Sheffield Boardwalk

[HarperPR]

Weather holding. No snow is the latest report from our weather person on site!

Critch, get a quick 'feel' report posted here straight after! Take some posters (I shouldn't mention the p and f words really should I! I still can't stop laughing...)

[critch]

Mightn't be snowing there, but a huge hail storm hit St H this morning - and I've got to clean the garage.... grrr and brrrr!

I shall post as soon as I'm able - bit of a trek back from Shef, and I'm up early to take lil Alan to this sailing thing. I do agree to do daft stuff sometimes. Likely as not, I won't be able to sleep when I get back though cause I'll be so high from the gig - I mean adrenalin high - before the anyone accuses me of intoxicated driving!

[HarperPR]

I am waiting for a pre sales figure here, but if anyone has time in the next 6 hours to get the word out a bit more... There are mentions on various forums. Perhaps local radio?

[HarperPR]

Critch - yes, our Critch, my assistant, not the night's star - is being heckled at Sheffield!!!

This sounds like some show...

[Uriel]

Erm - guilty as charged your honour. I heard he was coming and well...

Been quiet of late but thought I'd pop in. Quality gig. One of the best I've seen of in the last few years. Standing ovation, pretty full and all that.

I should be in Leeds tomorrow, weather permitting.

[HarperPR]

It was YOU then - ha! Had you met before?

Tell more about gig.

And I'd love a gig review for Leeds for one of the online sites.

[SHAUN I]

Linn you might want to keep an eye on the weather reports, I've just looked out of our window here in Preston and we have one and a half inches of snow and what looks like a veritable blizzard. it's certainly grim up north at the moment! :nopity:

[Uriel]

Erm - nope still never met Crich. Tried to work out who he was but wasn't sure. Spoken on the phone and seen photos but my recognition skills let me down.

Time for bed now though.

[HarperPR]

I did forecast snow for this tour back in early December! Hope Critch and Sarah are okay tonight with driving back.

Critch is a young Tom Cruise lookalike!

[SHAUN I]

And is he only five foot nothing too! :smilielol5:

[HarperPR]

You're back, Critch! Okay, cigarette lit and I'm ready to read. Go!

[HarperPR]

Hurry up lad!

[critch]

I did forecast snow for this tour back in early December! Hope Critch and Sarah are okay tonight with driving back.

Critch is a young Tom Cruise lookalike!

Sorry I missed you Uriel. All that truely freaked me out a little though so I made myself even more inconspicious than I was already trying to be! I was stood with Sarah right in front of the sound booth. It's pronounced CrItch where the I is like in Imaginary, rather than I as in eye. :D

Sarah is staying in Sheffield with a friend - hence the sudden change in plan! Happy coincidences! Unfortunately we had to leave during Headless/Love is Music as I was worried about the weather, and I still had to deliver Sarah to the intended destination. Sorry Nick! I won't do it again...promise!

Driving back was a bit of a nightmare! That road to manchester was in snow - not too much, just a light cover, but the blizzarding conditions are a little mesmerising. Anyways, back safe and sound, if a bit knackered.

This was the first time I've seen Nick since he went to Everest and it was interesting to say the least. His shows in the past for me have always been inspired, inspiring and most of all focused. The Nick on stage knew what life was about. He'd learnt off his dad and all the other legendary figures whom he was surrounded by growing up. The man had a handle on it and knew where he was going and why. But that has changed.

The Nick on stage tonight again knew why he was there, but it was for completely different reasons. He took us on a journey, sometimes through song, but mostly with his brilliant interjections. He told us about the trip, what he saw, and sometimes what he had learnt. His priorities had been realigned, and quite dramtically. The most moving moments for me in the gig were in songs where he felt there was a increased connection with the subject. Imaginary friend was fantastic and heartfelt, as was Real Life. I feel though that we'll only get a sense of his new found priorities when a new album is released. One written with those experiences in mind and expressed, through song, by the truely skillful and soulful craftsman which he is.

[HarperPR]

Mmm, sounds rather in same vein as November gigs: more reflective and measured than of old. Was Simple in? Communication? Glad to hear he's put back LIM. What was reception like from crowd?

[HarperPR]

Could you wrap that up in a review? Did you find Debbie? This review has been commissioned, so if I have something from either/both of you I can work around it.

