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 couple of goodies today for my look back down memory lane.
2013, Night Beds, the Borderline, London
What happened to Night Beds? I have their debut album and saw this their debut London show I think and then nothing. They dropped off my radar for some reason I know not. Both the album and show were excellent and with that haunting sound, great songs coupled with his Ryan Adamseque voice I was always going to be hooked. Nothing specific stands out but just a band that I need to check out what happened to since. Gave ‘Country Sleep’ a blast today and it’s a fine record.
2010, Ellie Goulding, Heaven, London
So this was Goulding’s debut headline tour supporting her fine first album ‘Lights’ underneath the arches at Charing Cross station. I have written before that there is a super talented singer songwriter there that I think has been hijacked by the record company and disguises her great natural voice and guitar playing with auto tune nonsense and electronic distortion.
It’s a fine gig really showcasing her talents and indeed her musical credentials as she covers ‘Roscoe’ by Midlake so she clearly has been educated right. Not sure how many of the young audience had heard of Midlake before but hopefully they gained a few new fans.
Nothing more to add outside of a fine pop show with nice acoustic moments and it would be nice to see her unplugged playing those songs fully acoustic without any artificial enhancements.
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.