Eccentric Gateshead and an International Glasgow.

Going back to a dark Sunday evening in October, it was off to The Prohibition Bar to see Thomas Truax. I have to confess to having never heard of the guy, but it was coming as a highly recommended gig from my daughter Lani and seeing as how she had bought tickets for Sheelagh and I, how could we refuse!

This has to be one of the most eccentric, individual and enjoyable performances I've ever seen. Accompanied by his invented instruments, he sings in to an instrument named 'The Hornicator'. Tapping out live rhythm loops, plucking assorted strings, springs and attached noisemakers, he builds a backdrop of sound layers as an accompaniment to his songs and stories about the moon, butterflies, dogs and a host of beautiful and sad things.

I'll certainly be on the look out for another appearance from him in the North East. A quick note about the venue, The Prohibition Bar, which is under one of the arches near The Sage, it's got a full programme of gigs and events, if it's not hired out for a private function you would do well to check it out for it's retro, prohibition era stylings.

Onwards to the 12th November and it was off up to Glasgow to meet up with Rory and head to The Classic Grand (another new venue for me) to see an International line-up of bands. Sinistro - from Portugal, Alcest - from France and Mono from Japan. This promised to be a really interesting gig. Sadly, at least for me only one band truly delivered on the night.

Starting off with Sinistro ariving on stage to a ripple of applause they launched in to their first song. Which was simply a mess, I wonder if bands do sound checks anymore! If you're going to have a vocalist, write her some lyrics and have her front your band, you should at the very least make sure she's heard. Tonight all we got was a  drone from the guitars and a thumping bass. Soon enough the sound engineer appeared, stood in front of us with his iPad and began to alter the mix. Pretty soon the vocals were at max, but he was reluctant to change the bass or drum settings and effectively rendered the performance a bit of a pointless exercise. Which was a pity because on the rare quiet moments the singer had a voice reminiscent of Lisa Gerrard and she was throwing some Siouxsie Sue shapes, all flailing arms and poses!

Next up were Alcest, the band who I had really come along to see for my third time. The stage dimmed and they launched in to opening track Onyx off their latest album Kodama (well worth a listen by the way). Loud and distinct sounding this was a near faultless performance, lots of material from the new album but a couple of old favourites thrown in for good measure. As I've said before, like all the best gigs it was over far to soon.

Closing tonight would be Mono from Japan, a band I've only recently listened to curtesy of YouTube.  On they came and sat at their instruments, only the bassist being visible from where we stood. So not really a great deal of activity to see on stage! Once again the sound quality dipped and midway through the third song, Rory and I decided to leave.

Now it's not often you get the chance to embarrass your kids, so when opportunities come along you really must take them! On the way out, coming up the stairs towards us was Niege, the man behind Alcest. So I thought I'd comment on how much I enjoyed the performance remarking that this was the third time I'd seen Alcest and I felt the sound was stronger and better with each gig. Greeted by a big smile from Niege and a thank you, I returned the thanks and made my departure. Rory on the other hand was almost mortified - "why did you speak to him?" Because it's nice to be complimented I said, he went on to admit he would have just walked past him, somewhat embarrassed.

The video isn't from Glasgow but this song features in the setlist and is becoming my favourite track from Kodama.

Explosions at The Sage

So it's time for a bit post-rock at The Sage in Gateshead as Explosions in the Sky bring their Texan sounds to the North East.

First up was a one-man band going under the name of Entrance, something sadly he failed to do as he wandered on to stage. Interesting voice, at least initially, but it soon became a bit monotonous as the songs failed to find any direction and simply meandered in to a finish. The set was greeted with polite applause as it quickly came to an end.

After a short break, spent fruitlessly trying to get a drink at the crowded bar, Explosions in the Sky took the stage. A few words of hello and off we go as they launch in to opening song Wilderness. In fact latest album The Wilderness accounts for most of tonights setlist, with little, no lets be accurate here, NO audience interaction. All the songs played tonight were set up to meld in to one another and it turned out to be a pretty intense experience. A few older songs turned up meshed in with the wall of sound coming from the stage.

“The Only Moment We Were Alone” provides that one big moment of quiet, quiet, quiet, LOUD that you expect from post-rock.

You can see the influence of working on soundtracks has had on the band and the presentation of the show, the lighting was central to the performance with some impressive moments as the stage was permanently covered in dry ice and effects. The lighting often forming a barrier between band and audience. This was more of a visual treat than an aural one!

