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Serj Tankian Reviews - Manchester Academy 16/11/07
Skit - Nov 17, 2007 - 06:00 PM
Post subject: Manchester Academy 16/11/07
Taken from my myspace blog 
Well to start with getting to the venue ran alot smoother than the Smashing Pumpkins gig earlier in the year..
Had a train journey of about 2 1/2 hours to get to manchester, from there I got a Taxi to my hotel which was a million times better than that shit in london.
Luckily for me, the gig was right around the corner from my hotel so I headed down there pretty much straight away.
The first thing you'd see (no matter what time you arrived) at the venue is what I'll refer to as the 'skins' guy.
Basically, this is some 20 something guy who was slightly wasted and approached you as you walked by asking for skins and holding his fist out (skins meaning you tap his hand with yours... kinda gansta respect thingy..) he pretty much hung around my general area for the next hour or so preaching about Serj to random passers by etc... what a legend 
I also signed up for a Serj fanclub mailing list or something... I got a free badge and sticker out of it so whatever..
There was also alot of touts asking to buy/sell tickets... do they not realise the gig hasnt even sold out?... lol
Anyway onto the gig..
I ran in as soon as the doors opened (I was fairly near the front) and got a spot right on the railing to the left of the stage.
We waited inside for another hour until the support band finally came on around 20.30.
Fair To Midland where the support act and having never heard them before I didnt know what to expect.
They walk on stage, most of the band having long hair and massive beards didnt fill me with much hope to be honest...
Then BAM! they kick into the first song and start going absoloutly mental onstage, the band is basically having there own moshpit on stage between themselves!
The singer got through about 20 bottles of water throughout there set, not from drinking mind you, just randomly pouring full bottles over his head.
So yeah, FTM totally blew me away, kinda Incubus style with some Mars Volta thrown in for good measure imo.... Everyone check them out they're gonna be huge!
So impressed actually that I bought there CD at the merch stand afterwards and Im actually listening to it right now 
Fair To Midland finish there set and the stage gets stripped clean for Serj.
I dont mean changing a few amps and switching a drum kit, I mean stripped clean, they took the whole PA off the drums the amps EVERYTHING!
After more waiting around (maybe half an hour this time?) some familier music starts to play (through the PA), I reccognised it as The Reverend King a b-side of Serjs album.
During the music the band enters the stage and gets some cheers.
Serjs enters and the place erupts!
The band then start to play the Unthinking Majority
The Unthinking Majority
The place erupted when this one started with everyone singing along.
Afterwards Serj tell us we're "The Bomb" something he'd keep telling us throughout the night.
Empty Walls
The next song was Empty Walls, again everyone singing along and some moshing going on.
After this I've no clue of the setlist order but I'll try my best...
Lie Lie Lie
Lie Lie Lie was really good, with Serj hitting all the high notes as well as the keyboardist hitting some damn high notes too.
Serj let the crowd sing the "Lie Lie Lie" part after the "I delightfully sang..." part which was quite cool
Saving Us
Serj too out his guitar for this one I believe, sounded great and the crowd where singing along as always.
Honking Antelope
Not sure where this came in the setlist to be honest, but it was a damn good performance.
I think this was the song where Serj thanked the crowd and said we where the best show on the tour.
Baby
Again, no idea where this came in the setlist, but it was a great performace, great singalong song and lots of moshing going on.
Praise The Lord And Pass The Ammunition
Serj started this one off by screaming "Praise The Lord!!" a few times then said "And Pass The Ammunition!" in his squeaky voice.
Great performance and crazy crowds once more
Charades
This was the full band version of Charades thats been performed on every show of the solo tour.
I wasnt expecting this to be good TBH, I've heard bootlegs and didnt like this version but watching it live its really good.
The guitar work is amazing!
Money
Serj began this by saying something along the lines of "Theres still 1 song we have yet to perform on this tour yet, and we're going to perform it especially for you tonight, this ones called money"
Again another great performace.
Girl (Beatles Cover)
This followed straight after Money in the setlist, I know that at least
Sounded great, and Serj let out some great growls that sounded like systems first album, that really shocked me!
Afterwards Serj said something like "Well if you've got to ruin one song let it be a Beatles song eh?"
Beethoven's Cunt
Serj recited a little intro to this I cant remember what he said, but at the end of it he screamed "Cunt!!!" then kicked into the song... lol
Elect The Dead
Last song of the night, Serj performed this one solo.
Great performance, and a good set closer.
I think there was more songs than this, but I didnt get a look at the setlist so Im not sure what else was played, Im going off my memory here..
Afterwards I hung around the stage trying to get picks/setlists etc but no look, came close when a screwed up setlist was thown onto the floor near me and some other guy, but I just ended up getting my hand crushed..
Knowing I wouldnt get a setlist etc I went to the merch stand and bought the Fair To Midland album (£10) Serj Hoodie (£30) and some stickers/badges (£5)
After that I went outside to hang around near the tourbus to wait for Serj, to me surprise there was about 100 people doing the same!
Mario (Serjs Bassist) and Serjs Drummer (Forgot his name!) came out and I talked abit with them, I was more interested in Serj TBH
We got ordered into a que by security and it was announced that Serj would come out but because he was ill and didnt want to get worse we had to have a quick picture or something signed then be on our way.
Fine I thought, I only wanted a pic anyway.
So I begin setting up my camera for the best picture quality for the night then... It dies!
I frantically try get the fucker to turn back on but its no use...
