Set Listing
01. I Remember That
02. Bonny
03. The Sound of Crying
04. Machine Gun Ibiza
05. Andromeda Heights
06. We Let the Stars Go
07. Life’s a Miracle
08. If You Don’t Love Me
09. Jordan: The Comeback
10. Faron Young
11. Couldn’t Bear to be Special
12. Dragons
13. Appetite
14. A Life of Surprises
15. Electric Guitars
16. Cars and Girls
17. Cruel
18. I’m a Troubled Man
19. Carnival 2000
20. Moving the River
21. Hey Manhattan
22. Lions in my Own Garden (Exit Someone)
23. Swans
24. One of the Broken
25. When Love Breaks Down
26. Goodbye Lucille #1
27. Cowboy Dreams
28. Looking for Atlantis
29. Where the Heart is
30. Prisoner of the Past
Two recordings of this concert exist, (1) good to excellent audience recording on minidisc, and (2) good to excellent cassette recording
“THERE were certainly a few gasps of surprise when Paddy McAloon stepped on to the stage at the Colston Hall last night.
“One chap sitting in front of me simply turned to his wife, shook his head and muttered “incredible” as he watched the Prefab Sprout singer strap on his guitar and prepare for the band’s second gig in ten years.
“It was difficult to gauge what was the more surprising – the fact that this legendary 80s pop band were actually playing live at all, or McAloon’s incredible transformation from the waspish, short-haired frontman of old to bearded and chunky ZZ Top lookalike.
“However, it was clear the packed crowd were pleased that he had ventured so far south from his Durham hideaway for this rare live performance.
“From the opening strains of I Remember That to the concluding bars of A Prisoner Of The Past , the thirtysomething crowd were transported back to their college days and teenage years.
“During a 135-minute set covering the band’s 17-year career, the fourpiece cruised through 31 songs ranging from early indie hits like Lions In My Own Garden to current single Where The Heart Is , the theme from the ITV series.
“Although clearly missing Wendy Smith’s whispering backing vocals – she couldn’t make the tour due to the recent birth of her son – the pared down line-up also included original members Martin McAloon and Neil Conti.
“Constantly referring to the band’s ten-year absence between songs, McAloon was in good spirits and, for somebody known for his reluctance to play live, he seemed genuinely appreciative of the loyal support his band has maintained.
“By the end of the set, favourites like Johnny Johnny , Looking For Atlantis and When Love Breaks Down guaranteed a standing ovation – although the band’s most popular song, The King Of Rock ‘n’ Roll, was sorely missed.
“With an impressed-looking Michael Eavis sitting in the stalls, perhaps we can look forward to the rebirth of Prefab Sprout continuing with some festival appearances during the coming summer.” Mark Taylor, Bristol Post
