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Post by LL Cool Dave on May 23, 2024 23:16:25 GMT
Just back from Girls Aloud at the AO Arena.
Yes it was an all round hideously expensive night, with shit mobile signal and awful pre gig bar queues. That said, I'd have paid double to see that. Straight into my top 5 gigs of all time. Just banger after banger with the odd album track thrown in so people can go to the bar and have a piss lol. Production was first class. Numerous lovely tributes to Sarah Harding.
By far the loudest crowd I've ever been in. Can't imagine what seeing Taylor Swift or Olivia Rodrigo would be like compared to that. Absolutely ear splitting.
Minor criticism would be playing Love Machine and Biology too early, two of the best pop songs of the 2000's.
Had to tell my 10 year old daughter, whose first proper gig it was, that not all gigs will be as good as that..... They definitely won't.
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Post by telfordstoke on May 24, 2024 5:07:43 GMT
Just back from Girls Aloud at the AO Arena. Yes it was an all round hideously expensive night, with shit mobile signal and awful pre gig bar queues. That said, I'd have paid double to see that. Straight into my top 5 gigs of all time. Just banger after banger with the odd album track thrown in so people can go to the bar and have a piss lol. Production was first class. Numerous lovely tributes to Sarah Harding. By far the loudest crowd I've ever been in. Can't imagine what seeing Taylor Swift or Olivia Rodrigo would be like compared to that. Absolutely ear splitting. Minor criticism would be playing Love Machine and Biology too early, two of the best pop songs of the 2000's. Had to tell my 10 year old daughter, whose first proper gig it was, that not all gigs will be as good as that..... They definitely won't. Fair play , a great gig is a great gig and while not seeing GA as wife not interested and girls thus not, the pop bands currently or on the more heritage tours do put on phenomenal shows. Having dreaded having to go to Take That, Westlife, Steps etc over the years, I've come away buzzing and hugely impressed every time. And indeed while Love Machine and Biology are crackers,there ain't many better pop bangers than Somethin Kinda Ooh so hope that got a raucous reception! My 17yo saw Olivia Rodrigo recently who was excellent and crowd was well up for it and I shall be updating in full in ( countdown timer is on in our house since I secured tix!)28 days on the Taylor Wembley show. actually looking forward to that with huge anticipation.
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Post by Eggybread on May 24, 2024 17:16:53 GMT
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Post by LL Cool Dave on May 25, 2024 7:29:11 GMT
Ducks Ltd, Babe Rainbow and half of Crumb at New Century in Manchester last night. 5 bands from Canada, New York and Oz amongst others for just over 20 quid (didn't see the first 2)
Was about 25% full for the start of Ducks Ltd which was unusual to see, not been to a gig that empty for a long time. Thankfully it began to fill up. All the bands were great after slow starts, Ducks being the pick of the three.
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Post by innocentbystander on May 25, 2024 10:19:22 GMT
Simon Evans at the Foxlowe, Leek. I thought that he would be more acerbic in an independent venue,rather than on the TV panel shows. Instead he was rather maudlin, reflecting on friends and family he had lost, including Sean Lock. Often referred to as a right wing comedian (capitalist rather than facist) there was little political content apart from the obvious comedy potential of a senior Tories. A lot of it was good, but his half hour radio programmes concentrate him much better.
Great to see a big name in a small venue, he hung around to chat in the bar afterwards, as often happens at Foxlowe, helps you realise the gulf between the act on stage and the comedian in real life.
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domjon
Academy Starlet
Posts: 145
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Post by domjon on May 25, 2024 23:04:30 GMT
Ducks Ltd, Babe Rainbow and half of Crumb at New Century in Manchester last night. 5 bands from Canada, New York and Oz amongst others for just over 20 quid (didn't see the first 2) Was about 25% full for the start of Ducks Ltd which was unusual to see, not been to a gig that empty for a long time. Thankfully it began to fill up. All the bands were great after slow starts, Ducks being the pick of the three. Love ducks ltd nearly went that but had Arab Strap tonight at gorilla. On fine form, fucking love Malcolm Middleton
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Post by LL Cool Dave on May 26, 2024 23:10:27 GMT
The Zombies at the RNCM in Manchester.
