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.
May is typically a very busy month for gigs being part of the usual album release cycle and today has been another busy day with three for my trip down memory lane for you down the years
2010, Chuck Prophet, the Borderline, London
Ha ha inevitably Chuck would be making a swift return to these pages given I have seen him live more than any other artist, I think at least twelve times. I can’t believe that it wouldn’t have been Graham and John with me my fellow Prophetanatics. This I think was a bonus show coming soon after the ‘Let Freedom Ring’ tour from the previous year. Joined as always by Miss Stephanie Finch and the Mission Express, this show was a little more laid back and had a nice mellow feel with the song selection. The added bonus was a rare outing for ‘Balinese Dancer’ the title track from his masterpiece followed by his sunshine song ‘Summertime Thing’. As an added bonus we are treated to Springsteen cover ‘For you’ too. I know I am biased but you rarely get a bad Chuck gig and tonight was no exception.
Lord Huron are over here for their first UK tour proper promoting their excellent debut album ‘Lonesome Dreams’. I am struggling to remember who came with me on this night but I think it was Graham. Given how good the album was I was excited to see them live. Specialising in American indie folk with Ben Schneider’s delicate falsetto voice it’s a beautiful night of sublime music. Often compared to Fleet Foxes I have to say live Lord Huron were a far better option and I think this is in the main down to more consistent better quality songs. (I have posted their earlier Lexington set which was broadly the same I imagine)
I provided a full review of their excellent gig at the time. I can’t really add anything to the review except to say perfect perfect perfect. Alison Russell simply has the most beautiful voice and her husband’s rough and ready voice compliments this perfectly. If you get the chance see them.
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