Recent gigs

[davidmjs]

John Bramwell and the Full Harmonic Trio in Chester last night.  

Just the most wondrous gig - musically, practically, everything.  John knows how to write a beautiful song - every single one of his can touch the heart in a very special way and some of them, oh my God...

If the trio are in your neck of the woods (and they are) don't miss out...

https://johnbramwell.com/tours

He really is superb. Were his song intros up to their usual standard? eg. 'This is another song about drinking, and disaster'.

Its a shame I Am Kloot never really made it. Hopefully John will get some recognition one day. He deserves a far higher profile.

Unusually he was stone cold sober (designated driver duty apparently) - sipping a pint throughout but only having about half of it.  He was wryly funny - lots of engagement.  I do think Dave Fidler has made a significant positive contribution to John's life and career  - and not just musically.  His own set was bloody excellent too.  Having been in a crowd of 2000 people watching I am Kloot and singing every single word, I think that 'never really making it' needs some contextualisation.  I'm not sure John would still be around today if they had massive success, mind...Who knows.  

If you don't know this guy, for your own sake, in the name of all that is holy do check him out...

[DarrenWilliams]

John Bramwell and the Full Harmonic Trio in Chester last night.  

Just the most wondrous gig - musically, practically, everything.  John knows how to write a beautiful song - every single one of his can touch the heart in a very special way and some of them, oh my God...

If the trio are in your neck of the woods (and they are) don't miss out...

https://johnbramwell.com/tours

He really is superb. Were his song intros up to their usual standard? eg. 'This is another song about drinking, and disaster'.

Its a shame I Am Kloot never really made it. Hopefully John will get some recognition one day. He deserves a far higher profile.

Unusually he was stone cold sober (designated driver duty apparently) - sipping a pint throughout but only having about half of it.  He was wryly funny - lots of engagement.  I do think Dave Fidler has made a significant positive contribution to John's life and career  - and not just musically.  His own set was bloody excellent too.  Having been in a crowd of 2000 people watching I am Kloot and singing every single word, I think that 'never really making it' needs some contextualisation.  I'm not sure John would still be around today if they had massive success, mind...Who knows.  

If you don't know this guy, for your own sake, in the name of all that is holy do check him out...

Fair enough it does require some context. I suppose somewhere towards what Elbow achieved, at a level that could have sustained the band but not pushed them over the edge. I don't hear many I am Kloot songs on 6 music, let alone Radio 2, and not many people I know, and who would definitely like them, have even heard of them. But as you allude to, be careful what you wish for.

I think the last couple of times I've seen him (last was 2022) he was designated driver, which raised a bit of a laugh from the audience when he mentioned it.

[davidmjs]

I think the last couple of times I've seen him (last was 2022) he was designated driver, which raised a bit of a laugh from the audience when he mentioned it.

I did wonder if it was just a jokey polite way of saying "I'm not drinking sh1tloads and please don't offer me a drink"

[John From Austin]

Last night at the Paramount Theater in Austin: Rhiannon Giddens with guest Charly Lowry!

I see that Rhiannon toured the U.K. in late 2023-early 2024, so she may not return this year. Nevertheless, I heartily recommend her to any fan of Americana, roots, and folk music. She is a skilled banjo-ist (if that's a word) and fiddler with a spectacular voice that blends operatic range with deep soul. Her background is in "old-timey music" (her words) with the Carolina Chocolate Drops, but she performed mostly contemporary and self-penned tunes last night. She is beautiful, smart, talented, and an enchanting performer. Two thumbs way up!

Charly Lowry, a North Carolinian with indigenous ancestry, opened the show. She accompanies herself on guitar and hand drum, singing in English and one or more indigenous languages. Like Rhiannon, she is a powerhouse vocalist. She joined Rhiannon in support on several songs, as well.

We're very glad we made it to this show, and we are now fans for life.

[ColinB]

Steeleye Span at the Lancaster Grand last night. Not a full house but that's maybe because they have done more dates in the NW of England than most bands do - they were at Carlisle (Spud Sinclair's hometown) and Burnley before coming here. They played quite a few selections from their Green Man Collection and I particularly enjoyed hearing January Man and two Rick Kemp songs which were new to me, namely Low Flying and Genocide.

Their latest fiddle player Athena Octavia is the best violinist I've seen in quite a while and newish bass player Roger Carey does a fine job in the rhythm section alongside Liam. They ended with their version of Quo's cover of All Around My Hat. The Grand is a lovely old theatre similar to the Victoria Hall in Settle. Shame we don't get more bands (other than tribute acts) playing there.

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/steeleye-span/2024/lancaster-grand-theatre-lancaster-england-43a98b4f.html

They finished with an instrumental number after Hat which I think was Dodgy Bastards.

[davidmjs]

They ended with their version of Quo's cover of All Around My Hat.

Lol.  And that really did...

I used to love Steeleye (and can still enjoy the first few albums) but I really don't like to listen to the vast proportion of their output anymore. They all sound like Quo trying to play something vaguely folky.

[Chris from Fieldtown]

Steve Ashley at the Wychwood Folk Club. Songs full of wonderful observation, at times provocotive, other times delicate and somehow reassuring. Steve was having a good time, so of course did we. I loved the stories, the warm witty comentary and altogether a fabulous way to spend an evening. From what Steve said this was a rare outing. It would be worth travelling if you spot a gig to catch one of the legendary greats of the folk revival who is still delivering and bang up to date with his writing.

[Alan2]

They ended with their version of Quo's cover of All Around My Hat.

