The Del Amitri Concert, March 15, 1996
"Tradewinds" in Sea Bright, New Jersey
by Alyssa Koch

Dear Alison,

First of all, I love your Del Amitri home page. It is great. Secondly, they did play their planned show at the Tradewinds in Sea Bright, New Jersey on March 15, 1996. And I was lucky enough to get tickets and dragged my best friend along for the ride. The Tradewinds is on the beach, but because it was a little cold, the outside area wasn't open. Being a young'un, (only 18) this was my second 18 and over show. The doors opened at 8, not to have Josh Clayton Felt go on until 10:30 or. The music was great. I couldn't tell you what he played because I am not familiar with the music, but he was very energetic and it was good. All this time, my friend and I had been hanging out at one of the bars...there were two in the main room and another one in sub room. Being at the bar, you still had a good view of the stage. In this place, there wasn't a bad view unless you were standing behind the speakers. So after Josh Clayton Felt left, my friend Melissa and I made our way to the stage. We were within 5 feet of the stage. IT was great. So we waited a while longer and then the lights went down, and Del Amitri appeared. Justin had on a leather jacket shirt thing, and these skin tight black pants that had this gold design over them. Iain had on jeans and a maroon button down shirt, John (I guess the new guitarist since David left) was wearing a vest, jeans and a black shirt and that was all I got or noticed. The band started off by saying that since they were in New Jersey, they were told by a friend of theirs not to play any Bruce Springsteen or Bon Jovi. But they did play a Yes song or two. I'll get to the set list later.....I actually have a copy of it. But what's the info on this new guy---he was pretty good looking and very nice (I know because I got his autograph and guitar pick) but the Dels just rocked. This place was packed and they had everybody swinging to the upbeat ones and swaying to the more mellow ones. I can't tell you what a great time I had. It just made my night and year to see them. And I noticed their backstage passes that said "Let me in or the dog dies" had a golden retriever puppy on them and I thought that they were adorable. During one of the encores, I can't remember which song, John had some guitar trouble, and since they weren't going to stop and John's part where he came in was coming up, Justin looked at him with this "Hurry up because your part is coming" look and it was really funny. Ashley had his name on the drums and Andy played the accordian wonderfully on the songs. Iain did amazing things with the guitar. I am dying to see them again. I hope they come back to New Jersey after their next album.
    Set list:
  • *The Ones that You Love Lead You Nowhere
  • *Just Like a Man
  • *When I Want You
  • *Last to Know
  • *Here and Now
  • *One Thing Left to Do
  • *Medicine
  • *Roll to Me (which he said was for the kiddies)
  • *Crashing Down
  • *Hatful
  • *Start with Me
  • *Stone Cold Sober
  • *Being Somebody Else
    Encore 1
  • *Tell Her This
  • *Move Away Jimmy Blue
  • (there was another but I can't remember)
    Encore 2
  • There were two more that I don't remember and then this was the final:
  • *Be My Downfall--they went off on another song but I don't know what it was

Afterwards, John was in the roped off area right outside the backstage area and Melissa and I got our tickets signed. And we also saw Andy, but didn't get his signature.

Great show!! I wish I could see them again.

Thanks for your time and keep up the good work!!
Sincerely,
Alyssa Koch

Written by Alyssa Koch