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I decided to opt out of a third and possibly fatal
assault on the bar, as the Academy is at near
breaking point. A wise decision, for it wasn't long
before the sound of Queens' "Seven Seas Of
Rhye" fills the air. The stage curtain rises to reveal
an American urban skyline, complete with 4
images of Elvis, glaring from above the stage (as
he probably does in his own Gracelands in the
heavens!). The Stuffies bound on stage to a
cheer that wouldn't be amiss at a first division
football ground and launch into "Red Berry Joy
Town". The sound is excellent and is
complemented by a staggeringly impressive light
show. ln what later proved to be a set of almost gargantuan proportions, they performed material from their complete repertoire, that, to their credit, left no stone unturned. "A Wish Away", "Cartoon Boyfriend" and "Inertia" cover the Stuffies ever developing sound, all three songs receiving stunning live renditions and are as welcome as old friends at a New Years party. Miles tonight is resplendent in a outfit that wouldn't be amiss in "It Ain't `Arf Hot Mum", trades banter with anybody who is prepared to take him on. "How the fuck are you?" is tonight's opening volley. As Miles controls his audience in his own unmistakable fashion. Fiddley stalks the stage like a man possessed, playing all manner of instruments. MaIc plays with usual gusto and outlandish axe heroics. Martin and Paul provide the essential backbone to the Stuffies sound. But hold on! It's not all rock `n' roll, as the pace is temporally slowed for a while as "Sleep Alone" proves that even the most personal material loses none of its' intimacy and when everybody sings "No I'm not waiting for the telephone", you instantly know that the Stuffies could wipe the floor with Bryan Adams any day!
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However, this proves only to be a brief respite, as
the hits just keep coming. "It's Yer Money", "Size
Of A Cow" and a powerful "Donation" sends
audience activity to fever pitch. Unfortunately,
some fans are getting a liftle too carried away, to
which Miles comments "People have paid to see
our faces, not your hairy arses!" (Well said that
man!). As the opening bars of THE number 1 of the year, "Dizzy" (now that should have been at the top of the charts for 17 weeks!) fills the Academy. it's party time again, with Miles playing the role of Mr. Reeves as the rest of us are more than content to play the supporting role of Bob Mortimer. And with that as their parting shot, they disappear. But, like the true pros that they are, it's not for long. They swiftly return to play an encore of which, the highlight was undoubtedly the cover of "That's Entertainment", which puts Auntie Mozzers version to complete and utter shame. "Unbearable" provided a venomous ending to tonights proceedings, which left the crowd baying for more. In short, the Stuffies provided a set of the highest quality, that including passion and aggression. And, with a set list of some 25 songs, ensured that everyone departed the Academy with a huge grin on their face. As "Give, Give, Give" starts the 2nd encore, I have to beat a hasty retreat from the Academy, as good old B.R. find it hard to grasp the notion that people do like to have the occasional late night out. As the rain drives down cold and hard onto my face, I really couldn't care as the Stuffies have provided me with sunshine on a rainy day (l'm really sorry, but, I found that just too hard to resist.)
Rob Smith
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