The Big Gig Thread 2019

[DPDPDPDP]

Saw AL Stewart on Friday night in Manchester. Excellent song writer and story teller. Fantastic 1 1/2 hour show. Not bad for a 74 year old.

[brian potter]

The Sherlocks tour, which has already started, has been postponed until Feb/March. Health issues are the official reason.

[WOM]

Saw AL Stewart on Friday night in Manchester. Excellent song writer and story teller. Fantastic 1 1/2 hour show. Not bad for a 74 year old.

I mentioned that I liked Al Stewart on here once and someone left a burning bag of dogshit on my porch for it.

[DPDPDPDP]

I mentioned that I liked Al Stewart on here once and someone left a burning bag of dogshit on my porch for it.

Eh?

[WOM]

I was ridiculed. (Do kids not do the burning paper bag trick around your way?)

[DPDPDPDP]

I was ridiculed. (Do kids not do the burning paper bag trick around your way?)

Ah, now I get you. I didn't get into Al until uni. Went to many gigs on my own though as none of my mates liked DP's crap music.

[brian potter]

Yesterday Underground Festival was happening in Gloucester, a free event across 3 venues from 2-11. Honeyblood were headlining so was quite excited, I was also looking forward to Orchards. Unfortunately due to a nasty bug and post-stroke fatigue I didn't feel well enough to hang around for long so my main target was to see China Bears for the first time.
A guitar based quartet. they have released 2 EP's so far and their set covered pretty much all of the tracks released so far. It's difficult to escape comparisons with Elbow as they provide a melodic accompaniment to self exploring lyric themes. I was expecting a lot from them and I wasn't disappointed. There is a nationwide tour in November, and tickets priced at a fiver (for Bristol at least) I'd recommend giving yourself a treat. Check out their single "Sunday" on you tube, it's the best new song I've heard all year.

[WOM]

Waiting patiently for the Mavericks to begin.

Last night, the Preservation Hall Jazz Band. Just magnificent.

[brian potter]

Last Tuesday Honeyblood were back in the west country, and after missing them the previous weekend due to poor health I was fortunate enough to be well enough to attend. A decent midweek turnout compared to the bath and Cardiff gigs back in the spring. This new line up has improved over the year and gave a far rockier evening than the earlier sets, helped no doubt by a larger audience. Thoroughly enjoyed them, and as ever with Honeyblood it is good to see a strong female presence in the audience.

Two supports, neither much good, but one local. The best part of their set was introducing a song as "another fuckin right banger" in a strong Bristol accent.

[Sits]

brian potter get well.

[brian potter]

On Thursday I travelled down to Bournemouth to see the first of three The Wedding Present gigs I'm notching up pre Christmas. Support came from Ben McKelvey who I hadn't previously heard of, a singer songwriter fronting a three piece band. Enjoyable enough to buy a cd.

Not a huge turnout and quite subdued for a The Wedding Present gig but those there were treated to a fine set. It's always good to have a random set given that the last 3 years have been George Best, Tommy and Bizarro tours. Quite hit heavy with a couple of new songs and the obligatory cover and an obscure bside.

Thoroughly enjoyable and looking forward to Salisbury in December where a new line up will be revealed as Danielle starts maternity leave, rumours are there may be original members joining temporarily.

[Greenlander]

Thoroughly enjoyable and looking forward to Salisbury in December where a new line up will be revealed as Danielle starts maternity leave, rumours are there may be original members joining temporarily.

There were photos of David with Grapper and Shaun looking all matey at the annual Brighton shindig a couple of months back. Given that Charlie is also taking a break it woud be a straight in swap. It would probably help sell a few more tickets too.

[MsD]

You're probably sick of me raving about Adam Ant gigs, but I went to two last week and he's even better than he was last year.

Friend or Foe is not my favourite album, and the songs from that take up half the show. I like Desperate (but not Serious) and Something Girls (or whatever it's called). The FoF album is notable for its horns and strange instruments - I don't really notice the lack, so they're filling in well with guitars.

A Man Named Marco is a funny one for Adam (and for me) but it works quite well. If you aren't aware, it's mostly an guitar-led instrumental, with handclaps, whistles and "aaah aaaah"s. Adam dances around the stage while Will does the big guitar bit, whistles nonchalantly and in perfect tune, and during the "spoken" part, he says "that was the Friend or Foe album, and that closes that part of the show". End of, you might say.

So then he kicks off with Dog Eat Dog, goes through (not necessarily in this order) Kick, Cartrouble, Antmusic, Prince Charming, Zerox (a real highlight), Lady/Fall In, Press Darlings, Kings of the Wild Frontier (another highlight) Puss in Boots (ugh), and for the encore, Physical and Red Scab.

In Liverpool he was brilliant, in Hull just off the scale superb, and a friend who was at Blackburn last night said it was one of the best ever.

By contrast, Manchester last week was felt to be a bit limp, partly due to the set-up and the tight crowd control. Adam seems to feed off/bounce off the audience's energy, so maybe if they're all seated it's not as good for him. Dunno, maybe he has (slightly) off days, but his off-days, these days, are better than most people's best.

Quick mention for the band. Will's been with him for some 8 or 9 years now (and has played many times more shows than Marco ever did). Joe is great on bass and co-vocals, and getting a bit flash in his presentation (scissor kicks and windmills, although not at the same time). AP on second guitar is coming into his own now (he could always play, but just stood there, now he looks confident and like he's having fun). Jola is a sexy, glamorous powerhouse drummer, and Andy (drummer 2), the least glam of the band, keeps in time.

