Mark E. Smith has returned to the stage two months after poor health had caused the postponement of The Fall’s return to the U.S. after more than a decade of absence.
The Mancunian frontman was brought out onstage via wheelchair for the second time in his career for a UK performance over the weekend at the Boiler Shop in Newcastle, not letting a bit of ill health get in the way of him winding up the crowd with his distinctive punk vocals.
Special thanks to YouTube user Chris Trew for filming the performance and …Hang the DJ for bringing this to our attention.
Last month, The Fall had been scheduled to perform Festival dates and a New York City residency which were scrapped due to what management called were “bizarre and rare (true to form) medical issues”. They went on to say:
“Unfortunately it would be a gamble on his health to fly anywhere over the next couple of months. Mark’s current problems are connected to his throat, mouth/dental & respiratory system… so throwing all the meds together and continuing with the travel/shows would certainly harm any progress that we have made over the past few weeks.”
Despite visibly not appearing to be 100 percent recovered, Mark E. Smith and The Fall are set to continue their UK and Portugal dates, with New York City Residency at Baby’s All Right on schedule to commence on February 19th at the Brooklyn venue.
The Fall are also set to release their singles compiled in a new 7-disc box set via Cherry Red next month
The Fall tour-dates:
- Nov. 4: Oran Mor, Glasgow, UK
- Nov. 18: Hard Club, Porto, Portugal
- Nov. 29: Fiddler’s Club, Bristol, UK
- Nov. 30: Koko, London, UK
- Feb. 19: Baby’s All Right, Brooklyn, NY, USA
- Feb. 20: Baby’s All Right, Brooklyn, NY, USA
- Feb. 21: Baby’s All Right, Brooklyn, NY, USA
- Feb. 22: Baby’s All Right, Brooklyn, NY, USA
- Feb. 23: Baby’s All Right, Brooklyn, NY, USA
- Feb. 24: Baby’s All Right, Brooklyn, NY, USA
- Feb. 25: Baby’s All Right, Brooklyn, NY, USA
re