Another slightly unusual choice of venue, this time in Leeds - the previous night, the hall had played host to a Bingo game. Fairground music augmented the supporting bill, which included local talents Mr Daub and Mr Wattle, the Extraordinary Victorian Gentlemen (who amused the crowd by walking on stilts) doing Diablo, and juggling. Indigo Moss played a short opening set - and then delighted northern fans were able to appreciate The Good, The Bad And The Queen. [photo credit: official band website (of support band Indigo Moss)]

Check out the pictures of the support acts from the official band website 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 |

The York Press was very enthusiastic about the show. Review here


Check out Pete's great review and picture of his signed ticket here

Musicologist writes:-
"Rarely has a band’s album release been so significant in the current cultural climate, and yet so overlooked because of this climate. The Good The Bad & The Queen, Damon Albarn’s latest innovative project, brings together men from all walks of life to create music that defines today’s Britain. Albarn is now considered as an ethnomusicologist for his work with musicians in Mali and his world music mash-ups with Gorillaz. This is highlighted by his choice of bandmates: Paul Simonon, bassist for The Clash, steeped in reggae-rock rhythms; Tony Allen, an experienced Afrobeat drummer; Simon Tong, guitarist from indie stalwarts The Verve – but long time collaborator of Albarn with Blur. He considers The Good The Bad & The Queen to be the natural follow-up to Blur’s seminal Parklife album, both timely descriptors of London, its inhabitants and its hang-ups. And so to the live shows, in which the band play the concept album in full and in its running order. In true Albarn fashion, the project has been sculpted to perfection – the support acts at tonight’s gig are a combination of circus acts, compered comedy and a Victorianesque bluesgrass group. The venue, Leeds Irish Centre, rarely holds events such as this, and the odd choice of venue is another clever Albarn choice – everything about The Good The Bad & The Queen commands attention. As expected, TGTB&TQ sounds live exactly as it does on record – muffled bass, distant vocals and an eerie atmosphere mixed with beautiful melodies, African rhythms and lonely lyrics, on a greying landscape backdrop. It would almost have felt like being at a classical concert, if it weren’t for the applause in between songs. Albarn is the same as ever if you discount his wonky top hat, whilst Simonon is constantly active, throwing shapes and strutting just like he did in The Clash. You get the feeling that the audience know that this project is highly intelligent and all-encompassing music – but it is music that welcomes everyone, and is probably relevant to us all, too. In a country whose media is currently obsessed with race rows, Albarn pops up at just the right time with an album full of musical nuances that can be traced back through countless races, cultures and traditions and thousands of years of music. Clever, very clever."

Orange writes:-
"Got there bout 7.10, the Irish Centre was lie a slightly upmarket working mens club which turned out to be good as there were no barriers at all, my brother and I were right up against the stage. Saw Paul Simonon and Tony Allen walk to the bar right behind us. Twas an ace night. By the time the compere came on the place had filled up completely. Compere was a comedian who was ace. Then wattle and daub came on one on stilts he other juggling various things. The one on stilts swallowed a ballon sword......they sort of bombed a bit really people started losing interest, they took too long and seemed to feel quite awkward, they were good jugglers though. Compere came back on cracked everyone up, then the two jugglers came on again better than the last time. Indigo Moss(?) came on they were pretty damn good actually, basically a three piece a guitar a lute and a banjo singing sort of folky blue grass stuff. Main event: They all arrived swung straght into History Song which was brilliant, we were right in front of Paul, at one point later on his bass was actualy over my head. After History song someone in the audience shouted Damon you're a f***ing genius, to which he grinned....both he and Paul were mesmerising to watch, it made me realise what a great frontman Albarn is he is always so into it and enjoying himself. Two middle-aged Clash punks were behind me shouting go on my son to Paul who was laughed. It was al god but the highlight was probably 3 Changes, I can understand why it has less energy on the album as it fits in better, but in the live show it felt like they were building up to it all the way through......they did have to restart it though but only after about a second, and there was no strop. During behind the sun Damon leaned into the crowd and shaked a few hands. For some reason Simon Tong had Damon's guitar and didn't play his green one....I dunno why. Neither did Albarn play guitar at all, just the piano, which seemed to lead to a slightly different arrangement to behind the sun more like the John Peel one. Special mention to the strings who were awesome on everything, especially Herculean and Natures Springs. Speaking of which they played straight across the Bunting Song and Natures Springs with a really fluid transition...twas tingly. In fact during the Bunting song (I think, one with no drums) I spied Tony Allen and Jason Cox(?) (Extra keyboardist who was also ace and is really quite essential, and also got very into it) having a sly fag and a chat. GBQ the song was awsome too, i think Damon seemed quite pleased with audience reaction as participation of the handclap variety had begun spontaneously within 3 changes and GBQ......they all seemed to really appreciate it. The obligatory (Everyone could see it on the setlist) encore started and was ace. To clear things up it was back in the day with Damon on melodica, only realised what it was when the bass came in....it was remarkable to watch because it was like a jam and all members were really into it. They finished with Mr. Whippy with Eslaam Jawaad coming out to a massive reception, he was fantastic too seemed to appreciate the love....and made us do peace signs. At the end Jason Cox(?) Came to the front and stuck his thumbs up and said alright?Chheers! then Tony Allen was about to leave but the people were calling and he turned back and shook hands with everyone at the front including me and my brother, as I screamed to him that he was a f***ing legend.....ahem......I'm sure he appreciated it.......all in all an ace night, my brother who'd not heard anything by them and who initially refferred to simonon as the twat in the hat had a great night and came out with great admiration for Paul..."