Event:
Z Festival 2002 Venue:
The Ritz, Manchester, UK Date:
5 May 2002
Arabia
Next up on the bill today was Arabia. Other than hearing a couple of songs
off one of the Z records compilations - 'Rock the Nations' we didn't
really know anything more about this band.
The band were the first
ones to be introduced by Sleazy H from Total Rock Radio. A girl who I'm
sure caught more than a few eyes with her traditional rock chick outfit.
Whoah if she'd shown any more enthusiasm for the band she would have
exploded I'm sure, obviously a huge fan of the band herself.
Opening with 'Heart is a lonely Hunter' we were glad it was a track we did
recognize and could actually sing along to. Good choice of starters lads!
Although there were a few tracks from their earlier material, it was the
newer songs from the '1001 Nights' that grabbed our attention.
No sooner had the band left the stage and we were over at the CD stall
investing our hard earned penny's in a copy.
'Runaway Renee' was dedicated to a girl from Florida who one of the band
members knew years ago. Renee, whoever you are lass, do you realize the
impact you've had on this lads life? Big rock ballad with big heartfelt
feelings that a lot of people could identify with I'm sure.
'Beggars Bag' is a new song by the band which they gave a twirl to us to
listen to and mighty fine it was too. However it was 'So Tired' and 'Love
love me Do' that were the highlights for me.
Real bar room swaggering songs where you could almost feel the heat and
smell the beer.
These guys from New York weren't half bad at all. It was nice to hear them
ask for a big round of applause for Sons of Angels who had been on before
them.
Manners are something that seems to be in short supply these days, good to
hear most of the bands here today still have them. I know a lot of them
remembered to thank Mark Alger and Z Records for allowing them to perform
here today.
* Note to bands … it's pronounced Zed not Zee. But it was great to hear
them remember who had made today's festival possible and bringing us all
together.
Throughout the first few songs the band looked very intense indeed. Lead
singer John Blaze in particular looked like he was on a mission for a
large part of the show. John - lighten up man, chill out and have fun,
that's what it's all about!
TJ - your flowing locks may have gone the journey but that didn't stop the
young ladies in the audience push their way forward for a closer look. The
Irish crowd were particularly taken with you and at one point I thought
they would be clambering up onstage for a closer inspection!
It's always great to discover new bands to like when you go to these
festivals you're never quite sure what you're going to hear.
Arabia were a very pleasant surprise and once they started to chill out
they performed a solid set.
Setlist:
Heart is a lonely Hunter
Love love me Do
Runaway Renee
Beggars Bag
Strange Days
1001 Nights
So Tired
Darkside of Love
The band were the first
ones to be introduced by Sleazy H from Total Rock Radio. A girl who I'm
sure caught more than a few eyes with her traditional rock chick outfit.
