TalkAwhile - The Folk Corporation Forum

According to the Grauniad's gig guide last Saturday, there's a "one-off" drum legends show this Friday at the Brighton Dome...

Pete York, Herman from the Scorpions and... GINGER BAKER - who I thought had retired permanently from drumming - certainly live performance - due to ill health!!

Seems it's not sold out - I'm gutted I can't make it - probably my last chance to see Ginger play live - then again, if his drumming capabilities have (understandably) declined, it would be a bit sad to see.

After seeing Lavinia Blackwall last week off to see more ex Trembling Bells tonight with a solo performance from Alex Rex.

We saw Ginger in Austin on his last U.S. visit, just a couple of years back. His skills were impeccable, although his health was clearly not. I hope some Talkawhilers can make it to the Brighton Dome and I hope they experience him as we did.

Two brilliant live bands tonight, Holy Moly & The Crackers plus local band The Brandy Thieves. At the Musician as usual.

Just booked to see Steve Hackett in Birmingham in November. Thought I'd have no trouble getting a ticket but it's about 98% sold out already. This will be my first gig since Cropredy 2017 and I hadn't quite realised how much ticket prices were creeping up..... ::)

Ludicrously excited about Dr Strangely Strange at Cafe Oto tomorrow pm.  I do wish it didn't mean 9 hours in the bloody car and wasn't in London, but, hey ho....

They have been on sale a while; I got a ticket for Reading when they were announced. It's the first time I have held a ticket for a gig that was more than a year away. I am sure I will forget to go.

I have a ticket for that Reading concert too, and likewise have never bought a ticket over a year in advance.  I'm relying on my calendar and the friends I'm going with to make sure I don't miss it!

Do you use Outlook, or have a calendar on your phone? If so, add a reminder for a few days before the gig

My entire life is in Outlook - I’ve no idea how I’d cope without it!!!  :-\ ;D

I did that last year with a sort of gig - the League Of Gentlemen. I haven't got a ticket for Steve yet...I've been to three gigs this week, and there's Mott next week, and it's festival tix buying season....bam and dlast.

Just purchased - Squeeze Songbook Tour, September 17, 2019, at the Paramount in Austin.

The Paramount may not be an ideal venue for Squeeze.  At Cropredy, and at the 2008 Squeeze show at La Zona Rosa here in Austin, there was lots of joyful bopping throughout the show.  You can't bop in the fixed chairs at the Paramount...

Mr Robert Plant. I hope he appreciates the 2 hour trek I’ve made to Carmarthen!!!  ;D

His band were pretty good, but his voice was obviously suffering and he had a persistent cough. Very laid back and no foot-stompers.

It will be interesting to see if this band develops enough to produce an album.

I particularly enjoyed Matt Worley's singing. I admit I was waiting for a foot-stomper, or a bit of "Hey, hey Mama, said the way you move...."!!  :) but I enjoyed the evening. The support were very good.

I wasn't moved to applaud for the sound man tho - he needs to get his act together  ???

Loved this band last time I saw them, so off for some Celtic/Bluegrass tonight with the brilliant The Orange Circus Band.

One of my own promotions tonight, the Jaywalkers at the Musician, Leicester.

Another of my own promotions tonight Ida Wenøe + Fay Brotherhood at the Musician.

This is the sort of gig I love putting on even though I know it's likely to cost me. Few promoters will now put on acts that are not well known. But after reading the review below how could I resist.

"… a childlike fragility that makes the songs sound like whimsical folk for fairy tales with a sinister undertow. Her voice – weary but cute, with the power to cut through – is perfect; she sounds like the young narrator of her own magical-malevolent fantasies…” The Guardian

So if you fancy a bit of Nordic Noir folk from Denmark, you know where to be tonight.

The Furrow Collective tomorrow night at the Phil in Liverpool

Off to Wizz Jones’ birthday gig at Cadogan Hall tonight.  Looking forward to seeing him with Ralph and the other surprise guests.

By coincidence, I'm listening to Eric Clapton's autobiography, and he singled out Wizz as an early inspiration. Have fun!

Tonight, the inimitable Robin Trower at the Moody Theater at ACL Live, in wet and rainy downtown Austin, Texas!

Miserable weather and pretty poor ticket sales, I'm sorry to say.  This is his third visit to Austin in the last four years, after a 30-year drought.  I view each show as possibly my last opportunity to see him.

Ian McNabb at Portsmouth Guildhall studio this Sunday 28th. Never seen him play solo so really looking forward to it.

Last time I saw him in Portsmouth it was...er...an experience!  ;D He was very, very drunk. Happily he seems to have cleaned himself up since then. I will be seeing him the previous evening in Worthing.

If he promises to play The Lamb Lies Down in it's entirety during the second half, take it with a pinch of salt!  ;)

Mott the Hoople at Shepherds Bush Empire on Saturday 27th April.  We've got a spare ticket which it would be nice to sell.  The last time I sold a spare ticket was via eBay but I don't think that is allowed any more  ??? Can anyone recommend a ticket site (preferably not connected to Ticketmaster).  Thanks.

Scarlet Mist

Thanks.  Will use them.

Nick Mason & his Sauce1rful of Secrets tonight at Cardiff St David's Hall. I am quite literally besides myself with excitement!  :D  :D  :D

Not a bad trick!! Enjoy the concert ;D

Did you have to buy two tickets?!  ;)

Enjoy it - the prices put me off, I'm afraid.

I am very tempted by, and will probably succumb to, a double bill of Jackie Oates and Sam Kelly & The Lost Boys at the Dorchester (on-Thames) Festival next Monday evening.

If there was an "upcoming gigs I'm going to miss" topic... Mercedes Peon free concert in Pontevedra main square on Wednesday evening. We're coming home tomorrow. Pah!

Have fun! Maybe Roger Waters will show up again! https://ultimateclassicrock.com/roger-waters-joins-nick-mason/

His son was there though....  :D

It was quite brilliant  :) I am very happy

Apparently Gary Kemp was playing Micky Jones*'s Gibson SG for some of the show... *of Man

What kind of a crazy word is it when these two people even know of each other's existence?!?!   :o

Jules

In about an hour, Sammy Hagar and "The Circle," ACL Live!

This supergroup is composed of Sammy Hagar, Michael Anthony (ex-Van Halen), Jason Bonham (needs no introduction), and guitarist Vic Johnson (of the BusBoys).  

I've avoided spoilers of the setlist, but I presume I will be treated to some Van Hagar, some "I Can't Drive 55" era Hagar, and a little Led Zeppelin.  They've also released two albums of originals, so I'll have time to go to the bathroom and wander around the mezzanine.   :)

Not exactly folk, but I think I'll have a good time.

I think you're totally underestimating  the Ivor Novello Award winning Mr Kemp! Apart from being a fine songwriter, he is a superb guitarist and a close friend of Nick Mason  :o he was delighted to have been asked to play with Saucerful of Secrets and put in a great performance. Nothing that I could see said "naff 80's pop star"!!!

Alfa 9 tomorrow night, playing the final gig of their monthly residency at The Artisan Tap in Hartshill, Stoke.

I’m off to see them at the Roundhouse on Saturday and very much looking forward to it. I’ve been working my way through the old albums in preparation. This has not gone down entirely successfully with other members of the family! Philistines!

I guarantee you will enjoy it!  :) I think the setlist is the same as it's been the last few weeks in the States, lots of Syd

I was surprised at how well this music worked in live performance, especially since it was probably unfamiliar to a large part of the (very enthusiastic) audience in Houston.

A chum reports from last night’s Saucerful of Secrets show that someone decided to make a phone call during ‘Set The Controls...’. Didn’t go down too well, apparently.  :o

Something similar happened at Cardiff. The tw@t in front of us obscured our view with his mobile phone for most of the set, then proceeded to play his videos back at full volume when the band were bantering between songs  >:( mainly to cries of WTF from those around him. And when the Security man asked him to turn it off he had a mouthful of abuse. I really don't understand some people  :-\

It’s an increasing problem. Happens regularly when I’m at gigs and, like you, I can’t understand why people can’ Just enjoy the gig. I get so irate, I want to grab their phone and stamp on it  >:(

I think one day I will do just that!  ;D

I just don't get it, it makes me feel like I am getting old. I really can't understand why you would rather capture that special moment in a concert rather than being part of it, e.g. Filming meet on the ledge at cropredy, filming Vincent black lightning at a Richard Thompson concert, smoke on the water, paranoid. I would rather be there.

Exactly!

To be fair, the person wasn’t even recording the gig. Genuinely, and even more inexplicably, he made a phone call.  :o

Robyn Hitchcock at St Mary's A Creative Space, Chester on Thursday.

Better Oblivion Community Center next Sunday. Our first visit to the Center.

Show of Hands at the Cutty Sark.  The performance space underneath the ship (boat?) makes a really nice venue.  I saw ‘The Pirates of Penzance’ there a few weeks ago – I liked the idea of seeing it in a nautical setting – and it works just as well with theatre.

The rather excellent St Edith Folk have got some VG gigs scheduled for the second half of 2019. mostly at the lovely Kemsing St Edith Hall, near Sevenoaks:

19 Jul                                      RICHARD DIGANCE                 +    Eric Sedge  £14.00
06 Sep                                     TREETOP FLYERS                    +    Copper Viper £12.50
20 Sep                                     THE ORANGE CIRCUS BAND     +    Friction Farm   £  9.00
04 Oct                                     STICK IN THE WHEEL               +    Ian Roland Trio  £11.00
18 Oct                                     THE GARY FLETCHER ACOUSTIC TRIO   +    Jeremy Tuplin  £10.00
01 Nov                                   JOHN OTWAY & WILD WILLY BARRETT   +    Summer & Smoke   £14.00
15 Nov                                   THE TRIALS OF CATO                           +    Ryan Fox                £11.00
06 Dec                                   THE DYLAN PROJECT                           * no support *               £17.00
14 Dec                                   ST AGNES FOUNTAIN                          * no support *               £18.00
                                              (to be held at St Dunstan's Church, Cranbrook)
20 Dec                                   THE ALBION Christmas BAND           * no support *                £22.00

I will definitely try to see Treetop Flyers, The Orange Circus Band & The Trials Of Cato - all new to me but I like their stuff on YouTube. Several other maybes.

Trying to decide whether I can be fussed to drag myself over to Brighton to see The Dovetail trio this evening. Would like to see them but brighton on a Bank Holiday has all sorts of disadvantages, not least of transport o get there and back.

Otherwise my next gig (sort of) will be Tubular Bells for Two on Friday. More of a show than a gig I think and I have no real idea what to expect but it has been highly acclaimed by critics and I am looking forward to it.

Then it is Otway & Barrett's farewell tour on Saturday which should be a lot of fun.

I saw "Tubular Bells for Two" at the Edinburgh Festival a few years ago. It was terrific - enjoy!

I'm intrigued!

Jules

I saw that too. Fantastic! They got a huge cheer and an immediate standing ovation at the end. Very enjoyable  :D

http://www.tubularbellsfortwo.com/

Fair play to 'em. I'm looking forward to Ommadawn for Three.   ;D

Jules

Saving Grace at the (Stroud Valley Arts) Goods Shed in Stroud 22 May. Just got ticket nos 143 & 144, not sure what the capacity is...

Good call.  Just told my Stroud mates, so thank you.  Enjoy.  It would be hard not to..

Enjoy, Paul!

Off to see Flook at the Brewery Arts Centre in Kendal this evening. They've recently set up an account on Instagram with the username flookquartet if anyone's interested. Followed by caradillonsings - no surprise there as Ed Boyd has been a part of Cara's backing band on and off for a while.

And I see their new album is now available. Might just have to make a purchase this evening.  :)

Bit surprised to see quite a few seats still available for tonight's gig. Thought it might have sold out.

https://www.breweryarts.co.uk/event/flook/

Plenty of gigs this week starting tonight with Emma Stevens, then on Wednesday new act to me William the Conqueror and the following night Erika Wennerstrom.

Curse of Lono tomorrow night at the Band on the Wall, Manchester, supporting Samantha Fish.

The Bevis Frond at the Shipping Forecast, Liverpool on Saturday.

I was going to come back for this, but have too much else on, sadly.  Thankfully I'm seeing them in a couple of weeks.  Should be fab.

William the Conqueror should be good. Ruarri Joseph, who is the main man, writes some great songs.

I'll be there for this....Should be an excellent show.

Off to see the Icicle Works & Ian McNabb on Friday in Holmfirth

Not a gig as such, but stand up comedians (do the others sit down?  :-\ ) Jared Christmas and Andy Askins trying out their Edinburgh Fringe material. 2 hours of (hopefully) comedy for £15!!

Apparently, most comedy clubs only allow comedians a 45 minute slot, but in Edinburgh you have 60 minutes to fill, so comedians are crying out for places that will allow them to try out their full 60 minute routine. Our local theatre www.thesmallspace.co.uk (the UK's smallest theatre) are happy to accommodate them! Winner, winner, chicken dinner and all that  :D

Just got my ticket to see Thea Gilmore at The Acapella, Pentyrch (near Cardiff) on 29th May, which is the day after my son, Paul gets married - so a busy week for me. Interestingly, for this tour, Thea will be joined onstage by Kat Gilmore (no relation) taking time off from her Gilmore/Roberts commitments. Looking forward to it immensely.

