Belfast May 27th

[Sarah]

Anyone going to the empire? Can't wait!
________
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[duke of hal]

you betcha!

Flights/hotel/tickets booked. Expecting you guys to look after us!

[Stephen]

I'm going to be flying around the front of the stage on the Saturaday gig with a Nikon camera, so if you see me, stop me and say hello!
I'm sure you'll be very well looked after in Norn Iron. The Empire is a great place to go to any gig, nevermind a Duke Special gig :)
What hotel are you staying at Duke of Hal?

Steve.

[thesneakybandit]

i *might* be there on both nights if i can sort myself out... will definitely be there on saturday but would rather be there on the sunday :roll:

[duke of hal]

I'm going to be flying around the front of the stage on the Saturaday gig with a Nikon camera, so if you see me, stop me and say hello!
I'm sure you'll be very well looked after in Norn Iron. The Empire is a great place to go to any gig, nevermind a Duke Special gig :)
What hotel are you staying at Duke of Hal?

Steve.

we're in the travelodge, not too far from the Empire, we hope!

[Sionna]

Got my tickets for the saturday.Dragging one of my friends along who's never been to a Duke gig.Will prob be there nice and early and hopefully get a seat at the side balcony thingy.

[Sionna]

I'm going to be flying around the front of the stage on the Saturaday gig with a Nikon camera, so if you see me, stop me and say hello!
I'm sure you'll be very well looked after in Norn Iron. The Empire is a great place to go to any gig, nevermind a Duke Special gig :)
What hotel are you staying at Duke of Hal?

Steve.

we're in the travelodge, not too far from the Empire, we hope!

Think thats only a 5/10 min walk from the empire.

[Stephen]

nice and early and hopefully get a seat
Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow.....
A seat?! :)

[Stephen]

Hal, yeah the Travellodge is a quick walk from the Empire - it's very central to the rest of the city too. Good choice. How long are you staying for?

[thesneakybandit]

nice and early and hopefully get a seat
Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow.....
A seat?! :)

yeah sitting on the wee upstairs balcony bit at a smokey table is the only way to enjoy duke special in the empire... it's also a great spot to take photos from :)

we should all meet up downstairs in the empire for a pre-gig drink or two... it'll be like the first ever meeting of the duke special fan club!!!

[Stephen]

Yeah that's a good idea, but maybe somewhere away from the Empire would be better seeing as, well if you think about it, the whole gig will be a fan club meeting for drinks! :)

Hey even better, we could slip Duke a few bob and get him to play in the corner of the Beaten Docket or somewhere for us, while we catch up with each other ;)

[duke of hal]

Hal, yeah the Travellodge is a quick walk from the Empire - it's very central to the rest of the city too. Good choice. How long are you staying for?

2 nights, coming to both shows!

[Sionna]

nice and early and hopefully get a seat
Wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow, wow.....
A seat?! :)

yeah sitting on the wee upstairs balcony bit at a smokey table is the only way to enjoy duke special in the empire... it's also a great spot to take photos from :)



Yeah taking lots of pics is the plan.And because Im small so easier to sit at balcony.Usually when I go to a gig, the tallest person in the building decides to stand in front of me. :roll:

[Sionna]

Yeah that's a good idea, but maybe somewhere away from the Empire would be better seeing as, well if you think about it, the whole gig will be a fan club meeting for drinks! :)



We can have a pre-party in my place.I'll just convince my friend to let me invite strangers from a message board over :wink:

[duke of hal]

Hey even better, we could slip Duke a few bob and get him to play in the corner of the Beaten Docket or somewhere for us, while we catch up with each other ;)

I'll put this to him tonight!

[duke of hal]

Me again, banging on about Belfast (it's only cos we're so excited about it, sorry).

I'm basically asking which of the good Belfast peeps we may see over the coming weekend?

Look out for us, H is gorgeous and has 2 DS tees, one red 'gramaphone' one and one new 'bear' design (she'll be wearing one on each night). I'm old and ugly..... so we'll be easy to spot....we'll be the ones who people are thinking 'what on earth is she doing with him?'

Please say Hi, but please also let us jknpw who we can expect to meet

Cheers......can't wait

Paul n Helen x

[thesneakybandit]

i'll be there both nights. i'll probably be wearing unfeasibly large jeans (even by duke special standards) and a grey jacket/green hoodie combo. it's my official gig outfit.

i had thought that all of us belfast boardies could meet up for a pre-gig drink somewhere just to get to know each other and indulge in a spot of hero worship or something.

