Last band I saw without hearing, from reading about them, was Working Mens Club and they were brilliant 😊
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Forgot about that, should be going to see WMC in Blackpool in Feb. Only seen a few clips and heard a couple of songs but I'm thinking it should be good
Has anyone seen System of a Down over the past ten years or so? They are playing some European dates this year, plus Donnington in the UK. Would love to go see them with my wife but wondering if they might be past it - The Serj seems very disinterested in the band and not sure he has the pipes anymore? But I have never seen them live myself.
going to see WMC in Blackpool in Feb
Nice one, hope to see them again this year.
The Musical Box ( Early Genesis tribute band) in Feb , David Gray in March , Christy Moore ( backstage pass) in April, Crowded House in July. 👍👍
So.... The Smyths
I think they nailed it themselves - opened with Hand in Glove, and then introduced themselves as 'we're just actors, playing parts, but when the material is this good....'
And that's the way to approach it. I can happily go to a play or watch a film where someone is playing a part, and I forgive that they might not look exactly like them and congratulate them for being able to mirror aspects of their character, etc.. So it's like a play about a Smiths gig, with music, in which we play the part of the audience. Job done.
As for the acting - Morrissey was excellent - didn't particularly try to overdo it between songs, but hit the right spots in places, and in the songs particularly with flailing microphone leads and geeky dance moves. It's impossible to be Johnny Marr, he's the coolest person alive, and no-one plays his pieces with such precision. The guitaring was definitely Smiths songs but not quite.
I never saw enough of Joyce / Rourke to be able to judge character but as above 'when the materials this good' the drums and bass pounded on through well. I'd also say as a bassist myself (sic) who's been listening to Andy Rourke's playing closely that it lacked the subtlety and all the twiddles but that's being picky.
And the audience. Well, we were excellent. Mix of 50 year olds, mums and dads with kids and some youngsters too, which was great to see that the music lives on and isn't rolling towards the cemetery gates with us.
I was almost tempted to get the tour T-shirt, a clever nod to the GI helmet on MiM (which was the first set, playing this album) - the helmet with Somehow Still Alive across it.
Queen is Dead 35th anniversary tour next year. I'm in.
Had a great Saturday night at the Brudenell seeing
Jah Wobble and the Invaders of the Heart,
They came on around 8.40 and did a great set covering decades of his music and covers, finishing at 11.00
Then he hung around the Merch stall chatting to anyone and signing stuff,
So of course I picked up some signed vinyl 😁
Slipknot were amazing on Monday, absolutely banging setlist, delivered faultlessly.
Support Behemoth were heavy and brutal, they have a new fan now.
Did get my phone nicked though, as did many others. Ah well.
I was thinking about doing Greenman this year, having skipped a couple of years, but then I saw the lineup for End Of The Road at Larmer Tree in September. Nice and handy, too, although, having said that, it takes about as long to get down there as it does Crickhowell.
Looks like it’s been organised by 6Music...
Pixies Angel Olsen King Krule Big Thief Bright Eyes Richard Hawley Little Simz The Comet Is Coming Aldous Harding Field Music Girl Band Pinegrove Romare Richard Dawson Warmduscher Andy Shauf Squid Creep Show Black Country, New Road Nadia Reid Girl Ray Vanishing Twin Arlo Parks Dry Cleaning Big Joanie Jerkcurb Darren Hayman Shygirl Penelope Isles Just Mustard Fenne Lily W. H. Lung 75 Dollar Bill Monophonics Itasca Dana Gavanski All We Are Studio Electrophonique Tenesha the Wordsmith Trash Kit Sarathy Korwar Aoife Nessa Frances Katy J Pearson Jake Xerxes Fussell Sleep Eaters The Claque The Goa Express Junior Brother Elijah Wolf Lazarus Kane The Golden Dregs Lee Patterson
+ more to be announced.
Brass Against tickets just turned up, this'll either be ace or a crushing disappointment
Thinking about picking up tickets for Amigo the Devil in Glasgow, liked his last album a lot
Recent gigs end of last year have been Evil Scarecrow, Battle Beast, Steve Harris' British Lion.
coming up
Going to see a friend play locally on Sunday
have Delain in Feb. Was hoping to also see Sabaton, but with already having tickets to Delain in Manchester on Friday, it was pushing it to get down to London to see Sabaton the next night.
Week after Delain, off to Wacken Winter Nights. Went last year and it was brilliant fun, so booked again this year. Winter Nights Lineup
later on the rescheduled Saxon 40th Anniversary show
June - Off to RockFest in Tampere
Then summer - Wacken Open Air (7th time, 4th in a row)
Also this summer, helping organise a music fest of local musicians in the village park
Going to see the Dutty Moonshine Big Band in April in Cambridge, very excited about that as I’ve been wanting to experience them live since listening to their first album Most Wanted a couple of years ago. They’re different, eclectic and I’m sure their new album, Sin City will not disappoint.
