rate the last gig you went to

Just announced a show in Ottawa in January. Shall I go, Herr Mahoney?

I think they're under 50 mate

Libertines @ Den Atelier

That had a feeling of the Libs 2004 about it. 40 mins late, small venue, Doherty just the right side of mullered; occasionally forgetting to sing, occasionally forgetting he needed the mike when he was singing, forgetting the intro to DLBITS, Carlos running around stage like a lunatic, ignoring the curfew and they brought a dog onstage. Wouldn't have any other way.

8.5/10

Bjork @ the 02

had proper shit seats due to the ridiculous price she was charging. Venue was literally 50% empty minutes before she came on, it did fill up later, read afterwards that 02 really fucked up getting everybody in on time. Anyway, incredible stage show, musically too much whimsical FLUTE playing. TBH I don't really care for her past 3 records & the set was basically the latest album plus bits from her other albums that were all done in the style of the new material. she puts on a hell of a show, glad I went, but nowhere near as good as when i saw her at Hammersmith about 12 years ago, though her music was more dance orientated then so musically it appealed to me more.

Canadian indie icons the Rheostatics the other night. I had too much to drink beforehand and almost fell asleep. I think they were good. 6?/10

Primal Scream at Norwich UEA tonight.

I've seen them loads over the years and never seen a bad show. Tonight was the closest thing to that unfortunately. I was pretty excited by the setlist beforehand as it seemed a good mix of the Screamadelica classics and big singles but also tunes like Burning Wheel, Miss Lucifer, Kill All Hippies and Swastika Eyes brought back. Overall it just felt a bit flat though. It wasnt loud enough, Bobby and the band looked like they were going through the motions half the time and they desperately need another guitarist thrown in. The crowd was flat too and only came alive towards the end from Loaded onwards. I still enjoyed it and it wasnt bad but I cant score it higher than a 7 whereas normally they would be a 9 or 10 kinda live band.

Oh and after years of wanting to hear Velocity Girl live I never want to hear it live again after tonight.

Hahaha this sounds an exact replica of the gig me and rod saw earlier in the year.

The days of them being an essential live act are past them now. Though I see they’re supporting Alice Cooper next year... TEMPTING

Saw a couple of bands at a new venue Peckham Audio, strange place, though I kinda liked it. Italia 90 supported, a band who's name I keep seeing pop up around gigs in TCOTU. They were decent, had a couple of really big tunes and the rest kinda forgettable. The singer looks like an extra from this is England, the guitarist wears womens clothes so they have that going for them I guess. Musically they'll probably be thrown in as post-punk, but they're a bit more traditional punk with maybe a britpop sensibility. Definitely a band I'll keep an eye out for even if they were only decent at best here. Canadian art-punk/post-punks Deliluh topped the bill. I discovered them a few weeks back & they've released an EP & full length this year which are both pretty damn good. They delivered live too, lots of spacey intro's before launching into some brooding tunes with big bass lines & Barny's favourite, spoken word parts. I like the singer, has one of them haunt stares whilst he performs. Felt sorry for them as the venue wasn't very full as it was and then a good chunk left after Italia 90, they played to maybe 60 people. They're only a 4 piece but they had an absolute ton of equipment, must cost a fortune & be a nightmare to have brought all that over from Toronto.
JP, you might like these

The Comet is Coming at Norwich Arts Centre tonight. I nearly didn't bother going to this as I've been feeling like shit all week and thought Primal Scream last night, this tonight then Ride tomorrow might kill me off. Took some ibuprofen and battled on though and I'm glad I did as this was excellent. I underestimated how big a part the electronic stuff plays live and it was like being at a proper dance gig with added sax. Shabana Hutchings is always great to watch but the other two were fantastic too. The whole venue was dancing and it made me feel like I was pissed up in a tent at a festival at 2am when in actual fact I was nursing my first pint with man flu in Norwich Arts Centre on a cold November evening. Really good. 9

3rd of my 3 gigs in 3 days with Ride at Norwich Waterfront tonight.

