The Scala, London
May 31st 2000

Aaah, Kings Cross. I love the place. So much so that I turned up five hours early, just so I could chat to the drunken bums, picking up little tidbits of advice from the fallen and the felled. And fashion advice too, like bright green track pants and a old jacket over a mouldy woollen jumper. I'd wondered what had happened to Galahad. What with them, the pushers and the scrawney, crack-withered whores all loitering around, it was a shame there was a gig on.

Once safely ensconed in the bar, it was 'spot the celeb' time. We gave up, and chatted to Steve 'Pieman' Rothery, Steve 'H' Hograt, Gazza 'gary' Ghandler and Nick 'Who are you anyway?' May instead. Rothers was there to pick up some prog-tips from the Master, Gazza was there to get some songwriting tips, and Nick May was there still from last week.

With no support, the gig started late, the band ambling on to rapturous applause. As this was some sort of 'Showcase' gig, they played most of the tracks from the new LP Lightbulb Son with quite a few old favourites thrown casually in for good progging measure too. The tracks from the new CD went down well, with the next single Shesmovedon obviously being a favourite. It's certain Top 10 material. In Hell, maybe!

Bizarrely enough, they had a 45 minute break halfway through the set, presumably so Steve and Colin could get lagered up. Or to let Mr Rothery get some Fish and Chips. Anyway, Wilson did have his toenails clipped during the break. The rest of the gig flowed beautifully, with the band cranking out the old, but rereleased Voyage 34 Phase 1 for one of the encores.

All too soon it was all over, and we were turfed out to look for the pro's to the sound of Feel So Low drifting out of the undoubtably brilliant PA. If only the LA2 could be run as well as this.