Board Members Tour Diary

[duke of hal]

For comments/setlists/photos from the tour which starts tonight. Hopefully new members will contribute to this, maybe even Duke or Temperence themselves.

Perhaps we can use this rather than have individual threads for each show?

I'll be on here first thing Friday morning :wink:

[H]

And I shall be here on Sunday morning :)

Great idea, sir (I believe I met you in Gloucester, by the way, so hello again :))

[duke of hal]

We did indeed, you made the trek from Middlesborough (or somewhere nerby) I recall.

Are you doing merchandise?

[H]

Quite correct on both counts :) Shall we have a t-shirt selling competition? ;)

[duke of hal]

We've done merch before..so be careful.

how about a total sales comp for us and everyone who's helping? We'll have to exclude what we buy ourselves tho, cos you may be loaded and buy 3 of everything!!!

The gauntlet is thrown and the challenge accepted, so members who also sell merch should include the total sales figures (less their own purchases) as a part of their Tour diary!

Nice one!!! And there's only one winner (unless he doesn't want the taxman to find out!)

[H]

cos you may be loaded and buy 3 of everything!!!

Ha, I wish! :D

[H]

Stockton Georgian gig last night was utterly sublime - thanks Peter and Chip :)

Setlist was as follows:

Wake Up Scarlett
I Don't Love You
Brixton Leaves
"This slip of a girl" (new song)
I Let You Down
Maps (Yeah Yeah Yeahs cover)
Ballad of a Broken Man
Portrait
Last Night I Nearly Died
Freewheel
Low (solo)
Salvation Tambourine
------
No Cover Up
John Lennon Love

And I was truly honoured to be able to sell Chip Bailey whisk and cheese grater sets on the merch stall :D

[duke of hal]

What was the turn out like Dawn?

And do we have anything from Northampton or Chip's own Swindon?

Do we have a final figure on your sales? or would you prefer to email your results?

Sounds like Eurovision this! (no, not Duke's music!)

[getlostdave]

Wasn't paying too much attention to the set list, but the Northampton gig was outstanding.

[echomusic]

SWINDON GIG WAS GREAT

IT WAS NEARLY A FULL HOUSE

THE SET LIST WAS ALMOST THE SAME HAS PREVIOUSLY POSTED ALTHOUGH THE CAME BACK ON THE SECOND ENCORE AND DID A GREAT COVER OF VIDIO KILLED THE RADIO STAR .

THOMAS TRANX ( I THINK THATS RIGHT ) WAS ALSO VERY GOOD AND WELL WORTH GOING EARLY )

GREAT NIGHT AND GREAT SHOW

[tommy]

The gig in Swindon last night was incredible - I love the new songs! Have seen them in Swindon twice before (once supporting Juliet Turner and once at Riffs last year) it gets better every time.
Riff's is a great intimate venue for the Duke's music as well - it's the kind of atmosphere it needs.
And now I've got a tshirt :D
Thomas Truax is also great, totally crazy but well worth watching, my dad and my boyfriend bought him a couple of pints and had a chat when he came off.
Bit upset cos I'm from Swindon but at uni in Brum, so could have gone to see him twice if it wasnt for going to another gig this Thurs!
Since I've only just joined the forum, can anyone tell me when the new album is coming out?
Beth x

[helen]

I agree - the Swindon gig was great - really good atmosphere too.

That was the second time I'd seen Thomas Truax and he's amazing and gives a v. visual performance involving all his weird and wonderful handbuilt instruments like Sister Spinster, the Hornicator and the Stringalong(a). He got a lot of laughs from the audience and was the perfect support act for Duke Special.

The audience were v. appreciative and Chip even conducted a singalong during John Lennon Love...

I loved the new songs and can't wait to get hold of the album - I think it's now due out on the 25th May - hopefully in time for the London gig. Although "I don't love you/everybody wants a little something" is a bit infectious and was running around in my head all night - didn't get much sleep!!

I'm off to Brighton tomorrow - will report back later!! :)

[randallanddarcy]

Wasn't paying too much attention to the set list, but the Northampton gig was outstanding.

Hi everyone!!

I went to Northampton. It was probably one of Dukes best gigs yet!

The set list was..

