28th March 2008 - Centenary Centre, Peel, Isle of Man

An almost perfect weekend. Three sell-out gigs, excellent crowds, free beer, holiday cottage and one of the most benevolent agents/hosts we've ever had the pleasure of working with.

We set out from Grimsby at 7am, bang on time, which is unusual for us. Despite the terrible weather our spirits were high, we were, after all, heading to the Isle of Man for a 3 day tour. Bad news was only a few minutes away though as, barely out of town, we heard that the M62 was shut between junctions 26 and 27. It was supposedly opening up again at 8:30am but there was a 20 mile tailback to clear first. So we decided to not risk our chances and head for the A628 instead. Trouble was, everyone else was doing the same so we ended up in a long long tailback of our own, eating into our slack time quite heavily. It was looking touch and go at one point as to whether we'd get to Liverpool in time for our ferry but our fortunes changed as we rung the ferry company and found out that the Liverpool ferry had been cancelled. They kindly transferred us to the 14:15 ferry from Heysham and we all relaxed, knowing we had plenty of time to get to Heysham. I think we would've made the Liverpool ferry in the nick of time but the cancellation and subsequent transferral relieved us of a stressful mad dash from Manchester to Liverpool.

Anyway, we arrived at Heysham in plenty of time only to have our fortunes reversed for the worst again. This time it was due to the ferry company deciding we had to go on as freight, rather than domestic (or whatever it's called) and instructed to report to the freight office, where we would have to pay extra. We were disappointed we were going to be paying extra, hoping it wouldn't be any more than £100 at most. Much to our horror, it clocked in at £440!!! So we begrudingly banged it on a credit card and returned despondent to our van. Despondency didn't last long though as we were treat with the first instance of many acts of generosity by Mark (the agent) - he was quick to assure us he'd either sort out the issue or foot the bill for us. Most kind.

A three and a half hour ferry journey later and we were in Douglas. Mark met us, gave us directions to Peel and half an hour later we were at the venue, unloading the gear in haste, with the doors opening time looming large. All of the crew helped us unload, along with the support band, and set up amd sound check went swiftly and hassle free, completed almost in time for doors open. We had to finish the last 5 minutes or so of sound check in front of the early comers of the audience, which was a shame as it gives a sneak preview of the show, but oh well, considering we had to catch a late ferry, everyone did a good job of getting sound checked and set up in such a short space of time.

The support band, YoYo Hearts, went on for 40 minutes or so and we were most impressed. They performed as a trio, two guitars and bass. The songs were strong with excellent vocals and melodies. Reminded me a little of Jeff Buckley. The lead vocalist performed a solo version of Coldplay's See You Soon at the end of their set and it was excellent and went down a treat.

We took to the stage around half 9 and the place was packed out - a sell-out. We played our usual set, opening with Square One and Politik, and the crowd responded immediately. We love it when we see the crowd singing along to those opening two songs, with both of them being album tracks rather than singles, you know you're in the presence of Coldplay fans. The gig was a seated gig, which we rarely perform to. It's kinda strange, because you're wanting everyone to get up and dance but at the same time it gives an atmosphere all of it's own, one where the music seems to be even more the focus than normal. We do enjoy it to be honest, but having said that, big kudos to the two guys that raced down the front when we played the opening strains of Yellow and prompted a number of others to get up to dance and sing. We followed that with Clocks, the house lights down and the green strobe doing it's work. We ended the set, as usual, with The Scientist, the entire crowd joining in to sing, and left the stage to raptuous applause and loud calls for more. Of course, we duly obliged, and gave them Talk, In My Place and Fix You and left the stage for good to a standing ovation.

Several audience members came back stage to thank us, shake our hands, have a chat and all that stuff, which is always good - it's nice to get feedback. Eventually we headed off back to our cottage, Mark leading the way because we'd come straight to the venue from the ferry so hadn't had chance to locate it. Once again, most kind of Mark to do so, seeing as it took 45 minutes and was miles away from where Mark lived. Once back at the cottage, we cracked some beers and set about rigging up the PS3, the much talked about Pro Evo tournement was about to start. Except it wasn't. The thing wouldn't work. Half an hour of trying, we'd exhausted all possilibities and concluding it was the Tv. Despondent, we finished a few more beers and hit the hay.

The gig was excellent, the crowd responsive and they clearly enjoyed it - I think the standing ovation says it all. The stage was fabulous too - very spacious - and the lighting what you'd expect from such a venue. The sound guys were a pleasure to work with and knew their stuff - the monitor mix was perfect and I presume the out front sound equally perfect. The tour got off to a cracking start.

Wayne, 7th April 2008

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