The National must be one of the best live acts around right now.
They are your archetypal Indie Geeks but by the cringe they bring it.
Not pointing any fingers but reasonably priced tickets (in context), set list varying by four to six songs per gig, twenty-seven song, two hours twenty minute set....
By some distance the best show I'll see this year and that's no disrespect to the two Bruce shows I've seen.
So many highlights but the show closing, un-miked "Vanderlyle cry-baby geeks" was life affirming.
Heading off to Glasgow tomorrow for The National at the Ovo Hydro or whatever corporate nom de plume the new exhibition centre goes by.
Looking forward to it, but I'm wondering what the turnouts going to like.
Seen them four times already, always in venues 2-2.5k capacity.
They always been solid, solid sell outs (and latterly two night stands) but a leap to a 14k arena, even with the "Taylor Swift factor", is maybe optimistic.
Also, I follow them on a myriad of ticket sites and emails pushing tickets have been flying out.
Hopefully im wrong and there will be enough in to generate an atmosphere.
Well this weekend, like Manchester City I completed the treble, Beth Nielsen Chapman and Lucinda Williams kicked it off in January and on Sunday the wonderful Bonnie Raitt completed that trio of great ladies. Being lazy I stole this write up from another source and it sums up the evening very well : -
Just attended another delightful Bonnie Raitt gig in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. She is such an emotive, honest artist and delivers genuine heartfelt performances of all her material. There were the de rigueur covers of John Hiatt, John Prine’s “Angel of Montgomery” and a surprising version of INXS’ “Need You Tonight”. A lot of old classics but the songs from her most recent album were the most poignant; beautifully delivered. Her band, has a new guitarist and keyboard player who fitted in seamlessly and, are as tight as ever. Guest appearance by Phil Cunninghame on accordion for an atmospheric “I Can’t Make You Love Me” which brought the house down. She commented on the venue early on, in particular the acoustics and thanked the audience for being so respectful. Until the end when it became a typical raucous, expressive and appreciative Glasgow audience.
This is turning into an expensive year - silly money for Diana Ross at the Albert Hall! Had to be done though, The Supremes performed the first concert we saw together back in 1968!
Josh Ritter was great. Lovely, intimate venue, 150 people who knew his music and were really enthusiastic. He was on excellent form just him and his guitar and his personality. Set list was a mix of stuff from his new album, which I wasn't very familiar with and old favourites.
I know I am not comparing apples with apples, but Bruce is going to have to go some for this not to be my gig of the year!
Sadly the one photo I took is crap, so not going to post it.
Saw Suede at Birmingham Symphony hall on Tuesday and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it! High energy 90 minute set. We usually sit in the circle at SH but, as we were going with our son, we booked ground floor seats. On the way there Adam told us that Brett gets everyone standing, which I wasn't too keen on as I have a dodgy knee at the moment! However, it was fine - the joys if aging!
I cant quite believe we have just done this, but we have booked to see Josh Ritter in Copenhagen in April! Never previously travelled outside of the UK to see any artist other than Bruce.
Had this mornings porridge and did my ironing to Hello Starling. Impressed. 1st listen, but Snow Is Gone immediately jumped out. One of those songs that reminds me of someone else, but just can’t retrieve it at the moment. It’ll pop into my head at some point!
Also found Gospel of Mary which, while simple in concept, is beautifully executed and hits hard.
Big thumbs up from me.
While I was searching for the latter Google told me it was first played at a Tiny Desks session with Jason Isbell & Amanda Shires so as a JI fan I’m going to have to find that too. Another rabbit hole to disappear down.
@walkerinthesun wasn't aware of further dates in May?
I'll need to rein it in then, I have tge Bruce shows and also a trip to Brighton for my mates 60th (at which Prowesy/Amsterdam/Pele.......some version thereof are playing).
I remember my first gig after covid... I never knew how much I missed live music until the band walked onstage and the audience started cheering. The adrenalin rush of a special kind....
In the overall scheme of things, I've not been to that many gigs in that London.
