UK Tour May 2010 [Archive] - Duke Special Forum

Stephen

01-03-2010, 10:15 pm

That time again! :-)

Sat 1st LEEDS
Leeds Festival - Holy Trinity Church
£15.00

Sun 2nd HARROGATE
Harrogate Theatre
£12.50

Mon 3rd EDINBURGH
Pleasance Theatre
£12.50

Tues 4th GLASGOW
Oran Mor
£12.50

Thurs 6th NEWCASTLE
Cluny 2 (Seated)
£12.50

Fri 7th MANCHESTER
St Phillips Church
£12.50

Sat 8th NOTTINGHAM
Rescue Rooms (Seated)
£12.50

Sun 9th BRISTOL
Thekla (Seated)
£12.50

Tues 11th OXFORD
Academy 1
£13.50

Weds 12th CARDIFF
Glee Club
£12.50

Thurs 13th LONDON
Shaw Theatre
£16

Steve.

robi

01-03-2010, 10:18 pm

How exciting. Wasn't expecting dates this soon!

Stephen

01-03-2010, 10:21 pm

Irish tour to follow...

Dawn S

01-03-2010, 10:28 pm

Really excited too. Time to book some time off work I think ;)

poppiesfan

01-03-2010, 10:30 pm

2 nailed on certs and a possible 3rd - lovely jubbly :D

jan

01-03-2010, 10:35 pm

Ta for the heads up Stephen......the news is circulating as I type.
:):)

morwenna

01-03-2010, 10:54 pm

Cool, I'm in Bristol on the 9th running a 10k, so that fits in well - on second thoughts though unless I can find a shower somewhere in Bristol, I'd probably better go home in between!! :rolleyes:

Playful

01-03-2010, 10:54 pm

I will be attending Leeds without doubt and hopefully Harrogate too!

rattle

01-03-2010, 10:55 pm

Irish tour to follow...

Any idea when these'll be announced?

Stephen

01-03-2010, 11:00 pm

Any idea when these'll be announced?
x+3 hrs. Find x. ;)

But seriously, not sure - I'd guess within 1-2 weeks, but that's purely a guess...

rattle

01-03-2010, 11:17 pm

x+3 hrs. Find x. ;)

But seriously, not sure - I'd guess within 1-2 weeks, but that's purely a guess...

Thanks, only asking because Michelle is away on a school trip for a week in June and sods law will no doubt have it that the Irish dates near us will clash with her trip so the sooner we find out the better to allow us to perhaps take in a mainland gig or two instead (and then I can go to some Irish dates on my own without feeling guilty!!!! :D)

Geordie

01-03-2010, 11:21 pm

The Cluny2! Gerrin!

Thanks for the news!

Stephen

01-03-2010, 11:33 pm

Thanks, only asking because Michelle is away on a school trip for a week in June and sods law will no doubt have it that the Irish dates near us will clash with her trip
Irish dates will be end of May/start of June...

RadioWhatsNew

01-03-2010, 11:42 pm

Wow, I haven't posted in donkeys :rolleyes:

Sods law has it that I have exams around that time ><"

I'm not free until the end of June :(

Kris

02-03-2010, 1:10 am

I need irish dates... plan in may... see 3 frank turner gigs and 3 ds gigs in a row!!! =D

rattle

02-03-2010, 6:13 am

Irish dates will be end of May/start of June...

Bugger it. :(

Sorry Michelle, sure you've seen him a few times already :D :whistle:

Goldilocks

02-03-2010, 7:30 am

Oh no! Living in Skeggy the only one anywhere near me is Nottingham, but it falls on my eldest son's birthday.

:( :banghead: :(

Delly

02-03-2010, 9:09 am

Wooo Hooo! Has anyone checked out the venues? :D:D:D Deffo having first week in May off whilst going on short driving tour of England and Scotland ;)

Melody

02-03-2010, 10:52 am

As far as I'm aware the Shaw Theatre is seated too ~ it's a modern theatre (slightly lacking in atmosphere because of that) very close to Euston/St Pancras/Kings Cross and has a hotel attached to it as well as many other places to lodge nearby (for distance travellers) ~ I saw a musical called Titanic there once... and Fame. It's also used for cabaret and spirit readers like Colin Fry... www.shaw-theatre.com Anyhew it's just up the road from where I work so I think I'll get myself some tickets if they're on sale now although I was tempted by Oxford as that's my birthday :)

Craig The Fish

02-03-2010, 1:10 pm

Great that Duke is touring again but gutted the 2 Scottish dates are during the week (rather than Fri/Sat) both 3-4 hours away (each way) so not possible for work next day :(

I know about finding best venues to play & artists (not just Duke) cant play everywhere & dates to suit everyone but i wish people would explore abit more of Scotland....it doesnt just stop in Central Belt....

Anyway, have fun those going.....just waiting for my CD's so will listen to them :D

Geordie

02-03-2010, 2:42 pm

Toon folk - Just had a tweet from The Cluny. Tickets for the Duke at Cluny2 go onsale from The Cluny, and online at ticketweb.co.uk, from Friday.

Burntoutstar*

02-03-2010, 2:50 pm

In addition most are on seetickets.co.uk and appear to go on sale on Friday too. Except for Bristol thats already on sale............you lucky folk you ;)

Delly

02-03-2010, 3:54 pm

rattle

02-03-2010, 4:05 pm

Found this link announcing the tour and new single - http://www.gigwise.com/news/54971/Duke-Special-Announces-May-UK-Tour-New-Single-Details

Burntoutstar*

02-03-2010, 4:11 pm

Burntoutstar* you're going to be spending quite a lot of time in church over the coming weeks arent you? :)

Seriously, some of the venues for this tour are wonderful! I think the Duke Special Team are to be congratulated and thanked for taking the trouble to find such unusual and inspiring (no pun intended) places for him to perform in.

Lol indeed Delly, I am often known to worship at many an alter ;) Besides I got the Magnetic Fields at Manchester Catherdral (which to my shame, I've never been in desipte working more or less oposite it!) Are you going to the Salford gig? Think I know where St philips is, might have to go on a recky to be sure though :)

groovelands

02-03-2010, 4:26 pm

I'm guessing that the Leeds date is part of the Live at Leeds Festival, a three day multi-venue festival around Leeds, as opposed to the Leeds Festival, which is totally different, and over August Bank holiday!

Duke is not mentioned on the listings yet but the music starts at 12 midday so I suppose Duke could be anytime from then onwards. Holy Trinity Church is an interesting venue, very atmospheric.

http://www.liveatleeds.com/

Goldilocks

02-03-2010, 6:13 pm

Seriously, some of the venues for this tour are wonderful! I think the Duke Special Team are to be congratulated and thanked for taking the trouble to find such unusual and inspiring (no pun intended) places for him to perform in.

Not so if you live in the east of England and work in a job where your holiday dates are dictated to you. Whilst I agree that the team do choose atmospheric and inspiring venues for Duke, (and cannot be expected to please everyone) the east of England/or people travelling long distances are at a disadvantage.

...and I feel all Duke starved at the moment. Been in a black mood all day :mad:

I've had my grumble...sorry it's not aimed at anyone in particular...I'm just disappointed.

robi

02-03-2010, 6:27 pm

Could you not celebrate your son's birthday on another day, Angie? Or would that be sacrilege?

Dawn S

02-03-2010, 6:34 pm

Could you not celebrate your son's birthday on another day, Angie? Or would that be sacrilege?

Or maybe take him to the gig as a birthday present? ;)

Delly

02-03-2010, 6:45 pm

Some of the gigs are Friday/Sat - are these no use Goldilocks? :(

teddy10

02-03-2010, 7:22 pm

Shaw Theatre is a given ~ so close to my home :-)

Bristol is a possibility, depending on being able to book my 'van in at Baltic Wharf.......

Guildford Ghost

02-03-2010, 7:47 pm

Shaw is seated? Damn. Seats ruin it for me. Duke is not to be experienced gigwise whilst bearing your weight on your bum.

Mrfizzy

02-03-2010, 11:07 pm

Just wanted to post to express huge thanks to Phil and the team ;

1. For posting all of the dates for the launch of the Hector Mann tour so promptly. It means that more of us get a chance to plan and commit that much earlier

2. For keeping the tickets prices so reasonable. We've noticed a serious price hike for many of the other gigs we've looked at this year. One of the criticisms of the pledge system was that some of the pledge offers were beyond the reach of many fans. The coverage and pricing of these shows should mean that the majority of fans can at least afford to see a live Duke Special show which is surely the most important thing. (Sorry for the exceptions).

It would be great if we could make this tour a real celebration and launch of the fabulous Hector Mann project.
Could I make a plea for Official Hector Mann tour merch?
The album design of finger (silent) and Hector's moustache is very clever and wonderfully iconic - it's made for T-shirts, pin buttons, mugs, posters etc.

Fizzy thought it would be even more mysterious to only have the icon with the text "Duke Special presents ..."

http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss244/itsMrAG/Duke%20Special/NewHectorManalbumclip.jpg

We all know that Duke wants to put on the best shows possible for fans (i.e. expensive) at the expense of the profit margin and I hope that we would be realistic and expect official merch pricing to include a reasonable margin to keep the shows and Duke's music going.

Melody

03-03-2010, 3:28 pm

really looking forward to the London show (for me, am glad it's seated...) as it sounds like the Pledge shows were quite a theatrical event in themselves... I had another show booked that same night for work but have got someone else to fill in for me... I can see that show anytime in May but this might be the only time I get to see the boxset live.

Goldilocks

03-03-2010, 10:59 pm

Some of the gigs are Friday/Sat - are these no use Goldilocks? :(

Nottingham gig (Thomas' birthday) is a Sat, as is Leeds but Leeds is one heck of a drive from here, and I don't want to stay over in leeds on my own. Am not confident about going to Leeds alone, and driving back alone for 3 hours late at night.

robi - Thomas lives away from home now, birthdays have always been very special, and more so now, as we don't see the boys very often.

Dawn - alas Thomas is not a Duke fan. if only!

Believe me iIve looked and looked at the dates but they are all just a no go for me this time. It makes me feel very sad, but thanks for your suggestions anyway.

Elaine

04-03-2010, 11:29 pm

Great to find out the tour dates so early. Will definately be at the London gig. Sadly could not make any of the pledge gigs. Will be good to see some familiar faces

Mrfizzy

05-03-2010, 9:23 am

pianofan

05-03-2010, 9:25 am

I have had major problems with gigsandtours since 08.55, but finally tried ticketmaster.co.uk 3 mins ago and after being redirected to ticketweb.co.uk - got my tickets VERY quickly - happy girl indeed :)

pianofan

05-03-2010, 9:26 am

Complete nightmare trying to get tickets on line from gig and tours seetickets for Shaw Theatre 9am this morning. Server uncontactable or "placed in a queue". I hope that it's because Duke is so popular!

