My 2024 live music journey began and ended in the same venue—Kentish Town Forum—and fittingly, with two of Liverpool’s finest. It kicked off with Cast, and closed in style with The Lightning Seeds, delivering a euphoric night that was the perfect send-off for another year of brilliant gigs. 35 Years of Melodic Brilliance From the … Read more
Embarking on my fourteenth Paul Heaton concert, I found myself once again captivated by the enduring charm of a musician whose career spans over 38 years. Accompanied by friends Neil, Hammy, the ever-excellent Jimmy Simmonds, and a cameo from the McKinnons, we converged in London for an evening that promised both nostalgia and fresh musical … Read more
A Tribute to George Harrison – St. Peter’s on the Waterfront, Ipswich A new venue, a familiar face, and a musical legend – our night at St. Peter’s on the Waterfront delivered in every possible way. This former church in the heart of Ipswich has transformed into a vibrant arts and heritage centre, often used … Read more
After a few beers on the train and a twilight wander through the glowing buzz of Soho, we arrived at the majestic Royal Albert Hall cloaked in equal parts nostalgia and anticipation. It was the final night (for now) of Bob Dylan’s epic three-year world tour, a rare opportunity to witness a true icon of … Read more
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
