SLIPKID'S Concert Photo Archives - Wishbone Ash 1998 U.K. Tour

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U.K. Fall 1998

Andy Powell - guitar, vocals
Mark Birch - guitar, vocals
Bob Skeat - bass
Ray Weston - drums
(Michael Sturgis - drums at some gigs)

This tour featured an additional "instrument" played by all the band members during most waking hours while not on stage - Yo-Yos !!! Quite the rage over in the U.K. during the tour.

- Robin Hood R&B Club, Dudley, England 11/1/98 -

My first live taste of the new lineup - but the only photo that turned out was this one of these seedy characters - Andy Yates gives soundman extraordinaire Big John Turner a helping hand.

Andy Yates and Big John Turner.

- Riddles Music Bar, Stoke-on-Trent, England 11/2/98 -

This was a small club with a stage the size of matchbook cover. Sound system difficulties put big John in a bad mood before the show started, but he did the best he could with what he had. It sounded pretty good to me with Andy and Mark's Marshall amps parting my hair up front though.

Andy Powell, Ray Weston, and Mark Birch. Ray, Mark, and Bob take care of business while Chris the roadification engineer looks on. Shall we get the Yo-Yo's out now lads ? A novel way to keep the backstage door closed; and a novel holder for a pint as well. WHAT GOES DOWN MUST COME UP !!!! 1-2-3... 'Just walkin' the dog....' 'Think I can do this all night...' A death-defying feat of 2 Yo-Yos at once !! Don't try this at home folks. Ray decides to show Mark how it's really done. Bob looks on realizing he's about to become a Yo-Yo addict himself very soon. Ray shows the proper way to start the Yo-Yo's descent, while Mark takes his for a walk.

- The Beachcomber, Cleethorpes, England 11/3/98 -

Mark at soundcheck doing a solo rendition of 'BE MY FRIEND' by FREE. Another soundcheck shot. Start of the concert ! 'Acoustic interlude starting with 'Ballad of the Beacon'. 'Mark and Bob unplugged. Bob peers out of the darkness. Say g'night Gracie.... Ray kicks up his feet while relaxing after the gig with his new Philadelphia Flyers' cap. An approving fan joins in.

- Fleece'N'Firkin, Bristol, England 11/4/98 -

I stayed with the merchandise all night thus only took this one photo at the show. The club was extremely hard to find as it seemed like a speakeasy tucked away down an alley, not visible unless you knew where to look for it. Luckily this eagle-nosed british native gave me a ride to the club. Strange fellow though - not much of one for conversation except for a 'bloody woof' now and then.

- Level 3, Swindon, England 11/5/98 -

It was hard to take photos at this show since the lights kept changing every other second during the concert. And to further add to the uniqueness of this venue part of the house sound system went nuts in the middle of 'Blowing Free' causing the band to completely stop the show in the middle of the song ! After a few minutes of unbearable sqwauks, chirps, thwacks, and other noises, the band resumed playing the song right where they left off, then finished the night with a killer rendition of 'Strange Affair' that they stretched out a bit since they could not continue on with a real encore under the circumstances. Despite many cries for more from the audience the show had to stop there or risk sonic explosions the like not heard in England since the last V2 rocket landed in London. Still, I felt the show was a huge success as the fans that night were very much into the band and smiles were seen all round at the end of the night.

The played on stage underneath the watching eye of a cartoon-like wall mural. Ray and Mark during the acoustic section. Mark and Bob start to suffer Yo-Yo withdrawal after the Level 3 show. Fellow Yo-Yo addict Carol Farnworth looks on. Andy, Phil Dodd (promoter/fan), and Carol relax in the dressing room after the gig. 'A pint in the hand is worth two in the something or other'...

- AshCon98, Leisure Centre, Mansfield, England 11/7/98 -

First, the afternoon events, including the Ash Psychic Terrorism set with Mike Bennett and Tacye.

Special Guests:
Claire Hamill - vocals, acoustic guitar
Tacye - vocals during Psychic Terrorism
Mike Bennett - keyboards, dance-music-trance-rhythmic-whatchamacallits during Psychic Terrorism

Carol Farnworth shows off her Yo-Yo skills before the flood of waiting fans are let in. Mark Chatterton and Andy Yates. Pull on his ears and you can control Andy's arms !! Soundcheck for the Psychic Terrorism set. Soundcheck for the Psychic Terrorism set. Claire Hamill's afternoon solo set. Bill Gates takes a break from taking over the world to visit Ashcon once again. American brother-fans Dennis and John Varvatos. Real Psychic Terrorism in the flesh. Tacye, Mark, and Bob get groovy. 'Brave souls' indeed..... Mike Bennett, a true musical terrorist. Andy somehow manages to rise above the psychic terror. Ray Weston. Tacye. Andy and Mark. Activity near the merchandise stalls. Time for the fans to meet the band and say hello. Ronnie Clarke and Andy Powell. Ray acknowledges the camera eye. Bob looks on and has a chuckle as Mark talks to a fan. Tacye and Mike sign copies of the Psychic CDs down at the merchandise table. Fans that attended all five-to-date Ashcons are herded together with the band for a comemorative photo. Andy directs traffic. Shep has a laugh from the stage as the throng assembles. Mike realizes he's not supposed to be in the photo (?). Carol's starry butt shines while taking the fan club photo.

Next, the evening concert starring Wishbone Ash. Unfortunately I missed the opening set by the excellent Ben Granfelt Band; next year I will not make that same mistake again. Ben rocks !!!

Special Guests:
Claire Hamill - vocals

Start of the evening Ash concert. 'Ballad of the Beacon' 'Leaf and Stream' 'Living Proof' with Claire Hamill.

Some after concert hi-jinks, at the Leisure Centre and the hotel in town.

Steve Lord and Jan Krynski share a laugh as Peter Hingely and 'grandson' look on. Ash webmaster Leo Tsilis and Mark Birch. Coyote Red, Leon, Mark, and troublemaker. Photo courtesy Fred Renz. Hard-working crew of John and Chris take a deserved post-concert break. YES, that IS a rather large knife in Big John's right hand. NO, he is NOT about to filet Andy Powell; the real target was a chocolate cake!! Andy Yates - all hail !! The man responsible for the day's and night's events.... ...and took every last bit of his energy to strike this pose.

- The Brook, Southampton, England 11/10/98 -

One of my all-time favorite venues; cozy, good british vibes, great acoustics, well-run, fun crowds. My third time here.

Soundcheck at the Brook. In addition to the band stuff, Mark treated us to some more Free/Paul Rodgers riffing, this time playing along to Paul Rodgers latest live album piped through the P.A. Big John has a laugh on-stage during the soundcheck. Start of the concert. Andy Powell Mark Birch Bob Skeat Stone Cold Steve Austin ? No, that's Andy Powell ! 'PHOENIXXX -- RII-EYE-EYE-EYES...RAISE YOUR HEAD...' Mark shows off his Yo-Yo tricks. Leon the webmaster proves he hasn't forgotten his days as a Yo-Yo-er.. My farewells to the '98 tour. ZZZ.....

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