Gigs with Ivan

Last Gig Before Virus Shut-Down: Blossoms

O2 Academy, Bournemouth 15.03.20

This was the Sunday night before the walls started closing in. We headed out to this one (me and wife Sally) thinking that it could be the last major gig for a while. Scotland set a ban on mass gatherings at 500 people that weekend and I was thinking that only gigs in the smallest of venues would survive in the virus era. A week on and the shutters are down on everything. I needn’t have started looking up venue capacities so enthusiastically.

I was all set for a couple of months going to Joiners (Southampton), The Railway (Winchester) or The Anvil (Bournemouth) but that’s distant dream now.

The capacity at the Bournemouth O2 Academy is 1,800. More on this lovely historic music hall venue in my blog for my last visit (The Wonderstuff).

We did think about selling the tickets for this one a while ago. Bloody glad we didn’t now. Since buying them Blossoms have been added to the line up for Victorious Festival 2020 in August and also as a support band for The Killers at St Mary’s Stadium, Southampton in June. Still the way things have panned out (or panned in) grabbing the bird in the hand was a better than those two in the ever thornier looking bush.

Blossoms

I first encountered Blossoms at Glastonbury Festival in 2017. A breezy and bright lunchtime slot on the Friday, one of three sets they played that year. They were light and poppy but I was impressed. From Stockport and all of them born in the same hospital…they told us.

They are touring their third album now, Foolish Loving Spaces, but I think I prefer the first two, one self-titled and the second Cool Like You which includes the very catchy single There’s a Reason Why.

This was looking like a big year for Blossoms.

Nervous Entrance

The gig was a sellout – touts were active – and a substantial queue outside with added searches for chewing gum and other evils. We veered off to the O2 ‘speedy boarding’ lane – weird arrangement. I declared my pocket zoom but they wanted to know if I had gum. No. We’re in. Quick, hold your breath, don’t touch anything and we’re heading for the middle balcony.

As a ‘peacetime’ hypochondriac the idea of a 1500 people gig in a pre-virus outbreak scenario had me quite cautious. I’d made my mind up about the middle balcony a few days before and decided on a no bar visit strategy. If they did invisible ones I would have happily been wearing a full face mask and respirator.

It is just a standing rail on first floor. You can’t see unless you’re leaning on the rail or are a giant. Hence one deep and not many up there – often it’s shut. There is also a third level called ‘The Gods’ with about 5 rows of seating. Also rarely open but there were plenty up there. You do get a good view but high up away from the action. I saw Florence and the Machine from up there once and a few support bands.

The first floor rail is good if you hold your ground (bit of rail). Great view of the packed dancefloor- really packed – down below. A swaying mass of unknown germs but everyone was happy. Seemed like a lot of students. The crowd sang along loudly to tunes played between the bands – such youthful enthusiasm for the likes of The Smiths, Stone Roses and even Dexy’s Midnight Runners. I was amazed.

Support Bands

First support band came on shortly after 7.30pm…. Fever : really..you couldn’t make it up. They played for about 25mins. Sound indie rock.

With two support bands, a smallish stage and podiums for Blossoms drums and keyboards Fever squashed to the front of the stage. A four piece from Hull with a bonus guitar live and they are on the same label as Blossoms: Very Clever, on which their single ‘Jungle Man’ is released.

https://youtu.be/Li2m8fPsVLM …’Jungle Man’

Their frontman reminded me of Tim Burgess of The Charlatans a bit. I will listen some more.

A bit of stage clearance and audience shuffling at the front and it was time for The Magic Gang. There seemed to be a lot of people to see them. I noted that they were from Brighton but the lead singer announced that this was a local gig for him, having been to school in Twynham, Dorset, which got a distinct cheer from pockets at the front.

On looking them up they’ve been doing well themselves – Radio One playlists, sell-out gigs and a couple of albums. Kept the attention and had a dynamic and unusual front man Jack Kaye who skipped and jumped about with large pale trousers on. Not really rocky enough for me but then we are at a Blossoms gig. All very jingley jangley with some nice guitar stuff.

They have an album out in May incitefully entitled ‘Death of the Party’ and the audience loved ’em, especially those down the front end.

Blossoms Time

So at about 9.10pm on Sunday 15 March Blossoms came on stage. I wonder how long we are all going to wait for the next major band to get on a stage in front of a live audience, in the same room. Maybe tickets will be issued after we’ve returned our virus test results – clearly it’s not going to be anytime soon so I’m glad I enjoyed this one, and enjoy it I did.

Some 60s feel psychedelic lighting, bold colours, LOVE emblazoned keyboard presented a fitting context for front man Tom Ogden’s pinky brown suit with flapping flares and lapels that could fly.

Now if I wore that I’d look like Rodney Bewes in The Likely Lads at a dinner party but Ogden’s a cool guy with flowing locks that can carry it off. … he does remind me a bit though of former Spurs and Bournemouth injury prone midfielder Darren Anderton 🤔 Hope he’s eating well enough.

Second song in and it’s my favourite Blossoms number: ‘There’s a Reason Why‘. Great song from there 2018 album, the second one, ‘Cool Like You’.

Next was another I like a lot from that album ‘I Can’t Stand it’ so off to a flyer. Three albums is a good number to pick a set from.

Full set list: https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/blossoms/2020/o2-academy-bournemouth-bournemouth-england-2b992832.html

Tom gets down to the LOVE keyboards soon enough – frontman is understating his influence with vocals, guitar, keyboards and songwriting.

Their first single ‘Blow’ gets an outing from 2014 – I didn’t realise they went that far back.

Tom Ogden talks a bit but the performance is about the sound and the effective basic essential visuals, not rabble rousing. The crowd don’t need it. The audience is thoroughly absorbed and singing along to the big choruses. Beer still occasionally flies like Oasis are back – virus free hopefully – and a strange mid way back mosh pit space emerges below with bodies on shoulders lurching into and out of the space.

Tom gets a solo spot later in the set but the band are back promptly for the run in to the finish. ‘Honey Sweet’ (first album) and ‘Sunday was a Friend of Mine’ (new album) were my favourites included in the later part before the encores.

Despite my lack of appearance at the bar by this time I’m thinking I’d better chance the gents – oh no – what protective clothing have I got? What cleaning materials? In I go, rail space squeezed out the minute I leave – text book no hands door opening and I’m in….Jesus…the gents is a viral hot spot. Water gently laps on the floor and wet paper towels festoon the sinks. I’ll be lucky not to catch anything never mind just Coronavirus 😨. I have a go and wrestle with the taps and broken soap dispenser before speedily departing, elbows chiselling at the door gap. I emerge gasping for breath – of course I held it in while in the viral den – and return calmly to my lost bit of rail.

I wandered down the front left of the small balcony to snap a few pics. Some mature Manc lads down there following their local boys.

Thank you and goodnight – this Charlemagne

To finish ‘Charlemagne’ the first track of their first album. Probably their most popular song performed here on a Radio One live broadcast.

Charlemagne: https://youtu.be/21NkWS6_Wtg

A great one to end on and the last song I will hear live in the flesh for a while….I look forward to the great gig return. My hair can’t get any greyer but it’ll likely be a bit longer. I have tickets booked for 22 gigs and a festival and they have been falling off the calendar all week. The least of anyone’s worries eh.

One useful overview of where we stand with viral cancellations is available from Which? but it’s not all about grabbing back what you can. Rebooking to support bands and venues etc must be encouraged. Also many businesses are doing more than they can to allow flexibility and help damage limitation, such as Premier Inn as I found for example.

Billy Idol and a Vegas Wedding

Pearl Theater, Palms Casino Resort, Las Vegas, Nevada US 6.3.20

This is the first of a six night residency at The Pearl Theater (yup er) in the Palms Casino Resort, about a mile off the strip, out from Caesar’s Palace.

Nice day for… my Wedding

How the hell did I end up at Billy Idol gig in Vegas in 2020? Earlier on this afternoon I married my partner Sally and we timed it to take in a gig or two, so this is special one. We arrived at The Palms in our wedding gear for a pre-gig wine in one of the casino bars. Turning up to a Billy Idol gig in a white wedding dress is one way to make new friends.

