Wow

["Paul Vearncombe" <Paul@Ve...freeserve.co.uk>]

I'm not much good at reviews, but WHAT a gig!  Rodney played a great set
on his own (I thought he would have a band, as he did when I saw him at
the Ashton Court festival).  His solo album should be a cracker, judging
by the songs he played.  As for the Aeroplanes, that's about as good as
I've ever seen them.  Buggered if I can remember the set list, but I
recall hearing Broken & Mended, Worry Beads, Yr Own World, Jacket Hangs,
Weightless, ...and Stones (with banjo!) and a heavenly version of
Cowardice and Caprice which prompted Gerard to remark "we haven't played
that for bloody ages", obviously pleased at how great it sounded.  As for
the new songs, I recognised Birthday Suit & Badge and Bright Star
Catalogue - fine stuff.  They played a song from Gerard's solo album but I
didn't catch the title.  Sounded good, though.  Then there was Art Star,
which was so witty and poppy it had me grinning like an idiot throughout.
Also the tightest, coolest version of Colour Me I've ever heard.  Of
course, they didn't have Angelo to play his guitar solo, so they missed it
out by stopping the song completely and then starting again, causing
Gerard to crack up at their own audacity.  Rodney and Gerard performed
Jack Leaves as a duo, and then there was the obligatory but always welcome
Breaking In My Heart, which kicked ass.

A fantastic gig.  Good to meet Gerard briefly afterwards, even if I was
too pissed to really talk to him.   I don't know if everyone knows this,
but he said that one of the many releases next year will be a reissue of
Swagger, complete with b-sides and other stuff, to be supported by a
one-off gig by the Swagger line-up.  Like a gibbering fool I didn't think
to ask him where or when.  Anyone know?  Hi also to Philip Hendry, who I
spoke briefly to without introducing myself (short arse with goatee, if
you remember).  He had just kissed Gerard, so I guess it was that kind of
night.

So...anyone record it?!

PV