2025
​
​
Nearly half way through the year and only now am I getting round to updating this website to chronicle my 2025 gigs. I have been prioritising other things, and the number of gigs has dropped compared to recent years.
​
What are those other things? Well I would put them into broad categories – health and wealth.
In the first 6 months of the year I have spent quite a lot of time attending medical appointments, undergoing various tests and a couple of procedures, most of which involved day trips to Dublin and the odd day of recovery. And there will be more to come in the second half of the year.
I have also spent quite a lot of time trying to offload the odd doubloon and more pieces of silver together with limited edition books and some of the Manchester United memorabilia left over from the auction in 2023.​​​​​​​
Index
​
-
Matt MacManamon, Dublin
-
Supergrass, Dublin
Back On The Road Again
With Lindisfarne unable to travel to Dublin due to Storm Éowyn the first gig on 2025 became, as in 2024, a metalfest. I was unfamiliar with the two support acts, but by the end of the gig they were both firmly on my radar.
​
The venue was the 3Arena in Dublin. When I was parked up I was surprised to see a queue had already started forming 2 hours before the scheduled door opening time. That did not deter me from heading into Dublin and then for a coffee and bite to eat. The queue across from Starbucks was particularly long although the one I was to join was quite a bit shorter and I got a decent position after entering the queue about half an hour before the doors would open.
King Parrot
3Arena, Dublin
21 February 2025
Power Trip
3Arena, Dublin
21 February 2025
Pantera
3Arena, Dublin
21 February 2025
Sister Ghost
3Arena, Dublin
25 February 2025
Nina Nesbitt
3Arena, Dublin
25 February 2025
Snow Patrol
3Arena, Dublin
25 February 2025
Having failed in an attempt last year to get to see another act from the Seventies due to problems with the waterworks, the opportunity arose to see Smokie in Dublin. Yes they were not officially a tribute act, but the last member of the original band, Terry Uttley, had died in 2021. They did still have Steve Binnell on drums, who had joined in 1986 and was the longest serving member. Of course we were treated with their most famous song, Living Next Door to Alice.
Smokie
The Helix, Dublin
28 February 2025
The Last Domino
Next up was my first venture to Britain in 2025, heading initially to our holiday home in Cornwall and taking in a couple of gigs on the way back.
​
The smallest venue I have ever attended a gig. A capacity of 350 at the Globe in Cardiff. We were there for a tribute act. The Specials Ltd. They arrived on stage at 8:30. They gave off good feel vibes, and the audience (maybe 70-80% a similar vintage to me) were very enthused. It was a very enjoyable gig. Until 40 minutes in that is. I was placed right next to the stage, with speakers to my left and the 9 piece band to my right.
​
There was a hint of movement to my right. That quickly turned into seeing bodies falling towards me. I think it was actually around 3 or more other bodies with me being the last domino. I had started moving away, but could not escape and quickly found myself hitting the deck with others on top of me. Falling on my left side where I fractured my collarbone back in September and my head also hitting the floor. Not a painful fall, but a shocking one. I got myself up and witnessed security escorting at least 3 out of the venue. I think they thought that Saturday Night was Alright for Fighting…
​
Brushing myself off I got back near to my original position. I was not concussed but I was definitely shocked, as were the band on stage and the rest of the audience. Once they started playing again the whole place was very subdued for a few minutes. I retreated and then went upstairs to get some photos from the balcony. A short time later my mood was not improving and eventually I decided to head back to my hotel, missing the last few songs. What had started a real feel-good event had been ruined for me.
​
The Specials Ltd
The Globe, Cardiff
8 March 2025
A Double V in SWansea
​
The Sunday after the Saturday night chaos of Cardiff it was the serenity of Swansea. The last time I saw the Darkness I had the benefit of a VIP package. This time it was a VVIP one. There were around 20 on the single VIP package, but it turned out only one was a VVIP. That gave me a viewpoint from the wing of the stage, and a personal introduction to Justin, Dan, Frankie and Rufus Tiger. First up I joined those other 20 for the soundcheck and photo. Last time I had my picture taken holding a picture of Justin with next to no clothes on. This time I held that “VIP” photo as I stood in front of the band.
​
The support was Ash. A band that had been around for 30+ years but had not registered with me. They were an excellent 3 piece band and worthy support of the headliners. After Ash I was escorted to the Darkness dressing room and got the lads to autograph the picture I had been holding along with a few more from prior Darkness gigs.