Answer phones at the theatre contact number:mad:

Our replies crossed - hope you are trying ticketweb.co.uk now

http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_london&query=detail&event=376461

Mrfizzy

05-03-2010, 9:40 am

Our replies crossed - hope you are trying ticketweb.co.uk now

http://www.ticketweb.co.uk/user/?region=gb_london&query=detail&event=376461

Thanks to you Pianofan I did get tickets from ticketweb and can stop fretting and get back to work! :D

Geordie

05-03-2010, 9:54 am

As above, ticketweb worked fine for me for Newcastle gig tickets. :)

samsmum

05-03-2010, 10:45 am

Have got tickets for Manchester on Gigs and Tours , was only in queue for a short while, had no problem at all on Lunatickets for Harrogate

jeanette

05-03-2010, 12:10 pm

FINALLY got tickets for London gig - like negotiating an obstacle course as kept nipping out from tedious meeting only to get engaged/queue etc. But happy now - first time too!:)

Steetsie

05-03-2010, 12:40 pm

Tickets for Oxford booked:

https://www.wegottickets.com/

The Duchess

05-03-2010, 1:05 pm

Mr Fizzy said: 2. (thanks) For keeping the tickets prices so reasonable. We've noticed a serious price hike for many of the other gigs we've looked at this year. One of the criticisms of the pledge system was that some of the pledge offers were beyond the reach of many fans. The coverage and pricing of these shows should mean that the majority of fans can at least afford to see a live Duke Special show which is surely the most important thing.

.....and I for one would definately like to second this sentiment! Just booked my tickets - a bit dissappointed with my seat allocation but I guess that means they are selling really well! Looking forward to it!

Mrfizzy

05-03-2010, 1:21 pm

Glad you got tx eventually Dutchess.
Word is that the V festival launch screwed up seetickets and gig and tours re: on line ordering this morning.
Like every Duke fan we like a good view in the first few rows but we'd stand way at the back rather than miss it. Got tickets for all of the shows that we can make now and adrenalin levels returning to normal ...

Just Ireland to think about now ...

Melody

05-03-2010, 1:58 pm

Like every Duke fan we like a good view in the first few rows but we'd stand way at the back rather than miss it.

Feel humbled by your post so fixated was I in getting seats where I wanted... see you in London :)

bigspazz

05-03-2010, 2:01 pm

i got through to the shaw theatre and the nice lady sorted me out seats row b 20 and 21 which should be perfect as long as i dont get a giant in a wheelchair in front of me

Mrfizzy

05-03-2010, 2:23 pm

Feel humbled by your post so fixated was I in getting seats where I wanted... see you in London :)

Don't feel humbled - we do try very hard to get good seats!
I just mean that we just don't beat ourselves up or get glum if we don't.

"Making the best of it" is a very valuable and necessary British trait :)

teddy10

05-03-2010, 6:01 pm

The problem with gigsandtours was V Festival ~ went on sale this morning. Once I realised this I was advised to switch to ticketweb and was sorted within minutes for London (Shaw Theatre).
Bristol is now off the plan, can't get a campervan place there at Baltic Wharf ~ probably because the "runners" got in first!
Morwenna ~ I wish you a good run. If I HAD booked my 'van in you would have been very welcome to take a shower and refreshment Chez Moi :-)

robi

06-03-2010, 8:31 am

Met up with my reading group last night. It was my turn to choose a book. So I showed the group A Stage, A Book, and the Silver Screen album set, and then explained the link to the Brecht play, Huck Finn and The Book of Illusions. Then I asked the group to choose from the three to read at our next meeting. The vote went to Paul Auster.
Then I invited everyone to the next DS gig showcasing the set. Hopefully there will be about 10 of us going!
I'm hoping to get my tickets sorted out today before all the best seats go!

Mrfizzy

06-03-2010, 9:12 am

Rita

06-03-2010, 12:31 pm

Booked a ticket for the London show yesterday morning. Have to go on my own as Richard can't make weekday ones as he will be teaching.

The ticketing agency websites were a nightmare but I guess lots go on sale at the same time. Got mine through ticketweb who were actually no problem at all once I found their link from the Shaw theatre website. Row C.

Would like to go to Oxford as well. It is only 1 1/2 hours from here driving but it is a weekday.

Mrfizzy

06-03-2010, 1:05 pm

Nice seat Rita - you might have to travel on your own but you definitely won't be alone with all your Duke friends to meet when you get to the theatre :)

It might be wise to check if an umbrella might be required this time unless "bedraggled" is a new look

robi

06-03-2010, 3:42 pm

:D Nine tickets for Notthingham booked!

jan

06-03-2010, 7:57 pm

As above, ticketweb worked fine for me for Newcastle gig tickets. :)

We've recently booked a few gigs through Ticketweb; all handled efficiently and painlessly, tickets arriving within days. Good on Ticketweb:)
Nice work Robi!
xx

poppiesfan

06-03-2010, 8:25 pm

We've recently booked a few gigs through Ticketweb; all handled efficiently and painlessly, tickets arriving within days. Good on Ticketweb:)
Nice work Robi!
xx

I've also had experience of where "Ticketweb" and "We Got Tickets" have had to refund money due to cancelled gigs. No problem with either organisation. Not had to do that with any of the other agencies so don't know what they're like in that situation to be honest.

jan

06-03-2010, 8:34 pm

I've also had experience of where "Ticketweb" and "We Got Tickets" have had to refund money due to cancelled gigs. No problem with either organisation. Not had to do that with any of the other agencies so don't know what they're like in that situation to be honest.

Let's hope it doesn't come to that! Can't really blame the agency if gigs are cancelled but if they refund without problems they're doing their job.
I'd always prefer to deal with the venue directly (ie. The Sage gives an excellent service) but not all venues have the staff to deal with heavy bookings.
xx

Mrfizzy

07-03-2010, 11:31 am

Planning to see Duke on tour is like a military operation in the Fizzy household. For anyone that might find it useful, feel free to use this googlemap we made from the gig listing at
http://www.ents24.com/web/artist/65838/Duke_Special.html

Googlemap
http://tinyurl.com/DukeMay2010

http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss244/itsMrAG/Duke%20Special/Duketour2010.png

Can't make them all unfortunately!

runnerbean

07-03-2010, 3:07 pm

That's some road trip in 13 days!!

Especially when you see the venues mapped out. Lots of stamina required for this tour. Hope to get to a couple. Thanks Mr Fizzy

Mrfizzy

07-03-2010, 3:40 pm

That's some road trip in 13 days!!

Especially when you see the venues mapped out. Lots of stamina required for this tour. Hope to get to a couple. Thanks Mr Fizzy

Indeed, but be lovely to see you runnerbean and hope to return the favour when we know the Ireland gig details.

I don't know if you saw Duke's tweet on the 3rd March but I'd say he might be in trouble unless he has more reliable transport arranged!

"On way to do a show with Chip in Maynooth. Van is crap! Have had to stop 14 times already and I'm just in Newry! Grrr!!"

Perhaps "Broken Van Benefit II" for himself this time?

Stephen

07-03-2010, 5:29 pm

MrFizzy, are you actually going to every gig on the tour?

Mrfizzy

07-03-2010, 7:36 pm

MrFizzy, are you actually going to every gig on the tour?

We only have one rule for seeing Duke - If we can we do :)

I did say that we can't make them all though :( - but we know plenty of equally committed fans who will keep us updated on the board for the shows we miss :)

We also remembered that too much fizziness could be bad for Duke after the Dublin pledge show experience
http://www.s171565405.websitehome.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=57668&postcount=21

mediumal

07-03-2010, 10:27 pm

We're going to Thekla, would have been good to see Duke in a couple of the unusual venues in Cornwall, but Thekla will do nicely.

I noticed that Morwenna is doing a 10k in Bristol that day. I'm in middle of training programme for local half marathon, it may possible i could fit that into my visit too, good speed session, I dont think Mrs Medium would be too keen on me sharing a shower though.

morwenna

07-03-2010, 11:12 pm

Morwenna ~ I wish you a good run. If I HAD booked my 'van in you would have been very welcome to take a shower and refreshment Chez Moi :-)
Thanks Teddy, luckily it's not that far back to Chippenham from Bristol, and if I was feeling really energetic I could go to my climbing wall in Bristol and have a shower there!! Sorry you couldn't get a space, I don't know much about sites so unfortunately I can't suggest an alternative.

Mediumal, when is your half marathon? The Bristol 10k details are here http://www.bristolhalfmarathon.com/bristol10k/, you can enter up to Apr 26th as long as there are places left.

Oriel

08-03-2010, 9:43 am

We only have one rule for seeing Duke - If we can we do :)

I did say that we can't make them all though :(
That's quite disturbing actually...

Does anybody know when the Irish dates are going to be announced?

mediumal

08-03-2010, 11:58 am

Morwenna,

I had a quick look at the Bristol 10k link but couldnt see what time it started. I've entered the Plymouth half which is on 30th May. 10k on 9th would be a nice little 'sharpener' , and followed by an evening of entertainment from Duke would make a damn fine day!!

Delly

08-03-2010, 3:48 pm

That's quite disturbing actually...
(Re The Fizzies not going to every gig on the tour)

I agree, but I and several other fans will be covering for them at the few gigs they can't get to - we'll all just have to cope as best we can :D:D

Burntoutstar*

08-03-2010, 6:50 pm

My tickets for Salford arrived this morning :) How rapido was that??!! Anyone else got there tickets yet?

Dawn S

08-03-2010, 10:47 pm

Mrfizzy

09-03-2010, 12:06 am

I'm trying to get a ticket for the Leeds date but when going to the Lunatickets the only link I can see for Duke is for Harrogate on 2nd May (https://www.lunatickets.co.uk/event_page.php?eventID=958). Does anyone know if it's the Live at Leeds link I need (https://www.lunatickets.co.uk/event_page.php?event=Live+at+Leeds)? It doesn't list Duke as one of the acts but it is for 1st May which is obviously when he's playing.

Sorry if I'm being dim but I want to make sure I get the right ticket.

Thanks.

You are not being dim Dawn the official line up for the Leeds festival has not been posted - we have just assumed that Duke is on it but the box office may tell you if you call at the number here
http://www.ents24.com/web/event/1933306/Leeds_Festival.html

morwenna

09-03-2010, 8:09 am

(once again hijacking the thread to discuss running)

Mediumal, I did similar last year - I did a half marathon at Silverstone, and a few weeks before I ran a 10k at Castle Combe, apart from any thing else to get used to being in a race. One thing I learned was to smile at the photographers - I looked like I was dying in the Castle Combe photos, so I made sure when I saw a photographer at Silverstone I was posing for the photo!!

You're right, I don't know the start time either, slightly less important for me as I don't live that far away. I've found some reports from last year and the start time was 9.30 am so I'd guess it would be similar - if I hear any more I'll send you a pm.

