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Re. Nick Cave - arenas are not my cup of tea either, but If you get close to the front it feels as intimate as a mid sized venue..
And the sound is fantastic. That and goat a few weeks before have been my best gigs of the year, and up there with my best ever...
Just got tickets to the descendents and circle jerks at the O2 in Glasgow.
Really looking forward to it
Not actually a gig but went to see the Mogwai film If The Stars Had A Sound last night. Good watch if you like Mogwai, probably not if you don't, it's basically an assortment of snapshots of little bits of their completely absurd career. Lots of good music and concert footage and that including a few I was at (I was looking for ChrisL's excessively tall sticky-up head in the Glasgow scenes)
Anthrax/ Kreator next week. Supported by Testament.
Mate just managed to snag us tickets for Idles at Ally Pally on the 30th, should be good, they never disappoint!
Florence Black + Massive Wagons at Rock City in Nottingham this Friday
Mate just managed to snag us tickets for Idles at Ally Pally on the 30th, should be good, they never disappoint!
we've got them at rock city on monday. i say it every time but i really think this may be the last time we go see them. pretty much an arena sized band now which is the point i usually stop seeing bands. wifes had a charmed life with idles, getting on the front barrier at a couple of festivals and also at the odd venue too. she's not very good with crowds anyway and has really enjoyed them so far so shes thinking of ducking this one as itll be chocker with minimal chance of a decent viewing spot. she'd have hated goat there the other night, absolutely rammed.
shes torn between just having the memories, or having one last bash and if its sh1t for her then at least she can draw a line under them safe in the knowledge that its the right time to bow out.
i really think this may be the last time we go see them. pretty much an arena sized band now which is the point i usually stop seeing bands
Same here - I've got Idles at Brighton Centre on Dec1... would much rather be seeing Honeyglaze at the Green Door Store tbh, but my mate bought me the Idles ticket and I bet it wasn't cheap!
Tomorrow is Forest Swords at a new venue to me, The Old Market in Brighton.
@Sadexpunk - also going to be there on Monday for Idles - probably from the balcony as I expect the main floor to be 'lively' and I can't do that with my hip anymore.
Then Echobelly on Wednesday for a bit of old school indie
Florence Black + Massive Wagons at Rock City in Nottingham this Friday
Me too! Saw Florence Black a couple of years ago at Rock and Blues fest. Their latest album is fantastic - and hate to say it but blows Massive Wagons new one out of the water.
Saw Maruja at the Adelphi in Hull last night. So, so good, proper intense. If anyone's seeing them on the tour you're in for a treat.
razorrazoo
Therapy? Troublegum 30 year show at Shephards Bush Empire tonight. Went on my own so I could venture into the mosh pit, was absolutely mental and I am bloody knackered! Brilliant show though.
@razorrazoo - I came in to mention that I went to see Therapy? at the Shepherd's Bush Empire last Saturday.
Was a great gig. They were sounding excellent & full of energy.
We stayed in a local 'spoons and then nipped in before Therapy came on stage. It was rammed by the time we got in there. Seemed like they had over-filled the venue to be honest, so we headed right to the back where that long bar is & enjoyed from afar.
We went from a round of 5 drinks costing about £17 in 'spoons to £8 a pint in the venue! Expected, but still unpleasant.
@stumpy01 I went on my own! My wife offered to go with me but it’s not her thing and I wanted to relive Reading 93&94 and get in the mix, Troublegum is in my all time top 10 albums plus they played some classics from Nurse and the early mini albums.
I saw Jason Isbell again the Usher Hall last night. Absolutely blown away which was good as I had high hopes and there's nothing worse than a disappointing gig when you've been really looking forward to it. I was standing and nobody was going anywhere once he started, every song was eagerly received. The band was excellent, just enough improvisation and they all looked like they were having a blast. Sounded great too, just loud enough. SG Goodman the support was very good too, had some good between songs banter whilst tuning her guitar.