​
Alas the car park at the Arena recognised my Irish number plate for the first time, costing me a fortune compared to the usual £10
Ash
Swansea Arena
9 March 2025
The Darkness
Swansea Arena
9 March 2025
Plenty of mechanics, but fortunately no magnets
​
Back in Swansea. £5 for 24 hours parking was an improvement on my prior experience of £40 for 8 hours. And between going to bed last night and getting to Swansea gold has gone up by 5%. Thank you for something Mr President Trump!!
No metal detectors in use this evening meaning no explanation of a metal knee, various metal plates in my face and a new heart loop recorder in my chest - strong magnets may run the risk of ripping me to shreds!
The last time I had witnessed someone coming on stage with the assistance of a walking stick was Phil Collins at the 2021 Genesis gig in Newcastle (when I was also needed one with my new knee only in place for a few weeks).
Tonight was Mike Rutherford 's turn. He had fractured his hip a week before the tour. And as at Genesis the drummer was Phil's son, Nick Collins.
All comparisons stop there. Mike and his Mechanics put on a fabulous show. Far better than I ever expected. 2 dynamic vocalists and even spending a lot of time on his personal "leanto", Mike Rutherford belied his 74 years. An act I will certainly look out for in the future.
Mike + The Mechanics
The Globe, Cardiff
11 April 2025
An evening of Francis Rossi's Songs from the Status Quo Songbook and more...
The following night it was 75 year old Francis Rossi in a new place for me to visit, Bridgwater. I had been to Bridgwater Services on the M5, but never into the town itself.
It turned into a rehash of his Tunes and Chat show. I was not overly impressed the first time I saw it, but there was marked improvement the second time. With Quo indicating they would not tour again (although Rossi did not rule it out when asked), this was likely to be my last chance to see Rossi singing Quo numbers. The show was OK, but I would not go any further than that. And yes I think that is the last time I will pay to see him (and indeed get a photo of him signing one of my photos of him via another "VIP" package)
Francis Rossi
The McMillan Theatre, Bridgwater
12 April 2025
The Bootleg Beatles
Hall for Cornwall, Truro
15 April 2025
I thought I had given myself plenty of time to get to the 3Arena and even head into town before they opened the doors for the Scissor Sisters. Alas as I got nearer the arena the traffic got worse. I was held up for well over an hour, and the frustration was exacerbated as I realised there were a number of short cuts that could have avoided what turned out to be roadworks on the coast road just South of the city. I passed the arena a few minutes before the opening time and thought they had already started letting people in, so I parked up and made my way to the venue. There was no queue when I arrived and I resigned myself to a position some way back from the stage. Not so though. The queue I had seen was not for opened doors. There were very few people ahead of me and I easily got a position just one person away from the stage. It turned out that a lack of touring in recent years and the absence of Ana Matronic resulted in a certain indifference for some. Jake Shears even commented to what turned into a very enthused audience how pleased he was with the reaction and suggested he had feared it could have turned into a gig lacking such enthusiasm. Overall I really enjoyed the gig.
Goldfrapp
3Arena, Dublin
28 May 2025
Scissor Sisters
3Arena, Dublin
28 May 2025
Had A Nice Day in Cork
​
Nice, but a bit chilly. Certainly chilly for my hands and their condition, having succumbed to Raynaud’s Phenomenon. I had been helping out at a cycling event 3 days before, and despite good gloves I had been shaking my hands to get some warmth back into them. That resulted in pain and swelling on the back of my right hand. My “shooting” hand. The fingers I would use to press the button on the camera shutter. Yes it had been a nice day, but by the time the first support appeared on stage the sun had gone behind the stage, and despite very good gloves I was starting to feel numbness in my fingers. And my discomfort was aggravated due to a niggle in my back which gets worse as I stand for extended periods. My first outdoor gig of the year. Hopefully things will warm up at subsequent ones.
Davey MacManus
Virgin Media Park, Cork
7 June 2025
Tom Walker
Virgin Media Park, Cork
7 June 2025
The Stereophonics
Virgin Media Park, Cork
7 June 2025
Hello Darkness My Old Friends
​
A New venue. Indeed a new city. The final one I have visited in Ireland. When I moved to Ireland Limerick had a reputation for violence and had acquired the moniker of "Stab City". It's hospital still ranks as the worst in Ireland for people being left on trolleys in corridors rather than in beds on wards. I did leave time to explore the city ahead of the gig at King John's Castle. And I was very pleasantly surprised. I would rank it alongside Kilkenny as the "best" cities in Ireland for both character and "pleasantness". It felt a welcoming city as I wandered around.
