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 and some form on normality would have prevailed and I would be back to live music by the autumn. It quickly became apparent that this was not going to be the case and I soon wrote off the whole year pinning my hopes on a quick resumption in 2021.
Well after his latest bout of brinkmanship with the virus Boris has blinked too late yet again and we’re back in full lockdown. 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. I will be surprised if I am seeing any live music again before June.
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.
Three goodies today for my look back trip down memory lane.
2019, Durand Jones and the Indications, Dingwalls, London
Stunning show from these guys. Like the Black Pumas they are leading the way with this new wave of soul/R&B bands coming through at the moment. Whilst it’s Mr Jones on the billing this is very much a band and Jones is more than supporting vocally by falsetto of the drummer. Gig fully reviewed here at the time.
2016, Jason Isbell w/ John Moreland, the Forum, London
Isbell seems to excel in picking great support acts. After St Paul and the Broken Bones he follows up with the great John Moreland. Such is the renown of Moreland, the venue is almost full for this support slot. Of course he delivers and we were lucky to see him again a couple of years later and I urge anyone to check him out on the very rare occasions he comes over here.
This is an Isbell show and no matter who the support is he and the band always steal the show. They just get better and better. Gig fully reviewed here at the time. We are currently slated to see him in November this year and I sincerely hope that we have restored normalcy by that stage.
1986, Sting, Royal Albert Hall, London
An oldie at one of my least favourite venues in London. In its defence I have only been there three times in thirty five years and all of the gigs were very good but I don’t buy into this great acoustics, blah blah hype. You must be downstairs on the floor to appreciate this fully as I am not sure how you could enjoy it as much way up in the gods.
It’s me and Antony for this one. We were both big Police fans and so relished the chance to see his first solo tour supporting his fine debut album. Looking at the set it’s a blend of new songs and the other half being split between a trio of the big Police hits like ’Roxanne’, ‘Message in a bottle’ and ‘Don’t stand so close to me’ and then some more obscure Police songs. All have been reworked and broken down into his new Jazz style and in the main it works very well. At that time I hadn’t seen Police live so it was just nice to hear those classics. Luckily we both subsequently saw them on their reunion tour so at least I could tick that box on my list of classic bands I need to see.
From the outside Sting does have a bit of a reputation for being a bit of dick but I met him in Dallas a few years back and we chatted for a couple of minutes and he came across very natural and normal.
That’s it for today’s trip down memory lane. With hopes dashed of any form of normality soon I am trying to cling on that by June we could be back in business but my hopes have been dashed so many times in the last twelve months that I wouldn’t bet on it.
Don forget, support your small local venues and smaller artists in these difficult times, stay safe and keep on rockin y’all.