Verso 
My third gig in three nights — and what a way to wrap up the run. With just Neil for company this time, we made a full day of it, blending lower-league football and legendary live music in the most unlikely but satisfying of double headers. From FA Trophy Heroics to Rock Legends Before the … Read more
The second of my three-in-a-row gig run brought us closer to home – the iconic Ipswich Regent Theatre, a venue that’s always got a touch of faded grandeur and buckets of charm. Joined by Hammy and Neil, we started the night with a fairly underwhelming pre-show meal (overpriced pub grub that somehow managed to underdeliver) … Read more
A Triple Header Begins The first leg of a triple-gig week kicked off in style with my long-awaited debut gig alongside Jimmy Simmonds. After years of promising to sort one out, it finally happened—and it couldn’t have been a better choice. Pre-Gig Adventures We boarded a late lunchtime train and arrived in Norwich just before … Read more
Sometimes you have to ask yourself why. And in the case of this gig—well, I’m still asking. The Lead-Up: Good Pubs, Better Beer Let’s start with the positives. Originally, this outing was supposed to be a trio—Hammy, Neil, and myself. Unfortunately, Neil managed to double-book himself (a classic move), so it was down to just … Read more
The Setting: Audley End and Festival Vibes There’s something timeless about spending a summer Saturday at a venue like Audley End House. Just an hour’s drive away, we arrived mid-afternoon, camping chairs in hand, ready for a laid-back day of music, beers, and sunshine. There’s always a shared camaraderie at these kinds of events—like-minded people … Read more
Boys from the Blackstuff – A Stage Adaptation that Hits Hard and True Alan Bleasdale’s Boys from the Blackstuff remains one of Britain’s most powerful pieces of television drama, and the move to stage was always going to be a bold undertaking. But under the careful and inspired pen of James Graham, the adaptation not … Read more
Sting at Thetford Forest – A Night of Mixed Feelings in the Pines Gig #6 in Thetford Forest saw me return to one of the UK’s most unique and atmospheric live venues for a sixth time. Following sets from Paul Heaton (twice), The Pogues, Madness, and Paul Weller, this time the headliner was none other … Read more
Does Liam Need Noel? Not Tonight. All the chatter about whether Oasis will or won’t reform? I couldn’t care less. I saw them at Wembley in 2000. That’ll do me. Honestly, does Liam even need Noel? Sure, Noel wrote the bulk of the tunes, but Liam delivered them. He breathed life into those lyrics. It’s … Read more
After recently attending major shows at iconic venues in London and Ipswich’s Regent Theatre, it was refreshing to return to the more intimate and grassroots setting of The Smokehouse for something a little different — and altogether more personal. From Norwich to Nationwide Brown Horse is a six-piece country rock band from Norwich, and they’re … Read more
