NEW MODEL ARMY
MELKWEG,
AMSTERDAM
16.12.12
Live REVIEW
It doesnât get more exciting than this. A New Model Army âFamilyâ gathering in one of Europeâs most vibrant cities, just ahead of Christmas.
Seeing NMA at this time of year is now a tradition, which is why there were people from all across the UK, Germany, Sweden, Holland and even America here tonight.
Melkweg is an impressive venue too. Compact, but well laid out. The sound was crisp and clear â definitely a venue to visit if you get the chance.
What more can be said about New Model Army? Iâve seen them over 150 times since 1986 and tonight, they deliver as good a performance as I can ever remember. Itâs tight and note perfect â a set mixed with crowd pleasing classics and some old friends not heard for some time.
Straight from the off, âFrightenedâ and âThe Chargeâ set the scene â then came âBrave New Worldâ, which Iâd never heard live before. There was definitely nothing wrong here!
It was a journey of a lifetime tonight. â51st Stateâ is a classic NMA sing-along, magically contrasted by the electric âRed Earthâ with its 2 drumkit delivery. Then âSpirit of the Falklandsâ â another one Iâd never heard live â closely followed by âGreen and Greyâ and tonightâs 2nd reference to the Minerâs Strike â1984â.
The set finished with âThe Huntâ, âNo Restâ, âHighâ and â225â â these are amongst my personal NMA favourites and by this time, I felt like I was in my own world of dreams, bouncing off other friends and Family down the front of an ecstatic, delirious crowd.
Encores of âMarrakeshâ, âStupid Questionsâ, âWonderful Way To Goâ and âVengeanceâ topped off a perfect night. Amsterdam is famous for many things, but I will always think of this night!
Onwards to Nottinghamâ¦
Lawrence Chapple-Gill â Manchester
Facebook â LCGâs PUNK & INDIE COLLECTIVE