Quite simply they are one of my favourite live bands. The albums since they've reformed aren't perfect but have enough decent tunes but live they just completely come into their own. Had so many moments during this gig and it was great to finally hear Future Love live which is one of my tunes of the year. All the problems from Primal Scream the other night weren't apparent here. The sound was loud, guitars sounded huge and it was also a proper Friday night crowd. The couple of times I've seen Ride before the crowd was appreciative but static whereas tonight there were mosh pits all over the place. Andy Bell even uttered a phrase I don't think anyone has ever said before "Norwich you crazy bastards". Sorry Noel but this has just nabbed my gig of the year. 9.5

Fontaines DC @ Ulster Hall, Belfast

This was originally meant to be in The Empire but the venue was upgraded. It sold out months ago but managed to pick up a spare the day before.

Kojaque supported. He's an Irish rapper. He was a bit m'eh to be honest but I've since listened to him on record and I like it, but like a lot of hip hop it was shit live.

Fontaines were incredible. Grain Chatten is one hell of a front man. He's got a bit of Ian Curtis and Mark E. Smith in him but he has a presence about him that also reminded me a bit of Liam G. He's cool in a weird way. I don't think he spoke more than 5 or 6 words the whole night but I couldn't take my eyes of him. Highlights for me were 'Boys In The Better Land' 'Big' 'Hurricane Laughter' and 'Dublin City Sky'.

Despite them being from Dublin this had a real homecoming feel to it.

9/10

Left the house for something other than work for the first time in over a month saturday to see The FALLen women. A all female Fall tribute. They had members of the audience on stage to sing the songs & I gotta say, the standard was surprisingly good. They were also joined by members of Lush, Salad & Brix Smith which was cool. Fun night, also as the 3 times I saw the Fall it was essentially the latest album pretty much in full, so it was nice to hear essentially a hits set.

I went to 88 gigs this year, beating my previous record of 87 set last year. In phase one of my end of year review, here's a list of everyone I saw and a rating for each of them.

