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 other ideas. The last eight miles took three and a half hours. Good job we’d … Read more
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 country, once again came up trumps. The view: immaculate. The vibes: impeccable. The car park … Read more
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 drive (Neil) and a stop off at Reading services for the aforementioned chicken dinner we … Read more
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 in a lively crowd for a Bank Holiday Sunday night of singalongs and solid northern … 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
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
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
Liam Gallagher & John Squire Live in Kentish Town: A Monday Night Worth Breaking the Rules For Attending a gig on a Monday night might seem mad to some, but post-Covid, I’ve adopted a new approach: if it brings joy, don’t say no. So, with little hesitation, I found myself heading to Kentish Town for … Read more