I was in Manchester for work yesterday, the train costs were so prohibitive (nearly 200 quid for a day return with our charity discount!) that it was cheaper for me to go up the night before and stay in a hotel.
So there I was safely settled into my hotel room for a night of beavering away on my laptop and watching some trashy TV, when I spotted in the Manchester Evening News that Queen were playing the MEN Arena that night.
Of course tickets had been sold out for months, but after a bit of coercion from younger brother I decided to wander down there to see if I could get a good deal off a tout.
Having seen them twice this tour already, I was happy to make sure I didn't get fleeced and if that meant buying a ticket for after the gig had started - when apparantly touts are understandably desparate to get rid of whatever they have left - then so be it.
As it was, the first guy I approached offered my a standing ticket for face value. 50 quid. Done.
I got into the Arena 10 mins before curtain up, and an excellent impulsive time had by all.
I don't think it was as good a show as Paris, but it was pretty awesome nonetheless, it took a good hour for the hearing to return!
Some nice new additions to the set, some new songs including Say It Isn't True and the old Free number Wishing Well, as well as a much longer and heavier version of Fat Bottomed Girls and indeed I'm In Love With My Car. Once again the best song of the night was Days of our Lives which as usual moved me to tears.
A few surprises too, a rough and ready Under Pressure played for the first time on tour as the first song of the encores (although the excellent Show Must Go On has sadly been dropped,) and a guest appearance by Peter Kaye to introduce the aforementioned encores. That pretty much got the biggest cheer - and laugh - of the night.
Sadly didn't have my camera with me, although it meant I probably concentrated more on the gig which can be no bad thing - so here's a nice pic from Brixton instead.