[duke of hal]

Just tell us where and when to head to?

[Stephen]

I'm going to be there both nights.
First night, I'll be knocking about the front of the stage with a Nikon camera. I'm not sure what I'll be wearing, but it'll involve a black leather jacket I'm sure.
The second night, I'm going to leave the camera at home (I think) just enjoy the gig (hmm, thought I wouldn't mind getting a few shots of the Amazing Pilots...).

Don't think I'll wear by DS t-shirt though.

I'm up for a drink beforehand. I'd say somewhere with a seat might be a good call. Bar12 might be decent enough at that time of night.

Any other ideas?

Steve.

[thesneakybandit]

yeh i was going to say bar12 or the fly although the fly might be a bit too "trendy"... probably easy enough to get a couple of those big comfy leather seats though :roll:

[duke of hal]

You've got until about 4pm tomorrow to tell me where andwhen then, it's your city........

[Stephen]

Let's get some feedback from more people before making a decision then so.

[duke of hal]

ok, but the clock's ticking for me and I won't see this site after 4 tomorrow.

sinecurea, I've pm'd you my mobile number to let me know of any late changes!

Cheers

[thesneakybandit]

i propose bar 12 at around 6.30/7.00 or whatever anyone else thinks...

[Sionna]

Will prob head there so bout 7ish.C ye then!

[thesneakybandit]

will be nice to meet you sionna. how you settling into belfast?

anyone else coming?

[Stephen]

I just realised I'm going by myself to the first gig, so I'll be glad of the company!

Steve.

[Sionna]

will be nice to meet you sionna. how you settling into belfast?


Im loving it!The Empire is practically my second home now.Dont blame me if I cant understand a word ye are saying lol its impossible after a few drinks :wink:

[thesneakybandit]

i went out with a girl from kilkenny once so i have a knack of speaking to you southerners lol :wink:

[Stephen]

One of my ex-girlfriends is from Cork, if I can understand her family and I understand anyone!

[duke of hal]

I just realised I'm going by myself to the first gig, so I'll be glad of the company!

Steve.

*ahem* aren't we going to be like family for the afternoon/evening?

[thesneakybandit]

yeh and me and sionna will be the adopted pesky kids of this happy family haha...

[duke of hal]

As long as you remember that children are seen and not heard

(that's seen going to the bar all the time and not heard moaning that they are buying all the drinks :wink:

[stubert]

just wanted to drop in and say i have two tickets for the saturday gig for sale (it pains me to do this!) cause i can't make it .... have a friends 30th birthday that i totally forgot all about hence not being able to use the tickets.

if anyone's interested in taking them off my hands then pm me

thanks

[Stephen]

Gandy, certainly try to get down to the door before the concert and sell them there - there will definitely be people turning up looking to get it. If nobody else wants them, I'll maybe take them for friends.

[thesneakybandit]

i've got them now mwa-ha-ha-ha

but if i don't hear back from people tonight, your friends can have them!

[stubert]

thanks for all your help fokes, am totally gutted that i can't go but at least i know they're going to a good home :D

[Claire Guinness]

Hello

i'm new to this forum!

I have just got tickets for sunday night coz well its a long story i wasn't even expecting to be in NI this weekend never mind going to see the legend that is Mr DS.

But the point of my post is I may not have a gig buddy so if any of you kind people wouldn't mind a tag along so i at least don't look silly on me own let me know - also may have a spare ticket too.

cheers
Mel

I'm so very excited - is it cool or not to wear your DS tshirt to the gig?

[thesneakybandit]

i'll be there on sunday night so you can tag along with me :)

*edit: i *think* you're on my myspace friends list so you should recognise me*

[duke of hal]

Mel,

me and Helen will be your buddies on Sunday.

Paul x

[stubert]

mel dear lord i'm tempted ..... saturday was a blow out for me but sunday might possibly be dooable.... let me get back to you on that :)

[Claire Guinness]

hoorah!

Thanks guys!

paul & helen i may have met you in glasgow?

cheers
Mel

[thesneakybandit]

haha i can't keep up with this madness :!: :roll:

[stubert]

you getting too old for this stuff then sneaky? lol

[duke of hal]

Mel, fraid not. Only Scotland trip was Stirling and St Andrews (yes, i'm a golfer I'm afraid!)

mobile number pm'd, text me on Sunday and we can plan better.

got to go x

[thesneakybandit]

you getting too old for this stuff then sneaky? lol

yeh hope i don't put a hip out or something on my way up the lisburn road... if i'm late check the city hospital geriatrics ward :)

[stubert]

noted 8)

[thesneakybandit]

is it cool or not to wear your DS tshirt to the gig?

i can't find my booley tshirt anywhere... don't suppose the badger could get me another one? lol

[Claire Guinness]

whos the badger?

