Verve - Summer '98

Anyway, it was a fun show. Same set as last, just shuffled around differently a bit w/so sister added inplace of neon wilderness i believe. So here's my newest attempt at getting the setlist right. hehe, please god get it right this time!

1) space in time
2) sonnet
3) one day
4) one your own
5) lucky man
6) history
7) this time
8) the drugs don't work
9) velvet morning
10) come on

encores

11) see you in the next one (have a good one)
12) so sister
13) bitter sweet symphony

I might be missing one, but oh well, i think that's pretty close. Definitely better than last. It was a good show but a little strange w/the atmosphere. There were lots of people just there standing around and not giving a shit about the band which was a little sad. But that's cause it was at a sort of town hang-out outside area, w/food and drink for all! But also the crowd near the stage even never seemed to get into it like the chicago show, which is sad cause of richard's love for detroit, which he brought up himself. But again, i think that was cause of the outdoors factor messing things up. I'm happy though, they played all my favorites, and so sister was a REAL nice surprise.

Dave

Hey little vervelings... Just got back from the verve show in Pontiac, Michigan and I thought you all would enjoy a run down of a fucking great concert.

The verve without the elusive McCabe still rock although it is a bit of a different sound. Jones really came alive in Come On and Tong never tried to copy McCabe's style or steal the spotlight, he just plays quietly doing his job much like McCabe would have. McCabe was diffenately missed, though. The stage to Ashcroft's right remained empty. Ashcroft began with saying how much respect he has for Detroit, "Did you see the video with the shirt?" he asks obviously refering to LM and adding "We're going to do the best we can with what we've got". When the crowd yelled for Gravity Grave Ashcroft replied with, "We'd love to play Gravity Grave but a certain Nick McCabe is not with us. You see he's a superstar. And we're in America so you're gonna get Bitter Sweet Symphony.

With the actual playing of On Your Own and History I was astounded. I thought going into this concert thinking only strickly UH stuff would be played. It was also comforting to hear the various screaming voices in the crowd yelling for non-UH stuff like Man Called Sun, Blue, Gravity Grave and the likes.

Velvet Morning stands in my head as being the most memorable performance that night. The lighting was perfectly swirly and the song just seemed to capture the moment. Come On had a different twist to it. It didn't posses so much anger to it because you see Ashcroft isn't so competent on the guitar and can't yell and play at the same time. The encore was fitting with just Ashcroft and his guitar. He sang directly into our souls that night.

Ashcroft had some great comments (he was showing his British humor) especially about the whole Nike thing which he said with an American accent. After the performance of BBS he left saying, "Thanks for coming perhaps we will meet again some day and if not thanks for all the great years." Those words left me a bit haunted. What's to happen to the beautiful, delicate balance known as the verve?

This Storm In Heaven needs to go off to sleepy land. My face hurts from to much smiling. If you get a chance go see the verve in concet it's unbelievable and this might be the last chance you get.

Erin

Greetings everyone!

I was a member of the list awhile ago, but quit when I came home from school for the summer and became too busy to keep up with the messages. In short, just wanted to say that I too was at the Detroit/Pontiac show, loved seeing the Verve (that's cool that you were able to catch them in Chicago too!) and was in awe of every song. And yes, So Sister was a treat. I didn't expect them to go into EP territory. I think starting with Space and Time was a great introduction. I liked the subtle but effective background lighting, especially during History. I think my favorite number was Velvet Morning. But hearing Come On live made me wonder if perhaps that is going to become my favorite song. How can you have a favorite song?! Richard seemed in a good mood, and though they seemed a little weary, he gave a lot of energy to the performance. One thing bothered me- like you Dave, I noticed and was turned off by the majority of people who barely seemed to like the Verve! Maybe I overreacted, but I have never been to a show where the crowd was that obnoxious and rude. I thought his quip about coming down because you like Nike was very funny and perceptive. They have to live with the stigma (in their US appearances) of Bitter Sweet Symphony's overexposure. Richard's intro. to BSS was a jibe at the evil Alan Klein, and a question to the audience as to who this character was. We watched the encore from the rear, so I didn't hear if he got an answer. Predictably the party people came alive to the chords of BSS, I mean, the anticipation for that song and maybe only that song in that select crowd was real and in the air. Richard and Co. deserve more respect than that. Crowd surfing to Velvet Morning was just inane. Oh well! Don't mind my complaining please, I was just a little discouraged about that aspect of the show. The venue change probably was the main factor there. I did see a lot of obviously dedicated fans, and I would imagine the group saw them too. I was in heaven, literally, seeing the Verve in person, finally. How many times have I read reviews of their Britain shows in Q and Select... I'm happy they launched this tour, and I hope it won't be too long before they come back. The rumor just can't be true...:(

