Manchester Evening News Arena, Manchester
Mark Knopfler (vocals, guitar); Guy Fletcher (keyboards; ex-Dire Straits); Richard Bennett (guitar; ex-Neil Diamond); John McCusker (violin); Matt Rollings (piano); Glenn Worf (bass); Danny Cummings (drums; ex-Dire Straits); Phil Cunningham (accordion); Michael McGoldrick (flute)
Border Reiver; What It Is; Sailing to Philadelphia; Coyote; Prairie Wedding; Hill Farmer's Blues; Romeo & Juliet (Dire Straits); Sultans of Swing (Dire Straits); Done With Bonaparte; Get Lucky; Marbletown; Speedway to Nazareth; Telegraph Road (Dire Straits); Brothers in Arms (Dire Straits); So Far Away (Dire Straits); Piper to the End
Amazing how such a huge venue (23,000 capacity) can feel so intimate when Mark Knopfler's sweet guitar rings, even when he is flanked by 8 or so other musicians. Not many people master both a Les Paul and a Stratocaster, let alone without a pick. 5 strong Dire Straits songs, but no Money for Nothing. He had some back problems, so he was confined to a chair for most of the evening, but I think that contributed to the special atmosphere. A unique artist indeed.
Copyright Dean Read dot net