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.
Just the one for today’s trip down memory lane for you down the years.
1998, Neil Finn, Brighton Dome, Brighton
This was I think Neil Finn’s first solo tour supporting his debut album ‘Try Whistling This’. Eschewing the expensive delights of the Royal Albert Hall in London, one of my least favourite venues, John and I venture down south to Brighton where it’s much cheaper and we can still get home in an hour.
Decent enough seats right behind the sound man who unfortunately couldn’t seem to sit still for more than five seconds continually twiddling knobs clearly hearing something that my untrained ear couldn’t. Sometimes aural perfection is not required at a gig. Just clear, without hiss buzz or other noise and balanced is all we want.
The show was great and a nice balance between the solo stuff and tracks from the Crowded House catalogue and a couple of Split Enz thrown in for good measure. I have a recollection of his brother Tim joining him but of course I could be making that up. I am sure his son was on stage though in support of his dear old dad.
That’s it for today’s trip down memory lane. Here’s hoping we can get to some form of normality soon. Support your small local venues and smaller artists in these difficult times, stay safe and keep on rockin y’all.