Nick Of Time

A trip to Manchester today to see Bonnie Raitt in concert at the Apollo. A strict “no photographs” policy in operation until the bows, but I thought I’d chance it and sneak one just before that, at the end of the last number.
This was Mrs C’s third attempt at seeing Bonnie. The first time, we rocked up at our hotel in Manchester to find I’d actually booked us in a month too early! And when the correct date rolled around, she was fogbound on the Isle of Lewis and couldn’t get back in time, so I went on my own. Seeing that Ms Raitt was playing Manchester again this year, I got a couple of tickets and set off early as we wanted to visit the Trafford Centre first. But we almost didn’t even make it there thanks to problems on the M60. A bit of a detour was required but we got there in the end. However, that then meant we were late leaving for the Apollo. And didn’t realise that the Mancunian Way was closed all weekend until we got too close to turn back. So that was another tortuous crawl through the back streets to actually get to the Apollo. After snatching a bite to eat at a nearby Macdonalds, we made it to our seats with a minute to spare!
The support act was the guy in the hat on the keyboard at the right of the photo, doing a solo act. New Orleans blues/jazz played in a honky-tonk style didn’t really float my boat, but I’ve heard worse.
Bonnie and her band were excellent, playing an eclectic mix of blues, folk and rock numbers. A superb voice and some nifty slide guitar skills - not bad considering she’s been performing for over fifty years and is now in her mid 70s!
Thanks to the aforesaid motorway closures, we had to come home by a slightly convoluted way, but it was a clear run so we made it back before midnight.
A slightly frustrating but ultimately very enjoyable day. We’re not back at the Apollo until November. Let’s hope all roads have been repaired by then…