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.
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.
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.
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
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
