Mott the Hoople

Newcastle City Hall
Newcastle Upon Tyne
England
16th November 2013

Traditional Concert Hall - Capacity 2,135

I've been a fan of Mott the Hoople for decades, but being born Too Late After '58 I never saw them in their prime. I almost made
the pilgrimage to London for the last round of shows and have regretted ever since not doing so. With a collective age of...lots..
none of us are going to get too many more bites at this particular cherry.

A packed and "experienced" crowd gave the event a real air of anticipation, so when the lights went down and Gustav Holst's Jupiter
heralded the band's arrival to the stage there was a crackle in the atmosphere. Ian Hunter, shades, Maltese cross guitar slung low,
most of the Old Gang in tow...bloody marvellous.

Good mix of tunes. All the "hits" were pretty much there, but with some real depth to the set for the dyed-in-the-wool fan of pre
Top of the Pops Mott.

For me, the real joy was Ian Hunter's voice...the passion...and the quality (especially in the quieter sections). So much depth and
emotion, fabulous timing and delivery of wonderous (and occasionally weird) lyrics. From my priveliged position in the balcony it
was almost as if the Pied Piper had returned...absolutely captivating. The one gripe I did come away with is that I wish
he'd been a little more up front in the front of house mix.

Fairly basic stage set, although there was a big screen behind the band onto which Mott imagery and vintage shots of the band were
projected. It was quite a moment when Dale Griffin's picture went up during Ballad of Mott the Hoople, the crowd responding
appropriately warmly.

I'd read a couple of "so-so" reviews in the press from earlier shows in Glasgow and Birmingham, so perhaps didn't have the highest
hope for this concert. What do the press know about Mott the Hoople...? A Great Show, and one Saturday Gig I'll always remember.

Joe Elliot joined the band for All the Young Dudes, but we didn't let that spoil our night. To give him credit though, he IS a real
fan of the band and isn't afraid to say so.

Waht this lot were like in their prime...I can only wonder. Must have been mind-buggeringly good.

Band:
Ian Hunter - Vocals, Guitars, Piano, Bass
Mick Ralphs - Guitars, Vocals
Verden Allen - Organ, Vocals
Overend Watts - Bass, Vocals, Guitar
Martin Chambers - Drums

Plus backing singers

Setlist

01 Jupiter
02 Rock & Roll Queen
03 One of the Boys
04 The Moon Upstairs
05 Hymn for the Dudes
06 Sucker
07 Soft Ground
08 Waterlow
09 Born Late 58
10 Death May Be Your Santa Claus/You Really Got Me
11 Ballad of Mott the Hoople
12 Walkin' with a Mountain
13 Violence
14 When My Mind's Gone/No Wheels to Ride/The Journey
15 Honaloochie Boogie
16 The Golden Age of Rock & Roll
17 All the Way from Memphis
18 Encore Break
19 All the Young Dudes
20 Roll Away the Stone
21 Saturday Gigs

Recorder By Lesterferget
Front Row Balcony

Lineage

SP-CMC-4U >
TASCAM DR-40 >
Sound Forge Pro 10 >
Trader's Little Helper (level 8) >
Torrent Site

Do what you will with it - except sell it :
You got it for nowt, you give it for nowt

Buy some official releases :
If this show was anything to go by then the soon-to-be-released cd/dvd set from this tour
(a combination of Manchester and London) will be a cracker...and the perfect Christmas gift
for even the most casual of fans.