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Same old, same old. Nuthin' much to say.

Except for the fact that they were on fire from the first note to the last, and that in addition to this tour's already expanded lineup, Jamie Humphries was on stage for four numbers as well. He played the solos on Turning Away and Set the Controls and was also there for Bricks and Run. He was, of course, introduced as Bruce Humphries. He plays a mean guitar. And he's a very nice bloke.

And they've got a whole bunch of new brilliant new video animations too. Bryan has been busy.

Stunning, stunning, stunning. Did I ever mention that this is the best live show in the world?

Same old, same old.

So it was all a bit of a bore then ;D NOT!

Because of Jamie being on stage for On The Turning Away, both Steve and Damian were on acoustic guitar and to my mind it didn't feel like they were playing quite in time.  I think it sounds better with one acoustic but I have to be picky because it's hard to write an original review after you've seen so many shows.

On the subject of new videos they've got rid of the spinning clock face for Time, although how much that had to do with the fact that the timing was miles out for the start of the flying clocks animation I don't know.  The clock was still spinning towards us as they hit the first note after the "tick tock" bit (you know the bit I mean).  At one point the animation stopped completely and I think they gave up shortly after that!

The crowd around us were err, entertaining.  Everyone behind us was at their first show, offering helpful comments such as "I hope this lot are louder than that disco I went to last week".  One guy had a particularly shrill whistle which went through my head and he also kept shouting "MORE" when they went off stage before the encore.  The man shouting "Bruce, Bruce, Bruce" was in the row in front of me and a few seats to the right.  You should have heard him on your left, Nick.

And yes, Bruce Humphries is quite good, isn't he?

'Bruce' Humphries appearing must have been like having the icing on the cake - you lucky people!!

Were all four of the girls on stage last night and did the band play Pigs or Sheep?

Lucky indeed.
4.
Pigs.

I've got a whole bunch of photos from Birmingham, but you'll have to be patient. I'll sort them as soon as I can.