rate the last gig you went to

I have a special place in my heart for the heavy soul singles, since I discovered his solo stuff initially through modern classics.

Yeah I've always been a big fan of the Heavy Soul singles, think that record gets unfairly criticised. I actually prefer it to Stanley Road slightly, I think its stronger start to finish even if Stanley Road's highlights are perhaps better.

You guys should search Twitter for the #wellend hashtag. That’s the kind of mugs who discuss Weller solo.

In my mind, I just gave that goddamn green dinosaur-looking thing a swift kick in its penis shaped head.

Jesse Malin at Norwich Arts Centre tonight

Played the whole of his debut album in full plus some assorted hits and a few new songs. Was my first time seeing him properly in years. He supported The Replacements in TCOTU when I saw them but that was just a 30mins set. Was good to see the proper full on Malin experience again tonight. I'd imagine he's still going on now but I had to leave to get the last bus home.

Was a really good gig and the band he has at the minute are great. The main thing that really pissed me off though was his trivialisation of the Ryan Adams situation. He said how he produced the album and how he couldn't have made it without him which is fair enough but then went on to laugh off the whole recent situation with lines like "and I didn't even have to blow him to make the record" "he's always been a gent to me" proper white man privaledge stuff. It was then followed by an anti technology rant about how phones, the internet etc track our every move. Too fucking right they do if it means abusers get caught.

That definitely left a sour taste but overall it was a proper excellent gig.

The Meat Puppets at Norwich Arts Centre tonight.

Can't claim to be a huge fan. Went more out of curiosity than anything else.

They were pretty good, played the hits plus quite a bit of the new album. Got a bit proggy at times which worked well. Nothing massively of note though and don't think I'd be in a rush to pay to see them again. 7

Saw Black Midi at earth in the week, really disappointing. Where as the time before I saw them they'd build their tracks to a beautiful chaotic whirlpool of noise, this time it just feel like they were noodling aimlessly far too often. Sound wasn't great which didn't help but everything just felt off. Still, it was worth it to see Baz for the first time in I don't know how long.

Saw Kate Tempest at Rough Trade yesterday. She performed her new record from track 4 to the end. Not sure I'd pay to see her in a large venue but getting to see her deliver her poetry flawlessly from about six feet away was a pleasure. When she finished the house-lights came on, I turned to leave & noticed at least half a dozen people in floods of tears, powerful stuff.

Paul Weller supported by Stone Foundation at Thetford Forest last night.

Enjoyed Stone Foundation again. Was hoping Weller might come out and do Your Balloon is Rising with them but didn't happen.

Weller was excellent. Possibly the best time I've ever seen him. The current setlist works brilliantly and it was great to hear some of the older solo stuff along with Style Council and Jam tunes I'd not seen him play live before such as Shout to the Top and Man in the Corner Shop.Stone Foundation brass section joined him on a few tunes too which really worked. Covered Move on Up as well which worked a whole lot better than Wishing on a Fucking Star last time he played here. 9

I'm not sure she gets the credit she deserves.

Aye, she is some talent. Just realised I typed "live venue" rather than large. I really like the new record, though it feels like a poetry record with some complimentary music to support it, where as her last record musically I thought was banging & then she brought the lyrics to back it up.

Had a cool today yesterday out with KRBURG. Saw a Leeds post-punk outfit called MUSH at rough trade east at lunch-time. I like the EP they have out now a lot. They did quite a lengthy set for an instore, it was pretty solid, though felt a bit samey after a while.

then later that night went to New River Studio's which is in the middle of nowhere, kinda near Kentish town. The place is incredible. Just an amazing vibe in there (or at least last night). The Pizza's they were selling looked great, they had a screen with films playing in the background (terminator) and a DJ playing the likes of Neil Young & Pavement. Add in a bunch of sofa's and fuck the place was like a dream. The band's play in another room, unfortunately both bands had major sound problems. Only caught arse end of Slumb Party but despite the shitty sound I liked what I heard, energetic post-punk with sax. Was there to see Constant Mongrel which features the bass player from TERRY, though unfortunately nobody told us she's no longer in the band I really like their record from last year. They were pretty good punky type thing, though they were using shitty instruments and everything went wrong Good while it was going, left early to go back to the wonderful bar-room. My new favourite place in TCOTU

New River Studios is about 15 mins from my front door (and nowhere near Kentish Town), you cunts.

sorry I meant Finsbury Park.

should start proof-reading my posts tbh

yeah black midi at earth in hackney last week wasn't good at all. 3 or 4 out of 10 from me. terrible sound and very noodly. would definitely see them again and hope to catch them on a good day though.

10/10 for seeing kev and karl again tho

Sharon Van Etten at Norwich Waterfront tonight.

Was meant to be at UEA but got downgraded due to poor ticket sales. Still plenty of space in the Waterfront TBH. Support was the Savages bassist doing her solo stuff which wasn't very good really.

Sharon Van Etten was great though. It's a much bigger show than when I saw her at Latitude years ago and everything from her persona to the lighting felt like it was made for much bigger venues. Norwich just didn't get the memo with the poor ticket sales. Serpents was incredible and she did a brilliant Sinead O'Connor cover too. 8.5