What a great venue and another one to tick off the list. Sound was really, really good.
Band were great. Doubt I'll ever see a keyboard player live as good as Rod Argent again. Absolutely outstanding. Lead singer was in good voice as well. No mean feat at 78.
Some bits were overblown with unnecessary guitar solos etc but they looked like they were having fun and musicianship was of the highest order. Some of my favourite gigs in recent years have been by artists in their later years. They do know what they're doing when they get to a certain age!
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Post by ChesterStokie on May 27, 2024 10:24:28 GMT
The Zombies at the RNCM in Manchester. What a great venue and another one to tick off the list. Sound was really, really good. Band were great. Doubt I'll ever see a keyboard player live as good as Rod Argent again. Absolutely outstanding. Lead singer was in good voice as well. No mean feat at 78. Some bits were overblown with unnecessary guitar solos etc but they looked like they were having fun and musicianship was of the highest order. Some of my favourite gigs in recent years have been by artists in their later years. They do know what they're doing when they get to a certain age! Yes I went to that last night and absolutely loved it. Agree with pretty much everything you say there (except I thought the two extended songs with the extra solos were fantastic). I wasn't that familiar with The Zombies catalogue and only heard about the gig a few days ago but decided to go because Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone were part of the line-up. A really well-constructed set list starting with their earliest material, then the Odyssey & Oracle section (with the occasional new song interspersed) leading up to the extended versions of Hold Your Head Up and She's Not There, and then finishing with that lovely little song at the end with just Argent and Blunstone on stage. Agree Rod Argent's keyboard work was just wonderful and the highlight of the evening for me. He told some really interesting little stories between songs as well. My only minor disappointment was they didn't do either of Colin Blunstone's hit singles. Just listening now to those songs they did from Odyssey & Oracle and they really are pop craftsmanship at it's very best. I just cannot believe that somehow over the years that LP has passed me by but it's going to get a good few plays now!
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Post by felonious on May 27, 2024 15:06:47 GMT
The Zombies at the RNCM in Manchester. What a great venue and another one to tick off the list. Sound was really, really good. Band were great. Doubt I'll ever see a keyboard player live as good as Rod Argent again. Absolutely outstanding. Lead singer was in good voice as well. No mean feat at 78. Some bits were overblown with unnecessary guitar solos etc but they looked like they were having fun and musicianship was of the highest order. Some of my favourite gigs in recent years have been by artists in their later years. They do know what they're doing when they get to a certain age! Yes I went to that last night and absolutely loved it. Agree with pretty much everything you say there (except I thought the two extended songs with the extra solos were fantastic). I wasn't that familiar with The Zombies catalogue and only heard about the gig a few days ago but decided to go because Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone were part of the line-up. A really well-constructed set list starting with their earliest material, then the Odyssey & Oracle section (with the occasional new song interspersed) leading up to the extended versions of Hold Your Head Up and She's Not There, and then finishing with that lovely little song at the end with just Argent and Blunstone on stage. Agree Rod Argent's keyboard work was just wonderful and the highlight of the evening for me. He told some really interesting little stories between songs as well. My only minor disappointment was they didn't do either of Colin Blunstone's hit singles. Just listening now to those songs they did from Odyssey & Oracle and they really are pop craftsmanship at it's very best. I just cannot believe that somehow over the years that LP has passed me by but it's going to get a good few plays now! Argent were booked to play Wolstanton Grammar School just as Hold Your Head Up hit the charts and they still did the gig.
