Stiff Little Fingers, Cardiff Millennium Music Hall videos

SLF complete with original bassist Ali McMordie and the inimmitable Jake Burns put on yet another blistering gig in Cardiff. Seen them more times than a care to remember going back to a support slot at Cardiff Top Rank to the Tom Robinson Band back in '77 and probably every year in the past decade or more since and I never get bored, netiehr do the crowd.

It fell strange going to the former Jongleurs Comedy Club but I loved it and was well into it although I thought you had to be near the front and away from the back and bar for the best acoustics.

SLF always cover the big tunes and most were there including for the first time in years, the epic Johnny Was.

The following vids were taken by myself - HANX!

The Point, Cardiff Bay is no more

I have been truly devastated today to learn the shock news that, without any warning or hint, The Point closed today and entered insolvency blaming problems with funding in the current climate and the extensive costs to refurbish the venue caused by one person who moved into a flat close by long after the venue had opened.

A Gothic Church built in 1900, it was converted to a music and entertainments venue 7 years ago and had worked hard to win the affections of locals, music fans and groups alike. The venue never fails to be anything other than intimate with th audience in close proximity with the groups in such an inspiring setting. It is, by far, my favourite music venue in Wales - every gig I've attended there has never been anything less than a fantastic experience.

Groups I've seen - and loved - there included Athlete, Mike Peters & The Alarm, Glenn Tillbrook, Joe Jackson, The Tubes (my favourite night bar none), Stiff Little Fingers, Feeder and Super Furry Animals to name just a few. Was going to see Maccabees there very soon too.

Some of my colleagues around the country have travelled down here to see gigs and fell in love with the venue too.

It sounds a desperate sitation but I do hope that, somehow, it can be resurrected. Cardiff and Live Music just can't do without this venue - there is nowhere else and nothing else even close to it. Losing The Point is like losing a close friend.

My thoughts and best wishes go to its staff and directors. What terrible, terrible news.

THE STATEMENT THAT HAS TAKEN OVER THE POINT'S WEBSITE

To all customers, promoters, fans, bands and supporters of The Point Cardiff Bay

It is with deep regret that we announce the closure of the venue today. On 27th February 2009 the Director of the Point Cardiff Bay Limited signed the appropriate notices to call a meeting of creditors pursuant to S98 Insolvency Act 1986.

A number of factors have contributed to this situation. Many of you will be aware that during 2008 we began receiving noise complaints from one or two neighbours that had moved into the new apartments that have been built next to the venue. After some difficult negotiations with the Cardiff City Council we undertook a huge amount of work to soundproof the venue in an attempt to secure its future. While that has largely been successful, the burden of the debt that we took on, together with greater restrictions in our banking facilities and more difficult trading conditions in the last few months, as well as the loss of revenue whilst the refurbishment works were undertaken, has meant we are unable to meet our current liabilities and have been left with no option but to seek voluntary liquidation.

Many people have put their heart and soul in turning the Point into the magical venue that it is and we have received huge and loyal support over the years from fans and bands alike. We would like to take this opportunity to thank you all for that support. It is a very sad day for us and for the live music scene in Cardiff.

If you have bought tickets for shows in advance, we must advise you to seek compensation from your credit card company. If you are a supplier to the Point, there will be further news about a creditors meeting in due course.

Please forward any enquiries to Lisa Alford at Purnells Insolvency Practitioners on 01633 214712.

STIFF LITTLE FINGERS videos from Tuesday night in Cardiff

Found these great little videos on You Tube which those of us who were there will enjoy as well as those who got a hankering for SLF.

Excellent stuff


TIN SOLIERS
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=fHRSw22VXCE


ALTERNATIVE ULSTER
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=cDyvyjIDShE


DOESN'T MAKE IT ALRIGHT
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=IU3BwT9hOJ4

STIFF LITTLE FINGERS at The Point, Cardiff Bay

Revisited my punk youth tonight watching Stiff Little Fingers for the umpteenth time but the first time for 3 years or so as they played The Point at Cardiff Bay before a full house.

Little did I think was I first saw them as a kid in 1978 that I'd still be watching and enjoying them today but they are as loud, raucous, hot, sweaty and powerful as ever as their tunes stand the test of time. Even when you haven't heard them for a while, their anthemic songs are immediately identifiable and you know all the words in an instant.

Few of their big hits and most well known tunes were missed in an 80 minute set. Good to see some of the old faces including Spike and Slim, The Llantwit Boys, some Ponty lads and more than a few Cardiff City faces.

Brilliant stuff, great night.

Click the link to view a couple of pics taken.

081014 Stiff Little Fingers in Cardiff

If link doesn't work, copy/paste the following into your browser:

http://s337.photobucket.com/albums/n379/NigelBlues/081014%20Stiff%20Little%20Fingers%20in%20Cardiff/?albumview=link

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