Gigs

That single they put out about his mum last year (or was it this year?) was gorgeous.

Got to see The Spook School at SWG3 in Glasgow on Friday. Was late to them, and missed their farewell tour just before Covid, but they are doing a couple of gigs for a tenth anniversary.

Thought I'd be the oldest and straightest person there (they are a bit gender fluid), there's always someone older!

I've no idea why they never really made it. Like a modern Scottish Buzzcocks, singing about very "in" issues. Great tunes and nice people.

Did they do The Wild Ones? Think that’s an amazing song. I didn’t have a great awareness of it at the time but he’s very, very Bowie influenced isn’t he Brett. I bet his autobiography would be a good read. Saw them once on the Head Music tour and the bass player really reminded me of my history teacher 😂

I think they were by far the best southern band in that time, but Blur got all the attention.

Somehow, I never saw Suede back in the day. Good to hear they have still got it. I probably should pick up some tickets for their big show with Manics next summer.

Love Suede!!! (glad you had a great time) Seeing them again next year headling Eden Sessions along with Manics and really looking forward to it!

Next Fri... The Darkness @ Roundhouse celebrating Permission to Land 20yrs... Hell Yes!!! \o/

Jumped in last minute after a friend's missus could not make a gig with him to see Noel Gallagher HFB last night at Wembley arena.

Solid as the outstanding indie legend rock that he is. Setlist still the same bar one Bod Dylan cover from when we saw him in the summer outdoors but enjoyed good seats and stage view seeing a lot more of the band's work.

He is not a cheap act to see but the calibre and delivery of the band is excellent.

9/10

For the first time in about 10 years I've got a local gig to go to, so I'm very much looking forward to rolling back the years.

In metal gig news, just saw Urne. Fucking great.

The first support band was Tribe of Ghosts. Offering up a brand of industrial metal that's part synthwave, part djent, part nu-metal (I do mean that last description as a compliment).

Bouncy riffs, but given they were early doors had a fairly placid crowd reaction. They did that awkward thing where a couple of members (guitarist and vocalist) jump into the crowd floor for the last track and I never know how to behave - was mildly concerned the guitarist night smack the head of the guitar into my face as he jumped around.

Still pretty enjoyable. 7/10, I'll keep an eye on them.

Second support act was Mountain Caller, a mostly instrumental prog/doom band. Really good sound, some bits aping Black Sabbath, other bits maybe more like Rush or Pink Floyd. Really good musicianship
8/10

Urne themselves were great. Singer/ bassist was very appreciative, took some time to put some context to songs, but mostly rattled through their last album, with a couple older songs.

For a three piece just phenomenal sound. Somewhere between death metal, hardcore/metalcore, and thrash, just very tight. Mosh pit emerged early, but I like that the singer said "as long as everyone is happy", and related a short tale how they had to get their driver to eject somebody for being a dick in the pit at a previous gig. "Phil Mitchell shit" was how he described their driver.

But just a storming set. 9/10.

(On an entirely personal note, received a few comments from other punters about my stupid patched jacket. One guy pointed out that the bar had Moor Beer cans branded with the Bad Brains logo after he spotted my Bad Brains patch, somebody else said it was good to see The Ruts being remembered via another patch, and somebody else said he thought my kutte was cool. I'll take any compliments I can get.)

Gnome tonight in Southampton. Truly felt like an old man at a young person gig but who cares, they were great 👍

As another band I actually love was added to the Arc Tan Gent lineup I'm going to have to go.

Plenty of time for logistics, but the opportunity to see

Explosions in the Sky
Clowncore
Conan
Sigh
Ihsahn
Meshuggah
Mogwai
Electric Wizard
Earthtone 9

makes the ticket price worth it, even before the bands I know less about.

Might have to do Pitchshifter as well.

Considering Bell Witch and Ufomammut, but can't spunk too much money after the Arctangent ticket.

Sheeeeeet, never thought it'd happen but Ovlov are touring here. I am stoked.

Depeche Mode - Glasgow Hydro

The last time they toured I had to travel all the way to Dublin to see them so having them on home soil was good though I was worried of a last minute cancellation given another storm was on the way.

They were immense. I don't think there are many bands that can boast a list of 80s pop songs, 90s rock and modern electronic music but it works and is delivered with such energy from Dave and Martin bringing his own angelic style that it really is something special. I regret not being on the floor as they know how to play the crowd. Anyway I would say the weakest stuff was actually the songs from the new album which seemed at odds with the rest of the setlist but more than happy with everything else.

The support act was Nadine Shah whom I wish I'd listened to beforehand as she had a great voice on her and falls into that category of indiepop/darkwave. So one to keep an eye out for.

10/10

uk Pink Floyd experience

First time seeing this cover band and I was pretty impressed. I'm never seeing my beloved Floyd in the flesh at least not together so this will have to do.

It was a good 2.5 hour show with a good collection of songs from across the Floyd discography with particular attention to The Division Bell due to its release 30 years ago.

7 members make up the band with keys,drums,bass, lead and "2nd lead/multi guitars" and 2 female back up singers, one also On sax. All of them very comfortable with their instruments , I would say some of the vocals were a little shaky at times, however special praise to Emma Street for vocals on The great gig in the sky. Highlights were Comfortably Numb, Time, Money, Division Bell, maybe a couple of misses with Momentary lapse of reason and A great day for freedom.

I would rate a very respectable 7/10 and great evening. I still think Austrian Floyd is the best "version" of PF I have seen.

...now then where's the fuckin bar John.