Recent gigs

[DarrenWilliams]

Albert Lee last night at the Empire in Rochdale. He is 80 years old, but my word he can still play.

[PJayBe]

Saw him last night in Barnoldswick.  Astonishing.  It was the night after I saw Justin Hayward on his 78th birthday.  Nowt like promoting young up and coming talent!!

[PJayBe]

we've got Phil Beer playing here next Saturday

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/623618  £17 a ticket plus booking fee if anyone is over this way

You could ask him what happened to Mick Groves CD that he was producing.  Mick hasn't heard from him for so long that he has had to refund everybody who had ordered it.

[davidmjs]

we've got Phil Beer playing here next Saturday

https://www.wegottickets.com/event/623618  £17 a ticket plus booking fee if anyone is over this way

You could ask him what happened to Mick Groves CD that he was producing.  Mick hasn't heard from him for so long that he has had to refund everybody who had ordered it.

That sounds more like a personal beef that absolutely nobody else needs to get involved in...

[John From Austin]

Last night, Jeff Lynne's ELO at the sold-out Moody Center in Austin!

This was a feast for the eyes and ears from start to finish. I think he had a brief monitor problem during the first song, because he sounded a little flat, but after that all was fine. When the time came to introduce his musical director, it surely appeared to me that he forgot the fellow's name. My companion raised the spectre of memory loss, which I hope is not the case. I certainly saw no other evidence. A fine night out and highly recommended.

[Pastieboy (Trev)]

Last week I had Ferocious Dog fest , Seth Lakeman and Oysterband / June Tabor  and Band from County Hell . All superb

[Shankly (Peter)]

Steve Knightley last night at Liverpool Phil Music Room. Excellent concert - Steve's new songs are really good and he played plenty of old stuff too. Pleased to find out that Steve's son, who was on the merch desk, is a keen Liverpool fan!

[PJayBe]

A super evening with Ian Prowse & Amsterdam last night in Southport.  The great Liverpool Irish Andrew Connally as support, and in the band for the main set, the usual amazing selection of songs and visit from Freddie Mercury via a dream made this an incredible night.  As my friend Nick said, "another stellar performance!"

[Lubiloo (Lorna)]

We saw Keane at the Ovo Hydro Glasgow on Friday. We have the album Hopes and Fears, which has meant a lot to us, but aside from that hadn't followed them.

Having seen them on the Glastonbury coverage, we decided to book. The support act, The Lathums, might be good, but it was hard to tell due to the horrendous sound balance.. Could only hear drums and hardly heard any vocals. Also, it was too loud.

Keane, however, were fantastic live. Tom is such an unlikely, non stereotypical rock frontman, but does a great job of engaging with the crowd even of 14000+.

We were quite far back/ high up but were on our feet well before the encore. There were obviously many long term fans there really enjoying themselves and there was a great balance of a pale blue background, then really beautiful graphics for some songs.

Neither of us can remember when we last attended such a big concert, it was quite moving to hear and join with the huge crowd for those special songs and to see the phone torches waving. The set was celebrating 20 years since Hopes and Fears and included everything since, so plenty of other  familiar songs I'd forgotten about. A lovely evening.

[John From Austin]

Rick Wakeman, last night at the historic Sheldon Memorial Concert Hall in St. Louis, Missouri!

He alternated between a grand piano and electronic keys, playing selections from his solo work, a “sonata” of Yes music, and choice covers of David Bowie and The Beatles. His keyboard work is dazzling and he’s a charming emcee. I’m so glad I finally got to see him in his element.

[Shankly (Peter)]

 The support act, The Lathums, might be good, but it was hard to tell due to the horrendous sound balance.. Could only hear drums and hardly heard any vocals. Also, it was too loud.

Can I confirm that the Lathums are, in fact, good! It's a shame the sound was so bad as they are well worth listening to.

[blagden]

Hrh Prog festival at Great Yarmouth at the weekend mainly to see Man for the first time in 50 years. Man were extraordinary, Soft Machine were enjoyable and Atomic Rooster should consider retirement. The find of the weekend for me was a band called Sweetpool sounded like cross between Hakwind and Public Image - brilliant.

