The return of Ultravox

When I was handed a little envelope at Christmas with the confirmation we were going to see Ultravox in Brighton, the 23rd of April seemed a long way away. It arrived and taking the day off Wifey and I descended upon Brighton just after lunch and beat about the place for about six hours visiting many different shops (a huge guitar shop ...which was heaven but that is another story)

Just for the record we didn't indulge in Alcohol, fast food or anything elae unhealthy , having started the day with a run in Bracknell we took our own food eat and drank healthy........the Indian eat as much as you like for next to nothing shop was tempting ......but no.....we were strong.

Anyway we arrived at the Brighton Dome ...and what a venue that is by the way! loads and loads of people (Ultravox has sold out everywhere they have gone on this tour and tickets are like rocking horse shit.) but no queues at the bar! loads of staff and prices were like normal ....I really recommend the old place .....


So after enduring the support act...she was allright just very solo and very acoustic.....We waited for Ultravox ...a wait that this line up has made us wait since Live aid!!!!1985!!!!Now if you were expecting a funny blog today...I'm sorry you ain't getting one. You see since my childhood I've grown up with Midge and the boys. Vienna and Rage in Eden albums were constantly being played by the Dark Marge who was well into them at the time and then when I was older my own pocket money stretched to Quartet, Lament and Uvox and other unusual mixes and live albums. The fact they split up 23 years ago and looked like they were never going to reform and then suddenly they announce the Return to Eden tour on the 30th anniversary of Vienna well then I'm entitled to just note my immediate thoughts on my blog the morning after me thinks

As the lights dimmed and the lazers started the rhythmic like tapping of Astrodyne started to reverberate around the old theatre. They walked on in silence siloueted in the mist and lazers then they all stood at their synths and soon the place was full of the whining synths so synonamous to Ultravox. the first part of the gig was mainly Vienna and Rage in Eden tracks like Passing Strangers, Mr X ,We stand alone , I remember ,Rage in Eden and the place erupted when your name has slipped my mind again merged into Vienna and then the more well known Ultravox songs were blasted out by the bunch of old timers that rocked the 80s and really could show a few new bands how to do it!!!! Thin Wall, Hymn, One small Day,Lament,we stood still, Dancing with Tears in my eyes they were all there. Just as it was time for their community bus to take them back to their nursing homes....(after 90 minutes of music) they came back on for Sleepwalk and The Voice as encores. A more portly Warren Cann looked tired his jet black dyed hair flopping about as he joined the rest of the band at the front of the stage were Chris Cross , Billie Curry and Midge had just chucked their drumsticks into the crowd having ended The Voice with them in unison on drums. Currie had several times come to the front of the stage with his fiddle and re created those haunting sounds of the eighties ....his hair now snow white. Chris Cross and Midge Ure took the bow with the two forementioned and the audience ...who I must say were a very old audience gave them the standing ovation they deserved.What a gig!!!!

A real night to remember...a day to remember...the day I fulfilled another childhood ambition.