I arrived at Venue around 20.30 and saw a bit of support act, sadly the Membranes were not playing this date so it
Was a Belgium Punk band they were pretty good with the Bass player sounding very much like JJ.
The Stranglers came on just before 21.30 and , stormed into a really good version of Toiler,from this first song this was going to be a great gig, for me the highlights or some of them were Last Man on the Moon,Duchess, Stallion and possibly Skin Deep,now i always go with an open mind and this was to be my final ever Stranglers Euro gig and I went out on a high,Baz vocal ability gets questioned alot on here and I'm guilty of that to,but in all honesty his vocals in Leuven were really good,I would say the version of Duchess was possibly the best I have heard Baz sing it and his Banter was very funny, good to see the Leuven crowd learning from their cousins across the Channel by shouting out silly stuff.
After the first song Baz said I've noticed two things,there is a man with his arms folded and there is someone wearing a shirt and tie with words to that effect,he took the juice out of the chap with the Suit and Tie,who took it in the good natured way of the joke from Baz,I did notice this chap and he had a very smart expensive looking blue suit with Gold Horizontal stripes,as Baz said a stockbroker who had come straight from work,but good luck to the chap, no reason why he has to be a stereotype wearing all black, talking of Banter Baz was having some fun with someone who was shouting out ans shock horror it seemed to be a Belgium chap rather than a Brit,Baz did a very funny impression of the shouting man.
The set was similar to the Irish ones ie Harry and Sweden but they also played six songs from Dark Matters and a pleasant surprise was JJ and Baz doing the Lines and If you should see Dave before the final encore,Baz asked the crowd to shut the Fuck up before they played those two songs, probably due to the last time they played those two songs a few days before and JJ having to shout at audience due to a few loud drunk audience members,I'm being diplomatic.
Before I move on there is such a great rapport on stage at the moment with the band,they are definitely in a happy place,we will never forget Dave but Toby really is the best player the band could have,he really is a fantastic player,I was watching the whole band and they all were on top of their game so I won't single anyone out apart from Jim Mac for sheer power and energy,now that lad really hits the drums hard and is such a Powerhouse but also has the light touch when needed,this is particularly evident on Peaches,he plays the high hat part so well,that if you closed your eyes you would think it was Jet.
JJ was his usual smiles but seemed more up beat than usual,he seemed to be drinking Beer that may account for it?
Of the new songs I thought White Stallion seemed to go down particularly well with the crowd,with the dodgy JJ disco dancing for added entertainment,it's good to see him having fun, nothing wrong with that,GB did get the biggest reaction and know surprise about that,the songs from Dark Matters got a more muted reaction,so the band know alot come for the older songs,I thought it was brave to play so many from Dark Matters,and they all sounded better than the studio versions IMHO.
Got to mention the sound it was crystal clear courtesy of the Fifth Beatle Mr Nicastro.
The gig was a sellout And the Het Depot Is a great medium sized venue,had a perfect view from just in front of the Fifth Beatles mixing desk,the only negative was a chap in front who seemed to have a bowel problem,he must have farted silent but deadly about 15 times in the hour and 45 minutes that the band were on for,why the fuck does it always happen to me,I either have the talkers or the silent but deadly Eggy farters
After the poignant part of the set with the playing of the Lines and If you should see Dave we had the final two songs Go Buddy Go and to finish Heroes,very refreshing that JJ just got on with it instead of Karate hitting his bass before the into,they were joined on stage for half of Heroes by our Friend from Belgium? Who always wears the Kilt, usually when he tries to get on stage he is stopped but this time he made it,much to the amusement of JJ and Baz,but the trouble is he over did it,the bouncer tried to give him the hint to come off the stage but the enthusiasm got the better of him so the Bouncer took him away,it was very amusing,this chap is a fanatical fan I believe,but he should of quit when given the hint.So that was it 23.15 it was all over,my last ever Euro gig and personally I thought it was a blinder,the band knew they had played a great one as Baz said Leuven its been an absolute pleasure.Lt Kudu your roving reporter,I hope I haven't bored you all to much,over and out.Bon Voyage.
