Live gigs - Who you've seen were they good, bad etc.

[Superscally]

Wet Leg. Good job. 

[Hershamboy]

Heritage Live – 1st August – Cast / OCS / Roger Daltrey
Audley End is a really nice spot for a gig. I only went because Sky were giving away free tickets, but ended up having a decent time. Took the little one along and found the whole thing to be proper kid-friendly. Strangest thing was seeing loads of people just plonking themselves at the back in camping chairs, so there was loads of space right at the front.

Cast were solid as ever, I’ve seen them a fair few times this year already, but they always put on a good show and played longer than when they’ve been supporting Oasis, which was nice.

OCS were better than when I saw them in Brixton earlier this year, Simon’s voice seemed stronger and with a shorter set it was all the hits, so everyone was singing along.

Roger Daltrey was a lot better than the last time I saw The Who about 10 years ago and now excited to see them later this month. He did a load of classics plus a few other bits from the 70s/80s. All in all, a good day out, and being free definitely helped.

[Hershamboy]

The Libertines – 8th August – Piece Hall
Been wanting to go to Piece Hall for ages but needed a band worth the trip, the Libs definitely ticked that box.

The place looks great, bit like Somerset House but up north, and the crowd made it even better.

I’ve lost count of how many times I’ve seen them on the AQOTEE tour over the last few years, and a few shows felt a bit “same old”, but this one had way more energy. Setlist covered all four albums, and they seemed properly into it.

Pete and Carl were in good form and if they are taking a break for a while, this was a good one to go out on.

[-TLR-]

local little blues festival in the park on Sunday - The Steve Cook Band

 

there were a couple other acts playing, all very enjoyable, but Steve Cook Band were absolutely fantastic.

 

i don't know the first thing about blues music, in fact my only exposure to it really is going to this little festival, but i know what i like, and i liked these guys.

 

main fella on guitar and vocals (whom i assume to be Steve Cook), aside from being a hugely talented musician, had such an incredible tone... for a three piece band they created the most amazing wall of sound.. sometimes veering off into Hendrix territory... once in a while heading off in the direction of J Mascis.

 

really really good.

 

🙂 

[Toilet Duck]

4 hours ago, -TLR- said:

local little blues festival in the park on Sunday - The Steve Cook Band

 

there were a couple other acts playing, all very enjoyable, but Steve Cook Band were absolutely fantastic.

 

i don't know the first thing about blues music, in fact my only exposure to it really is going to this little festival, but i know what i like, and i liked these guys.

 

main fella on guitar and vocals (whom i assume to be Steve Cook), aside from being a hugely talented musician, had such an incredible tone... for a three piece band they created the most amazing wall of sound.. sometimes veering off into Hendrix territory... once in a while heading off in the direction of J Mascis.

 

really really good.

 

🙂 

Sounds right up my street! Will keep an eye out for them at other festivals!

[archiegow]

Got a last minute free ticket to the Come Together festival in Newcastle last night and had a pretty great time! Got there halfway through the festival as the Reytons were finishing their set and, regardless of how I feel about their music, they are a very enjoyable live act and know how to get a crowd going. My first time seeing the Courteeners and they had a great setlist full of singalong anthems which I thoroughly enjoyed considering they’ve past me by a lot as a band. Liam asking several times for the organisers to give out wristbands to fill up the golden circle (which was an atrocious decision) got a lot of applause. 
 

Kings of Leon headlining was the main reason I ended up accepting the ticket. I meant to go to the festival initially however my ticket got voided through unknown circumstances so to get to see one of my favourite bands in my hometown for free was very special. After being underwhelmed by the Hydro crowd last year, the crowd last night more than made up for it and you could tell the lads really appreciated it and seemed very very happy to be there. Caleb especially was making some funny quips and just seemed very appreciative of everyone. Absolutely brilliant set from the lads and were full of energy, Caleb especially letting some of his more youthful screeches out at some points. The Immortals and Beautiful War were nice surprises and their two new songs with Zach Bryan went down very well! Overall, a very enjoyable last minute gig - now just get rid of the golden circle and it’ll be even better next time!

