Hop and Grape (is that what it's still called? The Academy 25?), Manchester
"Saturday night/ I feel the air is getting hot/ Pretty baby" as Whigfield used to say. And perhaps still does in some last-days-of-the-career retro tour of Butlins's, such as the one we are booked for immediately after this.
"Oh Manchester" as Morrissey used to say, and looking at it, I know what he means.
The day begins with getting papers and breakfast at the Gemini Cafe just down the road from the University, which is known to Deliver in the world of sausage, eggs and bacon. Naturally breakfast happens at about half past three on account of last night's bar tab, but it's very nice all the same. I am feeling good about tonight because we've played in Manchester a few times before with great success.
The stage is very small and requires some imagination to fit everything on. Since we returned to the UK we've set the stage out differently so that Matt is in the middle and my keyboard is sideways on, which allows me to mug foolishly at the rest of the band while I'm playing it. For some reason this makes me feel like I'm a professional musician, except tonight it has to be the other way round so I have my back to the band, which they all seem happy about. I mug foolishly at Roberto instead.
The room is beautifully rammed and there is a real sense of occasion. After yesterday's success we introduce God only knows into the set. It's a rare moment of spine-tingleage as the crowd starts to sing along. It's one of those nights where everything clicks, and despite the odd dodgy note and technical hitch we come off covered in glory, even though I hit my head on the mirrorball as I leave the stage.
"It's just rock'n'roll" as Liam used to say.