Aside from that, it’ll be the annual pilgrimage to the Hants/Berks border in June for 36 hours or so of Psy Trance and leaping around, throwing shapes and ‘aving it large to banging beats! 😎
Just bought a ticket to Mr Ben & The Bens in Manchester in April 🙂
Courteeners tomorrow night for album launch set. Saw Stormzy last week at a 600 capacity theatre. Banquet Records in Kingston are brilliant at getting bands / artists in for short (45-60 min) launch events.
Recently got tickets for John Grant doing a stripped back thing in town in May, The Oh Sees in Bristol also in May, and End of The Road
Forgot one, we’ve got a family outing to the Killers at Ashton Gate in June.
The Wildhearts tomorrow night! With the Backyard Babies in support, which is weird, because I do love a bit of BYB but I thought their only purpose in the world was to be a sort of backup Wildhearts for all the times that the Wildhearts have split up.
Courteeners last night were fantastic.
Our local record shop (Banquet, Kingston) has excellent connections and gets in a lot of bands / acts (massive range of styles too - we've seen Stormzy, Snow Patrol, Elbow, Kaiser Chiefs, Louis Capaldi this year) for record launch nights, tickets include a CD/Vinyl plus entry. Some just show up and do 45 mins (tickets are pretty reasonably priced). Last night Courteenrs did 2 gigs (8pm and 10.30pm), we went to the 8pm (missed out on tickets for the later one, you need to be quick for the popular acts) and played an hour plus, some of the new stuff and a load of the back catalogue. Crowd was absolutely mental, took the Mrs to the edge of the pit for an experience she won't forget in a hurry.
Just got tickets to see Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs, Pigs in Leeds in April.
Have tickets to see Ozzy Osbourne if he is ever fit enough to resume his tour.
Also very tempted by the Cast tour later this year.
our plans to gallivant off to Milan for a weekend
Be VERY careful on the underground - the pickpockets (especially around tourist stations) are rife. I was a victim in December then, even though we were all being very careful given what happened, another member of our party was also pickpocketed the day after. I would go so far as to recommend a money belt and absolutely don't stand on trains with a rucksack on your back.
I was really looking forward to seeing Michael Kiwanuka in Leeds but I now have to go to a work conference in London that week.
Oh Bugger!
Hi raz thanks for heads up re banquet kingston launches. I go there a bit so will look out. Are the events still listed in the window, last visit I saw Bacchus was still trading, haven't been for 25 years.
I’ll be going as it’s a 2min walk from my house so might see you down there MrP… Just look for the mid 40’s bloke with a beard….Lol its the Craufurd beards are regulation.
I'll be sporting the same look @donks as will most of the people I'm going with. Even the women.
So its Warmduscher on Sunday at Bedford and then....... Milton Keynes have only got a reggae festival this summer which we got tickets for yesterday and am very much excited:
Toots
Aswad
David Rodigan
Mungo's Hifi (hell yes)
General levy
Eva Lazarus (probably with Mungo's)
And maybe Damian Marley
Get in....and a couple of miles away so easily ridable... although not sure about home again.
Some great gigs coming up for people. Re murder capital saw them at a festival last year and really liked them. Playing in Sheff in 3 weeks but we can’t go as we’re at a 50th.
Just bought tickets for green man. Absolutely storming line up this year. Thundercat, working Men’s Club, murder capital,Michael Kiwanuka and little dragon etc etc etc.
We got tickets for self esteem at the leadmill the other night. Really good gig very intimate stripped back set unlike her recorded stuff. Some of its on bbc sounds but you have to listen to Steve lamacq..
Just bought tickets for porridge radio at the end of March, saw them supporting Ezra Firman last year. He’s great live too.
Oh and one for the oldies we are going to see heaven 17 play reproduction and travelogue at the city hall next month too.
I do like seeing bands me.
Ooooh I didn't know about the reggae festival at Campbell Park.
Hi raz thanks for heads up re banquet kingston launches. I go there a bit so will look out. Are the events still listed in the window, last visit I saw Bacchus was still trading, haven’t been for 25 years.
I think so, though I tend to follow them on Insta as the popular shows tend to sell very quickly.
Banquet events (some are sold out though)
Actually, I've just seen there are still a handful of Blossoms tickets too, so that's now booked 🙂
Never been to Bacchus. Most of the gigs are in Przym on Thursdays (they used to be at the Works but that's closed now). They also do some in the church (acoustic) and the smaller one at the Fighting Cocks (not been there, but the sort of bands mean that it would be minus the Mrs). Stormzy was at the Rose Theatre, but think that was a one off.
Blue Rose Code last night in the Fruitmarket in Glasgow. It was a xmas present for the wife who is a fan, we've saw him 3 times before but this was for the Celtic Connections events, quite enjoyed the format but definitely an older crowd.