Yeah I think Therapy? are in a good place right now, they can be quite up and down and a wee bit "by the numbers" which is understandable enough especially now we're doing the second round of anniversary tours but they were ace in Glasgow.
stumpy01
Full MemberWe stayed in a local ‘spoons
The one in the shopping centre? Classic pre-gig weirdness.
I have a fun week or two coming up now I've got back into gig going.
Fontaines at Ally Pally at the weekend
Then the K's midweek, and Idles the following weekend.
Not sure if any will top Wunderhorse at Brixton academy last month. I wasnt quite convinced by their new album before seeing them, but wow, I am now. A great show and an awesome crowd.
Saw sprints last week, loved them too. Wide age range in the crowd.
Wrapping up the year with Beans on Toast on December which will also be a lot of fun.
@Sadexpunk - don't know if you're interested but Lambrini Girls have just announced an instore at rough trade in jan
@Sadexpunk – don’t know if you’re interested but Lambrini Girls have just announced an instore at rough trade in jan
you beauty, YES I AM. been wanting to see these for ages but nowhere near. ill go see if i can get some tickets.
thanks for the heads up
EDIT: 2 tickets bought, thanks a lot mate
Anyone else getting completely hacked off with the amount of talking/SHOUTING at gigs? English Teacher at SWX Bristol, most of the final third depth crowd were more like a rugby club Christmas piss up. Why go to a gig if all you want to do is get beered up and shout inane, incessant and unrelated chit chat over the music?
Pricks so entitled it doesn’t even occur to them that the reason others keep turning around to stare might be related to their braying over a quiet powerful song like ‘You blister my paint’. Very different when compared to same band and same song at Wedgewood Rooms in spring, where the audience reaction was pretty much rapt attention.
Not even a late drunk decision to go in a group, as this was sold out months ahead.
If this is you, STFU!
We went to the Albert Hall in Stirling last night to see Horse McDonald. Absolutely blown away every time I've seen her. Such powerful and emotive singing. Still belting the songs out just as well as she did back in the 80s/90s. Added bonus was the supporting act before the main gig and onstage with Horse. Kirsten Adamson, daughter of the late Stuart Adamson of Big Country fame. Her music might not be entirely my cup of tea, but her voice and guitar playing were superb.
Excellent wee concert and £25 well spent in my opinion.
"Anyone else getting completely hacked off with the amount of talking/SHOUTING at gigs?...
Why go to a gig if all you want to do is get beered up and shout inane, incessant and unrelated chit chat over the music?"
Not sure it's the beer talking, more likely Columbia's finest (and I use the word finest very loosely). It drives me up the wall. There's a bar area if you want to chat breeze, why don't you go there instead?
vdFull Member
Anyone else getting completely hacked off with the amount of talking/SHOUTING at gigs?
Yeeeeeears ago, I went to see Futureheads do an acapella(ish) set at the Wardrobe in Leeds. I think it was the Wardrobe. Anyway, they specifically asked people to stay quiet while they were performing, as they were doing it unamplified.
Anyway, one girl - right down the front, natch - would not shut up. After a song or two of this, the singer told her firmly but politely to shut up or f*ck off. She left in tears. Normally I'd feel bad for her, but this time? Nah.
Fontaines on wednesday, Anthrax tonight and Courteeners tomorrow night. I'm loving the kid reaching an age where all gigs are now on the cards. Lined up Slipknot, Bad Manners and Miles Kane for December.
Anyone else getting completely hacked off with the amount of talking/SHOUTING at gigs?
Martyn Joseph last night, with about 200 mainly elderly people in a very cold, seated pavilion. Martyn's music is vocal and guitar through a smallish amp, and we all sat in absolute silence enjoying his beautiful songs, but the kids behind the bar obviously didn't get the message and chatted away to each, were in and out slamming the door behind them, even to the point of disturbing the act on stage mid-song.
Anyone else getting completely hacked off with the amount of talking/SHOUTING at gigs?
