The Gig guide

Arctic Monkeys tear up The Palace

2007-12-12T10:07:00.000Z

Superb gig from the Arctic Monkeys on Saturday night (08/12) at the huge Alexandra palace in North London. Not my favorite venue as bands tend to struggle to fill the space well. Exception to that in the past has been Franz Ferdinand but the Monkeys made them look like a quiet little string quartet.

When was the last time you went to a gig and the band played new songs, 4 new songs, and even opened with a new song, and everyone went mental? The new tracks absolutely rocked and the 'difficult third album' looks like it's already in the bag if the new material they played is anything to go by.

All the other super sing-a-long stuff was there. There are no standout tracks from this gig - ever single track was stand out. They played so well and so tight it was unbelievable. So much better than Old Trafford gig from the summer and a million miles in maturity from when I first saw them at The Forum last year.

2007 was the year they stole Best Band in the UK from the Kaisers. What more can they achieve in 2008 isn't clear but world domination is surely theres for the taking.

No question, a very impressive 10/10. Loved it.

Video of Fake Tales to follow shortly.

Awards 2007

2007-12-03T20:38:00.000Z

Blimey is it that time of the year again? So here goes my stab at awards of the year!!!!

1. Worst prediction of the year - we aint going to many gigs this year - 2008 - Ronson anyone!!!

2. Best blogger - got to be Mr Allen.

3. Expression of slight disappointment re a gig (part 1) - Housey blew out at 5:30 with a headache from his painting day - that is a tad unfortunate (happy to show what phil really said!!!!)

4. Best little venue - Water Rats

5. Best new bands seen - Ronson, Fortune Drive, Pigeon Detectives

6. Expression of slight disappointment re a gig (part 2) - Groove Armada are playing in London tomorrow - how did you miss that you fucking twat!!! - think that's a yellow card for me then!!!

7. Best new comer at a gig - the little kid at Kaisers see the Ruby clip - better moves than me already!!!

8. Best tool at a gig - its got to be the whizzer!!!!

9. Key tip for 08 - day off required after V

10. Best foreign gig - Mannnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnnncheeeeeeeeeeeeeesssssssssssssssssssssssstaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaah - Ibizia next year anyone

11. 2008 - oh fuck it lets make is a biggie again - more new bands and a foreign adventure me thinks

xx

We caught the Pigeons!!

2007-11-27T14:56:00.000Z

Top gig last Friday at The Forum in Kentish Town. The last night of the marvellous
Pigeon Dectives tour and it went with a bang.

On stage at 10pm, beer glasses flying at 10.01pm and lead singer Matthew Bowman soaking wet by 10.10pm at the very latest.

All the big tunes were there from the debut album, Wait for Me. Stand out tunes were, of course, I'm Not Sorry, Take Her Back and they new classic, Romantic Type.

I've got a couple of quality vids which I'll post as soon as I get broadband online in my new house, should be tomorrow according to BT.....

Shout out to Suzanne who I bumped in to from work. "I didn't know this would be your sort of thing" I believe you said. I'm not that old!!

Looking forward to seeing them again, 8/10.

Video: I Found Out

Video: Take Her Back

Foo Fighters at O2 Arena 18/11

2007-11-20T23:06:00.000Z

First up I have to mention the venue. I know this has already been done but it really is an awesome place. We arrived on the Jubilee Line from London Bridge straight out into the damp miserable late afternoon but not an issue as we walked the 500 yards or so under cover to the O2 entrance. The first thing you notice is the enormous scale of the place. We walked around through the "street" area buzzing with giggers, cinema goers, Tutankhamun visitors and even the locals who just turned out for sunday evening drink and dinner.

Most of the eateries had queues out the door which is a sign that it maybe struggles a bit when a sell out is on in the main arena but we settled on Inc Brasserie with tables available in the bar area at which they also served us with some decent burgers (which they also never billed us for - so value for money they get 10/10!). 3 hours and a number of pints later we decided to head for our seats and check out the main arena itself so back round to the main entrance (our seats were in Zone A), no queues and head up to our section.

We had seats in the lower tier in the back left hand section, just 2 rows from the back (and the exit), on the aisle. Decided to check out the bars, which was right outside the exit, whilst the toilets are just the other side of the exit. At this point I'm feeling a bit like were in an ad for 'Carlsberg don't do concerts but if they did.............'.

Dave Grohl runs on and kicks off the set with Let it Die, a high tempo screamy little number from the new album and followed up with The Pretender. Its already clear the acoustics work much better in here than Wembley and Earls court. From then on its a solid mix of old, new and everything in between never ramming the new album down our throats. Grohl charges endlessly around the stage and down the runway that goes out to the middle of the floor, until a second stage comes down from the ceiling to the centre of the floor area.

Everything changes for a while now as they take to this stage to perform an acoustic set including a classic version of My Hero, we get introduced to the band and they wrap this section with DG performing most of Everlong in solo before rejoining the band on the main stage to finish it off in more typical Foo's style and by now the roof is coming off the place. They play well over 2 hours in all, including a slightly dissappointing encore that features System of a Downs Serj Tankianm doing The Dead Kennedys' Holiday In Cambodia and Kaki King performing Ballad of The Beaconsfield Miners before wrapping up with Best of You. To be fair, they saved the very best for last.

The venue and the Foo's get 9/10

Foo Fighters, The O2 Arena, 18/11

2007-11-20T10:05:00.000Z

Cracking night out at The o2 for the mighty Foos and our first time in the 'big' arena. Well, it is big so think Wembley Arena or Earls Court. We had seats in the lower tier rear corner but had a great view of everything.

The Foos proper ripped it up. Highlight was when another stage came down out the ceiling at our end of the arena and they did a great acoustic set there. They did about 6/7 songs there so was a great chance to see them up close at our end.

Loved the gig, and love this venue. 8/10.

Video: DOA

Mark Ronson, Shepherds Bush, 26/10/07

2007-11-04T12:44:00.000Z

What a night at The Bush. First of I get to go on a date with a lovely girl .....and she pays for the gig! Quality!

Mark Ronson had played the BBC Electric Proms the night before and there views had it down as a major night so expectation was high. Oh what a night we had. Shepherds Bush was absolutely fucking rocking to the Mark Ronsons All Stars. I've not seen everyone dancing, from ground floor and all 3 upper tiers since Faithless.

All the tunes from the album were there plus many others - including a new single from Daniel Merriweather. The night was topped with the extra special guest, Sean Lennon. Sean's a childhood friend of Mark, teaching each other to play the guitar, but they had never sung together on stage. Sean rocked out a Beach Boys classic, Sail on Sailor, before going back of stage - later to reappear for the encore - before the band did a super remix version of Valeria as the final song of the set.

So to the encore. Everyone knew it was going to be Stop Me of course but what other song? Well it was a brilliant brilliant brilliant version of the Stevie Wonder classic We Can Work It Out. Sung by Daniel Merriweather, Tawiah and, of course Sean Lennon. When Sean sung his verses it started to get all a bit emotional cos, of course, the most famous version of this song was sung by his Dad John. Big hugs between Sean and Mark at the end before the stage was filled with a million people and DM belted out Stop Me.

Brilliant night. Loved it. As did every single person in the building. Proper party atmosphere for the first 'proper' headline gig for Mark Ronson. He looked stunned with the way the audience was reacting. Thanks to my hot date for a cracking night out - you might get a second look in if you arrange nights out like that again ;)

I was too busy dancing to take video for once. Check out other peoples comments on Youtube, 'best gig ever' etc. Top top night. Enough said. 10/10

Youtube Video: We can Work It Out: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zAOpgkOPX8Y

Other Youtube Video: http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=mark+ronson+shepherds+bush

Just Jack. Shepherds Bush

2007-11-04T12:37:00.001Z

Oi Oi! You've got to love the cheeky cockney style of Just jack. This was the last night of their tour and the last gig of songs just from the debut album.

Good night had by all in the smallest venue in town. Only slight downside is that, Starz is by a mile their best song, which they obviously did last as the encore, so the next album will need to beef up a bit on the 'bigs hits' front.

7/10

The Editors, Brixton.

2007-11-04T12:34:00.000Z

Shit. Worse than shit and not a patch of the band we'd seen in the past and at V this year. An absolute banker for worst gig of the year. Sorry boys.

2/10

Juliette and The Licks, Indigo, The o2

2007-11-04T12:29:00.000Z

I'm going to start this post with a review of the o2 Venue as it's my first time there. In a word, amazing. I can hear the executives at Wembley Arena crying in to their over priced beer and shit food, after all that place only underwent a multi-million pound face lift 2 years ago, for no visible improvement.

