Gig Review: Manics, Charlatans & Ash – Audley End
Some gigs just land perfectly – good(ish) weather, great company, and a triple bill that reads like your mid 20s CD collection. Audley End, still the best outdoor venue in the country, once again came up trumps. The view: immaculate. The vibes: impeccable. The car park exit: an endurance event. With Hammy and Andy Phillips.
Chris Moyles
Chris Moyles kicked things off with his usual mix of “remember me?” energy and a few bangers from his Now Party and Indie Mix compilations. He’s like the rich kid at school who buys everyone crisps from the tuck shop in a desperate bid to be liked. Lots of running around the stage, lots of button-pressing, not a lot else. Felt like someone trying to DJ their own wedding reception whilst searching for any links to relevance.
Ash
Ash were first up properly. Fourth time I’ve seen them, I think. Once or twice at Glastonbury in ’97 (memories foggy, likely due to warm cider and poor choices), and once supporting The Darkness at Wembley in 2004. You know the score with Ash: when they go in on 1977, it still absolutely flies. “Kung Fu”, “Goldfinger”, “Girl From Mars” – teenage dream stuff. Simple, loud, brilliant.
The Charlatans
Next, The Charlatans – second time seeing them after a strange but excellent day at Finsbury Park in 2004 with Realo and a couple of the Shevlins. They supported Bob Dylan and had Ronnie Wood guesting on guitar. I mean, that sentence alone sounds like it was made up in a pub, probably the one opposite the park where Realo, Big Shevvy and me sat whilst young Shevvy went ahead to watch Billy Bragg. But that was another day many moons ago.
I’m not as deep into The Charlatans catalogue as some, but they’re always worth your time. Tim Burgess floats across the stage like a cross between a monk and a mod and somehow makes it work.
Girl from Mars
One to Another
The Manics
And then the main event: Manic Street Preachers. Just ridiculous. From the moment they walk on, it’s full pelt. They play like every gig might be their last – all fire and fury and fists in the air. James Dean Bradfield remains one of the great underrated frontmen – voice like a chainsaw wrapped in velvet – and Nicky Wire looked like he was halfway to another planet. “Motorcycle Emptiness”, a great cover of Blondie’s “Union City Blues”, “Design for Life” – all spine-tingling. Just… proper. Only issue for me is that they didn’t play “Everything Must Go” as I adore that album. I didn’t sulk. For long…
Darren Rawnsley Sighting + Curry Night Confirmed
Extra Highlight: bumping into old mate Darren Rawnsley. One of those blokes who’s always mid anecdote and never without a fantastic tale to spin. We had a proper catch-up, sorted the world out in ten minutes, and – obviously – locked in another long-overdue curry night that’ll probably end up being eight pints and a honey chili chicken.
Car Park Chaos
Getting out of the car park was – once again – an exercise in British patience and silent road rage. Stewards being shouted at by idiots, you know the ones, pointing at badges on their over priced jumpers whilst intimidating youngsters just trying to earn a few quid. .
Australia
Design for Life
If You Tolerate…
Verdict:
A cracking night. Great bands, great setting, solid mates, and just enough chaos and cider to keep it interesting. Moyles brought the snacks, Ash brought the nostalgia, the Charlatans brought the charm, and the Manics blew the roof off the lawn.
Toilet queue politics, curry club reunions, and a car park escape worthy of Wacky Races. What more do you want?
| Ash | The Charlatans | Manic Street Preachers |
|---|---|---|
| A Life Less Ordinary | Weirdo | Motorcycle Emptiness |
| Angel Interceptor | North Country Boy | Enola/Alone |
| Orpheus | Can’t Get Out of Bed | You Stole the Sun From My Heart |
| Goldfinger | Here Comes a Soul Saver | Decline & Fall |
| Confessions in the Pool | Just When You’re Thinkin’ Things Over | La tristesse durera |
| Shining Light | Toothache | Australia |
| Oh Yeah | We Are Love | Hiding in Plain Sight |
| Give Me Back My World | I Don’t Want to See the Sights | Union City Blue |
| Braindead | One to Another | Autumnsong |
| Kung Fu | Impossible | A Design for Life |
| Jump in the Line | The Only One I Know | This Is Yesterday |
| Girl From Mars | How High | The Everlasting |
| Sproston Green | From Despair to Where | |
| Walk Me to the Bridge | ||
| Ocean Spray | ||
| Your Love Alone Is Not Enough | ||
| She Is Suffering | ||
| You Love Us | ||
| If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next |