Wake up Scarlet
Everybody wants a little something
Brixton Leaves
Slip of a girl...I really loved this one!!
I let you down
Maps
Ballad of a broken man
Protrait
Last night I nearly died
Freewheel...another fav!!
Low...another fav..hehe!
Salvation Tambourine...

John Lennon Love..another gorgeous song!!
No Cover Up
It must be love

The gig was very moving. I must have seen him play at least 8 or 9 times now....I'm always moved by the passion and emotion that comes through..

Thankyou Duke!!

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v63/carrie1972/DSC_0014tiny.jpg

Hi to everyone that was there!!

X Carrie X

[Herr_Dokter]

That's some EXTREME pinstripe, Duke! Good find!

-Herr Dokter esq.

[duke of hal]

This is sounding like a wonderful and extremely succesful tour!

bring on Thursday.......

[amy]

Southampton gig last night was brilliant, haven't seen him for a while so was nice to see him locally!

Merch stand went well, although it is the strangest sight seeing people walk out of the gig with chesse greater and whisk in hand!

Had a great time, seemed like alot of people enjoyed it, and Thomas Truax's set was amazing! I've seen some strange home made instruments in my time, but his definately took the biscuit!

[althemusicwizard]

Brighton last night was utterly fabulous! Every time I go to a Duke gig, I don't fail to be amazed by the incredible, huge, sound... and how it's all made by 2 people! Fantastic! Chip's really going for the full blown performance on 'I let you down' these days, isn't he?! hehe! Freewheel was utterly amazing - no recorded version will ever be a patch on the live performance that they did last night!

Turnout was... dissappointing. It's not a big venue, but I still felt like the crowd was somewhat rattling around a bit. It's a nice venue, but I can't help feeling it'd be better if it was half a mile further west!

Anyhoo, altogether fantastic! :) The boys should definately be proud of themselves!

[blondebutnotdumb24]

I really really enjoyed the Leeds gig tonight!! He played...

Wake Up Scarlet
Everybody Wants a little Something
Brixton LEaves
Maps
Portraight
I Let You Down
Last Night I Nearly Died
Freewheel
Salvation Tamborine
Baby Blue (I think it was called)
John lennon love

There were more, and in a total different order! But i cant remember lol!! It was really nice to meet him, and have a piture taken with him!!
http://i5.photobucket.com/albums/y185/beevers_uk/f9f2a7d6.jpg

[duke of hal]

Superb Beevers, I especially like your Grolsch sponsered halo!!!

please pm me to tell me how to get photo's into posts, cos I've never had any succes :x

[H]

Leeds last night was superb - and a wonderful turnout too. Setlist was the same as the Stockton one I posted earlier in the thread... although sadly no stage-diving this time, unlike the last time he played in Leeds :D

[Stephen]

Superb Beevers, I especially like your Grolsch sponsered halo!!!

Heh, I was thinking the same thing myself :)
By the way, I think the images thing is just [*IMG*]http://imageaddress/goeshere.jpg[*/IMG*] - without the asterisks.
The image has to be hosted somewhere, I you can't just attach them.

Steve.

[duke of hal]

Leeds last night was superb - and a wonderful turnout too. Setlist was the same as the Stockton one I posted earlier in the thread... although sadly no stage-diving this time, unlike the last time he played in Leeds :D

Duke's insurers will be pleased, as I understand that neither of his stage dives lst time were caught, were they? :oops:

Our turn tonight, expect the mother of all reviews first thing tomorrow morning :D

[helen]

Sorry that I'm messing up the tour sequence but I didn't have access to a computer yesterday - was too busy soaking up the sunshine under a cloudless blue sky on Brighton beach - bliss! :)

Just to say thanks to Duke and Chip as it was another splendid gig. I really liked the venue and though the audience was small in size, they were so attentive - there was no chatting at the bar like you get in London! I think there were quite a few new fans won over that night.

Only 2 weeks till the London gig now....

[blondebutnotdumb24]

Superb Beevers, I especially like your Grolsch sponsered halo!!!

please pm me to tell me how to get photo's into posts, cos I've never had any succes :x

Haha!! A few people have commented on that!! Im so happy they are playing again in Sheffield, and York!! Gonna get my tickets for both them nights! showuld be awsome! Two nightsin a row!! :D

Did you get my PM?