Outside of many,many Bruce gigs (and I'd have to say, the Empire Pool in 02 and the Millennium Dome in 07 are both in my top 5 Bruce gigs) from memory, the only other gigs I've been at in London were Marillion half a lifetime ago and Runrig at The Greyhound (I believe a legendary pub rock venue, no longer with us)....1989 I think.
I'd say Glasgow usually have the "best" audience vibes, but I possibly say that as my favourite venues are therein.
Much preferred the show in Brum. Smaller venue, relaxed good-natured banter back and forward, less headcases. Really good vibe, which makes all the difference. Some folks on here might even suggest it’s cos the people are nicer……🤔
I remember the evening we spent with Lucinda, after one of her shows in Perth, her exact words were "the further North you come,the better the crowds get".
Wouldn’t disagree. Over the years I’ve seen various performers in that there London and ’the provinces’, as some would term them, on the same tour. Without exception the further away from that place the better the night.
Went to see Bruce many times in London, not the same, and after two nights at Crystal Palace many years ago swore I would never again see him in London, and I have not.
The Selecter were pretty good tbf. Last time I saw them was 1979 down Tiffany’s, on the 2-Tone tour with The Specials & Madness. Great night once you got through the massive ruck outside. I think you mean Brian has ‘filled out’ a bit.
GA don’t seem to translate the quality of the records into the live show imho, which may well be what you were hinting at in your previous comment. Not bad, but not as great as you’d hope. Maybe if I’d got into the mosh pit……..
St Barnabas, Jericho, Oxford. Interior painted in what I’d describe as a Greek style. Externally the building looks very Mediterranean to me. Used regularly as a venue by Empty Rooms Promotions: https://www.empty-rooms.com/
I was considering seeing Midnight Oil in late March at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre (an indoor arena - the same Bruce played in 2014 and 2017) but didn't quite feel ready to pack into an indoor arena. In the end, I should've... myself and the family ended up with COVID via Most Junior Bosstralian's school a few weeks later anyway.
The Killers are playing a winery gig in the Barossa Valley in November... that may be my return to live shows.
As an aside, my last was U2's Joshua Tree full album show at Adelaide Oval in 2019. November 2019, to be exact... less than three years ago, feels like three decades.
Yeah, we’ve started getting back out there after the Covid hiatus. I’d normally see 20-25 gigs a year so the last couple of years left a huge void.
Started off with Emily Barker and Nick Lowe on successive weekends. Both excellent shows.
Planty was a bit curious. Sound was poor, perhaps because it was in a temporary tent venue. Set sagged badly in the middle after a good start, with a preponderance of what I can only describe as baroque folk. As good as it sounds, which is not much. Revved it up again for the last few songs. I’ve seen this side project, Saving Grace, a couple of times previously and they were excellent throughout so it came as a bit of a surprise as well as a disappointment. CoL have gone thru major changes with the main man, Felix, putting together a completely new band behind him. Much grittier and ’rock’ oriented compared to the previous incarnation who were lighter and more fluid in approach. Not sure it’s a step forward tbh. Previously thought they were on the cusp of breaking out of their limited fan-base, but I fear the boat might have sailed. Got a flurry of shows thru June: DBT’s, Costello, Courtney Marie Andrews, Delines, St Vincent and Stones, then a couple of Gaslight Anthem shows in August and a yawning gap until the much rescheduled Jason Isbell show in November. Need to plug those gaps!
@Walkerinthesun That's disappointing about the Plant show but maybe they'll make some adjustments with set structure? I'd love to see him, with SG, with Alison, with anyone really. CoL - I've only listened to the 4am and Counting album you posted about a couple years ago. I would probably like this newer sound? I'll check them out soon. I tried to get Isbell tix for his last round at the Ryman and they were gone instantly. You have some good ones lined up! Nothing else for me on the horizon right now, although I saw North Mississippi All-Stars last night. They were decent. I agree with you, it's just damn good to be out.
The latest record is pretty good, well worth a listen.
As you suggest in your reply to @Bosstralian lower down this thread, small club shows in your local area are well worth investigating. I subscribe to their various notification services and also keep in touch with the guys in the local record store. They turned me on to the Delines and Bennett, Wilson, Poole a few years ago.