The o2 just about ticks every box possible. 2 mins walk from North Greenwich tube station, wide open space inside, tons and tons of great bars and restaurants, giant screens everywhere showing you wants on and whats coming up, multi-screen cinema and of course the 2 big venues. Wembley Arena is dead. Long live The o2.

Juliette and The Licks were excellent. They played in the smaller Indigo venue which is a real treat in itself. Intimate but not packed. Great big bar and a stage framed like a widescreen TV. The played a great set and she packed the same high energy punch we saw a the V festival, out main reason for coming back to see her today. Excellent night 8/10.

Faithless @ Brixton, 11/07/09. Seen it all before?

2007-09-12T21:23:00.000Z

How wrong could we be. I had my doubts to be honest. We saw them at Shepherds Bush a while back and it was there best ever set. Saw them in a farmers field, sorry Hyde Park, at the o2 Festival and they were ok. Last night they just stepped back in time and produced a mega show. We had green lasers and smoke for fucks sake!

Maxi Jazz has just turned 50 years old. As Mark said, that's just 7 years younger than his Dad (note: Mark's Dad isn't a lead singer from the biggest dance band in the world!) My legs were shot to pieces by the end from all the dancing and jumping but Maxi jumps for nearly the whole 2 hours. He's some fit bloke.

As they opened with Insomnia during the last year or so, threw us a bit that they opened with a 'slow one'. Didn't wait long though as second up was the big tune, Insomnia, and we cracked out the glow sticks and never looked back.

After 3 songs Pete rated the gig 11/10 so we knew we were on to a winner! Storming versions God is a DJ and We Come One obviously stand out and no, no-one ever tires of screaming 'ONE' all the way through. Encore was Muhammed Ali and Tarantula followed by the loudest cheering and applause for a gig I've ever ever heard. Everyone cheered so loud you couldn't hear anything, if that makes sense, just a roar of noise. Even Sister Bliss smiled.

We'll be back for more, possibly the best gig from them we've seen...... 10/10

Read about The Shepherds Bush Gig here
http://thegigguidediary.blogspot.com/2006/08/faithless-at-bush-1508where-do-i-start.html

Video from The Shepherds Bush Gig, including Insomnia, here
http://thegigguidediary.blogspot.com/2006/12/faithless-live-video.html

Read about 02 Festival Gig here
http://thegigguidediary.blogspot.com/2007/07/02-festival-review.html

Video: We Come One (Pt 2)

Video: We Come One (Pt 1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mhLA_ko17jM

Video: God Is a DJ (Pt 1)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pW62kx_B3Lk

Video: God Is a DJ (Pt 2)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dKGaKxiWlvo

Beastie Boys - 20 years in the making

2007-09-12T21:15:00.000Z

I'd waited 20 years to see the Beastie Boys. They first played Brixton in 1986 supporting Run DMC and played there the year later with Public Enemy. I wasn't old enough to go to gigs then!

Instant winner of the Best Stage Set of 2007 award, amazing screens and fantastic lights and video mixing. Talking of mixing, Mix Master Mike is fucking unbelievable. 2 Turntables and 1 DJ - as the song says - and he manages to make everything happen with those 2 decks.

But he wasn't the only one with an instrument as all the Beasties plays something, drums, guitars, bass guitar, double bass, percussion. But fuck all that, when the got on the mic and the bass started banging the ripped it up.

Gutted we left before the end due to the fucking train strike. It won't be another 20 years before I see them again.

7/10

Video: Super Disco Breakin

Video: Brass Monkey
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N4d4I1WzpBk

V Festival 2007

2007-08-20T16:00:00.000Z

So here we are on Monday afternoon, nice day off work, recovering from a fantastic weekend at the 2007 V Festival, Hylands Park, Chelmsford. The cynics said it would rain all weekend and be a complete wash our. The truth is that it rained twice, once Saturday and once Sunday just as the main stage headliners were coming on....so no-one cared by that point!!

Saturday 18th
Got to the site about 1pm and stocked up on enough beer tokens for the whole weekend. That was the first good call of the weekend - later that day bumped into Nicky who had queued for 2 hours and then given up! why can't festival people get things like that sorted?

Anyway, first band we saw was Juliette & The Licks on the Channel 4 stage. No, we weren't just watching as she's 'famous' (honest!). For me though ended up being a real highlight of the whole weekend as they totally rocked and she proved she's as made as a fish up a tree. Quality set and now have all 3 albums in my collection thanks to the lovely people at Bittorrent ;) Juliette and The Licks get a solid 8/10 for me.

Stayed at the Channel 4 Stage to catch The Thrills and then The Fray both who were really good. The sun was beating down and the festival was getting busier now. Top sets from both bands and they get a couple of 7/10's from me.

Video: The Thrills, Big Sur
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JwBbl8I0t9Y

I then left the rest of the crew to head over to the Main Stage for Kanye West. It was rammed! Jim and Alice were there somewhere but at this point the mobile network seemed to crash and my and everyone elses phones were offline for a couple of hours. Nice seem as the event was sponsored by Virgin Mobile....

Kanye West was excellent. The whole place was well up for it and he had the biggest crowd of the day so far by a mile. Diamonds were well in truly in the sky for the main man from Chicago. All the tunes were there, Diamonds from Sierra Leone, Gold Digger, Touch the Sky the Sky, a brief cover of the (missing) Amy Winehouse Rehab which got a few laughs, then finishing with the fucking brilliant Jesus Walks and Stronger, the latter being the first single from the new album Graduation (released Sept 10 2007). I know this is not everyone's taste at a festival but, like i said, Mr West was on the main stage and it was completely rammed. So festival goers do love rap after all. 9/10.

Video: Kanye West, Diamonds from Sierra Leone
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hdqmoq9XQO8

I then went off again this time to the JJB Arena (is there a more pikey sponsor for a music arena?) for a bit of grime in the name of Dizzie Rascal. Pretty good to be honest 6/10. I met back up with Pete, Suzanne, Julie and Laura for Ocean Colour Scene. They are just getting back in to the live then again with a new album, On The Leyline, and they proved to be another big surprise of the festival. Well, I mean, when you walk out in to a packed tent, people fighting to get in, you know your still popular right? Then you kick off you set with your most famous track ever, the mighty The Riverboat Song, cue place going mental, flying pints of beer and that's how it stayed through to the end and The Day we caught the train. Awesome stuff and someone we'll get tickets for when they are touring next. 8/10.

Heading in to the evening now and Julie and Graham were already off watching Pink. They (and others) thought she was great. Judge for yourselves below with the vid (Thanks Graham!)

Video: Pink, What's Going On
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WLs8ui5niTI

I wanted to see Happy Mondays next but choose to watch Snow Patrol in really just to bag a good spot to watch the Foo Fighters later. Snow Patrol were there normal good average steady set. Nothing amazing. One funny thing. Martha Wainwright came on to do the duet for the first time ever in the UK. What was totally poor was she had all the words written down in front of her on the stage. You could see them on the big screens and also saw a stage runner take the up when they moved her mic away after they had finished. She gets a 1/10 from me for being a joke, Snow Patrol overall get a 7/10.

So, the end of day one and Foo Fighters were up. Dave Groll came out on stage on his own and started singing on his own. That takes balls in front of 50,000 people. Thy completely rocked then from start to finish. Got to say most of our lot didn't like them and went to see The Kooks (who were also shit according to Pete) and Rodrigo Y Gabriela (who were amazing!). I really enjoyed the Foos along with Julie and Graham and I we're going to see them when they are back touring in November. 9/10 for Foo Fighters and the big stars of the day. Then it was a nice walk back to the cars with a cup of tea then all back to mine to get ready for Sunday.

Sunday 19th
Kicked off the day with Captain (7/10) followed by The Cribs (5/10) which was just the build up really to Mark Ronson.

Video: Captain, Glorious
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jqyg4NRTv8w

We saw him at the o2 Festival a couple of months ago so we had big expectations. He and the amazing band didn't disappoint either. Started the set with an extended Diversion and with the sun coming out for the only time that day we got the full set with banging versions of Valerie, Apply Some Pressure, Oh My God, Toxic and finishing with the excellent Daniel Merriweather and Stop Me. Loved it all - 9/10

Video: Mark Ronson feat. Daniel Merriweather, Stop Me

Back over to the Main Stage for The Fratellis who were less than average. On the way home everyone was raving about them on the radio - what were you watching?!?! 5/10

Video: The Fratellis, Chelsea Dagger
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nJWqhXOUdoE

James up next and was shit. I mean totally rubbish. 3/10 max and a waste of video.

