Being as I have never seen Erasure live, I thought I’d pop along to Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre to see Andy Bell. He’s still sparkling.
Author Archives: ivaninblack
Gigs without blogs: May 2025
I’ve been doing this blog for six years now. I don’t do a blog for every gig. Some are bands I have seen many times and there’s nothing extra to add. There is also the balance of dealing with a run of gigs in a row when there no time to gather thoughts and create. …
Manic Street Preachers – live in Shepherd’s Bush
The Manics return to Shepherd’s Bush, a place they used to have as a London base in the early days, for two sell-out shows at the Empire. My gig of the year so far.
Peter Hook live at The Troxy
Great songs, remembered through Peter Hook and his bass guitar and at one of London’s great venues and just off the main stomping grounds of the capital.
From The Jam- live in Leamington Spa
My last chance to see Bruce Foxton on tour and playing some Jam songs – I had to get to one of the remaining gigs. All this and The Jam drummer Rick Buckler is dead. RIP Rick and maybe RIP From The Jam.
Ocean Colour Scene with Kula Shaker – live in Pompey
The warm comfort of Ocean Colour Scene’s songs with use of nostalgic backdrops of the band in their younger days makes for retro feel in Pompey tonight.
The Darkness live in Bristol – with Ash
The bonus of Northern Ireland’s indie rockers, Ash, brings me out on a Monday night to see The Darkness again in Bristol. Always rocking. Always entertaining.
Red Rum Club live at The Engine Rooms Southampton
I think this is the best I have seen Red Rum Club and this is number seven for me, joined tonight by one of the best new support bands I have seen for ages. It’s a sell out.
Pete Doherty live in Wimborne, with his family, and the dog
What a lovely way to see a performer – in a small theatre with some new performers, and his wife, toddler daughter and a rock’n’roll dog. I was like popping around a friend’s house, and it was his birthday.
Paul Heaton live at Kingston Pryzm
My first visit, at last, to this rather special venue which manages to host an amazing range of live music gems – today I am here for the early show by Paul Heaton, accompanied these days by the excellent Rianne Downey.
Gigs with Ivan 