WORDS AND IMAGES BY NATHAN COLE
Ash are all the rage in Manchester tonight as people pile into 02 Ritz for a momentous show. They’re back with a bang to celebrate 21 years of their popular album ‘Free All Angels.’
They’ve packed out tonight’s venue with everyone eagerly waiting to see their favourite band ring through the hall. I can’t say Ash has been on my radar but the reception they have brewing up tells me it’s not a night to miss.
To kick off tonight are Alan McGee of Oasis and Creation records fame new boys on the block The Gulps and the vibe is huge on this young gentlemen and tonight we found out why. The colourful band bounced onto the stage. The audience’s eyes are caught instantly with their lively indie punk vibe drawing people in. They’re starting the night off perfectly with high energetic and catchy tunes, and everyone is moving. Songs like ‘King Of The Disco’ has the whole venue chanting. throw in some screaming punk guitar which echoed around the venue and people cant take their eyes of them or there infectious energy and spirit, The Gulps are a great band with great songs, make sure you catch them soon, before the get to big for there DM boots
THE GULPS SET LIST
1/ Freedom to the People
2/ Surrender
3/ Stuck in the City
4/ Candy
5/ New Era Technology
6/ Obsession
7/ King of the Disco
8/ Happy
9/ The Kings house
It was time for the main event and everyone was ready for Ash
Ash are a Northern Irish rock band formed in Downpatrick in 1992 by vocalist and guitarist Tim Wheeler, bassist Mark Hamilton and drummer Rick McMurray. As a three-piece, they released mini-album Trailer in 1994 and full-length album 1977 in 1996. This 1996 release was named by NME as one of the 500 greatest albums of all time. After the success of their full debut the band recruited Charlotte Hatherley as a guitarist and vocalist, releasing their second record Nu-Clear Sounds in 1998. After narrowly avoiding bankruptcy, the band released Free All Angels in 2001 and a string of successful singles.
The band became a three-piece again in 2006 when Hatherley left, and after five conventional albums the band released 26 singles in the A-Z Series in 2009, one every two weeks. The band have had one silver, two gold and two platinum-selling (and chart-topping) records in the United Kingdom, as well as 18 songs in the top 40 of the UK Singles Chart.
Lead singer Tim Wheeler appeared on stage to endless cheers as he started the set alone alone. The rest of the band made their way onto stage one by one. Their first song ‘Walking Barefoot’ which built and built dramatically as everyone started playing and the audience started moving.
Everyone was amped and hungry for more. The popular and energetic ’Burn Baby Burn’ came next played early it really set the tone for the night. Nobody kept their mouths closed as they shouted each and every word back to the band. They all brought so much energy to the venue and put on a worthwhile show for everyone. From start to finish they bounced across the stage and everyone watching matched their enthusiasm.
Ash captivated everybody between the swift and swingy tunes that had everyone moving, to the slow songs that kept people swaying.
The last song of the night was upon everyone and while they were impatient to hear their favourite tune, they clearly didn’t want it to end. The unforgettable sound of ‘Girl From Mars’ rang out and the Ritz went mental
People left the O2 Ritz tonight in disbelief. They’d been give such a memorable show from a much loved band. As one of three anniversary shows, the audience have certainly been a part of something very special.
SET LIST
1/ WALKING BAREFOOT
2/SHINNING LIGHT
3/ BURN BABY BURN
4/ CANDY
5/ CHERRY BOMB
6/ SUBMISSION
7/ SOMEDAY
8/ PACIFIC PALISADES
9/ SHARK
10/ SOMETIMES
11/ NICOLE
12/ THERE;S A STAR
13/ WORLD DOMINATION
14/ NUMBSKULL
15/ A LIFE LESS ORDINARY
16/ WARMER THAN FIRE
17/ CLONES
18/ ORPHEUS
19/ WILD SURF
20/ KUNG FU
ENCORE
21/ PROJECTS
22/ GIRL FROM MARS
FOLLOW ASH
FOLLOW THE GULPS
My life is a soundtrack, i track my life through music, photography is my passion, my escape, my expression. Without both i have pieces missing, thankfully i’m blessed and get to combine both.
Born in Manchester, lived in Australia for 22 years where i was heavily involved in the Australian Music Industry, firstly in bands (Singer) and then managing bands (all original), I moved back to the UK, Wales specifically 10 years ago and married my childhood sweetheart and life is good.
