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.
Just the two today over the years
1998 – Gomez/Sun House, Dingwalls
Wow this one brings back some memories. I think that this was probably Gomez’s first tour in support of their stunning debut ‘Bring it on’. There was a load of hype about them and so John and I made our way to Camden with no tickets for this sold out show. Ensue some conversations with touts who wanted all my money and part of my liver for a ticket. Sadly for them after a brief medical examination they realised my liver didn’t add anything to the deal and I didn’t have enough cash. We called it a night and started walking back to The Spread Eagle for a few pints. Half way there the tout comes running down the street and we renegotiate for all my money and my first born son. Oh how I miss that kid. But we’re in.
I spend the night blagging drinks from John and some of his co-workers who had already got a ticket. I am pretty sure we got ther in time to see Sunhouse who I loved with Gavin Clark’s unique voice (RIP my friend). Sadly I don’t remember a great deal about the Gomez set but given the quality of the album I am sure they were pretty great although that still remains the only time I have seen them live.
2019 – Nicole Atkins, the Lexington
Me, Anne and Andy tonight for this my third attempt trying to see Ms Atkins after being thwarted by snow and a last minute holiday. Full review here and this certainly was in my top 5 gigs of last year. Starting the gig on the floor in the crowd is unusual but tonight the rule book was thrown out and Nicole is nothing predictable.
A thoroughly enjoyable evening and I can’t wait for her new album later this year but sadly her gigs have been rescheduled until next.
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