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.
Another three for today’s trip down memory lane for you down the years.
2008, Teddy Thompson, Great American Music Hall, San Francisco, US and A
As part of our great Californian road trip we were in San Francisco for a few days in the middle. Taking this opportunity we take in a bit of a family affair 9its complicated) just a few minutes’ walk from our hotel with Lucy Wainwright Roche supporting Teddy tonight.
It’s a fine show and Teddy has certainly inherited his musical chops from his parents Richard and Linda with his lovely blend of folk and pop.
1997, Ben Harper, Shepherds Bush Empire, London
This was early days for Ben Harper’s career and he’s over here supporting his second album ‘The Will to Live’. We had seen him on his first tour in a hot and sweaty Subterrania a few years back and what separates Harper from his contemporaries certainly around then was his raw emotion when he sings and play guitar.
A virtuoso guitarist he more than backs this up with his personal songwriter and he has a great voice too. Twenty odd years on he is still producing some great albums. Super night form a master at work.
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.