Lord Have Mersey

Normally the Liverpool gigs are at the Academy or Barfly so it was bit confusing going up to the University Guild, not been there since I went to watch my ex-boyfriend doing an interpretive dance (don't ask). The chatty cabby on the way up was telling us that he went to see The Sex Pistols in Keighley in 1977. Couldn't understand all of it because of his accent but the phrase "shagging the girl next door" leaked through.

The Ting Tings were alright, I didn't catch them at Manchester because I was in the pub but they weren't as objectionable as I thought they were going to be. After being treated to the delights of DIOY,Y on Saturday I went for a sit off with my mate Kev while they were on,we could hear them anyway, the bar's right next to the gig room, but I'm bored of glowsticks. What's with the bars at these places, they're staffed by idiots! These people are studying on degree programmes but they can't work out who's turn it is to be served at a bar. If they're the future of the country God help us.

Joe Lean were alright, I quite liked them at Manchester but then I realised last night that their moves are exactly the same, it's all choreographed. They're enthusiastic enough I guess but the whole thing seems really rehearsed. Mind you I'm comparing them to the Cribs in that respect, probably unfair.

I was stood right at the barrier on the left hand side near Ryan so I had a great view of the bouncers throwing crowd surfers out of the fire doors. What's up with that? Apparently some community minded people were letting them back in through the other fire exits - I applaud you. I seemed to be surrounded by class 4c again, they weren't moving much but they did scream when the lads walked on. Still can't get used to that.

DYWBR and Bovine Public are great to start sets with, I thoroughly approve. Can't remember what came after that, but Hey Scenesters! was there somewhere. Martell, You're Gonna Lose Us and Mirror Kissers were there, at one point during the latter (I think) Ryan's mic stand fell over, Shippo came to prop it up and Gary jumped on him and wouldn't let him get up. Ryan then led the assembly in a chant of "Shippo!". Later when I was queuing for the cloackroom the lad behind me said "Wasn't it great when that stage gimp came on - what was his name? Skipton?"  

Ryan was reaching out to people being pulled over the barrier but they were being thrown straight out, which was rubbish. I'd like to think that he played Concrete Life in response to the heavy handed bouncers but probably not. It was ace anyway, and went straight into We Can No Longer Cheat You.

Ryan's thing this tour seems to be 'dressing up box'. There's something quite endearing about watching a grown man trying to simultaneously put on a girl's cardigan and play the guitar. He requested that people throw as many clothes on stage as possible because he's run out of tshirts. Cue a barrage of assorted shirts and jumpers and a withering look from Gary as the lot has to be kicked off stage. "You can make a difference - charity begins on tour" says Ryan. Funnily enough I don't think he'll be making an appearance dressed in Primark cardies for the other dates on the tour.

The best audience response came from the tracks from MNWNW, and it seemed like a lot of the crowd didn't know anything from The Cribs or The New Fellas. At one point Ryan asked "Have yous got the New Fellas?" and a big cheer went up but I think they were fibbing because from where I was stood there was a muted response to some of the album tracks from it. Another Number was very popular, obviously. I'm A Realist came right in the middle of the set so we knew there was going to be no appearance from Johnny Marr. The night ended with Wrong Way To Be and the customary stage dive from Ryan, even though he said he'd been told he's not allowed to do it anymore. Could this be after the alleged knee-in-eye-socket incident at Lincoln Engine Shed? Have you had an accident that wasn't your fault? You could be entitled to compensation from Jarman Injury Lawyers 4U.

Leeds next - I must admit I'm knackered but happy.