Exeter Lemon Grove, 22nd March 2006

Just got back from a blinding gig at the Lemongrove here in Exeter.

The support were a local band called Circus Of Death, not bad, kinda reminded me of The Mission/Sisters mid 80's stuff, took me back to me younger days in the disco.

Place was fairly busy, mostly seemed to be older fogies in their 30's like me, but some students being a University show.

The Fall came on early, at about 9.55pm, I was half expecting a delay from previous reviews but no problem there, started with the Boss as usual, then Mark came on looking very well, for a storming Pacifying Joint.

First half had on and off feedback which Ben seemed annoyed at but then it got sorted out, crowd got well into it as the band got into their stride and warmed up.

Can't remember the exact order but no surprises from the last few setlists :

The Boss
Pacifying Joint
I Can Hear The Grass Grow
Wrong Place Right Time
Theme From Sparta FC
What About Us
Mountain Energei
Midnight In Aspen
Touch Sensitive
Assume
Clasp Hands
Blindness

There was also one I didn't know, maybe that Systematic Abuse one.

Ended when Mark wandered over to Ben's amp in Blindness and turned it off and then left the stage.

Ben shrugged his shoulders at a bloke in the audience and the rest of the band seeming to say 'well that's it I suppose' (so it seemed to me), turned his amp back up, they brought the song to the end and waved and that was it, gig done at 11.20pm

All in all a great gig, I'd say it was better than the last time I saw them in 1990, band were on great form and the venue was tiny so had a great close up view. My missus says she preferred them live and would definately go again if they ever come back down to the south west.

An hour and a half of joy !

The great news continue...Fantastic.

just got home,1 hour 30,thats right folks a biggee.top stuff,touch sensitive with extra 5 min of rambling about New Order and Julia Nagle.I,ve had a great 8 days.

I used to live in Devon and the Fall don't play there very often. The only time I ever saw them there was in about 1991 at a place in Exeter called the Cavern Club. I don't know if it is still there but it was a very small place, pretty much like a pub really, and the stage was only about 1 foot off the floor. The Fall were brilliant that night and the small surroundings seemed to make it so much better.

Wire, Gang of Four...and now it's New Order. The usual suspects. I'd love to hear that thing about Julia Nagle (still think he mentioned Tom Head (who "wrote" Touch Sensitive) at the Cartoon. Spencer it was in Antwerp. Someone should make a collage of this at some point (very much like the recent and excellent Peel intros one).
Thank you for the wonderful review.