Home run now and, as i was not driving on the Sunday I was now having a really 'nice time' and totally ready for Kasabian. Saw them at Somerset House last month and they rocked that. Think this is the 3rd or 4th time seeing them but they did it again and put on an amazing show. First time I properly jumped up and down all weekend and lost it a bit. Proper good, proper loud, proper band. Havin' it we were! 9.5/10 (I hate giving half points)

So, V Festival was all over.....except for one more band. The Killers were playing their last gig in the UK for a while so it was always going to be something special. We've been trying to see them for the last 18 months but just couldn't get tickets. We were all well up for this and what a show. Just the best best best set of the weekend by a mile. I'm not entirely sure what they opened with as the old STM has kicked in by this point but what i do know is they did 2 encores. Final song before they went off first time was Mr Brightside and it was HAMMERING down with rain but no one's spirts were damended at all. There was easily more people there on the Sunday, I reckon 70,000. If you've seen the TV highlights then you'll know basement Jaxx had a massive crow too but I reckon 50,000 were watching The Killers and EVERYONE was singing every word to Mr Brightside. Pretty amazing stuff really. So off they went then came back on and did a Joy Division cover and made a 30 year old song sound like it was written yesterday. Signed off with a storming version of When You Were Young (which the oddly did earlier in the set). Final score for the final band of V festival 2007? 10/10 of course and well and truly deserved.

Brilliant brilliant brilliant weekend. Well done to the crew for making it the best weekend ever. Graham, Julie, Pete, Suzanne, Jim, Alice, Sheena, Housey, Julie, Laura (festival virgin!!) plus Nicky and her gang, Neil and his crew (where ever you were all weekend?!?). Nice one.

That was it for the 2007 V festival. All over for another year and, as this our last big year gigging, then I guess that's it for good.

Hang on, I've just had an email.....what this....Ticketmaster say tickets are on sale for 2008 next Tuesday. Well, maybe one last 'big year' in 2008......

Arctic Monkeys, Lancashire CCC, Manchester

2007-07-29T18:12:00.000Z

Just back from the gig in Manchester which is a clear contender for 'most northern gig' of the year awards.

First time I'd been to a gig at a cricket ground so was interested to see what the format would be like. In a word, pretty shit. It was a massive space to fill and, as you can see from the video, we couldn't be arsed to go down the front but the sound system was too low. They were clearly thrashing the arse out the amps as the sound went completely in the middle of a song and was off for about 3 minutes. "You're not singing anymore" was the chant from the crowd. Poor.

Fights for beer which ended up with the stewards being to to sod off by the police and them controlling the queues. What a joke. The venue overall was poorly run and should stick to cricket. 3/10.

So, anyway, we went to see the Arctic and there were pretty good. Good set with all the top tunes played through. Opening number was Fluorescent Adolescent - video below as requested by KH, this one's for you. Loads more videos will get added here or go to http://www.youtube.com/eppingphil

Overall, top night, good hotel and plenty of beers. Shame Jim and Dave missed it but me, Pete, Mark and Sunni had a top time. It's not that grime up north after all but only 7/10 from me.

Fluorescent Adolescent

Brianstrom
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmFoPTyK3-Y

Mardy Bum
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kBs1kIHOkWs

I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4kJGOVjbWA

Do Me a Favour
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeZnPfXZ2rU

When The Sun Goes Down
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ts0nbajWnSc

If You Were There, Beware
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cWYa4P2YL38

Kasabian @ Somerset House

2007-07-14T11:37:00.000Z

We love Somerset House but we hate the English weather we've had this summer so we were all keeping our fingers crossed that the heavens wouldn't open. Somerset House, just off The Strand in London is a great little open air venue which plays host to a week of gigs every summer.

Friday 13th was lucky for us as we got tickets for this relatively intimate venue to watch the Kasabian boys. They'd just come off the back of Glastonbury and T In The Park so were more used to playing to 50,000 rather than the 1000 people there last night.

Storming set. Loved every minute of the show. Really loud and everyone was bang up for it. Totally loved it. Glad we got to see them again as won't be watching them at V (sorry, Foo Fighters win this clash) and the ended the night with a 4 or 5 song encore which included Club Foot, a super acid sounding version of Apnoea and the almighty sing-a-long version of LSF. Proper, proper, proper quality night out. 9/10

Massive instrumental opening track video here:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U8O92uwcnCk

Empire Video

02 Festival Review

2007-07-14T11:24:00.000Z

02 Festival Review - Friday 15th June - Faithless
Sorry this has taken some time to get up but I've had a few PC issues. We went to the o2 Festival in Hyde Park for the first time and pick two of the4 days - Friday and Sunday.

Let's start off with the review of Friday which was headlined by Faithless. We got to Hyde Park about 5 in the evening and yes, I know, we had already missed loads of stuff. We caught the end of Just Jack who looked super goodlive (looking forward to seeing them later in the year) and we saw the whole of Mark Ronson. This was MR's first ever live performance and they rocked! Excellent set with a fantastic mix of singers doing all the tracks you know from the album. This album for me is certainly a candidate for 'sound of the summer' - if you know what I mean.

Next single out off the album is the Lilly Allen version of the Kaiser Chiefs,. Oh My God, which is bound to do good things. Best track of the set for me was Stop Me - absolute classic tune ripped out with a funky horn section and the best live vocals I've heard in ages. The guy on the album is Daniel Merriweather - not sure if it was him on stage but if so, hat's off to you Mr Merriweather, storming vocals. Mark Ronson - good band, great live and better than the CD. 8/10

So, on to the headliners then, Faithless. If you read this site you'll know that we are big fans of Maxi, Bliss, Rollo and co so it's hard to write another review of these guys without all the normal 'fantastic' and 'brilliant' type comments. We've seen them in every type of venue now and it all times of the day and night. This was a good set which kicked of with Insomnia so got the big festival crowd jumping. They rocked through everything we know and love: Mass Destruction, God is a DJ, We Come One, Tarantula, etc. All super tight and super jumpy up and downy due to the way Maxi whips the crowd up. Can't believe how old that guy is - amazing. Anyway, Faithless rocked and our first day at o2 was over. They get 8/10 as well. Video to follow at some point....

The venue gets a def 8/10 as well. Lots of nice! Food to choose from, loads of bars so no queuing for beer all day, fun fair, loads of other stages and lots of space to chill in the sun.

02 Festival Review - Sunday 17th June - Kaiser Chiefs

We were much better organised for this one and got the venue nice and early so caught loads of bands. Top new bands for me were Under the Influence of Giants - loved them - and The Pigeon Detectives who everyone seems to be banging on about at the moment.

Up right before the Kaisers were The Editors. We'd seen them a couple of years ago at Brixton so was keen to see them in the big open air arena and they didn't disappoint. Really good set with a good mix from the new album and all the favs from the other one. Really like their set even if leadsinger Tom Smith gets a bit emotional and OTT with grinding out the lyrics.7/10.

Video from The Editors set here:
Munich: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gBPLJ5JcKJ4
Bullets: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z1ehQmEONIw

Last up on Sunday and indeed closing the 2007 o2 Festival were Kaiser Chiefs. I guess this was a bit of a Glastonbury warm up for them as they were off there the following weekend. Pretty good set by the Kaisers but then it generally always is. Ricky is super tight and engages with the crowd really well. All top sing-a-long stuff with Ruby being a stand out tune. 8/10 for the Kaisers.

I saw part of their set from some sort of fairground ride - thanks Suzanne for that experience. The turbo shandies gave me the confidence I think! I really enjoyed the o2 Festival and can safely say we'll be back next yearfor a day or so of festival fun in the capital. Nice.

Video from Kaiser Chiefs here:
I Predict a Riot: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RuFncx6h5I0

Ruby Video below:

Max performance

2007-05-12T09:29:00.000Z

Maximo Park surprised me last night. Neil and I headed down to The Bush on our own as Pete 'in need to go a ride my bike' and Mark 'I've got a headache from down creative painting all day' couldn't be arsed to come.

I'm first to admit I'm not a big Maximo fan, they are one of the few bands who's music I don't own or had heard much of before, so my expectations were pretty low. The opening number rocked and they continued to get the crowd jumping with the super-fast paced set all night.