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Post by ChesterStokie on May 27, 2024 15:38:55 GMT
Yes I went to that last night and absolutely loved it. Agree with pretty much everything you say there (except I thought the two extended songs with the extra solos were fantastic). I wasn't that familiar with The Zombies catalogue and only heard about the gig a few days ago but decided to go because Rod Argent and Colin Blunstone were part of the line-up. A really well-constructed set list starting with their earliest material, then the Odyssey & Oracle section (with the occasional new song interspersed) leading up to the extended versions of Hold Your Head Up and She's Not There, and then finishing with that lovely little song at the end with just Argent and Blunstone on stage. Agree Rod Argent's keyboard work was just wonderful and the highlight of the evening for me. He told some really interesting little stories between songs as well. My only minor disappointment was they didn't do either of Colin Blunstone's hit singles. Just listening now to those songs they did from Odyssey & Oracle and they really are pop craftsmanship at it's very best. I just cannot believe that somehow over the years that LP has passed me by but it's going to get a good few plays now! Argent were booked to play Wolstanton Grammar School just as Hold Your Head Up hit the charts and they still did the gig. We never had that sort of thing at Sandbach School. Did you go to the gig? Duffy (remember her?) was booked to play Central Station in Wrexham (not the train station, some little club holding a few 100 people) the week Mercy went to No 1 and she still did the gig.
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Post by felonious on May 27, 2024 15:41:59 GMT
Argent were booked to play Wolstanton Grammar School just as Hold Your Head Up hit the charts and they still did the gig. We never had that sort of thing at Sandbach School. Did you go to the gig? Duffy (remember her?) was booked to play Central Station in Wrexham (not the train station, some little club holding a few 100 people) the week Mercy went to No 1 and she still did the gig. I never went to any of the gigs it was a while before I could afford to go to gigs even at back in the day prices
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Post by cdf on May 29, 2024 15:22:22 GMT
Wychwood Festival in Cheltenham on Saturday. Got a thing for Texas, so, looking forward to seeing them headline
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Post by LL Cool Dave on May 29, 2024 19:28:57 GMT
Argent were booked to play Wolstanton Grammar School just as Hold Your Head Up hit the charts and they still did the gig. We never had that sort of thing at Sandbach School. Did you go to the gig? Duffy (remember her?) was booked to play Central Station in Wrexham (not the train station, some little club holding a few 100 people) the week Mercy went to No 1 and she still did the gig. Probably on the same tour as she played the Ruby Lounge in Manchester. I'd bought tickets for probably a tenner or not far off, by the time the gig came round she'd gone massive and I shifted it on for 70 quid a couple of days before on an ebay auction, back when you could sell them that way, as I couldn't make it. thought her first album was great, love the title track and 'Warwick Avenue'
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Post by whatsashig on May 30, 2024 7:49:53 GMT
Gong gizzard at the civic. Don’t really listen to em but wow. Can’t really say what they are apart from an essemble of blood good musicians. First bit was like listening to Ed wynne with hawkwind. Then blues n god knows what. I’ll have listen more but think they re going be on the best live list.
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Post by LL Cool Dave on May 30, 2024 8:19:07 GMT
Gong gizzard at the civic. Don’t really listen to em but wow. Can’t really say what they are apart from an essemble of blood good musicians. First bit was like listening to Ed wynne with hawkwind. Then blues n god knows what. I’ll have listen more but think they re going be on the best live list. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard are one of the best bands in the last 10 years. Album wise, there's so much to go at but I'd start with 'Nogagon Infinity' and 'I'm in your mind fuzz'
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Post by whatsashig on May 30, 2024 10:38:22 GMT
Gong gizzard at the civic. Don’t really listen to em but wow. Can’t really say what they are apart from an essemble of blood good musicians. First bit was like listening to Ed wynne with hawkwind. Then blues n god knows what. I’ll have listen more but think they re going be on the best live list. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard are one of the best bands in the last 10 years. Album wise, there's so much to go at but I'd start with 'Nogagon Infinity' and 'I'm in your mind fuzz' I’ll give it a go. Last nights show…
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Post by Eggybread on May 30, 2024 10:49:26 GMT
Gong gizzard at the civic. Don’t really listen to em but wow. Can’t really say what they are apart from an essemble of blood good musicians. First bit was like listening to Ed wynne with hawkwind. Then blues n god knows what. I’ll have listen more but think they re going be on the best live list. King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard are one of the best bands in the last 10 years. Album wise, there's so much to go at but I'd start with 'Nogagon Infinity' and 'I'm in your mind fuzz' I like them and have done for a while now.My only criticism is that if Im not in the mood his vocals grind me after a while but this goes with a few Aussie groups I like and they can be slightly repetitive too..But as Mark Smith (The Fall) says This is the three R's Repetition Repetition Repetition.