Blimey, Kat's going to be busy. She has G&R and Willows shows lined up too. The life of a working musician.

Plus of course a new baby that travels with her to gigs. Jamie looked after her during the Willows gig.

I’m also at The Acapela Studios tomorrow to see Dean Friedman. We’re huge fans so can’t wait!!

What are you crazy?

 ;D

Jules

Why on earth did you say what you just said?

Like Bridgwit and unlike Jules, I’m a big fan of Dean Friedman too!

Blackbeard's Tea Party in Walthamstow tomorrow  8)

It’s the opening lyric to ‘Lucky Stars’.  ;D

Me too. Especially his first two albums and his most recent collection is pretty good too. I wont be catching him on this year's UK jaunt but have done so many times, most recently in Crawley last summer. And apologies for the misquote. It should have been "How in the hell can you say what you just said?"

Big fan of Dead Friedman in 'not getting Dean Friedman lyric quote joke' shocker!

 :o

Jules

Oh, I did enjoy that...  ;D

But I’m not as smart as I’d like to think I am..... ;D

There’s a crossover band I’d like to see. A twenty minute free-form jam version of ‘Well Well, said The Rocking Chair’  :o

You're all barking  ;D  ;D

I love this one https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rtTbl48247Q and he can still reach the high notes!  :)

I can't watch that without thinking of this

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHXZA_5XMJ4

 ::)

I will be forever in love with Ariel. Oh to be deep in her bosom in Suburbia or whatever it is.

Mike - is that the little mermaid or Mott's geetarist?  ;)

That excellent Canadian duo, Madison Violet are touring over here again.  This is their schedule, if anyone is interested - https://www.madisonviolet.com/

Sunday at the Austin360 Amphitheater, weather permitting:

ZZ Top
Bad Company
Cheap Trick

Gettin' my '70s on!

Man, I wish I was there!

Me too! Cracking line up

I'm going to see The Rutles at the Platform in Morecambe tonight. I've not seen Neil Innes in many a year and it'll be my first Rutles gig. I was giving their LP a spin last night. :)

Merry Hell are playing the same venue on Friday. I might go along.

Last time I saw Neil Innes was with Grimms at Liverpool Philharmonic Hall! Must be over 40 years ago...

Who's in the Bad Co line up these days?

Paul Rodgers, Simon Kirke, Todd Ronning (bass) and Howard Leese (ex-Heart) (guitars, mandolin, occasional keyboard, backing vocals and pleasantly surprising lead vocal on "All Along The Watchtower). This is the same line-up that has comprised Bad Co. since 2012, minus (sadly) Mick Ralphs.  Rich Robinson, ex-Black Crowes, played second guitar on their very cool 2016 tour, but they've been doing without a second guitar since then.

Thanks John. It's been a while since I saw them. Shame about Mick Ralphs (and of course, the sadly missed Boz Burrell)

I'd love to see the Rutles!

I had to buy a t-shirt.   :)

Excellent!

The Icicle Works at Liverpool Academy on Saturday
The Waterboys at Liverpool Philharmonic on Monday

Ooh, can I have your life, please?

Jules

You could go and see The Rutles at the Cavern tonight.

https://www.cavernclub.com/events/event/the-rutles/

Then they play Preston tomorrow and Glasgow and Edinburgh on Saturday and Sunday.

Two trips to Liverpool in three days is plenty thanks!  ;)

Richard Thompson, Kerrville Folk Festival, Sunday night...

It's a 2-hour drive each way, with RT wrapping up probably after 10:00 p.m. Sunday.  Not as grueling as driving all the way home from Houston after Nick Mason, but still I'm not sure I can do this one, I'm sorry to say.  I won't decide for sure until the day.

I've just bought a ticket to rut at the Robin next week. Wish I hadn't seen the later post for the t-shirt though, I covet, and I'm supposed to getting the money together for festival tix. I'm hoping to do Cornbury for the first time this year.

One of my favourite American acts tonight, the brilliant Willie Nile at the Musician, Leicester. One of only 5 UK dates, so looking like a sell out.

In which case you'll also see my mate Ali Wilson on drums.   :)

Jules

For those who like to glid now and then, https://www.gigsandtours.com/tour/the-steve-hillage-band

I couldn't make any of the first three so was gutted.  I'm now very happy.

Me also.
He did say there might be more if the first ones sold well, so thanks to all those people who are now going to gigs miles away when he's now playing more local.This is Steve Hillage, so you will have amassed loads of Karma points for that.

The Monochrome Set at the Jericho Tavern Oxford, November 23rd...Have just played my vinyl copy of Strange Boutique from 1980, and amazed at how fresh and vital it still sounds...Quirky, eccentric, melodic, and completely original...Brilliant stuff !

Peter Bruntnell at Gullivers, Manchester tomorrow.

Thanks for the heads-up, Mike. Bristol for me! (Unless he plays Glos/Chelt)

Two for me in the next week.

Ian Prowse & Amsterdam at the 100 Club in London on Saturday. That's going to be a hot one by the look of it.  :-\

Nick Lowe in Hove on Tuesday. My first time seeing Nick since 1984.

One of my own promotions tonight. The brilliant Dan Walsh Trio at the Musician, Leicester.

Maybe, possibly, Joe Jackson, Friday at the Paramount.  I've never had the pleasure...

Just booked my next few gigs:

June 17 - Jon Boden (solo) at Nettlebed (John Spiers will apparently be doing a support set, so hoping for some duo stuff too!)

June 29 - The Copper Family at Cecil Sharp House.  Never been there before, or heard the Coppers, other than recorded.

July 8 - Jackie Oates at Nettlebed.  Billed as 'Lace Tellings - A Radio Ballad', based on the lives of the lacemakers of Bedfordshire, Northamptonshire and Buckinghamshire.  Special guests including John Spiers and Jack Rutter, and Megan Henwood too.

Wow! That would be nice, to see Spiers and Boden back doing stuff together! Though I love what John does with Peter Knight.

Another one of my promotions tonight. Daria Kulesh with Marina Osman plus Edwina Hayes. As usual at the Musician Leicester.

If anyone is going to the Topic 80th Birthday bash, you're in for a treat as Norma Waterson is going to be there (according to Marry, on Twitter)

Can’t remember if I’ve posted this before so apologies but quite excited about this! On Friday 21 June it’s back to my misspent youth although now a slightly different occasion than when I first bought the tickets. It’s Buzzcocks, The Skids and Penetration at the Royal Albert Hall (I bet some 40 years ago they never thought they’d be playing the RAH!). With the sad passing of Pete Shelley, the event has been turned into a celebration of his life. The whole evening will be compered by Paul Morley with Penetration and Pauline Murray opening. The Skids with Richard Jobson are on next followed by Buzzcocks. This will include original members Steve Diggle, John Maher and Steve Garvey.  Not sure if Howard Devoto will be there though. There will also be guest vocalists including Dave Vanian, Captain Sensible, Thurston Moore,Tim Burgess and Peter Perrett. I did have a spare ticket I was going to advertise on this site but it’s been taken by a friend so sorry all  ;)

Sounds amazing Chris! Have a great time  :D

Thank you! I’ll do my best  ;D

I hope they somehow manage to do Pete some justice.

Jules

I really do hope Howard does turn up, but I seem to remember reading (at the time of the release of the awesome Buzzkunst Pete/Howard album) about some lengthy feud between him and Diggle?  

I’ll report back at the weekend and let you know how it went

Crims tonight at RAH.

Lucky you!  :)

Was that Wednesday night? Weren't they fantastic?  ;D

Last night, Jude... and they were... the chap next to me attended all 3 nights and reckoned Thursday was even better than Wednesday! 21st Century Schizoid Man last night was just astonishingly good!

I managed to catch up with lovely Pat Mastelotto and Jakko after the show on Wednesday so that made the night even more lovely.. those drummers eh?...  :o

Nick Lowe at Pocklington Arts Centre , near York,  with the fabulous Katie Spencer supporting tonight
Nick's at Glastonbury I believe , hope the BBC are showing it

Tonight, dear fiends, im off to Sale Waterside to see the Goldhawks play Quadrophenia by th'Oo.
I saw it on a regular emither the theatre sends me and quite fancied it.
I will let you know tomorrow how good, bad or indifferent it was.
I'm quite looking forward to it.

July 4th 'weekend', Chrissie Hynde and the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra.

Really looking forward to this, hope she's going to do Nick's River Man which is on the new record.

Tomorrow at Cecil Sharp House, The Copper Family.  Really looking forward to this!

Excellent band, did full justice to the material and universally well recieved by the audience , who, unsurprisingly, were largely men of a certain age.  The theatre was a bit less than half full which demonstrates the difficulty of attracting a crowd if its not a name but on the upside it was over by 945pm which left plenty of time to get slopped up in a nearby pub before phoning the younger daughter for a lift home😁

Gilmore & Roberts tomorrow night at Petfringe, which is not as it sounds a dog grooming parlour but a small festival in Petworth in Sussex.

Santana / The Doobie Brothers, Tuesday, July 9, at the Austin360 Amphitheater in sweltering extreme east Austin!

Assuming all goes according to plan, I will be able to post a meet-and-greet photo with the Doobies a few days after the event. Keep Rockin' Down the Highway and Listen to the Music, and we'll hear that funky Dixieland while taking our pretty mamas by the hand....

Having had a very pleasant, if hot, day at Abbotsbury for Show of Hands’ one day festival last year we are going again this year. The line up is SoH, Tom Robinson, Track Digs, Banter, & Kelly Oliver. The weather forecast looks promising so hoping for another good time.

It’s also very good excuse for a long weekend in Dorset and the discovery that Bridport has a new parkrun (as of last week) so we don’t need to miss out on our parkrun fix is an extra bonus!

American band Man About A Horse this evening for some bluegrass down at the Musician.

Mrs DJS has a ticket she can't use for the sold out The National gig at Castlefield Bowl, Manchester this Wed.  Drop me a line if you (or anybody you know) might be interested.  Ta.

Looking forward to Jackie Oates tonight - playing her new 'radio ballad' (I think it is billed as) called 'Lace Tellings', with help from Jack Rutter, John Spiers and Megan Henwood.  

Next gig after this will be Cropredy!

Ian McNabb at Thornton Hough Village Club tonight.

Because of Jim's post, we decided to see this band too.  Wow!  Blown away.  Such a passion for their subject.  They said they might do Tommy next.  The encore was Behind Blue Eyes and Baba O'Reilly.  Thanks for the heads up, Jim.

Tramlines final day in Sheffield today.

Plenty going on but looking forward to Peter Hook and The Light,Happy Mondays,Lewis Capaldi and the headliners,Nile Rodgers and Chic

Tears for Fears supported by ABC at Colchester Castle Park this Sunday 28 July...just hoping the rain/storms hold off!

My first gig in a little while...

Truckstop Honeymoon at The Greys in Brighton on Monday.

Heads up in case any of you crazy Bruce heads want to see Little Steven in, er, The Tramshed in Cardiff.

Go, go, go... https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/little-steven-the-disciples-of-soul-tramshed-cardiff-tickets-60311440141

John Jones and the Reluctant Ramblers in Threlkeld on 27th and 28th September, first night is half gig half ceilidh, second night is a seated gig. I have 2 tickets for both nights, but can no longer attend. Happy to give them to anyone who could use them.

Hi Kevin, I'd be more than happy to take them of  your hands  :)

Or not. Change of plan for reasons I will explain in due course.

Shame. I was looking forward to reacquainting myself with Mike & Amy.

Just announced - Mott the Hoople '74 at the Moody Theater at ACL Live, Austin, this fall!

I am woefully unfamiliar with all things Mott, other than ATYD. I must buy tickets to this show and then take a crash course.

This tour has been focusing on the 1974 material and line up so that year's live album in its expanded form is your best starting point. The UK shows earlier this year we're tremendous, as long as Luther's pedals are working.

Thumbs up emoji!

Solihull to Threlkeld is a bit of a slog!!!

Bus times are a bit tricky too  :)

You'll enjoy it I think, John.  Mott are and always were a great live band,. But you may need ear protection - they're also very loud.  

Booked  :)

Less so these days. I didn't need my acoustic earplugs at the London show, though a couple of Ian's solo shows some years ago were the reason I need them in the first place!  ;D

 ;D :)

Off to see The Connor Selby Band tonight. As they were one of the support acts at the recent Who gigs I am expecting something good.

RT at Gawsworth Hall tonight.

Doing front-of-house duties next Friday 30 August at Witham Public Hall for Marty Wilde and the Wildcats  :o Apart from Petula Clark, Li’l Jimmy Reed and BB King, I think this will make him the next oldest artist I’ve seen perform live  :o

Mr. Cool himself, Bryan Ferry, tonight at the Moody Theater at ACL Live in sweltering downtown Austin, Texas!

