February 12 2009 @ The Forum, London.
The newly-rebranded HMV Forum's promotional blurb asserts the 'enduringly credible' Magazine 'have always been the connoisseur's choice'. Aside from the crowd looking like they've had much time to enjoy many a fine matured band (the average age is approaching fifty), can a reform almost thirty years after making a record have credibility?
February 03 2009 @ The Macbeth, Hoxton.
With so many little nights on all over London it’s sometimes hard to sort the wood from the tress, so to speak, but in Goodbye, Faithful Kingdom we think we’ve found a little gem.
Operating out of The MacBeth pub in Hoxton and on irregular dates it might be hard to catch but if tonight is anything to go by its well worth seeking out.
September 20 2008 @ The 229 Club, London.
So, after a long wait I finally get to see Dead Meadow at a gig of their very own.
I've seen them at ATP where they blew me away but since then I've missed them every single time, whether it be due to arguments or my arse falling out. So tonight I'm determined to make it come hell or high water!!
August 20 2008 @ Waterrats, London.
Last night I finally got the chance to see Future Of The Left live. ‘Curses’ has been a constant soundtrack to my drunken bus journey's, and my determined gait as I ponder the different ways to kill other Londoners for about, ooh 12 months now. So it was with a mix of anticipation and childlike enthusiasm that I barged my way to the front of Water Rats to catch a glimpse of the Welsh three piece. However, when 'the kids' started rocking out I was swiftly demoted towards the rear of the throng - a position more befitting my age.
January 27 2009 @ The Borderline, London.
Tonight E&D headed on down to one of the regular Club Uncut nights at the Borderline to see what it has to offer. Filled with excitement at the prospect of seeing Crystal Antlers, I managed to get there so early that what it had to offer for the first hour is me, alone, in an empty room, watching an empty stage. So instead I stare at my mobile intently trying not to catch the eyes of the cloakroom assistant or the bar staff as they smirk at my obvious discomfort.
October 13 2008 @ The Roundhouse, London.
From the moment we walked in to The Roundhouse we knew it was going to be a special night. You could feel it in the air, the place palpably crackled with expectant electricity. Barely a month ago Elbow won the Mercury Music Prize, a long overdue recognition of the talents of one of Britain most consistently brilliant bands, but this gig sold out way before that, so everyone here has the smug feeling of being on the inside of something special. All that remained was for Guy and the boys to deliver and my word did they deliver. In spades. With knobs on. And a cherry on top.
September 16 2008 @ The Scala, London.
I’m excited! I haven’t been genuinely excited by the prospect of a gig for ages, but I’ve been a fan of Swervedriver for the best part of twenty years, never got to see them the first time around and while I know this probably won’t be as good as ‘back in the day’ it’s the best I’m going to get.
August 17 2008 @ The End, Newcastle.
Tonight, new Newcastle venue The End showcased two pioneering artists making use of loop stations through their entire set.
For the uninitiated, theses are pieces of kit that sample and repeat song parts recorded live (most famously used by the mighty Son of Dave and to annoying use by one KT 'woo-hoo' Tunstall).
The end result here tonight in the case of both artists, is mostly a multi-layered sonic mantra that ebbs into your mind, in this way the technique consistently conjures a kind of, blissed out gospel feeling.