​
The gig itself was in the courtyard of the castle, which had a very modest capacity of 2,000. The weather app called the area "Englishtown", presumably referencing the English King who ordered its construction in 1200AD. The weather app also highlighted temperatures of up to 25 degrees during the day, with warnings of much higher temperatures across the Irish Sea.
​
As I crossed the River Shannon I had a good view, albeit perhaps around a kilometre away, of the band's soundcheck. When I reached the venue the queue was small enough for me to get a position one back from the front barrier. Alas through the support and even worse during the headliners the back issue returned. I have had it at many gigs but would usually be able to re-position myself to minimise any discomfort. Today, as with the prior gig in Cork, any relief was very temporary. Fortunately only one support meant I would not be standing around as long as I had in Cork, but arguably the pain itself was worse. It was though another excellent performance by the Darkness. No VIP packages available for this gig, but I would put the overall performance as better than the one I had witnessed from the side of the stage in Swansea.​​
Dylan Flynn and the Dead Poets
King John's Castle, Limerick
20 June 2025
The Darkness
King John's Castle, Limerick
20 June 2025
Another castle, this time back in Malahide. I parked up maybe 30 minutes or so walk from the venue. Gates were due to open at 5, and I knew I would be stood for a very long time, probably until around 10:30. I saw a queue had formed. I walked along it to try and gauge how long it was. It seemed to be going on for a very distance. I knew that last time I had attended a gig at Malahide Castle there were queues from both directions and as I approached the entrance I saw another queue coming in the opposite direction, and then a third queue with a different access point. The first of the "new" queues was perhaps a tenth of the length of the one I had walked by and I joined it just a few minutes before they opened the gates around 15 minutes before the advertised opening at 5.
​
A quick trip to merchandise and then on into the front standing section. I chose to be left of centre as I had been right of centre the last time I saw them in Belfast a couple of years ago.
​
The pain in the back soon returned and seemed to be worse than ever. I really could not see myself "surviving" in that ;position for nearly 6 hours. And it did not get any better. I stuck with it though, just moving to the other side of the stage for the encore. I was due back at the same venue the following evening for Neil Young supported by Van Morrison, but I really could not see myself suffering like that again and ended up giving that gig a miss.
The Raven Age
Malahide Castle
25 June 2025
Halestorm
Malahide Castle
25 June 2025
Iron Maiden
Malahide Castle
25 June 2025
Alright...
6pm and my fingers start going white with cold. It's 22 degrees. Celsius, not Fahrenheit. Should have brought some gloves
Today is the 40th anniversary of Live Aid, and my t-shirt from the day had a very rare outing. Indeed I don't think I've worn this one for 30 years or so. I have another that I picked up in the months following Live Aid somewhere, and that certainly has more wear than this one The one I bought on the day says "I Was There" on the back, the later one does not. This one has not been washed too often and retains some "character" from the 80s and 90s. Well certainly some marks from something I cannot immediately recognise.
​
I had a chance to see Supergrass in May but that one was the day after The Scissor Sisters and I didn't think my body was fit enough for 2 standing gigs in quick succession.
This was my first visit to the 5,000 capacity outdoor venue of Iveagh Gardens, in the middle of Dublin. And I was there 15 mins or so before the gates opened allowing me to get a place at the front barrier hoping that will be kinder to my back than freestanding a body or two back.
I was stood beside 2 teenagers at the barrier. Unfortunately the one right beside me slumped onto the barrier between the support act and headliners. I initially thought he was messing about with his friend. Alas that was not the case and I helped lower him slowly down on the matting protecting the grass underneath.
We got the attention of security and he was lifted over the barrier and medical support arrived and took him to the medical tent.
I was a bit surprised when he returned just before Supergrass entered the stage. Alas he was clearly not right and some time later security once again had to lift him over the barrier. He did not return this time and his friend also made his way to the medical tent. Hopefully he will be alright.
It may be another decade before the t-shirt sees the light of day again. Equally I may no longer be around to model it by then, so maybe it needs to be displayed on other occasions.
