With the country still in the midst of lockdown and no sign of any live music in the foreseeable future if at all this year I thought I would take the opportunity to look back in the archives, sounds posh I know but it’s just an spreadsheet, and revisit gigs I attended on this day down the years. I will keep this going until I can attend my first gig again in person so hopefully this also brings back memories for my gig going chums who have joined me on this great musical journey down the years.
Another three for today’s trip down memory lane for you down the years.
2014, the Delines, Hoxton Bar and Grill, London
It’s a lovely night in Hipster Ville for the sweet sounds of Amy Boone’s lush voice and Willy Vlautin’s haunting songs that I reviewed in the early days of the blog here.
2011, Gillian Welch, Brighton Dome, Brighton
A nice trip down to the south coast with John and Graham for the country sounds of Gillian Welch with of Dave Rawlings supporting. Over here for a rare trip supporting their new album ‘Harrow and the Harvest’. Trip being the operative word as Rawlings explained he busted his arm trying to protect his guitar as he tripped and fell at a gig in France.
We have good seats to the side of the stage for this stripped back show. It’s just the two of them, their instruments, chairs and very little else. But when you are this good no gimmicks, fancy light shows or even a band are important.
We are the treated to a masterclass of bluegrass, country, folk or some hybrid of the three. Rawlings a virtuoso on the guitar picks and plucks and solos throughout providing the perfect accompaniment to Welch’s authentic voice. Its hair tingling moments throughout.
Sadly they don’t come over often and this indeed may have been the last time their toured here properly. It’s a shame that America gets to keep acts this good to themselves. A fantastic five star night with two of the best in the game.
2001, the Jayhawks, Barbican, London
Now I’ve seen the Jayhawks many many times and are one of my favourite bands and this year’s album is excellent but there is something nagging away that this show was rubbish plagued by sound problems. Hopefully Messrs Berry or Cade can confirm. Little more to add apart form it’s a reunion show (yes another one) with Mr Olson re-joining the band. (pic courtesy of getty)
That’s it for today’s trip down memory lane. Here’s hoping we can get to some form of normality soon but with the new lockdown my last chance of a gig disappeared this month and I have now had my first gig of 2021 cancelled so that will take it to a full twelve months at least between gigs.
Support your small local venues and smaller artists in these difficult times, stay safe and keep on rockin y’all.