Prefab Sprout's Final Concert (June 10th, 2000)

This took place in Fleadh, London. Not much else to say other than this being sort of a bittersweet moment in time. A good concert, probably one of their best, but unfortunately their last.
You can find it here: www.sproutology.co.uk/

[@paulvasey750]

For what it's worth, I met Paddy McAloon at the Gateshead Metro Centre several years ago. He was a gentleman. Such a surreal experience that I will never forget. We must have talked for 40-45 minutes. Thank you Paddy! A week later I met Wendy at The Sage in Gateshead. Wendy told me, that if Paddy called her that evening, she would love to record with him again and would do so without hesitation. I asked her about her favourite Prefab song, to which she replied, it was probably something that was at the time unreleased. How lucky I was I to experience those meetings and to have met in my opinion, the greatest songwriter of all time. Whoever said you should never meet your heroes was without doubt, wrong on that occasion. Peace and love to Paddy. This gentleman has given more than enough to the world!

[@thomasconway631]

He'a also loved on this side of the Atlantic !....or should I say "Allantis" ..!!

[@christianmorris8065]

All the best people are always the nicest - it's the second rate ones who are unpleasant

[@uv77mc85]

lol "the greatest songwriter of all time" are you serious? he wrote some clever pop songs. He isn't exactly Bach.

[@paulvasey750]

@@uv77mc85 I am serious. It's a subjective opinion but it's mine and I stand by it!

[@user-fx1yq7sq7f]

​@@uv77mc85Non è musica, è poesia...

[@mazphillips840]

Paddy and Mark Hollis. Two of the best ever.

[@BagheeraRomeo]

This comment is spot on

[@gaw67]

Totally 👍 agree❤

[@MrPetermc199]

...and Andy Partridge.

[@essential_listening]

@@MrPetermc199This is pretty much my Top 3 songwriters ever! I found my ppl.

[@GalaxyGamer_YT665]

@@essential_listening Try Matt Johnson - the The

[@PaliGap1]

A great band and an incredibly gifted songwriter: combining great melodies with great lyrics. How on earth can someone like Ed Sheeran be the most listened to artist on spotify??!!! Prefab Sprout are lightyears ahead of most. So very special.

[@faddy24]

They're 1000 light years ahead of Ed Sheeran that's for sure.

[@1silvervespa]

Ed who ? Ha never listen to that .

[@ChosenHandle117]

100% !!!

[@HaraldoEll-lk7ul]

Sorry, WHO is Ed Sheeran? Shearer, Allan Shearer i heard about!? But Sportsmann, not a musician ??? 🧐😂🤣

[@The-Tall-Photographer]

What hurts me is we’ll unlikely see this kind of talent ever again.

[@mmummumm]

00:00 - Cowboy Dreams 03:54 - Cars and Girls 08:25 - When Love Breaks Down

[@Gabi-cp9mn]

Wie genial . Beruflich über den Wolken. Danke für dieses Video 😗

[@richardzollinger4750]

Prefab Sprout changed my musical life in 1984

[@whyyoulidl]

I swear 'I trawl the Megahertz' is hands-down one of very few musical compositions that without fail brings me to tears; Listen with a decent set of headphones or an audiophile system...A unique and timeless masterpiece 🙏🏿

[@3ld919]

Right, right, right, ITTM is a masterpiece and so outside and beyond the scope of his brilliant pop creations with PFS. The guy is a boundless musical genius.

[@jrex3575]

"I'm 49" is melancholy and soulful/bluesy at the same time.. it's just hits different!

[@matthampson1466]

I agree with you, megahertz is a masterpiece

[@RB-qe7ni]

So right . I have been listening to it for years and tout/ mention it everywhere, especially on twitter ( to the muso's mainly ) there and not once had a rejection, but lots off adulation and surprise It is my go to album for my own personal space in the late evening with a suitable drink. A modern masterpiece as you said. What a man

[@hughiedavies6069]

I agree 👍

[@steeljiffie]

Often overlooked, the bass playing in Prefab Sprout is exceptional.

