Here's an email review of a Sidebottom gig from September 1993.
Date: Sat, 25 Sep 1993 22:32:24 +0100 (BST)
From: Drew Radtke
Subject: "Frank Sidebottom & His Band Go Shopping and Play Live"
To: sidebottom-l@bradford.ac.uk (Frank Sidebottom List)
Well I trotted off to the Arndale Centre in Manchester today to see Frank. There were two shows, one at 2pm, and another at 4pm. There really was no 'Big Band' (that must have been a mistake in the billing), and I didn't see him do any shopping, but it was a worthwhile trip, bearing in mind he did, overall, a long set, and against my expectations, he didn't just repeat the same show twice. It was free as well.
I was going to take notes, but I forgot, hence I've no detailled track list. But, among others, he did `Hit the North', `Panic', `Indie Medley', `GWBOMOTD', `Oh Blimey It's Christmas', `Material Boy', `Anarchy in Timperley', `Born In Timperley', `Timperley Sunset', `I Should be so Lucky'... oh loads really.
I would say the 2pm show was better; there was a larger audience and Frank did more links and stories. The second show he more or less just did one track after another.
But: I managed to get a COM 15; annoyingly Frank's Fan Club has not send me one yet even though it patently came out in about May this year.
Apparently he's got a new manager, and also the Shed Show has been bought by all ITV regions, although it's not been shown by them all yet. Most excitingly, and extraordinarily, there appears to be another series being planned! I may call YTV and try and find out more about this, and see if tickets are available, etc. They've also sold it to Namibian TV?!?!
On the merchandising front; no hint of new records, but 11:37 are planning to re-release all his old LPs on CD etc; which is good. I also have got two very stylish enamel badges, one of Frank in a policeman's helmet, and another of just his head, with the legend `Crimewatch Timperley' underneath.
Also last night I met a girl called Rachel from Timperley. To quote Frank's mum: 'Where will it all end?'
Cheers,
--
Drew Radtke - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -
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Drew Radtke