THE NEW AGE JAM/COMPLETE MADNESS
THE LEADMILL SHEFFIELD 01/06/03
Gig review S.M.Emmerson thanks to Joanna Rogan for Typing etc
Nights out yes gigs are happening and for once in my life I am getting off my arse and actually getting out and about a bit, after the brilliant night out in Clowne to see the excellent All Mod Cons this time it was Sheffield and a old fave venue of mine The Leadmill. I picked Glenn up at 7pm surrounded by the thunder and lightning and we made our way to Sheffield, got there produced a miracle in actually parking somewhere near and relatively safe. Went into a quiet pub the Norfolk on the corner well fairly quietish there was only a few in and sadly some rave music was blurring out ahhhh no thanks we supped up quick and headed for The Leadmill. We was shocked to find out it would cost us a tenner to get in as we didn’t have tickets (which were 6 pounds) big jump there people 4 quid extra nevermind we forced open our wallets and coughed up. Once inside the Leadmill we saw a few people had attended this gig people of all ages after a quick rush to the bar we happily realised we wasn’t the oldest in there. It was disappointing to see no DJ on we fancied some 2-Tone/Jam or even New Wave to get us in the mood sadly the pA system was playing some mumblings but we couldn’t make out what it was.
8pm The New Age Jam came on looking the part suits Jam shoes they started with Tube Station and this was a good version the singer was giving it his all, the usual followed Start, Butterfly Collector and The Modern World the crowd appreciated it but did not venture to dance. Good versions of my fave Private Hell and That’s Entertainment followed. This song was danced to by a young girl with gypsy headscarf and cowboy boots and she did not know what she was doing really and as I told my mate Glenn she looked like an extra from Home and Away.. The band continued with a not very good version of Strange Town followed by excellent versions of David Watts and When You’re Young. The new Age Jam are very talented and have some good bookings this year and will go down well sadly a 50 minute set was too short for them as they just got going they came off finishing with a good version of Going Underground and a few did dance to this the band thanked everyone and they had enjoyed it as had all the crowd.
Glenn and I went into the side bar for another refresher as again no tunes were being played. We was talking about the old days when before long we heard what sounded like an intro music for Complete Madness. We got up made our way back to the main hall and there they were. All dressed in flashy suits which included a union jack suit very impressive. They started with One Step Beyond and straight away the dance floor filled a very solid band here with an energetic sax player who could play for England and a keyboard player who was brilliant and a singer/drummer and guitarist who was loving every minute of it. My Girl,Sun And The Rain,My Girl,Embarrasment ,and Driving In My car followed me and Glenn nodded approvingly a very excellent fun band who knew how to get a crowd going. We saw some strange dancing to say the least but people of all ages were enjoying it and we were. Shut Up was done and everyone got involved singing and chanting. Mid way through the set they did some Ska faves Too Much To Young, Gangsters, Lorraine, Lip Up Fatty and Special Brew along with some great old faves the crowd was buzzing and everyone enjoyed this energetic fun band who are well worth the money. Back to the Madness songs and a great rendition of It Must Be Love and wow what a sax player great stuff. More madness tunes followed before the end and everyone had enjoyed a fun night and I think Complete Madness are a very energetic fun band who know what the people want and they are good enough to give it. A great night and a change to the usual Sunday night I hope more nights like this happen in Sheffield and judging by the crowd there is a market for nights like this. The two bands did a great job on the night and I’m sure I’d go and see both again.We left just missing the latest storm and went home singing those Madness Ska tunes.
S,M.Emmerson 3/06/03
Thanks to Joanna Rogan for editing and typing thanks a lot.
stevethemod@hotmail.com
SEND IN YOUR GIG REVIEWS.
