We have a date 21st June. That means another ten or so gigs that will either be cancelled or postponed some for the third time. So cautious optimism is the watch word here. Given that the summer months are usually a little quieter the autumn could be crazy for gigs if things get back to normal. So with everything crossed let’s hope there is real light at the end of this horribly long tunnel.
When I first started this little exercise we were a month into lockdown on the 24th April. Like most of you I expected this to last a month or two. The reality now is clear and sadly it will be a full twelve months and probably a lot more between my last gig and the next one. We go again and hopefully this brings back memories for my gig going chums who have joined me on this great musical journey down the years.
Three of the best today for my look back down memory lane.
2011, the Decemberists, Hammersmith Odeon, London
Always look forward to a Decemberists show. Brilliant musicians, quirky songs, great performance, witty banter are just some of the attributes in abundant supply. This was in support of their REM sound-alike album ‘The King is Dead’ spookily released in the same year as REM’s final album but this is not a passing of the baton as Colin Meloy and chums are a stand out band in their own right without unnecessary comparisons which of course I know I have just done.
Any hoo, I have reviewed them several times here and it’s another great show with the usual theatrics and none more so than the usual fun fest whale singalong encore of the ‘Mariners Revenge’ replete with inflatable whale floating around the stalls.
2010, Avett Brothers, the Garage, London
These guys obviously like touring at this time of the year and so nothing much to add to the other reviews I have recently posted. This is the ‘I and Love and You’ which is a fine album and features heavily tonight.
2005, Rilo Kiley with Marc Carroll, Marquee, London
This gig was the one and only time that we went to the final resting place of the Marquee and also completed my collection of going once to all locations of this iconic venue including Wardour Street, Charing Cross Road, now the Wetherspoons, and this one in the heart of Leicester Square which is also still the only venue I have been too where you had to take a lift to get to the stage floor.
Rilo Kiley were a great little band with Jenny Lewis front and centre, before she went off solo, and Blake Sennett, specialising in quirky folky pop. This tour would have been in support of probably their finest album ‘More Adventurous’ which had their hit ‘Portion for Foxes’ on it.
The venue itself is a bit sterile and lacked any atmosphere but the band rose above this handicap to deliver a perfect pop night. They were ably supported by British folkie Marc Carroll who I also loved at the time.
Lewis has gone onto to many solo highlight since the band split and was one of my favourite gigs of the year a couple of years back.
That’s it for today so don’t forget, support your small local venues and smaller artists in these difficult times, stay safe and keep on rockin y’all.