Gigs

I love Snapped Ankles. Saw them at the Roundhouse in Camden on Halloween. Brilliant as always. The crowd was full of loads of weird characters in fancy dress who were all part of the band's entourage and then were on stage for the last song.

Sat on the worlds most uncomfortable chair waiting for Jimmy Carr to appear. Half an hour to go.

I’m standing in the kebab shop after the Eagles of Death Metal in Brighton. What a gig man, it was awesome. They loved it as much as the audience. Fuck COVID!

Yeah at Chalk.

Slow year for gigs for me only 3 all year (I've been known to go to 3 in a week back in the day). Splurged on two gigs at the Eden Sessions; Ben Howard and Idles - both very good gigs in different ways. Ben Howard changes his style on every tour, so some of his more known songs sounded very different this time round, bit more trippy and certainly fit with the setting of the lit-up biomes against the night sky. 

Idles were fantastic, I've been dying to see them since the first record, and have missed out on a few occasions, finally got to see them and they were everything I wanted, bloody good time was had. 

I'd recommend going to the Eden Sessions if you ever get the chance to head down to Cornwall as it's a great setting and unique atmosphere.

Last night I saw Self Esteem at the Pheonix centre in Exeter. Small venue was perfect to see an artist before they (potentially) become much bigger. Another band I've been a fan of since the first album and they were infectiously joyful, such a good gig.  

Nothing booked for the foreseeable, but I am very tempted to nab tickets to Wolf Alice in Plymouth if I get the chance. Other than that, might have to make a few trips up to Bristol to see of the bands that won't come further south yet (like Black Country, New Road, who I am desperate to see).

Was supposed to be seeing Black Country, New Road next week in Cambridge, but they've just cancelled the rest of their tour due to illness.

Blue_Mike

I'm off to see them in Glasgow on Saturday. I cannot fucking wait.

Oh wow, The Hives! Didn't realise they were still around. Can imagine them being great live. Would personally choose to see them over The Offspring, although I could imagine them being pretty good too.

As we are approaching the season, I recommend The Hives' A Christmas Duel for your Christmas playlists. It features The Hives arguing with Cyndi Lauper about shagging each others' families. Very festive.

Saw them a few years ago and similar experience. Lot's of fun jumping about but most of the crowd needing a rest bar the handful of under 40s in attendance.

Was similar when I saw Ministry - and what a show that was - which was mainly an older crowd. A constant large pit, and it felt like the whole room was involved for Jesus Built My Hotrod, but people staggering back out was a regular site.

OSees the week before last I managed a few stints, but I've got a linger something (suspect long covid) which meant I only managed a couple of tracks before needing a 20min rest. They played for 90mins at least but I was a wreck by the end.

Saw Amyl and the Sniffers on Tuesday and fared a lot better, even managed a crowd surf. They were amazing but the sound in the Electric Ballroom left a lot to be desired, was really muddy. Shame as last time I was there was for The Breeders (probably 3 years back now) and it was perfect.

EoDM at the Astora (RIP) is one of my favourite gigs ever. Glad they're still tearing it up, although Jessie Hughes can do one

You want my tickets dude?

Pm your email Addy and I will send you the PDF to print.

Can't believe they are still going! Still on the back of that one album? Or have they done anything else reasonable since 1991?

I go and see Pavement every few years, it's the largely the same crowd every time just getting older

On a side note, some Australian relatives have a son called Carter. I can't hear his name without the start of Sheriff Fatman going through my head....

The Offspring were bloody fantastic. Only complaint being that, as I like them so much, I wanted them to play a hell of a lot longer than they did. Could have done without Noodles little interlude as well but you can't help but like him, especially his cheesy stage banter with Dexter.

The Hives were surprisingly fucking brilliant as well.

Saw Manic Street Preachers last Friday at Wembley. As good as they always are, although seemed like a bit of a shorter show than usual. Came out at 9 and we're done by 10.30. Could be they needed to finish sooner due to extra restrictions in place... or they are just getting old.

Either way, still a great show. Played a good mix of old stuff (the usual Motorcycle Emptiness, If You Tolerate This, Your Love Alone, Design For Life, etc) and quite a bit from the new album. The album has grown on me a bit, after initially not finding it that interesting and seeing the songs live I liked them even more.

Support was Public Service Broadcasting, who were also excellent.

Only downside of the evening was a real lack of coronavirus precautions. Info ahead of time mentioned there would likely be vaccine checks, but there was nothing. Virtually no one was even wearing masks, which I don't really see any excuse for.