Super Furry Animals Live Review @ William Aston Hall - Glyndŵr University [NEWI] (Wrexham) - 25 May 2005

Photo:Elly Roberts

Live Review

When you put on a gig which clashes with a major European event,(intentionally or not) - i.e.Champions League Final,and still manage a sell-out,you're doing well in my books.Over in Turkey things seemed to be hotting - up:in Wrexham it was getting hotter still- under the collar.A thousand fans packed out the William Aston Hall NEWI to see the Super Furries play their debut gig in Wrexham.It took them long enough to get there,almost a decade,with the air full of promise and expectation.It seemed to take even longer to get to actually see them.Due on at 9.15 for 90 minutes,everything was set for a momentous occasion.Bang on nine o'clock,I took my photo position at stage front.With a setlist and note book at hand,I prepared my camera settings.For the next 45 minutes I stood like a 'nu-nu' wondering what the hell was going on.Normally,when there's a delay,usually for technical reasons,there's always an announcement.This protracted time took the interval time to an unbelievable one hour fifteen minutes.From my position,I could sense restlessness and annoyance as fans vented their anger.Eventually they appeared,to be greeted out of relief rather than genuine appreciation.Were they distracted by events unfolding elsewhere?If the delay was for non-technical reasons,which it must have been,then the band were unprofessional,rude and bloody arrogant.Plodding along for the next three quarters of the set,which was hardly inspiring by any standard,they barely left first gear.Musically they sounded very good,with the only real highlight being Gruff Rhys singing with a helmet on his head,and a track called Frequency.To add to the agony,the frontman was barely coherent or even audible:all done on a semi-light stage of back and side lighting.

After song three,I sat in the upper circle bored out of my mind.From a distance,this could have been any band,as hardly a face was recognisable on the darkened stage.It all had a very one dimensional feel about it until they reached the brilliant Juxtaposed With You,probably their biggest hit to date.Suddenly,the crowd eventually reacted-or was it woke up?Now they're in serious danger of not fitting it all in before the 11pm curfew.Some quick adjustments,and we're given an excellent Laser Beam,Something For The Weekend,Do Or Die,finishing with a storming The Man Don't Give A F**K as the crowd went hysterical during the choruses.With an abrupt goodbye,they were off.Chanting for more,the crowd reached fever pitch as the pulsating beats seemed to herald an immediate return.One minute turned into four minutes:four into six:six into eight:eight into ten,by which time boos could be heard as disgusted fans left in droves.Suddenly,the din stopped and the houselights came on.What,no more after ten years of waiting?Surely not.Oh yes-That's the Super Furries for you.

Spotting my press pass,many fans approached me expressing their deep anger and disappointment at what could only be described as totally disrespectful behaviour.

Regarded as arguably one of the most significant and high profile events in the musical history of Wrexham and north Wales,this was a major letdown.For their patience,did the fans get value for money?Definitely not.Will they get a public apology?Definitely not.Would I go to see them again?On the evidence of this:definitely not.

In 1980 I witnessed what I consider to be 'the worst gig ever'-Bob Dylan at the NEC Birmingham.This SFA show now holds the embarrassing title.

Elly Roberts