We we're up in the balcony for a change which gave it a different perspective. I certainly looked like downstairs were having fun from where I was standing! Good night all round, topped off with being chatted up by the lovely Kirstie ("with an 'ie' you know, I'm posh") who was standing next to me. I'm guessing she must have been hammered as I've chatted up for ages! Anyway, see you at the Arctics in Manchester Kirstie - remember, front left of stage!

If you've got tickets for Maximo Park tonight (at The Forum) or anywhere else on their massive tour then, nice one, you are in for a good night. 7/10 from me.

The View @ The Bush

2007-04-28T11:10:00.000Z

Ummm.....scot chav rockers the View were pretty average to be honest. I really like their album but they have a lot to work on for the live audience. For example, understanding anything they are fucking saying - sung or spoken - was impossible. That said they have energy by the bucket load and the crowd seemed to like what they saw.

For me and Pete, we left after about 40mins to go back to the pub. We meet John Simm (Life on Mars) in O'Neills and got to say that was a highlight for me. Anyway, here's the opening number, Comin Down. It went downhill from there. 4/10.

Little Man Tate @ Astoria

2007-04-28T11:04:00.000Z

Not been updating for a while so a few recaps on the gig front.

We all really enjoyed the LMT gig a few weeks ago at London Astoria. We got there late thanks to Pete and the other Yids wanting to watch Spurs (lose...ha ha) in Europe. so we ended up upstairs. Quite happy with that as the whole of downstairs looked like one giant mosh pit as the LMT boys came on stage.

The did a good run through of their debut album and the crowd seemed to enjoy. Obvious comparisons with the Arctics but they'll be strong enough to come out from under their shadow.

Mark - you need to sort your life and, stop buying tickets and then blowing out. Loser!

Ticket-tastic

2007-03-14T20:31:00.000Z

Update for what is coming up this year and what new videos to look out for as we charge through 2007. So far we are sorted for (in no order):

Maximo Park @ Astoria
Arctic Monkeys @ Old Trafford
V Festival @ Chelmsford
o2 Wireless Festival on Friday (Faithless) and Sunday (Kaiser Chiefs)
Kasabian @ Somerset House
Live Earth

More to follow towards the end of the year...

The Radio Dept

2007-01-28T08:50:00.000Z

Volvos, Abba, Saunas, blonde totty - The Radio Dept are another fine Sweedish export - with the world's biggest guitarist - who was very very good - were very very good bit Doves/New Order/electonica- great venue at the Water Rats a very impressive 8 out of 10 gig!!!

Good crack!!!

Random Video..

2007-01-08T20:34:00.000Z

Just a few links to video this time, can't be arsed to do the embedding thing.

Take That, Never Forget - the full 4m 50secs of the final song including all the fireworks. Good work fellas.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3CQlMcPWWM0

Snow Patrol performing Ways and Means at The Forum, London, May 2006
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zQccx7f6Xa8

Embrace, Good Will Out from alley Pally gig - more for my terrible pissed up singing. Class.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=maD3BEI4tt8 also got another Embrace song (rise and Believe??) the title of which I always forget and can't be bother to find. Lots and lots of people jumping up and down (perhaps how Neil knackered his knees) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H-WD43Ej-s

Enjoy people.....

Kubb - Wicked Soul @ The Bush!!

2007-01-06T13:57:00.000Z

I'm now trying something out from google video!

Wow - thees ees a peese ofa tha peees!

You can read the review right here ....http://thegigguidediary.blogspot.com/2006/05/kubb-rock-bush.html

Video is the future!!

Snow Patrol, Run, The Forum, London May 2006

2006-12-31T10:43:00.000Z

This is a bit of a test for embedding video in a page. Only provided links before so lets see if this works.

This is the video of Run and you can read the gig review below.

http://thegigguidediary.blogspot.com/2006/05/snow-patrol-forum-kentish-town.html

Faithless LIVE video

2006-12-29T15:45:00.000Z

Oh my god, the video stuff works ok. Result!! Thanks for the testing Techie Scottish Girl - you know who you are ;)

As promised, video from Faithless secret gig, Shepards Bush Empire, London in August this year (2006 - just...)

Read the review here http://thegigguidediary.blogspot.com/2006/08/faithless-at-bush-1508where-do-i-start.html

Watch the all time anthem, Insomnia here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1fruGz_LHmA

or God is a DJ here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b8gzJMDrQOk

Let me know what you think using the comments....thanks!!

Kasabian - LIVE video of LSF and Club Foot

2006-12-24T14:27:00.000Z

Right, this is a bit of a test as we've never used video on here before. Some live footage from Kasabian encore featuring the mighty Club Foot and the sing-a-long-tastic version of LSF.

LSF is here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJVAQW44JbA

Club Foot is here http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tHhl6aQuMAI

If this works well I might try embedding some in the page next time.

K k k k k k k ickkkkkkkkkkinnnnnnnnnnnnnnnngggg

2006-12-20T08:33:00.000Z

Kasabian - Earl's Court - World Domination beckons for the boys from Leicester

10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10 10

Lets see em overseas in '07!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

2006 Awards - Its that time again

2006-12-12T08:46:00.000Z

Here goes thoughts from me:-

1. Best Gig Organiser - Phil - you Artic Monkey you!!!!

2. Best Gigs - Artic Monkeys followed very closely by Faithless - with Boy Kill Boy a close 3rd - though really looking forward to Kasabian

3. Biggest Disappointment - No Somerset House summer series

4. The Mark House I need a diary award to make sure I actually turn up to some gigs - Mark House

5. How did we miss that one? - The Electric Proms - 2007?

6. Gigs for 2007? - Some newies, Doves, Water Rats, Somerset House, Chemicals, Weller again, Foreign trip, Gorillaz and a couple of dancies for me - is next year the last big gig year?

7. Best Ladee awards - Clapham Common - dance day - bonde hair, shorts, boots, hats x500 - ohhhhh yeah

8. I wish I hadn't sent that text award - Me - anyone for Girls Aloud

9. Must go there again - Islington Acamedy

10 Thats' it cheers
10.

Placebo - Who are you?

2006-12-12T08:44:00.000Z

A dishevelled 3 staggered to Wembely Arena for this one - sound and light was good - someone's @rse was roitten!!!!!! didnt help didnt know any of the songs and was after me scratcher

5.5 out of 10 - nuff said

Well Well Well Dirrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrtyyyyyyyyyyyyyy

2006-12-12T08:40:00.000Z

Dirty Pretty Things - at Brixton

Only a select section of the crew could make this one - and I reckon they made the wrong choice!!!!

Gig of fluctuating balance - slowies didnt move me but when they rocked they Rocked with a capital R!!!!!!!! - Deadwood and Bang Bang Your Dead awesome - appartently did a cover of In The City - but was on me toes.

Carl Barratt fucks over the loser twat Doherty - a solid and very respectable 8 out of 10 - new album please and lets all get to see them in 2007!!!!!!

George Michael @ Earls Court

2006-11-30T08:39:00.000Z

I've been having the piss taken out of me all week about going to see George from people at work. Most are armchair fans of music/sport/anything and know nothing about quality music. Well, they are a bunch of ...... er ..... bankers afterall.

I imagine I'll get the piss taken for this review too but this was a super polished gig. The HD-jumbo screen bigger than my back garden was amazing and Mr Michael's tailor has been working hard too. Oh, and the 60ft inflatable George Bush being 'entertained' by a British Bulldog was, well, plain funny.

I loved the set with music chosen from a full 25 year back catalogue. The Wham favs I'm Your Man and and Everything She Wants were in there and didn't sound at all out of place in 2006.

Average age was well above 35 but everyone was singing alone like they were teenagers again. They thing is the songs are all great. Well written, first class, pop. Everyone knows them and that's what made it really good - it was like a party - and I don't rate Earls Court as a venue so this was saying something.

So I've got Dirty Pretty Things this Sunday followed by Placebo, Kasabian and a couple more before 2006 comes to a close. I don't think people will be taking the piss out if me going to see DPT's; mainly because they've never heard of them. Back to work please....

8/10 for George.

Madchester is still alive

2006-11-30T08:30:00.000Z

It was a first time visit to a new venue for us last Friday, the Carling Islington Academy. For those of you who have brain cells that haven't been completely fried from the 90's, this venue is where the legendary AWOL club started back in the day. Dark and dirty venue for dark, dirty and banging D'n'B night.

The venue is now been taken over by our favorite beer sponsoring gig people, Carling, and it was lager, lager, lager for The Complete Stone Roses.