Although I really enjoyed the gig there were no highlights, no 'wow' moment and even a couple of days later memory of it is fading - though that might be an age thing!

End of the Seventies

Not only were the seventies coming to an end, but my time at Newcastle College of Art was also drawing to a close. Time to get a proper job and stop being a student, although I don't think my Dad ever thought that being a Graphic Designer was a 'proper' job!

Anyways it must have been an intensive year because as far as I can remember there were no gigs attended in the run up to that final end of year show and leaving.

First gig of 1979 turns out to be The Police    in June, at Newcastle Mayfair, I remember it as being sold out and that The Police were great fun live, Andy Summers guitar playing particularly impressed. Though I never cared much for the band on record I do have 2 or 3 Andy Summers solo albums.

Time to find some employment and Sheelagh and I decided to take a summer job outside London in a sleepy town called Chigwell. One of the great advantages of living a Tube ride away from central London was that we could see live music pretty much every chance we got. We saw many a local band and pub band, none of which I can truly remember, but we did get to visit the famous Marquee Club right in the heart of Soho. The band we chose to see... The Ruts, I have no idea why! Arriving at the venue, me long hair and leather jacket and jeans, Sheelagh I think had a denim mini on, the crowd on the other hand were all spiky hair, studs, piercings and chains. We stood out like a sore thumb! Not that there was any hassle at all, everyone just there to enjoy the music. Entering the darkness that was the Marquee, we ordered a couple of drinks and made our way to the back of the venue to get a decent view. First up were the Piranha Brothers who I'm sure performed energetically but I simply don't remember them at all. Sadly the same has to be said for The Ruts who have completely slipped from my memory.

The next big gig in London I do remember... Gary Numan at Hammersmith Odeon. I believe it's available as a DVD now. Support came from Orchestral Manoeuvers in the Dark, just the two guys and a tape machine, centre stage. Don't really recall what they played but it was very odd to see a spotlight fixed on the tape deck!

Gary Numan put in a fabulous performance with an impressive stage set, running through tracks from Replicas and The Pleasure Principal. I do remember being impressed by a track called Bombers, so much so I went out and bought the debut Tubeway Army album in the hope it was on there.

Soon though it was time to return to the North East and find that elusive 'proper' job. There was just one more gig before the year end, Steve Hackett at Newcastle City Hall. This was probably around the time of the Defector album and the set list no doubt featured a few songs from it. I remember the gig as being peculiarly flat, possibly due to having seats in the balcony. It was only the last 3 or 4 songs that brought the audience to life, I'd guess it was Spectral Mornings that closed the show.

Harvest from the Deep

So on the weekend of 13th and 14th August, North Shields showed just what can be done when you put your mind to it! Take note North Tyneside, this would have been a fabulous event to hold in the Dome. A two day festival celebrating local talent and finishing with headliners British Sea Power, more of that later.

We only bought tickets for the second day, though in retrospect I'd have liked to see Richard Dawson and The Lake Poets do a full set. Still there was plenty to enjoy on a sunny Sunday afternoon.

Arriving early (we like to get our monies worth!) we caught the first two performances, sadly I don't recall their names. At this point we decided to grab something to eat and headed to the Maggie Bank, very surprised to find they no longer do food but the guy behind the bar recommended we try the Bell and Bucket, so off we headed.

The Bell and Bucket was packed, interestingly there was no one in the Maggie Bank at 2pm on a Sunday afternoon! We ordered the Sunday dinner and when it arrived we were faced with a mountain of food, 5 different veg alongside roast and mashed potato great value but way too much, even I couldn't finish it!

Feeling full we went back to The Exchange for the rest of the days performances, arriving in time to catch Shrug who were great to watch, Nev Clay followed with a meandering song and chat set, things were running late and up next were High Tide 15.47 who were energetic, but for me at least just didn't work. I'm now a little unsure of the running order but Ryan - Bugman - Siddle delivered a really good set full of songs from his album, if you see it give it a listen.

Matt Abbott followed with some interesting poetry, commenting on what is left of working class life, out of touch politicians and apathy he received some of the warmest applause of the day and it was well deserved. Following came Jazz Riot another spoken word performance with some noodling guitar as an accompaniment.

The highlight for me was British Sea Power performing the soundtrack to 'From the Sea to the Land Beyond'. As a documentary film it trawls through the history of the United Kingdoms relationship with the sea, from the fishing industry to bathing belles. All accompanied by BSP's rising and falling tide of sound, The soundtrack followed every twist and turn, every sadness and joy the high's and lows of life as an island nation.

