Manchester Apollo, Manchester, England

Opening Band: Claytown Troupe

Onto Manchester....The venue itself was a much less intimidating place than the N.E.C., being only about half the size.

The first thing I noticed when the crowd started coming in was the amount of familiar faces wearing Claytown Troupe T-shirts which was nice to see. The gig itself went really well from the start. The Troupe being much more relaxed tonight. The crowd seemed to enjoy the Claytown's set even though, like the N.E.C., this was a seated venue which restricts the crowds movements quite dramatically, especially when the security men pounce on anyone who decides to stray from their allocated seat.

The next two hours are spent watching The Cult playing a good value-for-money set consisting of most of their 'Sonic Temple' album, as well as a few older songs like She Sells Sanctuary and Rain. It's obvious that The Cult have now truely found their feet again after a ,for me, dodgy 'Electric' period. The Cults stage effects are very good too, without being too 'over the top'.