Delly

09-03-2010, 9:15 am

You are not being dim Dawn the official line up for the Leeds festival has not been posted - we have just assumed that Duke is on it but the box office may tell you if you
http://www.ents24.com/web/event/1933306/Leeds_Festival.html

A very nice lady at the Live at Leeds offices confirmed that Duke Special is definitely part of the lineup on that day. The £15 wristband entitles you to entry to all 13 venues!!:o

Dawn S

09-03-2010, 12:15 pm

A very nice lady at the Live at Leeds offices confirmed that Duke Special is definitely part of the lineup on that day. The £15 wristband entitles you to entry to all 13 venues!!:o

Thanks Delly. Ticket now bought :)

Warren

09-03-2010, 7:06 pm

This is where we'll be heading to in Salford on 7th May:

http://maps.google.co.uk/maps?hl=en&ie=UTF8&q=M3+6FJ&fb=1&gl=uk&ei=ADaWS66kEKWQjAfJyZXlCw&ved=0CBgQpQY&view=map&geocode=FecbMAMdy3bd_w&split=0&hq=&hnear=Salford,+Lancashire+M3+6FJ,+United+Kingdom&ll=53.483385,-2.262969&spn=0,359.980752&z=16&layer=c&cbll=53.483273,-2.263016&panoid=Mwrdozdpnyzkq6oGYZ_0qg&cbp=12,6.03,,0,5
"] ("http://www.s171565405.websitehome.co.uk/forums/[/HTML)

Sixmonthsin

10-03-2010, 6:12 pm

My tickets for Salford arrived this morning :) How rapido was that??!! Anyone else got there tickets yet?

My salford tickets came today:) Going to Thekla too, but I've never been to a seated gig at Thekla before! I can't think of anywhere nice to see Duke - in a church and on a boat. I still hope for a summer date at Minack Theatre and an Orchestra show somewhere.

Great news about the Irish dates, am trying to decide between Dublin, or a double whammy with Galway and Kilkenny. Mmmm decisions...

Delly

12-03-2010, 9:28 am

Warren

12-03-2010, 4:19 pm

I'm getting worried about my Salford tickets, they've still not arrived.

Mine arrived Wednesday after ordering last Friday, but I do know that because of the likes of V Festival being on sale the same day as Duke was, they've been sending a shedload of tickets out.

See should have given you a booking reference by email, you can always call them with the reference number on the phone if all else fails.

Sixmonthsin

12-03-2010, 8:32 pm

I'm getting worried about my Salford tickets, they've still not arrived. They were posted on the 5th according to Seetickets. I only live about 20 miles away too :(
However, Edinburgh and Glasgow arrived yesterday:D:D (The tickets, obviously, not the cities :p)

I hope they arrive soon Delly! I've found See Tickets to be pretty good in the past when my tickets didn't arrive - they just cancelled the ones that didn't make it and I picked my new ones up at the box office. I'm sure they'll sort you out :)

Delly

24-03-2010, 10:43 pm

Salford tickets still not here :( I can see me having to queue outside the vestry on the night yet! :rolleyes:
Anyone's Leeds wristbands / tickets arrived yet?

rajkid

25-03-2010, 2:42 pm

For the Newcastle gig, has anyone got seat allocations on their tickets, or are we going to queue outside for good seats?

Geordie

25-03-2010, 3:18 pm

It's unallocated seating apparently.

jan

25-03-2010, 9:07 pm

It's unallocated seating apparently.

Yep. That's what I understood too. See you in the queue Geordie! At the front of course.
xx

amacca

28-03-2010, 4:15 pm

How come no Birmingham gig?

Mrfizzy

29-03-2010, 8:15 pm

How come no Birmingham gig?

I can't speak for the organisers but I'm sure they would agree that Birmingham is a prime gig destination - some fans have also asked why nothing South of London, Sheffield, Leicester, Liverpool etc.

I can't answer other than to say coverage is pretty good overall and 11 gigs in 13 days is pretty punishing and Nottingham and Oxford are only an hour away. :)

http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss244/itsMrAG/Duke%20Special/Duketour2010.png

Stephen

31-03-2010, 12:05 pm

Maybe enter these dates into iLike MrFizzy? :)

duke of hal

31-03-2010, 1:23 pm

I can't speak for the organisers but I'm sure they would agree that Birmingham is a prime gig destination - some fans have also asked why nothing South of London, Sheffield, Leicester, Liverpool etc.

I can't answer other than to say coverage is pretty good overall and 11 gigs in 13 days is pretty punishing and Nottingham and Oxford are only an hour away. :)

http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss244/itsMrAG/Duke%20Special/Duketour2010.png

As a Brummie, although we're missing out this time, I have to say it's only fair that Duke spreads his tour to other towns/cities around the UK

Mrfizzy

31-03-2010, 2:13 pm

As a Brummie, although we're missing out this time, I have to say it's only fair that Duke spreads his tour to other towns/cities around the UK

No organiser would leave Birmingham out of a UK tour if they could avoid it and you generally can nearly always rely on not having to travel far for gigs. Although we live in London, The forthcoming gigs by Duke and the Band are just going to be so fantastic that we can't wait and are more than prepared to travel wherever they are. Next stop Leeds and Harrogate! :)

@Stephen - I can barely keep up with facebook, twitter, email and the forum - any more social networking and I might as well give up on real life :o

PS any ideas how we might encorporate a custom smiley face with a Hector Mann moustache for posts on the board for the tour? These are text representations :-#| or :{) and I made a gif if it can be used

http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss244/itsMrAG/Duke%20Special/HectorSmiley.gif

Mrfizzy

01-04-2010, 8:25 pm

If anyone else fancies using the HectorTasche Smiley face icon I made you can download it here http://www.megaupload.com/?d=V1GG3X9O

To use it just post as you would any other picture - bit clunky but it seems to work http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss244/itsMrAG/Duke%20Special/HectorSmiley.gif

beth gaddis

01-04-2010, 9:23 pm

Thanks for the smiley, Mr Fizzy!

poppiesfan

02-04-2010, 12:17 pm

Mrfizzy

02-04-2010, 12:38 pm

I have 2 gigs sorted.

One should be still on - no problems.

The other may not happen as I can't drive at the mo - broken wrist. It will be a tight one. Have not given up hope but don't want to build my hopes up just in case.

Could you post which gig is the problem poppiesfan? If we can we'd be happy to offer a lift - if we can't another kind fan may well be able step in http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss244/itsMrAG/Duke%20Special/HectorSmiley.gif

poppiesfan

02-04-2010, 1:05 pm

Could you post which gig is the problem poppiesfan? If we can we'd be happy to offer a lift - if we can't another kind fan may well be able step in http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss244/itsMrAG/Duke%20Special/HectorSmiley.gif
Oxford's the tricky one.

I would be coming from work and then going home to a different town so not straight forward - as with a gig I should have gone to today can get there using public transport but won't be able to get home until about 12 months later :banghead:

Will know more when I see my wrist again later this month!

Thank you for the offer but if I'm not driving by then I will sorely hacked off.

Fizzy

11-04-2010, 10:09 am

Here's a short interview for Live at Leeds

http://www.leedsguide.co.uk/review/interview/live-at-leeds-duke-special/14107

jodieaitken

17-04-2010, 11:26 am

*Gleefully skips into thread*

May 3rd. I got someone to come with me. If all goes to plan, she'll be a very recent Duke convert.

Tickets are being booked this afternoon.

Anyone else going to this one?

Does he come out and meet people after gigs? If so, where should I lurk?

OOOOO!!! HECTOR SMILEY!!!!! :o

Delly

19-04-2010, 10:56 am

Hi jodieaitken! I am going to Edinburgh too so I hope to see you there - although I might not recognise you unless you are wearing your Hector Mann tash ;-)
I'm sure Duke Special will come out after the performance, just 'lurk' near the merchandise stall and your lurking will surely be rewarded! :)

Ian

19-04-2010, 12:17 pm

Hello all! I'll be at the Newcastle gig as usual! See you all there! :)

Gillian

19-04-2010, 8:19 pm

I'll be making the five hour trip to Nottingham. I have a bit of difficulty making the other gigs as they are way to distant to get to on a work night. Can someone pursuade the Dukester to to travel way down south a bit more?

jodieaitken

22-04-2010, 12:48 am

Delly, no doubt I'll be the one with a huge grin. I might make a hector moustache, just because I can.

Merchandise stall, eh? I shall be spending lots of money there I think!

If anyone else is going to the Edinburgh gig, I'll try and make myself recognisable. A tshirt with my username on it perhaps? I don't know... Something fun like that :)

jan

22-04-2010, 9:21 am

Hello all! I'll be at the Newcastle gig as usual! See you all there! :)

Yay! Don't wait till we're halfway out the door before saying hello this time!!!
:):)

Delly

23-04-2010, 2:32 pm

Anyone else getting really excited about this now? Can't believe it's only a week to go before :o
:D

gazbo

23-04-2010, 8:16 pm

Print this, paste on to card and cut out. An essential for the Hector Mann gigs.
http://i154.photobucket.com/albums/s271/bhg1967/hectormann.jpg

Delly

23-04-2010, 9:53 pm

:D:D The Fizzies aren't holding you captive are they Gazbo? :D:D

Trust me jodieaitken, I'm sure we'll all have huge grins!:o

gazbo

24-04-2010, 10:40 am

I've made one of these and it's very fetching and may well secure my release!:o

gazbo

24-04-2010, 10:46 am

I thought my avatar should reflect the current tour . . . . now can I go!

jodieaitken

25-04-2010, 3:15 am

I have made myself a moustache. It doesn't have the hand though, but it's a pretty good 'stache!

I was considering wearing White clothes when I went to the gig, you know, complete the Hector look... "He was a man wth a white suit and moustache"... But then I remembered who I was. I'm white clothing's worst nightmare. I once had a white pair of shoes. They lasted about 20 seconds. No exaggeration.

I'll need to figure out something to make me recognizable other than my 'stache... Username tshirt still seems like a good idea.

Whoa, I've gone crazily off topic! Wheeee!!!

Anyway. Woo! Gig!!!

(Please excuse me. It's 3.15AM. I had a coffee earlier. Bad combo...)