We have a local promoter around here (Empty Rooms) who has been putting on small venue/pub gigs for years and there is always something in his programme worth checking out. Tickets are cheap, £12-15ish, so you can afford to go out, have a few beers and if the band aren't so great then you haven't spent a fortune on the night. On the other hand you may well discover a lesser known gem of a performer; John Murry being a case in point. CoL were one of their shows. £12 a ticket in the upstairs room at a local Oxford pub. Couldn't have been many more than 30 in the room and the band retired to the bar post-gig.....
Top one is The Jesus And Mary Chain at the Roundhouse, Camden. Much delayed ’Darklands’ full album concert.
2nd one is Curse Of Lono at their new album launch show in that there London. Should have seen the Charlatans last night at their sold-out Oxford gig, but the venue is standing only, shoulder to shoulder, low ceiling, poor ventilation etc. We decided that with the increasing concern over the new variant maybe it wasn’t the smart thing to do. 😕
As I recall, last live gig I went to was a South African singer/songwriter/guitarist, Karen Zoid, in November 2019...
Bought tickets to see the Waterboys in April 2020 (!) which, 3 date changes later, is due to happen in November 2022.
I've seen not one single announcement for an international live show here in at least a year. I think with the logistics and finances involved, the promoters are in a holding pattern.
SA acts are slowly but surely starting to gig again, albeit to small crowds in small venues. I'm fully vaccinated and masking up is still compulsory here, but I am still not comfortable with the crowd vibe just yet.
Went to my first a couple of weeks back, the finale of True North music festival was a Stevie Wonder tribute with Corrine Bailey Rae leading, all the artists were superb and a great evening was rounded off with the whole venue on their feet singing along to a 15 minute version of Superstition, simply no one wanted it to end.
Got tickets for Celtic Connections - Roamin Roots Revue (always a great night, last year Bruce was the featured artist to celebrate his 70th). Also got tickets for Sam Fender at OVO Arena Glasgow.
Latter was the 1st full-on rock & roll gig, and man did it feel good. Lenny Kaye on guitar, played Free Money - a personal fav of mine - and BTN. Interestingly the latter was introduced as something she wrote for Fred Sonic Smith. No mention of our hero. Great cover of One Too Many Mornings. Pretty damn good for a woman well in to her 70s.
Coming up:
27 Oct: Billy Bragg, Oxford
8 Nov: Jarvis Cocker, Birmingham
19 Nov: Jesus & Mary Chain, London
20 Nov: John Murry, Winchester
1 Dec: Curse Of Lono, London
2 Dec: Charlatans, Oxford
Got a bunch carried over into next year. Included Brian Fallon in Bristol and London, but the reschedules clash with the annual 2 week pilgrimage to my homeland. Got a refund on Bristol, but the London ticket is problematic as I also got one for a mate and it’s now sold out. 😕 Anyone interested?
I have tickets for Sam Fender at Wembley on April 1st, opening night tickets for the Abba voyage show and tickets to see Elton John’s last U.K. show at Hyde park in June!
What a wonderful, wonderful gig Sunday night.
The National must be one of the best live acts around right now.
They are your archetypal Indie Geeks but by the cringe they bring it.
Not pointing any fingers but reasonably priced tickets (in context), set list varying by four to six songs per gig, twenty-seven song, two hours twenty minute set....
By some distance the best show I'll see this year and that's no disrespect to the two Bruce shows I've seen.
So many highlights but the show closing, un-miked "Vanderlyle cry-baby geeks" was life affirming.
Not my video but gives a flavour.......
Heading off to Glasgow tomorrow for The National at the Ovo Hydro or whatever corporate nom de plume the new exhibition centre goes by.
Looking forward to it, but I'm wondering what the turnouts going to like.
Seen them four times already, always in venues 2-2.5k capacity.
They always been solid, solid sell outs (and latterly two night stands) but a leap to a 14k arena, even with the "Taylor Swift factor", is maybe optimistic.
Also, I follow them on a myriad of ticket sites and emails pushing tickets have been flying out.
Hopefully im wrong and there will be enough in to generate an atmosphere.