Adam is 65, this can't go on forever but OMG, it's glorious now.

My next AA show is on Election Day, at Brixton.

[Greenlander]

There were photos of David with Grapper and Shaun looking all matey at the annual Brighton shindig a couple of months back. Given that Charlie is also taking a break it woud be a straight in swap. It would probably help sell a few more tickets too.

Well, the rumours weren't true. A Sleeper bloke on guitar and the drummer from My Life Story.

[brian potter]

Yeah, not overly exciting news. Charlie is going to be a massive loss, officially only paternity leave but wouldn't be surprised if he doesn't return.

Obviously I'll give the new line up a fair go, as I have with all the others recently. In all honesty as long as Gedge goes on I will be there.

[Jobi1]

Went to see the Chemical Brothers at Leeds Arena last night, the first time I'd seen them for 20 years. I've remained a big over that time, but have just somehow not managed to get along to see them live again. Watching the odd TV broadcast of their festival sets is great but in no way prepares you for the live experience these days – an absolutely astonishing visual and aural barrage. So, so good.

[Toby Gymshorts]

I didn't forget about tonight's HMHB gig and hence I am in Oxford. It's very wet.

[brian potter]

On Tuesday I saw one of the best gigs of the year, or any year for that matter. China Bears are on their first headline tour and they are quite possibly my favourite emerging band. For a band who have only released 8 songs across 2 EPs they have a songwriting ability beyond their youth. Playing for almost an hour they deliver all their released songs and a couple of new ones. The set moves through a number of changes of pace giving a small but appreciative audience a powerful sound that whips up into a fine finale. Given a fair opportunity this band will go far.

[RobW]

Went to see the Chemical Brothers at Leeds Arena last night, the first time I'd seen them for 20 years. I've remained a big over that time, but have just somehow not managed to get along to see them live again. Watching the odd TV broadcast of their festival sets is great but in no way prepares you for the live experience these days – an absolutely astonishing visual and aural barrage. So, so good.

Great, looking forward to Saturday night and seeing them at last. Should have seen them at All Points East earlier this year, but I got absolutely drenched watching Primal Scream that I felt it was better to go home (velvet jackets and rain don't mix). Incidentally, i'm watching the Scream do their greatest hits tomorrow night (Velocity Girl, get in).

[Walt Flanagans Dog]

Not a huge turnout and quite subdued for a The Wedding Present gig but those there were treated to a fine set. It's always good to have a random set given that the last 3 years have been George Best, Tommy and Bizarro tours. Quite hit heavy with a couple of new songs and the obligatory cover and an obscure bside.

I've been meaning to reply to this every time the thread rises to the top and keep forgetting but anyway saw the Bizarro tour in Glasgow last month. It was at the Classic Grand (which I'd never been to previously) and absolutely rammed (maybe even oversold). Everyone on good form and they covered 'Song from Under the Floorboards' which was a decent enough idea but fell a bit flat on execution.

Hoping for a Seamonsters-based tour in 2021.

[elguapo4]

Going to the Fontaines DC tomorrow, it's been a huge 2019 for the lads and it should be a great hometown return (ok one of them is from Mayo) for them.

[White No Sugar]

Yowl at this new Audio venue in Peckham tonight will probably be my last gig of the decade. They don’t seem to be getting any bigger and the lack of an album yet mystifies.
Third gig this week after Difford n Hewerdine in “the Eric morecambe Hall” in Harpenden and Neon Waltz at The Horn in St Albans.

*edit* Yowl seem back on track with their new material.
The newish Peckham venue seems excellent. A 220 capacity nightclub. They moved us out sharpish to get ready for the clubbers afterwards. Opposite Peckham Rye station and about 50yds down to the right. “Audio” is the name which is a tad awkward when internet searching.

[Benjm]

Last night I went to see tribute act Absolute Bowie in West Kensington. It was for a pre-Christmas meet up so DB, even in tribute form, was a more popular choice than trying to get ten people to agree on a contemporary act. The band are very tight and convincing, having been at it for ten years with Bowie as their sole subject. They are clearly still great fans of his despite it being the day job, so to speak. Some of the attention to detail in the staging is so precise that it is almost comical, without in any way detracting from the enjoyability of the show.

Next up is Marc Almond at the 100 Club, with a small punk/garage band. I went to Soft Cell's O2 Arena farewell last year so going to see him in a tiny venue offers an appealing contrast.

[Sits]

Last night I went to see tribute act Absolute Bowie in West Kensington. It was for a pre-Christmas meet up so DB, even in tribute form, was a more popular choice than trying to get ten people to agree on a contemporary act. The band are very tight and convincing, having been at it for ten years with Bowie as their sole subject. They are clearly still great fans of his despite it being the day job, so to speak. Some of the attention to detail in the staging is so precise that it is almost comical, without in any way detracting from the enjoyability of the show.

Next up is Marc Almond at the 100 Club, with a small punk/garage band. I went to Soft Cell's O2 Arena farewell last year so going to see him in a tiny venue offers an appealing contrast.

Good to see you Benjm, hope all is well.

[Benjm]

Hey Sits,

I am well and I hope that all is good with you.

I haven't ventured into the Mundane thread yet; I went by the old place only to find the gate padlocked and the letter box stuffed to bursting with takeaway flyers.