We had a 100% authentic Manc with us too in Jim so we knew we would be in for a good night.
All the tunes were there in opening with I Wanna Be Adored set the tone for a good night. Other highlights were Fools Gold (of course) Made of Stone and the mighty, mighty I Am The Resurrection. Great night and great mic twirling. Worth 7/10 for just getting such a small crowd to crowd surf.

Blunt Razors

2006-11-02T09:02:00.000Z

Razorlight played Wembley Arena last night, 1st Nov, and for me they they didn't come close to filling the 'all new' (that's a repaint then) Wembley Aircraft Hanger. It doesn't help that I really hate Wembley anyway. We were pretty close to the front and I still felt miles away from the action. They just didn't do it for me. We're talking Gillette Mach 3 performance against an expectation of Fusion Power.

All the tunes were there and played loud and proud - so loud in fact that the speakers made your chest and legs hurt - but there was something missing. Jonny Borrell's routine was a bit too familiar and as a band they seemed to be going through the motions for me.

Wear white - check
Shout "How you doing" - check
Jump off drum kit - check
Climb up speaker stack and jump off - check
Shout "How you doing" again - check
Take white top off - check
end.

Looking forward to the Roses, DPT's, Placebo and Kasabian (plus hopefully Killers and The Feeling too) in the coming weeks. All will be better than Jonny and his boys could manage.

A disappointing 6 from 10.

New Order - Old Favourites

2006-11-01T15:44:00.000Z

Picture the scene 5:15 on a Friday Night - in the King of Diamonds - mate calls got a spare ticket for New Order fancy 'aving large - you bet!!!!!

That joy was knocked on the head when a very rotund Bernie goes - hello - tonight we are joy division - here goes the suicide knives - Atmosphere and love Will Tear Us Apart were champion but the rest of that part of the set was okish then - Now we are New Order - get in there!!!!

All the Old favourites - Shellshock, Blue Monday, LowLife, Bizarre Love Triangle, True Faith, State of The Nation - a right old trip down memory lane - discodance pants set to the max!!!!

Wembely Arena still a great big air hanger though the newly re-furbed toilets are sweet

A soliud 7/5 - not as good as when Housey and I saw them at Brixton a couple of years ago

Raconteurs at Brixton

2006-10-23T08:01:00.000Z

I liked this!!!!!!!! - 8 out of 10 - from me not really a White Stripes fan but was really impressed with Jack White and his sparring aprtner Brendan Benson - though of the two White really out gunned Benson.

Song highlights - a cover of Bang Bang which White screached his way through, some big acoustic guitars on Together and the real crowd pleaser Steady,As She Goes.

Brixton was really busy and in good humour - next gig we need to have pre-entertainment in the The Prince of the The Albert nice boozers

Animal Magic

2006-08-25T07:34:00.000Z

STOP!!!!

Sit Down!!!

Throw out the Gig Guide rule book as it was re-written last night!!!!!

The Artic Monkeys were in town last night for a warm up for Reading. The Forum was a seething, sweat drenched orgasmic wall of noise and energy last night.

Ignore all those other posts saying blah blah was the gig of the year - This is the Gig of the Year - destroy that rule book that say you cant give a 10 for a 1 album band - this was a 12!!!

Are we gonna see them again - too right

Phil please step up and collect the first award of 2006 - Gig Organiser of the year mate

AWESOME AEWSOME AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME AWESOME

v 2006 - up t'north

2006-08-20T17:48:00.000Z

A slightly off piste event this one - with the team sorting themselves out or not as the case may be - neilo in chelmsford, occasional contributors julie and graham there in a no camping scenario and me up t'north in stafford for the sat.

my thoughts enjoyed location at chelmsord better than up t'north but maybe that is cos i'm a southern cock - saw the following with a the following scores on the doors...

Strongbow dance tent at start and end of the night 9 - maybe i'm changing but still danced like a Tw@t!!!!!!!

sugababes - saw one song push my button? or was it pull my chain? - a resolute 0 for those ladieeessss - shiteeeeeeee!!!
Hard -Fi(sic) what is with the even faker cockerney accent - hmmm - good cover of a white stripes toon - solid 8 out of 10 though we need new stuff now guys!!!!!

Weller - gawd am i gonna have to see him again - straight 10s - chnaging man, a soaring wildwood, and you do something to me pluse town called malice - AWESOME geezer!!!!

Faithless - watch can you say? knew what was coming off from Tues and it still fackin rocked - another 10!!! if they get another one - does that mean they get voted into the (to be formed!!!) Gig guide hall of fame)!!!! Brilliant!!!!

For me biggest disappointment was Groove Armada a solid 7 but maybe seen it all before.

Other bits from Stafford - pissed down with rain, birds pissing everywhere - nice !!!! like phils dirty teenage golden showe dvds, taking an hour to find me car in the carpark when finishing!!!, and some annoying manc twat groaning in the background at close of play - opps sorry mozzer!!!!

Early reports from Chelmsford indicated that Kasabian rocked - cant wait till Dec and Keane ok.

All in all a tip top, ayyyyyyyyyeeeee, to the max event

Out

The last embrace (part 2)

2006-08-18T08:14:00.000Z

A very late post on this one - whilst Phil was being a G@yLord wathing TT - I was at Cannock Chase watching for the final final final ever time the Leeds/Bardford/Huddersfield boys.

Venue and weather was super - wont go through the dust bowl/ looking like Clint Eastwood in a spag western jumping around to all the old anthems again.

As ever with embrace highs and lows - all the old stuff 10/10 i.e. everything on the good will out - bar Gravity and Ashes all the new stuff is shite

A final score of 8.

Thanks embrace - time to call is a day i reckon boys!!!!
Cheers
Pete (The real one)

The Gig guide

2006-08-17T11:15:00.000Z

The Gig guide

Faithless at The Bush - 15/08….where do I start?

2006-08-16T08:36:00.000Z

Do I start with my score and then ruin the rest of the review? What about the fact my hearing is completely knackered? I could mention that my calf muscles are so sore it feels like I’ve run a marathon. Twice.

This was Faithless warm up gig for the up and coming V Festival. Note To People Going To V: you’re in for a treat.

I love Shepherds Bush and I LOVE Faithless. The Bush was packed and I mean packed to the rafters. Ground and all 3 floors where rammed and the crowd was anticipating something a bit special.

Bang on 9.30pm, the lights went out and Sister Bliss and crew came on stage through the smoke and strobes to massive cheers and whistles. 10 seconds on stage and the noise began. 10 minutes later the thumping intro was over, appearing from nowhere was Maxi in the middle of the stage and straight in to Insomnia. Fucking hell…….what an opening. I know I gush a bit sometimes over nights out but I’ve never seen a venue goes a mental for an opening track. Literally everyone was jumping and screaming out the legendary lyrics and it was like being in a big tent at Raindance during the early 90’s all over again.

And so it went on then, tune after tune after tune. Bring My Family Back, Muhammed Ali and God is a DJ stand out and of course the closing number, We Come One. I don’t care what people say, the hands in the air ‘ONE’ bit still rocks!

I’ve seen Faithless 4 times now and the venues have got smaller each time. This was by far the best of the 4 and probably my gig of 2006 with 4 months of the year left (and still got many others to come). Quality quality quality night and, of course, 10/10 from me.

I hope the energy from The Bush is repeated for the V crowd - that is going to be a big ask. As I said to Pete afterwards, some bands you see a few times and then they go a bit stale. I’d watch Faithless again tonight.

Shouts:
- Respect to Mrs A for making a special gig appearance
- Respect to Sister Bliss who is heavily pregnant - that kid is going to be crazy!!
- Big respect to Stuart for negotiating the upper level and not jumping over to join us downstairs
- Commiserations to the other Mr Allen. School boy error not coming down mate, school boy error.

Our first classical entry

2006-08-01T21:11:00.000Z

And lo it came to pass. In AD30, the roman good and great gathered their stone, drew in the empires greatest architects, stonemasons and master woodsmen, recruited the largest army of prisoners, misfits and reprobates within a 100 mile radius and constructed one of mans greatest achievements, the Arena di Verona.

This object of beauty was constructed as an arena for battle, a stage of gladiatorial victory and a grave for the weak .... and two thousand years later, for the Franco Zaferelli designed production of Verdi's Aida.

The seats were still the same stone carved ovens as seated on by the crowds to watch slayings, but having plumped for the expensive seating with cushions (designed by Smith, c1963) , only nine rows from the front, the 210 minutes of operatic genius were considerably more comfortable than for the 10, 000 others whose cheeks were almost certainly baked following 18 straight hours of 35 degree heat on the arena steps before sun-down.