Before gaining entry some excited security staff took us off to take some photos in the makeshift Idol wedding chapel. Then it was in to The Pearl Theater, in the main standing area in this modern theatre with several tiers of seating behind and to the side. Capacity is 2,500 but no top tier in use tonight. The standing area is comfortable and open seats are full.

Tickets

The ticket arrangements were a new one on me but having done it now it seems a really good anti-tout and anti-crooked resale measure. With ‘Will Call’ I was able to buy the tickets on the USA Ticketmaster site and then the only way you can get your tickets is by picking them up from the box office, with photo ID, after 3pm on the day of the gig. There is an official fansite resale channel if required. I was relieved to get the tickets in my hands after some other difficulties with a mobile ticket for another gig out here this weekend.

No support band. Guitar hero Steve Stevens is the last to emerge before Billy takes to the stage. There is another guitarist, keyboardist, bassist and a drummer in his perspex sound pen. Viva Las Vegas to open – what else.

A few songs from the ‘Kings and Queens’ album early on and Billy talked about how his dad would listen to that album when he was ill and dying, despite not really getting what he did. He dedicated The Ghost in my Guitar to him, from that album and images of his dad appeared on the backdrop. Touching.

Ghost in my Guitar: https://youtu.be/k7CacBiOB7Q

Eyes Without a Face was a favourite of mine – still have the gate fold sleeve single. Great song. That and Dancing with Myself were the more predictable highlights of the main body of the set but Generation X song Your Generation was the rare inclusion, so said one of our new buddies from Pittsburgh who had seen Billy Idol loads of times.

Billy Idol at the Pearl Theater, Las Vegas

I never saw Billy Idol or Generation X back in late 70s early 80s. After he went to LA and played massive venues, I was less interested or he was less accessible I guess. It wasn’t until 2018 I saw him live at the Birmingham O2 Academy as part of an 8 gigs in 8 days adventure with gig buddy Dave (DPi). Great night with The Professionals supporting.

Early that day we were down at the venue advising the sign man of the correct spelling of Idol as he juggled letters on his step ladders.

I remember the days of staring up at the Generation X singles on the wall and in the window of Sunbury Cross Record Scene – coloured vinyls and multiple picture covers of one single. Forty odd years later and here I am in Vegas listening to Ready Steady Go and a rare airing of Your Generation. Dynamite. Couldn’t make this up. Special day.

The signed paper plate frisbies came out – of course Sally grabbed one – no one dare wrestle that from her…in her wedding dress.

New wife Sally in signed
plate catching shocker

All through there is guitar legend Steve Stevens as another focal point, occasionally wandering in solo mode – playing over and behind his head. Tops.

Time for Rebel Yell and onward towards the gloriously inevitable White Wedding (can you imagine if he hadn’t played it). It started with an acoustic intro and as Billy introduced Steve Stevens ..someone booed. “Show that c*nt what a hit single sounds like” rasps Billy and we get a two staged version, escalating from the acoustic opening.

Final encore was Mony Mony. Great night. Great day.

On to Chicago

On the Saturday 70s soft rock band Chicago were playing in The Venetian Hotel Theater where we were staying and so I’d bought tickets. Mobile tickets but bought through a US website which made for some difficulties which were eventually overcome. App trouble.

A ten piece band of excellent musicians. Three original members on drums, trombone and keyboards/ vocals, but all band members were excellent individually and able to fully flaunt it.

If you Leave me Now got played in the first 45mins. There are other soft rock ballads I remembered later in the second half like
Hard Habit to Break and You’re the Inspiration – a high note.

Some odd backdrop pictures later in the set – cheesy 70s photos that looked like dated advertising material – and an astonishing drum and percussion solo which saw drummer and percussionist swapping over roles during it.

25 or 6 to 4 to finish and everyone’s happy.

And finally… Big Elvis

The day before returning home we went in search of the Piano Bar in Hurrah’s Casino for an afternoon performance of Big Elvis. This was a recommendation by a Vegas cab driver – a free gig. He plays three times a day on three days here.

Great voice and entertainment for an hour. Something of a local legend. Check him out if you’re there.

Great British Alternative Music Festival: Minehead 2020

28 February – 1 March 2020

Filthy weather battering Britain and the looming cloud of Coronavirus provide a good enough reason to escape for three days into an indoor music festival at Billy Butlin’s Holiday Camp.

Having made it through the storm and checked into barracks, there is barely time for a few ‘Hi-Di-Hi’s and the initial escape committee and tunnel digging chortle before the first bands are on.

This three day ‘alternative music’ festival is set in three venues within the 10,000 capacity holiday camp. For these events the limit must be around 3,000 given the main Centre Stage holds a maximum of 2000, the less comfortable Reds 1500 and the bar Jaks around 350.

Centre Stage is a smart well set out venue with a large exceptionally well-sprung dance floor – it gets bouncy. The room extends way back in small tiers on one floor to allow distant views, varied seats and tables, less ear blasting and easy bar access, if that’s your preference. Within this ‘alternative’ badged genre the variety is still substantial so dipping in and out of the fuller gig experience down the front is handy. Move in and out as you wish.

(I have my pocket zoom camera with me as usual. Took a bigger one in for a few hours on Sunday lunchtime but bit of a nuisance.)

The band selection for this three-day extravaganza focuses on punk, new wave and post-punk bands of the late 70s/ early 80s but it includes a bit of pub rock, mod and Oi!, with room for some new bands in that lot. The small Jaks venue is more like a pub and it’s used as an ‘introducing’ stage with gig goers being given a token to vote for bands with on exiting.

The qualification for playing this ‘introducing stage’ must be broad: as Duncan Reid commented, he’s been touring “for a million years” and it’s got him to the introducing stage. Rock’n’roll eh.

Centre Stage at sprung dance floor level – bars along either side (The Complete Clash on stage)

Friday

After a couple of pints in the Inn on the Green, t-shirt spotting, it’s off to Jaks for
Duncan Reid and the Big Heads. Duncan Reid played bass with The Boys – I saw them support The Stranglers around 1980/1 – and he has several albums in his current band, a four piece, in which he plays bass and fronts on vocals, with Heidi drafted in on guitar at the moment.

Since he popped up on stage at the Eddie and the Hot Rods last gig with Barrie Masters, I’ve been dipping in to his most recent albums ‘Bombs Away’ (2017) and ‘Little Big Head’ (2019) – the ones I’d pick from this afternoon opener are ‘Bombs Away’, ‘C’mon Josaphine’ and ‘Montevideo’. Good start.

Next up in Jaks still are Verbal Warning from Nottingham. Kept the interest up with original fast punky material and a plastic duck throwing song – some early throwers didn’t wait for the key line meant to induce the duck storm. Novel.

A short break for food – fellow inmates Andy (AMu), Big Gra (GGu) and Blademan Shef (SNi) realise that ‘eating isn’t cheating’ – it’s a marathon not a sprint. We sneak an Italian in ‘Ludo’s‘ while the guys from the Plymouth contingent, marshalled by our mate Dave (DPi), cruise into an early beer lead…not that it’s a race. Always drink responsibly.😎

Into Centre Stage for Goldblade. I’ve been listening but only in recent weeks, so when John Robb bounded out (Louder than War journalist and The Membranes – that I thought were still going – only saw a couple of years back) that was a surprise – clearly my revision was inadequate. I’d see them again.

Next on, and up the rockier end, are The Wildhearts.

I wanted to see them last year but a time clash meant I missed that opportunity and well worth catching up with. Heavy sound but easy listening heavy and good rock/ punk crossover.

We round off our Friday trip through this Butlin’s menu with our old faves Big Country – can’t get enough of them. They seem to get better and with their current tour commitments they are certainly getting some playing hours in.

‘A Thousand Stars’ was out early – love that one – but the anticipated crowd pleasers are all on show. This is no place for holding back on the hits. Big Country are a unique brand of guitar based pop rock and I don’t think many would slot them into a punk genre. They’re back here again after last year, this time as the Friday night headliners, and no Skids duties here for the Watsons this year.

To finish, a late linger round the bar with the DJ plucking corkers out to keep the evening going. Alas, the schoolboy error of ‘going too early’ was all too evident.

Saturday

After a trip to Morrisons’ cafe for breakfast (bumped into Duncan Reid and the Big heads in there) – see they do let you out – via the main gate mind, as you can’t escape over the fences or extensive ‘moat’ – we return to Centre Stage for Knock Off.

To me one of the enjoyable surprises of the weekend. Three piece. Straightforward and I thought were best summed up by their penultimate number, an anthem ‘This is Who We Are. This is What We Do’:

https://youtu.be/0td5Db-oAPY

If you don’t like it do one…. would be the message I guess. Straight talking, no nonsense. The swear-o-meter is tripping….the verse about the Fred Perrys and the Doctor Martens is the first ear worm of the day. The ‘Football, Beer and Punk Rock’ t-shirts I’ve seen now make sense. Available in claret’n’blue, and other colours if that’s not your flavour.

At the other end of the spectrum on offer here are Nine Below Zero – more blues than claret’n’blues. Long-term legends from the pub rock years and Dr Feelgood stable. This is the first time I’ve seen them which I’m almost feeling guilty about given their heritage. With some classic harmonica from original Mark Feltham, the atmosphere of the room is transformed to a giant late night bar during early afternoon.

Time for a tribute band – Complete Clash. They played here last year and once again hugely enjoyable – such a brilliant repertoire to work with.

‘Tommy Gun’ hit a nostalgic note for me but the variety in The Clash’s catalogue is fully exploited. I could watch this every week. I saw Strummer play in his post-Clash years but never The Clash. Now we can’t, this is a tribute band opportunity not to be sniffy at.

After that predictable high it was time for the Glen Matlock Band, featuring Earl Slick (the ‘featuring’ tag is clearly important so I Googled – extensive top drawer experience with Lennon, Bowie, New York Dolls….and more).

No crowd pleasers here. The ex-Pistol saved any nostalgic sop to his old life until long after I had fled, bewildered by his choice of material. The most inappropriate set of the weekend.

At this point I thought a no risk appointment with The Undertones was in order. I had planned to see The Adicts given as I’m seeing the ‘tones soon but the Derry boys were irresistible.

I first saw the Feargal fronted Undertones in October 1979, in Bracknell Sports Centre on the ‘You’ve Got My Number’ tour, and at a couple of the best Hammersmith Palais gigs not long after. I thought they were one of my favourite bands of that time that I should just leave there….but I couldn’t and in recent years discovered they are still a great night out with McLoone at the front. The rest of the band are originals – all are sporting Dr Martens. Their clothes are a bit better these days. I did like their old anorak look though.

I moved to the side of the stage as the sound at the front seemed loud and poor. This was the same for Sunday night in the Reds venue.

This didn’t ruin it though – dampening ear plugs in – a whole set of classic power pop including: ‘Get Over You’, ‘Male Model’, ‘Teenage Kicks’, ‘When Saturday Comes’, and, the only song I’ve ever “performed” as karaoke in public, ‘My Perfect Cousin’. Beautifully straightforward pleasure…not my karaoke outing I hasten to add.

A short break now and I stay down in Reds to see the first half of The Members. The overflowing room clears. I would have stayed for it all but I couldn’t miss out on my chance to see Hung Like Hanratty upstairs…before they are banned from everywhere.

Another hard to leave alone schooldays band, The Members, are fronted by original guitarist and songwriter JC Carroll with original Chris Payne on bass and vocals.

They open with instrumental ‘Handling the Big Jets’ but I don’t stay for the A-side of that later: ‘Sound of the Suburbs’. ‘Solitary Confinement’ was on early which ensured I got one suburban anthem out of my system. ‘Chelsea Nightclub’ another old belter and I recall leaving at the end of ‘Working Girl’. If you could leave a set through gritted teeth then that’s what I did.

The Hung Like Hanratty gamble was worth it. Now this is ‘alternative’. I presume they are never heard on radio and TV stations would be investigated by the regulator if they appeared on the box. YouTube and Spotify to the rescue.

A punk rock version of Viz comic. A 21st Century Macc Lads. Offensive…if you are offended….someone must be offended for someone to be offensive I’m thinking? No treading on eggshells here…they are stamping all over whole eggs and the crowd are beaming as they enjoy this omelette of naughtiness.

While ‘Danny the Tranny’ and ‘The Ghost of Jimmy Savile’ may hit a nerve somewhere there can’t be anyone who wouldn’t agree with the heartfelt sentiment of ‘Clean Up Yer Dogsh*t’ or who wouldn’t get something out of this anthem’s associated dance!

Sometimes best to have a
shadowy figure in the way

Sunday

After another Morrisons cafe breakfast and a morning in the chalet that was a cross between episodes of Last of the Summer Wine and Men Behaving Badly, we are ready for The Ramonas. They are kicking off the Centre Stage as another Jaks Introducing Stage winning performance last year.

As a Ramones obsessive in earlier years The Ramonas have offered some 21st Century support.

Ramonas on Centre Stage
– or just above it

The all girl Ramones tribute band do their own material as well and that is what today’s showcase is all about. A new album has just been released, digitally only at this point – ‘I Wanna Live in Outer Space’ – and the title track they played was one of the best.

As with Johnny, Joey, Dee Dee, Tommy /Marky (Ritchie and CJ) they have their Ramona aliases too: Cloey (Lisa – vocals); Pee Pee (Vicky – bass); Cammy (Camille, drums) and Rohnny (Maxine – guitar).

Their first album, ‘First World Problems’, includes the title track and ‘Daily Fail’ which both feature regularly in their Ramones tribute appearances. This is the fifth time I’ve seen them in a few years so I thought it was time I bought a copy of the first album on CD and I joined the mob at the stage-side merch desk for a signed one.

It’s still early afternoon but you’d never guess as From the Jam take the stage in front of packed enthusiastic audience. The best performance of the three days for me.

Seeing Bruce Foxton doing what he’s always done and playing Jam songs, in a band like this, is a special treat. Jam fan turned front man, Russell Hastings, looks, sounds and feels Weller.

I looked round at one point during ‘Going Underground’ and it was just a sea of similarly aged blokes singing every word – not the chorus – every word. ‘Eton Rifles’ another high and a finish with ‘In the City’ and and ‘Down in the Tubestation…’. Now that’s entertainment, which they did also.

I saw them a few years ago I’m the unlikely surroundings of The Barrington Centre, Ferndown in East Dorset. They were good then but this a great place to see them – don’t stop yet Bruce, I’ll be back for more. Perhaps it’s because I never saw The Jam.

Back down to Jaks Introducing Stage for Peter Bentham and the Dinner Ladies.

Peter Bentham and a couple of dinner ladies

The monkey boots with yellow laces tell you that Bentham is from a certain era, but he’s still here on the Introducing Stage with recent albums and new material. ‘Goth Postman’ and ‘Hip Potato’ were memorable and also illustrate the quirky comedy value which I’d backed with punky riffs, saxophone (one dinner lady)…and of course two non-playing dinner ladies with the odd prop, dances and forays into the audience. Enjoyed it.

Bit of a rest of sorts now. There were other bands on in Jaks but we opted for watching the League Cup Final in a large sports bar. Half way through Ian Page appeared walking through the bowling alley reminding me it was time for action …. yes Secret Affair…down in Reds.

I like a bit of Mod, Mod Revival or Mod Revival revival even. I like the general Mod sound – not especially in tonight’s venue – but don’t know loads of their stuff. Third time of seeing them. All in the Mod Revival revival era…well revisited if not totally revived.

‘Time for Action’ and ‘My World’ still win out. “…this is my world today..and I wouldn’t have it any other way”.

There has been a bit of discussion over the weekend as to who (still) liked Bob Geldof or not and whether or not The Boomtown Rats were a credible part of punk and post-punk. I had that ‘Tonic for the Troops’ album and still have my copy of ‘She’s So Modern’ but hadn’t seen them play – Bob since, yes, but not as the Rats. Wide consensus seemed to be that given they are on and we are here then we’ll have a look.

I was totally surprised. A captivating stage performance from frontman Sir Bob, that was fully focused on the songs and entertainment, backed by a what I think is pretty much original Rats. Crowd pleasing entertainment.

‘Mary of the Fourth Form’ live is quite something and in the version of ‘I Don’t Like Mondays’ a lingering breathy pause near the final verse demonstrates how much Geldof is putting into this and giving it it energetic best.

The set included some new songs from a forthcoming (March 20th) ‘Citizens of Boomtown’ album – with some associated Gotham City type branding to this new world the Boomtown Rats are exploring. We shall see how that goes but overall this was a winning performance and I didn’t think I’d be saying that.

The party is nearly over and we opt for The Rezillos back down in Reds. I only recently saw the Rezillos and while this covered similar ground the sound was too loud for the speakers and room to deal with. We were flagging.

https://gigswithivan.home.blog/2020/02/10/back-on-the-gig-trail-with-the-rezillos/

This is a long haul. The marathon is over. I enjoyed the range on offer within what at first thought may be seen as just a festival for old punks. Essentially nostalgic but still some surprises, mostly good ones. Then there’s the Introducing Stage, Jaks and last year’s Jaks winners on Centre Stage.

Bloody good value but maybe it can’t be sustained as no dates mentioned for next year. That would be a shame.

Portsmouth: The Murder Capital

The Murder Capital at The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth 18.02.20

I like the Wedgewood Rooms. In the heart of Southsea, with a selection of old and new pubs dotted around this largely residential area of Portsmouth. I’ve driven over – a fair old hack on a working day in the bleak mid-winter.

Parked up on one the streets to the north of the high street (Albert Road) that this venue is on, as recommended on the website. Doors open 7.30pm. It’s sold out – new band excitement – The Murder Capital are over from Dublin for a UK tour to promote their new album, ‘When I Have Fears’. A regular Radio 6 play, especially in the evening with Mark Radcliffe, mean they’ve caught my ear.

The regulars clearly know the timings and it seems like everyone’s staying in the nearby pubs until the last minute.

A guy comes on stage and starts talking. I was waiting for a bit of ‘two two.. one two’ (I’ll get to do that one day!) but this was a poetic Irish raconteur – the 2020s Dublin answer to John Cooper Clarke – support to every punk band going at the end of the 70s. People are filing in and listening…. hanging on his words. What good way to start. Different and he had feelings to share with a bit of man time on the mental health front, referring to the loss of a mate.

This was Unorthodox Coolock, Craig Doyle. Cheers Craig. Let him explain: https://youtu.be/Yxkr5vgKZac

Around six ‘pieces’ and some chat and he left us.

All going to time and we (partner Sally has been pressure sold this opportunity) are lingering at the back having lost a mixing desk spot to a giant – a swish manoeuvre – we took our eye off the ball – split second and the giant was in. To be fair ‘the back’ isn’t far from the front in this square, well proportioned venue.

Egyptian Blue are on. From Brighton, these guys are young, intense and serious.

Very good. No chat. No song intros, just heads focused and getting on with their opportunity. I can hear a bit of a Gang of Four guitar thing going on. Described as ‘post punk’, it should be no surprise, I suppose, that they have so many early 80s potential reference points: post post post-punk and I like it.

‘Collateral‘, the song and the EP, seems to be the big one for Egyptian Blue. I’d like to see them again.

Now it’s the short, perfectly timed wait for The Murder Capital….and we know what time to expect them. We’ve got it so easy these days. I remember waiting for bands for ages, hours, with one eye on the Timex watch, and one on the train times to very suburban London. I have missed encores as I ran for the station, half sets and in one extreme case (The Scars at the Venue, Victoria) I missed the whole set, having waited without any idea of when the band were coming on.

We are ready. It’s 9.30. We’ve restablished a mixing desk position – the giant needed a drink.

The audience profile reassures me that I’m not a weirdo. There are a couple of lads and dads, an early 20ish studenty throng and a heavy presence of ageing John Peel disciples in dark, well worn clothing and some sturdy coats. Yes there are Idles t-shirts and I reckon half this lot would jump at the chance of a Fontaines DC gig. I feel comfortable here.

The band are on. The lighting is minimalist but highly effective – lots of shadow use. It’s no surprise as to what they play – one album from a new band and a heavy hint from the mixing desk…

A well orchestrated mosh pit gets going in the faster numbers but The Murder Capital have a good range of pace within this first album. The atmospheric mournful ‘Slowdance I’ and II contrasted with the more frantic songs like ‘More is Less’ . More essence of Gang of Four abrasive guitar sound appears – maybe I’m just hearing it more in light of Andy Gill’s recent death.

The lead singer is James McGovern. He thanks the audience, the country, for the welcome these Dublin boys are getting ‘especially the way things are here’ at the moment. (It hadn’t struck me that these were EU imports but I pondered that.)

James McGovern – The Murder Capital – Wedgewood Rooms

In a slower track McGovern spends a while with his back to the audience and then does something I haven’t seen for years… he turns with fag in mouth …. it’s weird how unusual a stage fag has become. The audience is gripped…all eyes on McGovern…he’s gonna light it: what about security, ‘elf ‘n’ safety, alarms, the fire brigade. Lips are quivering…go on go on ..light it. He does. Who’d have thought that having fag on stage could be such an art form and so tense.

I wander to get a different aspect and as I return McGovern gets the audience to lower lower down.. right down on the floor. A few creaking backs and a bit of half-hearted stooping (like atheists at prayer in a long wedding ceremony) but most of the audience is on the floor before erupting into the body of the song.

This is followed by a full on stage dive and crowd surf by McGovern. Such extremes. Only minutes ago he was a picture of peace, sensitively talking about men’s mental health and looking after each other..planting a kiss on the cheek of his bandmate.

No encores. Nothing left. A beautifully packaged set. The Murder Capital have so much to look forward to but just enjoy this: I hope they do.

The sound engineer went and retrieved a set list for my partner Sally – the promised one was given, understandably, to poet Doyle’s dad who was over from Dublin with him.

Home we go.

The Murder Capital on a Radio 6 session, doing my track of the night ‘Green & Blue’:

https://youtu.be/wvav-OeEhJU

Shedcember: Worth the Wait

Shed Seven at O2 Academy Bournemouth 15.02 20

At last, Shed Seven rock up in Bournemouth – well Boscombe as we know it – for their December tour, billed as the annual Shedcember outing. A chest infection for frontman Rick Witter meant the cancellation of their December show.

This has the advantage of a less chaotic pre-Christmas itinerary (well hardly) and a bit more anticipation following the January lull. It’s a Saturday night gig: a bonus. You have to dread a rearranged Sunday or Monday night gig as much as you might a rearranged FA cup tie away mid-week. Another bonus could be the added quirkiness of a tour t-shirt with the wrong date on….little things eh (I didn’t buy one).

Bloody awful weather mind but we arrive unflustered in plenty of time, a bit unsure of whether this is one of those early starts and curfew nights. Start time information availability does vary and who wants to spend and extra two hours drinking expensive lager.

The Twang

The Twang were a ‘not to be missed’ support in my book. Not seen them before but remember the name and a bit of Spotify pre-gig revision reminded me of some of their stuff from the noughties: singles ‘Either Way’ and ‘Wide Awake’, both from the 2007 album ‘I Love it When I Feel Like This’.

I wasn’t disappointed and nor were the friends I was out with in Boscombe tonight. Any band emerging from Birmingham gets a lingering ear from me: The Twang starting off in the suburb of Quinton, a never ventured to destination on the buses I once got out of town, down Hagley Road.

They had top ten albums, and some chart singles and played their own big tours. Hats off to those bands who bite the bullet and get out there years later on a support slot.

The Twang at Glastonbury in 2007 – ‘Either Way’: https://youtu.be/JpMcD-8acTA

Shed Seven

The Sheds open with the title track of their 2017 album ‘Room in my House’, the wo-oh ooh oah song. It is a really good album.

Early on I popped forward for a bit, down the left side – the disabled area seemed to have moved, allowing easy side stage view. Further back the lighting wasn’t that helpful and I don’t like waving a camera around in the air.

Rick Witter – Shed Seven – O2 Academy Boscombe

Witter is in a cheery mood. He read out some tweets and messages early on, including one from someone who came over from Gibraltar specially for the cancelled gig, and returned for tonight’s gig. Big cheer.

‘She Left Me on Friday’ was one of the well know songs early on in the set: https://youtu.be/09t6MTRzmak

The beautiful Boscombe Opera House is O2 Academy Bournemouth

A good mixed set – plenty of material to choose from and a brass section to join them on a selection of songs: https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/shed-seven/2020/o2-academy-bournemouth-bournemouth-england-73980659.html

Later highlights of the main set were ‘On Standby’, ‘Getting Better’ and ‘Going for Gold’ before the break – that one morphed into ‘Angel of Harlem’ at the end..just when you thought you knew it.

The Sheds don’t go for any racing through to the next song. There is a relaxed chaotic look between songs, like a time out between rounds in boxing, before re-focussing for the next.

It’s sweaty on stage and off – a top Saturday night out. Still up there with the best. Maybe they are ‘getting better all the time’. Right now I’d rather see them than a lot of Britpop bands – they’ve held on to ‘it’.

Three encores – best for last – ‘Disco Down’ and the classic ‘Chasing Rainbows’…. maybe we are, but everyone seems to be enjoying themselves in the process.

Chasing Rainbows .. one for a sing-a-long… this version in the sunshine: https://youtu.be/KMdfDzPeoI4

Previous Sheds Gigs

I couldn’t say how many times I’ve seen them but it must be approaching double figures with some festivals: good old Pheonix near Stratford, V 2001 at Chelmsford, Reading and more recently Victorious Festival 2014 in Southsea.

It was only a couple of years ago I was watching them here at the O2 Boscombe but that was email tickets – I don’t keep those. I found a few tickets going back a bit but beyond those it would be hours of research to plot a full Shed history. This is what I found, salvaged:

After a gig filled weekend it’s a new band next. About time eh. Never seen them. First album out. Get a lot of Radio 6 play.

New Romantic Valentine’s Day with Midge Ure

Poole Lighthouse 14.2.20

Old New Romantics gather on Valentine’s Day in Poole. Some friends down and up this evening who are more the Ultravox/ Midge long-term faithful than me (AMu, SLa, APi and DPi): even t-shirts being sported. I could feel under dressed.

I have no long Ultravox or Midge Ure history. These were every bit sounds of my 80s, but I didn’t buy stuff, just heard it. Hence I’m a bit ‘greatest hits’ on this… certainly the Vienna album, being focused on tonight, is park of the life soundtrack of many 50 somethings, including me.

I first saw Midge Ure live only in quite recent years at a Newton Abbott Racecourse 80s gig (2.8.16) and Basingstoke Anvil (12.3.16) for a multi-band 80s tour – how rock ‘n’ roll are those venues eh😎?

Midge Ure: Running in the 4.20 at Newton Abbott – August 2018

Midge Ure in the final straight- Newton Abbott Racecourse, Aug 2018

This is more a proper gig with Midge’s band – keyboards and violin one side of the drummer, keyboards and guitar the other, with a smart and trim Midge roaming below in front of them, alternating from keyboards to guitar – full sound. A relatively big venue on this tour (1500 all seated) and really good to see the Lighthouse full and rocking. We don’t get many like this.

Poole Lighthouse is a multifaceted arts centre and the live band market is not a very significant part of their offer…but it is tonight! Don’t look a gift gig you can walk to in the mouth.

Midge Ure – Concert Hall, Poole Lighthouse 14.2.20

Back in the noughties I saw Paul Weller here, and Doves, from the famously bouncy sprung floor. Since moving to Poole about eight years ago, although I’ve enjoyed plenty of other events at The Lighthouse but the only gigs for established artists I’ve been attracted in for have been Paul Young, Marc Almond, Simple Minds and Glenn Tilbrook…the lighter end of it all and all seated (Tilbrook being in the smaller Theatre). The Live and Unheard sessions are a great idea though and welcome recent addition. These have been taking place in The Studio.

Live and Unheard blog: https://gigswithivan.home.blog/2019/09/05/live-and-unheard-poole/

Tonight’s Gig

Dublin electronic threesome Tiny Magnetic Pets are the support tonight – short lively set – with some strong keyboard sounds and other assets.

The tour is billed as ‘The 1980 Tour – Vienna and Visage’. I didn’t pick up on that before hand which meant I was wildly impressed with my mate Andy’s song ‘predictions’ as the set progressed….the penny dropped eventually 🙄.

Some Visage numbers early on and a nod of respect to the late Steve Strange as ‘Fade to Grey’ got people up. Great song that echoes the early 80s so well.

‘Fade to Grey’. The vintage Visage video of the 80s: https://youtu.be/UMPC8QJF6sI

‘In the year 2525′, a Zega and Evans’ song appeared early on – I’m still impressed with the details emerging from my friend next to me – can I get him to a pop quiz before he goes home?

Visage: ‘In the Year 2525’ https://youtu.be/-GKX4iK1QPc

‘Sleepwalk’ (opening album track – but just a pleasant surprise to me at this point) moves us into the ‘Vienna’ section. Pockets of standing and (dad) dancing emerge again – usual disgruntlement for those glad of their seat. Never perfect but it works itself out. Best off with plenty of standing room at the front.

‘Mr X’ was notable and more heavily electronic and ‘All Stood Still’ was the last belter from ‘Vienna’.

Midge introduced B-side ‘Passionate reply’ as a song chosen by fans to hear on the tour. Then perhaps the best one: ‘Dancing with Tears in My Eyes’ with the classic Midge grimace as he holds the notes and pulls his head back from the mic to let the vocal tail off.

Midge Ure
Dancing, with tears in his eyes

To finish, ‘The Voice’ and ‘The Hymn’. Great stuff . Who says New Romanticism is dead eh? We hide in the Lighthouse bar – now easy to get served and sit and linger a while avoiding the storm outside, though merely delaying our soaking as Storm Dennis approaches.

Saint Julian in the old Sheep Market

Julian Cope at The Fleece, Bristol 9.2.20

It’s 38 years since I first saw Julian Cope. A fair bit of water has flowed under our respective bridges in that time. I wonder if he’s altered much? Yup….OK, I’ve gone grey but you win Julian…

Yes, once fresh faced Julian, of 80s Liverpool popsters Teardrop Explodes, has clearly moved on….but fear not, he still gives time to some ‘Teardrop’ sounds.

Teardrop Explodes on The Old Grey Whistle Test – Reward – from way back when: https://youtu.be/Me8koyuX4YE

It was 6 February 1982 at Birmingham Odeon when I first saw Mr Cope, in Teardrop Explodes. A mate from college (Mish) had acquired some free passes for the gig which got us in and meant we could wander about, but not backstage – ‘all areas’ bit was crossed out. This didn’t stop us getting asked outside if we could get people ‘to meet Julian’ and feeling generally pleased with ourselves. If I remember rightly this freebie came via the student union events team…students eh!

Move on a decade and I recall the solo Cope at The Tic Toc Club in Coventry, with my then Earlson, Cov. mate Chris (CMe). With some Setlist prompting this was April 1991. Cope was wearing a skirt. I don’t suppose I’d bat an eyelid now, but I remember that. I’d started to go grey…and was buying CDs instead of cassettes – we were maturing, each in our own way.

Set list, Coventry ’91: https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/julian-cope/1991/the-tic-toc-club-coventry-england-53c0174d.html

This was around the time of the modestly titled ‘Saint Julian’ album which I now think sounds loads better to me than it did then.

Cope played at Pheonix and Reading Festivals in the 90s but despite some Google line-up memory jogging I can’t 100% recall if I was at the right stage at the right time, or indeed the right day as certainly for Reading, in that period, I was more of a day ticket visitor.

The Fleece, Bristol

Scroll forward 25 years and it’s Bristol for a Sunday night Cope gig at The Fleece. A short walk over the river from the heart of the old town, in Storm Ciara – I know ‘they’ said only essential journeys – it is Julian Cope after all.

On a February night the Fleece’s entrance is not exactly obvious, but welcoming security staff give the game away.

The Fleece main entrance – an easy spot in daylight

The Fleece is a grade two listed building – once a sheep trading market in the 1800s. The capacity is 450 standing. The stone floor is like a medieval street underfoot. Iron pillars, two rows near the front and one across the middle keep the ceiling up. While they can get in the view, it adds to the historic feel.

A great selection of posters adorn the walls with the ‘tunnel’ to the toilets being a virtual art gallery of previous and upcoming gigs.

I’ve only been here once before, Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg last year, but I like the place. Good bar with some decent Bath Ales options and not much waiting time, with a good value can fridge option also, on the opposite side.

Support: Tom Hickox

Perhaps an unexpected choice for a Julian Cope support act – quite conventional but a well received singer songwriter, with keyboards. Top drawer.

Songs were introduced with some context from Tom, revealing the passion. Highly listenable on a first hearing… and people listened.

Cope takes the Stage

I was expecting more madness..no… thoughtful, witty introductions to put his work in context. He needed to be the ‘almost solo’ act. That’s what he wanted and that’s what the audience appreciated.

Early notable numbers included ‘Autogeddon Blues’ and ‘Greatness and Imperfection of Love’. He started to refer to the ‘Ba Na Na Na Naaa’ songs…. the Teardrop material, but he’s still proud of it and sings it like a choir boy still – great voice and diction. The first is ‘Passionate Friend’.

It is Cope… with guitar. There is a keyboard. A bass and player appear..but this is Cope….and the audience of 50 something guys are here to concentrate, listen and ‘worship’. No mindless chatter.

‘Great Dominions’ was another corker, from Teardrop’s ‘Kilimanjaro’.

Cope mentioned his new album ‘Civil War’ and explained how the album reflected on a country which had become a place where Nazis had vegan kids and the related internal conflicts at large these days. Thoughtful man, without obvious mainstream Politics being spat at us.

Sporting an US Airforce cap, as a nod (or jibe) to his American father-in-law, Cope grabbed us. Pretend encores included ‘Treason’ and ‘Out of My Mind on Dope and Speed’…an anthem clearly.

Saint Julian – what a fabulous example of English individuality…I’d say eccentricity but is it for me to say that? Perhaps I will read one of his books first.

I toddled off happy, to The Old Duke for one more pint.

A great illustration of the fact I am a gig goer with a pocket camera, not ‘a photographer’. When the light works, snap. In the right place, snap, but not much scope for variety at a one man show….but evidence that ‘I was there’.

Back on the Gig Trail.. with The Rezillos

The Rezillos at The Brook, Southampton 8.2.20

I’ve had a bit of a Winter break…three casual pub gigs since the end of December and now I’m back on it. Been looking forward to this…The Rezillos at the Brook, Portswood, Southampton.

The Brook

I haven’t been here since January last year. Instant feeling of guilt and wondering… why not? I don’t know. Possibly the travel…. 1.5 miles south of Southampton Parkway station with some seriously big roads to contend with on foot or 2.5 miles north of Southampton Central Station. The Brook website gives all the detail you need for an innovative combination of public transport and taxis…but I just drive here. Free on street parking is available.

https://www.the-brook.com for travel and other detail.

What a great place. Unusual balcony with upstairs bar and great view from any early grabbed seat. The upper floor has a huge overhang to almost get you on the stage.

Balcony view of support band The Flying Alexanders

I’ve seen several acts here since moving to the south coast in 2003, but not loads – Undertones, a Men They Couldn’t Hang duo, The Rifles, Ben Montague, Steve Diggle, Secret Affair and Absolute Bowie (this place is generally tribute paradise).

Capacity of 550, this is a ‘hollowed out’ big suburban public house. One new addition I noticed was the Pieminister pie counter, just on the left on entry.

The Flying Alexanders (support)

Jon Sansom – Flying Alexanders – The Brook

The name sounded familiar. I think I’ve seen this Southampton band before, supporting The Stranglers, having Googled.

They’re good – a mix of Clash, Jam, Ruts sounds, without the band looking like any of them. About six songs in all. Impressed.

Rezillos Retro

The band formed in 1976 in Edinburgh. Fun, visual, cartoon sci-fi imagery, mixed with 50s rock ‘n’ roll and post-punk pop. A lot of songs conjure up thoughts of Lost in Space and B-movies with Martians in. (I’m sporting my ‘Flying Saucer Attack’ Rezillos t-shirt tonight.)

There is a bit of a B-52s feel. When they started there were the two girls, ‘Fay Fife’ and ‘Gayle Warning’ (!), no, not their real names. Fashion design students – Fay still has it – look at her gear later.

I was first aware of the Rezillos when most were – Top of the Pops 1978 – the programme and the song, which got to number 17 in the charts, back when we listened to the chart show on little radios at school and were bothered, and didn’t realise it was fiddled.

Top of the Pops on TOTP: https://youtu.be/roZ_plpJGCM

After their initial burst, which included ‘Destination Venus’ (Number 43 pop-pickers), and the first album ‘Can’t Stand the Rezillos’, they disappeared from my radar. They split up and a reformed ‘Revillos’ returned in 1979 with ‘Motorbike Beat’ getting to number 45 in 1980…I seem to have got hooked on the chart thing now but that was pretty much it on the hits front until…..

In 2002 a film Jackass: The Movie included The Rezillos
cover version of “Somebody’s Gonna Get Their Head Kicked In Tonight”, a Fleetwood Mac song. This is what most would know them by outside the UK.

The Rezillos’ version: https://youtu.be/obLERev_mFc

The Rezillos got re-started in 2001 and next Rezillos album, ‘Zero’, wasn’t until 2015. There’s a live album and a few Revillos albums in between.

Previous Gigs

I didn’t see the Rezillos live until March 2015 when they supported The Stranglers at Portsmouth Guildhall. We (+Sally S) were late – some foot injury – and just caught three last songs, including ‘Top of the Pops’.

Next was Thekla, Bristol – the moored ship – September 2018. That was a cracker. Department S were supporting. I turned up with mate Dave P about 8.15pm and we asked the merch man what time Department S were on…they’d played and gone ashore. (It was one of those gigs where they chuck the old people out early and open a night club for youth afterwards.)

That night was announced as a last one for the then Rezillos guitarist and his place was subsequently Philled by Phil Thompson who is with The Rezillos on tour currently.

I finally caught up with Department S at the February 2019 Great British Alternative Music Festival at Butlins, Minehead, where I was down the front for another great, but shorter, Rezillos set. I was keen to see them again after that and here I am.

The Rezillos – live tonight

A great up-close place to see the animated performance of The Rezillos. Fay Fife leaning over the audience, staring and facially expressive, performing mime while singing and Eugene darting to and fro with guitar, saxophone, x-ray spex and a cheeky smile.

Eugene Reynolds on stage at The Brook 8.2.20

They open with ‘Destination Venus’. Great start. There are several large quiffs in tonight. I can see one particularly enormous one twitching away.

New guitarist Phil Thompson is up front and central to a lot of the songs, with Fay and Eugene dancing around and generally teasing him at his central riffs.

The set list was stuck on one of the stage amps as a spoiler for those with good eyesight or a zoom.

‘Head kicked in’ was an air puncher – I must listen to the Fleetwood Mac version – and ‘Top of the Pops’ the obvious highlight. Their best song though, I thought, was ‘My Baby Does Good Sculptures’ and that was saved until near the end.

The saxophone got a full outing for the instrumental ‘20,000 Rezillos Under the Sea’ of course.

An enthusiastic Saturday night crowd squeezed out a second encore, not on the set list: a full-on Fay Fife cover of ‘River Deep Mountain High’.

That’s it – the show’s over – see you at Butlins

Can I Pick My Top 10 Gigs of 2019 – from 195 performances?

My big gig year is over. I started recording my gig trail late on in a gig-filled 2019. So many different aspects make something the tops. The best come as a result of an all round good trip, the location, the company, the suitability and sound at the venue and the night out, the nostalgic value of catching up with an old favourite or a band seen regularly, even meeting some of them….or just a great performance.

This year I have seen 195 live performances, in full, at 66 gigs plus a total of 10 days at three festivals. I didn’t count part sets and a few songs from a support bands I was late in for. I saw several bands more than once including four Skids performances. 164 different bands/ artists.

This topped last year’s 55 gigs and one festival, with 2018 including an eight gigs in eight days in three cities – an epic adventure that Summer. I really cannot imagine I have ever, or will ever, get anywhere near the 2019 total again without becoming part of the entertainment industry.

I’ve been very fortunate to have so many opportunities presented on a plate by my mate and gig buddy Dave (DPi), who has outstripped my total by a mile, and I’ve been lucky enough to have an enthusiastic gig going partner, Sally, who also comprehends my more indulgent gig programme. There have been some lucky breaks in who we’ve bumped into through the year as well as a few special tickets. It has been a belter. One day we won’t be able to do it, or even want to…so rock on while the sun shines.

‘Fallers and Non-Runners’

Despite my dodgy ankle I only missed one gig – The Cult – through illness or injury. A few were touch and go with a crutch, some supportive pillars, timely seated tickets and a low wall saving the day. Only Shed Seven cancelled a gig, due to illness, but Sam Fender and Snow Patrol dropped out of Glastonbury, but I saw them anyway. We beat the train strikes and weren’t unintentionally late for anything. No disasters, although I did delete all my camera photos of Alice Cooper after that gig.

Golden rule has to be to make time for food before a gig night with alcohol. “Eating isn’t cheating!”.

10 Days of Festivals

The festivals were at four days of a hot and sunny Glastonbury, three days at a hot and sunny Victorious Festival in Southsea and three days of indoor performances at the Butlins Great British Alternative Music Festival in March. Three hugely enjoyable events and I even had to adjust the mortgage to accommodate the Glastonbury yurt experience. Some raised eyebrows on that but it’s done now. We were there and it was a glorious week (aside from a infected horse-fly bite that blossomed horribly and later needed urgent medical treatment. What the hell had that fly had been eating before me?

Horse-fly bite revs up on day three of Glastonbury

Being over ambitious at a festival, particularly Glastonbury, is a potential pitfall. After a long walk I failed to get anywhere near Frank Turner on the Strummerville stage and couldn’t accommodate The Damned there or The Good, The Bad and The Queen at another distant stage. Perhaps surprisingly I also regret missing a staggering performance by Miley Cyrus that I watched later on TV.

Picking the Best

It is quite hard, well near impossible, to make comparisons between the gigs, performances and festival days…….but of course I’m going to have a go. As I say it’s rarely just about the musical performance – it’s the whole experience.

Out of all these gigs there is not one which I regretted going to. There are a few odd support bands and local ones that I really would not bother with but it’s a handful and if I didn’t like them, well someone else might.

I recognise fully that I love a nostalgia trip so new bands, and new bands to me (the surprises) are treasured all the more – so I’ve done seperate lists to remind myself of the best local bands; other new bands; best surprises and a top ten overall gigs/ festival performances. (All photos taken by me, unless stated or I’m in it, mostly with my trusty pocket zoom.)

Saluting the Worst

I will start with the notable negative of 2019. The Westpoint Arena, Exeter is not a venue I will be returning to, certainly not in the Winter. The 1975 gig there was a bit of a horror show in my book. I had seen then two years previously and they really have lost it. Maybe not helped by an appalling venue – suited more to a car boot. It’s just a hanger. In freezing cold rain partially dressed youths were locked outside in a barren car park for ages. Confused staff played with their radios. I’d been ushered to a grassy car park on the outskirts of the site where I got stuck later.

No Rome, supporting, were, by some distance, the worst band I saw last year. Ghastly, but some of the crowd seemed to enjoy it. Then again I got to see Pale Waves, who for some reason had a much shorter support set…which lead me to seeing their brilliant Glastonbury performance in the John Peel Tent.

Top Local Bands

From around Bournemouth, Poole and Dorset five I’ve enjoyed most are, in no particular order:

DD Allen
Nina Garcia
Offbeat Offensive
Capulus
The Alibi

My Top New-ish Band Gigs

Slow Readers Readers Club at The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea.

The Spitfires at The Wedgewood Rooms, Southsea.

Sam Fender, supporting Neil Young and Bob Dylan at Hyde Park.

Pale Waves in The John Peel Tent at Glastonbury.

Tom Walker also in The John Peel Tent at Glastonbury.

My Top Six Surprises

Six bands that were new to me or I was surprised by just how good they were – best first.

Marky Ramone’s Blitzkrieg at The Fleece, Bristol with a brilliant set of Ramones’ classics at full speed in a good small venue.

Kiss at Birmingham Arena with pyrotechnics and rock antics galore.

James Bay at Victorious Festival, Common Stage with more of a rocky edge than most male solo singer songwriters of the moment.

Orchestral Manoeuvres in the Dark at Bournemouth Pavilion Theatre with so much crowd stirring energy to their old 80s classics.

Jimmy Eat World supporting Frank Turner at Bournemouth International Centre, bringing me a first chance to see these New Jersey pop-punksters indoors after years of album listening.

Jim Adkins of Jimmy Eat World in Bournemouth

…and Spizzenergi at The 100 Club with a chance to see this niche post punk chameleon at a classic London venue.

My Top Ten Gigs 2019

He we go then….I’ve tried it and in reverse order my top ten gigs, for a wide variety of reasons are:

10. Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls, with Jimmy Eat World. Bournemouth International Centre. Frank was on form. Good set, good crowd and so good to see Jimmy Eat World supporting.

Frank Turner at a quieter solo moment – Bournemouth

9. Skids and Big Country. Glen Pavilion, Dunfermline. A festive pilgrimage with a bunch of mates to the town that gave rise to these two bands.

Simon Hough – the newer face of Big Country

8. The B52s. Nottingham Theatre. Last European tour and I was turned away at the doors of Hammersmith Palais last time I tried to see this unique band. Met them after.

7. Gary Numan. Bristol O2 Academy. Packed, devoted audience enjoyed a great set pulling from many albums.

6. Suede. Southampton Guildhall (O2 Academy). A brilliant, intense and energetic performance by Brett Anderson.

5. Psychedelic Furs with The Wendy James Band. London Roundhouse. Last night of the UK tour. Top venue. Having been to Wendy James’ soundcheck we were allowed in to the after show drinks where we met everyone.

4. Buzzcocks, Skids, Penetration at the Royal Albert Hall, which became the Pete Shelley memorial gig. Old Buzzcocks and guests including the Dave Vanian and The Captain. Best Skids performance I’ve seen in special circumstances and surroundings.

3. The Cure. Glastonbury Sunday headliners, wrapping up a great week in the sun. Top set.

2. Neil Young. Hyde Park. This was joint headlined gig with Bob Dylan. Bob was on last and this may have inspired Neil Young to this fabulous performance in the early evening sun. Sam Fender opened on the main stage as a bonus.

1. Saturday night at Glastonbury – The Killers and Liam Gallagher. Liam at the peak of his comeback with great new album and Oasis classics. The Killers returning to the top slot after their ‘secret’ gig on the John Peel stage in 2017 where I craned my neck to see very little from outside the tent. Seen them four times in recent years and this was the best – they can disappoint – joined on stage by Johnny Marr and The Pet Shop Boys. I wish I’d gone closer.

Johnny Marr joins the Killers at Glastonbury: https://youtu.be/VQnZTJny_b8

They were my 2019 gig highlights. Rocking on because you never know when the music will stop. Roll on 2020.

It was the end of the road for Barrie Masters in 2019 and not long after I was at the last stand for Eddie and the Hot Rods at Islington O2 Academy.

Barrie Masters RIP: “Do Anything You Wanna Do.”

A full list of lives bands I was privileged to see in 2019 is below. Headliners in CAPITALS, festivals in italics, most notable **/*. In date order.