[@kentune38]

Cars and Girls and When Love Breaks Down - two fine songs to go out with and impeccably sung. It's a shame Paddy hasn't been able to make more music but we should be grateful for what we have.

[@jaysyd143]

He has made more music. Too much. That is his problem. He cannot stop making it long enough to make it….

[@toslinked]

He has made a final album and then lost the hard drive with everything on it. Ever since then he stopped.

[@pedrochazarrabernabe633]

One of my favourite bands ever

[@melisssssaaaaa6093]

Prefab Sprout, Deacon Blue, Aztec Camera, The Colourfield and Spear of Destiny takes me back to my student days in Sunderland, we used to have a DJ called Paddy - Paddy's Disco who always played these bands etc - fantastic times. We also were lucky enough to have a spontaneous visit from The Clash when they were on an Acapello Tour in 1984 in our student bar, I think Mick Jones brother went to Sunderland Poly, they were amazing just guitars and drum sticks😎🎸🥁

[@andreicfm]

How much I wish I could have seen them live at least once. But as happy with the legacy and the privilege to listen to the records of what became my all time favourite band after three days of non-stop listening to and watching interviews with Paddy, what a beautiful soul he is. Forever in awe!

[@paulvasey750]

I saw the band on the Jordan The comeback Tour. My fiance at the time urged me to leave before the end as her leg was in a plaster cast and so I did. I had waited, to hear 'Doo Wop In Harlem'. As we struggled to descend the stairs away from the main concert room, the unmistakeable intro to 'Doo Wop In Harlem' began to play. I was still fortunate to see their majestic performance of most songs and of course, I have the Jordan concert program as a reminder.

[@gaz4979]

His voice is literally unchanged in 35 years and note perfect

[@stevenlucas1880]

Studio perfect.

[@eamonnquigley2125]

love the concert ..love prefab sprout ..but sorry no wendy smith its a no show

[@3ld919]

His singing is so effortless and controlled and yet he hated touring which is tragic.

[@markfarnon6742]

​@@3ld919 nice comment. You're dead right; he sounds just like he did when they first started. I guess touring is a bit of a drag so understand him not liking it, but people need bands to tour so maybe a slight fault on his side.

[@alanwann9318]

I'm impressed at Paddy singing Love breaks down in this live format

[@sylvieasics6570]

If I could time travel this is one place where I would go.. Missing you guys so much.. ❤❤❤

[@brewster84067]

Greatest band rarely mentioned. So good.

[@stephencraw1654]

McAloon was a genius- Bonny is a testament to how great a songwriter he was.

[@DanceThreat_4REAL]

fo SURE !

[@user-qw6es8im4f]

I second that.

[@jasonlefler3456]

Just to be clear, he’s still with us…right???

[@markfarnon6742]

​@@jasonlefler3456had to check to be super sure - yep still with us, he's 66 and hopefully going strong!

[@Mff48]

My favourite track!!

[@erichhonecker8548]

Prefab Sprout, my life's legendary music that created signposts in many years of my life. Life's experiences and this great music are inseparable! God bless you Paddy.

[@whyyoulidl]

Paddy and Prefab Sprout: Somehow had the 'Technique' to bring joy to my life 🙏🏿

[@andreicfm]

Only recently discovered them and it enriched my experience of existence in ways I would have never imagined a band could. I hear every word you say🤍

[@anyawaleofondo]

I thought that New Order did that 😁

[@jimobrien980]

Thanks for posting, I sometimes forget how highly I rated and loved Prefab Sprout. Steve McQueen is, was and will remain one of the few albums I want to , and fervently hope that I will, pass on to my children. Haven’t managed it yet but the big push is yet to start. A genius and much under-rated songsmith.. whatever you are doing Paddy I wish you well.

[@BroonParker]

Saw them when they were touring Swoon (an under-attended university gig where they played their heart out to a small but very appreciative audience), and followed the mighty McAloon ever since. Thanks so much for posting this. Special.

[@benjivintage]

Oh I wish I could have been there, and No worries, I'll definitely be searching for more goodies like these in the future!