Lol.  And that really did...

I used to love Steeleye (and can still enjoy the first few albums) but I really don't like to listen to the vast proportion of their output anymore. They all sound like Quo trying to play something vaguely folky.

I'm indifferent to most of the later Steeleye.  Too much tum-te tum rhythm.  Up to and including Parcel of Rogues all is wonderful.
Having said that I went to see them in the expanded lineup a few years back and enjoyed the evening very much. 6

[Tasha]

Springsteen, at the Principality stadium in Cardiff on Sunday. My fourth time of seeing The Boss, and he didn't disappoint. Three hours of literally non stop music! How he can do this at his age I dont know! I was exhausted just watching him, and I was sitting down! His joy at playing is palpable and there were some very poignant moments relating to death of friends and family. Last man standing and the final solo acoustic number I'll See You in My Dreams.  The E Street Band were amazing Nils and Little Steven doing some great guitar playing. Along with backing singers and brass accompaniment, there must have been 20 or more people on the stage. "I saw rock and roll's future and its name is Bruce Springsteen." long may he rock!

[Andy]

Yeah, he's playing those short sets now. When I saw him in the 1990s he did almost 5 hours.

Getting a train home from London was a royal pain. The concert was, however, brilliant.

[Tasha]

    Yep, when i saw him in London at Earls court in 1990's I had to leave before the end to get the train home. I was on front row too!

[davidmjs]

Photos I saw seemed to suggest he'd lost a ton of weight - I'm hoping that is all planned.  Must be fit as **** to be doing these high energy shows at (checks) 74+

Bruce is in that list of artists I really wish I got/enjoyed.  He seems likeable and interesting and pretty sound (although loses lots of Brownie points for the ticket pricing this time around).  Seeger sessions is the only material I've really enjoyed though, sadly.

[Tasha]

There were floor tickets for £75 - But I confess did pay considerably more for seated and  "nearish" the stage.. having said that i can honestly say hand on heart it was VFM! Also he's got a fair few musicians to pay there!!

[David W]

Now I am living nearby I took myself and Lady W to the wonderful Fleece in Bretforton to see the Nordic Fiddlers Bloc - a trio with Shetland, Swedish and Norwegian fiddler.

Brilliant - especially hearing a virtuoso of the Hardanger close up. The kind of band that would have graced Cropredy a few years ago.

DW

[garrypbrooks]

John Bramwell and the Full Harmonic Trio in Chester last night.  

Just the most wondrous gig - musically, practically, everything.  John knows how to write a beautiful song - every single one of his can touch the heart in a very special way and some of them, oh my God...

If the trio are in your neck of the woods (and they are) don't miss out...

https://johnbramwell.com/tours

I  saw him in Oxted a few weeks ago. I didn't think he was anything special, but most of the audience loved the show.

[davidmjs]

John Bramwell and the Full Harmonic Trio in Chester last night.  

Just the most wondrous gig - musically, practically, everything.  John knows how to write a beautiful song - every single one of his can touch the heart in a very special way and some of them, oh my God...

If the trio are in your neck of the woods (and they are) don't miss out...

https://johnbramwell.com/tours

I  saw him in Oxted a few weeks ago. I didn't think he was anything special, but most of the audience loved the show.

Most of the audience were right

[Will S]

On Saturday night I strolled down the road to see The Darkside of Pink Floyd - our local PF tribute act (all the way from Torbay!).  That makes them sound low budget, and while not being the Aussie PF, they were definitely not that, with the round screen behind them showing films along with the songs, and a light show with lasers, etc.  A basic band of four were supplemented by a couple of backing singers and an occasional extra guitarist, and put on a very good show.  They were highlighting the Pulse era, and played most of what was on the live album, including (almost) all of DSOTM.  We also had a surprise (for me) with Sheep appearing at the start of the second half - I don't think I have ever heard it played live on any of the PF albums I have.

The male backing singer also did some quick costume changes, appearing as the head teacher in Another Brick..., a lunatic at the end of DSOTM and a few others too.  The only thing that clued you in to it not being the real PF (apart from them appearing to a crowd of a couple of hundred people in our Community Centre!  ) were the vocals - not wrong, just a bit different, and obviously that is the hardest thing to mimic.

Recommended if you see them playing near you. They seem to be mainly touring in the SW, but do venture outside from time to time.

[PaulT]

Jah Wobble and The Invaders of the Heart playing "Metal Box Rebuilt In Dub" at The Exchange in Bristol on Thursday night, augmented by Jon Klein (ex-Banshees) filling the Keith Leven guitar role.  All five players are fine musicians and they didn't disappoint. As well as the Metal Box album, we also heard two songs from PiL's first album: "Public Image" and "Fodderstompf".  

A compact and bijou venue, ideal for Wobble's bass to be felt as well as heard - the only other bands I've experienced live with such a full bass sound were Aswad (open-air gig on St George's Plateau in Liverpool) and Can (at the old boxing stadium in Liverpool).  

So glad I now wear "Hearos" earplugs to most gigs - they cut out the high-frequency distortion that used to leave my ears "ringing" until the following day.

[Tasha]

yes ive started to wear earplugs to small gigs now.. didnt need them at the principality stadium for Bruce even though the roof was closed. But last time i went to a rock gig at the Robin2 without plugs I was deaf for 3 days!

[davidmjs]

RT York gig review from the Grauniad:

https://www.theguardian.com/music/article/2024/may/29/richard-thompson-review-every-note-laid-bare-in-stripped-down-set-richard-thompson-york-barbican