Matt MacManamon
Iveagh Gardens, Dublin
13 July 2025
Supergrass
Iveagh Gardens, Dublin
14 July 2025
Who the F*#! is Alice?
A certain Alice in Cardiff. First time I saw him was in 1986, on 2 successive nights at Manchester Apollo.
Then I saw him in Manchester Arena shortly before the pandemic, and again in 2022. Scarborough Open Air Theatre was the venue for the Hollywood Vampires in 2023, then another 2-night run in Birmingham and Manchester last year.
Tonight in Cardiff makes it 7 times in total, each with at least one camera, although the second night in 1986 did not turn out well on that front.
The support was Bobbie Dazzle, who portrayed herself as a glam rock throwback. Only one album to date, and I thought she was OK, with definite potential. I would have liked her to do a cover of at least one of the many 70s glam rock anthems to form a better view on potential, but the nearest we got was a cover of a lesser-known early ABBA number.
Part way through the set she relayed the news that Ozzy had died. In so many ways unsurprising given the life he had lived and his well-documented health issues. However, it was shocking to hear this less than 3 weeks since he had played a farewell Black Sabbath gig at Villa Park in Birmingham.
As I was wearing my VIP lanyard I was a bit surprised when I was approached by security to put a white wristband on. It did become clearer when many from the front row stood up at the front barrier for the support. It seemed only those in the front 2 rows would be allowed to do so and I was in the second row. I stayed at my seat for the support but took a place just left of centre and second from the barrier for the main man. It was clear that a lot more than those front two rows were standing. Some were eventually moved on but quite a few had blagged wristbands. Not that it mattered to me once I took my own place.
The Alice show was a variation on the one I had seen on successive evenings last year. Almost all the same props, but a variation of the setlist. There was no US election this time, and indeed any boa constrictor remained caged. A good and enjoyable show as always.
Bobbie Dazzle
The International Arena, Cardiff
22 July 2025
Alice Cooper
The International Arena, Cardiff
22 July 2025
I walked over a mile back to my hotel tuning into the football news on the way.
The Lionesses had equalised in the 6th of 7 stoppage time minutes in the Euro semi-final against Italy. It was still 1-1 when I logged onto the BBC website with 28 minutes of extra time on the clock. Next time I checked they were halfway through 3 additional minutes and England had missed a penalty but scored from the follow up. Shortly thereafter their place in Sunday's final was confirmed.
On getting back to the hotel I discovered I had put a second bottle of beta blockers in my bag instead of my painkillers/sleeping tablets. Going to be an interesting few nights...
Pretty much zero sleep facilitated an early start and driving round the birthplace of Heavy Metal, Birmingham, before rush hour traffic ground to a halt.
5 hours to get to Scarborough and a venue I had only attended once before when David Bairstow was the Yorkshire wicketkeeper. That would have been 40 years or more ago. Today at Scarborough cricket ground it was Jonny Bairstow who is both wicketkeeper and captain in a match against county championship leaders Surrey. Of course, Yorkshire are without the top two batsmen in the World with Harry Brook and Joe Root representing England on the other side of the Pennines at Old Trafford. Alas a rain delayed start, but it did mean I was there well ahead of that 1pm start. And there was some irony when my priority was to buy a sun hat. I managed to see Captain Bairstow complete his half century but after perhaps 90 minutes or so the sun hat showed itself to be superfluous with rain returning and no further play possible during the day.
Then it was back to Scarborough Open Air Theatre. Black Sabbath were the forefront of the Heavy Metal genre, but another Birmingham band followed closely behind. Tonight, it's Judas Priest with an expectation of some tribute to Ozzy. And the penultimate number in the main set was perfect for the occasion. Giants in the Sky.
In support we had Phil Campbell and The Bastard Sons, so we also had a bit of Lemmy and Motorhead thrown into the occasion.
Alas many present went a bit far in commemorating the occasion. Some were incapable of holding their beer in their hands, others incapable of holding it in their stomach. We had beer flying through air and puke propelled to the ground. I seem to be getting in the habit of getting being caught up in rowdy behaviour. Others had enough and lashed out before I did something similar. Before long I concluded I was better off out of the action. Probably not doing my heart any favours with a couple of peaks hit as bodies bounced into me. Need to have a rethink on certain standing events.
Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons
Scarborough Open Air Theatre
23 July 2025
Judas Priest
Scarborough Open Air Theatre
23 July 2025
The calm between the storms
A better night's sleep followed. At least 5 hours and I had also taken a nap in the car in Scarborough.