First gig in awhile, unusually for me.

Two mini festivals lined up:

Wallingford Bunkfest (https://www.bunkfest.co.uk/) this coming weekend. Looking forward to Tankus The Henge at that one. Merry Hell are playing if anyone is interested (we will be gone before they're on.)

Down At The Abbey (https://www.getreading.co.uk/whats-on/music-nightlife-news/down-abbey-festival-line-up-16566205) festival on Saturday 7th September. Many acts to look forward to there, including Rozi Plain, Rachel Dadd, BC Camplight, Bryde, Kathryn Joseph, Tom Williams, Vienna Ditto, The August List (especially looking forward to those last two!)

Cheers

Nick

Must get to the Bunkfest one of these years, since it is only just up the road from us.  But we're off on holiday on Saturday morning, so it won't be this year...

Seeing Martin Turner (ex-Wishbone Ash) and his band doing the albums Pilgrimage and New England in their entirety along with many other Wishbone Ash songs as it’s the 50th anniversary of the band. They are playing Colchester Arts Centre next Thursday 5 September if anyone is interested....

Phil Beer in Lingfield (South East Surrey, East Grinstead line) Friday 13th September. Love seeing wonderful musicians 'up close and personal'. Guaranteed to be a great night.

This Saturday, up-and-coming young guitar-slinger Mark Knopfler, at ACL Live in Austin!

Tickets for this show went on sale almost a year ago, and promptly sold out. A friend with connections was able to hook me up with post-sell-out tickets at face value, which has never happened before or since. :)

As he did last time, he's making official recordings of the live shows available for download. No complaints here.

Is that the Victoria Sports & Social Club? Nice folks there.

LVSSC indeed.. A select but friendly bunch!

Bennett Wilson Poole at my mate Kev's birthday bash tonight in Nantwich.

The Peter Bruntnell Band at Outpost, Liverpool next Saturday.

The First Cressing  Folk Festival on Sunday 15 September at the historic Cressing Temple Barns in Essex. This will be a small one-day fest although I’m not really familiar with the artists (except one). Playing will be Terry Hiscock (founder of Hunter Muskett), Fran & Belinda (Fran Foote & Belinda Kempster), Trials of Cato, John Kirkpatrick, The Wilsons. If anyone can enlighten me on these performers that’d be appreciated. Thanks

I'm guessing that John Kirkpatrick is the one you know? (RT sideman, Albion Band alumnus. Father of Beni etc)

I saw Terry Hiscock supporting Merry Hell earlier this year Very entertaining in an early 70s singer songwriter kind of way. Witty patter between songs and some excellent acoustic guitar work from what I recall. I can't help with any of the others I'm afraid.

Fran & Belinda are mother & daughter. Fran sings with Stick in the Wheel & plays accordion. The Wilsons are brothers from up north and sing unaccompanied harmonies they're very good.
I've heard of Trails of Cato but not seen them they have some things on you tube

Thanks Al and Dawn....yes I’ve seen John Kirkpatrick before (last time I think was with Martin Carthy etc on the Swarb! tribute show. The other acts sound interesting and I’m assuming that The Wilsons are in the same vein as The Young Uns? whom I’ve seen 2 or 3 times before

yes the Wilsons are similar to the Young 'Uns

Tonight, Irish troubadour Glen Hansard at Stubb's Barbecue outdoor stage!

I love GH with all my heart, but Stubb's is not my favorite venue.  Parking is non-existent.  It's in a dodgy part of downtown, which makes the long walk to the car after 11:00 PM uncomfortable.  And September in Austin, Texas, is miserably hot for outdoor shows.  Dear GH:  Please investigate booking into the air-conditioned, safe, and very pleasant ACL Live next time!

Tonight, Cropredy veterans Squeeze (with opener X) at the historic Paramount Theater in muggy, humid, downtown Austin, Texas!

Thanks for this Bingers.  A possibility for next year, provided it runs

I shall keep my eyes peeled for the date  ;)

Tonight at West Austin's One World Theatre (I believe they use the English spelling) -

John Sebastian of the Lovin' Spoonful!  Do You Believe in Magic?

Friday, Dallas, Texas, at the American Airlines Center:

The Two!  I mean, The Who!

According to my scientific database, since 1982, it will be my 30th show by The Who, John Entwistle, Pete Townshend, or Roger Daltrey (not even counting the 1983 ARMS concert with Kenney on drums). Will it be the last?  I asked myself that question four years ago, and two years before that...

Going to see the Rheingans Sisters at Morecambe on Sunday it will be the first gig I have been to with my sister for over 27 years

Looking forward to seeing Home Service (with John Tams back with them, alongside John Kirkpatrick, I believe) on Monday at Nettlebed.

Next gig: RTs 70th at RAH on Monday, provided I can figure out a foolproof way of getting to London and back after recent terrible experiences.

After that it is probably The Long Ryders in Hassocks at the end of October unless I make a last minute decision to take in the Icicle Works in Farncombe in between.

I didn't know he was back.  Good.

Jules

Same! I've got to see these guys - just once...

Off to see the very marvellous Leisure Society at the Hare and Hounds in Brum tomorrow - lets get these guys at Cropredy.

DW

Yes indeed - they would be BRILLIANT for Cropredy - excellent band & songwriting - saw them at the Brudenell in Leeds as few years back with everyone sitting on the floor spellbound. Thought at the time, this would be just perfect for Croppers...!

A regular haunt of mine over the years (decades).  I've even played there myself.  Enjoy.  They're a good band.

Jules

Here's the blurb from the website:

NETTLEBED VILLAGE CLUB - ‬Monday 30 September 2019

LICHFIELD GARRICK THEATRE - Friday 18th October‬ 2019

LOWDHAM VILLAGE HALL - ‬Friday ‪7th February 2020
‬
NEW FOREST FOLK FESTIVAL 2020 - Friday 3rd July 2020‬

St EDITH’S FOLK CLUB, Nr. SEVENOAKS - ‬Friday 17th July 2020

 

If you thought Home Service had gone a bit quiet recently here’s the latest - the band is back with some great gigs in the diary and the major news is that John Tams has re-enlisted alongside John Kirkpatrick as joint front man and lead vocalist. This is very exciting for us all and furthermore there are rumours of new material, which could mean we might see the boys back in the studio before long. Main thing is, just don’t miss this rare opportunity to be blown away by the sheer might, grace and grandeur of the one and only Home Service when they come your way.

That's exciting (and surprising) news.  Fab.

Edwina Hayes at the Colchester Folk Club in Colchester Arts Centre this Monday 30 September

Bevis Frond at Aatma in Manchester on Saturday.

Red warning lights flashing - The Who ended the Houston show last night after 8 songs because Roger lost his voice.  (Glad I skipped it and went to dinner instead.)

Fingers crossed that tomorrow's show in Dallas goes forward.  If not, I have a non-refundable hotel room in downtown Dallas and no concert to attend.

It's becoming a greater and greater struggle for Roger.  They're going to at least have to start transposing the keys down a step.

Jules

If they do that, at least I'll be able to sing along!  :)

He's always said he'll know (most recently in his book) when to stop.

I thought it was really interesting that the advertising for the new 'Oo album had Pete writing: "This album is almost all new songs written last year, with just two exceptions. There is no theme, no concept, no story, just a set of songs that I (and my brother Simon) wrote to give Roger Daltrey some inspiration, challenges and scope for his newly revived singing voice. Roger and I are both old men now, by any measure, so I’ve tried to stay away from romance, but also from nostalgia if I can. I didn’t want to make anyone feel uncomfortable. Memories are OK, and some of the songs refer to the explosive state of things today. I made new home studio demos of all these songs in the summer of 2018 using a wide collection of instruments old and new.”

Hopefully, it really is just a cold or something...

I wonder what the two exceptions are.

Jules

I'll let you know when my, er, cassette arrives.

There are apparently two of Pete's demos from the mid 60s that they updated and recorded for the album but according to the interview with Pete in the current issue of Mojo they did not make the final track listing and may be used as bonus tracks for something down the road.

Against my better judgment, I am actually quite excited about this album. I just wish I could find something to listen to this year by someone under the age of 70.

The Who postponed Dallas and Denver until the spring of 2020, around the time they plan to play the New Orleans Jazz Festival.

Now scouring the Dallas entertainment calendar, since that hotel wasn't cheap.

 :-[

The hotel took pity on me and cancelled my reservation without penalty.  :)

In exchange, I pinky-swore that I will re-book with them if and when The Who reschedule the show.  According to my calendar, Roger will turn 76 right around the target date for the rescheduled show.  Blimey.

Good news!



I'm not sure what that is, I just hope that it's not an arrestable offence.   ;)

Jules

 :)

Mott '74 fall tour cancelled due to Ian Hunter's tinnitus.  :(

Get well soon, Ian, and I hope you reschedule.

Yes, the statement on his website is very downbeat. He sounds as though he fears this is the end of the road for him as an artist. It is worrying.  :(

I’ve got Gary Numan next in Leeds , Gilmore Roberts in Ropsley 17th then Holy Moly and the Crackers in Nottingham 19th . Nice . BTW - I’ve never seen Numan live before . Here’s hoping he’s good .

He was brilliant when we saw him last year  :)

New Model Army in Southampton on Tuesday. Haven’t seen them live since 1989, and really looking forward to it.

The very excellent Curse of Lono, start tour in Birmingham this week. Can’t wait.

 ???Should have posted this here. Apologies.
   
Faun play in London

Joy oh Joy.

My favorite German Pagan Folk rock band Faun are playing in Britain ( second time ever I believe ) at the Union Chapel on Saturday April 25th 2020.

Its the only UK date of the Best of FAUN tour.

Oh double Joy of Joy. I have already got my ticket.

Now now take it easy Trev. Too much excitement is not good for you!

This Saturday, at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas:  Billy Joel!

Could you ask him to pop over to the UK and do a few gigs please, preferably one in Cardiff but anywhere would be good!

Enjoy  :)

Curse of Lono at Band on the Wall, Manchester tonight and at 81 Renshaw, Liverpool tomorrow.

June Tabor at Kings Place tomorrow.  Looking forward to an evening of cheerful, lighthearted ditties (ahem)

Does he ever travel overseas anymore? His gig schedule is the most leisurely I've ever seen. I think he likes to spend 5 nights a week in his own bed. (I think that's one reason he quit touring with Elton John years ago - Elton wanted to do waaaaaay more shows than Billy did.)

Fairport are playing in a small venue  :), St Dunstan's, Cranbrook, Kent, Sat 13th June, for St Edith's Folk CLub, who also have a very impressive programme next year, shows at Kemsing village hall unless otherwise stated:

Fri 17 Jan            Megson                                
 Fri 7 Feb             Iota                                      
 Fri 21 Feb           Greg Russell                          
 Fri 6 Mar             Ray Cooper                           
 Fri 20 Mar           Jon Boden                             
 Fri 3 Apr             Trad Arrrr                              
 Fri 17 Apr           Gerry Colvin Band   (Otford Memorial Hall)   
 Fri 1 May            Hunter Muskett                      
 Fri 15 May          Miranda Sykes                        
 Fri 5 Jun            Ranagri                                  
 Sat 13 Jun          Fairport Convention         (St Dunstan's, Cranbrook)
 Fri 19 Jun           Allan Taylor                           
 Fri 10 Jul            Glymjack                              
 Fri 17 Jul            Home Service  

Good to see Allan Taylor back on the road, I thought he's packed up for good :)                  

Just to say, although I am not a local, I have been to a couple of St Edith events and the welcome is always warm. The venues are also lovely. I shall earmark Trad Arrr and Home Service for further visits. I just wish A Winter Union werecoming back this year. They were one of the highlights of my year in 2018.

Maybe Allan Taylor could show up at the the lads date and for old times sake perform Senile Delinquent with them?

Lyrics here.....second ones!

M Wootton, A Taylor

https://mudcat.org/thread.cfm?threadid=60718

"I've got knives on the wheels of me bath-chair"   :)

I have fond memories of Allan, never been able to find sound or vid of one of the most fun FC moments....

Wow! I'm going to have to plan 2020 around trips to Kemsing!
Always a lively vibe there, and some of my favourite bands.
Alan Taylor! Takes me back to my teens!

Off to see 'friend of Cropredy' Damian Wilson (& Friends)tonight in the lovely and intimate surroundings of St Pancras Old Church.
It's in celebration of his 50th birthday so should be good I hope.

Further gigs I have lined up between now and Xmas are:

Brandy Clark - US Country singer - next Friday in Shepherd's Bush
Marillion with String Quartet - Nov 15th in Southend
Elles Bailey - Country Blues singer from Bristol Nov 22nd in Basildon. Discovered her this year at Ramblin' Man Fair and thought she was great.
The Comet Is Coming - US alt-prog-jazz-indie outfit Dec 5th in Shepherd's Bush - taking a bit of a punt here as only know what I've heard on 6 Music
Steeleye Span - 50th Anniversary at the Barbican Dec 17th - 'nuff said  :)

Martin Barre Band with Special Guests Clive Bunker and Dee Palmer, Dosey Doe's Big Barn, The Woodlands, Texas, April 18, 2020!