The whole performance was simply excellent, I'm not sure how many times they've performed this piece but if you ever get the chance, go see it. Sunday's performance was something a bit special and the standing ovation the band received at the end was heartfelt appreciation of a great evening.

Sunshine on Bents Park South Shields

With a line up that consisted of Beth Macari, Rod Clements Lindisfarne and The Proclaimers and a day bathed in bright sunshine this promised to be a fun Sunday afternoon and all for FREE!

Arriving early Sheelagh and I got to enjoy the delight that is a long, winding queue to get in. We actually debated whether we should head off and come back later, we no longer feel the need to be 'right at the front', but hearing from others in the queue that the gates were closed for the previous free gig we decided to stick it out.

After close to an hour we began the slow move towards the main gate eventually getting in to the park around 1.30, some 45 minutes later the gates were closed as the capacity of 24,000 was reached.

A quick note on planning, this was pretty much a spur of the moment decision so we were certainly in the minority arriving without portable seats or picnic! Next time we'll make sure we are suitably prepared, the on-site catering and drinks were basic to say the least - limited to Burgers and Fish 'n' Chips and the obligatory sugar rush that is the doughnut stall (not great for a a diabetic!). £4.00 for a pint or glass of wine, pretty standard for this type of event but £7.00 for a glass of Prosecco was a joke.

Any hows we hadn't come to eat and drink, we'd primarily come to see The Proclaimers who we'd recently gained some new appreciation of after watching the movie, Sunshine On Leith (well worth seeing by the way).

Just before 2pm on came Beth Macari, now I'd seen this girl a few years earlier when she played a sound plagued set at Stanley Festival. I'm going to be honest, I don't think the open air gig was the best place to listen to Beth's soulful vocals and sadly she failed to impress, lost in the endless chatter of other people at the gig.

Next up were  Rod Clements Lindisfarne who, to put it mildly, were dreadful. Even though they probably played all the songs you would want to hear they were distinctly lack lustre, the harmonies never meshed and the vocals were flat and disinterested. Yet afterwards, hearing people talk about them, I heard the word 'brilliant' used to describe their performance, I'm left to conclude I need my hearing tested or my definition of 'brilliant' is out of step with the majority of those at the gig!

Finishing off a sunny Sunday afternoon were The Proclaimers, easily the loudest cheer of the day greeting them as brothers, Charlie and Craig Reid, arrived on stage and they played a set full of classics. Best song, probably 'Letter from America' although, not surprisingly the loudest cheer was for 'I'm gonna be (500 miles)'.

The Proclaimers were, tight, on form and proved you cannot beat a good solid live performance to bring a  smile to your face.

To be honest it was The Proclaimers that rescued what was turning in to a rather uninteresting day and left me wondering at what point, if there's only one original member, do the band (Rod Clement's Lindisfarne) effectively become a tribute act!

Sometimes it snows in April

I don't feel I can let 2016 go on any longer without commenting on the sad losses music has had to endure this year. Starting off with Bowie in January, every few weeks it seems someones passed away. Glenn Frey of The Eagles, Paul Kantner of Jefferson Airship, the tragic suicide of Keith Emerson, theres been a couple of country stars too and now just a couple of days ago Prince. It feels like a reaping of the great and good of music.

Bowie was a shock, he did at least almost make it to his three score years and ten, but Prince I still cannot quite believe and at only 57 too. The man had so many years of producing great music in him.

I recall the very first time I became aware of him. Sheelagh and I were full of cold one late winters night, huddled in the small bedroom of my flat in Jesmond, there was to be an Old Grey Whistle Test special, a live concert broadcast from Syracuse. Bursting on to the small (15") screen came this boundless ball of energy and colour, launching in to Let's go Crazy, Prince and The Revolution had arrived. The highlight, a near 20 minute version of Purple Rain, I was hooked!

The output from Prince during the eighties was unmatched and perhaps unsurpassed for pure creative output, albums, tours and movies followed in quick succession, why oh why did I never go see the man? It's now become one of my biggest regrets that I never saw him play live.

I have the music, though Purple Rain is proving a tough listen. Tracks like Raspberry Beret, Little Red Corvette, Cream and Sign o The Times still make me smile and if I were ever to get up and dance, it's going to be to a Prince song!

Musicians come and go, gaining and then losing popularity and sometimes regaining it once more, for me, popular or not, Prince was always going to do something new, something challenging. I didn't like everything he put out.  But what I did like, I REALLY like. I'll be playing many of his albums over the next days and weeks not as some sad remembrance but a celebration of a unique talent.