[duke of hal]

yes yes yes!

Duke was on top top form last night, playing all the old favourites and the 2 new songs plus Video Killed The Radio Star at the end. Crowd was very receptive to Duke and Thomas Truax (how off the wall is he?)

Took 8 people with us and they were all very impressed and promising to come back soon.

Duke very chatty with the crowd, and Temperance referring to my wife's donation of white carnations in the megaphone intro to Salvation Tambourine. The carnations spent the evening in the gramophone trumpet. Do me a favour and ask Temp about his fantastic accuracy in throwing them back in!

Tell you what, can I suggest we start a new Duke 'thing' by taking white carnations to put in the gramophone - starting tonight in Eastbourne (tell them Paul and Helen suggested it)

Over and out, next stop Belfast Empire x2!!!

[mickf]

Yeah last night was amazing!!! I've only seen Duke doing support slots before (David Ford & Gemma Hayes) so was great to see a full length set.
Stunning cover of Maps!! Managed to get some decent videos of a few songs - will post them on here once they're uploaded if that's not a problem.
Got myself the whisk and grater, and ordered the album, really can't wait for it to arrive :D

[Alli]

Hi Gareth

Why don't you post your images on the images gallery of the member's area. it is really easy to do and keeps the forum running without people having to wait for huge picture downloads.

Thanks,

Admin

[mickf]

Yeah, will do!
As for the videos is it ok to post links on here?

[Alli]

Feel free to post links as long as they are to tasteful, well designed sites! :wink:

[mickf]

Ok, well here are the first few videos - the others are still being 'verified'.

Brixton Leaves (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5473736582811055231)
Maps (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=8873895506560517245)

[H]

Brilliant Gareth, thank you :)

[duke of hal]

Hey Dawn!

We never confirmed how much merch we sold?

you first.......

[Stephen]

Hehe, I hope you two don't start scrapping now! :)
Cheers for the videos Gareth!

Steve.

[echomusic]

thanks for vidio brings the night right back

[helen]

Excellent! Thanks for sharing those Gareth!

I stumbled across the Kick Out the Jams footage as well, on that link, which I haven't seen before - stunning performances. :D

[mickf]

Glad you're all enjoying the vids :D Here's the rest:

Last Night I Nearly Died (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5907898336647639931)
Salvation Tambourine (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=770101149090766065)
Video Killed The Radio Star (http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-416193270510338266)

They're a bit dark and not great video quality but the sound turned out pretty well!

[rocky raccoon]

Hi All,

Thursday night rates as somewhere in my top 10 favourite gigs (which really takes some going as I hate TGC as a venue.)

The night started somewhat bizarrely with a mate wanting some "Customer Service" advice. I took the call into the loo where I ended up trying to cut a conversation short with the quote "Listen mate got to go, I'm at a gig, and the main man is having a piss just behind me."

Duke told me he'd be on in about an hour but to watch the support as he would "blow me away". Not the kind of words I normally exchange in the gents but if I had my time again I would have also asked Duke for tonight's lottery numbers because he turned out to be bang on.

Thomas Truax was amongst the most bizarre live acts I have seen for an age. I was in fits of laughter from the stage presence, the instruments and the lyrics. Also the one one 'ecstatic' note on his resonance guitar (?). If the comedy peeps laughed as much they would have had a top night.

Anyway after spending over 8 times the ticket price on Merchandise and returning Helen's pen to her it was onto the main event.

I've always had a pretty shitty view any time I have seen Duke Special before but this time I was close enough to have played an adequate Captain Flint to Temperence's Long John Silver. And the view of drumming was fantastic. Even if Duke was ignoring our side of the audience (HELLO!)

Toes a tapping all night all the songs I wanted to be played were. I have more than a soft spot for Portrait as its the song that makes me able to face the day as it makes me move from a crawl to a bounce my way on the last leg towards work in the morning. The verses were sung the wrong way round but there seemed to be some kind of temperal loop thing going on because in singing along to myself I made the same mistake and didn't realise until there was nowhere to echo "out of tu-ooh-une".

