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.
Three for today’s trip down memory lane for you down the years.
2011, the Silver Seas, Islington Academy, London
Over here on the back of their most excellent album ‘Chateau Revenge’ it was a real minor game of celeb spotting in the crowd. With Messrs Hepworth, Baker and Ellen to name a few plus other assorted musos and music writers. It was the aforementioned Danny Baker that took to the stage to introduce the band. To say he bigged them up was an understatement declaring them to be the best band in the world and to tell your children about this show comparing it to The Beatles first show at the Cavern or somewhere similar.
Well let’s just say that they are good band and the harmonies are wonderful. Sadly the Baker hype didn’t translate on stage for their first tour in the UK. The songs are still great but those joyous harmonies just didn’t come across as well. Maybe it was the quality of the sound system that did for them. It wasn’t a bad show don’t get me wrong but it didn’t reach the heights that the album promised. They couldn’t have been that bad though as we went them to see them again just a few months later on their full tour of the UK.
2004, Stewboss, Nadine, Dolly Varden, Half Moon, Putney
Two in a row for Stewboss after yesterday. This time it’s the lead singers of these three fine bands touring as one acoustically sharing songs from each of their back catalogues. Sadly like the Grey Horse gig it’s a sparse crowd in the Half Moon tonight.
It’s a super show with them all taking requests throughout their sets and Greg Sarfaty from Stewboss taking a different approach by drawing songs written on pieces of paper randomly from a jam jar. I managed to get personal favourites played by all three of them but that’s probably because there was little competition from the other crowd members. A crying shame that these super talented singer songwriters aren’t more appreciated but great for us to see them up close and personal and there was a nice connection between them and us.
2000, Steve Earle, Shepherds Bush Empire, London
Another Steve Earle show who around this period we saw many times. It’s the Transcendental Blues’ album tour and Earle was producing consistently excellent albums during this time.
He was also known for his epic Springsteenesque long shows with many tipping the near three hour mark. Tonight is no exception with a set of well over thirty songs showcasing the new stuff, oldies and choice covers.
He really was my favourite artist for a good few years with great albums and must see shows. His career has been a bit up and down recently but still produces moments of magic and quality.
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.