rate the last gig you went to

Jesus BM DC & SQUID in one night? Popular forum member Kevin should have informed me of this awesomeness

Hell yes. I saw him a few weeks back (not sure I posted about it) and it was excellent. There’s no way he’s turning 80, he looks so youthful

srk plays the hits by going to see old fogeys play the hits.

Saw rod Stewart and cheap trick the other night. Cheap trick were, and I’m being polite here, fucking rancid. Just atrocious from beginning to end.

Rod was not. Rod was absolutely fab. Setlist full of the early 70s, in great voice, great band. Great time. Only odd note was he opened with addicted to love, including his backing singers dressed like the video. Robert Palmer is spinning in his grave.

Cheap trick 1/10
Rod 8/10

Yesterday I started with Sorry at 8pm, a band I quite enjoy and they were a good intro to the day. Porridge Radio helped increase the energy a little bit and moved to the djs area before Snail Mail who served more as background music.
Then Osees which were an absoulte blast. Went to the bone, no down time. Nick Waterhouse had a bad timing beung sandwiched between highlights but he was alright. The last 3 were Biznaga (top moment band), Bala and Perro (fun and surreal), 3 Spanish bands that go really hard

All Points East yesterday with popular forum members titchjuicy, krburg and mahoney.

Bit of a mixed bag really and definitely not as good as Let's Rock Norwich.

Started with Hotwax who were shit.

Saw a few songs from FEET who I quite enjoyed in a sound like they could have been part of the shit Libertines rip off scene with The Paddingtons, The Others etc kinda way.

Industry plants JULIE were next. Their sound is a great mix of Sonic Youth and MBV and they have the potential to do something great. Unfortunately at the moment they lack the tunes but definitely one to keep an eye on.

The Walkmen were up next and this was loads better than I'd expected. I saw them once years ago at Latitude but didn't remember much about it other than The Rat (obviously). Frontman has a good presence about him and the sound was decent. Will have to revisit the albums.

Over to the mainstage for Angel Olsen next. I was slightly concerned her sombre tunes would ruin the vibe of the day but this ended up being the best set of the day for me. She smashed it, just wish she had a longer set.

Warmduscher in the tent next. Was shit unfortunately. Sound was horrific and it just sounded a dirge. Heard good things about these live but I'm yet to be convinced.

At this point I accompanied Helen to Yeah Yeah Yeahs while Karl and Kev fanboyed over Black Midi. Yeah Yeah Yeahs was enjoyable but the setlist wasn't paced too well. I'm still not convinced on their latest album so could have done without the tunes from that.

The Strokes headlined. Sound was awful and they didn't build up any momentum due to huge gaps between songs. We moved back a bit and the sound improved a little but it still felt like a bit of a let down. When they brought out the hits it was good fun but it was far from being a great headline set which a band with their catalogue should be capable of.

That's a wonderful and fair review of all points east JP.
strokes should just bash the fucking tunes out, stop/start/stop/start. Literally 2 minutes inbetween each song, Get some good bantz Julian you fucking PRICK. also, nobody on this earth (other than Barny) wants to hear 2 songs from Comedown Machine + some improv bollocks. I reckon by the time they was finished there was only half the audience left.

Black Midi was carnage, I'm not sure how good it was in terms of BM gigs but still, me and popular forum member Kevin at a combined age of 80 gave the kids a run for their money down the front. Angel Olsen, man, I've had the opinion that I just want her to go back to the indie-rock sound but now I've seen her do those powerful ballady type tunes live I think I'm in love and have to reassess her back catalogue. What an incredible voice.

Also, after being at Green Man it was a comedown to be at the corporate hell that is APE. Do I have an Annex card? fuck off and give me my £6.20 can of dark fruits you cunts.