[Stephen]

whos the badger?
Steve Badger, of Badger management.

[Stephen]

Right folks, I'm leaving here to head up to Belfast. Duke Of Hal has my number. See ya'll later!

Steve.

[Sarah]

How awesome was last night? I'm gonna upload some pics/videos later and I'll try and post them! He gets better and better, I love the new stuff and it was so cool him coming down into the crowd for a wee sing a long beast!
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[dutchess!]

Great night. Brought two friends for their first taste of the "Duke" They recognised true talent and loved the show. Chip Bailey = precussion god

[globalholisticnetwork.com]

I just got onto this forum.About time too!Saw Peter in Belfast last night and it was easily the best gig i've seen him play. Fantastic night. Bought the Vinyl boxset too, even though I'm broke and i think it's safe to say I'm going to be using my old record player a lot more, well until the cd comes out.the new album kicks ass.'This could be my last day is an absolutely beautiful tune

[neiliusmaximus]

does anyone have a setlist?
and did ollie from turn get up and play with him last night?
i know he was up in belfast last night.
tried ringin' ollie to ask, but he's dj-ing till late tonight in dublin.
randall.

[thesneakybandit]

this is sort of the set list from what i can remember... i'm sure someone else can fill in any gaps.

saturday night
------------------
wake up scarlett
everybody wants a little something
brixton leaves
slip of a girl
portrait
i let you down
maps
ballad of a broken man
last night i nearly died
[chip's whisk rudiments]
freewheel
low
salvation tambourine
--------------------------
no cover up
don't breathe
singalong (i do like to be beside the seaside/sesame street/john lennon love/love cats/video killed the radio star)

sunday night
----------------
wake up scarlett
everybody wants a little something
brixton leaves
slip of a girl (with the amazing pilots)
portrait
i let you down
maps
ballad of a broken man
closer to the start
[chip's whisk rudiments]
freewheel
last night i nearly died
salvation tambourine
--------------------------
no cover up
don't breathe
john lennon love





duke special (vocals, piano, transistor radio) rea curran (backing vox, megaphone, trumpet) chip bailey (drum kit, whisk, grater, box, stumpf fiddle) ben hales (backing vocals, guitar, bass, lap steel) serge archibald III (backing vox, clarinet, megaphone) jackie flavelle (upright bass)


apologies for any songs or artists i've left out... red wine, you're so deceiving :roll:

[very_special]

Red wine is such fun at the time, lol! :wink:

We definitely got 'Portrait' and 'Freewheel' on Saturday night. Possibly 'Low' also though not entirely sure about that one?
We also had 'Sesame Street' during the sing-a-along.
Still hoarse from screaming 'Lovecats' at the top of my voice, that was the first time I heard the Duke's rendition and I wasn't disappointed :D
I can now die happy......

Thanks to the Duke et al for a superb evening!!

[thesneakybandit]

actually yes... 'portrait', 'freewheel' and 'low' on both nights and 'closer to the start' last night...

it's all coming back to me...... :D

[orangelil]

definately had Low on saturday. It's my favourite song!

[thesneakybandit]

despite the drunkenness... the reviewing is coming along quite nicely... you lucky people can have a read at the first draft before i go back edit it all, probably make it worse and then submit it to the site...

Two Special Nights
Duke Special at the Belfast Empire

Duke Special, The Amazing Pilots, Shookman, DJ's Para & Baila
The Empire Music Hall, Belfast 27th & 28th May 2006
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The two clean-cut and dapper dressed young men on stage have the appearance of someone you could safely take hom to meet your mother. They look well and make polite introductions from the stage. Pay attention though because these guys are as close as you're going to get to bad-ass-gangsta rap on an evening such as this. I'm never quite sure what to make of the whole hip-hop genre. Thanfully DJ's Para and Baila wear no sportswear and the lack of bling is to be commended. I'm finding it hard not to use phrases like 'check it', 'breaking it down' and a host of other cliches. As a warm up act these guys do a decent job. They're upbeat, fun, entertaining, freestyling and getting a relatively sober Belfast crowd to rap along with them. That's pretty good going in my opinion.

