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.
Just the one for my look back trip down memory lane for you down the years.
2018, Wandering Hearts, Islington Assembly Hall, London
A fantastic night out with these guys. Those Fleetwood Mac like four part harmonies are gorgeous. This was the last time that this line-up played together and they now are performing as a trio. All reviewed here at the time.
2014, James Hunter, 229 the Venue, London
A very sparse crowd tonight in this large room. What we lacked for in numbers we made up for with enthusiasm for this rock n roll show. There’s lots of dancing to Mr Hunter and chums and it was all reviewed here at the time.
2010, John Legend and the Roots, Jazz Café, London
Can’t believe that this was ten years ago. This was in support of their fine covers album together. Both artists would not normally play a venue this small so we were lucky to get tickets for this up close and intimate gig.
When you put together one of the best groups of musicians out there and one of the best R&B voices then what can go wrong. The atmosphere was electric and they treated us to this bunch of songs with the respect that they deserved culminating in a stunning version of the Bill Wither’s classic ‘I can’t write left-handed’. A hair tingling moment.
A fantastic show from start to finish.
2007, Marah, Islington Academy, London
A fine show by Rolling Stones wannabees Marah. I am sure I reviewed another one of their shows recently so not much more to add. It’s just good fun quality rock n roll and a notch above a bar band.
1997, Eric Bibb, Watermans Arts Centre, London
A long, long time ago we used to go to the Watermans regularly for our dose of the blues. This must have been the first time we saw Eric Bibb who was supporting his debut album ‘Me to you’. Boy what sweet music. It’s the subtlest of acoustic blues, what a picker and what a great voice. It’s such a clean sound and seeing him at Glasto a year or two back his talent has not diminished.
One of the best shows we saw at this venue and there’s lots of competition.
That’s it for today’s trip down memory lane. Here’s hoping we can get to some form of normality soon but with the new lockdown my last chance of a gig disappeared this month and I have now had my first gig of 2021 cancelled so that will take it to a full twelve months at least between gigs.
Support your small local venues and smaller artists in these difficult times, stay safe and keep on rockin y’all.