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.
Three okayish shows today for my look back down memory lane.
2013, the Black Crowes, the Forum, London
As I mentioned before the Black Crowes can be a hit and miss live. Tonight was one of those misses. If not a full miss a near one. This gig remains the one and only time I have had to queue to get into the Forum and not just a minute or two, it was round the block queuing. That didn’t exactly do much for our mood and while the gig wasn’t a disaster it didn’t hit the heights of others times I have seen them. No idea who was in the line-up for this one and guessing it was a difficult time for the brothers as they split up not long after this. Sadly their self-indulgent tendencies seemed to be at the fore tonight
2002, the Strokes, Brixton Academy, London
These guys are a weird band. Their first album I think is rightly considered a goodie but then for me after that everything else has just been a bit meh. But people still continue to rave about them. I just think that there are many guitar bands that do this stuff better.
This was a reasonably early show in their career with only their debut album under their belts. All of that was played with a couple of tasters for their new record. A gig with its moments and I seem to recall it was very loud but I think suffered a bit from style over substance.
File under yeah I saw them but not one to look back on with any great fondness
1985, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, Hammersmith Odeon, London
Relax, don’t do it. Well we did. Arguably FGTH were the biggest group at this time scoring multiple hits with their risqué pop. With just the one album, that gets played in full tonight and indeed such is the dearth of material mega hit ‘Relax’ is played twice.
Let’s be honest they weren’t a great band but they did have a handful of great pop songs. The show is fine enough and there’s plenty of scope to boogie and the couple of covers work well too just being elevated above pub band level. Highlight though was the appearance of a bona fide superstar when George Michael joins them on stage for a number or two.
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.