Gigs

Prodigy are always excellent fun live!  Last saw them in November at Ally Pally, they were brilliant as ever.

Fat White Family - The Troxy (London)

I've seen FWF a lot over the 10 years they have been together, from tiny pub gigs through to festivals. No two shows have ever been the same. Whilst last night might not have been them at their very best, the expanded catalogue allows them to demonstrate just how good they are live, and allowed for a near 2hr runtime. 

I don't think there is a better frontman (or women) for a live show than Lias.

Whether on stage or on one of his frequent trips through the crowd, he's captivating. Messy, chaotic, unpredictable, but seemingly in total control, he's completely absorbed in the process and exudes energy (and debauchery).

The band were on form as usual - despite several changes over the years (Saul is still a big miss, I loved Lightnin' Jacks drumming, and it seems brother Adam has now officially been kicked out left) they are incredibly tight - and the soundmix was excellent.

The crowd were all onside from the moment they walked on stage. I really can't do a pit like I used too, and I had planned to take it relatively easy, but you can't help getting swept up by it all, and I spent the last hour pogoing with a massive grin on my face right in amongst it.

It seems they might be coming to the end of their time together as a band - there's been several hints from Lias in recent interviews and now with Adam gone, and a Moonlandingz tour scheduled for later in the year, I suspect there will at least be a hiatus. If this is the end then they are going out on a high - if not, bring on the next show!

Isle of Wight Festival weekend! First time going for the whole weekend in 12 years (since my youngest was born). Have done the odd day here or there since but that's it. Very excited. Weather looks good (a.bit of rain tomorrow night aside). Place is buzzing already/people moaning about the traffic, depending on where you live or side of the fence you're on.

Yeah, think so, timings work well. More in the Big Top (the smaller stage) than the Main Stage this year. Also taking the kids - the eldest (14) has great designs on going off gallivanting, which I don't mind but his mainland mate is a liability. And also staying with us on Friday night, so will be responsible for someone else's child. Not quite the child free relaxing times of old!

I reckon I've got one in about 10000 chance with that. Will give it a go!

Live update. Bootleg Beatles. Absolutely amazing again. The Darkness, great fun, Justin is a brilliant front man. Crowded House - decent for the retro slot but perhaps a but pedestrian for some. The Streets - awesome. Now waiting for Johnny Marr. Soz Prodge

Had no idea you lived there sorry! Would you recommend it, where I live it’s grim of course, which is why people like Johnny Marr’s old band exist!

The Darkness live are the absolute dog’s bollocks , can’t go wrong! They’ve also got a bigger catalogue than most think but not so many albums yet since Rufus Taylor joined as drummer and raised their bar even higher. Too many write them off for their early classic and cheesy singles but their recent albums (especially Easter is Cancelled) imo are superb!

hicksy

Yeah I’m familiar with all their work. There are always a smattering of good to great tunes but I do think that only the first album is a classic as an album.

The latest one Motorheart is very good though. I saw them at Leeds Festival at the height of their pomp and then again last year. A lot of the schtick they did at IOW was exactly the same and it brought it back big time.

One thing the IOW didn’t get from the last tour was the epic keytar solo!

I watched The Prodigy later - thought they were excellent and Maxim is one cool customer. The Keith tribute was nicely done. Looks like as an audio visual spectacle it would have been almost overwhelming to be there in person.

squeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee...















.....go my ears.





Back from the FF gig at the London Stadium and it was loud! Hot Milk were....energetic! Being the first band on is probably a tough slot at the best of times, but they gave it everything. Not really my cup of tea mid-afternoon, but they were alright. Courtney Barnett did a longer set and I'd like to see her again at a smaller venue. I love her lyrics and songs, and she got the place grooving along nicely.

FF did a long set with only a small break before the finale and bloody hell they work hard for that slot. I was knackered just being in the crowd, they looked shattered by the end of it! Moved a few times and ended up on the edge of the crowd by the right screen and it was weirdly empty of people so we ended up about 10 metres away from Dave so that was great. Couple of knobbers with their backs to the stage having a chat though the whole set like they were at a coffee morning. Jesus wept. Why'd you buy the ticket? One girl was dancing on all fours like a weird Half Life face crab and the security guys got her safe. God knows what she'd taken, but she was holding the floor like it was a ceiling.

Glad I went and equally glad I got a hotel nearby to crash and have a proper breakfast before heading home.

Sad I missed Feeder but Pet Shop Boys looked really good on Sky. The crowd seemed super into the Swedish woman who won Eurovision last year too.

Slightly disappointed they showed some of the wife beater who got kicked out of Kasabian’s set though.

She must be having an unreal time. My little brother turned 13 while at his first festival (Leeds 99) and its still his favourite.

Clearly my folks were very trusting to let me take him with me since I was still at high school myself.

Buck Rogers was one of the songs that they had on the show.