theirs would be:
“Elbow, Coldplay, Snow Patrol,
Elbow, Coldplay, Snow Patrol,
Elbow, Coldplay, Snow Patrol,
Elbow, Coldplay, Snow Patrol.”
(With a masterful demonstration of a voice losing the will to utter those words, and therefore the will to live, as the verse went on)
Frank Worthington was the second HTFC legend spotted on the balcony but I don’t remember the first, who was apparently standing up there next to Chris the Siteowner? Scott Verplank was seen up there too at one point.
Joy Division’s ‘Transmission’ was paid a wonderful tribute. Outstanding stuff as ever.
As decent a ‘mosh’ as you could expect almost throughout. The bloke near the front who tapped me on the shoulder just as they were about to come on and asked me to move slightly to the left so he and his Mrs. could see was a touch sceptical when I warned him that round there people might not be staying still much for long round that spot, but I was glad the lively crowd soon proved me right.
Oh and much respect to Dr. Desperate, the King of Hi Viz himself, who knows better than to shout out for songs so he just patiently holds up a small piece of Bubblewrap with the odd little “pop”. Pretty bubbles in the air indeed, but there’s nothing down for the meek.
20 April 2014
Chris The Siteowner
I can’t remember the first name “spotted” on the balcony either, annoyingly, although I can assure you it wasn’t the guy with me (who is often mistaken as the previously unknown third Proclaimer twin). Somebody put me out of my misery and remind me.
20 April 2014
cOLIN rEID
Ah – yes – I can confidently Proclaim that balcony boy number one was Rocco Mediate.
Now I’m off for a quick 500 mile walk….
Da-la-lat-da
Da-la-lat-da……
Great show last night! – and good to catch up, Chris!
20 April 2014
Dr Desperate
Excellent gig, our first visit to the Picturedrome and a fantastic atmosphere. Nice to meet up with Jitsu_G and his mates at The Nook (which used to be The Rose & Crown) beforehand. Apologies to CtSO for probably mistaking him for Brumbiscuit (you do look quite similar) and for apparently standing in front of Exxo without spotting him either. Perhaps a system of name badges?
Not particularly brilliant sound down at the front I thought, but excellent moshing to be had, only somewhat spoilt by the two girls on the front row, one of whom revealed herself (literally) as having taken rather more than a few drinks. She read my ‘King of Hi-Vis’ gilet and said “Does that mean you’ve got HIV?” and asked my ladyfriend if those were oven mitts that she was wearing. She also climbed over the crush barrier at the end and crawled across the stage, crushing a mike and occasioning a backstage visit by a panicked Showsec.
No route details, but they apparently stopped off at Birch services on the way, where NB10 met one of his mates from school (“I told you you’d never guess who it was”). Some discussion on Ronnie Moore’s likely replacement : “Grayson Perry 25 – 1”. A suggestion from the crowd that Katie Perry would do a better job was met with a counter-offer of Bill Perry, who scored the winning goal in the Stanley Matthews Final. (Unfortunately, Bill is no longer in need of season tickets.)
NB10 had to get Neil to put his capo on for him again, and also this time to take it off.
His funereal garb was replaced for the encores by a ‘Radio Birdman’ t-shirt, complimenting Neil’s ‘Death’ shirt.
From the setlist (and pending correction by Not Roger Green):
Bob Wilson
Eno Collaboration
Evening Sun
Mountain Bikes (thanks for the Arthur Strong, Exxo)
Fred Titmus
Wrong Grave (“A true story”)
Left Lyrics
Paintball (with additional verses as above)
Totnes Bickering Fair
Restless Legs
Turned Up…
Korfball (a triumphant “often more intrigue” sing-along)
DPAK
National Shite Day
Tonight Matthew
JDOG
Fix It
Vatican Broadside
We Built This Village
Trumpton Riots
Problem Chimp
Chatteris
Eveything’s AOR
Tommy Walsh’s Eco House
Transmission (fair stab at the lyrics, considering he didn’t know them)
Light At The End Of The Tunnel
Unlisted, there were also a couple of unaccompanied verses from ‘Two Chevrons’ and another outing for ‘You’re So Beige’ (did anybody manage to record it with better sound this time?)
On to Blackburn!
21 April 2014
EXXo
John – dunno why but I’ve always assumed you know which of the regulars I am (didn’t I introduce meself once a few years back??). I’m the one that wore the full DPAK to every gig for about 10 years but now I’m too beige for that, and I think every gig is about someone else these days.