How would you rate tonight alongside what you've seen before?

[critch]

No Truth up in the Mountains
3 Magpies
Aeroplane
Radio Silence
Guitarman/some kitchen blues number when the kit stopped working properly/whole lotta love
Real Life
By my Rocket comes Fire
Treasure Island
(Grr Didn't know this! Not sure why I didn't cause he said it was off treasure Island, think my brain has gone warped, had the words "changed your mind" in it quite a lot!)
Field of the Cloth
Simple
Imaginary Friend
Evo
Love is Music/Headless/Grace and then sadly I had to leave! Grrrness!

[HarperPR]

Magpies - ex. Did last tour. Silence, good. The TI one would have been Good Bus - not often included, if ever?

[critch]

I think he had a bit of a shakey start. The effects and stuff didn't kick in. He kept running out of beer (!) so I don't think he built up a rapport with the audience as quickly as he might have - but after Real Life, I think he got more focussed and things became better. I don't think they had him turned up loud enough, I really thought it was too quiet. Nearly said something, but then I remembered how annoyed I used to get when people told me to turn things up when I was in that job.

Personally, I don't think that 2 slowish songs to start the gig is a great idea - but it depends who you're aiming at. I think to grab those in the crowd who aren't aware of your music, you need something faster and louder and altogether more "in your face" I think that's where things like Karmmageddon were great, especially when he sequed in other mad stuff.

But this all said, it was a great performance and show, and I was most definately gutted to leave early, so I think that says it all.

[critch]

I think he had a bit of a shakey start. The effects and stuff didn't kick in. He kept running out of beer (!) so I don't think he built up a rapport with the audience as quickly as he might have - but after Real Life, I think he got more focussed and things became better. I don't think they had him turned up loud enough, I really thought it was too quiet. Nearly said something, but then I remembered how annoyed I used to get when people told me to turn things up when I was in that job.

Personally, I don't think that 2 slowish songs to start the gig is a great idea - but it depends who you're aiming at. I think to grab those in the crowd who aren't aware of your music, you need something faster and louder and altogether more "in your face" I think that's where things like Karmmageddon were great, especially when he sequed in other mad stuff.

But this all said, it was a great performance and show, and I was most definately gutted to leave early, so I think that says it all.

I know it's bad form to quote one's self, but I think I think far too much!

[HarperPR]

Why did you let him run out of beer? That is part of your roadie duties!

[critch]

If I couldn't have a beer, I sure as hell wasn't gonna let him have one... :biggrin:

[critch]

Could you wrap that up in a review?

I'll have it on your desk in the morning. :gnorsi:

[Uriel]

Crich - Sorry about the mispronounciation (and potential embarrasment). I wasn't expecting Nick to pick up on it. Well he did - and there were many references to a misprounouced Crichley. It did occur to me after the event you might not appreciate it but it was a bit too late. Ahh well - I guess you've got a vague idea of what I look like now for future reference.

Just to fill in gaps in the setlist - the song Crich didn't recognise was Good Bus. There was a bit of Led Zep's Four Sticks thrown into the Love is Music Medley. Nick finished it all off with Blue Sky Thinking for his Encore.

I suppose I can squeeze in something of a mini-review...

I arrived fairly late, towards the end of the support act's set. This was the first time I've ever been to a Harpic gig and not caught the support. Pleasingly, the audience figure was already a lot more healthy than the last boardwalk gig, with more people coming through the doors right up to the start of Nick's set. There were plenty of people I didn't recognise from previous gigs. The audience was receptive, with the vast majority becoming more attentive and clearly enjoying themselves as the gig went on.

Nick started his set with 'No Truth Up in the Mountains' but introduced it with a clarification: "actually there is truth up in the mountains". This set the tone for Nick's topic for exposition throughout the gig: his recent trip to Nepal for the LoveHopeStrength Foundation. It's been a few months since his trip but he's clearly reflected on it a lot. I saw Nick in Derby shortly after he came back from the trip. He was clearly affected by the experience at the time and was very keen to talk about it. He'd given what I can best describe as a very 'honest' performance, pouring something of what he was going through into it. Last night was was the better performance musically though: his voice sounded in better shape and his guitar playing was much more polished.