It was somewhat bizarre that as Duke had introduced this as a song about having your photo taken when you least wanted to that this was the moment that the photographers seemed to appear out of nowhere. Perhaps I am forgetting to be kind.

Best receptions seemed to be for Last night I nearly died, Salvation Tambourine and John Lennon Love. These were also the one's that voices could be heard singing along more audibly than other moments a fact that Temperance leapt upon leading a community singing bit panto style at the end of JLL.

The gig flew past too quickly for me but was bolstered by a three song encore including Video killed the Radio Star but everyone in the room was a bit too British (or not drunk enough) to attempt a full squeaky "ooh-hu-hoo".

Altogether a top gig. Wonderful songs beautifully performed with the aid of a cigarette rolled with a licquorish paper.

It still left me wanting more. Derby is sadly beyond me but I will be looking to go the Charlotte (one of my favourite venues) next Sunday.

Just one request....any chance of a saleable properly recorded live album? It would be tops.

[SBIGGIN]

Hi All (Paul and Helen especially)

Not much to add to the other reviews and fantastic video's Gareth(You can sit next to me again pal)

Some fantastic new material which went down extremely well.Great version of 'Video...' heard some great covers....quite a collection!

Look forward to catching up with some of you all at Derby tomorrow! Big bloke with the goatee!

Thanks Paul and Helen (see you at Leicester you too 'Justabloke')

Laters....

Justin

[swizz]

Just thought I'd let you all know that the Bristol gig was excellent and at the end Duke played a cover of The Cure's Love Cats!

[mtgriffin]

Just got back from the Liverpool Academy gig - great night, even if there was only about 20 people there! He played:

Wake Up Scarlett
Everybody Wants A Little Something
Brixton Leaves
Slip Of A Girl
I Let You Down
Maps
Ballad Of A Broken Man
Portrait
Last Night I Nearly Died
Freewheel
Low
Salvation Tambourine
No Cover Up
John Lennon Love

Was impressed by Thomas Truax as well, didn't know what to expect with him but he was great! I was hoping to take some videos, but the light was no good so I have some audio recordings instead which I will sort out tomorrow.

[Stephen]

See, this kinda thing annoys me. If Duke was playing local gig, just him and the piano, I'd turn up to it. It's just great to hear his take on any song, his own stuff is a bonus!
I was thinking about going over to Liverpool to see Ludovico Einaudi this weekend. I would be on that plane on Saturday if somebody else would go with me - I can't justify going by myself.
As such, there should be more people at those gigs - especially as a hell of a lot of poeple are going to them and coming back saying that they wish they'd gone to previous shows...

I'm not sure where I'm going with this, so I'm just going to end this now before i insult somebody :)

Steve.

[helen]

That's a real shame there was so few people there but I bet they all loved it! Perhaps the gigs need a bit more publicity - ads in the local press etc and maybe some posters around the place. I think one of Enda Casey's beautiful black & white images as a poster would persuade a few people to check out the gig, even if they hadn't heard the music (well, it would convince me anyway!). :)

[rocky raccoon]

Just thought I'd let you all know that the Bristol gig was excellent and at the end Duke played a cover of The Cure's Love Cats!

I love that song! It's on my feel good music CD that gets me to places I would rather not go to (John Lennon Love and Portrait are on there as well). Can we have it at the Charlotte on Sunday please?

[Steely]

Hi everyone!

Just a report of last nights' Glasgow gig. I arrived in time for Thomas Truax (sp?) and I'm so glad I did! Fantastic! Like nothing else, ever! God, he was worth admission alone. I am definitely going to investigate him further.

The Duke and Temperance Society Chip Bailey were tremendous! Fifth time I've seen them and they were just wonderful. From the massive bombastic opening of Scarlet through to the encore of Video Killed the Radio Star they were just amazing.

The Duke had to nip to the loo at one point and Chip gave an impromptu lesson in how to play the whisk and cheese grater. Fantastic. Pure music hall and absolutely joyous.

A really good crowd, really good atmosphere. The Duke seemed really chuffed at the reception he got. The place was packed and lots of people seemed to sing along. I did shout for Moonlight at Eastbourne and the Duke did say maybe later. Didn't happen. Oh well, you can't have everything, eh?!

