We have a date 21st June for normality we hope and the end of socially distancing at a gig. I have my first gig pencilled in for 7th June a seated affair at the Jazz Café to hopefully set up the rest of the year. I have still have about half a dozen 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.
A busy one and a bit of a mixed bag today for my look back down memory lane.
2016, Lucius, Koko, London
A good show form this band but they didn’t just hit the heights of their previous show at the Lexington which was unforgettable. All reviewed here at the time.
2005, Chuck Prophet, the Borderline, London
Another day, another Chuck show. This is just one of many times we have seen him at the Borderline. These were the days when Barry, the Borderline’s promoter would announce the acts before they came on stage and he was a massive advocate for Americana and a big Chuck fan too as he announced him as the best guitarist in the world.
This was the ‘Age of Miracles’ tour which is an album I like with its quirkiness in places although I have an intense dislike of You did (the Bomp Shooby dooby Bomp song).
A fine show and maybe the one where his effects pedal failed and so he played the whole set raw and unadulterated. Great stuff from the master.
1997, Wilco, Shepherds Bush Empire, London
Yes it was ‘that’ gig where Tweedy lost it with the crowd and our apparent indifference referring to us as Snotty Brits and then offering to take us on in a game of fisticuffs. Indeed at the end he did dive into the crowd but I think all had been forgiven at that stage.
I didn’t think the crowd were any less or more indifferent to any other London audience but I think it was a cold Sunday night which is not the best night for a gig at the best of times.
This tour was in support of their southern country rock classic double album ‘Being There’ and rock they most definitely did. Props to Tweedy though after his outburst and a spit singing version of Kingpin they brought it all together for a storming finale of ‘Outtasite’, ‘Casino Queen’, ‘Box full of letters’, a Tupelo cover and then a rousing ‘Ziggy Stardust’.
An interesting evening to say the least but at I’m glad to say that we still enjoyed ‘Being There’ that night. I know that there sound has massively developed over the years but I would love to see this set again. Not much subtlety just great country rock. (PS great clip from Letterman below)
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.