IQ performed their first of two differing sets this weekend at The Met (Bury) this evening. More on them later, firstly – Curry. Hector has long learned that a night in Manchester is way better than staying in Bury, and so we moved on from Harrogate this afternoon, arriving at Kabana (22 Back Turner St., Northern Quarter, Manchester M4 1FR England) at 14.15. Rizwan, Mein Host, was surprised to see us.
Seven tables were occupied initially, five by solo diners. By the time we departed the place was pretty much full. Curry mid-afternoon, people are catching on.
For Hector, in a one off visit, it had to be Karahi Lamb (£6.50) on-the-bone with Fried Rice (£2.00). Last month, Marg brought Lamb Chops Tikka (£6.50) back to the consciousness of – The Company. And so it was to be ordered again.
Rizwan moved the first bench so that Hector’s mass could be accommodated. Our luggage was parked under the shelf where one helps oneself to cutlery etc. He verified that we should have our Order together, the Chops would be freshly cooked, the Curry and Rice were ready to serve.
Karahi Lamb – on Fried Rice
Anyone seeing this for the first time, must marvel at the sheer quantity of food piled on the plate. With a Meat count well into double figures, even allowing for the bone content, loads to eat. Fear not, every morsel would be eaten.
A key part of Curry at Kabana is – the foliage. Rizwan brought the three pots: Ginger, sliced Green Chillies and Coriander – to the table along with the rest of the food. As I heaped these on, Marg was already suggesting that I should leave some for others.
Is it the Spice or the Seasoning which is the standout here? Such a familiar blend of Spice, with Clove to the fore as is the Manchester way. A stray piece of Cinnamon Bark was the only Whole Spice encountered. Still, this was very much – Desi cooking.
An inner glow was the feeling created as I ate, this Curry is just so satisfying. The Kabana Curry Flavour so distinctive, outwith Glasgow, this is the Curry I have had the most of anywhere. The consistency is remarkable. Still, the finest Lamb sourced. A variety of bones suggesting multiple cuts of Meat. Perfectly cooked, Tender does not do it justice.
At the halfway point, I took stock, still so much more to enjoy. One Sucky Bone, total satisfaction, astonishing. One almost takes the – Wow! – for granted.
Lamb Chops Tikka
Four large Meaty Chops served with Spiced Onion and a threat of Salad. Cremated exteriors, but not actually on fire as was the case last month. There is only one way to eat Lamb Chops, Marg duly tore in.
Four well-fired Lamb Chops, plenty of succulent meat with good flavour. Managed to gnaw most of the meat off the bone. Messy face (who told her?) and fingers. The spicy onions with sauce gave the dish more eating. It was well worth the effort.
Our plates were cleared, the pile of discarded bones admired.
That was fun.
To my right, at the window table, a wean was starting its performance. Time to leave.
The Bill
£15.00 Our cheapest Valentine’s Day meal, ever.
The Aftermath
Until the summer – was my parting shot. Dr. Stan is currently conceiving a tour of that England.
IQ, The Met (Bury) Night #1
On arrival at The Met, no queue, yay. At the merchandise stall, the new album! Nobody knew this would be available tonight, apart from the band I suppose. I trust everyone bought a copy.
The Friday night show has seating. For the third year in a row, we occupied the same seats: high up, right at the very back. From there, outwith the range of the trusty Oppo for close-ups, but fine for stage shots.
The theme tune from – Are You Being Served – announced the arrival of the band on stage. The ever-present three screen projector system had an image of Mrs. Slocombe bob from one to the next.
Having every IQ album in my possession, and knowing them well, does not mean I know the title of every song. Not all are introduced. In the past I have made a list as the gig progressed, now there are easier ways of securing setlists. Someone posted a photo of the setlist straight after the show, though The Darkest Hour (Ever, 1993) from my favourite album, was not played.
The Last Human Gateway / Through The Corridors (Tales From The Lush Attic, 1983) was a surprise opener. I don’t recall ever seeing all of Side 1 played live before, usually it’s but of Side 2. Twenty plus minutes, how to let any first timers know – this is Prog!