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Post by CBUFAWKIPWH on May 31, 2024 9:30:44 GMT
Tool last night at the NEC. I've seen some good drummers over the years and Danny Carey is right uo there:
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Post by jimmygscfc1234 on Jun 1, 2024 13:00:58 GMT
St Vincent last night in Bristol. She was warming up for her Royal Albert Hall gig tonight. Excellent stuff in a packed venue which for an old boy like me was uncomfortable but she’s a powerhouse. The great Jason Falkener (original Jellyfish guitarist and Beck’s chosen sideman) was a perfect foil.
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Post by maninasuitcase on Jun 1, 2024 17:37:43 GMT
Gary Numan last night at O2 institute Birmingham.
Played his first 2 albums , replicas and pleaure principle.
Definitely for the hardened fan base. A mix of synth stuff with some heavy guitar stuff which was very good.
Sounded epic though, but the venue, which i had never been to before, was absolutely wank.
Standing to the right of the stage meant you couldnt see anything as for some of the set he was towards the rear of the stage playing keyboard.
Think my biggest concern was that the place was uncomfortably full, to the point fire exits were opened to let some welcome air in.
Definitely felt like a venue where people exceed capacity.
Im sure we have better derelict buildings in stoke than that.
Anyway to sum up, music excellent, venue abysmal, beers decent.
Next up Pink at Spurs Stadium (my ladies xmas present), wish me luck.
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Post by telfordstoke on Jun 1, 2024 19:30:04 GMT
Gary Numan last night at O2 institute Birmingham. Played his first 2 albums , replicas and pleaure principle. Definitely for the hardened fan base. A mix of synth stuff with some heavy guitar stuff which was very good. Sounded epic though, but the venue, which i had never been to before, was absolutely wank. Standing to the right of the stage meant you couldnt see anything as for some of the set he was towards the rear of the stage playing keyboard. Think my biggest concern was that the place was uncomfortably full, to the point fire exits were opened to let some welcome air in. Definitely felt like a venue where people exceed capacity. Im sure we have better derelict buildings in stoke than that. Anyway to sum up, music excellent, venue abysmal, beers decent. Next up Pink at Spurs Stadium (my ladies xmas present), wish me luck. Never seen Numan, not exactly a fan BUT feel like I'd like to go see him sometime as he has such a committed fan base I feel like I must be missing something. I dont dislike the institute but not been there when it's been packed out,I certainly got Covid there a couple of years back watching the Alarm ..Prefer the Wolves halls these days (KKs/Civic/Wulfrun) to Brum purely cos so much easier to get to. Showing my age with that comment lol.
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Post by crowey on Jun 2, 2024 10:48:53 GMT
Gong gizzard at the civic. Don’t really listen to em but wow. Can’t really say what they are apart from an essemble of blood good musicians. First bit was like listening to Ed wynne with hawkwind. Then blues n god knows what. I’ll have listen more but think they re going be on the best live list. …. saw them at Splendour last year (maybe the last one ever as it’s not happening this year.) Enjoyed them. Never really been that into them, but I actually quite like a lot of their slower more contemplative stuff
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Post by cdf on Jun 2, 2024 13:41:34 GMT
Great to see Texas and Peter Hook and The Light at Wychwood Festival.