By the third or fourth song in, I realised that this was one of the better Harpic gigs I've been to. I always enjoy Nick's gigs but sometimes, having seen him on numerous occasions, I've been known analyse what he's doing rather too much. This time, by about half way through, I was mesmerised. It felt very much like the first few times I'd seen him, when I didn't really analyse what he was doing and just watched and listened in awe, with a big grin on my face.

Musical highlights for me were Radio Silence Real Life, Simple and Evo. Simple particularly takes on a completely different dynamic as a live performance compared to the studio version. With Evo, Nick mentioned it was a while since he'd played it but found his feet quickly and then treated us to a wonderful rendition, clearly appreciated by the crowd.

The set finished with a typically energetic rendition of Love is Music, a medley sweeping through a few of Nick's songs, as well as covers of Jeff Buckley's Grace and Led Zeppelin's four sticks. As Nick brought this epic to an end, many of the crowd rose to their feet in applause. This brought about the quickest encore I've ever seen Nick do: no disappearance off stage, just enough time pick up the guitar again, a few words then straight into Blue Sky Thinking for the encore. I left very happy and having made up my mind to definitely see him again the following night in Leeds.

[scotpaulabear]

(Grr Didn't know this! Not sure why I didn't cause he said it was off treasure Island, think my brain has gone warped, had the words "changed your mind" in it quite a lot!)

Good Bus?
GOOD BUS?!?

:w00t: :hurray: :thumbup: :svengo:

Okay, that gets me a wee bit excited haha...

Back in a bit to read the other reviews - I have a Big D to send off to the footie ya know...

[scotpaulabear]

Back again - thanks guys, I am loving this so far :biggrin:

[critch]

Here's a photo for you! Should it upload ok!

[HarperPR]

I had said it was Good Bus in post #17!

Good overview Critch and Uriel. Could I use?

[scotpaulabear]

I had said it was Good Bus in post #17!

I know! Was just getting excited!

Critch, thanks for the pic, hair's looking fine, I can relax now LOL.

[aspwatterson]

Mightn't be snowing there, but a huge hail storm hit St H this morning - and I've got to clean the garage.... grrr and brrrr!

There may be snow on roof me boyo!
But there's still a fire raging in t'hearth below!
Butt!!


aw:w00t::sifone::gnorsi:

[HarperPR]

Did anyone take photos here? Anything decent, please email me: HarperPR@hotmail.co.uk

Critch, can you send me yours too. And the review - it's not on my desk yet!

[Uriel]

I had said it was Good Bus in post #17!

Good overview Critch and Uriel. Could I use?

Yep, no problem.

[critch]

Did anyone take photos here? Anything decent, please email me: HarperPR@hotmail.co.uk

Critch, can you send me yours too. And the review - it's not on my desk yet!

My photos are rubbish. I left my camera in the car in the mad rush to the gig - Sheff is a nightmare, everythings called something hill. Sat Nav got me there in the end, but it took me the wrong place at first. It's a cheap version and it only uses the first 5 digits of the postcode which meant I was round the corner in some deserted cobbled streeted scary place. Had to google it (on t'inter-wap!) and look up the street name. Anyway, the upshot of it is that my photos were taken with digital zoom on my phone, which means they're probably less than 0.3MP which is decidedly rubbish.

Oh yes, the review! Now if you look carefully, I posted that comment on the morning of the 2nd, so "in the morning" meant 3rd! lol. Sorry! Feel free to use anything I've posted about it though if you wish.

[HarperPR]

Morning's only morning after you've been to bed!

I am waiting to see what Debbie has, but with some 'additional reporting' I think we can get 3 good reviews.

The pic up here - can't u send?

[Green Man]

Fantastic, fantastic night last night - one of the best Harpic gigs I've ever seen...:D

[critch]

Morning's only morning after you've been to bed!

I am waiting to see what Debbie has, but with some 'additional reporting' I think we can get 3 good reviews.

The pic up here - can't u send?
I don't feel like I've been to bed. I'm completely f****d. On the other hand, it was worth it, and Alan sailed well today so came back happy.

[HarperPR]

Yes, but what about the pictures?! I can try the Boardwalk themselves I guess as well. Were there any professional looking paps in?

