Recent gigs

[David V B]

Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds at the Manchester Arena. Quite simply, one of the best concerts I have ever seen. 2 1/2 hours of joyful brilliance. The new album which I already loved sounds even better live, whilst  the old classics were stunning, especially the Mercy Seat. All wrapped up with a beautiful Into My Arms.

[davidmjs]

Oysterband last night in Chester on my own (as other half out with a chum).  I'm far from well at the moment, but it was just about doable.  A disappointing crowd...maybe 300-odd (possibly 400) in an 800 capacity theatre, but the atmosphere was still brilliant from the off.  Just everything you want from a folk-rock gig - inclusivity, communitarianism, politics (nuanced but there), audience participation and a lot of talented muscle power and great voices.  There was a sh1t load of energy in the room.  I was in a Fairport tee shirt.  I bought an Oysterband tee.  I'll miss them greatly when they're gone.

[Will S]

Oysterband last night in Chester on my own (as other half out with a chum).  I'm far from well at the moment, but it was just about doable.  A disappointing crowd...maybe 300-odd (possibly 400) in an 800 capacity theatre, but the atmosphere was still brilliant from the off.  Just everything you want from a folk-rock gig - inclusivity, communitarianism, politics (nuanced but there), audience participation and a lot of talented muscle power and great voices.  There was a sh1t load of energy in the room.  I was in a Fairport tee shirt.  I bought an Oysterband tee.  I'll miss them greatly when they're gone.

Good to hear, and glad you mananged to make it despite not feeling well. I have a ticket to see them in about a month in Exeter.

[Peter Allen]

Briana Corrigan at Wrecking Ball Arts Centre in Hull , sold out show , great mix of Irish folk songs, songs from her time in The Beautiful South and her 2 solo albums . Her versions of "Let Love Speak Itself" and "Everybody's Talkin'" stood out , she seemed on top form , telling stories behind the songs and she spent as long as you wanted  with fans in the bar after the show.

[David V B]

Lightning Seeds at Lowther Pavilion, Lytham. A brisk run through of the hits which got better as the set went on. Would have liked more rapport with the audience, but overall enjoyable enough. Overall, I prefer my Seeds Bad though.

[garrypbrooks]

Two cracking gigs recently : first was Reg Meuross + rather excellent mates doing their "Taken from God " show about the slave trade, second was 10CC knockin' the audience sideways at Fairfield Halls, Croydon.
We even got the Old Folks Boogie in stalls during the encore of "Rubber Bullets"

[JohnP69]

Bob Dylan Nottingham Arena on Friday night.
First time I've seen him since 2009.
Voice was in good shape and it was a great setlist, although me and my friend did occasionally look at each other and enquire "what's this one?"
It was also the first gig I've been at where there was a "no phones" policy and it made for an enjoyable experience.

[Andy]

It was also the first gig I've been at where there was a "no phones" policy and it made for an enjoyable experience.

More of those please. Several gigs this year ruined by phones obstructing the view.

[Tasha]

Bob Dylan Nottingham Arena on Friday night.
First time I've seen him since 2009.
Voice was in good shape and it was a great setlist, although me and my friend did occasionally look at each other and enquire "what's this one?"
It was also the first gig I've been at where there was a "no phones" policy and it made for an enjoyable experience.

interesting that someone has managed to get a recording of the Wolves gig up on youtube

[David V B]

Luke Jackson Trio at St John’s Church, Blackpool. Prefer him solo as his amazing voice can get lost in the volume of the trio at times, but there was enough at lower volume or solo to keep me very happy. Lovely guy too. Looking forward to listening to the new album - songs he played were all good.

Nice venue too, hopefully this will be just the first of many gigs there.

[Kevin M]

Two quite joyful gigs over the weekend - firstly the Saw Doctors in Wolverhampton - 8 piece band including the original bass player, meaning that Anto Thistlethwaite could play sax (and a bit of mandolin). Then the Gerry Colvin big band on Satuday - absolutely stunning - new songs and old and even a guest appearance from the Bard himself.

[Nick Reg]

Two quite joyful gigs over the weekend - firstly the Saw Doctors in Wolverhampton - 8 piece band including the original bass player, meaning that Anto Thistlethwaite could play sax (and a bit of mandolin). Then the Gerry Colvin big band on Satuday - absolutely stunning - new songs and old and even a guest appearance from the Bard himself.

Cropredy please for both. Would be a massive improvement on their own.

[Will S]

Bellowhead and The Longest Johns last night in Plymouth (exactly two years since last seeing them, at the same venue).  It was the first time I have seen The Longest Johns, so I wasn't sure what to expect, but they were great fun, and made a very good warm-up for Bellowhead.  I think they'd be great at Cropredy.

Bellowhead were... well, Bellowhead.  Full of life and fun, bouncy, inventive.  I was sitting (the idea of a seated Bellowhead gig does seem rather ridiculous to me, but Plymouth Pavilions does have lots of space at the sides for dancing - although I was rather squashed in and couldn't easily get out) three rows back, right in front of Sam Sweeney and Sally Hawkins so got a good view of all the shenanigans on that side of the stage, but not so much of the brass section, who were on the other side.  From the first note, I had a ridiculously large smile on my face, which lasted me all the way home, and it is still there when I think back to last night.

[Nick Reg]

Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit at Manchester Apollo. Simply out of this world. They were on fire from the start with Jason and Sadler Vaden playing remarkable guitar solos at the end of only the second song King of Oklahoma. The depth of the sound has improved since last time with the addition of an extra musician who doubled as third guitarist and second drummer. They've played Cambridge so they could do Cropredy. Please

[Nick Reg]

To complete our run of 4 in 6 days- the ever wonderful Martyn Joseph in Biddulph. Bought his new EP Chapel Porth Beach , a place we visit often. Arrived early and met up with Damian of Merry Hell who was there to gift a defibrillator ( and future upkeep) to the folk club . His fund raising initiative SHOCKING FOLK has raised enough to purchase 3 machines , one will be carried around by Merry Hell and the other has been placed in The Wirral. This is an issue close to his "heart" (knowing how many heart attacks he has suffered) and I hope enough will be donated to enable more to be purchased for other clubs.
By coincidence during the first half of our visit to the RSC in Stratford , for the first time I heard "Is there a doctor in the house, someone is having a heart attack". They handled it really well. I must say I have never seen so many doctors!. There is a gofundme page if anyone wants to contribute.