Bruce at 70 plus Live @ The ARC

Back in May, The Durutti Column went to The ARC in Stockton-on-Tees for a gig. Bruce Mitchell takes up the story:

"It was a good and interesting gig - First Vin went on strike before the load-in (he wanted to go home instead). Keir brought the wrong computer. So we could only perform 4 songs from that A Paean To Wilson. I tell you, when things go wrong it seems to inspire Reilly to superb heights - and we had a marimba intro to Otis and a very rare and great reading of Friends in Belgium. You probably know that this number really requires a separate guitar to a special tuning. Whilst me and Keir were banging about on the drums for Requiem, he was re-tuning off-stage to deliver the tune for the first time in about ten years. The Belgium Friends is probably my favourite of all time."

Meanwhile, the picture on the right is of Bruce on the recent occasion of his 70th birthday. A special surprise do was thrown for Bruce (and Tosh Ryan) at Manchester Town Hall on 6 June. A certain Vini Reilly even organised the sound check for a special performance by the band!