I've seen the Mission numerous times over the years from some of their first few small shows through 3 Reading Festivals,the Wembly/NEC gigs at their peak and the various lineups Wayne has put together over the last 10 years or so.
I was unfortunately far too busy at work to get to all 4 shows but wasn't going to miss that last one, although a distinct lack of forward planning meant I had to resort to buying standing tickets off ebay (didn't fancy seeing my last Mission show from a seat
)
The Saturday night was probably the most memorable gig I have ever been to. All 4 levels of Sheperds Bush were packed to the rafters and they crowd were in great voice for 2.5 hours of an almost perfect Mission set.
As the band went off after the first set closed with Deliverance, the crowd carrying singing the chourus over and over for 7-8 minutes until they returned, Wayne seemed quite touched by this reaction.
The 'classic' set began with a great version of Like a Child Again accompanied by Miles and Erica from Wonderstuff and the always humorous Mr Pleasant.
As loud and as raucous as the Mission and their fans can be at times, they do have some classic slower songs such as Bird Of Passage, Island In A Stream & Forever More which induced a few tears in the crowd.
When they returned for an encore of 1969 & Shelter From The Storm the crowd exploded into action and it was like being transformed back 20 years for those few minutes of bedlam. As usual they closed with Tower Of Strength and which was greated with raised hands a Queen crowd would have been proud of, although after a hectic night(s) the attempted towers that were built were not quite what they have been in the past.
This clip, although not great quality, captures the last few minutes of the Mission, you might also spot a young lady familiar to some of us, hands aloft
:-)
As the band left the stage for the last time to an outro of Taduesz, there was a moment of stunned silence until the crowd burst in appreciative applause until the sound faded away.
I hope Wayne will put on Mission shows again in years to come, but if not then the memories of this last show will be with me forever.
AndyG
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