You could have knocked me over with a feather at the news that this line-up of the Martin Barre Band would schlep themselves all the way down into Texas!!!!!

Assuming no Austin show is added, I'll be there at The Woodlands, and/or at the Arlington Music Hall on April 17. The Big Barn is a unique music venue, with good food, great sound and excellent sight lines throughout.

I never had the pleasure of seeing Tull with Martin (or Clive, or Dee) so I am really looking forward to this one.

Not for me, but did we know that Supergrass are back with dates next year (after playing the Pilton Party a few weeks ago)?  A couple of decent ditties aside, I've always thought they were very overrated and the 2008(?) Cropredy performance certainly didn't change my mind about that...

Neither knew nor cared after their appalling Cropredy appearance.

Was it appalling?  I can't really remember.  I thought it was just a bit dull....

They weren't good at Cropredy but there were extenuating circumstances. They were in the process of breaking up. Relations in the band were fractious and they were promoting an album that was far from their best. They were generally however a fantastic live band (which you would not know from their Cropredy show) and their first four albums are all terrific and inventive records. Road To Rouen also has a lot of fans. They got lumped in with the Britpop crowd but at their height they knocked most of their contemporaries into a cocked hat. Sadly I can't get to any of the reunion gigs.

Always had a soft spot for Supergrass...Although I am a bit biased as they were/are a local band ::)...Late in the Day and Richard 111 are terrific songs...It's a shame they were lumped in with the Britpop thing...They were much better than all that...Would love to see one of the reunion gigs...

Very excited to have splurged (on my budget) for a ticket to see Bob Seger & The Silver Bullet Band at the end of the month at Madison Square Garden. Not just due to cost, but I think I am completely over the big arena shows, but this is Bob's farewell tour and I was not going to miss it. I'm a huge fan, but my previous times seeing him have always been marred by one thing or another that prevented full scale enjoyment. So I actually bought myself, and only myself a ticket so I can just go and have no distractions and enjoy the farewell on my own terms.

What they are billing as Gerry Hell at Ulverston Coronation Hall an evening of music featuring the music with Merry Hell and Gerry Colvin, I am guessing it will be very different to the JIgdoll Ensemble gig I saw at the same venue on thursday but hopefully as good. I doubt my da will fall asleep at this one though, but that was his loss.

Thursday night, the 2019 Austin City Limits Hall of Fame ceremony at ACL Live!

The inductees are:  Lyle Lovett, Shawn Colvin, and Buddy Guy.  

The host is Robert Earl Keen, and performers include Jackson Browne, Shemekia Copeland, Jimmie Vaughan, Bruce Hornsby, Sarah Jarosz, Willis Alan Ramsey & Christone “Kingfish” Ingram.

I had never heard of Kingfish Ingram, but after reading his bio I'm looking forward to the discovery.

That sounds a lot of fun  :)

I have happy memories of this venue...I saw an awesome and very rocking Patti Smith gig there back in 2007, the night after she'd played at Kendal, equally awesome although very different (supposedly acoustic, it wasn't).

Was a lot of fun, was seating at tables....i am glad there wasnt a fire, but it would probably have been better all standing like the Patti Smith concert (though maybe not for the age of the audience, my parents wouldn't have appreciated it) I also need to get use to Gerry Colvin, he came across too eager to please (not usually a bad) and either there were in jokes or I have a different sence of humour. Merry Hell a pitch perfect live act, to me but strangely still haven't bought any of their albums, just have my Up the Shirkers and Shandyland - Tansads cds
As for the Patti Smith gig in 2007, I might have mentioned it before, but the night had a bad vibe for me, the band were great but I didn't warm to Patti recounting her childish antics at the Wordsworth museum, being part of the reason, seemed a bit photofit rebel to me.. Though Bettye Lavette the week prior was absolutely brilliant.  

The Dream Syndicate at Scala, King's Cross on Monday
Peatbog Faeries at Band on the Wall, Manchester on Tuesday
Alfa 9 at the Artisan Tap, Hartshill, Stoke on Thursday
The Icicle Works at The Flowerpot, Derby on Friday

Had tickets for John Mayall in November. Venue has let us know the rest of the tour is cancelled because of ill health, with the aim of getting well again.

Just done a quick look at the calendar!
Before the end of November
Tim Minchin
Midge Ure
Big big train
Squeeze (& Heaven 17)
Billy Bragg
Billy Bragg
Billy Bragg
Steve Hackett

That's a decent line up. ;D

Tonight at the intimate Cactus Cafe, in the student union at the University of Texas -

Shawn Phillips.

I confess I had never heard of SP before I saw this show listed.  I looked at some old Youtube videos of him on the Midnight Special, and read his online hagio -- I mean biography.  He claims to be an associate of Donovan, the Beatles, Eric Clapton, etc., and to have been offered the role of Jesus in JCS on Broadway circa 1970.

Seems to be a very accomplished player and singer based on the videos, in spite of his apparent obscurity.  Should I?

Going to see Billy Bragg 3 times in row?!?!?  :o Once I can handle but 3x one after another might test me a bit even thought I have a number of his albums

His current tour is 3 nights in each town playing 3 different sets all focusing on a different series of albums...so not as odd as it looks!

I've got some great stuff coming up in November too  :D

Big Big Train - 1st time for me. Can't wait!
Steve Hackett - 7th time, the band are doing the whole of Selling England by the Pound. Can't wait!
Budapest Café Orchestra - 3rd time, watch this fantastic foursome here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O02qmpJVAcI Can't wait!
Chris Difford - 1st time as a solo artist and raconteur. Can't wait!

 ;D

I must admit I'm starting to wonder if I've been a bit ambitious, especially as they are standing gigs! 🤔🙄

Well we were going to see Peggy & Antony John in Liverpool but that's just been cancelled, so we've switched to Merry Hell.  Not as many as some on here (much as I love the Bragster 3 nights in a row is real commitment)  so our November looks like:

Merry Hell
Steve Hackett
Skinny Lister

Then we've got Stereophonics in January, February and March !

I *only* have Faustus, Frigg, Steve Hackett and Gigspanner Big Band coming up this month.  Feeling like a lightweight compared to some!

You don't know anyone else that wants one, do you?  I've got a ticket for Newport which I can't use due to my move to Dorset.

The Long Ryders in Hassocks on Halloween.

Then I'm done for the year  :( apart from The Albion Christmas Band in Canterbury in December.

Only a few remaining for 2019:

Tonight, ACL Hall of Fame induction with Buddy Guy, Lyle Lovett, Shawn Colvin and guests.
November 7 - Pat Travers (maybe) at a dance hall in San Antonio.  Bucket list artist.
November 8 - Doobie Brothers! at ACL Live.
November 16 - Don McLean (maybe) at the Arlington Music Hall.  Bucket list artist.
November 23 - Rufus Wainwright at the Paramount Theater.
December 1- John Cleese at Bass Concert Hall.
December 17 - Cher at the AT&T Center in San Antonio.  Bucket list artist.
December 21 - Kinky Friedman at the Continental Club (maybe).*

*Would be my first visit to the venerable Continental Club since Ronnie Lane's Slim Chance back in 1987.

16th November - Lenny Henry, Millennium Centre, Cardiff (with my wife)
4th December - St Agnes Fountain, Acapela, Pentyrch (with my daughter)
6th December - Steeleye Span, Borough Theatre, Abergavenny (on my own)

Looking forward to them all.

Damn and blast.  There's a Soft Boys reunion next week...  Can't go...

...and I'm missing Robyn Hitchcock at the Cactus Cafe next Friday because he conflicts with the Doobie Bros.  :(

I can't believe you're missing Robyn to go and see some obscure act that nobody's heard of.

Jules

 ;D

I'd vote for The Soft Boys for the Rock and Roll HOF!

Next week I am going to see a brace of concerts by Big Big Train (Birmingham and London shows)
Followed by Blicher, Hemmer and Gadd in Nottingham.

Would love one - but Newport is probably even further for me than it is for you from Dorset!

Do ask around...it's on all the forums etc.  Seems a bit bonkers nobody wants it for a sold out show.

Sorry, only just seen this - what a shame you can't go. I'll ask around, but it's worth you contacting the venue as it was a sell out so they might keep a reserves list

I tried.  The polite way to describe it is that they "were uninterested"  ;D

Greg Russell and Ciaran Algar tomorrow (Sunday afternoon) at Riverhouse Barn, Walton-on-Thames - our first gig for a year, now that my wife can just about walk from the car park to the building!

Can it really be 6 years ago they played Cropredy? Have a great evening!

After much umming and ahhing I finally bought a ticket to see Al Stewart in Basingstoke tomorrow night.  From the videos going round on FB, it looks like he's doing some unusual numbers on this tour, and also some new songs.  He's playing with an electric band too, which will be different from the last few concerts I've seen which have been mainly acoustic.

We're seeing him tonight, really looking forward to it. You're lucky there were tickets, ours sold out weeks ago.

Big Big Train tonight in Newport  :)

Enjoy.  My empty seat is looking forward to it, too  ;D

Disappointingly (except that it meant I was able to get a good seat at the last minute), Basingstoke was only half full.  Hope you had a good night.

John Smith at St Mary's A Creative Space, Chester on Sunday.

Gently he has risen from interesting to essential for me. Such a great writer and truly great musician. Off now to check if there is a date near me

What a shame you couldn’t go David. It was packed to the rafters, I’m sure they could have resold it. And now I feel bad about commenting on it in “Recent gigs”...!

Don't - it sounds great  :)

Tonight, Big Big Train in London in the wind and the rain  :D

I can confidently predict you will love it Jude!

Going to see Rowan Rheingans : Dispatches on the Red Dress at the Nuffield Theatre at Lancaster University tonight 8th of November 2019 20:00pm, was going to cycle from Lancaster Station but have decided to walk, could be interesting catching the last train back to Barrow after it finishes. The show has got some brilliant reviews and after seeing the Rheingans Sisters at More Music at Morecambe for the first time a short while ago, I think it will be brilliant.

Steve Hackett with his band featuring Nad Sylvan doing the whole of Selling England by the Pound, and some of his solo work, tomorrow at St David's Hall in Cardiff. It's getting rave reviews so should be fantastic!  :D  :D

I'm looking forward to seeing them next Saturday in Reading!

I shall be going The Hexagon gig too.

It is the longest I've ever held tickets for a concert - tickets were sent to me on 8th October 2018. Over 400 days.

(However that record is already set to be broken. I have tickets to see This Is The Kit at the RAH in April … 2021!  :o )

Cheers

Nick

Tonight, future Rock and Roll Hall-of-Famers The Doobie Brothers, at ACL Live!

This is a benefit concert for the Darrell K. Royal Alzheimer's Research Fund, which means the floor will be populated with disinterested spectators wearing tuxedos, seated at banquet tables. It also means a truncated concert, probably about 1 hour and 15 minutes. These folks have to get back to their limousines before they turn back into pumpkins.

We peons (a.k.a., true Doobie Brothers fans) will be rocking out in the balcony.  

Feeling like a class warrior today! :)

Likewise - the first time I have ever bought tickets over a year before the concert.  And still ended up somewhere near the back!

Busiest week gig-wise for a while:

Declan Welsh & The Decadent West, tonight, Deaf Havana on Wednesday and Urban Voodoo Machine on Friday.

Steve Hackett at the Phil tonight doing Selling England.  I'm in two minds about a band playing a whole album,  takes away the excitement of what's next, but you can't really just play Cinema Show on it's own either

It's amazing and they do it extremely well. I can almost guarantee you'll thoroughly enjoy it!  :D

Is that a "or your money back guarantee", Bridget?  ;D

Trials of Cato at Colchester Arts Centre next Monday 18 November. Will be the second time I’ve seen them and looking forward to it  :)

Was supposed to be seeing Frigg tonght at Nettlebed, but their tour has been cancelled.  So the club organisers have thrown together at very short notice a replacement concert - we're expecting a short Chris Leslie solo set, and a kind of reduced Feast of Fiddles, with probably some surprises as well.

Snack of Fiddle?

Next week : Steve Hillage Band and Gong in Bristol, then Big Country in Gloucester.

Trials Of Cato are a very exciting band. I'm hoping to see them in York next week.

Rufus Wainwright, November 23, Austin's historic Paramount Theater!

Looking forward to this, as he is a unique artist.

Oo enjoy Steve Hillage and Gong. What a great night that’ll be!

And this! He’s on my bucket list.

That is actually how they introduced themselves!

I loved the first few bluesy Fleetwood Mac LPs & they were great live. This could be a lot of fun.  :)

https://www.planetrock.com/news/rock-news/mick-fleetwood-pink-floyd-aerosmith-zz-top-peter-green-concert/

Going to be like winning the lottery getting one of them... :)

Absolutely it’ll be like how it was trying to get tickets for the reformed Cream gig a few years back...damn near impossible (impossible for me anyway). Still no doubt I’ll have a go but don’t hold out much hope

Except there were about 5 of them, weren't there...at a much bigger venue?

