I see a lot of bands playing in local pubs and don't tend to write anything about them because there's nothing of interest to write. Last night was a rare exception.
Saw a band of five young blokes from Bristol called Soft Kicks play locally and they were terrific. They played two sets of 45 minutes each and i was speaking to the lead guitarist at the interval and they usually play 2nd or 3rd on the bill so only have to play for around 30 minutes. Two 45 minute sets meant that they had to supplement their own work with some excellent covers.
Their own material was very decent but to be fair, the night really took off in the 2nd set with a few great covers the highlights being I Wanna Be Your Dog, Knocking On Heavens Door and a fabulous rendition of Cortez The Killer
Just to highlight the lead guitarist who can really wail and a great drummer who drove the whole thing all night and, by the end, looked like he had been caught in a heavy rain storm.
Great night and going to try to catch these guys when they are next playing.
Really interesting night at the iconic Royal Festival Hall last night. A celebration of the music used in the films of David Lynch.
Really wasn't sure what to expect.
A band of about 10 musicians and an array of guest vocalists and musicians including the fabulous Anna Calvi & Mick Harvey.
No introductions, no speaking to the audience, just a set of staged pieces which interwove beautifully. Totally enjoyable and immersive night.
NB - If you are ever at the RFH take yourself to the 5th floor bar. Fabulous views of Victoria Embankment from the House Of Parliament to St. Pauls (almost). Fabulous vista at night.
Started off with Whitney K who was supporting Howe Gelb at the Denmark Street Rough Trade. First time that I had been to a gig at Denmark Street. A little too cramped for my liking.
Whitney K is Canadian Konner Whitney. Very nice stuff. Interesting lyricism, a little rough around the edges but a very engaging guy. Enjoyed his set quite a bit
Then came Howe. First time that I had seen him solo and, we all know him as a disrupter, well, last night he continually disrupter himself to such a degree that, for the first time in my life, I felt like leaving gone of his gigs. Too much. I stated because the ever excellent Stewart Lee (a UK comedian) was doing a Q & A with Howe. That was very amusing and the best part of the gig.
It was as if Howe was just making music up on the spot. Not what I want to see at a gig that I've paid money to go to. If it's free, maybe, but.....
Very disappointed
Last edited by Johnnyo on 09/26/2025 08:31; edited 1 time in total
Brilliant gig at The Union Chapel from the Drive By Truckers frontman Patterson Hood. Just Patterson on acoustic guitar accompanied by a great pianist (shame I didn't catch his name). The perfect setting for an intimate acoustic gig.
He played tracks from both his solo albums, the new album is fantastic, and also tracks by the DBT's. About a 50 / 50 split.
A very engaging artist, with great stories interjecting between brilliantly performed songs. A thoroughly enjoyable night. Two sets as well so over two hours of Patterson
I've not mussed in a while so thought that I'd share, over the next few days, the inaugural Hackney Prog Festival, held at a new venue to me, Signature Brew (SB) in Haggerston. I've lived in London for over 40 years and never ventured to Haggerston before. A rather interesting place with the Regents Canal running through it. Need to make a return visit soon and check out more than the area around SB.
Excellent venue with both indoor and outdoor areas and literally on the other side of a pedestrian section from the Regents Canal.
Holds at max, I'd say 200 so a very intimate setting. One stage and six acts on the bill starting at 2 and ending around 10.30. Very good venue in a converted arches, very nice staff, good beer and a very nice and appreciative crowd.
Great night last night at the always excellent Patchworks in SW London. Saw two great bands.
First up were the Intransigents, a band of aging rockers with 1000's of gigs under their belts between then in various bands. Because they all play in other bands and this is a bit of a side project they play All covers but non that most people would know. Bands like Green On Red, The Au Pairs and Television. Think CBGB's in the early 80's. They did a great cover of Massive Attacks Safe From harm. Great energy and musicianship.
Topping the bill were The Fades a post punk band who have been around for at least 20 years and always put on a great chow.
All in all, a great night and met up with a few friends for a pint and a chat. What's not to love
(which also happens to be my favourite DS album) so they played 2 set, the first was their 21st Century output. Some fantastic psychedelic / jazz rock with the highlights being How Did I Find Myself Here and a blistering version of Glide.
A quick break and into Medicine Show. Words really can’t describe how brilliant this was. It would be churlish to have a favourite track, but it has to be John Coltrane Stereo Blues (JCSB). Always a live favourite with fans and this version, including a section of A Love Supreme thrown in for good measure mid-section.
Their encores would usually end with JCSB so this time it was the fantastic Days Of Wine And Roses. Phenomenal gig
A shout out for Dennis Duck (the drummer) who had an emergency and couldn’t play the gig. Hope everything is OK with him. Losing your drummer at the 11th hour, for most band would be a major problem, not for Dream Syndicate. In stepped Linda Pitmon, Steve Wynns wife who is a brilliant drummer and session musician in her own right. She was brilliant. No drum solos (the piss me off) just driving the songs forward at a ferocious pace alongside Mark Walton on bass.
As I’m namechecking the band, Steve and Jason Victor on guitars were brilliant as always. With Steve, Linda and Jason on stage together it was almost like a Miracle 3 reunion.
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