Manchester Palace Theatre - October 2007
As the son of a Supertramp fan I'd grown up with Roger's music. Beautiful tunes that formed the backdrop to many events and roadtrips over the years. He was always someone I had hoped to see live one day but I always felt that I had missed the opportunity by several years.
It was clear from the set-up of the stage that even in this large theatre, this was going to be an intimate concert. A piano, keyboard, two guitars and a couple of microphone stands simply arranged on the stage meant that the show was going to be entirely focused on Roger and his brilliant accompanist Aaron. My first memory of seeing Roger in person when he came onto the stage was of his genuine smile and warmth. He seemed truly excited and happy to be playing in front of cheering home crowds once more and the reaction to the first chord of Give a Little Bit sent a shiver down my spine! It really is an amazing moment when the songs you've grown up with are played there in front of you, a truly electric sensation, especially when the guy on stage is as happy playing the songs as you are listening to them. I've been to many a gig where the band seems to be going through the motions, playing their music for promotion purposes rather than for enjoyment. This is far from the case with Roger, enjoying every note he sung or played. Each anecdote or introduction between songs was shared with enthusiasm and warmth.
As the audience settled into the music and the experience, Roger quickly came around to one of my personal favourites, 'Hide in Your Shell'. Roger's enthusiasm was addictive and you couldn't help but sing along as he sang with a huge grin on his face and a voice indistinct from the one I'd heard so many times over the years on various recordings! As the gig progressed an almost haunting atmosphere was created as everyone was encouraged to whistle along to the introduction to 'Easy Does It' which carried you along nicely and ran on into the beautiful 'Sister Moonshine'.
Other personal favourites such as 'Breakfast in America' and 'Dreamer' had numerous members of the crowd up and dancing, admittedly to funny looks from the Palace stewards who seemed keen for everyone to remain sedate and seated while Roger was encouraging everyone to get on their feet! A bit of a shame really as while many fans couldn't help but stand, others seem rooted to their seats in fear of a menacing stare! I was singled out for punishment for taking a memento photo on my phone and was harshly tapped on the shoulder as a reprimand, a little surprising as I was halfway down the row! The trouble was worth it though as I managed to take a rather fuzzy image of vague illuminated blobs moving about the stage! (See image below!)
Every song was an amazing experience, even a tune I was admittedly unaware of before the evening began - 'Oh Brother' - was truly moving and now firmly planted in my memory.
Roger finished the main set with the Manchester-appropriate 'It's Raining Again' before returning for the encore with the crowd pleasing 'School' and a reprise of 'Give a Little Bit'. All the way through the gig Aaron was as warmly received as Roger and his accompaniment on many of the songs made them wonderfully close to the original versions, almost amazing for only two, admittedly talented, performers.
Apologies if any memories of the gig are inaccurate, I have fond memories of an amazing night but I may have some of the recollections in the wrong order! Either way, I cannot recommend seeing Roger live highly enough!!