When you put on a gig which clashes with a major European event
(intentionally or not) - i.e. Champions League Final, and still manage a
sell-out, you’re doing well in my books.
Over in Turkey things seemed to be
hotting – up: in Wrexham it was getting hotter still - under the collar. A
thousand fans packed out the William Aston Hall NEWI to see the Super
Furries play their debut gig in Wrexham.
It took them long enough to get there, almost a decade, with the air full
of promise and expectation. It seemed to take even longer to get to actually
see them.
Due on at 9.15 for 90 minutes, everything was set for a momentous
occasion. Bang on nine o’clock, I took my photo position at stage front.
With a setlist and note book at hand, I prepared my camera settings.
For the next 45 minutes I stood like a ‘nu-nu’ wondering what the hell was
going on. Normally, when there’s a delay, usually for technical reasons,
there’s always an announcement. This protracted time took the interval time
to an unbelievable one hour fifteen minutes.
From my position, I could sense restlessness and annoyance as fans vented their
anger. Eventually they appeared, to be greeted out of relief rather than
genuine appreciation. Were they distracted by events unfolding elsewhere? If
the delay was for non-technical reasons, which it must have been, then the
band were unprofessional, rude and bloody arrogant.
Plodding along for the next three quarters of the set, which was hardly
inspiring by any standard, they barely left first gear. Musically they sounded
very good, with the only real highlight being Gruff Rhys singing with a
helmet on his head, and a track called Frequency. To add to the agony,
the frontman was barely coherent or even audible: all done on a semi-light
stage of back and side lighting.
After song three, I sat in the upper circle bored out of my mind. From a
distance, this could have been any band, as hardly a face was recognisable
on the darkened stage. It all had a very one dimensional feel about it until
they reached the brilliant Juxtaposed With You, probably their
biggest hit to date. Suddenly,the crowd eventually reacted - or was it woke
up?
Now they’re in serious danger of not fitting it all in before the 11pm
curfew. Some quick adjustments, and we’re given an excellent Laser
Beam, Something For The Weekend, Do Or Die, finishing with a storming
The Man Don’t Give A Fuck as the crowd went hysterical during the
choruses. With an abrupt goodbye, they were off.
Chanting for more, the crowd reached fever pitch as the pulsating beats seemed
to herald an immediate return. One minute turned into four minutes: four into
six: six into eight: eight into ten, by which time boos could be heard as
disgusted fans left in droves. Suddenly,the din stopped and the houselights
came on. What,no more after ten years of waiting? Surely not.Oh yes - That’s
the Super Furries for you.
Spotting my press pass, many fans approached me expressing their deep anger
and disappointment at what could only be described as totally disrespectful
behaviour.
Regarded as arguably one of the most significant and high profile events in
the musical history of Wrexham and north Wales, this was a major letdown. For
their patience, did the fans get value for money? Definitely not. Will they get
a public apology? Definitely not. Would I go to see them again? On the evidence
of this: definitely not.
In 1980 I witnessed what I consider to be ‘the worst gig ever’ - Bob Dylan at
the NEC Birmingham. This SFA show now holds the embarrassing title.
As of April 2009, Blu-rays and DVDs reviewed by the editor are watched on a Panasonic TH-37PX80B
37" Plasma TV with a Sony BDP-1500 Blu-ray player and played through a Yamaha DSP-AX820 amplifier.
PC games reviewed by the editor are on:
Since Jan 2011: Intel Quad Core Dell XPS 8100, i7 CPU 860 @ 2.80Ghz, 8Gb RAM, nVidia GeForce GTS 240, Windows 7
Since Nov 2005: Intel Pentium D 830 3.0Ghz, 1Gb RAM, 128Mb nVidia GeForce 6700XL, Windows XP
Since Aug 2003: Intel Pentium 4 2.66Ghz, 512Mb RAM, 128Mb GeForce4 MX440 graphics, Windows XP
Since May 2003: Intel Pentium 4 2.6Ghz, 512Mb RAM, 128Mb ATI Radeon 9600TX graphics, Windows XP
Since Jun 2002: Intel Pentium III 600Mhz, 384Mb RAM, Windows 98 SE, 64Mb ATI Radeon 8500LE
Since May 2000: Intel Pentium III 600Mhz, 384Mb RAM, Windows 98 SE, Voodoo 3 3000 AGP
Rating: *
Due on at 9.15 for 90 minutes, everything was set for a momentous
occasion. Bang on nine o’clock, I took my photo position at stage front.
With a setlist and note book at hand, I prepared my camera settings.
From my position, I could sense restlessness and annoyance as fans vented their
anger. Eventually they appeared, to be greeted out of relief rather than
genuine appreciation. Were they distracted by events unfolding elsewhere? If
the delay was for non-technical reasons, which it must have been, then the
band were unprofessional, rude and bloody arrogant.
After song three, I sat in the upper circle bored out of my mind. From a
distance, this could have been any band, as hardly a face was recognisable
on the darkened stage. It all had a very one dimensional feel about it until
they reached the brilliant Juxtaposed With You, probably their
biggest hit to date. Suddenly,the crowd eventually reacted - or was it woke
up?
Chanting for more, the crowd reached fever pitch as the pulsating beats seemed
to herald an immediate return. One minute turned into four minutes: four into
six: six into eight: eight into ten, by which time boos could be heard as
disgusted fans left in droves. Suddenly,the din stopped and the houselights
came on. What,no more after ten years of waiting? Surely not.Oh yes - That’s
the Super Furries for you.
Regarded as arguably one of the most significant and high profile events in
the musical history of Wrexham and north Wales, this was a major letdown. For
their patience, did the fans get value for money? Definitely not. Will they get
a public apology? Definitely not. Would I go to see them again? On the evidence
of this: definitely not.
Review & concert pics copyright © Elly Roberts, 2004-2010.