Shookman are the main support act for the first night. Having previously recorded and gigged under the name of Chuzzle, this marks a shift in direction for this band. It's a little more edgy and rock and roll but at the same time hanging onto the shirt-tails of cheesey pop. The front man demands your attention - dressed in a bright red shirt and jacket and sporting a ratpack hat. His first moments on stage are a little surreal, throwing his hat in the air before quietly rasping over an acoustic track with a voice that has seen way too much Jack Daniels and Marlboro Lights. It's actually a poor choice of opening song and thanfully when the band kicks in and the vocal style reverts back to what we know as singing things significantly improve and feet are tapping throughout the bar as the band bounce out catchy little choruses about men rolling big cigars.

Long time friends of Duke Special and collaborators on several songs The Amazing Pilots are the much hyped support for the second night. Originally from Northern Ireland's north coast and lured to the big smoke of the mainland it's a sort of homecoming for the Wilkinson brothers. They seem a little bit nervous on stage, some of the vocals are a little bit too off and the whole set suffers from a lack of energy. The Pilots are undeniably fantastic songwriters and extremely talented musicians. I can't quite put my finger on the problem with their performance - maybe it's nerves, maybe it's the lack of a drum kit. I know the songs are good but I'm just not feeling anything from the stage.

The ever increasing crowd in The Empire don't mind a weak support slot though. Mostly they're here for one reason. The local boy with the angelic voice has come home with a new album in tow and a V2 contract. This is less of a gig, more of a welcome home party. Looking at the stage you would be forgiven for imagining you have walked into some antique living room. An old transistor radio perches on top of the battered piano and the trademark gramophone and percussion bits and pieces litter the stage. The Duke Special set on both nights is relatively unchanged. It's a great selection of songs and this crowd could happily listen to them every night of the week.

A crackle from the gramophone gives way to a little feedback before the band kick into the pounding opening bars of 'Wake Up Scarlett'. From that moment on it's a marathon of songs that have grown from a creative mind, a bruised heart and maybe a slightly corroded liver. Each track is greeted by enthusiastic applause and beaming faces. Most people by now know the words and sing along to songs so real you feel like you've lived and breathed them. Newer tracks like 'Slip Of A Girl' and 'No Cover Up' fit seemlessly alongside the old favourites and show a steady improvement in Peter Wilson's writing.

Duke Special is more than one man though and with every gig the other members of the Vaudeville rabble become more involved and in turn more loved. Rea Curran on vocals, trumpet and occasional harmonium and percussionist Chip Bailey are vital members of the Duke's team. If any other drummer in the world told you that egg whisks and cheese graters were for sale on the merchandising stand and offered a lesson in elementary kitchenware percussion halfway through the gig you might think it surreal. With Chip Bailey it seems like the most natural thing in the world.

To round off the evening's entertainment, the boys haul their instruments from the stage down onto the bar room floor and we all crowd around that grubby looking but beautiful sounding piano and sing along with the band. We sing Duke Special's 'John Lennon Love', and a few verses and choruses from The Cure's 'Lovecats' before tackling a more demanding repertoire including the theme from Sesame Street and 'I Do Like To Be Beside The Seaside'. No one else could pull this off. Very few would even try.

[duke of hal]

Can't really add anythingto the above except to say a BIG thank you to Scott, Mel, Clare, Andy, Steve and the Duke himself for making our trip so memorable.

we had the sense to leave the Rotterdam earlier than most (mainly because the previous night's hangover was still telling me what a bad idea staying may be!)

We love your city, guys, and we may well be back soon.

Going to lie down (and wait patiently for Wolverhampton on June 14th)

Cheers!!!

[Claire Guinness]

firstly many apologies for taking so long to reply/put up a post!

a massive THANK YOU to Paul, Helen, Scott & Claire for letting (a wee culchy who was only home for the weekend and came over all spontaneous wanting to go to the big city for an evening of fab entertainment) me taga long with you guys to the Sun night gig!

I truy had an amazing if a little bit surreal evening and enjoyed every min of it!

It was my pleasure to get us all lost and drive down one way streets to the after party - just a shame i couldn't stay!

Hope you are all well - heres to random nights and may we all meet again sometime soon!

Cheers
Mel x

[thesneakybandit]

yeh thanks for that mel. you were a lot more obliging than the taxi drivers on the way back home!!! and it wasn't so much a one way street as not a street at all...

anyway folks here's a review of the belfast gigs on drop-d:
http://drop-d.ie/archive/article.asp?article=250