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These days it all seems different
How is it different? Shit loads of new indie bands playing the small venues for under £20 a pop. It doesn't have to be pensioners going through the motions playing their 80s back catalogue for the cash.
How is it different? Shit loads of new indie bands playing the small venues for under £20 a pop. It doesn't have to be pensioners going through the motions playing their 80s back catalogue for the cash.
Its not different for me - I still go to loads of small gigs, I said it was different for the younger generation. I'm not sure that many younger people still go to small venues...the fact that many are closing down shows that. Whenever I've spoken to my kids friends or my mates children (16-23 sort of ages), almost all of them have been to a stadium gig but only a couple have been to an assembly rooms/corn exchange sized one. When I was their age it would have been the reverse.
I'm not sure there are that many new indie bands playing small venues really compared to what there used to be, or not new indie bands that appeal to a younger audience anyway.
Yeah, I guess the majority of kids are mostly fed the stadium stuff by their algorithms. Not many of them have the interest to listen to stations, podcasts, blogs that promote the new, upcoming bands. I do see a good number of younguns at the smaller gigs, but I'd agree it is mostly middle-aged, 6music types. I get your drift now 🙂
Not many of them have the interest to listen to stations, podcasts, blogs that promote the new, upcoming bands.
My youngest (19) is absolutely mad about music and has fantastic taste. She loves smaller bands BUT rather than check out the pubs and the clubs she finds them on Deezer, Tidal or some other platform.....which means she gets right into a fledgling band from Texas or Denmark rather than a local one with the obvious issue that a small band from Austin or Copenhagen isn't likely to be playing in the UK! We couldn't do that - looking in the back of NME or record shop flyers was all there was...
Back to Bexhill pavillion next month for the Cowboy Junkies - can't wait and much more my thing!
The De La Warr is on my list of venues to see a gig in, one day.
Last gig I sat down at was Big Thief at The Albert Hall in Manchester, we got there early and sat front middle of balcony and it was ACE, but otherwise I agree, standing is best.
Big venues, yeah not great really, giving Coop Live a go with James in a few months, but Big Thief again at the Barrowlands or Super Furries at the Apollo later this year are as big a venue as I’d normally go for.
Castle Hotel, Deaf Institute, Gorilla and Yes in Manchester are all pretty much perfect.
John 5
https://john-5.com/main/2026/02/11/john-5-announces-uk-and-europe-solo-tour-for-may-2026/
and in April, at Slay Glasgow, ‘Anaal Nathrakh’.
Swervedriver, 24/10/26 going with my Son on his 24th Birthday. I last saw SD in 1991 when I was 20.
Mogwai tomorrow, hope they keep us occupied after Forest Swords, the support, who I absolutely love. Portsmouth Guildhall soundsystem is usually good enough to shake the bones.
Interesting that it was exactly 45 🫣 years ago today that I saw Siouxsie and the Banshees there (for £3.50!)
Got a few gigs coming up that I'm quite looking forward to:
- Bleed From Within
- Fit For A King
- Nightmares on Wax
- Novelists
- Bat Sabbath
- Jimmy Eat World
I'm on the fence about Download and Slam Dunk this year. I've just seen on IG that Spiritbox are teasing a UK/Euro tour.
I don’t like nostalgia gigs but! Belle and Sebastian tonight at Troon town hall played If You’re Feeling Sinister in its entirety (ok that’s only about 35 minutes) followed by about an hour and a half of glorious picks from the back catalogue.
Just brilliant, I’ve seen them so many times and they’re always great. It’s a safe space for middle aged bookish men to dance to perfect songs without feeling awkward. Went with Mrs Tyred, our friends plus child 2 and his special lady friend plus my BiL whose film was played on the screen towards the end.
I’ve had a shit week, this turned it right round just in time for Saturday. Joyous.
The support for Maximo Park, Art Brut were rather good. They may have been an inspiration for Big Special, very similar styles.
Maximo Park played a good mix of songs from their 20 years and my daughter now understands Apply Some Pressure rather better than when she was 16.My back was a bit niggly next day after 3 hours bopping/standing. It's me age!!
Vader, were simply outstanding.
props to the lighting and sound bods, but the band conjoured up such a tight and articulate sound.
i was hoping to hear ‘The Whisper’ and ‘Dark Transmission’.…not tonight, Josephine.