Mrfizzy

26-04-2010, 8:17 am

Anyone else getting really excited about this now? Can't believe it's only a week to go before :o
:D

Fizzy is starting to prepare

http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss244/itsMrAG/Duke%20Special/tascheMerc.jpg

Also noticed this interesting manhole cover in Bristol yesterday

http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss244/itsMrAG/Duke%20Special/P1030775.jpg

Signs and portents abound ...
:o

alice

26-04-2010, 5:43 pm

The words "interesting" and "manhole cover" don't often appear in the same sentence but that one is great!

jan

26-04-2010, 8:56 pm

:D Nice one MrF! We could reinvent the wheel at this rate:D
xx

jeanette

26-04-2010, 11:15 pm

Tickets for London gig and election polling card both turned up last Friday.
I know where my vote's going...

poppiesfan

27-04-2010, 11:31 am

Two weeks until Oxford gig - I am more hopeful than I was a couple of weeks ago :o

Mrfizzy

27-04-2010, 12:46 pm

Two weeks until Oxford gig - I am more hopeful than I was a couple of weeks ago :o

That's great poppiesfan - I think we can all look forward to a buzzy bizzy board and much fan fun from this weekend :)

:o

Geordie

28-04-2010, 1:38 pm

Newsletter from the Cluny today advises Duke's Newcastle gig is sold out. :)

robi

28-04-2010, 5:49 pm

:D My tickets have finally arrived for the DS gig at Nottingham. Very exciting!
(Is it just me, or does anyone else find that 'very happy' face a bit menacing/scary?!)

beth gaddis

28-04-2010, 6:47 pm

lol...it does look like a little green guy who is very happy and who has come to bite your nose.

jan

28-04-2010, 9:09 pm

^^^^
Think he's meant to be laughing but has he always been GREEN?
xx

atkygal

28-04-2010, 9:13 pm

Not long now. Next 2 weekends are duke fests then a little trip to ireland. Hurrah, feels like a long time coming.

teddy10

29-04-2010, 6:33 pm

Can't seem to find any information about booking for the second night
(14 May) at Shaw Theatre......... am I just being particularly dim?

elvisleslie61

29-04-2010, 7:56 pm

Can't seem to find any information about booking for the second night
(14 May) at Shaw Theatre......... am I just being particularly dim?
i think it looks like it may have been cancelled:(

Mrfizzy

30-04-2010, 12:47 am

Not long now. Next 2 weekends are duke fests then a little trip to ireland. Hurrah, feels like a long time coming.

Here's a picture of a plate spotted by Fizzy in a shop window in Dublin yesterday with her suggested modification just for you Atkygal!

http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss244/itsMrAG/Duke%20Special/Dukeanticipate.jpg

We went to see Rufus Wainwright at the new Dublin Grand Canal Theatre with the group (four of whom are also Duke fans coming along to the UK and/or Ireland shows) - naturally we travelled in the finest style of the city :)

http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss244/itsMrAG/Duke%20Special/Vikingtours.jpg

Noticed an interesting cafe en-route for one Duke fan ...

http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss244/itsMrAG/Duke%20Special/runnerbean.jpg

Now preparing for this weekend and have pimped Fizzy's Dukemobile a bit more in readiness :o

http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss244/itsMrAG/Duke%20Special/PimpedRide.jpg

pinksacha

30-04-2010, 11:40 am

Mrfizzy

30-04-2010, 12:29 pm

the elvisleslie contigent will not ba able to attend much of the tour:mad: due to a mixture of work and family commitments with a load of fundraising activities for my bra walk for breast cancer charities.
We will managed the shaw theatre and our son Harry (looks like leslie but with glasses- hard to miss so go over and say hi) will be at the Manchester gig.:o
I will be logging on faithfully to read reviews and watch videos! have a great time all of you.

You'll be missed alright - we can't make the two Scottish and Newcastle gigs but I feel sure that Duke and the band will not be disappointed with fan support judging by the posts anticipating the tour so far ... :o

Fizzy

30-04-2010, 1:06 pm

Harrogate :o
http://tinyurl.com/2vculez

beth gaddis

30-04-2010, 3:37 pm

I'm with Ms. Sacha - I'll be looking forward to hearing your accounts of the shows and seeing any pictures and videos that make their way back. :)

...and safe travels in the Hector-mobile, Fizzys! :o

teddy10

30-04-2010, 6:43 pm

i think it looks like it may have been cancelled:(

Hope not. Can anyone confirm?

robi

30-04-2010, 10:04 pm

HELP!
I've just realised I'm a ticket short for the DS gig at the Rescue Rooms at Nottingham - and found out it's sold out! Has anyone got a ticket they can't use any more?

runnerbean

01-05-2010, 1:35 am

Mrfizzy

01-05-2010, 9:12 am

Thanks Mike, I must pay a visit to my namesake sometime. Very observant of you! Does your doppleganger with the Viking helmet travelling on the Viking Splash with you happen to be a relative? Resemblance uncanny! Enjoy all the gigs on your travels.

I was for once quick enough to catch the runner bean cafe from the moving DUKW and can't exactly remember where it was but in a tourist area. I was a bit careless with the viking helmet and managed to make an lovely long scratch down my nose!
Well - we're about to set off for Leeds and Harrogate to get the tour off to a rousing start. There will be a gang of 15 of us (including the Dukettes) travelling together and lots of fans old and new to join in the fun at the gigs. I think that we can guarantee an enthusiastic reception for Duke and the band this weekend! :o

jadeandchrissy

01-05-2010, 9:15 am

I am so excited about this coming friday, it will be my first time seeing the Duke live and I can't wait. does anybody know if parking is easy to come by near st philips in Manchester and what time the doors open at? I am only short and would love to be able to see. please say hello if you see someone in their 30'swith bright pink hair looking like a child in a sweet shop.
xx
Chrissy

jodieaitken

01-05-2010, 9:21 am

I hope you Fizzys have fun!

I'm doing loads of stuff this weekend to get more money for merchandise. I've got about £25 right now! I'm aiming for £40, but that might not happen.

If you happen to be at the Edinburgh gig, by the way, I am making a tshirt with my username on it. Definitely. It's a big baggy white thing with a username scrawled on it. I also have a moustache.

I can't WAIT for Monday!!!

Hope everyone has great fun at their gigs :D

Playful

01-05-2010, 9:33 am

We decided to plump for the Harrogate theatre venue as we’ll hopefully get our two Dukettes in without any trouble.

Mrfizzy

01-05-2010, 9:59 am

I hope you Fizzys have fun!

If you happen to be at the Edinburgh gig, by the way, I am making a tshirt with my username on it. Definitely. It's a big baggy white thing with a username scrawled on it. I also have a moustache.

I can't WAIT for Monday!!!

Hope everyone has great fun at their gigs :D

We can't make Edinburgh, Glasgow or Newcastle unfortunately jodieaitkin :( (nothing against our friends in Scotland and the NE btw!) - Wigan's own Delly and Robin have promised to make up for us :)

If any other fans want to "pimp their ride" for the DS tour, I will have some spare "Duke Special" letters and one or two album icons with me like we have on Fizzys car (see earlier post) - just cut out and stick on with soapy water :o

robi

01-05-2010, 10:39 am

:( Feeling really miserable and cross with myself for not buying enough tickets for the Duke Special gig in Nottingham. I've searched every avenue to try and find a ticket from somewhere else, with no luck.
I said I would stay at home because it was my silly mistake (booking 9 tickets instead of 10), but my husband says I must go because I am organising it (very badly!), and that he will stay behind. Feel really bad because he was looking forward to it too!

robi

01-05-2010, 11:38 am

:D O.K. Sorted! How to turn a negative into a positive!
I've booked 4 seats for Harrogate Theatre. We'll make a day of it (I've never been to Harrogate, and my sons will be delighted to see the show as well!)
Moreover, hubby can babysit my sister's children when she and her husband go to the Nottingham gig with me.
And I get to go to two gigs (Unlike some of the boardies, I usually only book 1 gig per tour. We spend so much on holidays, I have to reign myself in somehwere!)

Delly

01-05-2010, 12:38 pm

We can't make Edinburgh, Glasgow or Newcastle unfortunately jodieaitkin :( (nothing against our friends in Scotland and the NE btw!) - Wigan's own Delly and Robin have promised to make up for us :) :o

We certainly will Mrfizzy! We'll deffo come and say hello jodieaitken! We are just about to set off and are looking forward to pimping our ride when we catch up with the rest of the Duke posse! See you all in church later ;)
:o

Fizzy

02-05-2010, 12:26 pm

Great gig but not the full set or fancy AV as it was only 50 minutes
long being part of a festival with over a 100 bands!
We had a lovely time meeting up with a few boardies and Duke made some new fans :-)
He was accompanied by the most excellent Ben, Phil, Cian and "Jonny Casino" on double-bass (from the last UK tour).

They covered five or six of Hector Mann songs (Scandal especially
beautiful), applejack where Duke poured the last of the beer on his
head! and three Mother Courage songs. The theme song was especially powerful we thought. They finished with "diggin'" that got the audience involved and a nice standing ovation from many at the end.
Considering the number of gigs running simultaneously it was quite an
achievement to have a full house in the large Trinity Church venue.

Really looking forward to the show tonight where Duke and the band
have full control in the beautiful Harrogate theatre.

A couple of pics from Trinity....

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs311.snc3/28231_1353351165705_1589213392_30856895_3873222_n. jpg

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-sjc1/hs311.snc3/28231_1353351045702_1589213392_30856892_2773747_n. jpg

More pics here
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2046931&id=1589213392&l=2c57cde0e1

:o:o:o:o:o

Playful

02-05-2010, 1:08 pm

Very nice pictures!

Looking forward to seeing him tonight :o

beth gaddis

02-05-2010, 1:42 pm

wonderful pictures, Fizzy!

jodieaitken

02-05-2010, 3:39 pm

Glad you had fun, Fizzy!

Have fun all at tonight's gig!

I'm really excited for tomorrow!

Delly

03-05-2010, 1:36 am

Mrfizzy

03-05-2010, 9:09 am

The Harrogate Theatre is a lovely historic venue, very suited to Hector Mann and Dukes's music. In the first half, Duke and the band performed most of the HM songs with the exception of Cowpokes and Teller's tale - Duke in beautiful voice for "You'll be Detective". After a 15 min interval we had almost all of the Mother courage songs. Especially enjoyed a reworked version of "The Song of Capitulation" and a passionate rendition of "Song of the hours". The "Farmhouse Song" worked well played on the gramophone with Duke and Ben joining in at times. We thought this would be even better if they joined the album a bit more of course.

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs314.ash1/27872_1354843805458_1662353591_835030_7287595_n.jp g

After a well deserved long standing ovation the band were persuaded to return on stage with an encore of Catfish and Applejack.

The new merch is super and we bought our share of Three album mugs T-shirts and posters! Duke made time for everybody afterwards and it was nice to have such a big gathering of boardies, friends and family together including the Lollys and Atkygal families, Delly and Robin, Goldilocks, Robi - group 'tashe photo to follow when we get home :o

robi

03-05-2010, 10:02 am

Another incredible performance in a (very chilly) beautiful theatre. The performance of some of the Hector Mann songs was breathtaking. I was very amused to overhear some of the audience discussing whether or not they had seen any of his films during the interval:rolleyes:

That made me laugh, Delly. Out of the mouth of babes...
The things you overhear. The woman in front of me said 'I don't know who 'they' (Duke Special) are. I just wanted to get away from my family. Are they a folk group?'
I hope she had a pleasant surprise!

