The Big Gig Thread 2019

[Sits]

I can't find any evidence of a Big Gig Thread 2020-21-22-23, is this a COVID thing or have I missed it/them?

I went to see Kraftwerk last night so could just put it here, or start a new one if anyone has any tips.

[delicatemoth]

Ha, I sang How I Wrote Elastic Man on stage when I was 16. They pulled the plugs on us.

[Walt Flanagans Dog]

Final show of the year last night (unless Fall karaoke counts) was Marc Almond and the Loveless at the 100 Club. This is MA's occasional small band, done entirely for fun, with him, his musical director Neal X, and Iggy Pop's bassist and drummer, augmented with a keyboard player, saxophone and trumpet. The set was partly fan favourites from Marc's solo career plus a lot of glam and rock songs that he loved as a teen in the seventies; New York Dolls, Bowie, Sweet, T Rex, Johnny Thunders, Deep Purple(!) and some comparative obscurities. Other highlights included a festive singalong Sex Dwarf and former Sputnik Neal running through Love Missile F1-11. Marc was in great voice and is always a winningly self-deprecating performer, the band were clearly having a great time and a friendly crowd gave them a great reception. A good night.

Last gig of the year last night for me too (had another lined up but it was cancelled), Self Esteem doing a 'stripped back' show upstairs in YES, Manchester (which I'd never been to before). Being solo and sober in a city centre on (insert whatever your local name is for it) Friday is little fun so I wandered only as far as I needed to, to get pre-gig food. Great show, the format emphasising the emotions in the songs and while I'm not usually fussed about 'stage patter' she has a good rapport with her audience.

Think I made 40-42 stand alone gigs this year, bit of anxiety in September when I nearly clocked up a full calendar month without one, but got to one on the 30th that had been touch and go due to son's work rota. Plus three full festivals and a day at Download. Next year is filling up gradually but with the kids now older and busier, and with one able to drive and the other planning to before long, I'm called on less for chauffeuring/chaperoning these days and am more focused on my own stuff.

[Sporting]

You'd be no better or worse than a whole 30+ years' worth of Fall backing singers.

[Benjm]

If I tried to sing on stage it'd be like one of those cartoons about baby dragons who haven't mastered fire breathing yet, a feeble 'put...'* followed by a swift dash for the exit.

* - or a feeble 'Putta Block' in this instance.

[Sporting]

Wish I could be there.I do a great New Face in Hell in the shower.

[Benjm]

Yes, at The Lexington in London with all-female backing band The Fallen Women. They've been doing it as an occasional thing for a few years now, mostly at The Lex but with a couple of shows outside London too. I'll be there more for the atmosphere rather than to do a turn. MsD knows the band members, I think.

http://thelexington.co.uk/event.php?id=960

[Sporting]

Fall karaoke?

[Benjm]

Final show of the year last night (unless Fall karaoke counts) was Marc Almond and the Loveless at the 100 Club. This is MA's occasional small band, done entirely for fun, with him, his musical director Neal X, and Iggy Pop's bassist and drummer, augmented with a keyboard player, saxophone and trumpet. The set was partly fan favourites from Marc's solo career plus a lot of glam and rock songs that he loved as a teen in the seventies; New York Dolls, Bowie, Sweet, T Rex, Johnny Thunders, Deep Purple(!) and some comparative obscurities. Other highlights included a festive singalong Sex Dwarf and former Sputnik Neal running through Love Missile F1-11. Marc was in great voice and is always a winningly self-deprecating performer, the band were clearly having a great time and a friendly crowd gave them a great reception. A good night.

[Tony C]

Went to see the wonderful Fat White Family a couple of weeks ago and they were great again.

However a big plus for the evening was the excellent support band Working Men's Club for whom I predict a bright future. I would have no surprise now to see them split in January.

[MsD]

Hey! I think I bought tickets for just one night at the Lex.

[Benjm]

I loved Adam's gig on Thursday, just overshadowed by the election results when I got home.

That scheduling clash is yet another entry in the black book for when the day of reckoning comes.

I'm going to three of Giuda's dates in January; both Lexington nights and a bonus run up to Manchester earlier in the week. I picked up a stomping related injury at their November show so will have to investigate shock absorbing insoles before then.

[MsD]

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.

Yay! They were great when we went.

I loved Adam's gig on Thursday, just overshadowed by the election results when I got home.

Last gig of an extensive tour.

[axel]

Shellac tonight, who I have never seen live and looking forward immensely.
Never heard of the support band, Beige Palace, but they sound interesting.
Pity I will have to remain relatively sober for more last gig of the year, as I have an early 8.30am meeting in the morning!

Has been a great year for live music.

[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.

[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]

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.

[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.

[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.

[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.

[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).

[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.

[Toby Gymshorts]

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

[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.

[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.