I have booked a gig, I know how strange. I’m going to the Jazz Café on June 7th,15 months after my last gig. It will be a civilised affair, no mosh pit but a bunch of middle aged hipsters watching a bit of New Orleans soul from the comfort of a seat and table.
We have a date 21st June for normality we hope and the end of socially distancing at a gig. That means another ten or so 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 today for my look back down memory lane.
2016, Striking Matches, Bush Hall, London
This pair of musicians are absolutely top drawer. If you like a bit of country with an electric blues edge then look no further. Both virtuoso guitarists they trade licks all night, swapping lead vocals and producing delightful harmonies to boot. Will always see them when over here and they never disappoint. Reviewed here at the time.
2003, Turin Brakes, Brixton Academy, London
This was probably the height of their career and you count turn on a radio without hearing from these guys. It’s the Ether Song tour and most of that and their debut album ‘The Optimist’ are played to a packed Academy.
Specialising in a sort of poppy folky acoustic sound, they are fine musicians playing fine songs and they were genuinely chuffed to be playing two nights here as they grew up in nearby Balham. Couldn’t fault this gig at all. Their star has waned commercially somewhat in the last ten years but they are still very much going and all these years later I had forgotten how good they were with those lovely harmonies and it wasn’t until a couple of years back we caught them at Glasto and they were one of the highlights of the weekend. The lead singer’s voice has a touch of the Josh Rouse about it too. Fine stuff.
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.