Not as much as ****s waving their phones around taking videos and photos, but yeah definitely. Although it's nothing new. I remember telling someone to shut the F up at LCD Soundsystem back in 2005. I mean how many chances to you get to see these bands and yet you come and talk through their performance?! If they are nearby they will get told.
Ah, but my favourite story - Amazing Snakeheads, free gig in Bournemouth. They start, people are talking. They stop. Dale Barclay (RIP), "If you're gunnae talk while we're playing we won't bother!". They restart, guy in the front (there is no stage) carries on talking to his girlfiend... Dale steps forward, keeps playing and put his face right up to the guy. The guy laughs and gently bumps foreheads with (Glaswegian) Dale.. oh dear. Bad move. Guy then clears off leaving woman at the front, who then gets treated to the whole of "Where is my Knife" (She weeps and she moans and she cries alone, oh dear, my favourite at the moment I think I'll call you Sally. Forget the rest now I'm your daddy. Where is my knife?) sung directly to her. One of the best gigs ever.
Mister-P
Free Member“Anyone else getting completely hacked off with the amount of talking/SHOUTING at gigs?…
I'll usually just tell people to shut up, it's a pretty safe thing to do because everyone else within range is thinking the exact same thing
Forest Swords last night was incredible. Didn’t quite know what to expect, but it was fab. They were in the centre of a square room, with video projections on the four surrounding walls. It was mesmerising. We just got completely lost in the sounds.
Just waiting for Frank Skinner to come on at hull. Tried to sell the tickets due to the weather but nobody was biting so we decided to bite the bullet and just go.
Rain stopped, it's warmed up, parking was straightforward, the city hall seems a decent venue with no massive queues, we'll see if it was a good decision. And will funtime Frankie stand the test of time.....
Went to see Seasick Steve at the Shepherds Bush Empire last thursday night.
Cracking gig.
Tonight/afternoon its a Dr Feelgood Tribute band at Bedford Esquires. Playing the stuff from the Wilko / Gypie Mayo period of Dr Feelgood.
Liz Lawrence at Scala. Surprised she’s not bigger. Band were really tight.
Yes! Going to go to the London leg
Saw Beans on Toast on Friday then Australian Pink Floyd on Saturday. Totally contrasting gigs but both brilliant, BoT particularly.
Tonight/afternoon its a Dr Feelgood Tribute band at Bedford Esquires. Playing the stuff from the Wilko / Gypie Mayo period of Dr Feelgood.
You've just prompted me to check out the current Dr Feelgood line-up because they are playing a small venue near me in a few days. They seem to be a tribute band already, but I'm not an expert on Dr Feelgood. Anybody seem them, are they worth seeing?
just back from idles at rock city. excellent as always, and a 2 hour set!! must admit id have preferred shorter but the time flew by. didnt go in the mosh pit tonight, stood with my mate watching, and all we could hear on our way out was people saying "my legs are aching from standing so long", "ooh my knees are killing me" 😀
tonight we've got sleaford mods at lincoln drill hall, im not expecting a 2hr set. im getting too old for all these late nights out 😀
.......aaaaaand just back from sleaford mods. 2nd time ive seen them, still not sure what to make of them 😀
i like angry music as much as the next man, but i get bored listening to the albums, just a bit too 'samey'. and watch them live and part of you thinks this is soooo sh1t, one bloke pressing 'play' to start the backing track for each song then just dancing around, and jason just shouting and swearing, wheres the skill?? but......you just cant take your eyes off them! crowd loved them too, a few pints spilled at the front and even a couple of crowd surfers!
enjoyed the support band too, cooper T, a couple of rappers in balaclavas. overall, really enjoyed the night so they must be doing something right!
Sadex, i saw them last year and agree, its our ages. I loved them, Jason just got angrier as the gig progressed. Real age mix in the crowd, i saw them in barcelona in a smallish venue, spanish loved them too despite Jason's only spanish being buenas noches (good evening). The backing music chap dances like my 5 year old nephew. I d deffo see them again but not in a big venue.
