DAVEY CURTIS: Hawkwind - Onward to Middlesborough

Dear Jon,

Middlesbrough town centre is a wacky place. Not only does have a busy duel carriage way on stilts snaking it's way through the rooftops of buildings but it also possesses two large music venues right next door to each other in permanent competition with each other.

On Wednesday 30th of May the Town Hall won the day for they hosted the mighty Hawkwind.

The Town Hall it self is great, all Gothic and foreboding, like something out of a Tim Burton film.

After a couple of jars in the Pig Iron pub across the road it was down into The Vault music venue of the Hall.

First up was support act Mr Quimby's Beard, a talented bunch of space rockers who also veered into Reggae and Dub territory within their music and it all went down very well with the crowd.

Then after a short break it was on to Hawkind who are promoting their new album Onward.

The stage was suitably adorned with green foliage and camouflage to tie in with the album design.

Dave & Niall opted for Hawaiian shirts, Mr Dibs a black kilt and bush hat, whist Tim sported a rather nifty white evening jacket. Unfortunately I could not make out what Richard Chadwick or Dead Fred had on because Richard was behind his kit and Fred was hidden behind some foliage operating something or other. It was nice to see Dave Brock up front for once because for awhile now he has opted to stand at the back behind synths and other assorted equipment.

Onward....first up they sounded great, a good mixture of new material and classics. The band seemed to really enjoying themselves and powered through the numbers with vigour. Tim Blake posing like the old pro he is with his synth-guitar, giving his Theremin some stick when needed. Mr Dibs had time to pull out his new toys. An electric cello and what I think was a Dan-electro Baritone guitar! Fantastic! It all seem to work well.
The light show was what you have come to expect from Hawkwind and was used to good effect. The young ladies they have dancing for them were 1st class and are always a joy to behold, although how she can walk about on such high stilts is beyond me.

The only minor quibble is the sound man keeps forgetting to turn Richard Chadwick's mic on when he sings Silver Machine as an encore. This happened when I saw them at Stamford too. But Hey Ho by the second verse he had realised his mistake and the crowd were in fine voice anyway. Hurrah.

All in all a very good night and the Hawks are on top of their game again.

Regards

Davey C