The Academy 2, Manchester, 13th December (16/12/02)

C McCawley:

Light At The End of The Tunnel
Running Order Squabble Fest
Uffington Wassail
San Antonio Foam Party
Dead Men Don't Need Season Tickets
Lock Up Your Mountain Bikes (?)
Fred Titmus
Pancake Day
Bob Wilson, Anchorman
Monmore Hare's Running
The Best Things In Life (End Of)
Paradise Lost
Venus In Flares
Third Track Main Camera Four Minutes
Broadstairs
24 hour Garage People
Deephouse Victims' Minibus Appeal
Vatican Broadside
Look Dad No Tunes
Secret Gig
Lucille
All I Want For Christmas Is A Dukla Prague Away Kit
Thy Damnation Slumbereth Not
Everything's AOR
Turned Up Clocked On Laid Off

An unusual set list but a great gig by 'Half Man and Half A Biscuit' as mi mam calls them.

Plenty of witty asides and a Primal Scream broadside or two from Nigel, and a few musical cameos which left the band looking both bemused and amused while Ken tinkered with his guitar equipment between songs.

Nigel said he'd forgotten his acoustic so a few (Leaden Pall) faves couldn't be included, but the upbeat second hour of the gig certainly added to the already decent atmosphere in a crowded Academy 2. More backing vocals from Neil than I can ever remember as well.

Top stuff - do we really have to wait another 18 months for the next album?