Tonight we’re here at Manchester’s Aviva Studios to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Damon Gough aka Badly Drawn Boy’s Mercury Music Prize-winning ‘The Hour of the Bewilderbeast’ album, an album which is very important for many people like myself and fan Lucy, with whom I talked to in the break between sets, (obviously not during, thank you). She, like myself, came to Manchester for many reasons but the main one was the music scene and this band, album and label.
Twisted Nerve helped shape the future of Manchester music whilst also being massively influenced by its past. This was always a passionate album with lyrics close to Damon’s heart and carries feelings that invoke the spirit of Manchester’s music. Bewilderbeast contains 18 songs in total and at the time it was clear to see Damon’s connection to them, having emotions visibly breaking through, few song restarts and comments. The crowd was on his side willing him on and soon he was declaring one more song left, “Thank God” he quipped.
Damon shared with us that tonight’s ensemble is a new band put together for this tour back in March, playing very well together, guitarist Dan Parkinson in particular seemed to play with such passion.
After a short interval, the second set comprised a selection of Damon’s hits and yet more emotive songs and anecdotes
A Journey from A to B was a self-proclaimed pop masterpiece… he’s not wrong! Damon released his great Northern sense of humor on the crowds by poking fun at his Moment of Glory” in the Comet The now defunct electrical store’s adoption of “All Possibilities” recording it on VHS Video and repeatedly watching it on Edith Bowman.
He thanked his band, crew, family members, and the late great Tony H Wilson dedicating several songs to them. A special mention to long-time collaborator Andy Votel who was given love for being a great friend, supporting DJ tonight and he thanks him for his can-do attitude and getting him out of his bedroom.
He closed the show with Promises which was dedicated to Simon his brother, and Andy Rourke, his old band member who are both no longer with us.
WORDS AND PHOTO CREDIT – SIMON LEE
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