Damon returned to this venue with a band for the first time since Blur's 1995 sellout show on the rickety pier. Despite the lights cutting out during Three Changes (through which the band ably soldiered on regardless). The band delivered another classic performances to the delight of fans. Support on the night included such diverse acts such as Benny Bellend - dressed up in a naked suit while performing some Victorian stunts, a contortionist and Igor the Accordion Box player who didn’t fail to get the crowd dancing. [photo credit: mr_briggs]

Check out Andy Morris's great photos from the show on TheGoodTheBadAndTheQueen.net here

Check the photos from the official site of the support acts on the night:- 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8


Check out mr_brigg's great review and pictures here

Wheelz writes:-
"Good stuff from the Good Bad And The Queen from the seafront Southsea Pier.Really gelling now as a unit,just one hiccup in instrumental encore.Simonon swanker stealth hip pumping bass keeps the movement going on stage ,All in all there something great to watch and hear,i loved it.Lest i forget Mr Albarn smiled not once but several times through set,must be good,,old tyme music hall feel and saucy contortionst adds to the show,,,melting pot of good taste,"

Patrick writes:-
"Well I always moan about lack of good gigs on the South Coast so when I saw TGTBTQ were playing such a small venue I was on web straight away getting tickets. I have 5-6 days to get used the new record before the gig and like a lot of Damon's stuff it does take a while to perculate and grow on you. It tunes and songs sound more like Blur songs than anything Damon's done for yonks..even more Blue than Think Tank but the arrangments and playing is very unusual. So I was a little aprenhensive when stepping foot onto Southsea Pier for the first time. Its a great venue. Very low ceiling - tiny really. - low stage. Paul's artwork was the backdrop with bunting flags and a small Union Jack. There were sone vari lights at the back but it was a pretty basic set up as the stage was tiny. The master of ceremoies popped up with a victorian tash a vicious sense of homour - extremely funny. It was then that we were all to learn that this was no ordinary gig. First on was a lady contortionist. As the man with tash said later you could see 'some of her little puppies' popping out occasionally. Next on was a russian accordian player with long blond hair who looked like a you Rik Wakeman. He played some mean Russian music but then he started singing and WOW what a great act. I would go an see Ivan anyway - great fun. Next was a make contortionist together with the lady from before. This was a bit more bizzare as it consisted on him eating bunting and then having it pulled out from his bum! Next was a blue grass band - very good. After a few more jokes from the man with a tash involving a can of Damon's special brew and a ventrilquists dummy we had a half an hour wait while the roadies got the stage ready. Then pretty low key Damon and the band came on. Damon and Simon were wearing bolwer hats while Paul wore his trademark leather trilby. There were 3-4 vilonists at the back also wearing bolwer hats but you could hardly see them. The stage was very low and although I was less than 8m from the stage I could really only see the tops of the bands heads. If I wanted to see Tony on drums I had to tiptow and strain to see him. The bands basically played the whole albumn in one low go. Damon's voice does seem much stronger and to the fore than on the album and all the better for it. Paul has a great stage presence prowling around almost looking as if he wanted a fight! Sounds of the tracks espcially the one's with load parts sounded much better live than on the album. 'Herculian' was stonking and after that Damon gave the band a punch in the air as to say 'well done boys you nailed that one'. Just before the 'Green Song' (sorry the one about writing the song on Goldhawks Road, one of the best things Damon has done, classic) all the lights went out compeletly. The roadies were shining toches on the stage. Eventually for the last track from the album, TGTBTQ, the avri lights came back on - but it really did add to the gig!! The TGTBTQ track sounds stunning live - it good have gone on for an hour for me. The band then came on for an encore and were joined by the rapper - the same one that appeared with TGTBTQ at the BBC gig at the Roundhouse. Overall a really cracking gig. The band has obviously put a lot of thought into this tour. They obviously chose venues for there Englishness and the Victorian style renue at the beginning was genius.I'm a bit passed having 'best ever gigs' but this for its sheer originality, setting and aptsmosphere was stunning"