Back down for Ocean Colour Scene later
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Post by thehartshillbadger on Jun 2, 2024 15:41:42 GMT
Gary Numan last night at O2 institute Birmingham. Played his first 2 albums , replicas and pleaure principle. Definitely for the hardened fan base. A mix of synth stuff with some heavy guitar stuff which was very good. Sounded epic though, but the venue, which i had never been to before, was absolutely wank. Standing to the right of the stage meant you couldnt see anything as for some of the set he was towards the rear of the stage playing keyboard. Think my biggest concern was that the place was uncomfortably full, to the point fire exits were opened to let some welcome air in. Definitely felt like a venue where people exceed capacity. Im sure we have better derelict buildings in stoke than that. Anyway to sum up, music excellent, venue abysmal, beers decent. Next up Pink at Spurs Stadium (my ladies xmas present), wish me luck. Jesus Christ. Good fucking luck mate!
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Post by whatsashig on Jun 2, 2024 17:23:20 GMT
Gong gizzard at the civic. Don’t really listen to em but wow. Can’t really say what they are apart from an essemble of blood good musicians. First bit was like listening to Ed wynne with hawkwind. Then blues n god knows what. I’ll have listen more but think they re going be on the best live list. …. saw them at Splendour last year (maybe the last one ever as it’s not happening this year.) Enjoyed them. Never really been that into them, but I actually quite like a lot of their slower more contemplative stuff Yeah, I enjoyed the slower stuff live, it was that part of there music I wondered whether I’d take too live but it was brilliant. The proper thrash metal sound didn’t do much for me which was just the last couple of songs but I’d go see em live again without doubt. Never heard of spleandour, I guess it’s a festival. Festivals are a changing beast its beautiful days for me as the feeling of the place is great. Would never touch the bigger festivals again , an age thing I think more than owt else.
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Post by crowey on Jun 2, 2024 19:55:04 GMT
…. saw them at Splendour last year (maybe the last one ever as it’s not happening this year.) Enjoyed them. Never really been that into them, but I actually quite like a lot of their slower more contemplative stuff Yeah, I enjoyed the slower stuff live, it was that part of there music I wondered whether I’d take too live but it was brilliant. The proper thrash metal sound didn’t do much for me which was just the last couple of songs but I’d go see em live again without doubt. Never heard of spleandour, I guess it’s a festival. Festivals are a changing beast its beautiful days for me as the feeling of the place is great. Would never touch the bigger festivals again , an age thing I think more than owt else. …. Splendour in the Grass, Byron Bay in Oz. The equivalent here of Glasto
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Post by whatsashig on Jun 2, 2024 20:22:32 GMT
Yeah, I enjoyed the slower stuff live, it was that part of there music I wondered whether I’d take too live but it was brilliant. The proper thrash metal sound didn’t do much for me which was just the last couple of songs but I’d go see em live again without doubt. Never heard of spleandour, I guess it’s a festival. Festivals are a changing beast its beautiful days for me as the feeling of the place is great. Would never touch the bigger festivals again , an age thing I think more than owt else. …. Splendour in the Grass, Byron Bay in Oz. The equivalent here of Glasto May be lazy rather than maybe (google)?
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Post by whatsashig on Jun 2, 2024 20:23:19 GMT
Yeah, I enjoyed the slower stuff live, it was that part of there music I wondered whether I’d take too live but it was brilliant. The proper thrash metal sound didn’t do much for me which was just the last couple of songs but I’d go see em live again without doubt. Never heard of spleandour, I guess it’s a festival. Festivals are a changing beast its beautiful days for me as the feeling of the place is great. Would never touch the bigger festivals again , an age thing I think more than owt else. …. Splendour in the Grass, Byron Bay in Oz. The equivalent here of Glasto Australia you mean?
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Post by crowey on Jun 3, 2024 9:29:55 GMT
….. eerr, yes
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Post by mrcoke on Jun 3, 2024 15:32:08 GMT
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