Great evening at the Harrogate Theatre. Looking forward to part 2 at Nottingham next week.
Lovely to meet Goldilocks, the Fizzies and the Lollies again - and great to meet Dawn, Delly and Atkygal at last!:o

poppiesfan

03-05-2010, 10:07 am

Thanks for that Mr Fizzy - desperately doing my physio like a good lass - really looking forward to next week.

I went to some live gigs over the weekend and it has made me more desperate than ever to get to the May things I have planned.

jodieaitken

03-05-2010, 10:10 am

Mrfizzy

03-05-2010, 10:25 am

*walks into thread, hands out earplugs, screams*

It's TONIGHT!!

I have made my tshirt, it has my username on it in red and blue with a big moustache underneath it. I am now making moustaches. Can't. Wait!

I've been listening to ONLY Duke Special songs today. It feels like it'd be some form of blasphemy if I listen to anything else... Lol!

Hope everyone at last nights gig had a great time :D

i'll see those of you going to Edinburgh tonight, hopefully!

Delly and Robin will be looking for out for you in Edinburgh tonight Jodieaiken - we will be watching for reports of the next three shows with interest and rejoin the UK tour in Manchester.
Some more pics from last night and have a couple to take before we leave for London today that I'll post later.
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=835025&l=8949910e67&id=1662353591

Have a great gig :o

elvisleslie61

03-05-2010, 11:38 am

beth gaddis

03-05-2010, 2:27 pm

Have a great time jodie, and everyone else going to the show!

Dawn S

03-05-2010, 2:53 pm

... it was nice to have such a big gathering of boardies, friends and family together including the Lollys and Atkygal families, Delly and Robin, Goldilocks, Robi

... and me!

Mrfizzy

03-05-2010, 6:33 pm

... and me!

Sorry Dawn - it's not easy getting everything right when posting from a tiny laptop in a hotel room.

Now - Moustaches!

http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss244/itsMrAG/Duke%20Special/Fan_tashetic.jpg

In tribute to Hector we followed the moustache theme and as this photo reveals - the "Duke" appelation is no accident - an aristocrat if ever there was one!

A few of us also "pimped our rides" for the tour
http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss244/itsMrAG/Duke%20Special/CarTashesAtkygal.jpg
And a few more ...
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?pid=836740&l=fc87931f06&id=1662353591

As an added bonus a group in Leeds have just launched the "Moustache Party" for the forthcoming UK election - forget the clean-shaven party leaders!
http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=32567299523&v=wall

I've already suggested that they add Hector to the supporters group

http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss244/itsMrAG/Duke%20Special/TasheParty2.jpg

Manifesto :o

http://i580.photobucket.com/albums/ss244/itsMrAG/Duke%20Special/TasheParty1.jpg

beth gaddis

03-05-2010, 6:40 pm

Oh Mr. Fizzy! Well done on the moustaches!!! I love them! :o

Mrfizzy

03-05-2010, 7:07 pm

Oh Mr. Fizzy! Well done on the moustaches!!! I love them! :o

All I can say is there is a lot more fun to come and I'm sure that many other fans will enjoy the gigs and make the UK/Ireland tours Super Special! :o

atkygal

03-05-2010, 7:16 pm

What a weekend, absolutley fab. Great to see everyone and as always duke and the band were both amazing and lovely. Dukettes had a whale of time, though they wouldn't wear mustaches as 'it's too embarressing!!'. Lots of laughs as aways on these little jaunts and the music was sublime. I was amazed at how powerful the Mother Courage songs sounded - i only saw the play 1 million times so of course I've forgotten.

Thanks to all for a great weekend and to Duke for being so gracious with his time. Looking forward to next weekend now, where with no kids it could get raucous (though with some of you that would be diff....no names mentionned).

Last night, great spotlight work I thought throughout, esp on prop man. Well done mysterious spot man!!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/38528209@N04/4575117037/

Mrfizzy

03-05-2010, 7:43 pm

What a weekend, absolutley fab. Great to see everyone and as always duke and the band were both amazing and lovely. Dukettes had a whale of time, though they wouldn't wear mustaches as 'it's too embarressing!!'. Lots of laughs as aways on these little jaunts and the music was sublime. I was amazed at how powerful the Mother Courage songs sounded - i only saw the play 1 million times so of course I've forgotten.

Thanks to all for a great weekend and to Duke for being so gracious with his time. Looking forward to next weekend now, where with no kids it could get raucous (though with some of you that would be diff....no names mentionned).

Last night, great spotlight work I thought throughout, esp on prop man. Well done mysterious spot man!!

Sorry for embarassing the 6-9 year olds atkygal - I don't think they can cope with "adults" being silly! We agree that the mystery spotman was excellent :o

atkygal

03-05-2010, 8:22 pm

even the dog got involved
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-sjc1/hs539.snc3/30558_438181794195_827649195_5580445_3303858_n.jpg

mrs lolly

03-05-2010, 10:48 pm

What can I say? Usually don't like to repeat what everyone else has already written but ... what an amazing weekend! It really is worth emphasising!
We had a very long journey up from Southampton to Leeds and Harrogate but handily managed to lend all the dukettes out to atkygal for the journey so it made for a quiet and relaxing journey (for us anyway!)
Sadly didn't have time to check out many bands at the festival but Duke gave a great performance in Leeds and the church was a great venue. Brilliant to have the added bonus of digging an early grave at the end of the set as well as HM, MC, and HF. And absolutely fantastic photos Fizzy by the way!
Sunday was very cold! Haven't been quite that far north for about 8 years and had forgotten quite how cold it can get, even in May! Managed to get a visit in to Bettys Tea Rooms though which was high on the list and quite delicious. Venue in Harrogate was beautiful and we were really lucky to get front row seats. It was the first time the Dukettes had the privilege of two consecutive nights of Duke and they loved it, however tired they might have been! He was in his element on Sunday and the performances were superb. After not seeing him for a while I was reminded what an amazing live performer he is and just why I have booked to go to just a few(!) of the forthcoming shows.
Thanks to all for such a fab weekend, as always it was brilliant to spend time with all you boardies Atkygal, Dawn S, Lolly (of course!), Dukettes (honorary), Fizzies, P&D (honorary), Delly & Robin, Goldilocks, Robi and families. And biggest thanks to Duke for the great gigs ... and the time he is prepared to spend humouring us donning tashes etc etc. Really did laugh a lot this weekend and now have to try and be sensible for a whole week (nearly) until have the pleasure of doing it all again ... already can't wait.

Goldilocks

03-05-2010, 11:14 pm

Don't think I can add anything that everyone hasn't already said, so I'll keep it brief. Having not seen Duke since MC last Oct I was feeling very Duke 'starved', and what I saw last night was a bit different to what we've seen before, but as always, when Duke tries something new, I loved it, although not sure how it would appeal to the non Duke initated (hubby found first half not to his taste, but enjoyed MC second half, as he had seen the play). Duke, as always gives so much of himself, and for that we are always grateful. Thanks first and foremost go to Duke for a super evening. I can't wait until the next time I see him.

It is always lovely now to go to a Duke gig and meet up with boardies and feel amongst friends and last night was no exception there either. Thank you to everyone who came to say hello and introduced themselves, those whom I've met before, and some new names to faces too. I look forward to seeing you again soon.

A few photos I rather surreptitiously took, up on the board. (Had to keep hiding my camera, and taking a quick shot when I could, as they were a bit keen on no photography in Harrogate).

http://www.dukespecial.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=30&pictureid=129

http://www.dukespecial.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=30&pictureid=132

http://www.dukespecial.com/forums/picture.php?albumid=30&pictureid=133

Fizzy

04-05-2010, 12:22 am

Nice pics Goldilocks!:) It was difficult to get many good shots with camera police on patrol.
Great gig and can't wait to see it all again:o:o

jodieaitken

04-05-2010, 12:36 am

What I witnessed tonight was far more than just a Duke Special gig. THAT, was the most amazing thing I've ever seen. The music was pretty good too!

We got a few songs from HM During one of them, He looked right at me! I nearly jumped up on stage and hugged him there and then. I didn't. I settled for grinning my face off instead :D

During MC there was a 'delibarate mistake' when the Dukester forgot which verse he was on. Cue laughter!

We got two Huck Finn songs too, which I loved. I couldn't get the cd there because I didn't have enough money :( I did however get a poster which is now on my wall! One of these was the Catfish song, I have heard this because it was in the sample download. I don't know the name of the other one, but it seemed to be very apple dominated... Loved it, anyway!

It was great to meet a few people in the interval, too! Thanks for the stuff, Delly! All the people at the gig were very nice, which is, umm, nice!

Afterwards, I waited by the merch stall as advised, and sure enough, out he came! I was starstruck. This has never happened before. I gave him a short letter I wrote for him in case that happened, got a hug (which by the way was possibly the best hug I have ever had) got a picture, I'll upload it as soon as possible, a signed poster and a very strange sensation that still hasn't left. I answered the phone with "I've just met duke special" and kept telling my mum that he was gorge. He is.

Oh look! A ramble! That's fun! I'm gonna stop for now. Might sleep. Probably won't.

(PS: The gig was amazing too. Not just the lovely thing on the stage)

Dawn S

04-05-2010, 1:16 am

I wanted to echo all of the comments made about Leeds and Harrogate. I had a fantastic time and would love to write more but am shattered after over 7 hours of travelling back home today. I've also just spent a "bit" of time going through the various photos I took over the weekend so I could share them with forum members.

Like Goldilocks I had to be very sneaky in taking photos at Harrogate Theatre. Myself, atkygal and mrs lolly were convinced that we were going to have our cameras confiscated after being reprimanded for the third or fourth times (I lost count ;))

Anyway here are a selection of my favourites:

Mean n moody Duke
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6cJmKpb_8LY/S99VKYJreoI/AAAAAAAALFo/uWLT-B5rI1E/s640/P1010972.JPG

Has Ben acquired a light sabre?
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6cJmKpb_8LY/S99VK34sB0I/AAAAAAAALFw/B-JsAv6c_RY/s640/P1010974.JPG

One of my favourite shots
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6cJmKpb_8LY/S99Vo7jB5VI/AAAAAAAALHY/wQGidYwMO-o/s640/P1020016.JPG

Experimenting with sepia
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6cJmKpb_8LY/S99Vqe6kWEI/AAAAAAAALHw/cc5tAf7KbY4/s640/P1020019.JPG

http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6cJmKpb_8LY/S99VwsC-TmI/AAAAAAAALJA/uVF-DxpgBfw/s640/P1020066.JPG

Atkygal becomes Hector Mann
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6cJmKpb_8LY/S99Vxl3xSjI/AAAAAAAALJQ/4vEhnuy6tdg/s640/P1020076.JPG

There was only one drum stick - honest!
http://lh5.ggpht.com/_6cJmKpb_8LY/S99V1xZC6sI/AAAAAAAALKM/LRjzWLvvQ_0/s640/P1020093.JPG

Watch those dreads fly!
http://lh4.ggpht.com/_6cJmKpb_8LY/S99V21HFcrI/AAAAAAAALKU/mwXR5P7fleg/s512/P1020099.JPG

The dukified cars
http://lh3.ggpht.com/_6cJmKpb_8LY/S99WIMLvneI/AAAAAAAALL0/Wqsz558HciY/s640/P1010982.JPG

Or if you want to see the full album:

Duke Special, Leeds and Harrogate May 2010 (http://picasaweb.google.co.uk/dawnsalsbury/DukeSpecialLeedsAndHarrogateMay2010)

Once I've had more sleep I'll hopefully post a few more words. Night :)

Dawn S

04-05-2010, 1:17 am

I'm glad you had a great time Jodie and were able to meet Duke afterwards :)

beth gaddis

04-05-2010, 1:55 am

Great pics, Dawn! Thank you everyone for posting all of this. I'm living vicariously :)

Sounds like you had a great night, Jodie. So glad for you!

