There are some concerts which just stand out, where everything comes together perfectly and the team are in sync, this evening was one of those. The day started in customary fashion, with me on the phone to the local tennis club, blagging my way in etc. It was the David Lloyd club in South Gosforth today and they were more than happy to accept Danny and I as soon as I mentioned the hotel. We were driven there in Gunther's Hybrid S'Class Mercedes and found the club to be a delight. Friendly staff and beautiful courts. It was very hot though since the heatwave that the British Isles is experiencing seems to be in full swing. We made sure our fluid intake was adequate as there isn't much worse than doing a show with mild heatstroke. Back to the hotel after sweating it out for an hour and then we were driven along the quayside to the arena for sound check.



Driver team B - Gunther, Eike......



...and Bob



As much as we loved playing at the City hall, the crew hated the load in/out and it always seemed a shame that only just over a thousand people could get in. The Arena is certainly cavernous and potentially difficult in terms of sound but we managed to sell six and a half thousand tickets and by all accounts, Dave Dixon should be proud of the out front sound once again.

Dave Hall, Cod and Mr. Saggers



The tennis induced dressing room nap..





We took to the stage just after eight o'clock and it wasn't long before the band was aware of what a good show it was going to be. There were a couple of 'Geordie' set changes and as the evening progressed, we could feel the atmosphere and excitement level in the hall growing. During the play-out of the penultimate number I looked up towards Mark and saw that he'd left his stool and was strutting the stage with his Les Paul. It bought a huge smile to my face as it's the first time he's stood during the show since the injury, way back in Chicago. He's definitely improving but wisely taking it steadily. As we have done every night since then, we toasted the audience with what I thought could easily be mistaken for Newcastle Brown ale but was in fact a new dressing room favourite, Black Sheep.



As always in Newcastle, there were many friends and guests at the show and subsequent after-show party so the band had a quick drink in the dressing room, chatted about the show and wandered in to meet everyone. It was lovely to see Brendan Croker and Steve Phillips again. Then it was back to the bar at the hotel du vin, which we all expected to be 'heaving' but was in fact completely deserted. This suited us perfectly so we had a few more drinks and continued our dressing room conversations about the gig, the tour, the amazing crew, in fact, the whole team. I think the show tonight illustrated many things to us, one of which is that although each and every show of late, the band seems to be improving, the feeling came over me that we are only just really beginning. I'm talking about the way the arrangements are evolving and the way each and every one in the band plays off each other in a way none of us have experienced before. I could run through the set tonight and talk about many great musical moments in each but I know there are plenty of folks out there who have yet to see the show and like to be surprised by the setlist.

Of course, it's not just about the band, it's the crew boys who enable us to get there each night. Clearly Dave is doing an amazing job with the FOH sound but Kerry Lewis gives us mixes which are quite simply perfect...and getting better! quite how he does this, none of us really know. Glenn, TC, Alfie and Kevin continue to ensure the show runs as smooth as silk, no mean feat considering everything that is going on when those lights dim between songs.