pixs courtesy of Vinny.

The Empire - Belfast 16th December 2000

Arthur writes :-

I finished work last night at around 6pm. Some Sat nights I go down to the Empire as friends of mine play in a covers band and they play in the downstairs bar most Sat's and occasionally play upstairs. They do a broad set covering all the classics - The Beatles Stones and of course the Undertones - Teenage Kicks. So it wasn't that unusual for me to be there - but what was a little strange was seeing yer actual living legends performing again in a relatively small venue.

I'd say that the place was virtually sold out - it seemed packed enough which was a relief because I have not seen a poster for the gig. The atmosphere was a little subdued - basically a crowd of people had come along - a minority of whom were fans and the rest were standing back saying come on then Impress Me.

I met the John O'Neill (gtu) beforehand and he was his usual charming and lovely self. Note; Time Out have said that The Undertones without Feargal are not the genuine article. So come Monday - show them who is wrong. Anyway the support band came on - an interesting spikey angular band who made an angry but entertaining noise. There was as usual the gap at the front between the stage and the crowd.

Now it was time for the men - a tape of classic late 70s and early 80's songs came on which included Magazine's - Shot by Both Sides and strangely SLF. Suddenly the men were on stage - there was still a gap in front of the stage. Ten seconds later - there wasn't as the first bars of Jimmy - Jimmy rang out. I of course tried my best to pogo(difficult with the bad knee) and stayed for Family Entertainment and of course You've Got My Number when I was joined by Vinny Cunningham who seems to be getting bigger.

Billy Doherty (dtu) was using a click track which was not programmed to coincide with the set list which lead to a few entertaining diversions -they introduced one song and Billy started True Confessions which he kept on with until the band joined in. I love this sort of thing - it makes bands more human. This sort of continued during the evening and lead to Michael announcing that they were going to have a contest to see how far they could hurl their drummer into the crowd. I tried to stand up for Billy with shouts of Those cymbals sound great but I don't think he heard me.

The set continued and soon the whole place was bopping. It went wild for Teenage Kicks but I thought the best song they did was Soul Seven - although the crowd wanted more boppier stuff - it sounded lovely. The actual sound was ok - I expect it will be better tonight. The thing that impressed me about last night was the fact that although there were a lot of fans there - a good few people were there from curiosity. There was a good mix of people. A lad whom I worked with left ecstatic and he'd never heard of them before and that's got to be good. I was wearing one of Cliff's T-shirts and must have been stopped about 10 times - so tonight I'm going to print out some leaflets with TheUndertones.net on them and distribute them because there is the interest there and these concert's and gigs - brilliant as they are for devotees are also an excellent chance to spread the word. I gotta go to work now - back later.

The Empire - Belfast 17th December 2000

Arthur writes :-

A rainy - miserable Sun night in Belfast. If there's anywhere more depressing (Milton Keynes - Southend perhaps) - I never want to go there. I arrive at the Empire at 8. 30 to find it shut. WE go for a meal and there's absolutely no indication that one of the greatest bands of all time will shortly be appearing next door. What's up with people - don't they know that they're on? The answer would appear to be that they didn't as the venue had approx. 300 people inside.

The atmosphere could best be described as flat. The Undertones ambled onstage and there was a large empty space between the stage and the audience. Michael Bradley quips "We're the Undertones and we install satellite television and for seventy quid you can have the chip to avoid subscription fees. "

Straight into Jimmy - Jimmy and a few hardy souls dance rather self consciously at the front - the way you do when your mates band is playing down the local. I'm trying to dance (Injury Update: I've chipped a bit of bone off my knee) but it's impossible to pogo and so I stand in front of the stage and watch. It's surreal - I'm standing in front of one of the greatest bands of all time - the way you would at your local works do. I watch the playing - Damian's masterful lead guitar work - John's angular rhythm - Mickey's pounding bass - Billy's rock steady drumming and Paul's wonderful singing - stronger and clearer than ever.

I also listen to the songs and it seems that I'm hearing them for the first time - I'm absolutely captivated again. From the urgent thrash of the first album through to the sublime beauty of Julie Ocean - I realize that I'm in the presence of master artisans. If pop music can be considered art then here before me are some of it's greatest exponents. I've one pint of beer all night because something special is happening - a little bit of magic being created by 5 blokes from Derry.

Again Soul Seven - a lesser Undertones song - is a study in pop perfection with Paul's vocal streets ahead of the Sharkey version. It seems strange to say it but I fell in love with music again tonight and I remembered why I've always been an Undertones fan and why I love their music. This is a master class and it keep rolling - Mickey quipping hilariously along - John laughs - Damian and Paul smile and Billy remains a study in concentration with his click track.

A crowd who'd been detached and cold (many kept their coats on) have no choice in the face of such blinding talent but to move. People are grinning - again and again those fantastic tunes keep coming until the ambivalence is turned to exhilaration. Teenage Kicks is played and the crowd goes mental and by the time the last song is played the place is heaving. There are shouts for more and the same encores are played as the previous night. In fact the set was identical.

And all of a sudden - 1. 5 hours have passed and I'm left standing feeling brilliant inside and grinning from ear to ear. An American girl called Debbie wants to know why the place isn't packed - they're absolute legends to her and I can't explain. Maybe Belfast doesn't deserve them. It was a cold - wet miserable night in Belfast. I've worked a very long week and was tired.

At the start of the evening the hall was cold and there was no atmosphere and do you know what I'm still exhilarated - still on a high. I've witnessed something special tonight - pure life affirming joy. I'd like to say - thanks lads - you were magnificent. I only wish I could be in London tomorrow to soak up the atmosphere and experience it all again. You lucky people- you're in for a treat.

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