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.
A double today for my look back trip down memory lane.
2018, the Deslondes, Islington Academy, London
A rare outing for the four musketeers with Mr Wordingham joining stalwarts John, Graham and myself for his once a year gig. Good show, good night and all reviewed here at the time.
2001, Neal Casal, Mean Fiddler, London
I have written many times about the sadly departed talent that was Neal Casal. An unassuming side man in many bands but a super talent in his own right. This would have been the ‘Anytime Tomorrow’ tour which was arguably his best album.
So the show itself was excellent, great artists, great songs in what was arguably the best venue in London at that time.
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.