We have a date 21st June for normality we hope and the end of socially distancing at a gig. I have my first gig pencilled in for 7th June a seated affair at the Jazz Café to hopefully set up the rest of the year. I have still have about half a dozen 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.
Just a quick catch up today with a handful of shows today for my look back down memory lane.
2009, Delta Spirit, ICA, London
First time for us seeing Delta Spirit who could have been making their debut UK show plus it’s the one and only time at the atmospheric venue, Institute of Contemporary Arts on the Mall.
Being so early in their career most of their debut ‘Ode to Sunshine’ is played and this was certainly one of my favourites around this time. If you are not aware of them they are on the rockier side of Americana with Matthew Vasquez leading the band.
Quick summary though it was fine show and I caught the band at Lolla that year and I think we have seen Vasquez solo once since. The band took a bit of a hiatus but they are back with bang with a fine album last year.
1996, Gin Blossoms, Shepherds Bush Empire, London
Talking of great bands, the short lived Gin Blossoms were leading the way with their sort of college rocky power pop around this time. This was a rare chance of seeing them over here as they broke up the following year after just a couple of albums.
I don’t have any specific memories of the gig itself but I would guess it was good given the quality of the songs and the band itself.
1993, the Jayhawks, Mean Fiddler, London
These guys were and indeed still are one of my favourite bands. We had seen them for the first time just six months after their debut album came out supporting Dwight Yoakham and was immediately hooked. So tonight is our first headline show with them. ‘Hollywood Town Hall, their first real release hasn’t been out long but it soon became a go to album for me back then and still is even now. Easily in my top ten albums of all time.
They play it all, a few covers and a couple from their next album ‘Forever the Green Grass’. They say you always remember your first. This was it and it doesn’t get any better than this. The perfect band in the perfect venue (even in dodgy Harlesden). I have seen them many times since then but memories will always go back to this one. A special night.
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.