Edwyn Collins played his final gig in Manchester on Tuesday evening when he appeared at the city’s Albert Hall
Craig Jones joined Leeds Live from the Hull Daily Mail where he worked as what’s on editor. In that role, he covered Hull’s milestone UK City of Culture year in 2017. Craig was previously what’s on writer for the Bristol Post and has also worked as a senior news reporter for the Swindon Advertiser and the Wiltshire Times. While, he also headed up Reach PLC’s what’s on content while on secondment in 2019 working with what’s on writers across the country.
He has lots of experience covering music festivals and huge events. Mancunian Craig has previously reported on the ground from Glastonbury, Leeds Festival, Reading Festival, Big Weekend and the 6 Music Festival amongst many others. Craig is looking forward to covering all the great gigs Leeds has to offer as well as the city’s thriving food and drink scene. He also heads up our food and drink, Emmerdale and days out coverage.
Edwyn Collins performing on-stage at the Albert Hall as he said farewell to Manchester
Edwyn Collins received the adulation he deserved when he played a final show in Manchester on Tuesday evening.
On an emotional and moving night at the city’s Albert Hall the sold out venue was treated to hits from the Edinburgh singer’s time fronting Orange Juice and his extensive solo back catalogue. Ahead of his performance, Collins, 66, posted on X how Manchester has held a special place in his heart for 45 years.
Since his stroke, in 2005, the performer has overcome a number of challenges. Not least recapturing the ability to walk and talk. These miracles, alongside his timeless music triumphs, saw a very thankful Manchester audience give him a standing ovation as he took to the Albert Hall stage.
Collins asked: “Manchester, are you ready to rock ‘n’ roll?” The headline act was supported on the night by The Hanging Stars who recorded their song Sweet Light ‘round Edwyn’s gaff’. Frontman Richard Olson was full of appreciation for the evening’s main event.
Orange Juice classic Falling and Laughing opened proceedings with Collins confessing to feeling ‘nervous as f**k’ ahead of an airing of The Campaign for Real Rock. But he needn’t be worried as he was firmly among friends.
Such was the feeling of goodwill towards Collins, one woman, in the seats down the front videoed his set for over an hour – firmly determined to document the milestone occasion. Tuesday was a touching, at times, raw evening with one of its most tender moments coming as Collins’ son William joined him on-stage to share the vocals to In Your Eyes.
Collins, who sat for most of the set, later declared: “I hope you are enjoying the show, Manchester – I’m enjoying the show also.”
Due to Tuesday’s configuration of the Albert Hall there was a glaring spot down the front just waiting for the right time to become a dancefloor. Many took up the invitation, fittingly so, for Orange Juice anthem Rip It Up. The unmistakable riff, which still sounds fresh, reverberating all around the historic setting.
After introducing his talented band, Collins announced: “I’m Edwyn Collins, the great one…not really.” There was lots of his wry humour and candour throughout the festivities.
As the inspirational Collins closed his main set, he stood, with the assistance of cane, to put everything he had into Don’t Shilly Shally and his 1994 internationally-renowned solo smash Girl Like You. Again, the makeshift dancefloor packed with patrons. Just a mere 30-years-later, the line ‘too many protest singers, not enough protest songs’ still has particular resonance.
Bidding a brief farewell, before his four-song encore, Collins enthused: “good night, children.” Blue Boy, brought a night, nobody wanted to end, to a close.
Edwyn, Manchester is all the better for knowing a boy like you.
Setlist
- Falling and Laughing
- Dying Day
- Make Me Feel Again
- The Campaign for Real Rock
- Hope and Despair
- Nation Shall Speak Unto Nation
- Knowledge
- The Wheels of Love
- What Presence?
- In Your Eyes
- In a Nutshell
- Intuition Told Me (Part 1)
- Simply Thrilled Honey
- Consolation Prize
- I Can’t Help Myself
- Rip It Up
- Don’t Shilly Shally
- A Girl Like You
Encore
- Low Expectations
- Home Again
- Felicity
- Blue Boy