I have no choice but to use my phone camera which in the day is bad quality never mind the night!
I met Serj, said how awesome the gig was got a quick pic and went on my way, the picture turned out ass but I met Serj and thats all that counts!
Great gig overall, I honestly think it was the best out of anyshow I've heard so far, really gutted about my camera dieing though, piece of shit...
Pics in the gallery.
http://myspace.com/skit
(Feel free to add me, but message me first on myspace so I know who you are otherwise I wont accept )
2tall4you - Nov 17, 2007 - 06:03 PM
Post subject: RE: Manchester Academy 16/11/07
^^ you all are so lucky that you can be in Serj's shows...nice rewiev.
danielpsoad-09 - Nov 17, 2007 - 06:07 PM
Post subject: RE: Manchester Academy 16/11/07
Thank you for your review ! .
sugar_buzz - Nov 17, 2007 - 06:22 PM
Post subject: RE: Manchester Academy 16/11/07
Looks like Serj's set was the same as the ones from the US shows. I'm SO glad that you got to see "Charades"! I know how much you love that song.
And that you got to meet Serj is just awesome!! I am so happy for you!!!
Thanks very much for the review, Skit!!! I'm glad to know you had a great time, my friend 
Skit - Nov 17, 2007 - 06:29 PM
Post subject: RE: Manchester Academy 16/11/07
Yeah the set was probably the same, to be fair though, he cant really do alot else off of one album can he?
Is the reverend king a new intro for the shows?
The people next to me seemed to think so...
sugar_buzz - Nov 17, 2007 - 06:38 PM
Post subject: RE: Manchester Academy 16/11/07
^^Not new, I don't think. Just that before the record came out, the people like me who saw the shows didn't know it was TRK. And the setlists said "Intro Roll"...no song title.
Skit - Nov 17, 2007 - 06:40 PM
Post subject: RE: Manchester Academy 16/11/07
Ah ok 
coolguyb52 - Nov 17, 2007 - 07:42 PM
Post subject: RE: Manchester Academy 16/11/07
Very nice review Skit. It's so awesome that you got to meet Serj and the fact that they played "Money" for you guys!
pharmcat - Nov 17, 2007 - 07:44 PM
Post subject: RE: Manchester Academy 16/11/07
You forgot Holiday In Cambodia last time I heard that live was at a DK gig in 1981 (shit, I'm really getting old...). Thought it was a great gig, but it occurred to me it must be weird for Serj to be playing small venues again.
Skit - Nov 17, 2007 - 07:54 PM
Post subject: RE: Manchester Academy 16/11/07
Oh yeah!
That was a great song aswell, Im surprised I missed that off the list 
sugar_buzz - Nov 17, 2007 - 07:54 PM
Post subject: RE: Manchester Academy 16/11/07
"Holiday" really was a fun song for them to do live! I loved it too!
It's not been that long since he'd have played small venues. System did a bunch of smaller venues on their European and US tours in early 2005. I think that Serj played some of those same places on this tour, actually. And the venues where they've done the Almost Acoustic Xmas shows and Souls are not that big either.
Rainbow_Chile - Nov 17, 2007 - 07:54 PM
Post subject: RE: Manchester Academy 16/11/07
Cool review Skit. Shame your camera died on you though!!
DantheSOADfan - Nov 17, 2007 - 09:33 PM
Post subject: RE: Manchester Academy 16/11/07
Awesome
I guess itll be the same in London astoria
Thanks for the Review dude
Added you on myspace lol
Gemski13 - Nov 17, 2007 - 11:33 PM
Post subject: RE: Manchester Academy 16/11/07
nice review dude! last nite was fukin awesome! i spent most the night with the dude who was givin people skin! lol! wat a legend!
i have a shitload of pics frm the gig i'll upload them wen my computers not bein an ass!
Serj fuckin rocked the academy, it was simply one of the best gig's ive ever been to!
Aciid_drop - Nov 17, 2007 - 11:42 PM
Post subject: RE: Manchester Academy 16/11/07
Nice review,wish i was there.
Toxicteen - Nov 17, 2007 - 11:46 PM
Post subject:
I was one from the front, touched serj's man chest when he came out in front of the crowd too Got a pick as well (off the floor when the lights came on, looks used! ). Musta been in the same crowd outside the bus as you skit, don't know what you look like though. Me and my friend got a picture with Serj too....awesome night I'd say.
AK - Nov 17, 2007 - 11:48 PM
Post subject: RE: Manchester Academy 16/11/07
nice, skit!
lucky that you got to hear Money live! i'd have love to hear that!
and yeah, i absolutely loved the band version of charades...esp, the piano playing by Erwin.
some people have said that the intro is the Reverend King..but i dunno..as lisa said, its not indicated like that on the set list, and i havent really heard the actual version of the reverend kind yet, tbh
thanks for the review and nice pics! ...i hate how technology bails on you last minute! but memories are always better than pics
Skit - Nov 18, 2007 - 10:47 AM
Post subject: Re: RE: Manchester Academy 16/11/07
Gemski13 wrote:
i have a shitload of pics frm the gig i'll upload them wen my computers not bein an ass!
Oooh please do, I'd love to see any pics people have got of this gig
mom45 - Nov 18, 2007 - 02:55 PM
Post subject:
Damn! You got to hear Money! I'm sofa king jealous!
And FTM as well. I already love them & have their album. I will def have to see them live myself one of these days.
Bummer about your camera, though.
Great review.
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