I was staying at a motorway service station at the M18/M180 interchange providing a relatively straightforward drive to Grimsby on the Thursday. Tonight, it's the Grimsby Auditorium. The front row no less, facilitating a much less stressful evening with Jools Holland and his Rhythm and Blues Orchestra. A glance around the foyer as well as the auditorium and I think I may have been the only one in attendance sporting a Judas Priest hoodie...
The show was excellent, and we were treated to 3 songs from Chris Difford as well as a regular in Ruby Turner and two other vocalists along with Jools on piano with his orchestra fielding another 15 musicians.
Jools Holland & his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra
The Auditorium, Grimsby
24 July 2025
Here I Go Again
​
The following morning it was a drive down to my next hotel at the M4 services at Reading, knowing I only needed to be there mid-afternoon as check-in was from 3pm. I originally planned on getting a train into London from Reading.
​
As I set off towards the station I decided to change plans as the train would cost £60 or more and parking plus travel within London may take the total cost to nearer £100.
When I bought my first car I would get to Wembley by parking up at Canons Park and getting the tube for the 3 stops to the station. Both are on the Jubilee Line, as is the O2 Arena station at North Greenwich. I therefore decided to head on to Canons Park. It would involve quite a long journey on the Tube, but no changes were required.
Then there were delays on the M4 as it approached the M25, and signs indicated a further 1-hour delay on the M25. I did not know which way, but I could a could avoid the M25, and head in from not too far from Wembley itself. What I did not know was Oasis were playing Wembley Stadium that night.
Further delays ensued but I did have time to spare. Parking and the Tube fare came to less than £25, so overall not a bad decision, and few Oasis fans had similar plans to my own.
Support was again Phil Campbell, although all three setlists for the evening were trimmed back due to time limitations.
Onto Alice and the likes of Cold Ethyl remained in the freezer. However we were treated to Paranoid in memory of Ozzy, and Johnny Depp turned up for that as well as School's Out when we also had appearances from the 3 remaining members of the original Alice Cooper Band. Alas the additional musicians did cause a little confusion when Alice forgot to introduce Nita Strauss to the audience.
This show surpassed Tuesday's and would leave a challenge for Rob and the others to match it.
During Alice people stood at the barrier with no challenge meaning the walkways were also thronged. Everyone but those in the front row were cleared ahead of Judas Priest providing me with an excellent view from the 5th row for the deemed headliner.
Alice had been limited to an hour or so and Judas Priest ended up with about 80 minutes. The overall experience was excellent. A massive improvement on Wednesday. I would still classify Alice as the better all-round show, but my faith in Judas Priest was restored.
When it came to their final song, Living after Midnight, original guitarist Glenn Tipton came on stage and played. He was diagnosed with Parkinson's 17 years ago and his health is clearly very poor. I was not surprised to see him though as he has remained a member of the band, but not touring, and he had made a similar appearance in Birmingham last year. Equally, I would not be surprised if this turns out to be his last appearance playing live with the band.
All in all, a great show featuring two of my all-time favourites.
Phil Campbell and the Bastard Sons
The O2, London
25 July 2025
Alice Cooper
The O2, London
25 July 2025
Judas Priest
The O2, London
25 July 2025
Saturday and it was back into London, this time parking up well away from Wembley, at Hounslow West. Only a dozen or so parking spaces left when I arrived shortly after 9, but I only needed one! And all the better, it was free on Saturday and Sunday. A prompt departure back towards the M4 and my overnight ferry from Pembroke Dock was pretty much assured.
What was today's act? Just For One Day, the Live Aid West End show, celebrating the 40th anniversary of my day at Wembley in July 1985.
Across the 5 nights away I probably averaged quite a bit less than 4 hours sleep a night and was certainly ready for bed when I got home around 8am, but there was that cricket Test Match concluding in Manchester, then the Belgium Grand Prix to watch ahead of the European final from Switzerland. And the Lionesses had to come back from behind, and playing 120 minutes before putting us through another penalty decider. But they won, making it a fantastic conclusion to a fabulous week. 28 hours and 24 minutes driving 1,824km at 7.1 litres per 100km. One refuel was required. £1.699 per litre at the motorway services, but I saved over £20 by turning off to a nearby Tesco that was selling diesel at £1.399, plus, of course, some Clubcard points.