RIP Million Dead
So this is it.
Million Dead's final fling in Manchester and it promises to be a night to remember. We're promised an eighteen song set and no doubt the band will want to go out on a high on every date of this, their final tour.
I've always been a fan of the Roadhouse, it's small and intimate and usually a great venue to see loud and raucous bands strut their stuff at ground level, right in the face of the crowd. That is, until the venue is packed out as it is tonight! Unless you were one of the lucky few to be down at the front or at the highly sought after side viewing points, the view of the stage was minimal at best. For anybody not occupying those select viewing areas it's impossible to see anything other than Frank's head as he climbs on the monitors! All very disappointing for many of the fans who have turned out tonight for their last opportunity to pay tribute to one of the best live acts to come out of these shores for many a moon.
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Thankfully though the sound is pretty good, so at least we get to hear a band that following this years 'Harmony No Harmony' album release really are at the top of their game. Tom's guitar work tonight is spot on for the most part, whatever the reasons for the split there's no doubting that he was largely responsible for moving MD's songwriting onto the next level. Julia's bass playing has always impressed and tonight is no exception, although I couldn't see her for the whole set I'm willing to guarantee that she gave it 100% as always. Ben's drumming is, well it's Ben's drumming isn't it? Powerful and direct as ever. Frank however puts on the show of his life tonight, obviously getting a real kick of the highly interactive crowd he gives it everything. The crowd it has to be said are fantastic, never before at a Million Dead gig have I seen so many people singing along, so many arms raised or so many frantic dancers!
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The heat in the venue is intense, even causing Frank to ask for the stage spots to be turned off, it all adds to the atmosphere however, this is something special and were it any other way it wouldn't be half as memorable. As for the set, well what would you like to hear? Pretty much everything gets aired tonight, from the awesome 'Breaking the Back' to 'Holloway Prison Blues' and an outstanding version of 'Bovine Spungiform Economics'. The only bone of contention amongst the fans is that they played 'Sasquatch' instead of 'I Gave My Eyes to Stevie Wonder', but really who's complaining? Either will do just fine tonight.
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I forget when exactly, but it must have been during final song 'Rise and Fall' that Frank launches himself into the crowd a couple of times and is greeted by a sea of hands to carry him aloft. No matter when or where you've seen them before there's surely never been a night like this. Million Dead have always been a great live band but tonight had that something extra, the whole experience was an event and those here will remember it for a long time to come. That they're gone is a real shame but they've left a fine legacy and hell, what a way to go!
To view all photos taken during this set click here. There are 22 available.