30 March 2007 (gig)
31 March 2007
'Manchester versus Cancer' is the brainchild of ex-Smiths bassist Andy Rourke. The event is an annual concert, featuring some of Manchester's finest, with all proceeds from the event going to the Great Northern Aid Trust, which Rourke is a Director. The charity was set up in 2005 with the aim of raising money for cancer research and also to increase the public's awareness of the disease. Rourke had obviously been busy since the he last staged the initial event in 2006 and had enlisted the help of some heavy weight musicians for this years sell out concert.
The evening was kicked off by The Electric Milk Band, featuring an an ensemble of local musicians, including Bonehead (ex-Oasis) on bass and Gaz Whelan (ex-Happy Mondays) on drums. The band, who were playing their debut gig, went down well in their home town, sounding rather like a more melodic version of the Happy Mondays / Black Grape.
After a short DJ set by Tin Tin, McAlmont and Butler wandered on to the stage with Andy Rourke (bass) and treated the crowd to a couple of Smiths' classics in the form of 'Still Ill' and ' Last Night I Dreamt That Some Somebody Loved Me'. They were then joined by Denise Johnson and finished their set with a rousing version of 'Yes', which left those who witnessed it under no illusion that Bernard Bulter is one of the best guitarists that this country has produced in recent history.
The stage hands were obviously working overtime, because within about 15 minutes Echo and the Bunnymen hit the stage. They pulled out all the stops, showing one and all why they are still regarded as one of the best live acts in the country today and treated the 'Manchester Massive' to old favourites such as 'The Cutter', 'Bring On The Dancing Horses' and a fantastic version of 'Lips Like Sugar'.
As well as enlisting the help of some fantastic musicians, Rourke had obviously pulled in a few favours from his mates in the world of comedy. Comperes for the evening were supplied in the shape of Johnny Vegas, who was on particularly good form, John Thomas, Alan Carr and Frank Sidebottom.
After we had been berated by Vegas, who was obviously as pissed as a lord, local heros The Charlatans hit the stage. They initially treated the masses to a set of greatest hits, including 'North Country Boy' and 'The Only One I Know'. The house was nearly brought down when they were then joined by Paul Weller, for a brilliant version of 'A Town Called Malice', before ending their set with a version of John Lennon's 'Power To The People', complete with Wolfie 'Citizen' Smith back drops (I am probably showing my age now!!).
Now what I am about to say next is somewhat controversial and I expect I may be made the subject of a 'Fatwah' by the Manchester record buying public. Ian Brown could not hit a note at ten paces, even if he were armed with an Uzi sub-machine gun and tonight was no exception. Brown 'treated' the audience to an eclectic set, including 'F.E.A.R' and 'Dolphins Were Monkeys', as well as a couple of new numbers. The fact that he sang his entire set a semitone lower than the actual music his band were playing, (i.e. he was well flat), did not seem to matter, as this was 'King Monkey' and he was in front of his home crowd.
Then after much scurrying around onstage by an army of roadies and a DJ set by The Doves, Noel Gallagher wandered on stage to the biggest ovation of the evening. He was joined by his 'right hand man' Gem Archer (guitars / keyboard) and 'left hand man' Terry Kirkbride (percussion), as well as a rather attractive string section. He serenaded the crowd with a number of Oasis favourites, including rousing versions of 'Slide Away', 'The Importance of Being Idle', as well as some not so well known numbers, such as 'Don't Go Away' from 1997's Be Here Now album.
Now it takes a brave man to perform an acoustic set in front of a bevvied up arena crowd, but Gallagher was the right man for the job. He was clearly enjoying playing to his home crowd, who sang along with every word, sometimes even drowning out the man himself! Gallagher was then joined on stage by 'one of his best mates' in the form of Paul Weller, who treated us to a fantastic version of The Jam classic 'The Butterfly Collector'. Gallagher then finished off his set with 'Don't Look Back In Anger' which nearly brought the house down.
Before he left he told us that we were going to be treated to an 'all star jam', stating that the words 'car' and 'crash' had sprung to his mind. I then decided it was time to leave, as the show had been a blinder up to this point and I did not want to witness a number of my favourite musicians crucifying a Manchester 'classic'. For some reason curiosity got the better of me and I decided to stay. And you know what, I was glad I did!
Ian Brown was joined onstage by his old mucker Mani (bass), much to the delight of the crowd, as this was the nearest there had been to a Stone Roses reunion for a long time. They then launched in to a rather brilliant version of 'I Am The Resurrection' and then they were gone.
A big hand to Andy Rouke for staging such a brilliant event and raising so much money for a very worthy cause.
The concert will be staged again for the third time in 2008 and if this year's show is anything to go by, it will be one of the best gigs of the year.
See you there!!!
