The Wonder Stuff
After almost forty years the Eight-Legged Groove Machine is still cruising along very nicely indeed and long may that continue to be the case. Giddy up Poppies. Hup, Hup, Hup, Hup and away!
A Saturday night at the UEA to see the Wonder Stuff is just simply perfect as those of us of a certain age can have a lay in tomorrow morning to rest those weary limbs following a full on, non-stop effervescent performance from Miles Hunt and company.
It’s a great crowd tonight, with no pushing and shoving, one that’s very respectful to each other and the band too. Well perhaps there may have been one exception to that rule, but we will leave that one to your imagination rather than risk spoiling a good vibe!
The mosh pit in here was absolutely crazy the last time around some six years ago but let’s just say, that it’s a little bit calmer in there this time around, thank goodness! It’s simply perfect and this continues for the complete set that lasts for circa eighty-five minutes.
They take full advantage of the very large stage that we are blessed with at this venue (too many bands don’t) and with the Hup (album cover) moon staring down at us it’s a very fitting scene that greets us. It’s a stage as Hunt reminds us that they first graced on December the 1st, 1987 for their first every proper gig on their debut tour supporting Big Country. He asks for those present on that night to make ourselves known and several of us do. That was the night for me, that the band started to soak into my musical veins, and they have been there even since, so thanks Mr Adamson for making a very wise choice back in the day.
You just know that it’s going to be musically flowing tonight from a band that has such an amazing back catalogue and right on cue the Stuffies are on stage and it’s a quite blistering show from the off that takes us through the decades, including tracks from their most recent album of six years ago (Better Being Lucky).
It’s a cracking set list, Mission Drive, On The Ropes, Here Comes Everyone, Caught In My Shadow, The Size Of A Cow, Circlesquare, Golden Green and all are belted out loudly and with great aplomb! As ever it’s a master class from this great band that still features the legendary original guitarist Malc Treece front of stage and it is an absolute honour to see him in his rightful place. In Hunt’s own words he is his brother from another mother.
They close after an hour with Give, Give, Give Me More, More More and just as used to happen back in the eighties, the room is still singing that very song as the band leave the stage and our singing as intended is enough to bring them back for a very worthwhile encore (take note kids!), which is just as well and neither they or us lot are done just yet, even if we will lose an hours sleep tonight we are all still going!
My daughter Lily and I are both extremely hoarse by now, but we keep on singing to the end like real troopers do.
Tonight’s show is a one-off gig with no full tour on offer for now, it’s a warm – up show for their slot at the Shiiine On Weekender festival that’s taking place in Skegness of which they were due to headline late on the Sunday night. I am sure that the Skegvegas will also have felt the vibe come Sunday night.
There’s been some hot love in the room tonight and long may it continue.
After almost forty years the Eight-Legged Groove Machine is still cruising along very nicely indeed and long may that continue to be the case.
Giddy up Poppies. Hup, Hup, Hup, Hup and away!
A full gallery can be found here