The stage set was unbelievable and of such enormity, you have to have seen it to believe that you can recreate a golden pyramid some 150 feet up inside the arena. The egyptian cats, sphynxes and other animals I didn't quite recognise were equally large and awe inspiring, especially with the sun setting behind them. Despite being outdoors and a very wide space, I heard the performers sing their perfect notes as if they were next to me.

With the heat so intense, the opera didn't start until 9.30 and finished at around 1am, and with a few breaks to pop down and treat your special other to some champagne, the evening passed by pretty quickly. Many people were spotted listening intently to the music with their eyes closed, mouths open and some even dribbling and I was left wondering if Verdi couldn't have made his masterpiece just a touch shorter.

That said, the score is a magnificent 9. The surroundings, the stage, the stars, the music and all of the performers were outstanding and I would recommend that you experience this at least once in your life.

Madowner

2006-08-01T20:55:00.000Z

Well what a result. it's back in May and there I was, taking in the sights and sounds of Las Vegas (baby!) and right there, in the very same hotel that I, Big Rob and the Tonester were staying in, Madonna was playing her sell out Confessions tour.

Not one to look an absolute gift horse in the mouth, nor one to think that the US punters seem to get a much better deal that us Brits as I paid the ridiculously low price of $75, we booked it up and quivered with anticipation all day long.

The evening started pretty badly as we were told to be there at 7, only to find no support act and no Madonna until gone 9 and when you're surrounded by rhinestone infested non-cowboys, two hours can certainly feel like several days.

Luckily, the MGM Grand Arena filled quickly and the concert soon got underway. The stage was excellent, the props were great, even the diamonte caked cross that was such a desparate attempt to garner attention and controversy (and wasn't), and especially the dancers who climbed walls, swung over, under and seemingly through bars were all excellent, but tragically, Madge was only there in body, and that was all too slow (but I know I would love to move like that at 50).

Perhaps, she was busy counting the cash from this enormous world tour, maybe we Brits do actually get more attention and therefore more for our money, or maybe, she was just having a bad day, but you do have to wonder if her day has simply just passed.

A bold 5 for me ...

TT rock the Bowl

2006-07-25T07:47:00.000Z

I was properly impressed by the Take That boys gig at Milton Keynes bowl on 25 June. For a start, it was totally sold out for 2 nights so that's 60,000 a night - at the end of a massive arena tour. Guess they can still pull a crowd then.

The show was a massive spectacular. All the hits were there and the stage set was fantastic.

Ended the show with a huge rendition of Relight My Fire, complete with a fit looking Lulu. The ultimate finale was of course Never Forget, which went on forever and had the 60,000 doing the full on 'hand-clap' bit at the end. Topped off with a firework display that only Alexandra Palace can match on the 5th November, it was a top night to remember.

OK, so the Robster didn't make an appearance for Could It Be Magic, BUT....and I'm probably going to get some stick for this.... it's a standout gig of 2006 and get's a 10/10 from me. Can't wait for the new album ;)

Editors @ Brixton 30/06

2006-06-07T07:41:00.000Z

Mega blow outs for this one at the last minute left just me and Pete in the hot seat for another night out in Brixton. Cutting it short - as we're all busy right Pete! - thought they were ok.

Brixton was totally packed out so think everyone was expecting something special. Personally, I wasn't blown away. All the big tunes were there of course with Blood and Munich getting everyone singing along.

Just something missing for me. 7/10.

NME Tour Final Night - Boy Kill Boy - 24/05

2006-06-07T07:39:00.000Z

Quality night out at The Electric Ballroom, Camden for the final night of the NME Tour. Me, Pete & Neil had the pleasure of getting there to catch I Forward Russia and the soon to be huge The Automatic which were book good, that latter being at least 'understandable' vocally which was a bonus.

BKB came on to huge applause and slammed straight into a set which had us jumping up and down. Last track was the most well known, Suzie and I'm going out to get the CD 'Civilian' now. I'm going to go a generous 8 from 10 for BKB. Will see them again for sure.

High Class HARD-FI take the roof off Brixton

2006-05-16T07:27:00.000Z

10.

I want to give them a 10.

This was a top draw performance from such a young band it literally blew the audience away. They had a great stage set with lots of CCTV screens everywhere but the sheer energy of the band and of course lead singer Richard was first class.

Couple of reason why they didn't score the perfect 10. First off, the 'house rule' of not scoring a gig a 10 based on a debut album still stands. Second off they have a lot to learn about engaging with an audience. If they said 'How You Doin' Brixton?!' once they said it 20 times. And chucking in the 'F' word where it's not needed is amateur. Liam would laugh them off the stage.

So, the songs. Everything rocked. Slightly wobbly start but the bulk of this gig was fast and furious and the punters jumped up and down from the front row to the Carling Bar way at the back of this top venue. Everything sounded great, Cash Machine (of course), Hard to Beat & Living for the Weekend were stad outs BUT.....the performance of Better Do Better was unbelievable. I'm starting to bang on a bit but this was one of the best live performances I've seen in ages and Better Do Better was one of the best songs I'd seen live in a while. With a couple of class new tracks included and a cover of Big Audio Dynamite's "e=MC2" thrown in for good measure, HARD-FI's explosive performance proved that they were a force to be reckoned.

Having it. 9 from 10.

Kubb rock The Bush...

2006-05-15T17:26:00.000Z

Absolutely TOP DRAW gig from Kubb on Saturday night. The second 'Saturday night' gig of the year went down well except me and Mark sat in the same pub for 45mins on different tables not knowing the other was there. Doh! Pete arrived and we got on the Magners and then made our way down to The Bush.

BONUS GIG STUFF: Went in O'Neills and they had a gig on later in the evening from a band called Junxt. Heard them sound check and got talking them a bit. Long and short of it they cam next door with us for the main gig and then we went back and watched their set about 11pm - well worth keeping an eye out for.

Anyway, Kubb completely rocked the lovely little Sheps Bush with them playing their entire album cover to cover. They did do some rocked up versions with Wicked Soul, Remain and I Don't Mind absolute stand outs from a totally brilliant set.

Loved it. LOVED IT. A very big 9 from 10 for me and purely the fact it's a debut album stops me giving them a 10. Can't wait for more from the Kubbsters.

Snow Patrol @ The Forum, Kentish Town

2006-05-15T17:22:00.000Z

First of all....Neil....massive respect for coming along on crutches.

Not a venue I'd been too in a very long while and good to be back - all be it would have been better to be downstairs.

The SP boys were ok all in and for me did a good balance of new v old material. The crowd were very 'still' for most of the gig though and this is never a good sign. This was once of their early tour dates and I'm sure they'll build as the summer big dates come. Good gig but nothing special. 6 from 10 for me.

Simple Kid

2006-03-31T14:43:00.000Z

Pete and me went off to a new London venue on Weds 29th, The Old Blue Last, to see a new band, Simple Kid.

First off, the venue. I really liked the Old Blue Last. It's a massive old boozer in east London and the gig venue bit is upstairs. Holds about 100 people so all feels pretty cool and exclusive. We'll def be going back here soon.

As for SK, he was ok. He used his laptop well for all the backing tracks, drums, synths, etc and think projecting the screen shot up on to a big screen was a neat idea....if only to see when the noise you were listening too would actually end!

Couple of tracks stood out but would really like to see him again with a full band.

I'm going a tight 4/10 on this one.

Far from Ordinary

2006-03-31T07:32:00.000Z

Mark and I went to see Preston (queue screaming girls) and the rest of the
Ordinary Boys at Brixton on Saturday night and must say they were much better than expected. We've had the tickets for quite a while and long before Celeb Big Brother so was expecting there to be millions of young screaming girls in the audience. To be fair, there were a few but the vast majority were regular gig folk.

I hadn't listened to their album all the way through but there rocking ska sound came across well and the crowd jumped up and down in all the right places. Highlight for us two though was the encore. The OB's came back on stage with none other than Suggs from Madness. Everyone goes mental, Suggs standing there soaking up the applause, then the strummed intro of My Girls Made At Me blasts out and the roof comes of Brixton.

Quality end to the gig and I'll go 7/10 just (but that's mostly for Suggs - legend)

PS: Shout out to Kate and Sarah from Northampton who we managed to guide safely from Lloyds on Tottenham Court Road to the venue. Little country girls in the Big Smoke for the day all overcome by crowds and nasty London folk. Here's hoping they made it back to the sticks ok and are not holed up in a Kings Cross crack den.