[@BroonParker]

@@benjivintage I hope that you find them. Subscribed and waiting for developments.

[@derfreischutz4380]

Love this band forever

[@finnegan6371]

I was there, always been a big fan, never knew it was their last gig.

[@JET_60]

What happened to Wendy Smith ? Where was she that day...?

[@faginzboyz]

I had the pleasure of seeing them live twice and those 2 gigs remain among my top 5 and always will. Such a voice, ambitious melodic song-writing and stage presence. So many bands today cite Paddy as our greatest song-writer and their major influence. We need the albums to be re-visited and promoted for the present generation who are subjected to the mediocre. Billy from the Crimson/ Red album is a stunningly wonderful piece of work.

[@andrewrobinson2565]

Lovely harmonious music. ❤️

[@kevinmoor8266]

Wendy's vocals so missed despite a great performance. Still giving me goosebumbs nearly 24 years later..

[@markfarnon6742]

Nice comment Kevin.

[@anyawaleofondo]

Wendy was unique and added so much.

[@brynjaremil]

Why wasn´t she there?

[@333jethro]

In my top three favourite bands of all time. Such a gift to my life!💝 Never managed to see them live. Big mistake!🙇🏻‍♂️ Thanks for posting this!✔️💞

[@lauraellsworth1813]

Still love this band

[@WGNTAidan]

Paddy looking like Hell's Angel but sounding like a boyish prog artist from the 80s is amazing

[@patrickryan5570]

I was there - Love Prefab Sprout - It was a lovely day - happy times - loved the Fleadh festivals in Finsbury Park as I live close by - hope they bring them back....

[@ericlesage5269]

Thanks a lot! I’ll always remember their beautiful music. It’s so sad they’re not playing now together. Paddy’s magnifique❤❤❤

[@hazarahayek6669]

Je n'ai pas eu la chance de croiser Paddy avec prefab sprout, I ❤,une super voix, des chansons geniales. Une legende pas assez reconnue😇😇,mon groupe préféré depuis plus de 30 ans. Je dirai même qu'il fait parti des 10 meilleurs chanteurs du XX et XXI siecle ..the best paddy

[@simonbertioli4696]

Brilliant... singing style as fresh as ever...

[@deaconmikepray9793]

This is awesome. I love this!

[@LAR-OSAMUSIC-wx4gx]

Paddy McAloon is the real deal, someone you want to listen to, because those vibes coming from his persona are factors you can't learn or teach, you have it or you don't. I remember the day I bought Steve Mcqueen and our favorite shop the same day. A lucky day, for me. Thank you Paddy.

[@stevenlucas1880]

So happy to finally see this show. I always watched the Cars and Girls live video and wondered when someone was finally going to post the full show. Thankyou so much.

[@giuliacortella6035]

Thank you so much for sharing!

[@benjivintage]

No worries :)

[@leeboehmer6793]

Oh my goodness. This is just . . . perfect.

[@CrisLifeCoach]

How can you be better than that - pure, genuine, raw and still amazingly great AVE CAESAR ❤

[@koosjansen4287]

Such a unique talent. Been in my musical life for over 40 years now. Martin's bass is second to none too.

[@joeys4269]

They're so underrated

[@geoffreyrogers9755]

I really enjoyed this,great band.wish i had seen them live.

[@ROXYMUZAK1964]

I just can't believe there isn't out there a Blu Ray, a Dvd of a live concert of one of the greatest band ever. Incredible.

[@ShinraXSoldier]

Legendary band

[@eamonnquigley2125]

brilliant band yes but without wendy smith ... its a no show her voice took the band to another level

[@ShinraXSoldier]

We take what we can get

[@julie223783]

I hope I can see them live somewhere 😮😊 Thank you for this post

[@Robbie963]

Perfect totally perfect,thank you prefab x

[@PeteNaess]

Love this one. Thank you. Thank you. Love...