Still failed to secure any tickets though

That's my point - this will be many times harder.

Happily, I have a friend whose offspring works at the Palladium.  :)

Less happilly, I've just realised I'm going away the next day & can't make it. :'(

Do we know what sort of ballpark the tickets are going to be?  I'm expecting 3 figures...

According to the Palladium website, if you register, then pre-sale tickets go on sale at 10am this morning.

OMG what a line up. I've pre-registered but only because I want to know how much the tickets are  ::)

"Prices from £62.00 - £139.50"  Doesn't seem that unreasonable at all.

Just realised I'm on holiday in Hay, so am going to have to pass, but very much look forward to hearing (all about) it  :)

Can’t get a look in even though I signed up for the presale...typical  ??? >:(

Now sold out already....as I expected I had no chance  :-[ hey ho have to wait for the YouTube vids I suppose. Still would’ve been a nice way to spend my birthday

The pre-sale may have sold out but I wonder if all the tickets were available at the pre-sale?

Well they’re still saying the general sale will start Friday so here’s hoping although I have my doubts

VIP Hospitality £425
Premium ticket with merchandise £245
Some of these still available but will go soon I expect

Can’t afford those sort of prices!  :o  Still as it looks like I won’t be going to the Palladium on my birthday, I’ll be just as happy going to see Cara Dillon in Colchester 2 days after on 27 February   ;D Big fan of Cara so really looking forward to seeing her again

Gerry Colvin Band this coming Saturday at the Crescent Theatre in Birmingham. Big event for Gerry at a larger than usual venue, promises of a big band with lots of special guests. I have 3 spare tickets, due to friends no longer being able to attend. Already paid for, so if anyone could use these let me know.

Lightning Seeds at Liverpool Phil next Weds, but due to work commitments I can't go :-(

Anyone interested ?? 2 tickets - £35 each.

(Admins - not sure if selling tickets is allowed so please delete if not)

Last minute decision to go and see Hawkwind in Guildford on Monday.  I always think Tim B adds a lot to the mix so wanted to catch them again whilst he's visiting.  3 of my old 6th form chums who I first saw them with (Portsmouth, in '84) going to be there too.  Looking forward to it  :)

I last saw Hawkwind in Guildford, in about '81 or '82 (Sonic Attack tour).  Might have been tempted to join you on Monday, but I'm seeing the Gigspanner Big Band at Nettlebed that night already.

Demon Barbers / Breaking Tradition Chrisrmas Carol Lock IN next week.

Chris Wood at the West End Centre (Westy) next Wednesday, and StillMarillion this Saturday at the same 10 minute walk away venue.

Two Fridays out in a row ... tomorrow it’s Show of Hands at the Union Chapel and then next Friday Steve Hackett at the Hammersmith Odeon (or whatever it’s called now). Reports for both seem favourable.

Steeleye Span in St Albans tomorrow

Rufus Wainwright Saturday, Paramount Theater, Austin!

If anybody has a spare (there are a handful of tickets right over the stage left but I don't really fancy the restricted view) for the Bristol Saving Grace show with The Rails supporting, do drop me a line, please  :)

The Blues Band this coming Saturday at Witham Public Hall

Billy Bragg 3 nights in the bounce starting Sunday. One Step Forward to Steps Back - his current set, followed by 2 nights of early stuff and middle period. Looking forward to it, but could get tough going by the 3rd night.

Off to see Wildwood Kin next week. A new name to me but recommended as a quality folk pop trio in the style of The Equation, by a friend of mine.

Should be fun!

While shopping for Steve Hackett tickets yesterday, I also nabbed a seat for Goldfrapp at the same venue.

There were about thirty tickets left for Steve which had gone on sale that morning, and I got the last seat in the stalls for Goldfrapp which had been on sale for quite a few days. I thought it interesting that an old fogey could sell tickets faster than a hip young thing, and then realised that Felt Mountain..the album the Goldfrapp tour is celebrating..came out in 2000, and then got lost in the '20 years before punk was Elvis' what happened to music in the last 20 years ?' mind wander I get stuck in every now and then.

Still...I got tickets, so Yay.

The Aggies at The Acapela Studios, Pentyrch near Cardiff on Wednesday (4th Dec) and Steeleye at Abergavenny on Friday 6th.

Are you going for pizza first?

Probably not, as I'm going straight from work and picking up my daughter on the way. We'll probably be there just in time for the start.

See you there then!

Seth Lakeman at the Brewery Arts Centre Kendal on Wednesday.

Dan Baird & Homemade Sin at the Musician tonight for the last time ever following his decision to stop touring.

Ian McNabb and Cold Shoulder at The Arts Club, Liverpool on Saturday. A bit of a rarity these days to see Ian in solo mode with a band (as opposed to when he goes out as The Icicle Works), I think it must be five or six years since he last toured with Cold Shoulder. He's promising a two hour show drawing from the three albums they've done together, so this will be the first time to hear a lot of the wonderful Our Future in Space album in full-band mode. Should have been part of a slightly larger number of shows but most were pulled after a fall out with the promoter, so Liverpool is all that remains sadly. Make sure we take the ear plugs for this one, it's going to be loud. :D

Love the Arts Club and love the CS albums.  It should be heaving.  I hope Ian behaves himself.  Enjoy  :)

Will do, really looking forward to this one, just a shame the rest of the tour was pulled as we had tickets for Manchester as well. Haven't been to the Arts Club before, the last time in the building was to see Eighteenth Day of May in 2006 when it was The Barfly.

The circumstances weren't great but the cancellation of the rest of the tour may have been a blessing in disguise as Ian subsequently went down with a nasty bout of, I think, bronchitis which he has only recently recovered from. Have a great night. I have seen Ian half a dozen times in the last two or three years, with and without a band and he has been on top form every time. He seems to have got passed the drunken falling about on stage phase from a few years back.

St Agnes Fountain tonight at Acapela in Pentyrch near Cardiff, my first time seeing them.

I note Liverpool are playing Everton at 6.30 and the show starts at 8 so Mr Hughes may or may not be a bit agitated!

I’m seeing them for the first time too next Wednesday 11 December at Maldon Town Hall in Essex so will be interested in what you think

Richard Shindell – tonight at Cecil Sharp House.

He sold out before I realized he was playing, in my neck of the woods. Curses!

Kick off is 2015. Hope you have a lovely evening, and Mr Hughes too, at least until he hears the final score...  ;)

Last show of 2019:

Cher, at the AT&T Center in lovely San Antonio, Texas, December 17!

She's been on my bucket list since she blanketed my television in the 1970s, first with Sonny Bono and later with Gregory Allman. She cancelled a scheduled appearance in Austin a couple of years ago, and I feared the opportunity had passed. After a lengthy period of recuperation, she has come roaring back!  I anticipate a little "I Got You, Babe," perhaps "The Beat Goes On," maybe the politically incorrect "Gypsys, Tramps and Thieves," a snippet of "If I Could Turn Back Time," some autotuned "Believe," and a whole lotta ABBA. ;)

Albion Christmas Band at the Atkinson in Southport a week from tonight. Looking forward to it, even though it means missing the 'Strictly' final! We'll have to remain incommunicado on Sunday and watch the recording.

There was an amusing little interview with Jah Wobble on Talksport (2.30 pm, will be available on their playback).  Partly about footie, of course (he is a Spud), but there were some interesting musical nuggets as well.  There is a tour in the offing, starting at The Cavern.

Jah  Wobble & The Invaders of the Heart are playing Colchester Arts Centre on 25 January but this is already sold out so I’ve missed out on that one  :-[ but it’s the day before Frank Turner plays an acoustic gig in aid of the Nick Alexander Memorial Trust. He was heavily involved with the Arts Centre but lost his life at the Bataclan terrorist attack in Paris. The date of Frank’s gig would’ve been Nick’s 40th birthday RIP

Two Christmasy gigs at the West End Centre. This Wednesday its Balshzzars Fast, and  next Thursdays its Awake Arise.  

Ralph McTell at the Royal Festival Hall tomorrow. With the Fairport rhythm section on duty according to info on Facebook. There still appear to be a number of tickets available.

Finally going to see Steve Harley at the Robin on Friday, which will close the year gig wise.
It was one New Year's resolution to do at least one gig a month, but, due to the cancellation of Lene Lovitch in March, and health problems, that went a bit south at Cropredy into October, causing me to miss a few...including Jude's second gig in London :( ( I saw the first one though  :) ) However, as I did four in April, I managed, on average....so I count that as a win.
I already have one gig a month lined up for most of next year, Ticket Buying and Health Gods willing, I will have a good one.

Off to the Pheasantry on the 9th, on my annual trip to see Pete Atkin perform.  Really looking forward to it.

A lovely performance, both witty and emotional.  It was Pete’s first gig since Clive James’ death and he spent some time paying tribute to their lifelong collaboration, describing how they met and started performing together.  As usual, one of the delights of the show was hearing about the original inspiration for some of the songs.  A very civilized venue, too, with a couple of interesting musical associations.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Pheasantry

Off to a new venue for me tomorrow night...Pizza Express in Holborn! Going to see Wilson & Wakeman again as I was very impressed by their performance at Cropredy last year. Apparently it’s set up a bit like a ‘live lounge/supper club’ so should be OK....

We’re off to see them on Wednesday at Acapela Studios near Cardiff where they serve pizza so should have a similar evening to you!

Off to see a ‘50th anniversary all-star tribute to The Flying Burrito Brothers’.  The line-up includes Greg Harris and Jeff Pevar.

I'd intended to go to one of these, but then forgot about it.  Let me know...I'm a big fan of Jeff's playing, especially with the Croz.

Going to see Rowan Rheingans - Dispatches on the Red Dress, again, it was a moving musical highlight last year. This time I am going to Carraigeworks Leeds on the 22nd of March I am going with my 70 odd year old mother in law, she says it is her first ever folk gig, and I am sure it will be a good one. I am still going through medical things and despite my growing frustration with my progress, I now would like them to wait so I know I can attend this  ;)

Heather Findlay, Girlschool, Beth Hart, Joanne Shaw Taylor and Goldfrapp in the upcoming months.

Hopefully tix for Steel Pulse, The 'other' Beat and, maybe, the Four Tops and The Temptations to come on pay day.

I loved it.  Pevar was my main reason for going and he certainly did not disappoint, but Greg was excellent too.  The band played for 90 minutes solid (virtually no chat).  A well-balanced set-list, with a good mix of plaintive ballads and up-tempo numbers.  They did not limit themselves to the Burritos’ back catalogue (they did a cracking version of ‘Wild Horses’) and the up-tempo numbers had more raw energy than anything I remember hearing on FBB albums (I never heard them play live, sadly).  A very tight performance – the band sounded as if they had been playing together for years.  Well worth a punt, I’d say, if you get the chance.

Malcolm Bruce (son of Jack) has been fired from the Cream Experience: Disraeli Gears tour of the U.S. in spring 2020.

Bummed.  >:(  The trio of Malcolm, Kofi Baker and Will Johns was terrific when I saw them in 2018, and I still enjoy listening to the instant live recording that I purchased at the show.  Malcolm's and Will's voices blend nicely, Malcolm's got a jazzy bass style, and he sings very much like his dad.

It's hard to imagine how they could replace him with someone superior, let alone more authentic.

Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings (ex-Guess Who) are reuniting for dates in 2020!

No published dates yet, beyond a rumored booking at the Titans of Rock Festival in Grand Forks, British Columbia, August 6-8.

I'm very excited about this pairing. I have regretted for nigh on 20 years not seeing The [legitimate] Guess Who reunion tour in 2001, when they played San Antonio, Houston and Dallas over three consecutive nights and I missed all three bloody shows. The fake Guess Who continues to tour vigorously, with Guess Who original drummer Garry Peterson and a bunch of nameless, faceless side men. (Reminiscent of the situation with the Little River Band, and a handful of similar scams playing out across the planet.)

These guys aren't spring chickens, so this is probably a last chance deal.  I'll hop on a plane if I have to.

Laibach are playing a "home" gig in Ljubljana Castle 11 Sept. I wonder if I could persuade Mrs PT into a citybreak in one of our favourite places?

Now that would be fun.  Llubljana is wonderful, isn't it?  I spent a month there in 2007(doing a TEFL course).

Going to see Guida tomorrow night. They are an Italian punky version of The Sweet.

Expecting big things!

Just announced - new Roger Waters 2020 "This is Not a Drill" tour of North America!. Includes one stop in Dallas in October, so far.

I hope he adds more dates, and possibly finds his way to Austin this time. In any event, I must see him to make up for missing the "Us and Them" tour for no good reason...

We were there early July 2010 - a few days sightseeing and relaxing after Elly's Ironman tri in Austria. I had the best cappuccino I've ever tasted in the castle's cafe.