2006 off to a Flyer!!

2006-02-01T08:17:00.000Z

We're off and running on the 'getting gigs in the diary' front for 2006 so thought I'd post up what we have (or nearly have) in the bag.

The Ordinary Boys, PA, MH, 25/03*
Artic Monkeys, All of us, 27/04 (Subject to Mark getting tickets tomorrow morning)
Hard Fi, All of us, 15/05
Editors, All of us, 30/05

All gigs are at Brixton.

* This is a Saturday gig!! Haven't had one for ages so me and Mark are having a bit of a Leo. Pete - sort you life out and your monkey bike riding chums and get a ticket for this NOW!

Let's keep 'um coming lads!

And the End is near

2005-12-30T14:20:00.000Z

Well it's nearly New Years Eve and I thought that I'd fill you in on a couple of blog updates that should fill us with cheer in 2006!

Firstly, you'll see that I have added a search panel and a link to Seetickets so we can get our tickets quicker and use the blog a bit more. I was going to add Ticketmaster, but I'm still in dispute with them over their inability to run a ticketing service effectively, so I decided to bin the bastards!

I've signed up to Adsense. It's all a trial right now, but if I reckon it should earn us enough for a free concert in around June 2019 which gives us plenty of time to save for the 'we're still here for the fans' tenth reformation reprise Embrace bash.

I've also found this superb service called 'Calendar Hub'. It can be found at www.calendarhub.com and should allow us to maintain a diary of events. Well actually, if I cut the BS, it's for me - I keep missing so many top quality gigs that I really do need to know when they are and who we're seeing! Anyway, I've added a link to it on the right hand side, so check it out and let me know what you think about it.

Finally, I thought that I'd wish you all a super new year. As all of the reviews say, we've had a pretty good year on the gig front and I'm hoping that 2006 will be better!

Actually, that's not quite finally, I've got one more question - can we start a competition on who does the best headlines? Just in case we get to see these bands, I've put my ideas in already!

They're as cold as ice and bold as brass
I just can't get enough
Mcshit
Every single day I love them more
They've got soul and I am a soldier

I've realised that I hit a peak with the bravery! I'm now off for a secondment at the Sun....

Have a cool New Year

The Last Gas

2005-12-21T19:51:00.000Z

5/10

The worst Embrace gig I have been to and according to my reckoning that includes 7 headline appearances and at least 1 festival appearance (V2004) stretching back to Friday 18th September 1998.

I'm afraid, despite what Danny kept saying, I just don't think they carried off playing such a big venue (they can play a big crowd as the V appearance was amazing) and for me the atmosphere just was not there. The heighten sense of emotion that normally grips me at an Embrace gig listening to those triumphant anthems was replaced by guffaws and comedy singing.

There were too many brand new songs at the expense of some of their classics and to think there was no "My Weakness is None of Your Business" and instead a dire xmas song cover version left a taste of bitter disappointment.

The tempatation would be to see them again at Brixton in the hope of recapturing the past glories but sadly, now the fireworks in me are all gone...it's time we realised............................

Our final Embrace

2005-12-16T08:26:00.000Z

And so it was, the last time we're ever going to see those Embrace boys and they went out with their biggest gig ever at Alley Pally. It's our choice we're not going to see them (they've not split up) we've just seen them tons and we wanted to call it quits.

Bit of a shame that the gig was a wee bit average then. Compare to recent trips to North London to see Franz and Weller, where the noise was loud and the production values were sky high, this was a bit of an 'on the cheap' show. I mean, people holding and waving spot lights....I know you're trying to be cool and trendy boys but it was just cr@p.

For me, there was too many v.old tracks coupled with the 3 new ones of the as yet unreleased new album. Yes, all the big numbers were there but it wasn't as special as normal. Last year (when they play for me at my birthday party) at The Bush the f***ing rocked. There on the verge of going to hippy crappy. Just blast out the tunes boys!!!

A sad 6.5/10 for me

2005 Review - Yep..... Its that time of year again

2005-12-06T17:08:00.000Z

Here goes......... What do you guys reckon???????

1. Best New Comer Gig - Hard Fi at Cambridge - we need to see go the Junction again a whopping 9.75/10
1b. 2nd Best New Comer Gig - Kasabian
1c. The cover band in Verbier
2. Best Venue - Again Somerset House - Doves and Athlete - magic nights
3. Most Hammered gig - For me Franz - at Ally Pally got up at 3 the following afternoon - ouccccccccchhhhh!!!!!
4. Best Oldie gig - Blondie - she still does it for me
5. Best festival - Isle of Wight - well I only went to one so not hard - is any up for 2006?????!!!!!
6. Best Chuff at Gigs - Blonde students at Cambridge - Yummy
7. Best "Supergroup Gig - for me between - Manics/REM/U2 and Oasis - U2 at Twickenham for me!!!
8. Best perfomance in 2005 - For me Faithless at IOW - a 10 - only once ever achieved before!!!
9. Most disappointing gig - none really - lowest scores 7/10 for Kaisers for me so not bad
10. Biggest twat at a gig - the knob who introduced Razorlight!!!!!!!
11. So to 2006 - who should we see - well for me - Killers, Razorlight, Snow Patrol, a foreign gig?

Thats it cheers - we might be old fuckers but we can still rock

Pete
x

That Entertainment ...... you bet it fackin was!!!!

2005-12-06T17:04:00.000Z

Right we're gonna fuckin have it 2nite was Weller's welcome last night and for 1 and 3/4 hours we certianly did!!!!!
Paul knew it was the final time that I am going to see him so he pulled the big firey crackers out of his rse!!!!
Highlights? Steve White banging those drums for a big han solo, Wildwood, In the Crowd, Long Hot summer and Broken Stones.

But the very best was That's Entertainment .. bought a large lump to my throat

Cheers God and See Ya Laters!!!!

F...F...Franzing Brilliant!

2005-12-02T08:48:00.000Z

Franz Ferdinand rocked Alexandra Palace last night, 01/12, as my second gig of the week completely out stripped The Bravery on Monday in every department.

A well up for it crowd saw a top draw performance from the Franz boys with all the top tunes in there. Take Me Out was slammed right in the middle of the set which saw the roof come off Ally Pally as expected but there were plenty of other favorites especially Dark of the Matinee, This Fire and the massively jump up and down Do You Want To was probably the tune of the night for me.

I was really impressed by Franz. The stage set and lighting were great, the sound was very loud and crystal clear for the big room at Ally Pally. They really were loads better than I thought that would be. I'd love to see them in a smaller venue but reckon those days have gone now. Shame. A Franztastic 8/10 from me.

Back to The Palace on Monday for Mr.Weller than they one we're all looking forward to, Embrace on 15th. Let's hope they saw Franz and took some notes!

No medals for Bravery

2005-12-01T10:09:00.000Z

We were all hoping that Pete would rue the day that he missed out on tickets for The Bravery on the 28th, but sadly, he won't! For this event, we had a new attendee as Vikki decided to come along and help Mark celebrate the milestone of reaching 34 years of age.

Despite the extra time it gave us at the bar beforehand, coming on stage at 10pm already put them at a disadvantage and despite a fantastic rendition of An Honest Mistake, a very late encore of Fearless and a cracking effort at Neils favourite, the rest were all too humdrum. The crowd didn't really get going and even the energy of the lead man (who looked astonishingly like Joey from Friends from our place on the left!) couldn't get everyone out of sleepiness.

The combination of it being on Monday, cold, and having a late start made it a solid 6 for me.

In fact, this would have been lower had Vikki not provided immense entertainment with suggestions that the floor in the venue could have been a little cleaner!

Anyway, it's Weller on Monday, so we'll see if Mondays are better for him .....

Snakebite and Doves

2005-07-07T07:39:00.000Z

Back to our yoof last night, getting hammered on Snakebite & Black in an Aussie bar. What happy days!! We all took the afternoon off work yesterday to have a few beers and celebrate London getting the games in 2012. Well, Pete turned up at 4.30 - not good.

Beers all afternoon and then on the SB&B was a top way to prepare for the first Somerset House gig of 2005, Doves. I really love the venue and the boys were on top form. We manged to get front row positions as well.

All round to night out - those of going to other Somerset House gigs....enjoy.

Phil

Feeder Fiasco

2005-04-10T15:05:00.000Z

Jacquie had organised tickets for Embrace last month which, as Pete & Mark know, we couldn't be bothered to go to. She had also organised tickets for Feeder last Saturday (2/4).