21 April 2014
EXXo
…and of course you can’t really miss Mrs. Exford in her vintage 1970’s Dukla Liberec home volleyball colours.
By the way I looked around during ‘You’re So Beige’ to see if anyone was filming, and didn’t notice anyone.
21 April 2014
EXXo
Oh and a bit of geographical quibbling about your introductory blurb Chris while I’m at it. I’ve no idea why the official population of what counts as Homfirth itself is only 1,980 but anyone who’s been there will know it feels much bigger. About 7 other villages are contiguous with it and if it feels like a shopping centre for a town of about 15 or 20,000 that’s cos it is.
The Holme Valley (formerly Holmfirth urban district) has a population of about 25,000 and Holmfirth is in some ways fortunate that the traffic system towards and around Huddersfield means that it (Holmfirth) still remains the most convenient commercial centre for the whole valley.
21 April 2014
jitsu_g
Excellent gig, third time seeing them at Holmfirth, a great venue in a great location. Very pleased to finally hear Eno Collaboration live. No weird noises though.
Good to meet up with Dr D once again, and briefly Chris the siteowner after the gig (John – you missed Chris by about 30 seconds after you left). Not long until Blackburn
22 April 2014
Taylo
The Cinema Manager gag was aimed at me, probably because I told him the gag in the first place!
Great gig, loved You’re so Beige (first time I’ve heard it) and great to see The Exxo’s again.
22 April 2014
Dr Desperate
More Gags from the Gigs at Holmfirth:
Zinney (Gerd Zinsmeister) off Sonnenberg, introducing his Saarang electronic tambura: “It’s a drone. Not one of those that flies.”
NB10: “Can anyone remind me, was it Mud or Sweet who sang ‘Tiger Feet’?”
Crowd: “MUD!!”
NB10: “That’s right, that’s right, that’s right, that’s right…”
23 April 2014
CARRIE anne
Not sure if I have remembered this correctly, but I think NB10 informed us of the date for the forthcoming Holmfirth Scarecrow Festival. Adding “like every day in Birkenhead” ?
23 April 2014
NOT ROGER GREEN
(Originally written for hmhb.co.uk)
Well, it makes a change, not having to wait at various bus-stops and railway station platforms. I took the road option to this gig. A638, A61, A636, A635. That old favourite route. It took about forty minutes from home. A lot quicker than I would have done by public transport. But a lot more air pollution as well, admittedly. There was much bustling for parking spaces outside The Bridge, including a minor altercation with the HMHB minibus. Seemingly they were able to park in the No Parking spot. How does that work? The band had in fact turned up too early and couldn’t get in to the venue. That must be a first. While waiting, I was able to instigate one of my in-depth interviews with Nigel while they were parked by the stage door (“All right?” / “Yeah”). They were listening to the football on Five Live, with Nigel having a little grumble about the lack of digital radio in new vehicles. Quite right too. I have often been driving and in the need of some 6 Music, but I have had to make do with Magic or Tragic or whatever is available. I wasn’t able to pass on the contents of a text from Tony that morning (he had seen a preview in that morning’s Guardian, where HMHB were described as “mordant dolecore”), as Geoff had turned up, banged on the stage door (so that’s what you are supposed to do?) and gained access. Time for the band to get to work, and time for me to go browsing through a rack of old Rugby League programmes at the charity shop across the road. Back at The Bridge I heard two songs as part of the tuning up set list. A Lilac Harry Quinn and Outbreak Of Vitas Gerulaitis. Happy to have additions to the list, if anyone heard anything else.
Soon enough, it was time to meet up with Tony for some pre-gig nutrition at Hollowgate Fisheries. The sit-down restaurant part had closed, so we went alfresco, discussing the World Cup, Charlie Parr and dementia. In that order. And then, how simply charming to meet the two ladies who hollered that one of them wanted to sniff Tony’s beard. Sniff? I think my attention had started to wander off in the other direction when she started asking about how he washed the beard. They headed for the Elephant And Castle. Tony and I headed towards the Picturedrome.
There was more evidence of a rotation policy with the support bands. Tonight it was Sonnenberg. I’m fairly sure this was their first go since Matlock Bath about twelve months previously. And they had made obvious use of the transfer window. Stephen, the guitarist from JD Meatyard, was playing for them tonight. It was unclear whether this was a permanent move, or just a loan deal. We will find out in the fullness of time. Either way, it was a seamless move. He knows his stuff. My two favourite tracks from their album were in the set – the title track The End Of The Rain, and Sweet Life. I keep meaning to try and see some of the Probe Plus acts playing their own gigs. Not much success to report so far, having missed Roja in Leeds just after they played with HMHB at Leamington the other week.