[@tenevas666]

Cela reste pour moi un des meilleur, le meilleur groupe de ma jeunesse, et j'écoute encore de nos jours en 2023....c'est tjrs aussi incroyable, ici manque la choriste malheureusement ;;;

[@patriziarapetti7511]

Moi, je l'aime aussi 🧡

[@yanmetcaluire]

Oui, j'aurais pu poster l'exacte même commentaire ! Le plus fou c'est qu'à l'époque de la sortie de l'albulm de Steve Mc Queen, j'écoutais des trucs comme les Clash, Bauhaus, Christian Death.... Mais ce groupe m'a totalement envouté !

[@tenevas666]

@@yanmetcaluire Exactement la même chose que toi. J’écoute encore

[@atlantiacallaecia3676]

Crying now with loves break down. So hard way to get to into marriage and happyiness...what a HUGE BAND. 😢

[@pppcorn]

love prefab 4 ever

[@kevingiblin4122]

Thanks for your response 👍

[@matmalko]

I'm pretty sure that Paddy McAloon is a genius.

[@paulcope834]

Thanks such a meaningless comment. Suburban?

[@CrisLifeCoach]

Undoubtedly

[@dehrk9024]

@@paulcope834 suburban??¿💀😂

[@dehrk9024]

He said hes not clever

[@eamonnquigley2125]

no wendy sorry no prefab sprout

[@neilgraves5069]

Great Band , paddy was a fantasttic talent superb songwriter

[@carolineinglasgow]

Thank You for sharing :)

[@chiphawkins42]

What an excellent songwriter!!!

[@girlfriendofnone]

There's no no more. There's me and Prefab for ever. Just old now ❤

[@girlfriendofnone]

It's still makes me cry of hope and love (I'm drunk and stoned and clearly 16 again 😁😁)

[@zenersmytok3619]

That was so good to watch and listen to. I've always liked this band. What a good live sound too.

[@valentin7318]

Sweetest voice ever, what a song, what a band, i love them.

[@davidfarrimond8891]

Very wonderful.

[@robfalgiano]

HEROES OF SONG!

[@dennisreeve6270]

I brought quite a lot of sprouts at Christmas and they all went off

[@andrewb293]

Simply wow.

[@safc1986safc]

Breathtakingly good

[@johnb2602]

Probably the best 'pop' band of the 80's and 90's. Totally underrated, truly brilliantly written songs, lyrics that were funny, cynical, joyous, heart-breaking - I never understood why they weren't the most successful band of their time. As far as I'm concerned, Paddy is a genius and I only count Prince other than him, as such.

[@rickgregersonmusic1059]

Songs that hit the spot ❤

[@giupezio]

My love and I, we work well together But often we're apart Absence makes the heart lose weight, yeah, Till love breaks down, love breaks down Oh my, oh my, have you seen the weather The sweet september rain Rain on me like no other Until I drown, until I drown When love breaks down The things you do To stop the truth from hurting you When love breaks down The lies we tell, They only serve to fool ourselves, When love breaks down The things you do To stop the truth from hurting you When love breaks down The things you do To stop the truth from hurting you When love breaks down, Love breaks down My love and I, we are boxing clever She'll never crowd me out Fall be free as old confetti And paint the town, paint the town When love breaks down The things you do To stop the truth from hurting you When love breaks down The lies we tell, They only serve to fool ourselves, When love breaks down The things you do To stop the truth from hurting you When love breaks down You join the wrecks Who leave their hearts for easy sex When love breaks down When love breaks down

[@vandovalentim16]

Somos gratos por essa postagem desse sensacional SHOW👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿👏🏿P S sempre , obrigado !

[@heronfranco6123]

Amazing

[@hang-sangitch]

Love breaks down always kills me 😢

[@HighwayStarTimmy]

December 2023 ... still feels as though it was ... well i can't remember. 1985?

[@JGabrielF]

Muy buen concierto, aunque yo los empece a escuchar por la VH+1 Latinoamérica, desde ahi, comence a escucarlos aunque ya no estén., todas sus canciones me gustaron. TODAS.

[@james0060]

This was at Fleadh 2000, an Irish music festival, that runs each year.