Rachel

Tonight, I took in The Verve at Hamilton's Copps Coluseum. It was the first time I've seen the boys in action and I must say they were amazing. They only gave us a taste of old stuff and I can just imagine how back in the day they rawked the house with it(Gravity grave, etc)

Anyways, they opened with Space and Time......Kate Radley was aboard for the second or third song......then off she want..(such a captivating woman, but that's another mattter)

I must admit the biggest effect on me was the mood of Richie. He seemed depressed. Like I haven't felt that depressed in so long...and it's all eminating from him....at times he seemed happy and aware, but mainly a little lost and very sad...

I imagine lots of it was drug-induced, he seemed a little under the influence when they walked on. The rest of the negative vibes came from the large auidience. Just to many people there for a 'social event' and not the music. So it goes.

Highest points were: COME ON(amazing), SO SISTER(acoustic gem) and ...the NEXT ONE(acoustic)....and of course Kate Radley

That's it

cheers to Richie and his tasteful ways
Erik

Well got back a little while ago from the concert and I shall write a little summary. Wow what can I say, I thought the concert was absolutely awesome. This is the only Verve concert I've been to, so I can't really compare it to others. It started at about 9:15pm (Eastern), and we got to see a neat slide show before hand that must of ran for about an hour. But I was really impressed with the concert, like other reviews the lightings were cool. I had floor tickets and got a pretty good view of R.A. and the whole crew. R.A. came out with his fisherman hat, a somewhat see-through tight black t-shirt, sandles, and a pair of gray cargo pants. He didn't talk much throughout the concert but he seemed really comfortable up on stage, smiling, waving, dancing and all. Simon Jones was to the right of him dressed all in black, and too was waving to the crowd and smiling. But he mainly kept to himself, eyes close, and bouncing up and down. They both drank and had a joint on stage. The music was excellent, I couldn't have asked for more. The set list was similar to the Detroit, and Chicago ones. So all and all I'm really all positive about this concert. I had a great time. The people around me were really nice, pushing and shoving was very limited. There wasn't a mosh pit. People there just shook their heads to the beat. Hey the concert must of been good. I went with 2 of my friends who only heard two of their songs previously and they were just blown away. So they too are now fans. So they ended off with a wicked long version of B.S.S. and most of the people who were in seats had stood up. R.A. ended the concert saying (from what I think he said, hope I don't miss quote him) "Thank you, we will be back again." Now isn't that nice to hear?

Well I'll end it off at that. Gotta get some sleep as I have to wake up early this morning.

H.D.

I disagree with all of you about the Hamilton show. In my opinion it was fairly lackluster. This was my first time at a Verve show and I own all the albums so I knew all the songs, but there were plenty of screw-ups especially at the beginning, and the mix was horrible was well. The crowd didn't seem to be very much into it, and Richard looked disinterested until towards the end of the concert. They didn't seem to "connect" as a band..I was at the Oasis concert at MLG in January and they had a much better sound, everything was more together, and everybody seemed to be more into it. I have to admit that the concert did pick up in the second half, and I loved it when Ashcroft played So Sister, because I didn't expect to hear that one, it is a gem! Their rendition of Bittersweet Symphony almost made up for the otherwise boring performance, they really got into a groove their, and Richard was going nuts, and everybody was on their feet! I have seen Oasis, Radiohead, and The Verve (now), and although I didn't lose any respect for the Verve, I certainly didn't gain any either.. Perhaps they were better with McCabe, but over-all it wasn't what I expected.

