Recent gigs

[Kevin M]

Springsteen in Dublin last night. Interesting venue, Royal Dublin Showground, a cross between a horse event venue and a rugby ground, but so packed I could barely move. Show started and ended really well but got a bit lost in the middle with a lot of more jazzy, brass heavy stuff from Greetings from Asbury Park era, and too many solos. Still going well for a bunch of 70 somethings, though.

[Adam]

Duran Duran - Birmingham Utility arena. Pretty much a perfect set list of all the big hits and album deep cuts (opening with Night Boat was a bold move, but payed off brilliantly). The whole 16,000 audience were up on their feet from the start, and what a treat it was. As I’ve said before, John Taylor is a seriously underrated bass player, and his playing on Notorious, Rio and Careless Memories was just sublime. SLBs voice is still strong, the whole band were obviously having a great time, new songs fitted seamlessly into the proceedings and went down a storm. and that bollux narrative of ‘80s boy band’ was booted well out and truly of the arena.  The only negative was the drinks prices in the arena - £31 for two large G&Ts was beyond taking the p….!

[Will S]

Last night was the first night (apart from the warm-up, the night before!) of the Songs of the People tour, with Show of Hands and Michael Wood, and Kirsty Merryn.

If one was going to be picky, it was a little under-rehearsed, with Steve Knightley needing crib sheets for most of the songs, and discussions about which key some were in.  But the personalities are such that they carried it off, and it can only get better as they go on.

The theme was songs of protest (generally), from the 14th century on, with Michael Wood giving some historical context around the songs.  I'd have been happy for it to go on longer than the 90 minutes or so it was, but definitely recommended if they are coming anywhere near you.

[Andy]

Mike & the Mechanics (Re-fueled) were pretty good on Thursday at Swansea Arena. Two excellent vocalists in Andrew Roachford and Tim Howar, I believe it was Nic Collins (son of Phil) on drums but not sure. Luke Juby on keyboards, guitar and whistling, Mike Rutherford and Anthony Drennan alternating on lead and bass guitar. I was surprised they only have one bass guitar between them and shared it! Both had several guitars including a Strat or two, no double-neck guitars tonight.

The set was pretty good, although the final 15 minutes were the band noodling away soloing and showing off their expertise. Mike played Hendrix for his solo spot!

Finally a word about the car parking. NEVER park at the actual arena. It took us an hour to get out and as a result had to pay an additional £3 because of the time taken between paying and actually reaching the exit barrier. £13 is quite the evening's parking fee.

[Nick Reg]

Lindisfarne and a solo Virginia Kettle last night to a very very appreciative large crowd at the Nantwich Roots festival curated by Nigel Stonier. Because of his hospitalisation I had not met up face to face with Damian  (Liptrot) since the Cropredy announcement and he is looking well but not yet 100 %. Good to hear MH have been given a decent length timeslot. Virginia was in fine form and drew a great response from the crowd who behaved impeccably (at Nigel's request) while the artistes were performing. Lindisfarne were outstanding, driven on by a superb rhythm section. Nothing remotely new but who cares , much singing along to be done {without getting thrown out!). The best I have seen them for many years.

[dog-nap (Ian)]

Managed to get to the last evening of the Folk on the Pier festival, when I was in Norfolk recently.  I have always fancied sampling it, but Cromer is quite a trek from London!   I think it has the feel of a miniature Cropredy, both in terms of the artists they book and the age demographic of the audience.  Anyway, the festival was absolutely charming – it has just celebrated its 25th anniversary.  A small, pretty theatre at the end of the pier, with plenty of fringe things going on in the neighbourhood.  The line-up on the evening was the Oysterband, the Anthony John Clarke Trio, and Ben Tyzak – all excellent.

[Col D]

Mike Scott and James Hallawell at Nantwich Roots, making their debut as a duo. Just stunning, the best Mike Scott/Waterboys show I've seen for years. Extended versions of old favourites like The Pan Within and This is the Sea, a rare live outing for Edinburgh Castle, a selection from the Mr Yeats album, a cover of Waiting for the Man and a few new songs thrown in too. Great support from Katie Ware aka Little Sparrow.

[blagden]

Gretchen Peters at the weekend in Buxton on her farewell tour - very good indeed.

[Jim]

Sparks last Saturday at the Bridgewater hall in Manchester.
They were magnificent, lots off the new lp and loads of back catalogue from pre Kimono days up to the new stuff 50+ years of bits and no sign of any drop in quality from Ron, Russel and their top notch band.  Not shabby at all from the 78 & 75 year old brothers Mael.

