by Andrew Tillett

I loved the gig. For me, the highlights were "Message to My Girl" on piano, where I cried, "Private Universe" (i like that song now), "Not the Girl You Think You Are," Locked Out" on bass (along with "Loose Tongue") and "I Got You."

"I Got You" was particularly fantastic, it had more of a guitar sound than anything else. I mean the keyboards weren't as obvious as they are in the record. When it came on I got up and jumped around, nearly collecting the people in front of me and behind me and joining in on the chorus, as was the 40-year-old next to me (I'm only 17).

Neil spoke about the birth of "Tokyo" as a song (visting Mr Hoto, seeing the pot etc) and working the guy's recording studio and during "Fall at Your Feet" he made a crack about the rest of the band being backstage and having a joint, to which someone in the crowd yelled out "Some friends they are."

He told a little story about him, Nick, and Paul in an elevator in Germany and how they waited for five minutes going nowhere. It was 'cos they were waiting for the tour manager to press the button. This was going on while Neil was looking for his guitar. When this roadie came onto fix his stand, Neil also said something like "We don't usually see a roadie so soon into a Crowded-- a solo tour. Nearly slipped."

Neil also told a story of how coming up to Newcastle in the van he got pelted with 6 eggs by Michael, Robert and Liam in the next van. The tradition lives!

In all, a great night, the support was brilliant, Liam won his fair share of babes (He's only 14!), Crombie's lights were great and Neil was in great form, with a nice suit to match. However, I think he lacks an extra harmony singer. While the keyboardist is good, they really needs someone else to back up Neil. For me the best songs were those where Michael Barker played guitar and had a sing with Neil.