GIG NUMBER ONE
Who
SFA came onstage by blinding us with a light (simple but effective) before Gruff (then with very shaggy hair) led an awesome version of Torra Fy Ngwallt Yn Hir. Gruff also threw some gear into the crowd as a present, to make a point about how early the Xmas decorations had gone up in the town. Most notable song of the set was perhaps an early version of Ice Hockey Hair, the lyrics of which appear elsewhere on the site. The song was yet to be completed so it was just a first verse and chorus repeated once or twice. Calimero was also a highlight, and this was the first time I saw this as a great tune and not just as pleasing white noise. There's no describing just how loud this show was, but the Super Furries shook the venue to pieces with probably the loudest performance this side of Alec Empire! Since I didn't write this review until seven years on, further details elude me, but I didn't see another band for a whole year, having set myself such high standards.
Mark: 9.0/10
Super Furry Animals
Support
Urusei Yatsura
Where
Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall
When
19th October 1997
Price
£7.50
Who with
No-one
Position
Towards the back, on the right
Comments
What a way to start! No matter where my gig-going path went after this, it's always nice to know I'd started with the finest band. I didn't understand back then that being at the front is best but it was still an excellent show. At the time I got tickets Radiator had yet to come out and so SFA's status as my number one band had yet to be confirmed, but there was no doubt in my mind by the time of the gig! Back then I was the only one with any taste (oh how things change!) so I went by myself and Urusei Yatsura opened things with a loud but basically so-so support. I'd see many more of them over the years!
Setlist
Torra Fy Ngwallt Yn Hir
Something 4 The Weekend
Focus Pocus/Debiel
Hometown Unicorn
Ice Hockey Hair (original)
Arnofio/Glô In The Dark
Calimero
The International Language Of Screaming
Demons
Gathering Moss
She's Got Spies
Play It Cool
If You Don't Want Me To Destroy You
Down A Different River
Download
Mountain People
Chupacabras
Bad Behaviour
Guacamole
God! Show Me Magic
The Man Don't Give A Fuck
