North East Calling (formerly Durham Punk Festival) – at O2 Academy – Newcastle, UK

Here are some of the highlights... The day starts of with the Fiend who’s fasted paced and very loud sound goes down well to a sizeable crowd “Fuk it” , quickly followed by local boys Crashed out, who get a good reaction from the crowd when they sing “raise your glasses” which the crowd duly oblige as they dance along.

 

Goldblade come on and you know what you’re going to get a manic John Robb running all over the stage, into the pit, getting the crowd interacting with him, to make them one of the best live acts around certainly one of the most energetic. “Riot Riot” and “Jukebox Generation” are the stand out songs today.

Mad Sin bring a pyschobilly feel to the day, Koefte for a big man can certainly jump about the stage especially during there version of the clashes “Brand New Cadillac” and later in the set Valle gets into the crowd with his double bass, playing it wildly while fireworks come out of the top of it..

Ruts Dc are up next and bring the evening back to a mellow vibe and bring a bit of punk and reggae to the party and give the crowd a chance to catch there breathe and dance along with some great songs, with each band only having about 40 minutes it is sharp short and sweet sets, “staring at the rude boy” goes down a storm. Then there seems to be slight mix up at the start of “Babylon’s burning” so the crowd sing it, then the band play it again and it is one so them songs that just gives you chills when you hear it.

UK Subs is another band that you know what you are always going to get a great show and a 69 year young Charlie Harper showing the young ones how to do it, but it’s not often we get a stunned crowd when they walk on and and you hear people saying who’s that, as Alvin Gibbs hasn’t made the show they have there van driver filling in who was still learning the songs in the changing room, “warhead “Tomorrows girls” are well received..

Sham 69 arrive on stage with Jimmy wearing a gas mask and rips it off and were are straight in to “what have we got”

“Questions and answers” goes down well with the crowd and has jimmy flailing the mic stand about the stage and his outstretched arms like a preacher singing to his congregation...

“That’s life “ intro is played and the crowd sing along and Jimmy screams at them sing you fuckers, and the crowd sing along, meanwhile he has dropped to his knees leaning over the monitor at the front of the stage pointing the mic at them.

“If the Kids are United” has the venue rocking to the core, I didn’t even know it had a spring floor till this played and I could feel every inch of it. The mic is held aloft over the crowd for the best sing along of the evening.

While most bands hate getting beer thrown at them Jimmy takes it in his stride and even returns the favour by throwing water back at them.

It's great having these guys all back together both Dave’s and Jimmy are having a ball and with Robin guy on the drums it is a great live show..

This is band most people had waited all day to see and I think no one has left disappointed.

 

More photos of the show can be seen HERE

-Dod Morrison-
Big Wheel Overseas Reporter

 

 

 

 

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