The majority of those assembled were of a certain age. We assumed that the only young chap we spotted was with his mum. Sitting at the front of the sated area was Joe Cairney, lead singer in Comedy of Errors, Glasgow’s foremost Prog band. Sadly I missed him before and after the show, we have a lot to catch up on.
Pete Nicholls, whose vocals are never the strongest, reminded us that it was at this very venue twenty eight years ago when the double album – Subterannea – (1998) was first performed, and prior to its release. Hector was here both nights and was able to advise Nick Barrett (Pendragon) on the second night that it would be a full hour or so before the band would say – good evening. Pete was able to announce that next year’s two nights, same February weekend, had already been booked, tickets on sale tomorrow at 10.00. That should wind up those who are only attending tomorrow night’s show.
Sleepless Incidental from the first disk followed on before Sacred Sound (Dark Matter, 2004). All good so far, and tonight, Cookies’ drumming was not drowning out everyone else as was the case on a previous visit here.
The new album – Dominion – five tracks, two to be performed this evening. No Dominion – (eh?) was certainly in the IQ style: lyrics that must mean something to the composer, suitable, but not too detached, instrumental breaks. Manna for the crowd.
Lyrics, complex, meandering, Pete casually walks back to a pad, suitably mounted on a stand, to consult the words he has written. His children, he must recognise them. He did fluff one set, admitted it, then advised that for the new stuff he could sing – any old shit. Marg likes Pete. Not the most gifted of vocalists, but always struts his stuff with a self deprecating delivery. Constant sipping of water sustains the vocal chords, I await the night when his voice simply packs in. Twelfth Night recorded a live album without a vocalist, it worked.
A Missile then Shallow Bay (Resistance, 2019), back to the familiar. This album features a virus on the cover. Note the year, prophetic or what? Not being able to tour it must have set them back megabucks.
Far From Here (Dominion, 2025) had an interesting percussive-keyboard intro, this will become a highly recognisable song in the years to come. Neil Durrant, IQ‘s third man on the ivories, can certainly claim this as his own.
Look at me, one hand! – such was the simplicity of some keyboard sections. Such is the sophistication of our technology, Neil had but one main keyboard and some old (?) synth sat atop. For the grand, church organ sounding parts, both hands required. It all posts here.
Guiding Light (Seventh House, 2000) perhaps my least favourite IQ album, preceded one of my very favourite IQ songs, the title track from Road of Bones (2014) which again has a distinctive keyboard motif as its introduction, another Neil Durrant contribution on the album. Until The End from the same album brought us towards the finale of the main set.
From time to time, Mike Holmes, lead guitar, sidled up to Pete, centre stage, as if there was something important he had to get off his chest. Each time he was despatched back to his spot, stage right. Being February, no angel wings for Mike this evening. Whilst I still miss – Maestro – John Jowitt on bass, the original and returning bass player, Tim Esau, may not be as flamboyant, but still managed to handle the bass pedals with rigour. It was from his feet, the grand choral sounds emanated.
Headlong (The Wake, 1985) brought the mains set to a close. Only one encore, the title track from Subterranea. Nothing from Frequency (2009) which now being twenty five years old, was due to be played in its entirety. Tomorrow night then.
Is that it over? – asked a chap in the foyer. I thought they said – main set – suggesting another? Some are never satisfied. Marg and Hector were, and in a relaxed manner. Sitting does make one hell of a difference.
The Dominion t-shirt had to be purchased, my third IQ t-shirt, the first, dating back to the 1994 Marquee gig, still fits. Note the tour dates on the Dominion t-shirt, my first featuring – Cruise To The Edge, 2025!
The morning after
Tickets were not on sale at 10.00 as announced.
By 12.30, the next time I checked, all 200 or so, seats had gone. No Bury in 2026 for us then. Have I mentioned – Cruise To The Edge?
The opening track on Dominion – The Unknown Door – starts with Chamberlain’s unfortunate followup to his – Peace in our time – speech. another Resistance-like prophecy?