And the headliners, Kataclysm.
rockin the 28 years later style.
reminded me of the melodic Swedish death metal, but the drums were a bit mushy, and the guitars lacked a lot of bite and incision.
On a slightly different note, I’ve got a ticket for Jon Anderson and the Band Geeks at Bath Forum in September. Having got pissed off with the internal politics of Yes, and recovered from a serious illness, he’s collaborating with a band of musicians who can play like Yes, so he’s touring doing a set that covers classic Yes along with his own solo material.
I saw Yes four times back in the 70’s, on the Close To The Edge, Topgraphic Oceans, and Relayer tours, and headlining Reading, I’m really looking forward to this gig, his voice is still really strong, so should be a great gig, but without all the flamboyant theatrics and clothes - I’m looking at you, Wakeman!
A bit like Nick Mason’s Saucer Full Of Secrets gigs playing all the old Floyd stuff.
Kataklysm! Woah , we used to wake our mate up by blasting their tunes next to his head. Hope your ears are alright!
Ah, so that’s why I’ve got those Mogwai Cds! They were superb. Once again Pompey Guildhall PA delivers. ****ing loud, but crystal clear.
Forest Swords was excellent, Mogwai magnificent. Great gig.
Ah, so that’s why I’ve got those Mogwai Cds! They were superb. Once again Pompey Guildhall PA delivers. ****ing loud, but crystal clear.
Forest Swords was excellent, Mogwai magnificent. Great gig.
Saw them at Bristol Beacon on Sunday night - as you say ******* loud, but a great gig! Glad I'd taken my earplugs.
Second gig on consecutive nights at the Beacon - saw Of Monsters and Men on Saturday which was also superb.
Wednesday at the Roundhouse last night. Clear blue water between their ‘country’ stuff and the loud tending cathartic noise/primal scream. Very good. Cannot believe that in nigh-on 50 years of gig going this was my first time at the venue. Really lovely space, good sound and lighting.
Booked tickets for Sammy Hagar at the NEC, Little Angels at Wolverhampton and Shinedown at the NEC.
Very tempted by the Little Angels, never saw them first time round...
@Philby that setlist for Bristol is just awesome... I love that they still change the setlists around to keep it fresher but it does make some nights straight up better than others, yours looks about perfect. Like, sod it, just give me We're No Here and Helicon and Fear Satan and they can play 100 minutes of sampled fart noises otherwise and I'll still go home happy.
The Wave Pictures at Glasgow were excellent last night. See them if you can. Three musicians at the top of their game, and humble with it.
Someone gave me their ticket to see a sold out Getdown Services at Portsmouth's Kola.... Couldn't move when I went in the venue, absolutely packed. Support was on, bit novelty... Main band came on... intro music was Status Quo and the crowd started clapping along. I got worried. They did some kind bad of comedy act for 10 minutes.... then they played a couple of novelty rock songs.. so I left. Ah well, good to try out local gigs, but that was shit.
Potentially 10 gigs this month, if I get tickets for something tomorrow, gotta be a record for me!
Currently back in Kola for the 2nd...waiting for Monster Florence. Not heard much by them, so hopefully better than the last one!
A good weekend in Brum, Saturday was Debase Invaders at Actress n Bishop then up to Rock n roll Brewhouse for The Courtesy Group who were totally mad and brilliant.A very energetic singer,intense thrashy guitarist,Saxophone honking over the top, two bass guitars and a drumstick breaking drummer.
Sunday was a new thing at Rock n Roll called Rock Of Ages,two live bands from Brum Radios Rock Of Ages show. Mehiga were up first, three lads from London self described as fuzz rock....from space, I got a bit of Prog Rock with a good bass solo.Second band were Phwoar, a Brummie drum n guitar duo, more Slaves/Warm Play than White Stripes.
Finished off back at Actress N Bishop with Midnight City ,local soul covers band doing their normal excellent gig.
Monster Florence
...were excellent. Couple of top musicians contributing to their UK rap sound. Proper performers. Loved it 🙂
Very tempted by the Little Angels, never saw them first time round...
Last time I saw them was when they supported Van Halen in '93!!
