DATE : Friday 23rd October 1998
TIME : Doors open 7:30
LOCATION: The Royal International Pavilion, Llangollen, North Wales
EVENT : Metropolis Music Presents 'ASH', Nu-Clear Sounds Tour
COST : Tickets £10 in advance

Addictive tunes, wild gigs- these are the ingredients for the soundtrack of Ash's tour. This teenage fantasy all began at Down High School, Downpatrick, Northern Ireland. When their debut album, '1977', was released. Surprisingly for the band, it entered the charts at No 1. All of this before two of them -Tim Wheeler, singer, main songwriter and guitarist and Mark Hamilton, the bassist - had reached their twenties. Rick McMurray, the drummer and the third member of the band, was just twenty.

Alot has changed since then and they have currently released nine singles, including, 'Kung Fu', 'Oh Yeah' and 'Angel Interceptor', three of their most famous songs and two more albums, 'Trailer' and their most recent, 'Nu Clear Sounds'. Most importantly the band has increased by one, Charlotte Hatherly - guitar and vocals.

The concert was a sell out and lived up to all expectations. Songs new and old were played, including, 'Jesus Says' and the new single, 'Wildsurf', both taken from their new album, 'Nu-Clear Sounds'. The tour kicked off from Guildford Civic Hall on the 12th October, stopping off at fifteen locations including Llangollen, the ninth venue, and finishing at Leicester de Montford Hall on the 29th October.

The line up on the evening included two supporting acts, Chicks, an all girl band and 'Idlewild', both of whom made the build up to the head-liners, Ash, an exciting experience. They carried off catchy tunes and made an exciting atmosphere. During the concert the crowd 'moshed' along with the band, Mark used a blown up alien to attract the audience's attention and there was a guest appearance by Dick Kurtaine a DJ.

The whole evening was very enjoyable and I even got to meet the band Chicks and the guitarist out of Idlewild, Bob. They were very welcoming and even seemed excited to be playing at a large gig. Everyone enjoyed themselves and left the Pavilion with smiles on their faces. I can't wait until Ash have their next tour of England.

© 1998 Freeway
Writer: Abby Woodcock, Bishop Heber High School, Malpas, England.
HTML by: Jimmy Eriksson (nv00-90@park.se).