The Enemy and Lady Gaga were among the acts who played a charity gig at the Manchester Apollo yesterday (July 13) to say thank you to 3,000 of the city’s volunteer workers.
The show, staged by Orange Rockcorps, was only open to fans who had given up four hours to work in community projects across Manchester.
Mainly playing songs from their 2007 debut album ‘We’ll Live And Die In These Towns’, Tom Clarke and co got the crowd going with tracks including ‘Had Enough’ and ‘Away From Here’.
Fresh from supporting Oasis, Clarke even found time to dedicate their final song ‘You’re Not Alone’ to the evening’s headliner Lady Gaga, declaring: “I think she’s a bit rock ‘n’ roll, fair play to her – this one’s for her!”
Talking to NME.COM after his set, Clarke praised the volunteers, explaining: “Orange RockCorps is right up our street. As a band, we passionately believe in helping people to put a bit back into their community. The way you have to earn your ticket makes young people realise you’ve got to earn things in life. Plus, we love Manchester and love playing the Apollo.”
He added: “Its always an honour to step on stage and play for your fans, after all we’re just there normal lads from Coventry, but tonight’s going to be extra special, because everyone here’s had to earn their ticket.”
The Enemy played:
‘Had Enough’
‘Aggro’
‘Away From Here’
‘No Time For Tears’
‘You’re Not Alone’
Following them Lady Gaga took to the stage in a box before bursting out and open with current single‘‘Paparazzi’.
Dressed in a futuristic mirrored dress, the New York singer played tracks from her album ‘The Fame’, which had the crowd singing and dancing along throughout the set.
Also playing fan favourites and previous singles ‘Just Dance’ and ‘The Fame’, the set also saw her change her costume several times and was even wheeled on standing on a scooter at one point.
Talking to NME.COM before the show Lady Gaga explained why she had got involved with the charity gig.
“When I was a child I dreamed one day of being a star, tonight I want to make everyone who gave up four hours of their time feel like a star – and I can’t wait to make them dance their pants off!,” she declared. “I got involved with Orange RockCorps because I want to make charity and volunteering fashionable and cool. I truly believe in the power of young people, and that music can be a force for good.”
When asked which act she would volunteer her time to see, she plumped for recent Glastonbury headliner Neil Young.
Lady Gaga played:
‘Paparazzi’
‘LoveGame’
‘Beautiful, Dirty, Rich’
‘The Fame’
‘Money Honey’
‘Just Dance’
‘Eh Eh (Nothing Else I Can Say)’
‘Brown Eyes’
‘Poker Face (acoustic)’
‘Poker Face’
Earlier in the night VV Brown had opened proceedings, followed by N-Dubz and special guest Tinchy Stryder, who joined the group on stage for their set closer and recent UK chart-topper ‘Number 1’.