Give us some suggestions for entertaining, soul-lifting live bands to go watch. The past 2 years have been shite, and this year has been the worst for me, and I’m going to make more of an effort to get out and about gig-wise.

I’ll go first: i’ve just come back from seeing Elvana in Swansea. Havent felt so happy in ages, properly lifted my mood.

No shoe gazing bands, please, just bands which engage with the crowd and lift spirits.

Feet!
Saw them a couple of years ago. Crazy!

Feet

I hear they’re legends.

Sleeper.

Saw them at Bristol O2 Academy on Thursday, on their ’The It Girl’ 25th Anniversary tour, and they were absolutely on top form. Saw them at The Fleece & Firkin as it was twenty five years ago, and with two extra members in the band, they’re as entertaining now as they were back then, actually better, with keys and a second guitarist, the sound is fuller.

Went to see Feeder at the Manchester Academy last night, absolutely mega.

Alabama 3 have been great whenever I’ve seen them.

Not very practical but the Hold Steady are always incredible live. Craig Finn’s touring soon but the non-THS stuff tends to be a bit, well, flatter, more depressing.

Frank Turner, if you can get over/into the cultishness, is great live. Seen him a lot of times and it’s only occasionally been less than brilliant, he’s touring again soon.

This one’s a dodgy recommend because I’ve not actually seen them live yet, because of covid, but I’m expecting awesomeness- Brass Against, the metal brass band covers guys. Yes, the “pissed on a fan’s face” woman, but, I promise I had tickets before that.

I’ve never been to a bad Thunder gig. Always good energy, always feels like a party.

I’m not a massive fan of all their music, but live the Bare Naked Ladies are brilliant. They have great fun on stage and lots of god banter between songs. And stuff tailored to each particular venue as well.

They are touring Britain at the moment. Their support (Boothby Graffoe) is superb too, though he can be a bit of an acquired taste.

I’ve only seen them as a support act, but Crapsons are amazing live. Nice guys too.

Buzzcocks (well one of them) were good last night. Not everybodies cup of tea admittedly but there were loads of young uns there, many with mums & dads.

Yellowhouse are very good, rock covers.

Saw From The Jam supported by The Selecter back end of last year, both were brilliant.
And Jools Holland is doing the rounds at the moment, if it’s audience involvement and party atmos you’re after

As I always say at these threads, Wheatus. Not touring UK currently but suspect will be later in the year or next.

Off!
Saw them a few years ago at King tuts.
Just brilliant gig at a great venue

GWAR are touring currently.

The Flaming Lips always do an amazing gig

Ezra Furman. Touring later in the year (London gig is at the Roundhouse).

Likewise The Burning Hell – hopefully playing Bush Hall after the summer (and a load of cancelled/cut short tours in the last 2 years)

Idles/McClusky

The Hives are in Derby this month, they’re ace live

Joe Cocker.
Really hoping he’s touring again this year.

Last year I saw Alestorm (pirate metal) and Bootyard bandits (country metal) at the same show, one of the most fun gigs I’ve ever been too!

i’ve just come back from seeing Elvana in Swansea

They are playing at my local festival (Y-Not) in July, can’t wait to see them

Sleeper.

Louise still looking fit tbf

On tour soon and most uplifting band I have ever seen (about 5 times) is !!! (aka Chk Chk Chk)
They are awesome.

(Seeing **** Sleeper with CountZero taking his shit photos in front of me would be the most depressing thing ever!)

Saw Wet Leg the other day (as on the Gigs thread) and they are a pretty uplifting experience.

I’m not into chin stroking, real ale pint holding head nodding music, I need a bit of entertainment

edit, you basically get that level of silliness with their live show

The Proclaimers, preferably in Scotland somewhere. Not my usual choice but went along and it was bouncing, literally. If you could catch them at the Barras it would be awesome.

If you don’t mind a bit of Brit pop, then you can’t fail to come out of a shed 7 gig with a smile on your face

Lancashire Hotpots (only semi-joking)

I’d say preferably in Lancashire but not sure they’ve ever been anywhere else.

Yes, henge are a laugh, as are flaming lips

I’ll add Anna Meredith

GWAR are touring currently

‘There’s nothing like hippie hunting’

Saw them in the early nineties? Took ages to get the fake blood out of my hair. Being blonde, it looked a bit like I’d dyed my hair pink.

Feet

I hear they’re legends.

Did this get the credit it deserves?

The Hives +1. Always a great very positive vibe.

Clutch!

James. Absolutely brilliant live, especially open air gigs.

Feet

I hear they’re legends.

Did this get the credit it deserves?

No, it was trodden on.

+ 1 for Alabama 3 … always a great night even after the passing of the Reverend

Another great night is Holy Moly and The Crackers,

And you won’t need a mortgage to see either

militantmandy

Clutch!

That was going to be my answer yesterday though they won’t be playing near to the OP till December.13th

http://www.pro-rock.com/index.cfm?page=Tour

Post Modern Jukebox – Watched them last night at the Usher Hall.

Properly entertaining evening – stunning singers and a band who can properly play!

Also first time I’ve been to a gig where the drummer does a tap dancing solo… 🤣

Not the Sisters of Mercy, if Saturday’s gig (here in Madrid) was anything to go by. The band might have been great, but the sound was so dismal it sucked all the life out of it. Apparently they were shit in Barcelona yesterday, too.