Mrfizzy

04-05-2010, 7:40 am

pianofan

04-05-2010, 8:07 am

Truly stunning photos, thank you for sharing them :)

Can't wait for Thekla now :o

Delly

04-05-2010, 10:04 am

Mrfizzy

04-05-2010, 12:05 pm

Oh dear jodieaitken, I fear the strange sensation you feel that hasn't left you yet has been caused by you looking directly into Dukester's eyes!
Sadly, you have now been bewitched and will be entranced by this incredible artist for the rest of your life. :-D

delly is right Jodie - Duke has something of the Svengali about him and into his mince pies you must not look or listen to his beguiling voice - unless you want to be an addict of course ! :o

Ian

04-05-2010, 12:30 pm

Newcastle gig-goers see this!!!

http://www.dukespecial.com/forums/showthread.php?p=58747#post58747

Thursday 6th May
3pm-3.30pm
The Cumberland Arms (a minutes walk from The Cluny where the gig is at in the evening)

Hope to see you there!!

Ian xx

atkygal

04-05-2010, 12:32 pm

Def right with the svengali comment. I fell in a big way on my first gig. he has this ability to make you feel as if he is talking directly about you and your life (although poss not with hector mann!!)

jodieaitken

04-05-2010, 5:45 pm

Hahah!! I want to be an addict! That means I'm allowed to look at his lovely eyes and listen to his beautiful voice, right? I think I got addicted a while ago. The best part is, there's no cure for Dukeahol!

Today at school I made everyone sick of the name Duke Special. I did mention how sweet he was and how incredible the gig was so hopefully some more people will go check him out...

Everyone going to tonights gig better have fun! If it were possible, I'd be there too... It's not though :(

gazbo

04-05-2010, 6:32 pm

Jodie. Did Duke have a support act - or did he do 2 sets with an interval? Going to Glasgow gig shortly and don't know when to get there!

Delly

04-05-2010, 6:36 pm

Support tonite gazbo, on at 7.15

gazbo

04-05-2010, 6:38 pm

Support tonite gazbo, on at 7.15
Thanks for that. Who is the support?

jodieaitken

04-05-2010, 6:38 pm

GAH! That's making me want to come to the Glasgow one more!! Wish I could be there... Next tour, hopefully I'll be able to go to more.

beth gaddis

04-05-2010, 7:18 pm

ahhh!! Look at the gazbo-stache! I like it! :o

teddy10

04-05-2010, 7:47 pm

Def right with the svengali comment. I fell in a big way on my first gig. he has this ability to make you feel as if he is talking directly about you and your life

....even in a mudddy tent at Glastonbury!! First experience live, and been in love ever since..........

jodieaitken

04-05-2010, 7:49 pm

Ah, yes :D The incredible power of his beautiful voice. You suddenly forget everyone else in the venue, and he's only singing to you. Lovely :D

I most definitely fell more at the gig than any amount of YouTube videos could do.

jan

05-05-2010, 8:49 am

Delly

05-05-2010, 10:32 am

Very quick post about last night's gig. No screen or projector due to the 'intimate' size of the venue. Instead Duke did more readings to illustrate the songs. This worked really well, better, if anything than the screen - it seemed more focussed somehow and we were all spellbound.
There were no 'deliberate' mistakes, our man must have spent all day practising haha!
But ....... Best of all, he performed Teller's Tale for one of the encores! He said it was the first time he'd sung it since the recording and to bear with him (!!!!!) but of course it was absolutely beautiful. ......dies happy :-)
you lucky, lucky people, those who are going to Newcastle.
Roll on Friday.

Burntoutstar*

05-05-2010, 10:57 am

Indeed roll on Friday Delly. Be sure to come and find me this time lol.............thats if I make it through the badlands of the cresent in one piece lol ;)

Ian

05-05-2010, 11:20 am

Loving all the happy posts......especially from Jodie! Starstruck is a common feeling even with ancient, timeworn ladies (ahem). My spies already told me how wonderful the gig was.
Hope you get hundreds of people for your fundraiser Ian....what a fantastic opportunity for people to support Marie Curie.......can't be there (work) but have fun, anyone able to go and see you at the Cluny tomorrow night:D
xx

Thanks Jan! See you at the Cluny hopefully. Tell all about the daytime gig! :D x

tractorboy78

05-05-2010, 1:21 pm

Re-iterating Gazbo's question... is there a support act for this tour?

limn

05-05-2010, 2:13 pm

The Social Services www.myspace.com/thesocialservices (http://www.myspace.com/thesocialservices) played a sneaky little support set last night in Glasgow - just as people were arriving
(a wee disclaimer.. i'm their occasional concertina player..)

jodieaitken

05-05-2010, 5:39 pm

Glad everyone had a good time at Glasgow. Really wish I could have been there, but I had to settle for my brand new I Never Thought This Day Would Come cd. Had an idea about it that might not work out because it's incredibly ambitious, but I hope it does!!

Can't wait for the next batch of gig pictures, I'm reliving the Edinburgh night through these!

Joy84

05-05-2010, 5:57 pm

I'm new to the forum but I look forward to The Cumberland Arms for a very very good cause. I've already been in touch with jan I'll probably be seeing some of you at the Cluny too. :)

jan

05-05-2010, 8:10 pm

Welcome to the fun Joy!!! See you tomorrow:D
xx

beth gaddis

05-05-2010, 8:16 pm

welcome joy!

gazbo

05-05-2010, 8:38 pm

Surprised to find seats laid out at Oran Mor. Just caught the end of the support act, eagerly anticipating the Duke. Duke took his place at the front of a very cramped stage and opened with Hearth and Home. I reflected again how much more powerful and captivating is his performance live. This does not seem to be captured on CD – I think live his voice is much more dominant. Also he expresses himself visually bringing the songs to life and the emotion he puts into the songs enhances them further. The first mini-set comprised the Hector Mann songs with some brief introductions from Duke. My favourites were Jumping Jacks (at which he used as prop the travelling salesman’s case), Wanda and Tango Tangle.
:o
After a short interval and a costume change into military garb we entered the world of Mother Courage with Duke “giving it laldy” (as we say in Glasgow) on the drum. I found the songs powerful and moving especially Song of the Hours which featured Duke miming the Crucifixion. I’m really sorry I didn’t make the effort to see the show at the National Theatre.
He returned for the first encore with Catfish and Applejack. He picked up on the fact that some of the audience may not be au fait with his projects commenting that they might be “wondering what you’ve got yourself into”. It would be interesting to find out how a “Duke virgin” responded to the show.
He followed this with a second encore with a great rendition of the “Teller’s Tale” by himself on piano. The band returned for a rumbustious “Digging an Early Grave”, in which Duke danced up and down the centre aisle. Hey Duke you clasped my extended hand!
Paul pilot (of course I really mean Ben Castle) was brilliant with his animated playing of clarinet and saxophone as were the rest of the band.
I looked around at the audience of a few hundred people thinking that too many people are missing out on the immense talent that is Duke Special.
Stupendous, unforgettable night!

Joy84

05-05-2010, 9:10 pm

Thank you Jan and Beth, not long now til Cluny :)

jeanette

05-05-2010, 9:21 pm

Loving all the happy posts......especially from Jodie! Starstruck is a common feeling even with ancient, timeworn ladies (ahem). My spies already told me how wonderful the gig was.
Hope you get hundreds of people for your fundraiser Ian....what a fantastic opportunity for people to support Marie Curie.......can't be there (work) but have fun, anyone able to go and see you at the Cluny tomorrow night:D
xx

My goodness, the anticipation! At this rate, I'll have to have a cold shower and write out 'I must not behave like a desperate housewife' a hundred times before setting out for the Shaw next week... :o

jodieaitken

05-05-2010, 10:16 pm

Gazbo, I can tell you how a "Duke-virgin" reacted to the show. I brought one along. She loved it and is now insisting that I send her a few of his songs.

Hope you have fun at Cluny, Joy!

(I've got exciting news about another sort of Duke-related thing. It needs to be in a different thread though.)

Dawn S

05-05-2010, 10:23 pm

Paul pilot was brilliant with his animated playing of clarinet and saxophone as were the rest of the band.

Do you mean Ben Castle or has Paul suddenly changed instruments? ;)

Goldilocks

05-05-2010, 11:17 pm

Just wanted to say what excellent photos (again) Dawn. I just don't know how you managed to take so many (let alone the quality) in the given circumstances. Did you put an invisibility cloak around your camera? I agree and love the moody black and white one like you do.

As regards getting 'Duke hooked'. It started with a stumbled upon song on Youtube. Wham! That was it. Simple as. Everything about his gigs just reels me in further...so enjoy the rest of the gigs everyone, and remember how special he is :)

Davebar

05-05-2010, 11:19 pm

I have 1 ticket at face value (£12.50) for the Newcastle gig on tomorrow night (Thursday). Email me ASAP if you’re interested.

Dave_bar_j9@hotmail.com (Dave_bar_j9@hotmail.com)

Dave

runnerbean

06-05-2010, 12:18 am

Just arrived home after three of the most enjoyable days in a while even though travelling means were a bit disrupted by the volcanic ash affecting NI airports. Boats are great!! More time for a little retail therapy in Glasgow.

Edinburgh and Glasgow shows were absolutely wonderful. Duke and band on top form, as usual. Ben, apart from his expertise on brass is so entertaining and funny. I was very impressed by Cian :), say no more! Both venues were fantastic. Oran Mor was more than I imagined, perfect. Spent a few bob on merch in Edinburgh and proudly wore the t-shirt to Glasgow. Nice new wares on offer.

For all who are going to the rest of the UK gigs, have a wonderful time, I wish I was going to a few more. We'll have to wait until we get them back in Ireland.

Thank you Duke for a very special couple of days.

runnerbean

06-05-2010, 12:20 am

ps. Tired now, but meant to say how lovely to meet Delly, Robin, Helen and Jodie.

runnerbean

06-05-2010, 12:24 am

[QUOTE=jan;58763]Loving all the happy posts......especially from Jodie! Starstruck is a common feeling even with ancient, timeworn ladies (ahem).