I had always thought that the bands’ room at this venue was up on the top floor, so was caught by surprise when HMHB walked on from the side of the stage. They came on to some (obviously) film music that no one recognised. Nigel informed all that it was by Morricone, from A Fistful Of Dynamite. One of Geoff’s ideas, apparently. Not one that I know. Starring Clint Eastwood, I would guess. “In theplay-offs, are we?” asked Nigel rather optimistically, in answer to some Tranmere talk. And when asked about the recent sacking of their manager for betting “irregularities”, Nigel answered “Stupidly, he wasn’t betting on Tranmere to lose.” Nigel repeated his thought that Grayson Perry would be their next manager. Katie Perry, and Bill Perry “the forgotten man of the Matthews cup final” (even though he scored the winning goal) also got a mention. The final line in Lock Up Your Mountain Bikes was “that’s when I first said that Arthur Strong on telly just won’t work.” Frank Worthington was spotted in the crowd. Apparently the band called in at Birch Services, and we were teased with the question “Who did I see at 1.30 there? Someone who is my age and really funny. You’ll never guess.” Despite many attempts, Nigel was right. No one did guess the name. It was Duncan Bruce, who was at school with him. Nigel hadn’t seen him for years. Someone had texted Nigel to say that he looked like he was going to a funeral, black shirt and all. So cue funeral joke. He went to a service for a local traffic-warden. As they were lowering the coffin, there was a banging from inside, and a voice shouting “I’m not dead yet!” To which the vicar replied “I’m sorry but all the paperwork has been completed.” There was an extract from the Pointless theme. There were a couple of new lines to Paintball… “Elbow, Coldplay, Snow Patrol” (ad infinitum) and “They’ll be football experts all through June” (followed by something about Pete Briquette). I’ve included “You’re So Beige” in the set list. Nigel often plays bits from new songs. As once before, this was quite a big bit. And I’m still guessing at the title of the song. Rhyming “Beige” with “Standard Liege” is a work of genius. Nigel responded to a shout of “Giz a crisp!” by literally handing over a crisp. “I need them for medicinal purposes.” The jokes were flying thick and fast. There was the one about settling the argument about who had a hit with Tiger Feet. Mud or Sweet? You say it was Mud? That’s right, that’s right, that’s right, that’s right. And also we had the one about the cinema manager dying. His funeral is next Tuesday at 2.30, 5.00 and 7.30. Nigel noted that there was a guy from Wallasey playing Neil Robertson in the World Snooker championship. And when the band came back for the encore, Nigel had changed into a Radio Birdman t-shirt. They also played the original “dance, dance, dance” Joy Division song. Hallelujah.
Here is how it all went.
Bob Wilson Anchorman
Eno Collaberation
When The Evening Sun Goes Down
Lock Up Your Mountain Bikes
Fuckin’ ‘Ell It’s Fred Titmus
Tending The Wrong Grave For 23 Years
Left Lyrics In The Practice Room
Paintball’s Coming Home
Totnes Bickering Fair
You’re So Beige
Restless Legs
Turned Up Clocked On Laid Off
Joy In Leeuwarden (We Are Ready)
All I Want For Christmas Is A Dukla Prague Away Kit
National Shite Day
Tonight Matthew I’m Going To Be With Jesus
Keeping Two Chevrons Apart
Joy Division Oven Gloves
Fix It So She Thinks Of Me
Vatican Broadside
We Built This Village On A Trad Arr Tune
Trumpton Riots
Took Problem Chimp To The Ideal Home Show
For What Is Chatteris?
Everything’s AOR
And in the encore
Tommy Walsh’s Eco House
Transmission
The Light At The End Of The Tunnel Is The Light Of An Oncoming Train
Tremendous to meet my friends Karl and Katherine, who was at her first HMHB gig since many years ago when they used to play at Fibbers in York. Also good luck to Karen who said that she can now start getting to more of these shows now that she is divorced. And I’m sorry I didn’t catch the name of the guy with the No Regrets 12” single, who we bumped into near the door at The Bridge. He was a bit wide-eyed after finally getting to speak with Nigel. Here’s hoping that some or all of you can get to the Blackburn gig. And congratulations to whoever decided to stock Golden Pippin at the pub. An inspired choice.
4 May 2014