LIve Review: New Model Army. Holmfirth Picturedrome. 24.04.14


In the 30 years since the release of their first album, ‘Vengeance’ , New Model Army have built up an ever increasing and very loyal fan base, and a reputation for staging fierce live performances.

Their 2013 album ‘Between Dog and Wolf’ has been their most successful for 20 years.

It was time to see them live.

Last Thursday saw the Army and their fans descend on Holmfirth for what was to prove a memorable gig in a great location. The Picturedrome was a fitting venue. Plenty of good pubs for people to meet grab some food and get a decent pint. Pre gig atmosphere was good and expectations were high.

Opening the set with ‘Stormclouds’ from last years ‘Between Dog and Wolf’ Sullivan and right hand man Marshall Gill  immediately led the band and crowd into action mode.

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With drummer Michael out of action with a knee problems, Andy Woodard from Adam and the Ants had been drafted in. He fit in well and did more than an adequate job covering the sticks. Ceri continued to prove his worth, equally at home on either bass, skin or kettle drum. Meanwhile, lurking in the shadows, Dean gave a subtle yet solid performance on keys.

But New Model Army are not just five blokes on stage. Equally as important to the success and allure of this band are the fans. As I said earlier loyal – people had travelled from far and wide, Birmingham, London, Germany and Holland, not just to see tonight’s gig but to travel around catching as many nights of the tour as possible. This devotion comes to fruition throughout the gig. Many have entered the pit area front of stage stripped to the waist, others have climbed the shoulders of their comrades. Whether at stage front or up in the balconies all show support that many artists can only ever dream of let alone experience night after night.

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The band plays a massive set covering songs from all eras. Each one delivered with as much power and gusto as the last. If I had to pick any, ‘Whitecoats’ and ‘Christian Militia’ were my favourite numbers, but it was a tough choice as there was very little to choose between each.

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The main set was drawn to a close with ‘Wonderful Way To Go’. The crowd gave the expected, and well deserved rapturous applause and were rewarded with a four song encore ending in ‘Green and Grey’ from 1989’s ‘Thunder and Consolation’.

New Model Army live is more than just a gig, it’s an experience. Great band. Great fans.

 

Setlist:

Stormclouds

No Rest

March in September

Did You Make It Safe?

Pull the Sun

Whitecoats

No Pain

I Need More Time

Get Me Out

Knievel

Between Dog and Wolf

Today Is a Good Day

Christian Militia

Here Comes the War

High

Wonderful Way to Go

Summer Moors

The Price

Seven Times

Green and Grey

Tour dates:

22 April Bristol, The Fleece

23 April Oxford, O2 Academy

24 April Holmfirth, Picturedrome

25 April Warrington, Parr Hall

26 April Whitby Goth Weekend (UK)

27 April Norwich, The Waterfront

05 July Sonisphere Festival (UK)

12 July Blacksheep Festival, Bad Rappenau-Bonfeld (DE)

09 August Fête du Bruit Dans Landerneau (FR)

02 October Heerlen, Nieuwe Nor

03 October Lindau, Club Vaudeville

04 October Augsburg, Kantine

05 October Freiburg, Jazzhaus

07 October Karlsruhe, Substage

08 October Saarbrücken, Garage

09 October Jena, F-Haus

10 October Coesfeld, Fabrik

11 October Kiel, Max

12 October Beverungen, Stadthalle

14 October Göteborg, Sticky Fingers

15 October Oslo, John Dee

16 October Stockholm, Göta källare

17 October Malmö, Babel

18 October Bremen, Aladin

19 October Celle, CD Kaserne

20 October Frankfurt, Batschkapp

20 December Köln, Palladium

-stAn

23 April Oxford, O2 Academy24 April Holmfirth, Picturedrome25 April Warrington, Parr Hall26 April Whitby Goth Weekend (UK)27 April Norwich, The Waterfront05 July Sonisphere Festival (UK)12 July Blacksheep Festival, Bad Rappenau-Bonfeld (DE)09 August Fête du Bruit Dans Landerneau (FR)02 October Heerlen, Nieuwe Nor03 October Lindau, Club Vaudeville04 October Augsburg, Kantine05 October Freiburg, Jazzhaus07 October Karlsruhe, Substage08 October Saarbrücken, Garage09 October Jena, F-Haus10 October Coesfeld, Fabrik11 October Kiel, Max12 October Beverungen, Stadthalle14 October Göteborg, Sticky Fingers15 October Oslo, John Dee16 October Stockholm, Göta källare17 October Malmö, Babel18 October Bremen, Aladin19 October Celle, CD Kaserne20 October Frankfurt, Batschkapp20 December Köln, Palladium

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