[fickle_Witch]

i have pix, want me to email em over to you linn??

[HarperPR]

Please. Although was he wearing same clothes? Might be useful elsewhere. Really for a Sheffield gig we need images from, well, Sheffield!

[fickle_Witch]

i believe so, looking at the pic posted already :D
will email best 2 over and see what cha think :)

[critch]

Right, I've sent mine - and a review! Are you impressed? Can I post it here?

[HarperPR]

Thanks both. Can't look til back.

Critch: would prefer you held on review you sent if different to what you've put up here. Ta.

[critch]

I know! Was just getting excited!

Critch, thanks for the pic, hair's looking fine, I can relax now LOL.

Was it? I hadn't noticed! He looks *a lot* trimmer though. He must be less than 9 stone now! I remember at marlbourgh a couple of years a go that he said that each year the guitar moves further away from him - well that's gone. Maybe that's why his guitar playing seems to have taken another leap forward!

[HarperPR]

Uriel/Green Man: can you give me a para on the support, Modern Eulogy?

[critch]

Edited cause I was just being a bit mean!

:)

[HarperPR]

I'm glad you have one, monkey face! I read that and it is NOT what I want!

[scotpaulabear]

Edited cause I was just being a bit mean!

:)

Feck, I always get here too late to read the good shiznit :D

[bigchris]

Uriel/Green Man: can you give me a para on the support, Modern Eulogy?

Well I thought they were brill !! The main guy's voice was amazing !! His mate on the bass .. looked about 14 years old and miserable as f*** ! The young lass who replaced the bass player to sing a few songs also had an amazing voice ... but IMHO the main guy could easily go solo ... plays a decent guitar + hamonica and ( I assume it's him ) writes some great songs ... though not too sure of their last one ... seemed like a Sesame Street alphabet song ?!?!

[Uriel]

Uriel/Green Man: can you give me a para on the support, Modern Eulogy?

Not really, other than what Big Chris has said. I missed most of their set. Did catch the girl before the bass player came back. Nice harmonies. Actually from outside, when I was arriving, it sounded like Nick had started already. The lad's obviously goot a good range on him.

[critch]

Hi Big Chris! :seeya: I thought I spotted you at the gig on Friday, but I was a little too nervous to walk up to someone like 7ft tall and say "are you big Chris!" Anyways, sorry about that!

I've put my gig review up on http://www.last.fm/user/richcritch/journal/

Hope that link works fine. If not, I'll give it another go!

[critch]

I'm glad you have one, monkey face! I read that and it is NOT what I want!

Yeah well, you can't have everything! I'm always mean to Nick's supports. It's cause I'm like "hurry up, I wanna see Nick!". The other thing of course is that when you compare anyone to Nick, they pretty much always lose unless like they're Jeff Buckley or Christ. Not that I went to any of his gigs, but he got a few good reviews in that bib-el thing that was mentioned the other night.

Feck, I always get here too late to read the good shiznit

You snooze you lose!

[HarperPR]

http://www.last.fm/event/378456/reviews

thanks Chris and Uriel for the other.

[Uriel]

I forgot Dr Who!

Edit: By the time Nick got to Dr Who, critch would have been much more sober than me...

[critch]

We're all crossing posts here like mad! Make sure you all go back to the previous page to see what you missed!

[HarperPR]

I have just heard from the editor at 21st Century Music to say that the review submitted by one David Green of this gig was 'a very nice' one. Set to go live later this week.

[Uriel]

http://www.sheffieldforum.co.uk/showthread.php?t=295088

Hmm... Someone been sneaking around other forums in disguise?

[HarperPR]

Might know one of them!

That Sheffield forum was mentioned on here in another thread.

[critch]

http://www.thestar.co.uk/features/in-the-of-time.3727687.jp

Hope this link works cause it took me forever to post it! Phones still ain't as good as computers..

[HarperPR]

We've done that one! See under Press & Media! My last post there was about the gig review in tonight.

[critch]

So what did you ask me to post? Grr. You only pay me til 5 you know! :( lol.

[HarperPR]

- 5 a.m that is!!! It was the gig REVIEW from TONIGHT's Star. Uriel, did you buy it? I have Mark's text copy but wanted paper site link.

[HarperPR]

Have you found it yet?