Acton Gig Reviews from 11-15-02 by Sean & Steve
Joe Strummer and The Mescaleros
Acton Town Hall
Went to the Fire Brigade benefit show last night at Acton Town Hall with Jos Strummer. Saw Mick Jones in the crowd before hand on fine form. Anyway Strummer plays a set and starts the encores with Bankrobber during which on walks Mick Jones 200 thirty five + year olds go mental at the sight. They finish Bank Robber straight into White Riot then Londons Burning during which Jones has the biggest smile on his face. Blinding! - by reviewer Sean taken from Strummer News Messsage Board
Acton FBU Benefit, a blinding show... Town Hall is a small venue (500 tops), good atmosphere with a varied audience out to have fun for an important cause. Firefighters friends and family provide two classy support acts, a group of vocalists and band Red Watch. Comedian Mark Steele makes an appearance, and DJ Scratchy provides excellent sounds in between. The firefighters union boss, Andy Gilchrist, then appears to make a supportive speach before Joe & the Mescaleros take the stage. Their whole set is fantastic, they really are on red-hot form. I noticed Mick Jones and partner to my left enjoying the show (Joe had announced early on that Mick was in the house - big cheer - and he was a dad again as of last Sunday, a daughter called Stella). Come the encore of Bankrobber, Jonesy appears stage left with guitar and joins in!! I pinch myself!!! Crowd go apeshit!!!! He stays for White Riot and London's Burning too - bloody awesome! Mick has a grin whilst on stage, I guess he misses performing. What a night, & Strummer and Jones back together on a UK stage after 20 years.
Setlist (as far as I remember):
Shaktar Donetsk
Bhindi Bhagee
Rudie Can't Fail
Tony Adams
(White Man) In Hammersmith Palais
Mega Bottle Ride
Get Down Moses
Police & Thieves
Cool 'n' Out
Police on My Back
Johnny Appleseed
Coma Girl
I Fought the Law
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Bankrobber
White Riot
London's Burning
- by reviewer Steve taken from Strummer News Message Board