1. 04/01/2019 - The Victoria, Dalston - Dry Cleaning (8)
2. 17/01/2019 - The Garage - Art Brut (8)
3. 18/01/2019 - The Lexington – Squid (8) / Black Country, New Road (8)
4. 24/01/2019 - The Roundhouse - Gruff Rhys (7)
5. 25/01/2019 – Bloc - Black Midi (9) / Jerskin Fendrix (5)
6. 26/01/2019 - Label Mates Festival –
Moth Club - Squid (9)
Shacklewell Arms - Pill (9)
Victoria - Ice Cold Slush (6)
Moth Club – Dewey (7)
7. 28/01/2019 - The Windmill - Black Midi (10) / Jerskin Fendrix (5) / PVA (5)
8. 30/01/2019 - The Lexington - Fat White Family (7)
9. 31/01/2019 - The Lexington - Fat White Family (8)
10. 05/02/2019 - Rough Trade East - Jerry Paper (8)
11. 07/02/2019 - Islington Assembley Hall - Beak> (9)
12. 19/02/2019 - Kentish Town Forum - The Lemonheads (5) / Hey Rocco (0)
13. 02/03/2019 - The Stags Head (Hoxton) -Euroheed Fest 9: GBV - Band of Pricks (8)
14. 06/03/2019 - Seabright Arms – Lewsberg (7) / Porridge Radio (6)
15. 07/03/2019 - The Windmill - Scottibrains (8) / Julia (4)
16. 19/03/2019 - Village Underground - Biig Piig (6)
17. 27/03/2019 - The Dome, Tufnell Park - Sauna Youth (8) / Trash Kit (7)
18. 29/03/2019 - The Victoria, Dalston - Buffet Lunch (7) / Flame Proof Moth (6) / Kiran Leonard (5) / Sweet Heave (4)
19. 30/03/2019 - Shacklewell Arms –Bodega (6) / Los Bitchos (6) / Dry Cleaning (8)
20. 02/04/2019 – Heaven - Amyl & the Sniffers (6) / Ghost Car (2) / Dry Cleaning (8)
21. 06/04/2019 - The Waiting Room - Dry Cleaning (9)
22. 11/04/2019 - The Lexington - Black Country, New Road (8) / Gravvl (5)
23. 13/04/2019 - Studio 9294 – Squid (9) / Black Country, New Road (8)
24. 17/04/2019- The Garage - Fontaines DC (4)
25. 19/04/2019 - Rough Trade East - Fat White Family (7)
26. 25/04/2019 - Islington Assembley Hall - Weyes Blood (7)
27. 27/04/2019 - Test Pressing Festival
Grow - Dry Cleaning (7)
Grow – PVA (5)
The Old Baths - Mike Krol (6)
The Old Baths – Black Country, New Road (7)
The Old Baths – Los Bitchos (6)
The Old Baths - Vintage Crop (8)
28. 06/05/2019 - The Lexington - Hotel Lux (6) / Wych Elm (5) / Malady (3)
29. 07/05/2019 - Rough Trade East – Lewsberg (7)
30. 09/05/2019 - Royal Albert Hall - The Horrors (8)
31. 10/05/2019 - The Great Escape Festival
The Haunt – Sports Team (8)
The Haunt – Gently Tender (2)
Horatios – Squid (7)
Horatios – Chappaqua Wrestling (5)
The Haunt – Italia 90 (7)
Hideout – Working Mens Club (7)
The Walrus – Dry Cleaning (8)
32. 11/05/2019 - The Great Escape Festival
Horatios – Mush
The Deep End – Fat White Family (9)
The Deep End – Black Midi (8)
The Deep End – Black Country, New Road (8)
The Deep End – Talk Show (6)
The Deep End – Hotel Lux (7)
Komedia (Basement) – Seazoo (4)
Komedia (Basement) – Black Midi (10)
33. 15/05/2019 - Kentish Town Forum -Fat White Family (9) / Black Country, New Road (7)
34. 16/05/2019 - 100 Club – Priests (7) / Apostille (6) / Hygiene (2)
35. 23/05/2019 - Rough Trade East - Cate Le Bon (8)
36. 25/05/2019 – All Points East, Victoria Park - The Strokes (10) / Interpol (6) / Courtney Barnett (7) / Parquet Courts (8) / Fat White Family (8)
37. 05/06/2019 - Rough Trade East - Dry Cleaning (7) / Dana Gavanksi (5)
38. 06/06/2019 - Village Underground - Guided By Voices (7)
39. 10/06/2019 - Village Underground - Cate Le Bon (7) - Tim Koh (6)
40. 11/06/2019 - The Social - Roxy Girls (7)
41. 18/06/2019 - EartH (Hackney Arts Centre) - Black Midi (4) / Rattle (2)
42. 22/06/2019 - Rough Trade East – Mush (6)
43. 22/06/2019 - New River Studios - Constant Mongrel (6) / Slumb Party (4)
44. 25/06/2019 - Rough Trade East - Black Midi (10)
45. 26/06/2019 - 26 Leak Street - Italia 90 (7) / Wahl (4)
46. 03/07/2019 - Rough Trade East - Sinead O'Brien (6) / Egyptian Blue (7) / Benadict Benjamin (6)
47. 04/07/2019 - Shacklewell Arms - Treeboy & Arc (7) / Happy Couple (5)
48. 12/07/2019 - The Bullingdon, Oxford - British Sea Power (8)
49. 13/07/2019 - Rough Trade East – Squid (8) / Yowl (3)
50. 18/07/2019 - The Lexington - The Stroppies (3) / Cool Greenhouse (7)
51. 03/08/2019 - Visions Festival, Hangar (Hackney) – Ice Age (Can’t Remember) / Squid (10) / Black Country, New Road (8) / Orville Peck (5) / Scalping (2)
52. 07/08/2019 - The Victoria, Dalston - Italia 90 (7) / Al Moses (3) / On Video (4)
53. 08/08/2019 - The Prince Albert, Brighton - Dry Cleaning (8) / Social Haul (4)
54. 21/08/2019 - Shacklewell Arms - Dry Cleaning (9) / Brother May (6) / Garden Centre (6)
55. 22/08/2019 - Hebden Bridge Trades Club – Squid (8) / Black Country, New Road (8)
56. 27/08/2019 - Studio 9294 – Wand (8) / Nov3l (7)
57. 29/08/2019 - The Lexington - Insecure Men (8)
58. 31/08/2019 - Rough Trade East - The Futureheads (8)
59. 09/09/2019 – Oslo – Supergrass (9)
60. 11/09/2019 - Rye Wax - Do Nothing (7) / Blue Bendy (7) / L.D. Moses (5)
61. 12/09/2019 - 100 Club – Squid (7) / Pozi (7)
62. 13/09/2019 - Rough Trade East – Metronomy (7)
63. 14/09/2019 - 100 Club - Black Country, New Road (7) / Pardans (5) / Jerskin Fendrix (5)
64. 18/09/2019 - Moth Club - Stephen Malkmus (7)
65. 24/09/2019 - Boston Music Room - Black Country, New Road (9) / Famous (6)
66. 25/09/2019 - The Victoria, Dalston – Pozi (8) / Callum Easter (6)
67. 01/10/2019 - Camden Assembley - Misty's Big Adventure (7)
68. 04/10/2019 - The Hospital Club – Metronomy (5)
69. 04/10/2019 - The Social – Squid (9)
70. 12/10/2019 - Shacklewell Arms – Dumb (8) / Yammerer (7)
71. 13/10/2019 - Oval Space - Ty Segall (9)
72. 17/10/2019 - Rough Trade East - Richard Dawson (9)
73. 23/10/2019 – Fabric - Black Midi (8) / 404 (3)
74. 24/10/2019 - Islington Assembley Hall - Chastity Belt (2)
75. 25/10/2019 – Shacklewell Arms- Black Mini (9) / Chappaqua Wrestling (6)
76. 27/10/2019 - Tunbridge Wells Forum – Squid (8) / Pozi (8)
77. 29/10/2019 - EartH (Hackney Arts Centre) - Little Simz (7)
78. 03/11/2019 - The Roundhouse – Deerhunter (8) / Cate Le Bon (7)
79. 05/11/2019 - Electric Ballroom - Girl Band (7)
80. 07/11/2019 - The Roundhouse – Metronomy (8) / Squid (7)
81. 08/11/2019 - EartH (Hackney Arts Centre) - Black Lips (7) / Priests (7) / Los Bitchos (2)
82. 19/11/2019 - The 02 – Bjork (6)
83. 22/11/2019 – Dingwalls – Mclusky (9) / John (6)
84. 27/11/2019 - Peckham Audio – Deliluh (Can’t Remember) / Italia 90 (6)
85. 04/12/2019 - EartH (Hackney Arts Centre) - Fat White Family (7)
86. 07/12/2019 - The Social – Scottibrains (8) / Sinead O'Brien (7)
87. 19/12/2019 - The Windmill - Black Midi, New Road (9) / The Guest (4)
88. 28/12/2019 - The Lexington - The Fallen Women (8)

