Traveling Wilburys
A blustery Friday night by the coast, a couple of pints in The Grosvenor, and a five-minute battle through Storm Amy — not the most glamorous route to rock ’n’ roll history, but that’s Felixstowe for you. This time it…
Category 2025 Gigs
Lightning Seeds ’25
Another night, another trip down nostalgia lane — this time to Ipswich Corn Exchange for The Lightning Seeds, my third time seeing them in just ten months. Some bands wear thin after repeated viewings, but Ian Broudie and company still…
Oasis
Oasis – Wembley Stadium, 27th September 2025 Gemma was my gig partner for this one. She swung by at 13:30 and we set off for Newbury Park. Roadworks meant a diversion through Harold Wood, but the Elizabeth line soon had…
Elvis Evolution
Not a gig in the traditional sense, but still worthy of a review. Sometimes a day out isn’t just a day out. For us, Elvis Evolution doubled as a tribute to Mum. She adored Elvis, so me, Rory, Tracie and…
Rail Freight Rocks
Rail Freight Rock Hits The Water Rats Two of GB Railfreight’s directors, Carl Kent and Liam Day, had an idea that might have seemed daft after a couple of pints but ended up being something quite brilliant. Put a band…
Stereophonics
Gig Review: Stereophonics, The Blossoms and Jake Bugg – Sandringham Hammy was on driving duty again – for which I’m always grateful – with daughter Gabs and her boyfriend Jude in tow. The plan seemed simple enough, but Norfolk had…
Manic Street Preachers
Gig Review: Manics, Charlatans & Ash – Audley End Some gigs just land perfectly – good(ish) weather, great company, and a triple bill that reads like your mid 20s CD collection. Audley End, still the best outdoor venue in the…
The Beach Boys
Another weekend and another gig. Me, Neil, and Hammy — on the road again. Early pick-up, and away we went for a dose of nostalgia in the gardens of a stately home via a KFC for lunch. After a three-hour…
Just For One Day
Just For One Day – A West End Musical with Global Echoes After a late-night debrief of the PULP gig over pizza and post-midnight beers, we took the morning slow. A late breakfast set us up nicely before we tubed…
Pulp
O₂ Arena, North Greenwich – Friday 13 June 2025The O₂ Arena hosted a night of Britpop resurgence as PULP rolled into London for the first of two sold-out shows. Fresh from a surprise No. 1 on the day with More…
Paul Heaton 2025
Bramall Lane, the historic home of Sheffield United F.C., played host to an evening of Britpop nostalgia and working-class poetry as Paul Heaton returned for a special hometown-flavoured performance. With support from Lightning Seeds and Shed Seven, the event pulled…
Ocean Colour Scene
Another gig. Another London stopover. And yes—another rail replacement service. This time Neil played chauffeur, driving us to Shenfield where he expertly snagged a driveway parking spot. From there, we jumped on a train bound for Brixton, with a layover…
Deacon Blue
This one wasn’t in the 2025 gig diary. But when Jimmy dropped me a message less than a week before showtime asking, “Fancy Deacon Blue in Cambridge?”—I couldn’t resist. With tickets secured and a pint or two behind us, we…
Jason Donovan
Back to The Apex for the second time in four days, this time with my sister, Tamara—and it was all about pop royalty. Jason Donovan, the Australian actor-turned-singer who defined late 80s pop for many of us, returned to the…
John Power
A new year, a new venue, and a new format of gig. On this occasion, Hammy and I headed to The Apex in Bury St Edmunds to catch John Power’s one-man show, Cast, The La’s and Me. A first visit…
Punk Off
What is punk? It’s more than just music—it’s a movement. Born in the 1970s, punk was a gritty, snarling backlash against the establishment, a DIY rebellion that spat in the face of conformity. So when a show comes along aiming…
The Specials Ltd
The first gig of the year and what a way to kick it off. Neil, Hammy and I made a Friday pilgrimage to the capital, complete with a hearty pre-show dinner at The Argyll Arms and some pre-gig anticipation. Destination:…