Back on topic - Fairport's Wintour opener at Tewkesbury next Wednesday is next on my agenda, unless a gig pops up over the weekend. I'd have gone to see Merry Hell in Worcester tonight, but we'll be in Cornwall visiting my sister.

Myself and MrsB are off up to Glasgow on Sunday to see Catrin Finch & Cimarrón and Dowally at the Old Fruitmarket as part of the Celtic Connections festival. I missed seeing Catrin when she played in Lancaster with Seckou Keita so I'm looking forward to this gig.

We're going to be away next week when the chaps start their winter tour though I see the Settle gig is sold out. I suppose Manchester is a possibility.

I spotted that Irmin Schmidt of Can is appearing at Celtic Connections... I'm struggling to find a celtic connection, maybe Irmin likes a wee dram now and then?

I got Seth Lakeman @ Boston . Quite exciting

Can anyone tell me if the current incarnation of Gong is worth seeing? I’m not really that au fait with Gong but they are playing Colchester Arts Centre in October and wondered whether I should bother to go and see them? Thanks

I haven't seen them yet but have seen lots of footage and know lots of people that have.  My own opinion is that they aren't really Gong, but they make a decent noise, and play lots of Gong music.  And Hillage rates them enough to have them as HIS band, so ultimately who are we to argue?

I saw them last year and they were excellent. Definitely true to the spirit of Daevid Allen and the original band but - be warned -  they didn't play very much of the old stuff. Maybe a couple of tunes I recognized.

Ultimately though, the new music was strong enough to carry the show and they were promoting a new record so maybe by next October some of the classics will creep back in to the set.

Thanks David and Wayne, think maybe I’ll give it a go! What have I got to lose...just £20 for a ticket and £25 for the taxi home so, for a decent night of live music, sounds like a winner  ;D

Tonight at Oslo in Hackney - Americana Clash. Bunch of British Americans artists playing Clash songs, in tribute to the Clash meeting Joe Ely 40 years ago when recording Sandinista.
Might be good, might not!

Smoke Fairies at the Soup Kitchen, Manchester on Saturday.

Sarah McLachlan, February 8, Bass Concert Hall. I first saw her during her commercial peak, in 1998 (with Lisa Loeb and special guest Dweezil Zappa). She seems remarkably ageless and I'm looking forward to basking in her aura again.

Maybe Savoy Brown, February 6, One World Theater. Kim Simmonds is only 72, after all, so I'm sure I'll have countless future opportunities to cross him off my bucket list? [Irony emoji]

My "three feet from stardom" claim is that I worked with their original drummer, Leo for a few years. Lovely guy. I sold my first CD player to him.

Speaking of Hillage...there are more dates at the fag (joint ?) end of the year....including KK's Steel Mill in Wolves, which I haven't been to yet.

My binge-watch of all those Ken Burns’ programmes is having an effect.  I’m off to ‘Song after Song’, an evening of country music at Cadogan Hall with Mary Chapin Carpenter, The Wandering Hearts, and Ethan Johns.  One of Bob Harris’s Under the Apple Tree productions.

Those programmes were so amazing.

Jules

Off to see Emily Capell on Thursday for our random gig of the month. No idea what she sounds like but she has an album called Combat Frock so I'm expecting big things.  :)

Then Fairport on Saturday. Very much looking forward to hearing the new songs live!

Just leaked - Rolling Stones, Circuit of the Americas, Austin, Texas, May 24, 2020!

I vowed not to travel again to see the Stones after an unimpressive and expensive show in Arlington a few years ago. However, it would be hard to pass up a chance to see them in my back yard (playing Austin only for the second time in their history).

This Friday night 7 Feb it’s back to PizzaExpress Live in Holborn to see Toyah - up close & personal acoustic set. I know she’s not to everyone’s taste but I’ve been a fan since I first saw her in the late 1970s in the days of Sheep Farming in Barnet and IEYA. The.venue is great being small and intimate so looking forward to it!

Toyah is excellent in concert. Be amazing to see her in such a small venue.

Have a great night!

Elephant Stone at the Castle Hotel, Manchester tomorrow. First time they've been over here for three years following a brief hiatus, so really looking forward to this one.

How was the Emily Capell show?  I'm thinking of seeing her in Birmingham tomorrow, quite like her album and her live shows look pretty lively?

Excellent.

You'll know what to expect musically if you've heard the album. On stage, Emily is a force of nature and the band are incredibly tight. They also all seemed to be having a blast which is always nice to see. They were onstage for just over an hour and it went by in the blink of an eye. I'll be keen to see them again, next time they are in town.

If you do decide to go, be sure to arrive in time to catch the support act, Joseph Slater. He was terrific too.

Rolling Stones, Sunday, May 24, 2020, at the Circuit of the Americas Super Stage in Austin!

Given that this is their second visit to Austin in history, the first being almost 14 years ago, I say with confidence and satisfaction this will be the last time for me. I mean it, it's all over now. Time is [not] on my side here, friends.

Tom Jones is playing the Cally Thistle stadium in Inverness.

I suppose it’s not unusual for a boy from nowhere to play in Scotland. He might miss the green, green grass of home.  I, who have nothing, can’t afford to go. And anyway baby, it’s cold outside,here(unless someone’s burning down the house). If I lived nearer I’d be looking out my window.

Sorry!  X (Kiss)

Just booked to see Big Big Train in Aylesbury in July (16th).  Haven't seen them before, so I'm already quite excited by this!

You are right to be excited - they’re fab!

I saw Big Big Train on their tour last year.

They are even better live than in the studio. I'm sure you'll have an outstanding evening!

Thanks for that 👍

Ooops I just read John from Austin’s Stones post properly...I cannot believe I did a much more rubbish version in my Tom Jones post...I HONESTLY hadn’t noticed John’s subtle song refs before I did my very silly ones which must have looked like a copycat post ...I’ll get me coat!

 ;D

I loved your Tom Jones references; you beat me 8 to 4!  :)

On some forums this would be part of a slanging match, here it is a meeting of graciousness. That's why I like this forum
 

Later Youth at Gulliver's, Manchester on Wednesday, aka Jo from The Travelling Band, a new solo project while the band are on hiatus. Support from the excellent Hannah Ashcroft.

Off to see Inhaler at the weekend.

Decent sounding band featuring Bono's son Elijah. It's weird, I'm not overly fond of U2 but even though the apple hasn't fallen very far from the tree, I've really enjoyed all the inhaler songs I've heard so far.

Just booked for Bright Eyes in Manchester in September. ;D

Enjoy :) I don't care who's kid he is, a very decent sounding band, really like everything I've heard, they're playing the The Troubadour (SRO) here In May, currently trying to wangle some tix.

Young Elijah seems to be a talented fellow in his own right. The family connection can be a double edged sword, putting off as many people as it attracts. Never thought John Lennon's boys have had the acclaim their music deserves.

Not a gig, per se, but tonight: author and journalist (and son of Mia) Ronan Farrow at the Paramount Theater, Austin, Texas!

I'm not sure what to expect, but I've been very impressed with him on television and radio. He seems wise beyond his years.

Just booked for The Lark Ascending an evening retell img Richard King's book and features Vashti Bunyan, Deep Throat Choir and Westmoorland Orchestra. Vashti is doing a set from across her career, Deep Throat Choir sing a selection of material from the  Greenham Common Songbook and the Westmorland Orchestra will perform The Lark Ascending with readings from the book throughout. It's on at the St Mary's Church Ambleside on the 27th March should be interesting

Inhaler were excellent. They filled the venue and you could see them visibly reacting to the energy from the crowd, growing in stature as the gig progressed. Musicianship and stagecraft were strong and Elijah made a fine frontman. Proof positive that rock ain't dead whatever radio formatters would have you believe.

One small caveat: even for a new band, it was a short gig. Forty five minutes or thereabouts.

Hah, I'm jealous, the first time I saw U2 at Santa Monica Civic in 1981 they did I Will Follow twice; 11 O'Clock Tick Tock made me an instant convert.
I predict that here in LA, Inhaler are about to get serious airplay....fingers crossed ;)

As a birthday treat to myself today, I’ve booked a ticket to see the wonderful Cara Dillon on Thursday at the Colchester Arts Centre. Then on Sunday going to see Genesis: Visible Touch in Witham. Not a fan of tribute acts but this has sold out which is unusual for a tribute at Witham Public Hall so thought I would give it a go

I can vouch for GVT being absolutely top-notch in terms of the whole Genesis experience. The Cropredy booking committee could do a lot worse, to be honest.

Just booked to see Daoiri Farrell at Bury Met next month

Bachman - Cummings, Together Again, are touring across Canada June-August 2020. U.S. dates TBA.

This, of course, is Randy Bachman and Burton Cummings, performing the songs of The Guess Who, Bachman-Turner Overdrive, and Burton's solo hits. These guys are the pride of Canada, in the nation's musical pantheon with Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Gordon Lightfoot, and Rush.

I've seen them separately, but not until this year will I finally have the opportunity to see them live, together. Keenly awaiting U.S. dates. Highly recommend to anyone in Canada or the U.S., or willing to travel.

American Woman, No Sugar Tonight/New Mother Nature, No Time, These Eyes, Undun, Laughing, Takin' Care of Business, Let it Ride, Roll On Down the Highway, You Ain't Seen Nothin' Yet, Hey You, Stand Tall, Break it to Them Gently, and on and on. I don't know how they're going to fit everything into the show.

First gigs of the year coming up - Nancy Kerr and James Fagan on Monday and Peter Knight and John Spiers the next Monday.  Both at Nettlebed Folk Club.

George Clinton Parliament/Funkadelic touring later this year. Apparently the final tour. Bristol late in May. I'd love to see this, but viewed a relatively recent concert on YouTube earlier... a LOT of rapping, over a fairly formulaic funk band. So I think I'll give it a miss, sadly.

Off to see a Welsh duo on St David’s Day.  Lowri Evans and Lee Mason at Twickfolk.

Shortly venturing out on a Sunday evening to see Trials of Cato at The Lexington. They seem to be on the up so looking forward to finding out about them, and who Cato was/is and whether or not he (or she) was found guilty.

Seen them twice now and they are excellent! I know the story behind the name but I won’t spoil it for you. If they don’t tell it tonight I can enlighten you later  ;D

Ooh I like Trials of Cato, a very talented trio of young men.
And I know the story too  ;)

How'd it go?

I'm off to see them next week.

…and very enjoyable they were, too.  During the course of the evening, they came out with a rather telling statistic about airplay fees – bemoaning the fact that Radio 2 pays about £21 per minute, but the Beeb only coughs up a measly 49p per minute for its Welsh-language station.

I'm exceedingly pro-Welsh...I love the place, in many ways it feels like home to me, I love having lived there, and aim aiming to be back there again shortly - but there's a fairly obvious and perfectly understandable reason for the difference, isn't there?

Yes I agree, there obviously has to be a difference, but it was the scale of the difference that they were complaining about.  I vaguely recall there was some strike action on this issue a few years ago.

If I was being really provocative I'd suggest the welsh payment is disproportionately high.

Total population of UK = 66.44 million
Total population of Welsh Speakers = 874,600

The former is 75.9 times the size of the latter.  I'm sure you can do the rest of the maths.

Obviously, this isn't comparing like with like (and probably the listening figures for the relevant radio stations would be a much better source of info for deciding the correct proportion), but personally I find it hard to view the difference as severely unjust.

Local radio play payments are always far less than Radio 1,2,3,4,5,6, etc payments
It also depends on the time of day one's music gets played..

Radio Wales & Radio Cymru are national stations, not local ones.  :)

Isn't that opinion rather than fact (fwiw, I'd describe them as 'regional' stations)?  If the option was on the table for Wales to be an independent nation state I'd vote for it, but at this point in time it is not a nation...is it?  Oh, I dunno...it's complex!

I dunno either. I think I will give up commenting on things as I know nothing.... :-\

I'd hoped the smiley face in my comment above showed I was only yanking chains in fun and not being serious/annoyed.

Apologies to all. I'll get my coat.... or, at least my fez!  [;-)

And just to be clear, my comments were in response to Wayne's comments, not yours Jude...

Clannad at Ipswich this Friday night...booked before I knew they were playing at Cropredy but at least I’ll be able to compare performances although I have seen them once before but a good few years ago now

Melissa Etheridge at Rodeo Austin, Travis County Expo Center, March 24!

...IF the rodeo is not cancelled for Covid-19...

They cancelled SXSW a few days ago and flushed $300 million in economic activity with it.

I am advised that Rodeo Austin, by contrast, is not projected to attract many visitors from outside the vicinity. Apparently, this is the metric they are using when deciding what to cancel. I hope they know what they are doing.

Discovered that Trials of Cato ARE playing in Cardiff next week, at the Gate, a venue that's been off my radar for a long time, but is also one of the venues for the forthcoming Roath Folk Music Festival.

All being well I'm seeing them on Friday.

Great band!

The Who have postponed their UK/Ireland tour set to begin in a few days.

No word yet on whether the U.S. dates will happen in April, but my magic eight-ball says outlook not promising...

