May 14th 1995 – Leicester Arena (De Montfort Uni)
Supported by: The Libertines?
Very much in the way I had previously been so excited to see Maria McKee come to Leicester, Kirsty MacColl was another big must for me. Another feisty thing and classy singer. She had been married to legend producer, Steve Lillywhite, she had struggled so much with stage fright, that her live performances were quite limited, so this was special.
Now, the support for this night is a bit of a mystery (so I could be wrong here!), but there is a chance this is “one that got away”.
I remember very little of them, but there is a possibility this was The Libertines (Pete Doherty and Carl Barat’s band), as I feel I remember a smartly dressed rock band in red tunics……..I’ll leave it at that and research further 🙂 but if it was, bugger, I wish I’d paid attention 🙂
Kirsty came on stage and looked really nervous, had a little cheeky chat with the crowd and started with Titanic Days, at the end she got such a great reception, it seemed to lift her confidence and singing “Caroline” she had the most fantastic voice! Kirsty for me is a bit of a country, rock and pop singer and has that feisty, angry and hard edge to her singing and yet mesmerisingly melodic (with a bitter undertone) – love it. such a range. For all the melody, there are many dark stories underneath.
“A New England”, written by Billy Bragg, was an epic record and sounded even better live.
This was a great dance along and as a 30 year old, I did feel a little old in the crowd……first time that had happened in my gig career!!
A very under-rated singer and I recommend you all go “Kite” and “Titanic Days” and maybe one of the greatest hits compilations, you won’t be disappointed.
All the way through you could feel Kirsty getting more confident and the band were having such fun. She loved to chat with the crowd and certainly got everyone dancing by midway through the set. A really fun and relaxed atmosphere.
NOTE: On 18 December 2000, Kirsty was diving in Mexico when a powerboat moving at high speed entered the restricted area. MacColl instantly killed by the boat……such a sad thing to happen to an amazing talent.
Set List (something like)
- Titanic Days
- Caroline
- Free World
- Angel
- Bad
- Innocence
- He’s on the Beach
- They Don’t Know
- Tread Lightly
- Mother’s Ruin
- Children of the Revolution
- Can’t Stop Killing You
- My Affair
- Big Boy on a Saturday Night
- Fifteen Minutes
- Don’t Come the Cowboy With Me, Sonny Jim!
- Walking Down Madison
- A New England (Billy Bragg cover)
- There’s a Guy Works Down the Chip Shop Swears He’s Elvis
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