Rushing home from rugger I get a call asking if I had moved the Feeder tickets as she could only find 2 (there should have been 3 as her mate was going) "oh it's alright these are the Embrace tickets".

See if you can guess the next bit, I managed to work it out on the way home.

When I get there JT is turning the place upside down looking for the Feeder tickets which it turns out she threw away after the Embrace gig thinking they were the Embrace tickets.

I would never do something like that, would you?!!

Doves at The Brixton Academy 31 March 2005

2005-04-10T14:54:00.000Z

A corker - 8/10.

I was worried that not having the new album yet I wouldn't know the majority of songs, I needn't have have.

A great set list contained more old than new, including favs 'Catch the Sun' & 'The Cedar Room' from Lost Souls and 'Pounding' from The Last Broadcast.

The three set encore contained a newy sandwiched between 'Here it Comes' and the grand finale 'There Goes the Fear'.

Can't wait to see them at V.

Razorlight @ Alexandra Palace

2005-03-24T11:20:00.000Z

Well, first time at this new venue and think we all felt it was a bit of an odd one at first. VERY big hall/bar area next the equally large show hall. Had the feeling of being at the ideal home exhibition or something like that.

Then there was the warm up bloke. What a twat. Never seen anything like it in my life (bloke with a green face and a twat'ish comedy style) warming up a crowd. Once he pissed off, The Light came on and totally rocked the place.

Must say that they did a quality show and my previous thoughts on the venue changed once they started playing. Nice loud PA and the boys were well up for it. Real rock and roll stuff and they get a super high 9/10 from me.

Venue get's a 5 but hopefully be right down the front for Kasabian next month which should improve the score a bit there.

Speak soon

Thirteen Senses 1st Gig of the season

2005-03-11T15:18:00.000Z

Ummm well what can I say - didn't think that they were as good as when first blew me socks of at ULU last year - not bad a solid 6 out of 10 but then again not fantastic - didn't help that was absolutley shagged out and as ever the Bush truly isn't built for stumpies - oi tall bloke sit down!!!!

Highlight of the night - Jackie' s stories of Neil's projectile vomitting - you don't want to get catch any near that torrent!!!!!!

Best new band from Korea....in Verbier, Switzerland

2005-03-01T20:37:00.000Z

Gig update from Phil & Pete whilst on tour on the slopes of Verbier. The Yellowmike Band are the absoloute don.....especially in full ski gear dancing on tables after big jugs of beer. See you boys soon......Love Phil and Pete xxxxx

Le tickets c'est arrive!

2005-02-06T21:38:00.000Z

I'm wiling away a couple of spare mins at the airport and thought I'd let you know that the tickets came through my door yesterday!

What excitement!

See you all on the 7th for a hot night of Thirteen senses ...

Rock on

Isle of Wight - Rev Your Engines final reminder

2005-02-03T20:19:00.000Z

Gents

I'm sorting out tickets for the above this weekend - have mentioned it enough times so details as follows:-

Dunno who is playing yet bar REM on teh Sun

Its the second weekend in June (very near my birthday!!!)

I'm going to go for the Sat and Sun and have the mon off work

Let me know if you are interested asap

Pete

Idlewild @ The Bush 13 April 2005

2005-01-29T10:02:00.000Z

Listening to XFM just now and they played the new Idlewild single which made me remember that tickets for the gig went on sale yesterday (Friday).

I clicked on to Stargreen and they had just 4 tickets left so I snapped them up.

Not sure if you guys like them but I love them and this is the gig I have been looking forward to in '05.

I am guessing Basement Jax's will have one of the tickets so if two of you want to join us let me know.

I sense another red hot gig at the Bush

2005-01-27T19:19:00.000Z

Aiyee all

I have now booked the super Thirteen senses at The Bush for the 7th March. I've got tickets for Pete, Phil, Neil me and Neils x-rayed up young lady.

I do believe that this means that we've had a record start to 2005 with many gentlemans evenings out lined up already.

Unfortunately, I've got to blow out Razorlight as I'm in Kenya - does anyone know any takers???

I'm starting work on the diary now!!
Laters
M

My First Post

2005-01-24T19:58:00.000Z

Testing Testing .........TWO TWO.......ONE TWO..... is this thing on?

Mark did you get the Thirteen Senses tickets?

It has just come to my attention that there is a change of venue to The Bush. Islington tickets are valid though.

Testing, testing

2005-01-22T13:22:00.000Z

Just checking my new account is ok. Nice one Mark for setting the individual accounts up.

Pete - whats the news on Doves?

Neil - Thirteen Senses?

Kasabian

2005-01-20T13:21:00.000Z

Hot Hot News

Got tickets sorted for what I reckon will be the gig of the Year

Details as follows:-

28 Thu April Alex Pal

Lets Rock

Kasabian 28 April - It's in can!!!

2005-01-20T12:49:00.000Z

Pete 'The Treasury' Lewis you are a star. Due to the fact I've been in monkey meetings all morning I was more than happy to see you'd taken a punt and got me a ticket. These kiddies are on repeat on my iPod and have been since the album came out.

WELL PLEASED WERE GOING.

How much do we owe you mate? Also - it's Ally Pally right? I noticed talk of 13 Senses on the email - is Mr Harding sorting this (seen as he's seen them and wearing the t-shirt already?)

This is my first blog on here by the way - thanks for the technical advice Mark - sometimes I'm a complete div with this stuff. Good job I do it for a living.......

Right, let us know the cost Pete.

Phil

Alright Boys - Petes first message!!

2005-01-11T09:05:00.000Z

Gigs that we have lined up already are:-

Feb 11th - Razorlight - Phil/Mark anytime you want to pay me - would be good - don't be shy
Mar 12th - Chem Bros - we need to sort accomo
Jul 10th - Oasis - was planning to have a BBQ round Chateau Lewis's for that one on the Saturday

I reckon we should have some awards for 2005 - Based on 2004 gigs seen I would go with the following categories (my selections for 2004 next to them)
1. Loudest Gig - BRMC
2. Most pissed gig - Snow Patrol
3. Best Gig - Snow Patrol at Soms House (See point 2)
4. Best Venue - Soms House - See Point 2
5. Most famous person seen - Beppe - See Point 2
6. Best newcomer to our seen list - Thirteen Senses
7. Best Birthday Gig - Embrace playing for Phil's birthday
8. Best Chuff seen at Gig - ummm hard one - don't recall
9. Best innovation - the Large T by Kirsty at Faithless
10. Shittest Gig - V2004 - Bollox
11. Best Foreign Gig - the Gay Bar at Skiing with those crazy jump guys
12. Best Foreign Gig Part 2 - IOW - it were tops
13. Biggest Tit at Gig - Umm I'll have to put my hand up for that then Razorlight at the Astoria - not when Beverley Knight is on mate!!!

Points to consider - IOW Festival are you boys interested? I'm gonna go on the Fri and Sat - but not the Sun - we need to get accomo sorted soon - its the 10-12 Jun in total.

I haven't sorted Doves out yet

That's it!

Bloody Well Blogged Housey - bet you still forget when the gigs are.
Pete

The first message

2005-01-10T14:17:00.000Z

Hello all

Seeing as I'm absolutely rubbish at remembering when our frequent visits to red hot venues are, I thought I'd set this up. If it all works to plan (!!), we can add all of our gig visits in and then when we've had our fill up of band greatness, we can add our scores and thoughts!!

It really is a piece of piss to add entries and I'll be looking forward to the first one so I can see when the first gig of 2005 is!!

Cheers
Mark

Faithless gave me insomnia

2004-12-20T09:02:00.000Z

Faithless 17th December 2004, Brixton Academy

After some significant waiting around in our swanky hotel suite and what can only be the worst curry I've ever had (the pent-up gases in my long-suffering stomach escaping throughout the evening requiring a call-out from the chemical mop-up squad), the evening looked like it was going to be excellent when we turned up in time to catch Mylo on red hot form.

After not much more of a wait, the excellent Faithless meandered onto the stage and started banging out the kind of jump around tracks we were all waiting for. I only really wanted Insomnia and God is a DJ (being the kind of fair-weather Faithless sort that I am), but by the end was loving every second. Tarantula and We come 1 made it extra special and i came away giving it a resounding 7 out of 10.

The others gave it an 8, but I was disappointed by how up and down the music was. Rather than go for a big tune and then a chilled number, I thought that a full-on opportunity to give it some and then chill may have been better. Nevertheless, it was fantastic, and we're booking in for a repeat visit soon!!!

M