[@densmath8004]

leurs chansons ont bercé ma jeunesse merci merci merci

[@sergiomax1607]

probably the best last band of 90's

[@KREN12623]

🕊️✨♥️⭐ BE MY DREAM 🌟♥️💫🕊️

[@lunes-1]

🎵🇺🇲Prefab Sprout changed the world 🌼🌱🕊️😊

[@briancahill2136]

Pity Wendy wasn t on this show ....I have loved the sprouts since their Steve McQueen album was first released ....Never got to see them live...other than on the telly, Great band though.....

[@eamonnquigley2125]

same her she but the finishing touch to the band just no the same without her ...................... great performance all the same

[@quiquebuxeda6044]

Swoon. Fue su primer album

[@JimSilbery]

Brilliant band and Paddy McAlloon is a Genius songwriter ❤

[@Wyserbytheday]

A guy who sports such sunglasses means business

[@massimobernuzzi2594]

Steve McQueen remains one of the best albums of the 80s and beyond

[@janolofalroth598]

I'm glad that I saw them live once. Does anyone know if PS ever performed my favourite of theirs, The Venus of the Soup Kitchen, live? I imagine it would be a bit difficult, with the choir.

[@chrishubbell3313]

My great regret in life was never seeing PREFAB SPROUT, Swoon & Steve McQueen are “perfect” LP’s & still in heavy rotation all these years later.

[@seanmallon9110]

Come to Ireland, have a rest, play some pubs and be loved in music paradice

[@rongray655]

I am furious at every one in that crowd for not appreciating that they are watching the very last live gig of the best band EVER.

[@mariamercedescostantino9691]

❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️

[@Jamingedling]

One more gig.

[@FrédéricLAURENT-o5u]

Prefab Ca dechire De tres belle melodie Découvert fin 80 s J adore

[@Lanceawright]

I was there!

[@benjivintage]

Really? What was it like? Did you record the concert at all?

[@Lanceawright]

@@benjivintage I didn't record anything, but I got a few sweet shots of the performance!

[@Lanceawright]

@intage It was a great day out! They had multiple stages so you could roam about and be bathed in the mix of musical styles...

[@waynekerr5645]

I was there too, with my wife and kids. Tremendous day out, Cathal Coughlan (Microdisney/Fatima Mansions), Kirsty Mac Coll, the Sprouts and The Corrs headlining. I went mainly to see Paddy, as they didn’t tour much in later years, but I did see the Two Wheels Good show at the Palais and the Andromeda show at the Odeon. Some hard core Corrs fans let me get right up the front, on the condition that a buggered-off smartish, which was nice. The back of my head is visible in some shots. I missed Wendy though as I’m sure we all did.

[@agostinopalomba3063]

Top 👏🏻

[@KREN12623]

🕊️♥️🌍♥️🌎♥️🌏♥️🕊️

[@robwilcox302]

Does anyone know if there's a full performance tape buried somewhere?

[@benjivintage]

Unfortunately there is really nothing other than this bit of footage here, the audio of the entire concert was recorded, but no video sadly :(

[@stevenlucas1880]

I wish

[@raritiesmore5993]

@@benjivintage hopefully the audio sees an official release at some point? Thank you for posting this brilliant footage.

[@la7dfa]

Perfect, just wish Wendy was there too.

[@1silvervespa]

Tuesday, March 12, 2024 ... Learned of this band years ago only because of National Radio over night program music around the world . CBC latenight . Time flys . Thanks for the music !

[@mrmeg01]

Used to see him all the time picking his kids up from school

[@darkside8072]

Durham lads 💪

[@iangreaves908]

Langley park in the rams head ❤

[@KREN12623]

🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️✨🌍⭐🌎🌟🌏💫🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️🕊️

[@stephenlyons6526]

Why are people like Bob Dylan etc not singing the praises of Paddy Mc loon?..Astonishing poet.

[@accadoza]

🌟👏

[@snuggiesful]

List of songs performed?

[@vainerv2734]

❤❤❤🔝🔝🔝

[@robwilcox1962]

Afternoon sun considered, not many people can pull off purple tinted sunglasses underneath polarized sports sunglasses. A singular maven of style.