Hopefully they’ll be able to reschedule....

Cancelled... My whole country is going on lockdown.

So I was looking forward to seeing Clannad tonight but the friend I was going with works in an office where somebody phoned in this morning saying that they are feeling unwell (but could be anything). Anyway given my more vulnerable condition with long-term health issues, she does not want to expose me in anyway to the possibility of getting this overblown flu virus as I would be sharing a car with her. So we’re not going and having to lose £63 a ticket as well. Still I suppose it’s better safe than sorry  :-[

So the next thing just been taken away by this sh**tty virus thing...the annual Blues at the Barns festival in Essex has just bitten the dust due to “current advice and unpredictable nature of the Coronavirus situation” This was due to take place on 3 May! Still at least my ticket money is being refunded

Really don't want to drag this away down into another big issue, but please, please, please, IT IS NOT AN OVERBLOWN FLU VIRUS.

Not a gig per se, but my plan to see the legendary Dr. Jane Goodall in San Antonio in late April has been upended; the venue is "rescheduling" all shows through the end of April.

It's starting to look like quite the drought of live gigs between now and the immediate future. Seems to be a combination of cities and counties shutting down large gatherings, and the artists themselves withdrawing to protect themselves, their bands and crews.

Wondering whether the Fairport Rhine River cruise will happen in June.

I believe Yes's cruise to the edge is off.  Not that i was going.

I'm due to see Lindisfarne in Porthcawl next Friday (20th March) At the present time it's still on, but a week is a long time.

Off this afternoon to see Alden Patterson and Dashwood in a very small local venue. Could be the last one for a while. It’s only a short walk so no need to get bus or tube. Suspect most of the audience will count as “elderly”!

Should anyone be in need of a bagpipes n drums fix, Corvus Corax will be streaming a live performance on Saturday evening. Free or pay what you think, 10 % of takings go to their local community charity. Full info on www.corvuscorax.de or find em on Facebook.

Miranda Sykes will be streaming a home concert this Saturday

Going to a proper physical gig! Show of Hands, Victoria country park, 7th August. It’s a drive in, picnic gig, as park of the Wickham Festival. Can’t wait.

Let's try and be positive.  I've just booked two gigs - This is the Kit in Chester in late March (more in hope than expectation if I'm honest) and, The Human League (doing Dare), bloke from Thompson Twins, and Altered Images in Cardiff in, er, Dec 2021.  By far the most expensive gig I've ever bought tickets for, costing a preposterous £95 a ticket once fees, postage and insurance etc factored in.  Quite ridiculous they've (promoters et al) got so much money for the best part of 18 months, but there you are...

I really didn't see you as an 80's man David! Will you be sporting a pair of deely-boppers? We saw the bloke from the Thompson Twins 2 years ago supporting Aha. He had an excellent all-female band, all blondes, all dressed in white. Very impressive  ;D

Lol.  I've come to most of the music of the early 80's in the last couple of decades.  In truth, at the time Dare came out I was probably more into Gillan and Saxon et al.  Been a big fan of earlier Human League since I got into post-punk and electronica in the mid 80's (going to see New Order in Aug '84 was an epiphany).  Always loved Ms Grogan too, of course.

Yes I was more into rock at that time too, but I appreciate Dare as one of the best albums of its genre. I preferred Heaven 17  :)
Ms Grogan is indeed fab, but her voice is, er, awful. Soz...

Funnily enough, just thinking about it, '81 (2nd Jan I think, but thereabouts anyway) was the first time I saw Fairport (at Wimbledon Theatre).  Bit weird to think I've given up seeing them (after well over 50 shows) and started watching Human league instead 40 years on...

These are strange times  :o

... as indeed are 13/8 and 19/16.  ;)

You're telling me.

Mind you, our conductor bottles out at 9/8. Mind you, that's probably the limit for G&S anyway.

Paul

My first "exposure" to Fairport was a BBC2 In Concert back in 1988/9?? I was mainly impressed with DMs drumming with those weird and wonderful time signatures, in particular a tune Maart wrote called "On the Floor" to celebrate the birth of his son Gerrard. I might have to dig that out for a listen....  :)

😂😂😂😂😂

The wonderful comedian Daniel Kitson is doing a tour of empty venues... I'm 'going' to Mold :)

Tickets on sale now. Details here:

https://www.danielkitson.com/news/2020/9/11/a-tour-of-empty-theatres

Last Friday saw the return of live music to the Kitchen Garden Cafe in Birmingham, with a sold out, socially distanced show from Ian Prowse. Great night, artist and audience genuinely pleased to be back. Next month - November 2nd Liam O'Maonlai from Hothouse Flowers will be playing the same venue - can't wait  :)

Bellowhead have announced a one-off gig to celebrate 10 years since Hedonism was released. 5th December. More info from band website or fb...

Eight gigs booked for November - Liam O’Maonlai twice, Martyn Joseph twice, Gerry Colvin, Luke Jackson, Seth Lakeman and Martin Simpson. Hopefully making up for lost time unless any get cancelled as restrictions increase 🤔

The Hollies.

https://www.ents24.com/offer/the-hollies-presale/3294?utm_content=HotTickets&UID=1167542&referer=newsletter2&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter2&utm_campaign=weekly

Not quite sure when this pic was taken, but TH looks about 40 instead of 74!

Tony definitely has a horrible portrait in his attic.  He always was a handsome bugger.

Jules

I still think that pic must be 15-20 years old.  Surely to God?!

Unthanks.  Online weekend festival thing 25th-28th Feb....ltd to 550...selling fast by the sounds of it.

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/support-the-unthanks

Genesis dates rescheduled again from April to October this year...expected and understandable IMO

Comedian Dave Chappelle inexplicably scheduled four shows at Stubb's amphitheatre starting last night. Naturally, he caught the bug before even the first show and everything was cancelled.

They tried to pitch this as a socially distanced show, with $1,200-1,400 tables offered.

We're at Stage 5 in Austin right now. Folks are supposed to stay home unless they're going out for food or medical. I can't understand who thought this was a good idea.

Tubular Bells "The 50th Anniversary Experience" (they obviously can't count)

https://www.loudersound.com/news/mike-oldfields-tubular-bells-to-be-performed-in-london-this-summer

Saucerful of Secrets tour rescheduled to Spring 2022...I'm still looking forward to Guildford (here's hoping).

Croydon is a tempting option.  The Fairfield Halls have been closed for the past few years for a major revamp and only re-opened at the end of 2019.  I’ve been looking forward to seeing what they have done with the place.  It is closed again at the moment, of course, and is currently being used as a Covid vaccination centre.

 

I'm considering Cardiff....  :)

Steve Ignorant's Crass songs tour (originally April 2020, then May 2021) is now April 2022...

Chris Smither is performing in a ‘streaming global tour’ on several dates in March.  The concerts are ticketed and part of the proceeds will go to the Sidmouth folk festival
Chris Smither – Mandolin Box Office

Bruce Molsky will be performing a ‘virtually Green Note’ concert on Feb. 24th.  The stream will be available on a donations basis and part of the proceeds will go to the Green Note.
» Bruce Molsky + Allison de Groot + Tatiana Hargreaves (greennote.co.uk)

Danubian Oystercruise 2022.  :)

https://spark.adobe.com/page/nvlUslWWjI22r/

Steven Wilson tour cancelled.  This is from Steven on social media:

Sadly for the second time I am forced to postpone my tour to promote THE FUTURE BITES - the rescheduled dates were due to begin in September. While recent developments made me at least optimistic that the UK shows might have been able to go ahead (though no guarantee), the same is not true of much of the rest of Europe. With it now clear that it would not have been possible to proceed with many of the shows I have reluctantly made the decision to cancel the whole tour. As a solo artist so many of my expenses are in advance, rehearsal and musician costs, developing the production, so to then only be able to perform a handful of shows at best would simply not have been financially feasible. Once again I must apologise for the disappointment and any inconvenience caused.
I plan to use the time creatively and to complete and release 2 new albums I have in progress in 2022 and 2023 respectively. With that in mind it makes more sense for me to now look forward to touring these albums instead, and to incorporate the TFB ideas and songs.
In the meantime there is more TFB related music on the way over the coming months in the form of some fantastic remixes and a release for the song ANYONE BUT ME, which was originally the closing track on the album but which I replaced with COUNT OF UNEASE. Right now I’m also working hard to finish my book which will be published later this year by Little, Brown and Company - news on all this soon.
The world is totally messed up at the moment, and the cancellation of my tour is not especially significant in the grand scheme of things, all the same I was very excited to be finally getting out there and interacting with real musicians in front of a real audience again, so this is a real blow.
Thanks again for your understanding and patience. S x

The Monochrome Set, South Street Arts Centre, Reading, September 25th.

I've no idea what the venue set up will be, or if it will actually happen at all  :(, but I remain optimistic... :)

Current touring schedule is:

18/09/2021 - Amersham Arms, London
25/09/2021 - South Street Arts Centre, Reading
20/11/2021 - The Thunderbolt, Bristol
04/12/2021 - The Soundhouse, Leicester, UK
05/02/2022 - The Adelphi Club, Hull, UK
05/03/2022 - The Greystones, Sheffield, UK
12/03/2022- The Con Club, Lewes, UK  
19/03/2022 - The Deaf Institute, Manchester, UK
14/05/2022 - The Trades Club, Hebden Bridge, UK

Somebody on the Fairport FB pages was lamenting the further postponement of a tour (not by Fairport). As I said there, I am now quite pessimistic that anything much will happen by way of public gatherings this year. The mood music in the scientific community seems to be that it would be unwise and that some form of social distancing will need to continue for another couple of years.  :(

Within minutes of me posting that, the prime minister publicly said that the European third wave was likely to impact the UK. Sadly, I think the roadmap is likely to shortly be re-routed into a cul de sac.

As a natural pessimist I'm pretty much with you too, Al.  I suspect the chances of festivals are probably still higher than anything other than socially distanced small scale indoor gigs....although personally I wouldn't put much dosh on them either.  We will see...

Sold for £280 -

https://auctions.pbauctioneers.co.uk/catalogue/lot/e6716a9eefef6b3958336d31817363a4/64f9c22c694714fcd8c0ac2ebfa3acc6/antique-interiors-decorative-art-paintings-silver-lot-317/

Postponements and cancellations are trickling in. The Monkees moved their spring/summer tour to the fall and cancelled Austin. Today, Kenny Chesney cancelled a big stadium tour set for later this year. It's very hard to tell what 2021 will look like. Even though my state has declared itself "open for business," the reality is that artists and venues are not planning shows right now, and the ones already on the books are hanging by a thread.

Stephen Wilson has cancelled his entire 2021/2022 Tour, as he can't guarantee he can do the bit on mainland Europe, so he's got 2 new albums planned instead and will tour those at a (much) later date. I suppose it makes sense when you consider the logistics of a tour, especially one with his type of stage show, but I am disappointed.

The Decemberists have cancelled their US tour and announced three 'streaming shows' - on 11th, 18th and 25th April.

http://www.decemberists.com/uncategorized/20th-anniversary-celebration-streaming-shows/

Dennis DeYoung 40th anniversary of "The Grand Illusion" cancelled June 2021 Austin show (previously moved from June 2020), with no rescheduled date.

Martin Barre/Clive Bunker/Dee Palmer 50th anniversary of "Aqualung" U.S. tour moved again, from September/October 2021 to January/February 2022.

With these and other cancellations, I have a grand total of three remaining prepaid tickets for 2021 shows: Felix Cavaliere's Rascals in September, Doobie Brothers 50th Anniversary tour with Michael McDonald in October, and (what's left of) Three Dog Night in December. I have no confidence these shows will go forward as scheduled; Rascals and Doobies were initially placed on sale before social distancing guidelines rolled out, so the ticketed seats are packed tightly together like in the good old days. I can't imagine the venues/audiences/artists will be happy with such an arrangement anytime soon. (Rolling Stones tickets still in hand; no rescheduled date and no cancellation, either.)

I see that nice Clive Gregson is supporting The Blockheads on tour. Could be a noisy first set, at least for him.

Cecil Sharp House have announced a series of live gigs in May and June, their first in over a year.  The artists include Show of Hands, Oysterband, Lady Maisery, and others.

Rowan Rheingans is touring Dispatches on the Red Dress, it is an amazing show based around the story of her German Grandparents. The music, songs and story she tells are brilliant. There are 2 gigs in Cumbria if I hadn’t already seen the show in Lancaster and waiting for a postponed performance in Leeds I would be going to both.

'Touring' is possibly overstating it a fraction but I wish I could get to one of these.  As I've probably mentioned before, she's one of my daughter's bestest school buddies.  An immensely talented lady..  Hopefully there will be a lot more shows as and when permitted...

The Monkees Redux have rebranded and rescheduled. They will tour the U.S. in the Fall/Winter and are calling it their Farewell Tour.

They did not reschedule their cancelled Austin show from 2020, but I should be able to squeeze in Dallas, Houston, or San Antonio.