[NorthernSoul52]

Late to the party on this one but can confirm Coldplay in Hull were very good. Know they're not everybody's cup of tea, but they know how to hold a crowd.

[Crazyfool01]

1 hour ago, NorthernSoul52 said:

Late to the party on this one but can confirm Coldplay in Hull were very good. Know they're not everybody's cup of tea, but they know how to hold a crowd.

gutted i decide too late to see them . wish id grabbed one for wembley as im yet to see anyone there , just missed out the other day when i dawdled as some more tickets went onsale 

[zzzfest2.0]

 

David Gray was immense at Edinburgh Playhouse last night. Huge singalong on Please Forgive Me and Babylon, among others. The days of three sold-out Earls Court nights long gone by but got me back to the early 2000s when White Ladder ruled the chart top for months. Definitely a strong contender for the ‘back to the farm’ list IMHO.

 

He delivered an impromptu rendition of To Ramona to a request from the floor, an indication of his versatility of a seasoned performer, even though he had covered the Dylan classic in A Thousand Miles Behind, an obscure self-release album of all cover songs recorded live on various occasions.

 

Prior to launching into an encore number, he revealed an interesting anecdote that he was back to the theatre after forty years and the previous one was The Smiths show in 1984 that was the first concert a teenage David attended, having a prompting call from his brother who was seemingly living in the Scottish capitol back then, and coming all the way from West Wales by train, departing at six in the morning.

[NorthernSoul52]

I've heard mixed things about David Gray live, so glad he was good here!

[Ell99]

https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/coldplay-prize-draw?tk=MTc1NjM5ODQ2MmUxN2I4NTdjOTg2ZTBlNmNiMGE0ODUxZWFiYzg2ZTMzMzdkNzNhYzM%3D#

 

For anyone who fancies a chance to see Coldplay!

[NorthernSoul52]

Queens of the Stone Age last night in Sheffield were reliably muscular, but despite a stronger setlist for the casual fan, would likely suggest it fell beneath the Halifax show a couple of years ago. Got an unexpected Mexicola to finish when they had to cut A Song for the Dead off to deal with a medical emergency.

[Porcelina]

Coldplay on Tuesday was spectacular, much better than their 2022 shows. X&Y night was a treat. Not quite Glasto 2011 or 2024 levels, but as good as I'd ever hope for a stadium show.

 

Would love to be there for MX night tonight or Moon Music, but double dipping at those prices isn't happening.

 

Edited August 30, 2025 by Porcelina

[NorthernSoul52]

Bryan Adams kicked off at the Brudenell last night - no phones and basically just the new record in full as per expectations, though he did throw in Run to You by request after he was asked what his favourite song to play live was.

 

A bit of a treat to see him in smaller surroundings, particularly given it's now a four-piece band with him on bass - it didn't quite work as a combo on several songs back at the First Direct Bank Arena in May, but definitely did here.

 

None of the songs are going to likely have a long-term shelf life live - maybe one or two at a push - but can't deny it was pretty wild. He was surprisingly generous and patient with autographs too, especially given the Q&A session through the show typically devolved into some inane requests.

[archiegow]

Was at the Rock N Roll Circus in Sheffield on Thursday and had a brilliant time! Very last minute ticket for me but absolutely worth it, every band I saw (all first timers this time) was on top form!

 

Circa Waves kicked things off with a really fun half an hour, a really reliable warm-up with a very solid setlist of fun indie bangers. Following on was The Murder Capital, despite not being as familiar with their catalogue they were excellent. Incredibly tight band and James McGovern is a very captivating frontman! Definitely look forward to see what they do next. Viagra Boys followed and may have been the most fun live act I’ve ever seen, the crowd was well up for it and the band’s energy and sheer entertainment was something to behold. Sebastian Murphy is one hell of a frontman. Definitely one of the best live acts going! Then, Shame got the crowd prepped with another brilliant if brief set! Charlie Steen knows how to work a crowd and the band was incredibly tight, especially the bass player jumping around stage every 5 seconds!

