#51

That Robyn crowd WAS very nice, you’re right!

London crowds get a bad rep for having a lot of talkers, but I’ve only ever had that at a gig where they were giving away about half the tickets for free. I have only been to London for a handful of things, but the majority have had really nice crowds (maybe affected by them all being quickly sold out shows where the artist isn’t doing other UK dates).

I think Manchester has the same gig arsehole element you’ve mentioned at some things as well. There’s small but really obnoxious crowd who think that getting off their nut and being rowdy is a point of pride and how real hard men should always enjoy live music.

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#52

Live Is Life.

(Sorry)

#53

That’s a stark bollock naked emperor indeed. Not so much as a wrist watch.

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#54

I meant to put Fightmilk in Bristol as one of my gig regrets! I would have gone with @Joke2000 and maybe some others, and it would have been aces

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#55

We will be back at some point when all of this ends I hope and it’d be very lovely to meet you both please

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#56

never really got Black Midi either, i considered going to that gig purely because it was in such a small venue despite how well they were doing, and to see if they could win me round, but wasn’t too bothered when it sold out (kind of dislike sold out gigs anyway). it’s like there’s a decent math-rock band underneath but ruined by an annoying singer and a heap of irritating affectation. can’t really understand the hype, it might just be that they managed to appeal beyond the usual niche circle of math rock geeks i guess.

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#57

Saw Black Midi last year at Rough Trade East. Didn’t see the appeal. They’re ok but not much more.

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#58
  1. Heather Woods Broderick - Werkhaus, London
  2. Mikal Cronin - Hope & Ruin, Brighton
  3. Pop Crimes (tribute to Rowland S Howard) - Royal Festival Hall
  4. Algiers - Village Underground
  5. The Orchids - 100 Club
  6. Erased Tapes Showcase - Kings Place
  7. Honey Harper - Rough Trade East instore
#59

Was that the 80s band, The Orchids?

#60

Yep! I have their Unholy Soul album on cassette from way back. I used to listen to a lot of Sarah stuff.

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#61

Damn. Didn’t realise that gig happened. I saw them at The Luminaire maybe 15 years ago. Great band.

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#62

Probably easier to list all of the gigs that I got to, as there aren’t many of them.

In order that I saw them:

Carly Rae Jepsen - Brixton Academy. Not quite up there with the Paris show last year as something special, but the crowd were much more into it, so it was more fun
Slime City, Fightmilk & Romeo Taylor at Paper Dress Vintage. Reminded me of the fun I had as a carefree 20-something watching YouSayPartyWeSayDie!
Otoboke Beaver - Scala. Always great.
Sleater Kinney - Brixton Academy. This didn’t really click for me. I think we were too far back and in a bit of a dead spot for sound though.
Field Music - EartH. Always wonderful. The sound was probably the best I’ve ever experienced at a gig.
Holy Fuck & Pongo - Dingwalls. Holy Fuck were good. Pongo was incredible. If you ever get the chance to see her live, just go.
Black Country New Road - Roundhouse. Finally got around to seeing them, and they were worth the wait. Sports Team, who were headlining, definitely weren’t.
Big Moon & Orielles - Roundhouse. They were fine. Nothing mind blowing.
Sink Ya Teeth - Peckham Audio. Super stuff. A kind of weird way to round things off back in March, but it felt fitting.

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#63

I think I saw Jacques Greene in January or February and it was a really special night, he played the above Bootleg of Frank Ocean at the end which was wild. His merch guy was a dickhead, but he seemed nice enough.

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#64

The last night out I went to was on valentine’s Day and it was pretty awful, about 10 people in the upstairs of a bar as the DJ got upset playing italo house. Got to see one last fight in a smoking area which was good though

#65

Gig of the year was Explosions in the Sky + AA Williams at Del La Warr Pavilion in Feb. Fourth or fifth time I’ve seen them, and I was expecting it to be gooooood, but not amazing, and I was totally blown away! Best they’ve ever been. AA Wiliams was great as well, and the venue is gorgeous.

Saw a few others in Jan/Feb: Monster Magnet playing Powertrip in full, which was very disappointing (LOVED that album back in the day, but they’re not up to it now) and DIIV at the Kentish Town Forum, who were pretty good, but didn’t do a huge amount for me personally.

Also most disappointed in missing Taylor at Hyde Park, mainly because it seems like it may not be rescheduled for next year, and she may be touring one or more new albums after Lover by the time she does get over here, meaning a whole different setlist, song selection, etc.

God, I’ve missed gigs this year.

#66

  1. Yorkston Thorne Khan at Kings Place
    Just before lockdown. I like the venue a lot for various reasons. It was half empty despite being nearly sold out as people were already starting to decide to stay away. Was a little short as a set but the quality was excellent.

  2. Big Thief at Hammersmith
    Great performance but I dislike the venue.

I’m sure I saw a few others but can’t recall. In the weeks after lockdown I missed out on a lot including Aldous Harding, Porridge Radio, Sorry and Nick Cave,

Annoyed I missed These New Puritans but only started listening to and liking them in lockdown; and King Creosote which we didn’t go to because we were supposed to be going somewhere else and that was then cancelled.

#67

That’s surprising, last time I saw YTK they played 2 sets with an interval and no support

#68

I was lucky enough to go to a few festivals at the start of the year and a couple of gigs.

Went to Rockaway Beach in January, highlights were Jesus and Mary Chain, Heavy Lungs, Trupa Trupa, Life and Brix and the Extricated. I really hope this festival survives after the pandemic.

Favourite gigs of the year were Jon Hopkins at the Bath Forum which is also the last gig. This was just as COVID was starting to rely be taken seriously and I think everyone just wanted to have a good time.

Anna Meridith at the Trinity Bristol. Her music is mad and she’s just so much fun. Loved it.

Trail of Dead at the Exchange. Always amazing.

Murder Capital at SWX. Really enjoy this lot live.

The other festival I attended was our yearly trip to Glastonbury Calling, a small festival set around the pubs/venues in Glastonbury.

#69

Had a great first few weeks.

The Districts and Lazarus Kane @ Lexington
Supergrass @ Coventry Empire
The 1975 @ O2
The Strokes @ Roundhouse

Roll on 2021.

#70

They did do two sets. The first was about 35 and the second 45. Felt like it needed one more number in each set.

Song for Oddur (sp?) was stunning.

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