Well this weekend, like Manchester City I completed the treble, Beth Nielsen Chapman and Lucinda Williams kicked it off in January and on Sunday the wonderful Bonnie Raitt completed that trio of great ladies. Being lazy I stole this write up from another source and it sums up the evening very well : -
Just attended another delightful Bonnie Raitt gig in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall. She is such an emotive, honest artist and delivers genuine heartfelt performances of all her material. There were the de rigueur covers of John Hiatt, John Prine’s “Angel of Montgomery” and a surprising version of INXS’ “Need You Tonight”. A lot of old classics but the songs from her most recent album were the most poignant; beautifully delivered. Her band, has a new guitarist and keyboard player who fitted in seamlessly and, are as tight as ever. Guest appearance by Phil Cunninghame on accordion for an atmospheric “I Can’t Make You Love Me” which brought the house down. She commented on the venue early on, in particular the acoustics and thanked the audience for being so respectful. Until the end when it became a typical raucous, expressive and appreciative Glasgow audience.
(Stolen fron Kolossus, thank you).
This is turning into an expensive year - silly money for Diana Ross at the Albert Hall! Had to be done though, The Supremes performed the first concert we saw together back in 1968!
Josh Ritter was great. Lovely, intimate venue, 150 people who knew his music and were really enthusiastic. He was on excellent form just him and his guitar and his personality. Set list was a mix of stuff from his new album, which I wasn't very familiar with and old favourites.
I know I am not comparing apples with apples, but Bruce is going to have to go some for this not to be my gig of the year!
Sadly the one photo I took is crap, so not going to post it.
Saw Suede at Birmingham Symphony hall on Tuesday and I was surprised by how much I enjoyed it! High energy 90 minute set. We usually sit in the circle at SH but, as we were going with our son, we booked ground floor seats. On the way there Adam told us that Brett gets everyone standing, which I wasn't too keen on as I have a dodgy knee at the moment! However, it was fine - the joys if aging!
I cant quite believe we have just done this, but we have booked to see Josh Ritter in Copenhagen in April! Never previously travelled outside of the UK to see any artist other than Bruce.
Most recent gig - not the greatest show tbh. Introduced me to a new venue tho’: Thekla in Brizzle. Around 400 capacity I’d estimate,
on a boat on the waterfront.
@louisa blinding night and awesome gig.
@walkerinthesun wasn't aware of further dates in May?
I'll need to rein it in then, I have tge Bruce shows and also a trip to Brighton for my mates 60th (at which Prowesy/Amsterdam/Pele.......some version thereof are playing).
I'll probably need to skip May on that basis.
First gig in nearly three years last night.
Saw the previous night and can confirm he plays a belter of a gig. But then he’s been doing that for a while now…..
https://americana-uk.com/live-review-jason-isbell-the-400-unit-his-lordship-o2-apollo-manchester-18th-november-2022
Right, this is a tough one. Band name and, for an extra point, the guitar player?
In the overall scheme of things, I've not been to that many gigs in that London.
Outside of many,many Bruce gigs (and I'd have to say, the Empire Pool in 02 and the Millennium Dome in 07 are both in my top 5 Bruce gigs) from memory, the only other gigs I've been at in London were Marillion half a lifetime ago and Runrig at The Greyhound (I believe a legendary pub rock venue, no longer with us)....1989 I think.
I'd say Glasgow usually have the "best" audience vibes, but I possibly say that as my favourite venues are therein.
Much preferred the show in Brum. Smaller venue, relaxed good-natured banter back and forward, less headcases. Really good vibe, which makes all the difference. Some folks on here might even suggest it’s cos the people are nicer……🤔
The Selecter were pretty good tbf. Last time I saw them was 1979 down Tiffany’s, on the 2-Tone tour with The Specials & Madness. Great night once you got through the massive ruck outside. I think you mean Brian has ‘filled out’ a bit.
GA don’t seem to translate the quality of the records into the live show imho, which may well be what you were hinting at in your previous comment. Not bad, but not as great as you’d hope. Maybe if I’d got into the mosh pit……..
OK...for some reason I thought Pauline Black was dead.....why did I think that?
And Brian Fallon looks awful!!
Chris Farren, The Selecter & The Gaslight Anthem.
I'm lost with all three of them.....