Thoughts are welcomed,

Nathan

Oh my god! The Hamilton show kicked ass! First I will tell you about MEETING THE BAND!!! Then, I will review the concert.

Me and my friend arrived at the Sheradin Hotel around 6:15pm. We had some time to kill as the concert didn't open doors until 7:00. We sat down in the lobby.

Then, about 10 minutes later, my friend looked outside and said "Hey, isn't that him!?!?!"

I looked outside and said "Yup!"

Richard Ashcroft strolled into the hotel with a HUGE body guard (wearing all black!), and this REALLY hot woman. Richard was wearing jeans and a brownish zipper-up jumper shirt thingy. He had sandels on too (for you people that care).

So, I ran up to him and said "Richard!"

He, stopped, turned around and said "Ya" The bodyguard and the woman stopped too. "Can I have an autograph?" I asked. "Ya man" he replied.

I put my backpack down and got out my Rolling Stone magazine with him on the cover. As I was getting my pen, the bodyguard said "We have to go soon" and just as soon as he said that, his pager went off.

I got out the pen (which was a fancy fountain pen from France) and handed the magazine and the pen to Richard.

"This is the poshest pen I've ever seen" He said and I laughed.

He strugled to get it to work, but after a few seconds it did.

He wrote "Love & Peace Richard Ashcroft 1998"

Then he gave me my stuff and put out his hand and looked at me. I shook his hand and he said "Thanks a lot, mate!"

I said thanks and he turned around and left with the bodyguard and the woman. The whole ordeal took 5 minutes max.

I sat down and was careful not to blur the ink. 10 minutes later, a few girls came in and sat down. They were totally pissed that they missed him by ten minutes.

Then, 10 minutes later, at maybe 6:45, I saw a black van pull up and the doors open. This time about 5 people got out. As they walked in the hotel, I saw that they were the same bodyguard, Simon Jones--> the bassist, the woman (again!!!), the drummer and I think B.J. Cole.

Me and the 3 girls went up to them to ask for autographs. Everyone (including the bodyguard!!!) left except for Simon Jones. He was wearing black pants and a black button-up shirt.

When he realized that the other people had left, he said "Thanks for leaving me here!" It was funny. I could barely understand what he was saying, because of his accent.

He signed something for the 3 girls really fast. Then he turned to me. "Can I have a picture?" I asked. "Sure mate" He replied.

I stood next to him and my friend took the picture. I said thanks and he said something like 'no problem'.

He left and I sat back down. A few minutes later, Jones and the girl returned to the lobby and went to the front desk for a minute. I didn't want to bother them again and they left after a few seconds. I think they were ordering pizza, because about 15 minutes later, at 7:10, a pizza guy came with 4 or 5 pizzas and he went up the back elevators when the band went up.

We decided to go to Copps. Our seats were really good. At 8:00, the lights went off and everybody went crazy. But, the Verve didn't come out. For 1 hour and 10 minutes....yes, thats right 70 MINUTES!!!!!!!, there was a "musical slide show" persay. They were 2 projection screens which flashed pictures of the band, mainly Richard, and all sorts of other things like animals, cars, Disney world, everything. Every little while, cool sayings flashed on, like "Splendid", "I'm a million different people from one day to the next" etc.

At 9:10, the band came out and played a great set. The highlights for me were Sonnet, The Drugs Dont Work, One Day, Velvet Morning, Lucky Man and Bittersweet Sym. <-- They played B.S.S and then for like 10 minutes, they just jammed. The band played the song chorus part and Richard danced around and sang all this cool stuff. At one point, he was rapping!!!

He talked a lot to the crowd and it was an amazing concert overall.

The Verve WILL LIVE FOREVER!

- TYLER

If you went to the Hamilton show and have any comments or interesting stories, please email me... thanks

Hello listies!!

i made the three hour trek to Hamilton last night and I was not disappointed! The show was really fabulous. The guys played more old stuff than they seemed to at the other stops (according to you guys on the list). My seats were absolutely smashing aswell. i was in the first row of the balcony, dead centre. So i could put my feet up, rest my drink on the edge, and there were no people in front of me. (plus i hate being on the floor).