[davidmjs]

Hrh Prog festival at Great Yarmouth at the weekend mainly to see Man for the first time in 50 years. Man were extraordinary, Soft Machine were enjoyable and Atomic Rooster should consider retirement. The find of the weekend for me was a band called Sweetpool sounded like cross between Hakwind and Public Image - brilliant.

Ace (x2) and Morley these days isn't it?  Was Malcolm on form?

[blagden]

Hrh Prog festival at Great Yarmouth at the weekend mainly to see Man for the first time in 50 years. Man were extraordinary, Soft Machine were enjoyable and Atomic Rooster should consider retirement. The find of the weekend for me was a band called Sweetpool sounded like cross between Hakwind and Public Image - brilliant.

Ace (x2) and Morley these days isn't it?  Was Malcolm on form?

He was, they're still touring off to Germany on Friday. They played a greatest hits set four tracks in an hour and a quarter. I know they've recently played in Scotland and London and would recommend them if they play anywhere near anyone in future.

[davidmjs]

They played a greatest hits set four tracks in an hour and a quarter.

Love it.  There's not nearly enough of this.  18-19 mins a track?  Perfect...just getting going.

[Harbottle (Martin)]

Last Thursday: Public Service Broadcasting at Warwick Arts Centre (Coventry.) - absolutely amazing.
Thursday before: Robin & Bina Williamson in Stratford. Stunning.

[wayne stote]

Y&T were excellent the other night. First time I've seen them in years but they were as good as ever. Support, Chez Kane & her band were super too. Top fun night out.

[Will S]

I went to see FC (Acoustic) in Launceston last night - it was great to see the Town Hall packed out for a gig promoted by the folk club which only got started just a year ago. They obviously have good connections (including Jill Swarbrick-Banks, who I think lives locally), as they have had some good names already - I saw Steve Tilston a few months ago, and unfortunately missed the Gigspanner Big band a few weeks ago as we were in Africa.  They have Martin Carthy in a couple of weeks, and then Phil Beer in Dec.

But I digress... last night was probably one of the best acoustic FC concerts I have seen.  We got a full 2 hours of music (with interval, including raffle, of course!) including some of the numbers you'd expect, but a good number excavated from the vaults as well, some of which I haven't heard for a long time. The chaps seemed very relaxed and to be enjoying playing.  If you're going to see them on this acoustic tour, you have a treat ahead of you.

[PaulT]

I went to see FC (Acoustic) in Launceston last night - it was great to see the Town Hall packed out for a gig promoted by the folk club which only got started just a year ago. They obviously have good connections (including Jill Swarbrick-Banks, who I think lives locally), as they have had some good names already - I saw Steve Tilston a few months ago, and unfortunately missed the Gigspanner Big band a few weeks ago as we were in Africa.  They have Martin Carthy in a couple of weeks, and then Phil Beer in Dec.

But I digress... last night was probably one of the best acoustic FC concerts I have seen.  We got a full 2 hours of music (with interval, including raffle, of course!) including some of the numbers you'd expect, but a good number excavated from the vaults as well, some of which I haven't heard for a long time. The chaps seemed very relaxed and to be enjoying playing.  If you're going to see them on this acoustic tour, you have a treat ahead of you.

Totally agree with Will... Fairport acoustic last night in Worcester were excellent. Sound was so clear where I was sat about 2/3rds back directly in line with birthday boy Peggy, whose playing I was watching carefully - he really is right up at the top table of bassists! But the whole band was on top form, and as Will said, really enjoying themselves. I guess I'll go to the Wintour gig in Tewkesbury, but Cropredy next year for sure.

[ColinB]

The live-stream of the final night of the Causley, Sykes & Palmer tour Ghosts, Werewolves & Country Folk celebrating the Baring-Gould Centenary.

Miranda was in fine voice and that might have been the first time I've heard Jim Causley. He's one of these folkies I've been aware of for years but never got round to listening to. The stories narrated by John Palmer were well worth listening to and the show is available on Folkscape.

The sound quality wasn't great for the first half with John being much quieter than the other two but they got it sorted at half-time. I see there's a Bellowhead gig coming up on Folkscape later this month.