MIDGE URE // CAIRD HALL, DUNDEE
MIDGE URE, THE CHRISTIANS AND CLARE GROGAN TAKE ON DUNDEE CAIRD HALL'S STAGE.
MIDGE URE PERFORMING AT CAIRD HALL, DUNDEE - 23/10/2017
PICTURE BY: CHRIS SCOTT PHOTOGRAPHY
★★★☆☆
I went to this gig with an open mind. The 80’s was my era growing up, it was breakthrough of modern music and the electronic era.
First on was Altered Images fronted by the bubbly Clare Grogan who has forged a career out of her incredible personality and is of course known for her role in the classic Scottish film Gregory’s Girl. Clare seemed to relish being back on tour, rattling off tunes like “I could be Happy” and the song they are best known for “Happy Birthday”
The band had only been together 2 weeks and were pretty good, a couple of technical hitches and a wee mistake by the lively front gal were easily handled well and they carried on with good humour and professionalism.
It was cheesy 80’s revisited and to be honest, the crowd just loved her. They knew what they were there for and weren’t disappointed. I thought the backing singer Polly was really good, providing some really nice harmonies.
Next on was The Christians, 80’s band from Liverpool fronted by Garry Christian, the only original member of the band were really neat and tidy. A true performing band that have not changed with the times, but have a timeless place in music.
Hits like “Ideal World” and “Harvest for the World” went down well with the crowd, who seemed to have a real love for this band. Why you may ask and the answer is simple. It’s due to them coming across as a grass roots hard working band, sticking to what they do best. A band who are just as good live as they are in the studio and who will always do well down to raw talent, love for music, dedication to their art and not just riding the fame train.
Some really powerful vocals from the front man, who tried his best to wake up a pretty quiet audience with typical Scouse humour, that sank quicker than the Titanic on a lost audience.
They came across well and as a music fan, if I had never of heard of them and went to see them, I would have been a happy gig goer.
Last on the night was Midge Ure who of course was the front man for the world-renowned band Ultravox back in the day. If anyone who calls themselves a music lover and doesn’t know tunes like Vienna, well they really don’t understand the term music lovers.
Midge started off with “Yellow Pearl/Stranger” and even into the 3rd song “If I was” it was taking a while for this classic artist to get into his stride.
Then the classic “Fade to Grey” came on and it was like someone not only switched a light on with the audience, but onstage as well came alive.
Everyone was on their feet, singing along, dancing in the aisles, to this classic tune and that was it. It really became a different gig and a hugely enjoyable experience, seeing Midge Ure, being Midge Ure. I do believe the crowd had a lot to do with the empty atmosphere at the beginning, but when you hear tunes like “Vienna” live for the first time, it really is a special moment.
Other notable classics that got the crowd on their feet were “Hymn” and “Dancing with Tears” The night ended with everyone on their feet and it felt like a proper gig at the end.
All in all when you look at value for money when you think you are getting some of the all-time pioneers of music, bands that have sold millions of albums and fond memories for less than £40 then it is really good value for money. Overall, I would say the evening for me was a 3/5 rating.
TOUR CONTINUES:
Tues October 24th 2017 - GATESHEAD The Sage
Wed October 25th 2017 - MANCHESTER Opera House
Thurs October 27th 2017 - DARTFORD Orchard House
Fri October 28th 2017 - BASINGSTOKE The Anvil
Sat October 29th 2017 - SHEFFIELD City and Memorial Hall
Tues October 31st 2017 - HALIFAX Victoria Theatre
Wed November 1st 2017 - BUXTON Opera House
Thurs November 2nd 2017 - BIRMINGHAM Town Hall
Fri November 3rd 2017 - YORK Grand Opera House
Sat November 4th 2017 - SOUTHPORT Theatre
Sun November 5th 2017 - BLACKPOOL Grand Theatre
Tues November 7th 2017 - LONDON O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire
Wed November 8th 2017 - TORQUAY Princess Theatre
Thurs November 9th 2017 - PORTSMOUTH Guildhall Theatre
Fri November 10th 2017 - SALISBURY City Hall
Sat November 11th 2017 - TRURO Hall For Cornwall
Tues November 14th 2017 - NOTTINGHAM Royal Concert Hall
Wed November 15th 2017 - EASTBOURNE Devonshire Theatre
Fri November 17th 2017 - ST. ALBANS The Alban Arena