Gig Review – The Stranglers – Tyntesfield 14th August 2015.

I Saw The Black!

Students of theology have on occasion pondered as to any heavenly connections there may be between certain mortals or earthly organisations and the skies themselves. Following a trail that led from Lymington to London, little to no clues were uncovered. After a tip off in the light of recent evidence revealed by a new interpretation of the ancient scrolls, all the signs pointed left. With this in mind the controls were set to the direction of the West. A meet up with Agent Bella saw us headed to the country manor Tyntesfield.

It was here in these grand surroundings that we encountered a gathering of the familiar black clad masses mingling with the Wax Jacket and Wellies set. Agent Baglady joined us seconded from her Devonian mission while also here tonight were: Shazzer, Mr T, Daveh, Sandra, Gizzard, Alm, Stevem, Nickyp, The pharbours, Karenp, Bryanh, Bradford John, (Al and JJ), Tanner and many others…

Whilst it may have been Divine intervention that held off the rain in Hampton, tonight bore further witness to the theory that the supreme alien is working with the Meninblack, as the clouds rolled back and the precipitation ceased, in order to enable tonight’s entertainment to proceed.

Support acts Howard and The Leaves and Donkey Hot Pink (?) did their utmost to warm up the crowd and in a flash we were at 9:30 and Waltzinblack.

A rather serious and Stern looking Stranglers made the stage and kicked off with Toiler on The Sea and with the crowd on side their mood soon changed as the smiles slowly began to appear on their faces. The set was similar to the earlier summer mini tour dates with Straighten Out, Grip, I’ve Been Wild, Curfew, Relentless, Nice ‘n’ Sleazy, Golden Brown, Always The Sun, 5 Minutes, Freedom Is Insane, Time To Die, Norfolk Coast, IFLAW, Skin Deep, Peaches, TWOOMS, Lost Control, Duchess and NMH rounding out the main Set. After a short break the encore consisted of ADAAOTN and Tank.

The boys were on their usual good form sounding tight and seeming up for it. The fresh country air clearly worked for Baz as he went into overdrive on the banter front. His summer recess elocution lessons having paid for themselves tonight alone, with his perfect BBC English rambling throughout – alluding to their butler Pinkington-Smythe shooting anyone found in the ‘Growing Patch’ and being on The Croquet Lawn for example and especially on Peaches, where this persona controlled the latter half of the song. During grip we got – The air out here is really nice I don’t want to go inside!…

While the crowd were fairly civilised there was a little cheesecloth exfoliation from the Johnny Sox fans etc Etc EiTC…

Verdict: – A top night out in the middle of nowhere, must do it again some time Old Bean…
Over…

Words and Photos: EiTC.

Bonus: