Gigs with Ivan

Manic Street Preachers – live in Shepherd’s Bush

The Manic Street Preachers at O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire (19.4.2025) with The Anchoress supporting.

This 2000 capacity venue looking over Shepherd’s Bush Green is one I warm to. I love the three tiers of balcony that tower up above the stage, bringing everyone quite close in to the stage. It was the right side of London for me so a more regular choice for me in my Reading area years.

Three Bluetones gigs, two Stranglers, Echo and the Bunneymen, The Icicle Works, Aztec Camera, Marc Almond and in the last decade The Vive Le Rock Awards, The Skids and Dave Stewart’s 60th birthday gig, where I met the recently departed Clem Burke at the bar. I’m sure there’s more.

Tonight, with mate Chris, we end up on the front row of the side of the first tier balcony as part of the unreserved seating. A different view but a clear view and grateful for the well upholstered bench seat as this is the second gig in two nights and we have had a good tour of pubs this afternoon – Baker Street, Hammersmith and Shepherd’s Bush. We particularly enjoyed the relaxed atmosphere of the Shepherd and Flock down the Goldhawk Road – Guiness, Tayto crisps, chat and horse racing on the TV, betting slips and biros on the bar, before catching mate Keith and friends in the Sindercombe Social, just on the corner near the venue – I presume the reason that pub wasn’t rammed full was that most people had gone to queue to get in the venue, before we arrived.

Supporting tonight, and we are just in time, with our pints of Brixton Pale Ale, is The Anchoress – keyboardist and Wales born singer, Catherine Anne Davies. I remember her from her Simple Minds years (2014-2018).

A good choice and a relaxed though quite intense performance to kick off the evening. She appears later to accompany the Manics for an acoustic version of This Sullen Welsh Heart.

(I later found her Versions album has some interesting reworked songs by bands including Nirvana, The Cure and Depeche Mode.)

The Manics

Considering how much I like the Manics, and all the material I have acquired over the years (all CDs), I have seen them only seven time before and that’s spread out over the 29 years since I first saw them, at Pheonix Festival in Warwickshire. Four of those are festival appearances. (That 1996 Pheonix Festival was pretty special – Bowie, Neil Young, Foo Fighters, The Prodigy and the reformed Sex Pistols that weekend.)

This is the second of two nights here in Shepherd’s Bush for The Manics and it’s a real treat to see them in the civilised yet busy surroundings of a proper theatre and not some huge hall.

James Dean Bradfield – Shepherd’s Bush Empire

The tour is to promote the new LP, Critical Thinking. It’s had time to grow on me sufficiently. Still there is a huge variety of Manics’ material to pull out of the bag if you hadn’t had the chance.

The new album has the some Nicky Wire lead vocals on Hiding in Plain Sight. He sings it tonight, lyrics in hand as a security blanket and it’s well worth a listen – sounding a bit Ian McColluch (is this why it uses the start of The Bunneymen’s Ocean Rain as it opens?). The title track is also a Nick Wire lead vocal, perhaps the better one.

Nicky Wire on bass, the occasional vocal and backing vocals

Always a slight concern that with a new album out, the band’s enthusiasm leads to them playing the whole thing. Fear not. Five new tracks provides an easily digestible mix. I particularly enjoy People Ruin Paintings from the new album.

I’m pleased with the four track focus on the Everthing Must Go album (1996), especially Australia and, naturally, Design For Life, the track that woke me up to them when I stood up at Pheonix Festival 29 years ago to see what was going on. This was their fourth LP so I wasn’t exactly there at the start. Still my favourite album that one.

Sean Moore on the drums – Shepherd’s Bush

James Dean Bradfield is enthusiastic yet focused and calm – great voice and some fabulous riffs as ever – Motorcycle Emptiness being the glorious example. He hurt his knee last night apparently, not that I would have noticed.

There a solo start by James Dean Bradfield to The Everlasting with the band joining him as it gets into the heart of it – it’s this track I choose as my lucky dip to record and later save here on YouTube.

International Blue remains my pick of their 2018 album, and the first single, from Resistance in Futile…. love the title. This appears nearing the end of the set – more great guitar.

To finish, the familiar and rougher sound of Motown Junk and finally what now sounds an epic: If You Tolerate This Your Children Will Be Next. This was released in 1998 and maybe we are listening to this 27 years later as the “gutless wonders” the song envisaged as tolerating ‘this’, with a World’s worth of crap seeping in around us.

(Official video of the boys in earlier times: YouTube If You Tolerate This...)

Peter Hook live at The Troxy

Peter Hook and The Light at The Troxy, Limehouse, London (18.4.2025).

The Troxy is just a little off the usually beaten track for many London visitors – come out on the DLR or as we did, by bus (115 out along the Commercial Road).

A fabulous history since it was built in 1933, then the largest cinema in England – outlined here on the enlightening history pages of the Troxy website. It’s amazing it survived the blitz – its local customers’ houses blown to pieces. Never quite in the mainstream since its cinema and bingo hall years, it was used as a training venue for The Royal Opera House for a while and re-emerged as a venue in 2006. Capacity 3100, today found with downstairs standing and the seated balcony.

Only my second visit, the last time being upstairs for Siouxsie Sioux (clip from balcony on my YouTube channel).

A few good pubs about and with a gig on its always going to be hard to get in and get served. Me and my old Coventry mates managed to get a seat early in the Craft Beer Company pub just east of the venue.

There are a few good little boozers on square green just a few hundred yards north of there – The Queens and The Old Ship. I had a couple in The Old Ship with mate Chris earlier on – that’s the gay pub, I now know. It’s The Queens I went in last time. Both worth a try, with drag acts an occasional feature of The Old Ship if that’s your thing.

Inside The Troxy it feels huge and looks beautiful. No support tonight. It’s two sets from Peter Hook and friends. First the New Order album Get Ready – 2001. I admire the way Hooky works through different albums but this 2001 LP is one I am least familiar with. The second set is more a greatest hits collection from the New Order and Joy Division years.

We stand at the back of the lower standing area and the sound is good and view fine. There is even a long bench seat at the back of that lower area, if a grey-haired gig goer needs a rest, divided by an available barrier leaning spot, in front of the mixing desk.

Peter Hook shares the load on bass with his son, Jack Bates, and a third man on bass at times. The singing is also shared around and I honestly have no idea who anyone else in ‘The Light’ is or if the arrangements are a constant.

Personally, I prefer Hooky doing Joy Division numbers, especially Shadowplay and Transmission as a for instance. These play to the strength of the bass.

I don’t know what I can add to what everyone already knows about Joy Division or New Order. Such an important backdrop to my growing up, in the loosest sense. Indeed, what can Peter Hook add to it. I love hearing the songs I know live, but it is hard to put my finger on anything beyond the nostalgia trip, good though it is. Sometimes that’s enough eh?

She’s Lost Control is another Joy Division track that Hooky delivers so well – the vocals in a real Ian Curtis disturbed style.

On the melodica – you can almost hear the sound from the photo

So a short blog and more of a picture gallery for this one. Peter Hook is continuing with an autumn tour featuring the Get Ready album, just announced. I have built a little on my knowledge of that one but I will likely wait and see what album is toured after that.

Troxy: as we leave, from the rear part of the standing area

The setlist comes from my mate bumping into someone on the way back with one. No encores or deviation. A strong string of New Order songs to finish. Blue Monday. A wonderful track. A dancing live track.

Love Will Tear Us Apart is an unavoidable finish these days…. “let’s dance to Joy Division” eh, the irony of which was observed and highlighted by that Wombats’ single.

From The Jam- live in Leamington Spa

From The Jam at The Assembly, Leamington Spa, Warwickshire on 12.4.2025 with London Calling supporting.

A new venue for me. This original 1926 art deco style building, ‘The Bath Assembly’, had periods of closure and a spell as a Gala Bingo Hall before reopening as a music venue in August 2008, with many features renovated with input from Lawrence Lewellyn-Bowen.

Original name The Bath Assembly adorns the top arch

The standing capacity is 1000, as it is tonight (500 if seated) and there is a very small rear balcony with some seats and standing room, with a decent view – I’m up on that tonight with tickets at a slight premium (£50 v £35ish). We were fortunate to get room on a bench. (Some inside images on The Assembly website.)

The bar is well staffed so no waiting and a selection of decent cans and bottles. No wine by the glass but bottles of white wine at £20 was appreciated, and then abused. Well, bit of a special one this as staying over in the Premier Inn on the main street, The Parade – what a thoroughly pleasant town to be in – even better than I recall from the 80s and 90s.

Lovely parks and a few convenient large pubs near to the bottom end of town, where the venue is (such as the Old Library).

Over the river Leam, south passing The Royal Pump Rooms, towards the venue

Tonight’s support band is a Clash tribute band, London Calling. I’ve seen them before and once again they are excellent – really enjoyable. As we’re watching from the back you could easily make believe you are watching The Clash, especially after a bottle of wine.

Why all the way to Leamington Spa to see From The Jam, a few have asked. Time is running out. With just Bruce Foxton as the original Jam band member these days it was sad to hear he was retiring after the end of this Setting Sons tour – he’s 69 now and recovering from knee surgery which forced him to miss a lot of this tour, but it’s not been his only health problem in recent years. I couldn’t make Guildford, London or any gigs near me, so here we are.

It’s only a few weeks since the death of The Jam, and subsequently From The Jam, drummer, Rick Buckler (aged 69). Our generation is dying. The Buckler backdrop is there throughout the From The Jam performance. Respect and the memory is acknowledged without turning another gig into a memorial service. Frontman Russell Hastings comments, “as Rick would say, let’s get on with it”…and they do.

Russell Hastings – From The Jam at The Assembly

The drummer these days is Mike Randon. Bruce Foxton doesn’t join the band and replace the stand-in bassist until well into the set and plays about the last 25 minutes.

Of course the songs are great – it gets the hairs on the back of your neck up at times. Russell Hastings is so Weller sounding.

Bruce doesn’t say much – he’s just pleased to have made it and appreciative of the audience in his quiet, unfussy way. No leaps in the air these days.

Setting Sons is a great album to have the spotlight on. The likes of Smithers-Jones; Thick as Thieves, the wonderful Saturday’s Kids and of course Eton Rifles. Bruce’s big one is David Watts there is a selection of other hits later on.

Down In The Tube Station At Midnight is hard to match, in any company and the same can be said of one I video, captured here on my YouTube channel – Going Underground.

What are we left with when Bruce goes? Will From The Jam continue? There’s no doubt they can and would still be a good night out, but is it then just another tribute band, like London Calling we saw earlier.

Doctor Feelgood continue with no original members, The Stranglers as big and popular as ever with one original member. I guess we just see what Russell wants to do and if they can still sell enough tickets to make it worth it . In the meantime, we enjoy it while we can.

Thanks Bruce; thanks Rick, thank you Mr Weller for the songs and thanks Russell and others for keeping The Jam songs alive.

Ocean Colour Scene with Kula Shaker – live in Pompey

Ocean Colour Scene live at Portsmouth Guildhall (3.4.2025) with special guests Kula Shaker.

My previous OCS experiences are summarised here in my blog of a December 2023 gig in Bournemouth. This is my eleventh OCS gig – just three or so for Kula Shaker but there was The Jeevas that I saw with Crispian Mills fronting that as well. And there’s more notes here on the Portsmouth Guildhall here.

We had balcony seats for this one but watched half of the Kula Shaker set stood downstairs with friends Steve and Dawn.

I bought some new ear plugs – looked like others I’d had and much cheaper. Maybe it’s about the shape of your ears but they were crap and after a bit of fiddling I retreated upstairs. I have since bought a different brand – EarPeace which I have had before and I think are excellent (about £30). My ears take a hammering so I need to be kind to them.

Crispian Mills is 52 now and he appears to have the body of 30 year old. I’ll have some of what he’s on please. Kula Shaker’s psychedelic rock is complemented this evening by some amazing lighting being used as the backdrop.

Mills guitar playing is frantic – he’s down on his knees playing (and no one has to help him up). Impressive. I realise I don’t know their stuff very well. Of course I recognise Govinda with its Indian sounds and chants. I record that one – link to my YouTube channel.

I’m not going to dwell too much on this one. I really enjoyed the gig but nothing new to add really.

Ocean Colour Scene take on a much more relaxed approach than Mills and Kula Shaker. Frontman Simon Fowler is 59 and stays put centre stage – he looks more like I would have to behave on stage, which is comforting in some ways – and the band stick to their positions, with just a limited amount of Steve Cradock wandering.

Ocean Colour Scene – Portsmouth Guildhall

First song is The Circle with images of scooter boys across the backdrop, presumably in Birmingham and maybe around the circular 11C bus route that the song is about, yeah? It cuts through Moseley – where some of the band are from, and just after I left that area earlier in the 80s.

The setlist is a beauty, with seven tracks from Moseley Shoals and five from One From The Modern. Profit in Peace gave a massive lift to the mid-set. So now. So always. Everyone was singing along like it was a hippy 60s gathering – war imagery across the backdrop, seemingly always the backdrop. What do we do? Rock on. Rock until we drop or someone drops us. It’s a beautiful song and up there with the best one song live moments of recent years.

I grab a video of another One From The Modern – So Low. (Here on my YouTube channel.)

The subtlety of Fowler’s vocals on Emily Chambers is… just Beatlesque. Better Day – is there a better OCS song? Get Blown Away. The songs keep coming. This is why I have so much OCS material. I love it all – Bsides, live recordings. Just play the songs and I’m happy.

You think they’ve run out and the end must be nigh.. but wait, Travellers’ Tune. One more then all focus on Fowler for Robin Hood, a popular encore pick. To finish it’s The Day We Caught the Train, the day Jimmy caught the train:

“You and I should ride the coast
And wind up in our favourite coats just miles away
Roll a number, write another song like
Jimmy heard the day he caught the train”

I love it. That’s all they have to do – play the songs. That’s what they do – just play the songs. See you again soon Moseley boys.

The Darkness live in Bristol – with Ash

The Darkness at Bristol Beacon (24.3.2025) with special guests Ash.

Despite owning just one Darkness record – the 2003 album Permission to Land, 99p from an Oxfam shop in Poole – this is now my fifth time of seeing them live. Rocking entertainment every time. Tonight’s gig is just 15 months on from my last Darkness gig here at the Beacon blogged here.

Once again, aside from the opportunity that gig buddy Plymouth Dave presented, the support act gave it the extra appeal to lure me to Bristol. Last time new boys Bad Nerves and this time a return to the boards of Ash, old favourites of mine back across the turn of the century, to sound old.

We are in for the end of the soundcheck, a Q&A session, stage set up tour with the added touring band member and a pic beforehand. There about 20 people in for that and one lucky chap gets to play guitar with the band for a song of his choice – he was brilliant.

The Darkness with a grey-haired gig goer

Special guests, Ash, from Northern Ireland, are still the original three from their 1992 formation: main man Tim Wheeler on vocals and usually with his distinctive Flying V guitar; Mark Hamilton on bass and Rick McMurray on drums and backing vocals.

From our front of side balcony perch I recorded a few songs on my pocket zoom camera, including the new single, a cover of Jump In The Line – link is to my You Tube channel.

The other was, by chance, another newer one: Braindead from the last album Race the Night (2023). I tend to just try to record a couple if it’s easy and unobtrusive and leave it if I mess up or bodies walk passed etc. Justin Hawkins gave a briefer speech and dressing down of phone waving video takers than he did last time but I thought I’d just stick with a few Ash ones if he didn’t like it…it’s his ball.

The official Ash video of Jump in the Line is pretty sensational – best band video I’ve seen in ages. Take a look: Jump in the Line official video on YouTube.

With eight studio albums to choose from, there are so many songs and not enough time but I sense that Ash may be testing the water for a headline return.

Free All Angels, their second album is the one I got most familiar with and Burn Baby Burn and Shining Light are great to hear live again. Debut LP 1977 was the source of four of their nine song set tonight, Girl From Mars the highlight.

They seem so much rockier than I remember – powerful drumming, ripping guitar and that loud and clear bass you get from a three piece band.

Brief but thoroughly enjoyable and a big crowd, in early, to appreciate it on this Monday night.

The Darkness

This tour accompanies the release of the new album Dreams on Toast, with associated baked beans imagery merchandise. The set includes six songs from the new LP but there is still room for five from my only Darkness recording, Permission to Land. This is an obvious personal bonus.

Justin Hawkins is just so smart, so witty and so talented. Every time I’ve seen them he seems to be in control of the audience. He’s not averse to just stopping mid-song to comment on something or someone in the audience.

He has the audience chanting about the QR code to download an extended version of the new album and mock marching to either side of the hall.

Tonight he’s in all white and, after acknowledging he has been a bit ill, launches into extended speculation as to whether the crowd wanted to see him ‘shit himself’ on stage. He didn’t.

Amid the antics the show absolutely rocks. Great guitars with thunderous energy coming from Rufus Taylor on drums (Queen’s Roger Taylor’s son, in case you didn’t know). He is one of the best and gets off the kit to lead the vocals on a few songs.

Last couple of songs of the main set are crowd pleasing belters – Friday Night and I Believe in a Thing Called Love. They return to cheers with two songs from the new album which is perhaps a surprising way to end but smiling faces as we all shuffle out afterwards.

[If anyone fancied a recording of the gig, downloads were made available for £5, here on The Darkness website.]

Red Rum Club live at The Engine Rooms Southampton

Red Rum Club at The Engine Rooms, Southampton (20.3.2025) with The Florentenes supporting.

Back at The Engine Rooms, Southampton (my venue blog here) and a second time of seeing Red Rum Club here.

Given they are a band that have emerged more recently – over the last five years – it’s surprisingly my seventh time of seeing them live. A bit of an our house favourite this lot. Good to catch up with Francis C tonight, who was one of the people who pointed me in the direction of these ‘mariachi Merseysiders’.

I find one of my favoured spots, next to the mixing desk. I’ve been in London with work for a few days and my legs are suffering so the barrier to lean on is most welcome. Gigs like this need to be standing.

Watching the knob twiddling on the mixing desk

The support band, The Florentenes (precise spelling required to avoid confusing with similar names) were new to me and new to most I guess as they really are fresh out of school. Indeed the drummer (Liam Fiddy) is still at school and the lead singer, Will Train Smith, makes reference to the fact they need to get back for school in Manchester in the morning for Liam – they originate from Bolton but maybe he thinks we won’t be so good at UK geography.

Their first EP is called 14-17, the ages of the band at the time of its release. The latest single is Fuel for the Flame. A wonderful jangly guitar and a barking lyric – Arctic Monkeys and Oasis must be in these guys’ phones.

Will Train Smith – The Florentenes front man

I thought they were excellent and look forward to seeing them grow.

And now to Red Rum Club. There’s little more I can add to my previous RRC blog as regards their history. They’ve cranked up a notch though. With four albums to draw on and songs they have been playing live so much now, they have a great set.

They don’t forget any of their albums, from Matador (2019) to The Western Approaches (2024). The sound they call Tarantinoesque has that distinctive trumpet interjection from time to time, occasionally greeted by a crowd roar.

First album faves of Angeline and Rather be Lonely are still up there with the best but I sense a newer crowd enjoying Black Cat and Houdini more, from the latest LP. Vibrate and Eighteen (what would you do if you woke up aged 18? What a thought) are a couple of my top picks played tonight from the third album, How to Steal the World (2021).

Kids Addicted is perhaps the best tonight. Two other crackers from album two, Hollow of Humdrum (2020) tonight are Eleanor and Dorado – more Mexican atmosphere.

It’s refreshing to know the songs of a 2020s band so well. All hope is not lost for a grey-haired gig goer eh.

Tom Williams – guitar and backing vocals

Another great performance and after a few support and festival slots in recent years it’s really good to see them sailing through this headline sellout billing. The best I’ve seen them I’d say and a welcome distraction – my leg is buggered tonight, despite my trusty mixing desk barrier.

I’ll leave you with a few more photos.

Across the heads – Red Rum Club at The Engine Rooms

A birthday beer salute from drummer Neil Lawson behind Fran

Pete Doherty live in Wimborne, with his family, and the dog

Peter Doherty at The Tivoli Theatre, Wimborne (on 12.3.2025) with Junior Brother, Charles Bueller and Max Bianco supporting.

This was a very complete evening with three support acts hand-picked by Doherty.

We took our seats early at this all seated local theatre (Venue detailed here in my venue blog) and Pete Doherty was out on stage waving his trial fanzine type booklet about (a tenner each). Meanwhile his 21 month old daughter – Billie May – played on a monitor speaker and dog Gladys posed for people stage front to take selfies with her. Pete eventually introduced the first act, Max Bianco. He must have made an impact already as the young woman next to me exclaimed “f*cking hell, it’s Max Bianco.. sorry”.

Just a few songs from this Hartlepool born singer songwriter, who also fronts a band The BlueHearts.

Next, also introduced by Pete, was Charles Bueller from Southampton. He really interested me. He has an essence of Doherty about him with meandering acoustic guitar and stand out dark poetic lyrics which Charles squeezes out looking pained with the intensity. One to see again and I would think one who could go somewhere.

Mysterious Charles grips everyone and retains the attention for his allotted 25 minutes or so and then last of the introductions to these new artists was for Irishman, Junior Brother.

A most unusual singing style about him which employs the Irish accent completely. He recounted his afternoon pint in Wimborne’s smallest pub – Oddfellows – and the bar woman asking about his visit and his music. She put some on through the sound system which he really appreciated, before the landlord returned and asked, “what’s this crap you’re listening to?”, before sticking some classic rock back on. He persevered with his evening slot, undiscouraged and a patient audience were entertained.

We’ve been here a while and the auditorium is finally filling to its sold out capacity. Quite a rowdy audience in parts, for Wimborne – outbreaks of noisy drunken chatter from latecomers and a few incidents of bottles being smuggled in – The Tivoli doesn’t allow drinks in the auditorium.

With a roar, Pete Doherty kicks off his set with Libertines song Horrorshow. I was braced for a set of Doherty new solo stuff, and hence the small venue gig, but the crowd pleasing Libertines choices unfolded with the excellent recent single Run Run Run and Don’t Look Back Into The Sun, another belter.

He is accompanied on electric guitar on some tunes and his wife, Katria de Vidas, on keyboards for a bit while they both took some very arm’s length responsibility for their roaming young daughter. At some point she was just laying on the stage playing with their huge dog Gladys, and with some ear defenders on, until she got fed up with those. What a rock’n’roll daughter eh, and dog for that matter. (Last time I saw a dog on this stage was with Julian Clary.)

I was so pleased to hear Babyshambles’ best track, Albion get played. When this came out, I used to drink in The Albion pub in Wimborne sometimes and listened to it so many times, thinking for ages I could hear Wimborne mentioned as one of towns in the lyrics (as are some of the other towns on this tour). My ears were playing tricks and I revisited this uncertainty when the tour schedule was announced.

Felt Better Alive was one of the notable new solo songs Doherty paraded, the new album getting an occasional direct plug, as well as his fanzine prototype. Also Calvados, celebrating the distilled cider drink from around his French home. Possibly a love of said drink might be at odds with the message from Felt Better Alive.

There’s a break for a Happy Birthday singalong (Pete’s 46th) and a cake, which I’m sure the dog licked when it was in the table at the back. It’s as if we’ve all popped round to Pete’s house for the gig and he is a charming, spontaneous and chaotic host. It’s just great the way he ambles about the stage starting songs on the merest whim or audience request. A genius at work and doing just what he wants.

He diverts from a set list he peers down at to satisfy an audience shout of What a Waster. In previous years – and now his former life – this was a horribly appropriate Doherty anthem. Pete references his health a few times, type two diabetes and the desire to look after his toes.

As Doherty stands alone on stage in his suit and stylish fedora, new solo track Dandy Hooligan sounds like it might be autobiographical.

As 11pm approaches, this very friendly evening has to end and there is a realisation that he will be thrown off stage if the curfew is reached. This is Wimborne.

The Libertines’ What Katy Did gets a rowdy singalong, ending a lovely wander around the works of Babyshambles, The Libertines and the new and reformed Pete Doherty, with an introduction to some new artists as well. I’ll remember this one for a long time.

Paul Heaton live at Kingston Pryzm

Paul Heaton at The Pryzm, Kingston-upon-Thames on 4.3.2025

Pryzm

Good to get a new venue under my belt so early in the year. I can’t believe I haven’t been here before. My first visit to Pryzm and I cannot remember ever seeing a gig in Kingston, my birthplace.

Pryzm puts on loads of top acts, often promoted by Banquet Records as part of album release sales promotions. Short sets. Great prices and album inclusive deals. Tonight is no different, with two shows and we are at the early one. (Heaton ticket £25 including the new album on CD)

(I’m here with a friend I know from school, Keith B and my wife Sally, thanks to a late Keith purchase – I bought the last available ticket in the main sale. I’m also grateful to Keith for a few of the band photos included later.)

Pryzm is an old cinema with many original features that give it character, including a sticky carpet. As you enter there is the merch stand and boxes of vinyl records for sale from Banquet Records.

Then it’s upstairs to find a place to lean, stand or sit. There is an upper balcony and around the main standing area there is a good leaning rail and some seats if you are early enough.

Bars with orderly queues deal with drink needs effectively. The capacity is unclear but I would suggest about 1800 for a gig, from my reading – 2250 for the whole building.

The stage is small and makes the event even more ‘up close’ – the tour is billed as the ‘Mighty Several Close Up and Personal Unplugged Tour‘.

Paul Heaton

I did see Paul Heaton with his band (Jacqui Abbott was ill) a few years ago at an arena show in Birmingham and I saw The Housemartins and The Beautiful South a few times back in the day, the last century. (Previous Paul Heaton blog here.)

After being tipped off about Rianne Downey, who now plays and records with Paul Heaton, I saw her open the main stage at Teddy Rocks in March 2023, in front of 20 or so people (clip from my YouTube channel).

A fabulous voice to accompany Paul Heaton. I can imagine her playing in a packed bar in Nashville. There’s a folky Americana feel.

Paul Heaton and Rianne Downey at Pryzm, Kingston-upon-Thames (Photo Keith B)

Heaton and Downey are joined on stage by a seated guitarist and bassist, with Rianne playing guitar on some songs also.

Paul Heaton keeps his trademark ‘jacket on’ look. Must be roasting. He makes light of the overt attempt to boost first week record sales to a number one spot, with the ticket and album arrangements that work so well for artists who come here. “It didn’t work, did it” he quips.

A set of just over an hour with 14 songs, five from the new album, The Mighty Several, and a selection of classic Housemartins and Beautiful South numbers.

Silly Me is my new album pick, which they play – Rianne Downey’s voice used to best effect. Fish’n’Chip Supper is instantly singalong – many do – so British and likeable, but maybe too easily likeable in its simplicity.

H into Hurt is another good one from the LP which gets a play, along with the title track.

The 62-year-old Heaton has his closer cropped hair tonight. The youthful look of a cheeky football fan in still there – he’s a Sheffield United fan. Back when The Housemartins were going, I assumed they were all from Hull, given the provocative London 0 Hull 4 album title. But no. They met in Hull but Heaton is Cheshire born, grew up in Sheffield and then lived in Surrey before moving up to Hull for a bit when The Housemartins formed. He’s always seemed like a good bloke to me, managing to shed the stardom.

View from the floor – everyone wants a pic (Photo Keith B)

It was excellent to hear The Housemartins’ Happy Hour live again, and in this up close venue. There’s also Five Get Overexcited earlier on.

Old Red Eyes is Back was my favourite of this happy hour. Another drinkers’ song (1991) from The Beautiful South collection. I stood thinking of my old drinking mate Sean, not that we had red eyes after our sessions eh. (It’s your round Sean if you’re listening!). Great song.

Pop classics from the Beautiful South catalogue come out near the end of this snapshot: Don’t Marry Her and Rotterdam (or Anywhere). Heaton explains his guilt at having to get us to shuffle out at the allotted time before he lets in the next sitting, drawing a comparison with some sordid brothel.

Paul Heaton and Rianne Downey say goodnight with *Rotterdam*

I really enjoyed this quick visit. I’m sure I’ll be back and another Heaton and Downey live experience would be most welcome soon, especially in a venue that is not too cavernous. Great pop songs with a bit of soul and some folk.

The Reytons: very live in Bournemouth

The Reytons at O2 Academy Bournemouth on 8.2.2025 with support from Freddie Halkon + The Kairos.

Back at the Boscombe O2 (more about this lovely gig spot here in my Venue Blog). I make straight for the top tier ‘Gods’ seats and they’re open – excellent. Good to bump into an old work colleague, Russell, who’s working on security and allows me a wristband to get in there – they use them to monitor the balcony audience limit.

I didn’t realise The Kairos were supporting – my hobbling pace may have quickened, over from an over busy Chaplin’s Bar, if I had known. A really good indie guitar band that I got to like when they supported The Rifles in London.

A short sharp set and the long wait for more material to be released – still waiting for that first album, after a string of singles.

Next up was Freddie Halkon. Wow. I was blown away. What a great set. Such clarity in the lyrics and confidence. He’s only about 20. I’d never heard of him and what a great way to get the crowd going, before his mates, The Reytons, come on.

Freddie Halkon and his band – O2 Academy Bournemouth

Often the strong singer/guitarists play alone in such support slots but with a band this gave such power, while still allowing his voice and guitar playing to be spotlighted. Indie guitar riffs but some more folky sounding numbers as well. I’ll seek out Freddie again. Well done to this lad from Doncaster.

The place is buzzing. The crowd singalong to the DJ’s tunes. This is a Reytons sell out tour. The boys from Rotherham do all this, chart topping albums and all, without a record company backing.

This my fourth Reytons (‘right ones’ in a South Yorkshire accent) performance – the interest kicked off with Victorious Festival 2022, followed by Teddy Rocks the following year, then a proper tour gig at Portsmouth Guildhall in October 2023. Always fun. Always friendly (young and older ‘Greytons’) and always gratitude expressed by frontman Jonny Yerrell for the rise of these ‘kids from the estate’.

Meanwhile I have bought all their studio albums on vinyl, pre-ordered, signed and delivered, to underline my support. What a great story. Three studio LPs so far and a fab live LP from their monster 20,000 gig at Clifton Park in Sheffield – which is a wonderful Spotify start if you don’t know the band.

Jonny Yerrell – The Reytons – Bournemouth

With three albums and a selection of other EPs and singles they can build a varied setlist of the new, old, fast, faster and familiar. The most recent Ballad of the Bystander LP is the most played tonight, with five from it. Market Street has always been my pick from this one. The tale of young sweethearts growing old together.

Low Life, something of an anthem from the Kids off the Estate LP, gets the mosh circle going, just before the relative calm of Market Street.

The big faves are the early ones from the EPs still with greatest cheers of all for Slice of Lime – a fruity emblem for the band. Brilliant. There’s On the Back Burner another early cracker.

There’s an essence of John Cooper Clarke in their everyday lyrical style. Some lines are delivered like a punchline when all the guitars stop – for the audience to join in. It’s a happy scene. A good ole Saturday night bundle in the core of this loud crowd.

Two of the three encores are from the first LP, The Kids off the Estate. The title track – triumphant – it’s what they are and to finish Broke Boys Cartel. A top night – three great bands and a headliner on the very top of their wave…..”and they call them Reytons!”

Dr Feelgood + Nine Below Zero live in Wimborne

My casual approach to the always punctual start time of 7.30pm means we are still crossing the road from Wetherspoons (one of the best ones) when the music starts. I’m here with wife Sally and couple of friends from school who I have rediscovered to be in Dorset in recent years, including Graham who has let me have a few of his pics (I didn’t bring a camera tonight and phones are discouraged enthusiastically.)

My observations on the Tivoli Theatre can be found here in my Tivoli venue blog.

My main reason for booking this one was the harmonica playing of Mark Feltham in Nine Below Zero. I saw part of their set at a Minehead Butlin’s Alternative Music Festival in 2020 and then the originals – lead singer/ guitarist Dennis Greaves and Mark Feltham on harmonica – played as a duo in March 2021 when I saw them support From the Jam, at The Brook in Southampton.

Much as I wish I’d seen them at The Marquee or somewhere similar, I never did see them back in the 70s/80s. The same is true of Dr Feelgood. I saw Doctor Feelgood on tour with The Stranglers in 2019 but have just had to admire their history, especially via the film of their rise to fame: Oil City Slickers. The current Dr Feelgood line-up has no original members but they carry the baton for the great band.

Dennis Greaves – lead singer and songwriter (left)

Nine Below Zero were on first, when we got in. I guess they must take it in turns to go on last. A smattering of bluesy covers in their set – while it all sounds quite familiar I can’t name the tracks. Don’t Point the Finger at the Guitar Man was one of my favourites with the best being 11 + 11 at the end of their set.

New song, Now I Wanna Be a Wannabe, had a pop a younger generations. On the Road Again merged into The Stones’ Satisfaction rounded off their set.

Some good chat from original frontman, Dennis Greaves. He must have played so many gigs over the years. He’s got a few on fellow original, Mark Feltham, as he referred to him practising in his bedroom for nineteen years before hitting the road with the band.

Doctor Feelgood are on after the bar scrummage at the break. Frontman Robert Kane has been in the role since 1999 and he is much more lively than when I saw their support slot for The Stranglers – it’s a shame it’s seated given the effort he’s putting in. The mature audience stays seated until the end, but cheer and clap enthusiastically. I’m not complaining – I needed my seat!

Dr Feelgood 2025 – Tivoli (pic from Graham A)

Other band members joined Dr Feelgood in 1983 with a few breaks along the way. It’s a funny business playing in a band with no original members. Feelgood are more of a reboot than an evolution, giving the old songs life again.

Phil H. Mitchell (bass) – Dr Feelgood (pic from Graham A)

The guitar playing, Gordon Russell, is excellent – a few behind the head moments – and some of the scratchy feel of Wilko Johnson’s original Feelgood sound. Another genius I was lucky to see when he supported The Stranglers, with his own band.

Roxette is my favourite and that scratchy, abrupt guitar strum is very much in evidence. She Does it Right and Back in the Night are other classics that get an airing. The original Feelgood would have belted these out to thousands at Hammersmith Odeon in their heyday. There are some great clips in the Oil City Slickers docufilm.

Frontman Robert Kane plays harmonica as well as singing on many songs, continuing the harmonica theme of the evening.

Of course, Milk and Alcohol is the big hit that comes out as a mid-set livener. When it was released in 1979 and was played on Top of the Pops I hadn’t realised the magnitude of what Doctor Feelgood were doing. I still prefer the tracks I mentioned earlier mind, while recognising its success.

Going Back Home is a bit of an anthem for Feelgood and Down to the Doctor, another belter that follows – see. you know more than you thought eh.

Great to see both if these classic old bands on stage during the encores, playing together on Route 66 and before that Looking Back. Mark Feltham continues in his role as master of the harmonica – that’s what got me here.

Encores – Nine Below Zero and Doctor Feelgood

Afterwards, while browsing the merch stand I found myself stood next to Dennis Greaves so I picked up a classic Nine Below Zero LP, recorded live at The Marquee, and he offered to sign it. A lovely souvenir of my first gig of 2025.