Martin Turner’s Wishbone Ash – Halifax Square Chapel – 9 October 2010

This was my first visit for a gig to this great little venue; previous visits were for a couple of beer festivals and a Christmas production. It was all a little surreal to be quite honest and reminded me a bit of early BBC music recording you see every so often where everyone is sat down and applaud nicely at the end.

When we arrived we were shown to the bar area and a bell was rung five minutes or so before the start of the performance, then we were shown upstairs. There is no stage at the Square Chapel, so the first two rows were sat on the same level as the band with the rest then tiered behind. We had a great view on the second row.
The band came out to dead silence (first time I think I’ve experienced that at a gig) and opened with The King Will Come, there was applause at the end of each track and gradually the barrier between band and audience broke down. The set continued with Errors of my Way, Rock ‘n’ Roll Widow, Haunting Me, Fire Sign, In the Skin and Way of the World. Then there was an interlude. Now this felt a bit strange, but perhaps its an age thing but I was grateful for the chance to have a 'gypsies kiss' and get another pint. The second set opened with Lost Cause in Paradise and continued with Ballad of the Beacon, Ships in the Sky, Broken Down House, FUBB, and then finished with three classics from Argus – Warrior, Throw Down the Sword and Blowin’ Free. By now the still seated crowd were making enough noise to get the band back for an encore of Jailbait and Living Proof (I might have got this one wrong). The gig started at about 7:45 and was over by 10:00 including the break. Nice to get home at a sensible time. The the musicianship was great throughout. The band are a really tight unit and Martin’s vocals were great, even though he said he’d had a cold earlier in the week. I managed to get my copy of Argus signed by Mr Turner as well.
If we had a poll for the most civilised gig of the year I think this would take some beating.
NH

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