OK, I didn’t take the 1st one, but I do feature.
Great gig at Celje Castle last night. Beautiful medieval setting, great show. Mi2 rocked, as they always do.
Deep blue lighting suits them perfectly!
Gig night!
I find that young lady alluring.
Think records are OK but mate said live exceptional. True on last nights showing.
Is the last one Cowboy Junkies?
Some live show testers for @SteveInJoburg , @MagicRatAFC etc
A couple of easy ones to start with:
I was considering seeing Midnight Oil in late March at the Adelaide Entertainment Centre (an indoor arena - the same Bruce played in 2014 and 2017) but didn't quite feel ready to pack into an indoor arena. In the end, I should've... myself and the family ended up with COVID via Most Junior Bosstralian's school a few weeks later anyway.
The Killers are playing a winery gig in the Barossa Valley in November... that may be my return to live shows.
As an aside, my last was U2's Joshua Tree full album show at Adelaide Oval in 2019. November 2019, to be exact... less than three years ago, feels like three decades.
Los Lobos recently.
The Hu last night.
Some recent shows…
Daughter saw Primus last night with Billy Strings joining for a song.
Costello touring U.K. next June, Covid permitting of course…….
You got me, squire...
Not Electrowerkz.....that's the venue.
While you lot were watching and listening to recordings of a live show…….
Mrs D and I got down to some dark & dirty rock‘n’roll. Man, it felt so good!
As I recall, last live gig I went to was a South African singer/songwriter/guitarist, Karen Zoid, in November 2019...
Bought tickets to see the Waterboys in April 2020 (!) which, 3 date changes later, is due to happen in November 2022.
I've seen not one single announcement for an international live show here in at least a year. I think with the logistics and finances involved, the promoters are in a holding pattern.
SA acts are slowly but surely starting to gig again, albeit to small crowds in small venues. I'm fully vaccinated and masking up is still compulsory here, but I am still not comfortable with the crowd vibe just yet.
Man's a poet, a legend and just wonderful.
From a few years back.
I'm the smiley unattractive fan boy, the pissed off looking lady is the current Mrs Rat who really, really, really hates getting her pic taken.
Jeez, I hardly recognised the Bard at first. He's getting more distinguished with age I reckon.
Most likely no one knows Pat Travers, but seen him and his band last Friday night. Pretty good, but only an hour and 40 min show.
Went to my first a couple of weeks back, the finale of True North music festival was a Stevie Wonder tribute with Corrine Bailey Rae leading, all the artists were superb and a great evening was rounded off with the whole venue on their feet singing along to a 15 minute version of Superstition, simply no one wanted it to end.
Got tickets for Celtic Connections - Roamin Roots Revue (always a great night, last year Bruce was the featured artist to celebrate his 70th). Also got tickets for Sam Fender at OVO Arena Glasgow.
Back out doing gigs again. 3 so far this year:
Emily Barker, Newbury
Eddi Reader, Oxford
Patti Smith, Bath
Latter was the 1st full-on rock & roll gig, and man did it feel good. Lenny Kaye on guitar, played Free Money - a personal fav of mine - and BTN. Interestingly the latter was introduced as something she wrote for Fred Sonic Smith. No mention of our hero. Great cover of One Too Many Mornings. Pretty damn good for a woman well in to her 70s.
Coming up:
27 Oct: Billy Bragg, Oxford
8 Nov: Jarvis Cocker, Birmingham
19 Nov: Jesus & Mary Chain, London
20 Nov: John Murry, Winchester
1 Dec: Curse Of Lono, London
2 Dec: Charlatans, Oxford
Got a bunch carried over into next year. Included Brian Fallon in Bristol and London, but the reschedules clash with the annual 2 week pilgrimage to my homeland. Got a refund on Bristol, but the London ticket is problematic as I also got one for a mate and it’s now sold out. 😕 Anyone interested?
I have tickets for Sam Fender at Wembley on April 1st, opening night tickets for the Abba voyage show and tickets to see Elton John’s last U.K. show at Hyde park in June!
I don't think I'll be at anything before Brian Fallon in May 😒
I think this is the longest period in my life since my first gig (15 in 1978) without one.
Jonesing big style.