The Almighty/Girlschool –
Cambridge Corn Exchange – Thursday 28th November, 2024
Set List: Demolition/C’mon’/Hunter/Hit & Run/Future Flash/Kick It Down/It Is What It Is/Screaming/Race For The Devil/Bomber/Emergency.
In the Heart of the University City of Cambridge down the narrowest of it’s tiny streets you find the Corn Exchange. Girlschool are the nights support. Lacking a member, they put on a decent show with all the songs you would expect. ‘Emergency’ & Motorhead’s ‘Bomber’ are the highlights for me.
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With a history going back to the late 70’s they defy the passing years with an energetic display that gets a good response. Having said that only having one original member does take the gloss off, though many other bands do the same.
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The venue is close to capacity there is an air of expectation and enthusiastic excitement, this is all for The Almighty, Girlschool are merely the aperitif!
Set List: Crucify/Destroyed/Do You Understand/Wrench/Ultraviolent/Addiction/Gift Horse/Praying To The Red Light/A Little Lost Sometimes/Crank And Deceit/Way Beyond Belief/Jonestown Mind/Power/Takin’ Hold/Bandaged Knees/The Unreal Thing/Devil’s Toy/Over The Edge/Wild & Wonderful.
Encore: Jesus Loves You…But I Don’t/Free ‘N’ Easy.
Over the last few years I must have seen The Almighty 10 times. I always preferred the biker rock sound of the debut and second album ‘Soul Destruction’. The heavier ‘Powertrippin’ and ‘Crank’ were a stylistic change that I didn’t fully appreciate.
The full-blown Punk of ‘Just Add Life’ struck a chord and finally I had them ‘All Sussed Out’. My final encounter was at this very venue when they supported The Black Crowes. That was way back in 1997! It has therefore been an Almighty wait so pre-show I was buzzing with excitement!
During the build up to The Almighty’s arrival on stage you could feel the temperature rising, the tension is enormous. Then The Almighty arrive and explode in euphoric fashion opening with ‘Crucify’, ‘Destroyed’ and ‘Do You Understand’ the place erupts into a frenzied mass.
It is f*ck*ng immense. Unlike the support act, the Almighty contain all of the original members. This proves to make it all ultra special for this, the Cambridge Concert of their Three And Easy Tour!
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‘Crank’ follows as songs from all eras are performed, it is simply magnificent! To say that they are on fire would be an understatement. The crowd join in song after song, it is as compelling as the early days, the intensity is vibrant.
A large circle is formed, I am included, men embrace, hug, jump and sing at the tops of their voices, there is a bond, a band of brothers, on stage we see and react to the real band of brothers who are emitting smiles and joy that light up the venue brighter than the stage lighting ever could! The huge Almighty backdrop leaves us in no doubt as to who we are seeing!
The show never let’s up with ‘Little Lost Sometimes’, ‘Power’ increasing the atmosphere even more, it almost tips us ‘Over The Edge’! I say almost because ‘Wild & Wonderful does that spectacularly as it closes the main set. It has been breathless!
The crowd in unison shout, “All F*ck*ng Mighty” to express their delight. The encore begins with ‘Jesus Loves You’, the place goes nuts! It all concludes with ‘Free ‘n’ Easy, collectively we are a sweaty exhausted and, in some cases an inebriated delirious mess.
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As Stumpy, Floyd, Tantrum and Ricky take their bow, Ricky exclaims Cambridge we will be back! We are the Allf*ck*nmighty! Concert of the year by a mile! I have one question just why has this taken so long to happen? I guess only Mr Warick can answer and explain that.
One more thing is why was ‘All Sussed Out’ not played? I am not complaining though. What a show!
By Paul Mace