Now 11 gigs for this month! I really can't take any more... Can't they spread them out a bit better? I've had to book a week off work! Next is one my mate got tickets for (he might not turn up, busy man!) for TVAM , they sound ok and it's in the Hope & Ruin in Brighton which is a cool venue.
I saw the Bunnymen in Holmfirth on Monday, I was a little worried that Mac's voice wasn't up to it any more but he still sounded good. They had an interval after 20mins, which I didn't think was a good sign, but they bought everyone a drink so I'll forgive them.
I have a ticket to see Faithless in Bristol this summer with Kosheen supporting. I am expecting the crowd to be full of older people pretending they are still young. Mainly because that's what I am.
Off to London for our annual cult gathering for teh Hold Steady, 4 shows in 4 nights. The first night of which will probably be not that great tbf but at least one of the others will be absolutely amazing. But I guess we're doing the whole set just because we've done every one of these since I think 2017 so it'd be a shame to break the run.
Also got tickets for the Wildhearts in Edinburgh in May. Do I still give a crap about the Wildhearts in 2026, with Ginger And The Three Randos? Honestly, not really. But it's easy to get to so it'd be rude not to. Maybe it'll be great?
Hanging Stars in Guildford on Sunday.
Aircooled in Bexhill April 2.
Ist Ist Brighton on the 25th
Balaam and the angel sometime in May and the Mission in October ( I think)
Would love to do NMA and Chameleons in December but we ground ourselves to try and stay well for the Christmas rush .
Taking of Rush ,shall see them next March.
I've just got tickets for Eagles of Death Metal in November at Leeds Uni. Should be fun.
Couple of good ones in the last week:
- Armand Hammer (ELUCID and billy woods) at SWG3 last night, supported by Gabe Nandez, who's on an album by Preservation that I really like. Seen billy woods a load in the last year, he's amazing. Your favourite rapper's favourite rapper! Great show, properly loud.
- Andrew Wasylyk at St Lukes last Friday, his band complete with electric piano, Moog, drums, viola, cello, flute, trumpet and bass guitar. Really gentle and lovely. Added bonus of the wonderful Kathryn Joseph as solo support (with piano), preceded by Bill Wells. Value for money!
Counting down to next weekend - bar italia on the Friday, Geese on the Saturday. YAAASSSSS!
Dead jealous of Armand Hammer! Saw them in the daylight of an festival afternoon last year. Weird atmosphere, but still brilliant.
Funnily enough, Bar Italia played the same festival. Thought they were crap! 😀
Got GUMDROP locally on Sat eve for my next, then following week RIP Magic, ****ers* (twice) and James Lavelle DJ set.
* 
Well, I’ll be listening to something on the headphones whilst scoffing roasted chestnuts
Off to realise a dream ive had since uni- a few of us are off to see Wu-Tang Clan in Manchester next week!
Bleech 93 and Keo at Camden electric ballroom last night. It's going to be tough to top that this year.
I've not seen a support band, with only 3 tracks released, recieve such support from the crowd and create such pandemonium in the mosh. Often supports play to half empty venues. But the place was packed for bleech, everyone wanted to get there early and get involved with this band.
Keo get better each time. Only 1 EP released and they can pack the 1500 capacity venue two nights in a row.
I booked tickets for Del Amitri in November this morning. Cardiff Students Union, it came to about £45 per ticket, but the SU gave an option for an upgrade at £27, which amounted to entry into the venue an hour early, 10% off food and drink, access to merch and a complementary drink of prosecco, soft drink or house lager.
First, wtf calls it 'house' lager? Second, we all have access to merch. Third, for most of my giggling life I've deliberately aimed to get to the venue as late as is optimally possible so that I don't have to pay extortionate prices* at an overcrowded and normally crap bar. Paying £27 for this crap sounds desperate.
*even 10% discount won't make most venues as affordable as the bars down the road.
Saw Franz Ferdinand last Friday in Brum - banger of a gig apart from the people who reminded me why we usually try to get down the front.
Excited to have got tickets for Transvision Vamp in October - never got to see them first time round. Even my daughters are looking forward to it.
Just bought tickets to see Cake at the Roundhouse, it's not 'till October though so a bit of a wait!
Transvision Vamp
Not sure if serious...
Oh yes - serious 🙂
She doesn't look like she used to you know 😛