Not a gig as such, but our local festival lineup is out for 2025
A couple of bands that are doing other festivals that I'd have liked to have seen on there, but more will be added.
Happy enough with that, it's always a cracking weekend
I've seen Sleaford Mods a few times - always at festivals - where I suspect the shorter set provably works in their favour. Given how little is going on up on stage they're surprisingly engaging. What I did think was interesting a few years back was the mass of abuse that Billy Nomates got for doing exactly the same sort of live show ( https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/music/news/billy-nomates-glastonbury-set-abuse-b2363451.html). I've seen here live (actually at the Leftfiedl tent at the festival) and she was brilliant. The only difference is she's pressing play on her laptop rather than having someone else do it for her.
(quite a few tracks both of theirs I love, but not album artists for me)
Pokey LaFarge in Brixton tonight.....
anagallis_arvensis are you small or far away?
Electric Six at a small venue in York last night (The Crescent). It was fun, but not the best gig I have been to by some margin.
Saw Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds at Birmingham BP Connect 0n 17 November (Formally Genting Arena/LG Arena/NEC Arena) - they were ****ing amazing!
Went to see WH Lung at Nottingham Bodega last Saturday - great live band. Complete contrast to Jools Holland Rhythym and Blues Orchestra who I am seeing tonight at Birmingham Symphony Hall (Not really my cup of tea…).
Shed Seven next week at Birmingham Academy.
Did you find it cold in Rock City!?
We went on Friday to see Massive Wagons and the wife and I both had to keep our coats on due to the air-con. Loads of folk still wearing beenies too. It's usually a sweaty mess in there! 🙂
johndoh Free Member
Electric Six at a small venue in York last night (The Crescent). It was fun, but not the best gig I have been to by some margin.
I've seen them two or three times now and my conclusion is that I'll see them but I won't go out of my way to do so. They're perfectly fine as a live band but I always have a feeling that they should be something a bit more than what they manage to put on.
Saw Public Service Broadcasting last night at a great venue in Madrid, just the right size, with great sound, and the band were fantastic. My wife wasn't familiar with their music, which is always a risk, but she loved them so that was fantastic, too.
The crowd as pretty much as I imagine an STW get-together would be: majority middle-aged, white men. Including me, of course 🙂
Saw Joe and the Shitboys on Saturday night, cracking gig. Frontman spent the entire gig in the crowd (although the venue was small enough that it's hard not to)!
Chris Helme (of the Seahorses) and a few other bands at the Crescent in York at the weekend. Bit meh - love him as a singer and was really looking forward to it but he sang about 4 songs which I'd never heard and then disappeared. The band on after him (little York band from back in the day) called The Blueprints were ace.
Back there again on Monday night to watch Echobelly supported by Blue Violet. One of the best gigs I've been to - both bands absolutely amazing...
I really enjoyed seeing anthrax and testament for the first time.
that said, Kreator were absolutely blistering.
gobsmacked!
My word, these cruddy photos! What's the point? sorry, just one of my hated things.
Just booked Jah Wobble's Invaders of the Heart for next May... at The Joiners! Amazingly tiny venue... just outside my price limit of £50 for a pair a tix. But he's my bass hero, so had to do it. Never saw the original PiL, but now seen Johnny in 2022 and then Jah, so closest I'll get 🙂
Cruddy photo follows (before they started playing, luckily. Its the gig where he called someone a "soppy ****" for having their phone out.) Legend
Went to New Century in Manc last night. Saw Sprints supported by Chalk. Lovely venue. Nice crowd. Good, loud bands. 
Todays free gigs in Brum are Martin Burch Band at The Brasshouse at 3pm then a choice of Clean Shirt at Snobs or Taxi For Jesus at the Actress n Bishop at 6.30 and then at 8pm its Cat Davis Trio at the Gunmakers. At Kings Norton at 3pm theres The Southland Trio at Chas Mann.
Today should bring this years gig total up to 123 btw. Last year I managed 144.