There was a bit of wierdness however... They played history, but changed the tempo during the first line, something went wrong during space and time (wrong chords?), and richard sang the wrong lyrics at the start of on your own, and then abruptly stopped, waited a bar, and started over. What's with all that?????

Other than that, everything was hunkey dorey! They sounded amazing, and I have never heard such a well balanced acoustic set (only a couple of songs by richard). BJ cole looked like he was asleep, or some old non-responsive guy in a chair. Oh well, what do i know?

Here's a set list, as good as i can remenber, (not in order)

space and time
this time
the drugs don't work
wheeping willow
Bss
lucky man
on your own
one day
history
so sister
see you in the next one
sonnet
come on

pretty sweet eh? eh? YES. I bought me a poster (the one with the trees, and richard) and I picked us one of those "music saves" stickers. That's it. Hope anyone who is going in the next few days has as good a time as I did.

NOTE: bring binoculars!! they make it so much cooler! I was in the second level, and i could see the sweat running down his face!

- Chris

hmm, i must say i was somewhat dissapointed at first w/ my one & only Verve experience. when ppl wrote in the past, "it was a good show but not a good VERVE show," i thought, "what the fuck are u talking about??? at least u got to see the legends!!" they boys were in crowd-pleasing form, but i didn't really feel moved until the wonderfully insane noise of COME ON (from that point on i was lit). New Decade/ This Is Music, etc. would've given the show a much bigger kick, but it's too late for that now, isn't it?

well perhaps it's been all the talk about the magical old days, but i was let down by the pace/feel of all the new stuff, although i knew that's all i'd be hearing since the set list remained the same as the last few shows. i was terribly excited to hear that they played great versions of OYO & History, but i really disliked how they played OYO (relatively) as fast-paced. i was hoping for an acoustic version like on the UH Tour TV special on Muchmusic. i guess Richard didn't feel like being mournful till the beautifully sad encore w/ So SIster & See You...History remained faithful to the album version but in my mind it seemed he was just going thru the motions (since he's a happy fellow now, as compared to the ANS era). Drugs Don't Work seemed more meaningful so i enjoyed that even more than the 2 old ballads, which was a weird surprise.

i hope no one else has to see them stuck in the stands in a crappy hockey arena w/ ppl whp will only get up for Lucky Man & BSS. i'm sure it would've been much more memorable grooving on the floor in the 1st few rows. So for those of u going, sneak in a camera for the cool light show (wasn't Sonnet so pretty?), & forget about the old days & just enjoy bopping along to the new pop. after twisting her ankle en route to running for the last bus which we almost missed back to Toronto, a friend remarked, "the show was not quite worth this pain." sad note to end a satisfactory (can't believe i'm using that word to describe the VERVE) night.

still grateful to the boys for playing well for us, but wishing i was around for them years ago

- Flo

ps, i was pissed off that floors were selling for $20 outside when i paid $33.50 to be confined to a seat. 2 of my friends lost their money cause no one would take their tix (they couldn't afford the bus ride to Hamilton) except for the scalpers who offered me $10 for the pair. ouch.

i just wanted to put my two cents in about the Hamilton show. i tend to disagree with you marcy about it being as good as you said it was. i personally was disappointed and wished that they hadn't bothered touring without nick. i know i know!! i can hardly believe i said that myself!! he just brings so much to their sound and their presence that this show was just not carried off without him being there.

dont' get me wrong folks, the show was good, just not up to the level where the verve, and i mean the REAL verve are at. maybe had i not seen them back in November (with Nick) i would have loved this show, perhaps not. everyone i was with agreed that this show was just not up to standard, and they had never even seen them before.

i wanted older stuff, particularly a man called sun, and did not expect to get it. i just wanted more old stuff, i like the new album and all but it just isn't like the old verve, you know?

i have a feeling that this might be the last time that was see Richard, the Simon's, and Peter. The last time we saw the Verve was on their last tour.

- Cat