Went to a wonderful free festival in Clerkwenwell today. Had an awesome DOG SHOW in which a member of King Salami won 3rd place and was judged by Holly (woman version) from Red Dwarf and a member of the Vibrators. Also had a cool boot sale with lots of cool stools selling records/vintage clothes. I now own a glass money box in the shape of a fish bought from a member of cult band BARRY. THE MEN WHO FELL TO EARTH do Davie Bowie in the style of Booker T. THE EEL MEN were the highlight, pure Buzzcocks, will definitely see them again at some point. SIRI & THE SILOUETTES did a laid back covers set which included bowie & T.rex, was nice. THE ACTION MEN I assumed were going to be a garage-rock band but were just half a dozen blokes in their 50s dancing like idiots, dig it! Then 2 ex members of JP's favourite ever band LONGVIEW completely stunk up the joint with their plodding psych band MINISERIES. Event was headlined by punk/power pop icon WRECKLESS ERIC who did an acoustic set including his mega hit WHOLE WIDE WORLD which was recently on an expedia commercial played during the super bowl.

fun day, totally free. Fuck all points east.

Also saw SASSYHIYA the other night in a pub featuring 2 members of BARRY. It was wonderful.

TUCKERMAN, THE QUOTE THING WHEN USED ON PC IS SHIT NOW. You've got a lot go answer for

and I'm not just talking about your ring doorbell.

Canela Saturday is the big day were both bands and crowd wear costumes. Started with la Paloma who are a young Spanish band with massive tunes and good guitar sound who will probably sell out soon. Mujeres are next, started as black lips II but now they're the godfathers of a whole brand of Spanish rock bands and after cancelling last year here this was a big celebration lap. It was being quite amazing but it had to stop due to a weather storm. We decided to move to a flamenco place close and wait, trying not to be too annoying which probably wasn't the case, plus they run out of beer. After like 3h they opened doors again with only 3 acts or so that couldnt be rescheduled and the first set was King Gizzard who also had to cancel last year. After all that it felt like heaven and hell, amazing set dressed as a jet crew and still bruises all over my body. I think then came Carpenter Brut, who are a fun live act but I guess they old projections are not allowed anymore which is a shame. Cave in I wouldn't have seen otherwise but were actually decent I guess. To end things at 4am or so Les Savy Fav and I have heard about the crazy frontman but god, that was some incredible shit if I have ever seen one. I can't imagine how the fuck is he still alive if he acts like that often.

All and all, shame about missing Squid and shame and the weather on Saturday but still the best festival ever

Of course. How could he not? Could have done without forever young and tonight’s the night, but the rest was fab.

The Who supported by Richard Ashcroft and The Lightning Seeds at Sandringham last night.

The King has decided to start putting on gigs in the grounds of his Norfolk Royal residence and he's pulled off the lineup of the year here!

Lightning Seeds were a pleasant start. Somehow never seen them before so was nice to hear the hits live. Both supports had a 1hr 15mins set which for Lightning Seeds was probably slightly too long.

Ashcroft was up next and smashed it. The best time I've seen him solo. Seemed to have some real anger about him, got his nipples out, punched over a couple of mic stands and did lots of cheesey adlibbing about covid restrictions and "funerals where we couldn't even sing"

The Who I'd seen at Hyde Park in 2015 and remember being pleasantly surprised how good they still were. Same thing happened again here and they blew me away. Sound was the best I've ever heard at an outdoor gig and my ears are still ringing now which never happens with outdoor gigs normally. Such a contrast from The Strokes on Friday. Stuff with the orchestra was real good but it was the band on their own playing the hits part that really stood out for me. Gig of the year!

This was also the last scheduled Who gig so I'm really hoping Daltrey or Townsend dies now so I can say I was at their final gig.

Rozi Plain - hadn't heard much prior to last week but it felt like I should give them a try. Barely 30 people on attendance, which always makes me feel a bit embarrassed of my city but anyway, she and them were nice and I think they took it as a more relaxed and unserious gig. For me it was the kind of music I needed in my post holiday mood, chill and textured allowing my brain to switch off for an hour or so.

Peter Gabriel the other night. First and likely only time I’ll ever see him. He’s playing 11 new songs and a few hits. It was all a bit prog in points but it was a cool stage show and digging the dirt was fab. He does two sets, and it was a bit too long for me. Give me the first set, plus 3-4 more songs and solsbury hill and I’d have been satisfied.

7/10

HORSE LORDS & DELILUH at Studio 9294 with popular forum member Krburg. Cool night. Deliluh performed with all their gear set up in the crowd. Love their new 2 piece setup. Horse Lords I'd not seen before but was very impressed. 4 piece kinda math-rock meets jazz-rock. Will definitely catch them again.