The Almighty last night at the Barrowlands. Saw them last St Andrews day too, and will do again next!
Barrowlands is always such a great venue, the band were great, Ricky Warwick was his usual gurning enthusiastic self.
Missed Girlschool supporting though, got there at the changeover.
The Damned, at the barrowlands on Thursday, and the Skids and Spear of Destiny on saturday
Not been to a gig since late last year so I'm going to need to sleep for a week after this bunch.
Battles on Friday at Clwb Ifor Bach, great gig, they were really good, good crowd, packed venue.
@Lovewookie, was there too and last year and might just do it again next year. Great show.
My word, these cruddy photos! What’s the point?
I can’t remember most of the gigs I’ve been to in my life. I kept tickets for a while then cleared them out. A mate (diagnosed ocd) has a notebook of everyone he’s seen.
I now make sure I take one photo at each gig I go to. It’s a log, not meant to be art.
(but people taking video? Ffs. When are you ever going to watch it? No one else is going to)
Took my 8yr old daughter to see Henge yesterday. Matinee show at band on the wall in MCR. Saw them for the first time at the ferret in Preston a few weeks ago, we had a great time at that so I thought we should go again.
She made a friend and the two of them stood up on the balcony, I kept an eye on her from downstairs, it was great to watch her singing and dancing along.
It you've not seen Henge, I highly recommend going along, it's a brilliant, good fun, show. And the kid friendly matinee show is genius.
Day was slightly ruined by train cancellation chaos which means we ended up getting a national express home, which in turn took 90 minutes just to get out of the city centre, total gridlock!
Took my 8yr old daughter to see Henge yesterday. Matinee show at band on the wall in MCR. Saw them for the first time at the ferret in Preston a few weeks ago, we had a great time at that so I thought we should go again.
She made a friend and the two of them stood up on the balcony, I kept an eye on her from downstairs, it was great to watch her singing and dancing along.
It you've not seen Henge, I highly recommend going along, it's a brilliant, good fun, show. And the kid friendly matinee show is genius.
Day was slightly ruined by train cancellation chaos which means we ended up getting a national express home, which in turn took 90 minutes just to get out of the city centre, total gridlock!
Henge are a lot of fun!
Have got Sleep Token on Tuesday, super excited, I'm taking the OH so sent her the supposed playlist and suddenly shes a fan, after never hearing of them, think it will be a special atmosphere...
Then to shake it up, Falling in Reverse next Sunday! if they don't cancel......
The Crescent, York... Back there again on Monday night to watch Echobelly supported by Blue Violet. One of the best gigs I’ve been to – both bands absolutely amazing…
I thought that was last Monday? (I was there last Tuesday to see Electric Six).
Edit: I think I mis-read your post 🙂
I can’t remember most of the gigs I’ve been to in my life. I kept tickets for a while then cleared them out. A mate (diagnosed ocd) has a notebook of everyone he’s seen.
Can I direct you to - https://www.concertarchives.org/ (there's even an app). Now you can log everything and enjoy the music without getting out your phone. I know, I'm lovely! Nearly all of mine are in there, I've missed ones where I'd lost the ticket or just forgotten to list it. Currently at 300 gigs in 112 venues. I'm a few short. The 80s and 90s were a blur 🙂
Fontaines D.C. at Leeds Arena tonight – really looking forward to this one – they are definitely my Favourite (see what I did there) right now.
Check out The Temperance Movement, reforming and touring next year (UK and Europe), saw them in Norwich (pre covid) with the Sheepdogs supporting, t'was a great night!
Great original stuff but I love this Led Zep cover:
Got tickets for Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew next year doing Talking Heads " Remain in Light " ... Cannae wait
It was a gig-tastic night in Manchester last night. We went to see 808 State at New Century Hall, but met up with some mates for beers beforehand who were off to see Shed Seven at Victoria Warehouse, then got the tram back afterwards with some other mates who'd been to see the Human League at the Arena
808 were awesome! The place was absolutely bouncing. Literally, as New Century Hall has a sprung dancefloor. First ever gig I've been to there and its a great venue. It was to mark the 35th anniversary of the release of 90. How old do you feel now? The place was full of old ravers and the atmosphere was absolutely fantastic!