To close, f-ing brilliant night out. My thanks to the Artists. Nobody else can touch you for genuine entertainment and for such beautiful songs. Pete, you're a God!

[chris m]

to the guy who posted those videos... cheers, they're really cool...

somehow, without trying to i managed to download an mp4 music version of maps, when i went back, i couldn't get it again, and couldn't get any more of the songs... really don't know how i did it!!!

But was wondering if any more of these could be made available as mp3/4 music files... would be very grateful... loved that version of maps (and i fucking despise the yeah yeah yeahs!!)

PS along the tour diary route, i was at the aberdeen gig last night... was absolutely amazing, setlist exactly the same as above except the encore included a cover of a song (i think he said it was adem smith or something like that??? not sure - anyone confirm?) and he ended on john lennon love.

My fav song i hadnt heard was in the encore - not sure what it was called or anything, presume its one of the ones noted above - fav song that had heard before was freewheel - easily the best version of that ive heard yet!!!

Absolutely fantastic gig, one of the best ive ever seen i think (have seen duke twice before as support) - am gonna have to go to the newly announced edinburgh gig to get my fill of him!!

[Herr_Dokter]

Gareth. You are a genious of video downloads.

-Herr Dokter, esq.

[ChrisFlynn]

The Duke seems to get better with every gig. That's the 4th time my friends and I have been to see him in Glasgow and this was the best yet.

I've been dying to see him in a headline slot since I first stumbled across the unique musical style in King Tuts last year, and it was well worth the wait.

As someone mentioned earlier, Chip's impromptu cheese-whisk lesson was nothing short of genius (Rink-de-dink, anyone?) and put a smile on everyone's face. We got asked to leave a bar afterwards for cheese-whisking (badly) but it was well worth it!

Cant wait for the next time the guys come over to the west of Scotland for a gig. Might have to get on to a budget airline's website and get myself to Ireland before the end of the tour now!

Duke - Keep up the good work!

[Beachy69]

Just thought I'd let you all know that the Bristol gig was excellent and at the end Duke played a cover of The Cure's Love Cats!

Fantastic gig! Also my day was made when Duke played Love Cats especially for me as my fiancee had told him it was my birthday!

Great new songs looking forward to the boxset when it arrives.

Andy

[Newbie]

Apologies for the double post but just realised that although there was a Bush Hall thread this one exists too !!

So Bush Hall London is a very pretty venue and ceratinly in keeping with the stylings of Duke , the crowd was quite large and despite some annoying (drunk ) chattering bloke ,most of the audience were extremely appreciative of the amazing talent before them


The evening featured Poetry from Wayne Smith and support from Fast Emperors , an excellent Belfast rock band, and Gary Dunne doing his looping thing so well !!

Highlights off the night were

Duke disappearing for a Pee Pee (Chip's words - not mine!!) whilst Chip demonstrated how to use the Whisk and Cheese Grater with Audience Participation included.
The amazing Ben Hales on Bass guitar and harmonisation,
and of course the extremely wonderful Duke himself playing the old faves along with some beautiful new tracks from the latest album such as "slip of a girl"

Finale was Duke, Chip and Ben jumping off stage for a singalong around the grand piano situated in the middle of the room.....

One to rememember ...... :D

p.s. managed to buy my wooden boxed "songs from the Deep Forest" and would advise you all to do the same very soon ....it's beautiful !!

[helen]

Yep! Outstanding gig last night at Bush Hall and the biggest crowd I've seen at a London gig when Duke's been headlining - I think there must have been a couple of hundred there. Lots of people seemed to know the songs and it was a v. good atmosphere. The sing-along round the piano of John Lennon Love and You Are My Sunshine was excellent and finished the evening in style!

Seems to me that the performance is looking more rehearsed too (hope that doesn't sound insulting! but you know what I mean) - it seemed even more theatrical than usual! Chip was also being very playful and whisks were being thrown around the stage.

The album box set is very beautiful and I love that track "no cover up" - that would make a good single...

I'm going to see Martha Wainwright in London on Saturday, which is partly to take my mind off the fact that Duke will be playing a storming gig in Belfast and I won't be there! Hope we get some reports .....