NYNEX Arena

December 08, 1995

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I was lucky enough to see the 'Reality' show last november in manchester and that had been the first time since 95 that I had seen DB. Comparisons aren't always great but this show, in 95, was astounding. It was great the way it took the audience on such a dark journey form the soundtrack to Derek Jarman;s 'Blue' playing beforehand to the sound of the rain which segued into 'The Motel' to the camp vioence of 'Heart's Filthy Lesson'. The the piece de reistance was when Carlos Alomar started to play a very flamenco-like version of the Beatles 'While my Guitar Gently Weeps' which morphed, very unexpectedly, into Bowie singing 'My Death'. Having that song so near 'Teenage Wildlife' was complete brilliance. Felt that as a writer and as a singer Bowie was pushing himself in ways that really pay off for him now. For me the best parts of the Reality tour were those which echoed Outside ... 'The Motel', a stunning 'Hallo Spaceboy' and that central sequence of 'Sunday', 'Under Pressure', and 'Life on Mars'. All that force and success comes from the risks Bowie was prepared to take, and the work he was prepared to do, in the mid-90s. My friends Kellie and Michael loved it too, especially 'I Have not Been to Oxford Town'!!
Jim (flannery523)
Leeds, UK - Friday, June 11, 2004 at 19:03:33 (EDT)

Really enjoyed it - thought 1.0 Outside was the best thing he'd done in AGES, the set list was a great mix of new stuff and classic back-catalogue stuff (Teenage Wildlife, Moonage Daydream etc), without resorting to a "Greatest Hits" type of thing which had been peddled for a few years (the majority of which I'm personally bored to tears with). The band were great, sound was good (especially for a venue of that size) and I had a great view. Only bummer was a mate of mine got a ticket much later than me, but got a seat virtually on the stage (OK, with a side view ...) Remember reading something in a tabloid about the Wembley shows - some bloke said that he didn't come to a David Bowie show to hear the new stuff, he wanted Young Americans etc etc. Stay at home and listed to the records then! Also, didn't Bowie state that Sound & Vision was the last time he'd really be flogging the old stuff? Don't get me wrong, I was as happy as anyone at the recent Old Trafford Heathen gig when he played Ziggy, Life On Mars and Heroes etc, but the Heathen show was again a good mix of new & old, not "just" a greatest hits ... Anyway, back to the plot, it was great and I enjoyed it more than Sound & Vision and Glass Spider (which I also really enjoyed BTW!!)
Phil
Manchester, UK - Friday, July 26, 2002 at 03:59:31 (EDT)

i too was at this concert but don't remember security being overpowering, indeed, if you were up in the gods with us we had a great time dancing around, though i do agree that the nynex is not the best venue i,ve been to for concerts. i agree to about the support band that night. they really did play some good tunes and i'm suprised nothing more was heard from them. i was particularly pleased i must admit that morrisey didn't play as i can't stand the pretentious prick!
charlie harrison (charlie@ciaharrison>fsnet.co.uk)
manchester, uk - Wednesday, May 03, 2000 at 00:26:21 (EDT)

Hello Evan et al Time to add a comment here, I think! I don't have a photographic memory, but.... At a brilliant gig, there will always be one particular moment that 'does it' for the fan. Glass Spider at Maine Road Manchester - it had to be 'Time'. Sound and Vision at the Birmingham Arena - it had to be when the video foreground was switched on - wow! At Nynex, it was even more simple: the goosepimples came up in the opening track. As the band led into the track (the motel, if I remember) Bowie appeared to be off stage - how was he going to come on? Would he graciously walk on, and flash us his brilliant winning smile? No. He was already there - crouched on a chair at the back of the stage, draped in his long coat. At 'there is no hell...' back swooped the coat, and up swooped our hero. I will always be the teenager at events like this, and nearly cried out with delight! Tracklisting? Sorry - can't remember. We were unsure as to what effect Morrissey being/not being there would have, but as Evan points out, most of the audience were Bowie fans. Although the Arena is well situated - practially on top of a mainline rail station, and right next to the tram and bus service, I am not sure the venue was well suited, really. We were high up, and all around us was concrete, and we couldn't leave our seats, which all stifled it a bit. The official mercandise was very stricly controlled - which was good. The replacement support - 'out of my hair' I think - were just plucked from the local area. For a band that obviously hadn't played gigs as big as this before they coped well and the audience really warmed to them. I was surprised when I didn't hear more of them. Incidentally, the lead singer was a ringer for Marc Bolan - bit spooky that. A very good performance by the mainman and his band - we were impressed. Little were we to realise what was next up his laced sleeve.... llp Baz
martin barry (martin@baz.net)
Manchester, UK - Saturday, February 14, 1998 at 08:37:18 (EST)

This document last updated Friday, 11-Jun-2004 19:03:33 EDT

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