That'd be quality. Did they invite Tunes this time?
“Anyone else getting completely hacked off with the amount of talking/SHOUTING at gigs?…
Most of the gigs I go to these days are either too loud for it to make a difference, or the audience are too respectful. There have been some in the past where I’ve told people to just shut the phük up, or leave, one gig in Bath, it was John Martyn playing*, and there was a group of four people who spent the whole time in a little square looking at each other and talking, so at the end I asked if they’d enjoyed it. When they said they had, I said, well that’s odd, because all evening you’ve done nothing but stand yakking and pissing off everyone else, turned and walked away. Assholes.
Next gig I’ve got tickets for is Throwing Muses at The Fleece in Bristol, next March; nice little venue, and they always put on a good show. I think I might make an exception to the unwritten rule of not wearing a tour tee shirt of the band your seeing, and dig out my ‘The Real Ramona’ tee from when I saw them in Bristol back in the 90’s.
* And he wasn’t completely shitfaced.
Jason Isbell
It was a few weeks ago now but over the course of a week I saw Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit in Antwerp, Edinburgh, and finally Stockton on tees. All fantastic gigs and the tightness you'd expect from Isbell and band.
However, the setlists were very similar and there was a sense that they were going through the motions with little dialogue throughout.
The difference between gigs came down to the venue and crowd........
- Antwerp De Roma - lovely 1930s cinema with great acoustics. However, for a Saturday night, the crowd were tame and talked over the support act (SG Goodman) which was somewhat rude. The band had minimal chat, started early, and left the stage having played one less song than every other date on the tour. I reckon they had a tight turnaround and needed to be on the road prompt after the show.
- Edinburgh Usher Hall giving the best sound, reception from the crowd, and feedback from the band, which was impressive given it was a wednesday night. The whole band seemed to enjoy this night so much more and really fed off the enthusiastic Scottish audience.
Stockton Globe Theatre - Lovely venue. Great performance and experience right at the front of the stage. Similar setlist to Antwerp but more responsive audience which made all the difference.
The setlists were roughly 3/4 the same for all 3 gigs with a rotation of other tracks on top. Sadly no covers.
Perhaps overkill, but an interesting experience to see the same band 3 times in a week, though I'm obviously something of a fan.
If you're vaguely into rock/Americana, or just seriously good guitar skills and song writing, I insist you give Isbell a go!
Hi all. I can't make the knife party gig in Bristol next Saturday (14th). I have 2x free tickets. Message me if you want them.
Northwind
That’d be quality. Did they invite Tunes this time?
yeah MC Tunes was there for the last tune of the night. Nice surprise to end a great gig. I drove down from Windermere with my brother in law and his lad just for this gig! A long night but well worth it 
anagallis_arvensis are you small or far away?
It's just that Miles Hunt is a giant amongst us!!
Last night in Bristol
Just back from Limehouse Lizzy.... distinctly average....one guitarist who wasn't really bothered and the other seems to be confused in that apparently Thin Lizzy were a shred metal band..........
Seeing El Hornet and Goldie tomorrow (Sat) in sunny Perf.
Well its into Kings Norton in Brum for what may be the last Draculas Garage at The Tower of Song.Bands there are Blank Generation and Spitting Feathers. Then into O Bar on Broad Street for The Fearless Scoundrels 6.30pm.
Other gigs are Dereck and The Checkmates at Chas Mann in Kings Norton 3pm, Taxi For Jesus at The Brasshouse 3.30pm and Just Doing It 6.30pm at Snobs.
Gigs of the year have been last months Draculas Garage with The Silhouettes,Boo Tikis and Mandelbrot Shakes. The other one was Tin Tent Festival at Rock and Roll Brewhouse in Jewellry Quarter, to many stunning sets to mention.