I wondered why you always had your notebook out at gigs, Kev, but I thought maybe you were just transcribing unreleased EP tracks again.

No, the notebook is exclusively for jotting down the pedal boards and rigs of the guitarists from each band.

Truly tremendous work kev

The Utopia Strong @ The Ulster Sports Club

I'd seen Steve Davis and Kavus Torabi DJ a couple of years ago and had a great night so when I heard they were coming here with their band I had to check it out. The record was one of my album's of the year in 2019 so was looking forward to hearing it live.

What transpired was a 45 minute set of completely improvised music, not a single note of the record played and it was fucking amazing. I was talking to Kavus after and he was saying it was only their 16th or 17th gig. You could see Steve's confidence grow as the set went on, by the end he was calling the shots on stage whereas in the beginning he was being prompted.

They melted my fucking face off. This is NOT a novelty band despite what you might think with Steve being a member. I'm taking half a point off because I went expecting to hear 'Brainsurgeons 3' and not hearing it, but the whole thing was pretty much prefect from start to finish.

Special mention to Michael J. York ex. member of Coil who was brilliant.

9.5/10

Started 2020 off with Dry Cleaning at Esquires in Bedford. Nice little music room, decent sound, cool venue. Sinead O'Brien supported, I like the 3 songs she has released so far. Live it was just her on vocals, a guitarist & a drummer. It was solid, though I think she'd benefit from a larger setup, the songs on record have more going on. But still, one to keep an eye on for sure.
Dry Cleaning performed the usual GREATEST HITS set, though performed a new song which according to Krburg who had a peak at the setlist is titled JOHN WICK. Sounded solid. Also felt Flo looked the most confident I've seen her on stage, now gives out the Liam Gallagher distant death stare.