Only a week to go until the mighty Sabaton at Wembley, with Apocalyptica suporting.
No usually one for big gigs but Sabaton's brand of overblown silliess seems to call for the biggest venue they can get, you can't get a tank on stage in a pub basement!
It's my birthday weekend so I have a pile of mates coming and then crashing at mine, properly looking forward to it.
Sunday morning I shall be manufacturing a fry-up that shall go down in legend!
Ooh !
Just booked a ticket to see The Flaming Lips at Leeds University Stylus in July
Looks like 1 of only 5 UK dates so I’m well pleased as I usually only see details after they sell out
Just booked IAMX at the Union Chapel in April. Have seen them loads of times but can’t wait to see them again. Mr Corner is a bit of a legend in my eyes (and ears). Have also never been to the Union Chapel before so that’ll be something to look forward to.
Interrupters at Kentish Town Forum on Saturday was superb.
At the end the lead singer walked along the front of the crowd handing out souvenirs and stopping for selfies. As she went to head straight past me I yelled 'You ****ing rock!', rather than looking terrified or repulsed, she grabbed my hand, looked me in the eye and thanked me.
Never washing that hand again, or telling MrsV how much I enjoyed it 😁
Pretty pleased with this shot I got too (yeah, yeah, ****ers with cameras at gigs...)
You do realise there are a couple of big heads obscuring the left side of your great gig photo.
[i](yeah, yeah, **** with cameras at gigs…)[/i]
I'll never let it lie!
Got tickets for Black Midi tonight. will have to go on my own if I go, not sure if I can be arsed. First gig of the year though, so maybe I should brave it.
I’ll never let it lie!
Nor should you!
I don't have a problem with grabbing a quick snap (evidently!), but people videoing whole songs or taking enough photos to make a flick book can piss right off.
Interrupters at The Barras was immense, the wife even had her first crowd surf 😆
Oh dear. I braved Black Midi. What an unusual experience.. stood there in the throng of people all cheering and loving it and me thinking "what the **** is this crap?!" Certainly didn't help that I already had a headache!
It's like the worst of jazz and math rock and christ knows what all combined into a mess of guitar ****ery with a squwaking joke of a saxophone over the top for good measure. Ooh, how many notes can we play in 30 seconds?!
Proper
This year's gigs can only get better!
Blossoms tonight, was really good. The band +2 on the stage and even the guitar tech playing at times.
Small gig tonight in Reading:
Eat Daddy Eat - local guys and talented
Wolfs - two rock chicks with a good future, I reckon.
Just back from seeing Yacht at the marvellous Green Door Store in Brighton. Great little gig. All the way from California to play to about 50 people, thanks Yacht! Blood6 excellent.
Interestingly, chatted to a few people who saw Black Midi in Brighton, the night after I saw them. Said they were shit. So not just me 😊
taking enough photos to make a flick book can piss right off.
Well, I took 95 photos at the Smoke Fairies gig at Rough Trade Bristol the other evening, and I doubt very much anyone else even noticed.
They were outstanding, their songwriting has really matured, and as a band they’ve become much more focused.
Saw last date of Angel Olsen tour (sold out Barrowlands).
I'm getting old. Apart from the fact the last time I was there is was for REM on the Green tour in, oh, '89?, standing for that length of time having walked into town...
Her chat didn't translate well to the back fringe of the crowd I suspect she's more used to more intimate settings and , god, all the chat, on the phone and constant taking photos & videos...
Angel was good though, the new album translates well into the grittier live environment.
Somebody decided to hand up a bottle of buckfast to the stage and it went round the band a couple of times! Fair play!
and , god, all the chat, on the phone and constant taking photos & videos…
I think it's a reason I more often find myself choosing louder gigs where people can't talk over the music. That said, people were trying to hold a conversation over Meshuggah last year...
Just got me some Ulver tickets for May.
I took 95 photos at the Smoke Fairies gig
Nice collection for the **** bank there.
(I mean why the **** else?)
Off to see the Rumjacks at York...
I know but i like em
Wow!! just back from the murder capital at nottingham. nearly didnt go, wasnt expecting tooooo much and the weather was crap, plus i didnt have anyone to go with.
pushed myself out of the door, drove for an hour and so pleased i did. i can honestly say it was one of the best gigs ive seen. truly captivating, so many layers of sound, chaotic then gentle, brilliant vocals and guitars/drums, james a real front man, enthralled the crowd and was in it some of the time 😀
topped off with a frantic finale and one of the best leaps into a crowd ive seen!
If you can get to see them, then go. like i said, wow!
Nice! I'm seeing them tonight, haven't heard from my globetrotting mate who's supposed to be coming with me, so may be a loner. Sometimes hard to motivate, but you've helped there sadex 🙂