BODGEA & HOLIDAY GHOSTS at Rich Mix with popular forum member Krburg. Holiday Ghosts are a perfect support act, fast, catchy 2-3 minute indie pop/rock tunes, can't beat it. Bodega were as good as ever. A lot of new material on the set which mostly sounded ace. Had holiday ghosts join them on stage for covers of I'll Be Your Mirror & Please Please Me. Top night.

Tapir! at Whitechapel Gallery with popular forum member Krburg. This was some kinda of save the george tavern night in an art gallery. Though after hearing the people that book the bands do a speech I'm not sure I want to see it saved any longer. Human Interest did a acoustic set which was OK I guess. Tapir! did their usual set, not the best time I've seen them but a free sit down gig for midweek, can't argue.

then Saturday I went to Camden Music Festival. As the council continue to strip the life out of Camden Town they're now hell bent on making it even more of a tourist hell hole by having The Walk of Fame which is just a music version of Hollywoods star's on the pavement. Still, they did a free festival which I got to see BIGG BRAGG. Good set, plenty of hits. Was joined by Jamie Webster, some scouser who looked like the son of a Zuton. 2 people passed out during the song which was quite amusing. Then Chris Packham sang New England
Then the sad remains of the Buzzcocks played. Enjoyed it slightly more than in Crystal Palace in July but yeah, wouldn't pay to see them. Then the night was headlined by SHALAMAR, a cheesefest but I was pissed and had a good time.

Slags of Pastel yet rates this mob (who I've never heard might I add, but know are utter wank).

Johnny, it's me, your old pal, Mahoney! Can't you remember the good times we had, snatching a 1-0 win at Chelmsford, or when you were king for a day & everyone chanted your name at the Barfly, or that time at Brixton Academy when you cried when BRMC played Mercy. Never forget the good times Super J. It's not my fault you can't embrace the JAZZ.

Quite a few ones from these couple weeks

Monteperdido + Bum Motion Club on a double bill last Friday. Bum Motion Club were noisey and cloudy, it was fine if unmemorable. Monteperdido I just got into because they were announced to Canela24 and truth is I've been listening to them loads since. Their set was quite good and energetic, they seemed to have a lot of fun on stage.

Helen Helen + whatever name the jam band from the place are called on Saturday. Another double bill, first one was a nice surprise as you can expect chops from that kind of act but their songs were also quite decent even if I won't ever listen to them again. Helen Helen are a folk rock duo but they provide happiness for dozens. They were promoting their first record and her mother showed up so it was all a big celebration. The other band joined them for a Red Morning Light cover with piggyback ride guitar included, a clear highlight believe it or not.

Tuesday accompanied a friend who leans on heavy and blues to just another double bill with a bloke from England whose name I can't remember and some American called Jared whatever who is gigantic and looks a bit like Bon Jovi if he joined the WWF. British lad was cool, lots of shredding but the other guy was another level of performance. He excels on theatrics: picked a guitar from the crowd and took a child to the stage, went down with the people... Crowd went bonkers and even if I was quite tired and it's not my favourite music I did have fun.

Thursday The Pine Hill Haints. They're a goth country act from Alabama with a strange set up: 1 piece drum, accordion, one string bass tied to a can (what's its name?) and guitar/violin. It was quite cool to see for a few songs but felt lacking some oompth at times.

Yesterday was turn for Squid. I do really like them and could probably watch them for hours and hours, it's amazing the way they perform, switching instruments, creating and releasing tension at will and just controlling every single detail of the sound. It's a pity I don't enjoy much their songs though.

I saw Billy last weekend here again & it was pretty much the same thing but came with a free 10" of the gig I'd been to in January which was nice.

Kaidi Akinnibi @ the Spice of Life in Soho with popular forum member KRBURG. Kaidi was the sax player for black midi for a year or 2 which was black midi's best live phase. Cool gig, tiny venue maybe 50 seats. Was much more "song" based than I'd imagine, Kaidi sang for a lot of the set. Solid in places, brilliant in others, especially when he let rip on the sax. Cool neet plus an early finish.