ABSOLUTE BOWIE
THE ALIBI
THE 1975
Pale Waves
No Rome
SNOW PATROL
Kodaline
Roe
FRANK TURNER AND THE SLEEPING SOULS**
Jimmy Eat World*
BOOTLEG BLONDIE
RAMONAS
The Skones
Riteoff
Charred Hearts
Plague UK
Big Country
SKIDS*
PETER HOOK AND THE LIGHT *
Peter and the Test Tube Babies
GBH
Angelic Upstarts
Department S
Rezillos
Toyah
The Undertones
Complete Clash
The Members
Neville Staple Band
999
Hazel O’Connor
Lurkers
Ramonas
Sham 69*
Cockney Rejects
HALF MAN HALF BISCUIT
Flux Kapacitors
THE STRANGLERS*
Dr Feelgood
SLEEPER*
Lucia
SLOW READERS CLUB*
GLENN TILBROOK
Charlie Austen
THE VIBRATORS
THE Lurkers
999
CHINA CRISIS
EDDIE & THE HOD RODS*
UK SUBS
The Mistakes
Sinful Maggie
SUEDE**
BC Camplight
SLEAFORD MODS
BIG COUNTRY
Toyah
The Blockheads
THE RAMONAS
LADY WINWOODS MAGGOT
SECRET AFFAIR
Squire
SLEEPER*
MANIC STREET PREACHERS* Gwenno
THE SELECTER*
The Spitfires*
OASISS
Wave Chase
TOTO
The Darkness
NICK LOWE AND LOS STRAIGHTJACKETS
Dawn Landes
BUZZCOCKS*
SKIDS**
Penetration
Nina Garcia
THE KILLERS**
THE CURE**
Liam Gallagher**
The Charlatans
Johnny Marr*
Pale Waves*
Tom Walker*
The Proclaimers
The Vaccines
Interpol
Bad Cowboys
Nick Parker and the False Alarms
Tom Odell
Goat Girl
Bastille
Gerry Cinnamon
Lewis Capaldi
Palace
Circa Waves
Friendly Fires
THE B-52s**
Trapdoor Social
KISS*
BOB DYLAN
NEIL YOUNG**
Laura Marling
Cat Power
Sam Fender**
FLOCK OF SEAGULLS
Knight$
Warren Wentworth
Rujiero
Wesley Bennett
Blonde E Lux (Duo)
MARKY RAMONE’S BLITZKRIEG**
WHITE DENIM*
Boy Azooga
KILLING JOKE*
Radical Dance Faction
TWO DOOR CINEMA CLUB
The Specials
The Zutons
Doves
Dodgy
Silver Beatles
All Saints
Republica
The Rifles
Ocean Colour Scene*
James Bay
Tommy Scott (Space acoustic)
NEW ORDER*
Ziggy Marley
Fatherson
Offbeat Offensive*
Starsailor
Future heads
Idlewild*
Ash
Plan B
RICHARD JOBSON with Bruce and Jamie Watson*
CAPULUS
Inner City Smugglers
Charlie Cole
SPEAR OF DESTINY*
Feather Trade
LITHIUM
SHARPTONES
SISTERS OF MERCY*
Amenra
CHINA CRISIS*
DD ALLEN
Hengisbury
Tobias In Flight
PSYCHEDELIC FURS*
Wendy James Band
THE PROFESSIONALS
The Mistakes
Self Abuse
ALICE COOPER*
The Stranglers
MC50
PSYCHEDELIC FURS**
Wendy James Band*
SPIZZENERGI*
Healthy Junkies
GARY NUMAN**
OSO OSO
PRINCE DADDY AND THE HYENA
Fresh*
THE RIFLES*
The Moons
The Ks
MY VITRIOL
Novacub
Area 11
THE MEMBERS
VICE SQUAD
TV Smith
WISH WE WERE PINK FLOYD
SQUEEZE
Heaven 17
ORCHESTRAL MANOEUVRES IN THE DARK**
MiG 15
CROWS
Lumer
SLADE
TONY HADLEY
Altered Images
Toyah
Sonia
Peter Coyle
Annabella’s Bow Wow Wow
Then Jericho
Dr and the Medics
Boney M
THE WONDER STUFF*
Jim Bob (Carter USM)
SKIDS**
BIG COUNTRY**
Aye Hobos

A Pilgrimage to Dunfermline: Skids and Big Country

The Skids and Big Country at the Glen Pavilion, Dunfermline 28.12.19

What a trip and what a privilege to get here tonight. Up from Poole as a Christmas treat to the home of The Skids and Big Country. I never thought I’d get up here, ever.

My fourth Skids gig of 2019 and third Big Country one. For my Skids history look back see: https://gigswithivan.home.blog/2019/09/01/the-skids-back-on-track/

There are five of us gathered tonight, I say tonight but we’ve come from Edinburgh earlier this morning. The trains aren’t behaving so it’s a cab across the bridge from Edinburgh having flown up the day before. This is no ordinary gig. This is a pilgrimage. A pilgrimage to the spiritual home of The Skids and Big Country, and Stuart Adamson.

As soon as we arrived we dumped our bags at The City Hotel and headed for Tappie Toories, a pub that Stuart Adamson’s family owned – not sure who owns it now but this is a diamond boozer. It sells beer and it has a juke box. There are seats for us and we are happy…for hours.

We had a wander and some good Turkish food (opposite our City Hotel) before meandering our way via another bar to Pittencrieff Park, where the Glen Pavilion is.

My fellow pilgrims Nige, Dave, Garry and Big Gra.

We looked at the park sign board and wondered where in the darkness the venue was. A couple of guys walked passed and we thought best follow them – it was Jamie Watson and Scott from Big Country, returning from town with supplies. On the right track then. We’ve bumped into Jamie several times, not just at the gigs but a post gig hotel bar in Belfast and a kebab shop incident in Frome. We are guided to the entrance, armed with a reliable 8.30pm start time for Big Country.

The Glen Pavilion

In the middle of the park this is an art deco building that probably survives on weddings, parties and events that are not gigs. It’s a lot bigger than I was anticipating and tonight it holds around 2000 people, all standing, and it is pleasantly rammed. Surely no one else has packed it like this? Would Nazareth manage this or Barbara Dickson, also of Dunfermline stock.

The four gents toilets are working overtime.

No bar to speak of but a manicured queue to tables of people serving cans, all poured into plastic cups. Not too torturous though. The walls and windows are ‘sweating’. Later on the windows get opened and we all survive.

Support band: Aye Hobos

First on are Aye Hobos. Entertaining, some covers, big beards, heavy and rocky with more than a hint of ZZ Top. That’s just right for a support band.

Big Country

The Big Country sound, the bagpipe guitars, was full on and the set packed with crowd pleasers. Simon Hough’s vocals as reminiscent of Adamson as ever. When you’ve travelled so far, this is special.

The set highlights for me were ‘1000 Stars’ (which I find myself singing continuously for days afterwards), ‘In A Big Country’, ‘Wonderland’, ‘Look Away’ and ‘Chance’ and I’m loving all of it. This is emotional…maybe the ‘Buckie’ is kicking in. “Ohhhh lord, where did that feeling go, ohhhh lord, I never felt so low-oh-o”. At a couple of points I’m standing there enveloped in the wall of Watson bagpipe guitar, thinking of the long and tragically departed Stuart Adamson and I can feel my eye sockets mysteriously bulging with liquid – pull youself together man: you’re in Dunfermline.

More, more…another time. Jamie and Bruce Watson, and drummer Mark Brzezicki will be returning in 20 minutes as Skids. Mark had been joining the Skids as well in recent months as a replacement for Mike Baillie.

The Skids

The Skids kick off with ‘Charade’. Jobson’s dancing. He’s been down the gym some more and is a powerhouse of energy. It’s boiling hot. Moving on we have the best of the newest album, the track ‘Kings of the New World Order’ before Jobson introduces the song that U2 and Green Day later covered, and Bono ‘fucked up’ written in Dunfermline library: The Saints are Coming.

Richard Jobson – Glen Pavilion, Dunfermline

After the ‘still relevant’ ‘Working for the Yankee Dollar’ we get the Pistols ‘Pretty Vacant’ and ‘Circus Games’. The Boris Johnson version of ‘TV Stars’ was in there somewhere… Albert Tatlock!

On we go…. ‘Masquerade….masquerade’…wonderful, still so powerful.

Jobson introduces ‘Charles’, the first single to break for them and dedicated it to Stuart Adamson, “without whom none of this would be possible”.

Charles: https://youtu.be/66VxdDWy83ohttps://youtu.be/66VxdDWy83o

The boys don’t finish without doing ‘Olympian’ and ‘Into the Valley’. Quite a short set, just over and hour, but a lot of punch… again.

Off we go, happy, back to Tappie Toories to hammer the juke box. Top night. What a pilgrimage. I never thought I’d see this when I was a 17 year old Skids fan in the South West London suburbs.