Kaiser Chiefs - 2007-02-21 - Manchester Apollo, UK

This was the first time I'd seen the Kaiser Chiefs and I think the recording turned out pretty good considering it was not exactly the best-sounding gig I've ever heard at the Apollo. There was way too much bass present throughout the show and they experienced several on-stage mic problems. Fortunately, my mics hear better than me!

(Actually, come to think of it, the sound quality at each of the Kaiser Chiefs shows I've attended has been less than spectacular.)

This was the first night of their Spring 2007 tour - and it showed. The new songs were (not surprisingly) nowhere near as polished as the old stuff, though they had improved considerably by the time I saw them later the same year at the MEN Arena (which I didn't record).

Kaiser Chiefs - 2007-02-21 - Manchester Apollo, UK - FLAC
357MB RAR archive, FLAC format

Kaiser Chiefs - 2007-02-21 - Manchester Apollo, UK - MP3
111MB RAR archive, variable bit rate MP3s (min. 245 kbps)

Setlist:

01. Ruby
02. Saturday Night
03. Every Day I Love You Less And Less
04. Heat Dies Down
05. Thank You Very Much
06. Born To Be A Dancer
07. Modern Way
08. High Royds
09. My Kind Of Guy
10. Everything Is Average Nowadays
11. I Predict A Riot
12. The Angry Mob
13. Retirement
14. -encore break-
15. Na Na Na Na Naa
16. Oh My God

(Picture courtesy of Shirlaine Forrest)

(Download links updated on 27th January, 2013)

The Specials - 2009-05-04 - Manchester Apollo, UK

This was yet another fantastic show by the boys. They were on top form again, maybe even surpassing the previous night's performance (they played exactly the same setlist). One thing that did improve was the sound mix of the instruments and vocals. Along with a pretty quiet audience in my immediate vicinity, this helped produce a much cleaner recording than my Sunday effort.

Once again I've got to state - how the hell I managed to keep my feet still for almost 90 minutes, I'll never know! This band just make me want to dance! However, helping to preserve their awesome musical legacy was my goal, so hopefully I've done it justice.

This recording is dedicated to all the moderators who do a great job over at The Specials forums (accessed via http://www.thespecials2.com/), especially Mike and Paul who have more than helped to keep the band alive during their rather lengthy sabbatical. Cheers guys.

I've not stopped playing this one since the show. It really is that awesome! Crank it up and dance!

The Specials - 2009-05-04 - Manchester Apollo, UK - MP3
145MB RAR archive, variable bit rate MP3s (min. 245 kbps)

Setlist:

01. Intro
02. Do The Dog
03. (Dawning Of A) New Era
04. Gangsters
05. It's Up To You
06. Rat Race
07. Monkey Man
08. Blank Expression
09. Too Hot
10. Doesn't Make It Alright
11. Concrete Jungle
12. Friday Night, Saturday Morning
13. Stereotype
14. Man At C&A
15. A Message To You Rudy
16. Do Nothing
17. Hey Little Rich Girl
18. Little Bitch
19. Nite Klub
20. You're Wondering Now
21. Ghost Town
22. -encore break-
23. Too Much Too Young
24. Long Shot Kick The Bucket
25. Liquidator
26. Skinhead Moonstomp
27. Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think)

(Download link updated on 27th January, 2013)

The Specials - 2009-05-03 - Manchester Apollo, UK

Well, what can I say? What a truly magnificent show. The band were on top form, the audience were simply superb, and EVERYONE enjoyed themselves. This is the recording that I'd always dreamed of making and, thankfully, I think I've done it justice. How I managed to keep my feet still for almost 90 minutes, I'll never know!

I'd like to dedicate this recording to Pete Chambers for his unerring ability to keep the memory of this great band alive over the years. Cheers Pete.

Shortly after making this recording public for the first time I discovered that it had been bootlegged and offered for sale in several places. Although there's nothing I can do about it after the event, it still pisses me off. Please share what you download. Keep the music free or people like me may stop sharing these coveted recordings.

Enjoy yourself, it's later than you think. :-)

The Specials - 2009-05-03 - Manchester Apollo, UK - MP3
146MB RAR archive, variable bit rate MP3s (min. 245 kbps)

Setlist:

01. Intro
02. Do The Dog
03. (Dawning Of A) New Era
04. Gangsters
05. It's Up To You
06. Rat Race
07. Monkey Man
08. Blank Expression
09. Too Hot
10. Doesn't Make It Alright
11. Concrete Jungle
12. Friday Night, Saturday Morning
13. Stereotype
14. Man At C&A
15. A Message To You Rudy
16. Do Nothing
17. Hey Little Rich Girl
18. Little Bitch
19. Nite Klub
20. You're Wondering Now
21. Ghost Town
22. -encore break-
23. Too Much Too Young
24. Long Shot Kick The Bucket
25. Liquidator
26. Skinhead Moonstomp
27. Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think)

(Download link updated on 27th January, 2013)

Madness - 2008-12-18 - Manchester Central, UK

Manchester Central (formerly G-MEX) is an ex-railway station of aircraft hangar proportions.

The crowd were in high, pre-Christmas spirits, so I opted for a position further back than I normally would have chosen, but still central to the stage.

The sound where I was stood was great and the surrounding crowd weren't too noisy (apart from my wife who had a sneezing fit at the start of The Sun & The Rain!).

Madness - 2008-12-18 - Manchester Central, UK - MP3
167MB RAR archive, variable bit rate MP3s (min. 245 kbps)

Setlist:

01. One Step Beyond
02. Embarrassment
03. Dust Devil
04. NW5
05. Grey Day
06. The Sun and the Rain
07. The Prince
08. Clerkenwell Polka
09. My Girl
10. Return of the Los Palmas 7
11. Sugar and Spice
12. I Chase the Devil
13. Bed and Breakfast Man
14. Shut Up!
15. Forever Young
16. Lovestruck
17. The Liberty of Norton Folgate
18. House of Fun
19. Wings of a Dove
20. Baggy Trousers
21. Our House
22. It Must Be Love
23. <encore break>
24. Madness
25. Night Boat to Cairo

(Download link updated on 27th January, 2013)

More Recordings of The Specials?

People have been asking if I will be recording any more Specials shows after my Manchester recordings turned out so well. The answer is a resounding YES! All being well, I will be recording the Blackpool show in November. Watch this space .....

Next up will be my 2 x Specials recordings from Manchester Apollo in May, followed by my Madness recording from Manchester Central last December.