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.
Weekend double today with one on each day for my look back trip down memory lane.
23rd January, 2014, Deer Tick, the Garage, London
Third time seeing these guys who are in a notch above the ordinary US guitar band. Probably touring the ‘Negativity’ album released the year before and this of course dominates the set. Good job it’s a fine album in their catalogue.
I can’t think of anything outstanding or particularly memorable from this gig but just good quality guitar led rock and roll.
24th January, 2019, Danni Nichols and Caleb Caudle, Hyde Tavern, Winchester
A great double bill for my trip into deepest Hampshire at this tiny boozer where you follow a paper trail down some dark Labyrinth to get to the underground stage. Two brilliant shows especially from Caleb who my main reason to make the trip. All fully reviewed here at the 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.