Big Big Train concert at Aylesbury in July postponed again, to 'sometime' in 2022 :(  Not entirely surprising, but a bit disappointing.

I've booked tickets for Belshazzar's Feast in Morecambe next Friday. For some reason they had decided to do two gigs on the same day but ticket sales have been very slow. I know one of the guys who works at the venue and he reckons they'll have to cancel one of the shows. And that's with reducing the venue capacity from 200 to under 40.

He said that ticket sales for other dates on the tour have been much better. I'm wondering if it has something to do with the increase of Covid cases in Lancashire that is making gig-goers more reluctant than in other parts of the country to start going to gigs again.

I’m quite liking the early evening teatime gigs. Cecil Sharpe House is the other side of London to me but is a real bugger of a journey after 10pm. New split gigs means that I can easily see Peggy Seeger and Oysterband in the next few weeks, works well for me. Yes, 5pm gigs is the new Rock’n’ Roll

Lots of dates from Katie Spencer  :)

The Monkees, Stubb’s BBQ, September 23, 2021!

Booked

Ach, none near me.   :(

Odd situation, but unexpectedly I have 2 spare tickets for Martyn Joseph at the Musician in Leicester on Monday. It was planned as 2 shows, and I bought for both, now it’s a single show and I have 2 I don’t need. Happy to give to anyone who would like to go.

King Crimson - HEB Center at Cedar Park, Texas, August 31, 2021!

Tix on sale Thursday. I don't know if any Cedar Park native has even heard of King Crimson, but I suspect folks from Austin (CP's immediate neighbor-to-the-south) will fill it to the rafters.

Fourth row tickets procured. A fond memory - Jude weighed in on my open question to the forum whether I should buy a ticket to see KC for the first time a few years ago. Something to the effect that I "must" go. She was absolutely right!

Roger Taylor, playing the old Boscombe Academy in October. I’ve got a soft spot for Rog’s solo records, especially Strange Frontier. Couldn’t resist seeing a rock legend 3 miles down the road from my house!

When it rains, it pours.

Allegedly retired, vax-questioning guitar slinger Eric Clapton has announced a date at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin, Texas on September 15.

When I last saw him at the L.A. Forum in Inglewood some years back, I truly believed it would be the last time. I will open my wallet for him once more. Fun fact: Eric was my first concert at the Erwin Center, on the Money and Cigarettes tour way back on February 18, 1983.

I say save your money.

Jules

So would I. Last time I saw him he was dire. The solo on Badge was done by a guy on a keyboard, whilst Clappedout just stood and watched him. His band were excellent but he was just going thru the motions. IMHO of course!

Henry Cow fans and others may be somewhat excited by this:

Yumi Hara Residency at Cafe OTO Sat 11-Sun 12 Sept 2021
【Yumi Hara retrospective focusing on the past 10 years of her activities, and launch of her 2nd solo album】
Sat 11 September 2021
featuring:
Itako Sisters (Yumi Hara + Atsuko Kamura)
THE WATTS (Yumi Hara, Tim Hodgkinson, Chris Cutler)
Chlöe Herington solo
Yumi solo material / Lindsay Cooper Songbook Alone+ / Canterbury Favourites
(Yumi Hara, Chris Cutler, Pierre Chevalier, Toshiaki Sudoh, Atsuko Kamura, Chloe Herington)
DJ Marina Organ
Sun 12 September 2021
featuring:
The Artaud Beats (Yumi Hara, Geoff Leigh, John Greaves, Chris Cutler)
monobeat (Zappi Diermeier, Elke Drapatz, Toshiaki Sudoh)
Jump for Joy! (Yumi Hara, Geoff Leigh, Jean-Hervé Péron, Zappi Diermaier, Geraldine Swayne, Chris Cutler)
DJ Kyle McCallum
day tickets: £20 members, £22 advance, £24 door
two-days tickets: £36 members, £40 advance

https://www.cafeoto.co.uk/events/yumi-hara-two-day-residency/?fbclid=IwAR1cQQ2RQ8vNSUOz197EJCwUJKTnqZ6OLaiZwNsj0J-a34Hz-W4FdORMUGc

I am definitely saving "some" of my money. I logged in for so-called "Platinum" tickets yesterday, and was offered two tickets in the second row for about $600 each. No thanks. I will log in again momentarily to see what "ordinary" tickets are available.

Rheingans Sisters at More Music in Morecambe tomorrow. Sadly MrsB has to give it a miss as she was contacted by Track and Trace yesterday and is self-isolating until Wednesday. She volunteers at one of the museums in town and after being in one day last weekend she's been told that someone has tested positive.

Don't think we'll be booking for any more gigs until the Covid numbers start going down here in Lancs. It'll be interesting to see how many punters are there tomorrow.  :(

But I'm looking forward to it. Not seen the Sisters before.

Saw them just before lockdown with my sister at that venue, they are hugely talented musicians and the recent songs they have produced have been excellent, they seem to get better with each album. There influences vary and make for interesting arrangements, which keep the attention and constantly surprise and the harmonies of the sisters are brilliant. I saw Rowan solo in a local village hall last week with an audience of under 20, she performed Dispatches on the Red Dress, which I will hopefully see for the third time in November in Leeds, and the crowd size in no way diminish the quality of the perfomance. There is such innovation and diversity in the folk scene at the moment and though some of it may seem a bit bit intertwined, with people like Lady Maisery, and the furrow collective and remnants of bellowhead, none of them rest on past glories and seem to develop in so many new and interesting ways, and covid may have dampened spirits, and damaged careers, but not stopped so much great stuff being produced. I love more music and it's the ideal venue for a small crowd. Hope you enjoy.

Off to the Ely Festival on Sunday.  The clash with the footie is slightly annoying, but live music has got to take precedence!

Finally rescheduled for late November
The Rolling Stones at the Circuit of the Americas!

We’ve been holding onto our tickets since the original date was postponed in February last year.

Elton John in June next year. No,  im not going, but I was sufficient ly interested to log onto the ticket site about 3 hours after they went on sale.  The 50 quid ones, which were the cheapest, plus booking fee, were all gone.  I'm only slightly disappointed as I only really like his early albums and there's a bit of nostalgia for me about them. The concert is in a large venue so I doubt the paupers' seats would have allowed much of a view.

I slightly upgraded my Rolling Stones tickets. Ticketmaster finally offered to refund all purchases from the original sale, once the rescheduled date was announced. I returned my original tickets for a full refund and immediately bought two aisle seats in the same section for a bit less than I paid two years ago.  :)

Iain Matthews and Andy Roberts are playing at the Half Moon on August 12th.  Part of a short UK tour to promote their latest album on Angel Air Records (a live concert from 1991)

Charlie's not good tonight.  Very disappointing.  Somewhat over dramatically I'm kind of in the "No Charlie, no Stones" camp myself... https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/czxde05dzygo

This is quite a kick in the solar plexus. Instead of the Rolling Stones, we're going to see the X-Pensive Winos, featuring special guests Mick Jagger and Ronnie Wood. :(

I saw them back in around 1990 when Bill was still in the band. Rather lost interest in the Stones after he left.

But I saw him with his Rhythm Kings in a small venue several years later and that was a great gig. Never seen anyone make playing the bass guitar look so effortless.

First of all - great joke!

Secondly - couldn't agree more.

Jules



Edit: P.S. I stole your joke and posted it on Twitter. I actually credited you. Mainly because some people from here are also on there and one of them might have grassed me up.   ;D

A trickle of cancellations starting to come in.

Bachman-Cummings have postponed their Fall tour of the U.S. due to issues for travelers from Canada to the U.S.

Fairport's Fall cruise down the Danube is cancelled due to issues for travelers from the U.K. to Romania and Hungary.

I've got Clapton, the Stones, and others on the books from August through December. What's going to happen? The southern states (including big concert destinations like Florida and Texas) are aggressively blocking mask and vaccine mandates, meaning theoretically that the venues will be open with no restrictions. But they can't force cautious people to buy a ticket, let alone musicians to perform.

Next up for me - assuming it doesn't get cancelled - is Lindisfarne, at Bradford Cathedral, in September. Should be a good one.  :)

Well, they were in cracking form at Wickham last night.

Paul

Excellent!

They usually are though.  :)

Next up for me in Shropshire in October The Tannahill Weavers- not seen them before? Im hoping they will be good?

Post Covid re-opening of the Pavilion in Llandrindod in September with a tribute band:- Hats off to Led Zeppelin. That should shake out any spiders lurking in the rafters!

They're supposed to be very good.  Managed by Warren (son of Peter) Grant apparently...

Ah the pavillion Llandod I remember bunking off down there from school... those were the days... My sister and I went to Llandod recently for a trip down memory lane and was so very sad at what the place has become..... :(

Sunday afternoon (August 22nd) at Barbar Cafe in Hereford. Weirdshire are putting on Steve Ashley.  :)

Tickets available here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/weirdshire-presents-steve-ashley-tickets-165344567051

Really want to be there but it's an hour each way and I think i'm going to struggle.  Do want to be there to see Diana Collier when she's playing next week, but we'll see....

Tickets bought for Nick Cave & Warren Ellis at King’s Theatre, Southsea

I've got a bumper October lined up - 10th Thea Gilmore (Acapela Studios, Pentyrch), 16th Lindisfarne (Grand Pavilion, Porthcawl) 21st Go Now, Moody Blues tribute act (Acapela) 23rd Steeleye Span (Pontardawe Arts Centre). The Lindisfarne gig was originally due to take place in March 2020, it 's been rescheduled twice, so fingers crossed this time. Thea Gilmore was also rescheduled from last year. Go Now is a new one for me. I'm not normally a fan of tribute acts, but I've seen some of their stuff online and I'm impressed. Also, it's more or less certain that the Moodies won't be touring again, so this is my only chance of catching anything of theirs live. The Steeleye Span one was an impulse purchase yesterday. It's the tail end of their 50th anniversary tour, which, of course, was brought to an abrupt halt by covid. I actually saw them in 2019 at the beginning of this tour!
Hopefully they'll all go ahead and go some way to taking the edge of the first anniversary of Barbara's death on the 28th of that month.

I thought Thea Gilmore wasn't Thea Gilmore any more?

Well, that's what it says on the ticket.

Just saw that Steeleye Span are playing in Barnstaple in October. Must get sorted for a ticket for that.

She now wishes to be known as "Afterlight". So, "bitter", then? (As in Light and Bitter)

Just in case anyone else is going specifically to see Diana in Hereford tonight, please note that she's not now playing.  I assume the gig (Diamond Family Archive) will go ahead without her...

Just booked for Sea Power (RIP BSP) at the Albert Hall in Manchester for next April.  It's been too long....

And just in case there are any Calderdale based Stereolab fans....fill your boots you lucky lucky things...this Fri at the Trades.

https://www.seetickets.com/event/stereolab/trades-club/2025385?fbclid=IwAR3C_8vanFjzS7AAWx_uetJ3BirKHWN638HonT651Z_KLxaWZb8gddLDfg8

Well I've just had a couple of cancellations  :( .  ...  and nothing to do with covid. Posting them here as they may affect others - 1) Curved Air have had to cancel upcoming dates as the new violinist has had an accident.  2) "Go Now" gig at Southend has been postponed as the venue's administrator apparently mucked up on the diary front.   Oh well ... am looking forward to the autumn folk club season ...

Isn't that one of the lady violinists that used to be in Stackridge?  Hope they're ok...

Just had notification that the Oysters Gloucester show on 22nd Sept had been put back to May 2022 due to C19.  >:(

"We're very sorry to announce that, following medical advice, Oysterband has to
postpone its forthcoming September tour. Our apologies for the inconvenience
this is bound to cause. We'll be back to play these shows in Spring with the
new album."

I have a friend who works at a well known venue.  Ticket sales are very soft.  I wonder if that might be leading to some of the current postponements?

According to their Facebook page it's John's voice that's the problem and if they toured not only would he not be at 100% but he could have long term damage.

Just seen that... "inflamed tissue round the vocal cords".  Hope he's better soon.

JJ's voice was definitely not right this weekend. I think he's wise to rest up.

Indeed, Alan and Ian did a lot more than normal, definitely the right decision

The Doobie Brothers have postponed their next four gigs due to a COVID outbreak in their "touring staff," and Michael McDonald skipped the most recent show before the postponement. These are ominous signs.

Not that I would actually pay money to see KISS, but they are also dealing with postponements and COVID infections for both Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, both of whom were fully vaccinated.

I'm not an Abba fan but I appreciate their abilities

A new album and a couple of virtual gigs using digital avatars....

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/entertainment-arts-58423452

The Westbrook Blake at Cadogan Hall on November 19th.  A very rare chance to hear this wonderful work.  Mike Westbrook is 85 now.  He will be at the piano and both of the original singers – Kate Westbrook and Phil Minton – will also be performing.  I would love to go, but it will depend where we are with covid.  I have been to a couple of outdoor festivals this summer, but still feel wary about indoor venues.

If you want to know where we are with COVID, just look at the official numbers. Then double 'em.