RIP PRINCE Rogers Nelson 1958 - 2016

The Machine Stops at The Sage

Hawkwind returning to form with a new album and a classic show at the Sage on 18th April 2016.

No support act or onstage dancers/theatrics but a much improved lightshow from last time I saw them and a much better sound, though that's probably down to the excellent acoustics in The Sage.

With a set list that relied heavily on the new album, The Machine Stops, which is based around EP Forster’s dystopian classic,  the band have not sounded this good since their Space Ritual pomp as they take you into their own unique world.

The music they play tonight is mesmerising. Their new bassist is a great find and does all those great Lemmy style bass runs that were so key to the band’s Space Ritual era. Some of the songs stretch out in to long, 10 minute jams, ever changing and evolving with Dave Brock's churning rhyming rhythm guitar at the heart and soul of this performance.

Hawkind 2016 sound like they are on a mission and for a set that is new song heavy and has rare moments of old material like a pulsating Orgone Acculamator and encores, You better Believe It and Silver Machine, this was a very well received playlist from a band that is still pushing the boundaries as well as sounding fresh and relevant.

EM Forsters cult classic is available as a free download if anyone wants an alternative vision of the future!

Lanterns on the Lake

This February brought a very, very special gig. Locals, Lanterns on the Lake performing at The Sage with the Royal Northern Sinfonia.

Before heading to the gig I was to be treated to a birthday meal at River Beat where the food was fabulous, being served in 2 separate platters of a sharing tapas.

On to The Sage and first on stage was Ditte Elly, a voice that was wistful and aching, but far to close to Hazel Wildes to really stand out. Still I'm sure she'll go far.

After a short interval it was time for the main event. The orchestra were already in place when we returned to the hall and a few moments later on trouped the band. Opening strongly with 'Of Dust and Matter' they were on fine form. Playing tracks from new album Beings as well as raiding the back catalogue for some well chosen older songs. You can see the full setlist here.

A real highlight was a wonderful version of Lungs Quicken from debut album Gracious Tide Take Me Home - my personal favourite. Unfortunately pretty much for the entire gig, the guitar was lost in the mix, although it didn't spoil the evening with the Royal Northern Sinfonia providing a real depth of sound.

Like all the best gigs it was over to soon and we wandered on to the concourse to meet up with Lani and Pete. It was quite a surprise to see Simon Raymonde (ex Cocteau Twin) doing a DJ set, We didn't stay to hear his choice of music, instead heading out in to the cold air to grab a couple of drinks before heading home. Little did I realise we'd be visiting a 'secret' bar hidden underneath Bierrex and be sampling a few choice cocktails finally getting home sometime after 2am! A rather good night out.

Last and First

Bit of an apology here as it's been a while now since I updated this and I still have gigs from 1979 onwards to add!

I'm going to jump forward to what was my last gig of 2015, Steven Wilson at The Royal Albert Hall, London, Sept 29th.

Supporting was Matt Berry and his band, sadly they suffered from the fate of many a supporting band in that no-one knew any of their songs. They played an interesting set without really hitting any 'wow' moments.

Of course what a near sell out crowd was waiting for was the main event and what a gig this was, featuring a setlist that pretty much covered his whole career from early Porcupine Tree to songs from his latest solo release Hand. Cannot. Erase. Lots of guest appearances made for a great night and visually it was stunning.

Moving on to 2016 and it's that man Steven Wilson again, this time at Newcastle City Hall on Jan 30th. Two sets, the first being a full performance of Hand. Cannot. Erase. Followed by a mix of Porcupine Tree material and 3 songs from the latest release 4 1/2. You can view the set list here.

Sitting near the back this time, I'd left it late to get the tickets, but at least we had a good view of the projections, which were amazing and fitted the whole tone of the gig perfectly. Opening with First Regret, this was clearly going to be an intense first set. Dave Kilminsters guitar playing was simply superb and the band were really on top form as they played the full album.

The second set was for me the better part of the evening, a much heavier sound as the Porcupine Tree back catalogue was raided as well as early solo work, Index was particularly haunting. The stand out's were Lazarus, dedicated to David Bowie and the encore which included some audience participation... yes audience participation at a sit down 'prog' gig as we all got to our feet and sang the chorus to The Sound of Muzak! The highlight was the last song of the night as we were treated to what's probably the best version of The Raven Who Refused to Sing that I've seen. A great start to 2016's gig going.

I'll leave you with a video of that song, it's well worth watching and listening to.