Now as all the seats where purchased at around the same date, why were there lots of empty seats all around us when the CH came on at 8.45pm? Are CH fans so pre-occupied with the bar, or had the ticket touts got on the mailing list too? Anyway as soon as the band came on there was a rush of fans down the aisle to the front. Fortunatley (as will become clear) we did not follow....
The band were all wearing coloured suits, a bit like the gear they wore on most of the Woodface dates in the UK. The set was a row of windows made to look like windows in a round room on a purple background. On either side of the stage there were large flower pots with fake? flower!!
They sarted with Whispers & Moans followed by There Goes God. The next song Kare Kare sounded much more mysterious live and it has made me appreciate this song much more. The fans which had run down the aisles to the front were by now being hassled by security. Those who refused to move back to there seats were forcibly moved and a few when chucked out of the theatre. This did not go unnoticed by the band. Neil told the crowd to ignore the security, and that if they wanted to stand at the front then it was ok with him. The set continued with Private Universe (my favourite track from TA) and then In My Command and World Where You Live. At this point Paul showed us his pint cup of tea that he'd been drinking and then announced that he was dying for a piss ! While Paul dashed off stage Neil took over the drums and sang to his only drum beat (Neil's words) Where Is Love from the musical Oliver!
On Paul's return they continued with Love You 'Till The Day I Die, Don't Dream It's Over and Locked Out. The crowd were still being hassled by security, so Neil and Nick decided to kiss one of them, to try to lighten them up!! Despite this the band seem to be enjoying themselves and were joking amongst themselves. However there were no words from Mark Hart.
Next was Fingers Of Love followed by Weather With You, which went for ages with a lot of audience participation. The theatre was really buzzing by now, so Distant Sun, It's Only Natural and When You Come seemed appropiate to finish the set with.
Obviously we thought that there was no way that this was it. So after a lot of shouting and clapping, and quite a long wait the band reappeared. Neil and Mark began playing Walking On The Spot whilst Nick and Paul slow danced around the stage! Then the familiar snare drum came to the front of the stage and after a cartwheel from Paul we had Sister Madly and Italian Plastic.
At this point Paul picked up a paper aeroplane which had landed on the stage. He was quite suprised to find that it mentioned Angorran Goats. Paul and Neil then told us the story about how when they first started making money in SE they invested it all in Angorran Goats (and that was the last they saw of it!) (Does anyone else know any more about this story?). With the mention of the word SE someone shouted out SE and then Neil played part of a song which has the line "Letters to my friends, tell them about Split Enz".(Any ideas anyone ?). The band then finished with Pineapple Head, Mean To Me, and Fall At Your Feet.
Wot no second encore ? No new single ? No Chocolate Cake ? The lights came on TA began playing on the PA and we left slightly shocked. There were so many great live songs they did not play, the set could easily had gone on for another hour (I'm dreaming, wake up!). Anyway still a great show, when are they coming back ? (Don't anyone mention the gig at the Forum this Sunday which was completely sold out before I could buy any tickets!).