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.
Busy day today with six of the best for my look back trip down memory lane for you down the years.
2019, Yola Carter, Islington Assembly Hall, London
A poorly Yola thick with cold performing tonight. I will be honest, she should have cancelled. It’s not the Dunkirk spirit but I would rather a cancelled show than a compromised experience. Reviewed here at the time.
2017, Tommy Castro and the Painkillers, 100 Club, London
A great night of blues with Mt Castro and chums and the legendary 100 Club all reviewed here at the time.
2013, Jonathan Wilson, Islington Assembly Hall, London
A great show from Mr Wilson taking time away from his producing duties for anyone decent living in Laurel Canyon at that time. Good blend of tracks from both of his solo albums. The band are tight for this heavy psych rock show
2009, Boot Led Zeppelin, Half Moon, London
It’s a tribute Led Zep band, whats not to love and these guys are better than most. Highly enjoyable evening at the Half Moon.
2002, Alejandro Escovedo, the Borderline, London
I had been a long-time fan and this was finally the chance to see him live for the first time. If you don’t know him he has been producing the finest Americana for thirty years. For this first show it’s a nice blend of tracks from his back catalogue. He’s lived a life for sure and has an array of great stories to support his great music. He doesn’t come over here very often but when he does make sure you see him.
1984, Meat Loaf, Hammersmith Odeon, London
A real oldie here and it’s me and an old college pal Ian for this show. It is a brilliant rock show. All the classics are there from the first two albums, the band are on fire and Mr Loaf is a great show man. Super stuff but sadly not one he repeated the following year when he was bottled off of the Knebworth stage.
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.