Spending Saturday with my setlists…

By Dickie Felton

Saturday 30 January 2021

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My modest collection of concert setlists are making sweet music in new £1.75 Asda frames.

Lockdown time-on-my-bands has me reassessing my concert collateral.

It was about time I propelled the A4 song sheets from folder to frame.

I’ve been going to gigs for 32 years, yet only managed to acquire eight setlists in all that time.

My strike rate is probably one setlist every 50 concerts. Pathetic.

In my advancing years I’m usually found at the rear of concert halls as opposed to front row mosh pit.

You’d think that a rearguard tapping-my-feet position is not conclusive for setlist sorties.

But I’ve always found that the crew on the mixing desk have a couple of lists redundant as the show ends.

The problem is, I’m rarely quick enough to get one.

I shudder to think of the setlists I’ve let slip through my hands.

While I’m coyly preparing to strike, I watch helpless as someone nips in ahead of me and makes off with the ultimate show souvenir.

They’ll then usually wave it basking in gig glory while I’m left ruing what might have been.

For my sins, I’ve probably looked more fondly on my ticket stubs and band teeshirts.

But a recent addition – Ian Prowse & Amsterdam at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall – has me in a spin for setlists all over again.

That Christmas matinee gig in-between lock-downs was only my third concert in 2020.

Not only was it a magnificent show but it was the first and last time we could travel anywhere, go for a meal, have a drink in a pub and actually see a concert.

My mate managed to get the setlist for me. While I was in a post-show trance he asked a member of the crew for it.

And  now it’s in a frame, it looks the business.

The other ‘recent’ addition came courtesy of post-punk Manchester band LIINES from their Kendal Brewery Arts Centre show. They were supporting Sleaford Mods in what was my top gig of 2019.

I didn’t get the Sleaford Mods or the LIINES setlists on the night, instead watching with envy as other fans got there first.

I tweeted that missing out on the A4 was my only disappointment of a remarkable night.

And then, amazingly, LIINES got in touch and sent me one in the post.

As well as super friendly bands like LIINES, it sometimes helps to have friends in high places.

A cameraman friend was working on two James gigs in 2016.

We went to consecutive Manchester Arena and Leeds concerts and thanks to Joe I walked off with the setlist from the Friday.

What I love about this one, despite Joe criminally folding it like a shopping list, is the pink masking tape.

This somehow makes it even more authentic. That fact it was attached to something on the stage.

I know, I’m a bit of a trainspotter aren’t I?

Obviously given my Morrissey gig-going exploits over three decades, I have a couple of his setlists.

One here from Preston – Friday 10 September 2004 – the Quarry tour.

This selection of songs may look extremely odd. But it shows Morrissey’s humour in changing song titles.

Rubber Ring becomes Wubba Wing, Let Me Kiss You is Lemme Snog, How Soon is Now is How Now Brown Cow.

I can’t recall if I got his one from a roadie on stage or from the person on the mixing desk.

It’s fairly crumpled – but I think this adds to its ‘match-worn’ vibe.

Far and away my favourite setlist is a Morrissey one from San Diego.

This is fairly unique in that it was actually for the triumphant Royal Albert Hall shows in 2002.

I had standing tickets for both nights at RAH with easy access to the mixing desk and hey presto…

Clearly Morrissey didn’t feel the need to change the songs for London, and therefore didn’t print a fresh setlist.

This one is lovely in that it has hand-written detail on it – likely written by Boz Boorer.

While the Morrissey San Diego/London awaits its frame I was quick to give Echobelly their moment on my wall of fame.

There are some classic songs on this setlist from Liverpool Academy.

This was an easy setlist to get as the crowd was quite sparse.

I don’t think this was Sonya or her fabulous band’s fault.

That night I think Oasis had a huge show down the road in Manchester, and a few other indie luminaries were playing in town too.

Echobelly played it as if it was a packed-out fan club show.

Last but not least, a setlist from a gig I wasn’t even at.

IST IST came to my attention last year.

They offered this signed setlist along with a CD from the gig.

I feel like a bit of cheat having this one in my collection.

Maybe I’ll get a real one from one of their gigs later this year.

A quick glance at eBay has some setlists for sale at exorbitant prices.

Morrissey at Wembley Arena 1995 is offered for £218.

There seems to be a lot of copies out there – reproductions of original setlists and therefore very affordable.

I’d argue it’s nicer to have the real thing…

 

Dickie Felton has written two books about Morrissey fan culture.

More details *here*.