I'll second that Jan :)

beth gaddis

06-05-2010, 12:39 am

wonderful recap, runnerbean! makes me hate that blasted atlantic ocean for getting between me and the tour :)

alice

06-05-2010, 1:35 am

Just got back from a few great days in Edinburgh/Glasgow. Both performances were amazing - totalling mesmerising. The band were great and the sheer power and quality of the music was astounding. Even those not familiar with DS/MC/HM etcwould be totally entranced by this show.

Lovely to meet Delly, Robin and the Girl from Fife Originally. Hope you all got home safely. We had a lengthy journey but volcanic ash has its advantages - after sorting out alternative travel plans at the railway station spent a lovely afternoon trying to stop RB spending all her money, visited GOMA and had a very pleasant journey back by sea - much more civilised than launching yourself through the air in a metal tube!

Really looking forward to the Irish tour - you lucky people in England have a real treat in store!

runnerbean

06-05-2010, 1:54 am

ps. Tired now, but meant to say how lovely to meet Delly, Robin, Helen and Jodie.

Also should have mentioned thanks to Joe on merch for looking after our drinks (as the door policing wouldn't let us take our glasses with us) while we stepped outside for a little fresh air ;) Mind you he mentioned a fiver for his service, great guy to have at the desk.

Ian

06-05-2010, 3:36 am

I'm new to the forum but I look forward to The Cumberland Arms for a very very good cause. I've already been in touch with jan I'll probably be seeing some of you at the Cluny too. :)

Hi Joy! Thank you for coming along! REALLY looking forward to it too! Should have a few people there hopefully! CAN NOT WAIT!! :D
See you tomorrow! Well, today, I can't sleep!
xx

Remember everyone in Newcastle....3pm pre-show 30 minute set with the Duke himself at The Cumberland Arms! Tell your friends!!

One final thing... can I just give a MASSIVE THANK YOU to the kindness of you guys on the message forum. I never in a million years thought that people would donate from Ireland or USA to our fundraising (who can't even make it over to the charity show we're putting on tomorrow!) yet we've already raised £20 before Duke has even tickled the piano keys in Newcastle. It's lovely people like yourselves that make all of this worth while. Many, many thanks from myself and Katie on your generosity.xx

Ian

06-05-2010, 3:36 am

I have 1 ticket at face value (£12.50) for the Newcastle gig on tomorrow night (Thursday). Email me ASAP if you’re interested.

Dave_bar_j9@hotmail.com (Dave_bar_j9@hotmail.com)

Dave

I may have a friend who can take this off you... I've forwarded him your email address.

rattle

06-05-2010, 5:46 am

Edinburgh review in the Scotsman:-

http://news.scotsman.com/entertainment/Gig-review-Duke-Special-.6271995.jp

jan

06-05-2010, 9:13 am

Shallow ^^^^:(

jodieaitken

06-05-2010, 11:10 am

That's not a brilliant review... The stamping the floorboards bit is true though. That was great fun! Anybody downstairs would have been terrified!

Dublinram

06-05-2010, 2:55 pm

Edinburgh review in the Scotsman:-

http://news.scotsman.com/entertainment/Gig-review-Duke-Special-.6271995.jp

This was in the Herald before the gig:

http://public.me.com/ianreece

rattle

06-05-2010, 6:39 pm

Another Edinburgh review:-

http://www.egigs.co.uk/index.php?a=13486

A boardie perhaps?

mediumal

06-05-2010, 7:20 pm

Ta to all for the reviews and previews , really looking forward to the Bristol gig on sunday.

Delly

06-05-2010, 8:11 pm

Another Edinburgh review:-

http://www.egigs.co.uk/index.php?a=13486

A boardie perhaps?

Oh most definitely, and known to many of us!
Superb pics and a fab review, Helen!

helen

06-05-2010, 11:43 pm

Oh most definitely, and known to many of us!
Superb pics and a fab review, Helen!

thanks Delly! just checking on the forum for the first time in a couple of weeks, so I'm a bit late with the Edinburgh comments. I was gonna post the link to the eGigs review - rattle got there first. thank you. :) needless to say, I loved the gig! and it was lovely to meet a few of the boardies.

I did put a few photos up on flickr too but my Duke photos are always jinxed and never come out as well as I would like but the link's here if you want to have a look http://www.flickr.com/photos/11144292@N04/sets/72157623998868584/

Fizzy

06-05-2010, 11:48 pm

Lovely photos Helen and great review! :)
:o

alice

07-05-2010, 2:56 am

Lovely to see such great reviews and excellent photos Helen. What was The Scotsman expecting - Ken Loach?

Minor point of interest - as we were leaving Oran Mor something rather lovely was being played over the sound system. Sounded like Duke's wonderful voice but hard to hear over the din - anyone any ideas?

jan

07-05-2010, 11:30 am

Excellent review Helen (as always!)
:):)

Mrfizzy

07-05-2010, 12:00 pm

Excellent review Helen (as always!)
:):)

Same here - lovely write up Helen and hope to see you soon :o

jan

07-05-2010, 1:44 pm

Great gig last night. Unusual venue.....two floors underground, sold out but not uncomfortably packed. Highly enthusiastic, attentive and, quite possibly, very partisan crowd and a very slick set from the guys. No major technical hitches but the guys had little room for moving around which brought forth an aside about gymnastics from Duke!
The Song of the Hours was my highlight of the night and obviously moved many there.
Lovely to meet up with Ian again and his lady Katie. Congratulations both of you on making the hastily-arranged afternoon fundraiser such a success and awaiting pics, videos etc!! God speed your venture. Hi again Joy! Was having a starstruck moment of my own, hence the temporary bafflement:confused::)
Recognised a few more faces but couldn't put names to them...sorry.
xx

Joy84

07-05-2010, 1:49 pm

Hi jan, I thought you were starstruck, bless you. Well my friend is now an official fan :) Yesterday was one of the best days ever, being at The Cumberland and then The Cluny. Will most certainly see you soon. xx

jan

07-05-2010, 7:41 pm

(Off topic) Ford in July:)
xx

Ian

08-05-2010, 2:40 am

jan

08-05-2010, 10:31 am

Thanks to everyone for sponsors too! Means so much. We've raised £250+ which we never expected. Duke Special and Duke Special fans really are spectacular.

Excellent!
:):)

jodieaitken

08-05-2010, 11:41 am

That's fantastic! If it were at all possible, I would have been there. For now I have to keep myself content with the possibility of getting to have a Duke song in my drama group's play. Fingers crossed!

Fizzy

08-05-2010, 11:56 am

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-sjc1/hs602.snc3/31725_1360019892419_1589213392_30869555_431404_n.j pg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs542.ash1/31725_1360020372431_1589213392_30869567_351579_n.j pg
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs632.snc3/31725_1360020532435_1589213392_30869571_5390536_n. jpg

We had a wonderful time at St Phillips :)
A few more pics here - can you match the photos to the songs?:D
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=2047406&id=1589213392&l=d2bc04f3bc

:o:o:o

jodieaitken

08-05-2010, 11:59 am

Great pics Fizzy! Love the one with the little kick in Tango Tangle :D

Fizzy

08-05-2010, 12:03 pm

Hey Jodieaiken! Tango Tangle indeed it was :o:o

Mrfizzy

08-05-2010, 12:20 pm

Yet another wonderful show at St Phillips in Salford last night. At every performance there are always two or three songs that stand out as exceptional. Loved "You'll Be Detective" and "Country Weekend" was hilarious as Duke had tied his hair differently and the chaffuer hat was very badly behaved! (more from Fizzy on this later) The Mother Courage set was especially powerful and "Song of the Hours" incredible

We're still on the move and getting behind and will post more extensively when back at home but this song from Harrogate shows the beautiful purity of Duke's voice and why we all love him so much :o

4fsatNhEOxA

Sixmonthsin

08-05-2010, 1:15 pm

Thanks for posting the pictures Fizzy:)
In the full sense of the word, it was magnificent. Lovely church too, I must say.

poppiesfan

08-05-2010, 1:55 pm

Great to read reviews and see some footage - thanks for posting. I am so excited as am very lucky to get to see 2 of my favourite artists this week.

It was when I went to see The Beautiful South that I first heard of and saw the man himself. In Belfast as it turns out.

So, the coincidence of seeing a gig sandwich of Paul Heaton with a Duke Special filling is just stupendous.

At one stage I thought I was going to have to cancel all 4 gigs but lady luck has prevailed - along with a little bit of hard work too :o

beth gaddis

08-05-2010, 2:19 pm

Great pictures and video!

Mrfizzy

08-05-2010, 2:43 pm

Just a couple of photos from last night at St Phillips in Salford :o

Waiting outside
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs553.snc3/30265_1360890916632_1662353591_847223_5507331_n.jp g

You'll Be Detective with Cian
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc3/hs553.snc3/30265_1360891116637_1662353591_847228_3173653_n.jp g

jadeandchrissy

08-05-2010, 4:27 pm

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4016/4588691700_6bd08464dd_b.jpghttp://www.flickr.com/photos/10371885@N02/4588691700/

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4008/4588648575_9569a2e8a0_b.jpg

http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4046/4589262730_04e0d0113a_b.jpg
I have the best night last night. It was great to meet the Fizzys and thanks once again for lending me the pen to get Sams book signed.

My highlights were Bens dancing to Wanda, the Dukes over enthusiastic drumming so he flung the stick and my favourite song Scandal :o

alice

08-05-2010, 8:18 pm

Thank you Fizzy/Mrfizzy/jadeandchrissy (one person or two?) for the fabulous photos and videos. The standard of the gigs in Edinburgh and Glasgow was terrific, so brilliant that you feared it could not be sustained - but by the looks of it...!

Fizzy - Photo 6 - Wanda - Greenland? It would be roughly the right direction if church was east/west aligned? Or maybe Duke was just pointing out another big cloud of volcanic ash? : (. Have fun tonight!

Joy84

08-05-2010, 9:43 pm

For now I have to keep myself content with the possibility of getting to have a Duke song in my drama group's play. Fingers crossed!

Push it jodieaitken, get the song in there, which one? Yes fingers crossed indeed. :)

Joy84

08-05-2010, 9:50 pm

(Off topic) Ford in July:)
xx

Still don't know. Thomas Truax is on in The Cumberland Arms at 8pm on Sunday 16th May was thinking of going there. Love Prop Man. I think I heard right that you've seen him before. Got your album signed. If I can drag someone along I'll probably go. xx

I think D.S. would love Durham and I could definately see him in the gala....no scrap that Durham Cathedral....or Castle :)

jan

08-05-2010, 9:54 pm

See Other Bands thread for Thomas's current tour dates
Wow Joy, some very ambitious venues there but wouldn't it be good if we could talk Duke round to playing in Durham city?
xx

Joy84

08-05-2010, 9:57 pm

Thanks Jan, was lovely to see you too. And nice to meet you Joy - thanks for coming to The Cumberland.

Thanks to everyone for sponsors too! Means so much. We've raised £250+ which we never expected. Duke Special and Duke Special fans really are spectacular.

May 6th was one of the best days ever. Was lovely to meet you and Katie.... and Jan, although as she was starstruck I probably would not have got to say hi, if you hadn't pointed her out to me :)

Thats brill about the money raised, really pleased about that.

Jan was right when she said d.s. fans are harmless and I agree with you Duke Special and Duke Special fans are spectacular.

:)

robi

09-05-2010, 9:24 am

Had a great time at Nottingham last might. There was a brilliant atmosphere there. The show has developed since Harrogate, and the Duke and the band gave it their all!

I was upstairs leaning on the balcony with my bag, drink and Mr Fizzy's envelope of moustaches, that he had given me in Harrogate for my book group.

Suddenly in the middle of Prop Man there was a commotion down below amongst a group of very excited woman directly underneath. Wondering what was up with them, I then saw they were all holding moustaches to their faces.
'Ah, some people have got into the moustache thing', I thought.
Then to my horror, I saw they had Mr Fizzy's big brown envelope with 'ladies' written on it.
I can imagine what happened:
A large brown bag flutters down to them. They look up but everyone on the balcony is engrossed by the performance on the stage.
They see the word 'ladies' on the envelope and someone say 'open it' - after all it says ladies.
They open up the envelope, and find 9 moustaches a la Hector Mann!
They share them out and wear them for the duration of the set.
At the interval, when the lights came up, they looked up at the balcony trying to figure out where the envelope had come from.
At this point, I decided to look very innocent.
Perhaps they still think, it was an integral part of the gig!!!

Anyway, sorry Mr Fizzy. I had meant to return them to you, so that you could use them again!:o

jodieaitken

09-05-2010, 11:42 am

HAHA!! That sounds like the good kind of mishap!

Glad everyone is having fun at the gigs I can't be at... Someone get starstruck at a show for me? I like to leave an impression. I'm a gig ninja. I'm there once and then BAM! Even though I'm not there, I'm there!

Umm, that made sense in my own head...

Where is the next gig? Bristol? Have fun!

PS: Joy, I think it'll be Flesh and Blood Dance.

Umbrella Academic

09-05-2010, 11:47 am

Saturday 8th May. The politicians are still working out who should be in charge and with whose help, but in a small corner of Nottingham it was actually the 1920s and we were reliving the short career of Hector Mann. From the riotous joy of the ‘Tango Tangle’ and the playfulness of ‘Wanda’ we rode the rollercoaster which took in the haunting ‘You’ll Be Detective ‘, and ‘Jumping Jacks’ which seems to increase in resonance with every listen, particular with the current economic climate. On the Saturday night ‘Find Dorothy’ Shelia Hancock encourages the girls to convey the story to each song, and also bemoans the fact that modern music tends to be rather thin on story. Not so at the Rescue Rooms! Duke was every character and every Hector. Just wonderful.
And there was more as after a quick costume change we were transported back almost 400 years for the music from Mother Courage. A fascinating story and an ageless one. With the small candlelit tables just in the front of the stage I felt like I was taking a seat in Le Candide with the Officers of the Forces of occupation. The powerful score, delivered with such passion could transfer to any war and felt especially poignant on the 65th anniversary of VE Day. I admit I cried several times – particularly in Song of the Hours where I was so overcome that I missed the applause. This is where music becomes life.
The brief trip to the Mississippi was charming and Duke again changed before our eyes, through manner and presence into the hungry boy seeking his supper.
The lovely Mr Fizzy :oasked for my favourite- I named about 3, but by this morning I probably managed to name each and every one of the songs at least twice.
This was a magnificent night. Thank you a thousand times to Duke and his band- I think there should be a new collective noun reserved for Ben and Co - 'A Talent of Musicians'
Big hugs to Mr and Mrs Fizzy, Dawn S and the lovely lady in the gorgeous green coat whose name I have forgotten, and the other Boardies I met. Sorry if I was incoherent afterwards- I was a bit 'sent' by it all.

'Brella
x

Mrfizzy

09-05-2010, 12:21 pm

@jadeandchrissy - nice to meet you in Salford and glad you worked out how to post your lovely photos :)

@robi - Duke asked me after the show about the 'tashes from the sky - I told him they were for a book club group and he said that the audience had fun with them but he was glad it wasn't 9 copies of "The Book of Illusions" that dropped from the balcony!:o

@Umbrella Academic - lovely post - thanks - I agree that it's different "favourites" every time. Always a pleasure to meet fans who are as "enthusiastic" (some unkind people might use a different word!) as us (Mrs lolly in green coat btw). Same goes for SarahG, Dublinram and friends - he tells me that this was his eleventy-first (111) Duke show - lucky chap.

Fab double-bass and vocals from jonny, sympathetic percussion from Phil, delicate piano frin Cian, masterful clarinet, sax and vocals from the Great Ben Castle and the lead singer wasn't bad either. The performances were stunning and the audience reaction wonderfully enthusiastic - the boys have set themselves one heck of a standard to follow. Quick post as we are headed for Bristol and the super Thekla gig tonight

Nottingham Rescue Rooms
http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-ash1/hs513.ash1/30265_1361748898081_1662353591_849229_7493253_n.jp g

Tango Tangle :o:o

http://sphotos.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-sjc1/hs533.snc3/30265_1361749738102_1662353591_849246_8225566_n.jp g

robi

09-05-2010, 12:37 pm

@robi - Duke asked me after the show about the 'tashes from the sky - I told him they were for a book club group and he said that the audience had fun with them but he was glad it wasn't 9 copies of "The Book of Illusions" that dropped from the balcony!:o

Ah, you had worked out where the moustaches had come from! I hadn't realised that anyone had noticed apart from the 'ladies' who had them land on their head! (Mind you, with the amount of noise they were making...)
So glad it wasn't 9 copies of the book. I wouldn't like to be responsible for any serious head injuries!
Sorry I didn't get a chance to stay behind to say hello to everyone - some in my group had children to pick up!
The book group really enjoyed the evening - and we all agreed it was a fun and different way to 'do a book'.

Emma, Sally and Dawn - how did you get those prime seats? What time did you arrive? You looked as if you were having a whale of a time.

I'm just sorry, I won't be able to go to any more shows on this tour. :(

Umbrella Academic

09-05-2010, 12:58 pm

...was just heartbreaking.

x

Dublinram

09-05-2010, 1:47 pm

A few photos from last night:

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=168066&id=554913860

jadeandchrissy

09-05-2010, 2:25 pm

great pictures, wish I was going back, would love to see it more than once.

Chrissy

BTW the user name Jade is one of my parrots and I am chrissy

gazbo

09-05-2010, 8:30 pm

"Duke Special's music and live shows have always been on the theatrical side but with his latest albums - The Silent World of Hector Mann and Mother Courage and Her Children - the Belfast-based song writer takes it a stage further.

Presented in a music-hall style, this performance split into two sets covering both albums, gave the dreadlocked singer the chance to fully embrace his dramatic tendencies.

Playing the storyteller, using more props than usual and generally delivering his vivid lyrics with a thespian flourish, his enthusiasm and spirit were unquestionable. Just how well the material worked live is open to debate.

Ater a positive start, the truly terrible Wanda, Darling of the Jockey Club reared its cheesy head. It was the first of many moments when over-eager claritenist Ben Castle's Alan Partridge meets Bez theatrics overshadowed the music.

Better was to come in the shape of the more restrained, less Vaudevillian numbers Mister Nobody, You'll Be Detective and Cook's Song. However, overall a distinctly gimmicky vibe pervaded both sets."

Rating: 3/5

gazbo

09-05-2010, 8:35 pm

I don't think this guy got it. He didn't seem to realise that Wanda is a comedy song about a silent comedy film. I doubt very much that he watched the whole performance as I don't see how anyone could fail to be impressed by Song of the Hours. He barely mentions the Mother Courage set and he definitely must have missed the encores.

His comments about Ben Castle are just him trying to be smart - we got a performance and if that means dancing and play acting on stage it all enhances the experience for the audience.

Delly

09-05-2010, 9:06 pm

Gillian

09-05-2010, 9:41 pm

I am still recovering from Nottingham last night. How can anyone not LOVE that gig? It was nice to meet Atkygal at last; and was thoroughly entranced and entertained the whole gig as usual. The Dukster always manages to show his creativity and artistry in his music. Excellent, no matter what some reviewers might say.
Normally, I'm not a fan of support acts. But, Hannah Peel! She was fantastic! Cocteau Twins cover on a music box - true class.

beth gaddis

09-05-2010, 9:56 pm

Well if Duke's going to get a bad review at least this is the sort we want. Anyone who can describe Wanda as 'truly terrible' clearly has absolutely no understanding of musical genres, wordcraft, melody or wit. Quite frankly they shouldn't be paid in buttons as they are totally unqualified for the job they purport to do.
And as for criticism of Ben! That man has probably forgotten more about music and performance than this 'reviewer' will ever come close to knowing.
Grrrrrrrrrr!

I notice that a great percentage of reviewers automatically discount anything that has a sense of fun. What stinks is that this chuckle head took up a seat that some Duke fan would have loved to have. I didn't see the show,of course, but I second your grrrrrrr.

jodieaitken

10-05-2010, 12:53 am

Where. Does. That. Reviewer. Live? He needs educated. I can tell you one thing though, it's a good thing I know what 'thespian' means, otherwise that reviewer would be getting a face-rearranging! Somebody send him a copy of The Book of Illusions, loads of links to songs, an accurate description of what has been happening in the world of DS lately + show descriptions.
How dare he critisize Ben like that! Every one of them on stage is a performer. It's what they do. Performers perform. I for one thought the theatrical elements were almost as important as the songs. I think that we would have been slightly disappointed if all we got were songs. Live shows are about that little extra, y'know? That spark. If that spark gets there via hats, jackets, props, slightly more comedic songs and silliness (AKA fun) then let's have it like that!!

Sorry. Got a bit carried away there... Whoops!
I third that GRRRRRRRR!!

Glad you had fun Gillian :)

Now, where's that happy place gone? Oh yeah, it's in my Duke Special playlist!

jan

10-05-2010, 9:48 am

Adam Andrews is obviously too young to have ever seen a silent comedy movie.....his loss....shame!
:(:(

Ian

10-05-2010, 11:12 am

I for one found Ben utterly brilliant at the Newcastle gig. Perfectly timed comedy.

We must remember these reviewers are usually prompted with "Hello, this is our first song (Whatever).......... Thank you. Our next song is (something else).......... Thank you. Our next song is a single released on Monday, please buy it as we want to be famous....... Thank you" and aren't quite prepared to see something theatrical and thoughtful.