August 09 2008 @ Victoria Park, London.
Last year Field Day had a day of wonderful weather, perfect for sitting in the park, drinking beer and listening to great music. Sadly, they got the organisation horribly wrong and the result was a shambolic blend of loo queues, bar queues and bands you could barely hear.
July 08 2008 @ ULU, London.
Traditionally, when reviewing a gig like this, the support band doesn’t get much coverage but in this case they deserve an honourable mention. Guapo were extraordinary, not entirely for the right reasons, but extraordinary nonetheless.
Wearing what looked like matching, purple, sequined lycra they proceeded to play a set of pure Prog the likes of which has not been heard since 1977. To say they were derivative of King Crimson would be unfair on the word derivative, they were closer to being an out and out tribute act!
June 24 2008 @ Westminster Central Hall, London.
On the insurance advert Joanne Lumley and Nigel Havers smugly ask; 'Are you privileged?’, at which point I throw my shoe at the bastards on the screen; 'NO, I most certainly am not privileged. I have an overdraft bigger than the Grand Canyon, I don't own a house, I have spots', etc, etc. But now when they ask in their nefarious way, I'll be able to turn around and say; 'Yes, yes, I most certainly am privileged, because I saw Sigur Ros at Central Hall, Westminster. So fuuuuuhuck you'.
June 13 2008 @ ICA, London.
To say I felt privileged to be attending My Bloody Valentines’ first show in 16 years is the understatement of the century.
To see such a gig at Wembley Stadium would have been a treat, but to see it at the ICA, which must only hold a couple of hundred people, gave me a distinct feeling that I’d helped a lot of old ladies cross the road in a past life, whilst simultaneously converting them to the path of righteousness.
June 05 2008 @ St Pancras Church, London.
Set amongst the hustle and bustle that is Euston Road sits the imposing building of St Pancras Parish Church. Outside is a melting pot of cars, scooters, commuters and most of all noise. Inside though is a scene of peaceful tranquillity, a sanctuary away from the madness of the London streets, and no better place to host tonight's Miles Of Smiles promoted event.
July 20 2008 @ Somerset House, London.
The last gig of this year’s Summer Series, a solo set by singer-songwriter Joanna Newsom, promises to be one of the best. The harpist’s distinctive voice and ambitious narrative song structures on ‘Ys’ undeniably made it one of 2006’s most memorable albums and, after her show at the Royal Albert Hall last year, this rare UK performance should be altogether more intimate.
June 22 2008 @ The Roundhouse, London.
Once upon a time, there was a band called My Bloody Valentine. They made very pretty music, performed it very loudly for their fans and then disappeared for sixteen years. Now they’re back to delight us all again. But the world has moved on; young pretenders have come (many have gone again).
Will these old-stagers be able to keep up? Can they still cut it with the kids? Does the world still need or want them?
Yes. Fuck, yes.
June 11 2008 @ Koko, Camden, London.
So, I was looking forward to this about as much as having screws drilled in my ears or eating faeces, but lo and behold 5 minutes in and here I am, pressed against some youngster, swaying as 'the kids' go nuts to the bare-chested (except for bassist Charlotte Cooper, which is disappointing!) Subways, with a huge grin on me mug.
Ok, it's unoriginal, dumb and sub Nirvana, but it's also a lot of fun.
June 04 2008 @ St Giles Church, London.
From guest reviewer Richard Willis:
I have been trying to write this for 14 days. 2 weeks lost, or 2 weeks distance? I have barely listened to “For Emma, Forever Ago” since. The main reason is it makes me feel like crying, for some inexplicable reason, all at once this record feels so painful, so raw. It used to help me sleep; now it haunts me …
May 29 2008 @ The Astoria, London.
"We're the Black Keys from Akron, Ohio. That's in America" says Dan Auerbach "And we're gonna play a bunch of songs for you tonight".
For an introduction it's not exactly 'Hello LA. We're gonna RAWK you TONIEEEAAAAIIIGHT' but it says a lot about two of the qualities that instantly ingratiate you with the band - their warmth and seeming innocence (despite the beard and 70's rockstar look).