[Adam]

Sparks at the Royal Albert Hall. I can only echo what Jim said, a phenomenal show with huge amounts of love between the band and audience. I can’t think of any other band or performer in their 70s who are still producing albums and live performances of this quality. Simply brilliant.

[John From Austin]

Sparks at the Royal Albert Hall. I can only echo what Jim said, a phenomenal show with huge amounts of love between the band and audience. I can’t think of any other band or performer in their 70s who are still producing albums and live performances of this quality. Simply brilliant.

We are so excited to see Sparks for the first (and probably only) time in Austin in July. Loving this feedback.

[Alan2]

Stealing Sheep/  Radiophonic Workshop.

[GubGub (Al)]

Spent a lovely evening with Hannah Sanders and Ben Savage in Worthing a couple of nights ago. Had another chat with Hannah in the interval. She may just be the nicest person I have ever met. And the music was sublime.

[mickf]

Lindisfarne last week, at Porthcawl. A really enjoyable evening. All you would expect from the band and a very appreciative audience. Rod Clements, however, looked quite frail, but he played outstandingly.

[Jim]

Sparks at the Royal Albert Hall. I can only echo what Jim said, a phenomenal show with huge amounts of love between the band and audience. I can’t think of any other band or performer in their 70s who are still producing albums and live performances of this quality. Simply brilliant.

We are so excited to see Sparks for the first (and probably only) time in Austin in July. Loving this feedback.

I have a feeling that only one thing will stop Sparks from recording and touring as long as Ron can sit at the keyboard and Russel can own the stage.
Fingers crossed

[David V B]

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jun/11/joni-mitchell-review-gorge-amphitheatre-quincy-washington

At a time when so much news is pretty dreadful (yes, I am still sulking about Blackpool being relegated) wonderful to read the 5 star review in the Guardian of Joni playing a three hour concert in Washington state. It sounds like a fabulous evening. She has long been at the top of my concert bucket list. Is there even a faint hope she might come here? We can only hope. In the meantime it is so good that she is still performing when we must all have feared we had lost her.

[davidmjs]

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jun/11/joni-mitchell-review-gorge-amphitheatre-quincy-washington

At a time when so much news is pretty dreadful (yes, I am still sulking about Blackpool being relegated) wonderful to read the 5 star review in the Guardian of Joni playing a three hour concert in Washington state. It sounds like a fabulous evening. She has long been at the top of my concert bucket list. Is there even a faint hope she might come here? We can only hope. In the meantime it is so good that she is still performing when we must all have feared we had lost her.

Maybe just settle on the album.  I expect these ensemble "Joni" gigs with Brandi et al will only appear once in a blue moon.  But yeah. Joni and regrets, I certainly still regret missing her at Wembley Arena in '83.  Got offered a ticket too...aaargh.

[John From Austin]

https://www.theguardian.com/music/2023/jun/11/joni-mitchell-review-gorge-amphitheatre-quincy-washington

At a time when so much news is pretty dreadful (yes, I am still sulking about Blackpool being relegated) wonderful to read the 5 star review in the Guardian of Joni playing a three hour concert in Washington state. It sounds like a fabulous evening. She has long been at the top of my concert bucket list. Is there even a faint hope she might come here? We can only hope. In the meantime it is so good that she is still performing when we must all have feared we had lost her.

As glad as I am that I got to see Joni in 1998 at "A Day in the Garden," she played very few familiar songs and there was a sense of "sameness" to the tunes she did play. No variety in rhythm or instrumentation, all kind of smooth mid-tempo jazz. I was a bit bored (sacrilege, I know).

[John From Austin]

Last night at the Moody Amphitheater: Les Claypool's Summer of Green Tour 2023, featuring:

Jerry Harrison and Adrian Belew replicating early Talking Heads, including the complete "Remain in Light."

Les Claypool and Sean Lennon playing a few originals and a very faithful reproduction of "Animals" by Pink Floyd.

This was a joyful, surprising, incredibly entertaining show. The biggest surprise for me is that Sean Lennon is quite a serviceable lead guitarist. He's got a spot in my band anytime.

[dog-nap (Ian)]

Sam Kelly and Jamie Francis.  Surprised (and delighted) by their cover versions of ‘Crossroads’ and ‘Sultans of Swing’.