 

Then, the main event for me, Queens of the Stone Age. A bucket list band for me and was absolutely worth the travel and effort to see them. One of the most well-oiled live acts out there, top energy for every song and the crowd responded as such. Only they could play No One Knows as the second song and still have a setlist full of bangers! Getting to hear Regular John, Smooth Sailing, Mexicola and especially Better Living Through Chemistry were incredible nice surprises, as well as the absolutely electric hits like No One Knows, Go With The Flow, Make It Wit Chu (an absolutely awesome singalong) and Song For The Dead (maybe the best live song I’ve seen all year alongside New Magic Wand and That Golden Rule). Josh Homme was clearly very humbled to be there and with it being the last night of their tour, they put all their energy into it. Maybe edging out Biffy as the best live act I’ve seen, truly excellent!

[dondo]

First time at Manchester Psych Fest yesterday and overalla veryenjoyable day. Managed to catch whole or a few songs of:

 

Gong

Westside Cowboy

Yobs

Skloss

Du Blonde 

Mandrake Handshake 

Telescopes

Warmduscher 

 

Highlights were Westside Cowboy, Du Blonde and especially Warmduscher. Been wanting to see them for a long time and they were superb. 

 

[Solidgold]

Also did Manchester Psych yesterday. Did it solo, great day. Got to see everyone I wanted to see. Most venues weren’t too packed so easy to get to the bar and down to the front. Highlights for me Pins , Deadletter and new favourite band Full Flower Moon Band . Definitely doing it again next year, already booked hotel.

[Ben7amin_]

1 hour ago, dondo said:

First time at Manchester Psych Fest yesterday and overalla veryenjoyable day. Managed to catch whole or a few songs of:

 

Gong

Westside Cowboy

Yobs

Skloss

Du Blonde 

Mandrake Handshake 

Telescopes

Warmduscher 

 

Highlights were Westside Cowboy, Du Blonde and especially Warmduscher. Been wanting to see them for a long time and they were superb. 

 

 

41 minutes ago, Solidgold said:

Also did Manchester Psych yesterday. Did it solo, great day. Got to see everyone I wanted to see. Most venues weren’t too packed so easy to get to the bar and down to the front. Highlights for me Pins , Deadletter and new favourite band Full Flower Moon Band . Definitely doing it again next year, already booked hotel.

 

Didnt go this year but went last, definitely great value give the amount of sets you can get though.  

[NorthernSoul52]

14 hours ago, archiegow said:

Was at the Rock N Roll Circus in Sheffield on Thursday and had a brilliant time! Very last minute ticket for me but absolutely worth it, every band I saw (all first timers this time) was on top form!

 

Circa Waves kicked things off with a really fun half an hour, a really reliable warm-up with a very solid setlist of fun indie bangers. Following on was The Murder Capital, despite not being as familiar with their catalogue they were excellent. Incredibly tight band and James McGovern is a very captivating frontman! Definitely look forward to see what they do next. Viagra Boys followed and may have been the most fun live act I’ve ever seen, the crowd was well up for it and the band’s energy and sheer entertainment was something to behold. Sebastian Murphy is one hell of a frontman. Definitely one of the best live acts going! Then, Shame got the crowd prepped with another brilliant if brief set! Charlie Steen knows how to work a crowd and the band was incredibly tight, especially the bass player jumping around stage every 5 seconds!

 

Then, the main event for me, Queens of the Stone Age. A bucket list band for me and was absolutely worth the travel and effort to see them. One of the most well-oiled live acts out there, top energy for every song and the crowd responded as such. Only they could play No One Knows as the second song and still have a setlist full of bangers! Getting to hear Regular John, Smooth Sailing, Mexicola and especially Better Living Through Chemistry were incredible nice surprises, as well as the absolutely electric hits like No One Knows, Go With The Flow, Make It Wit Chu (an absolutely awesome singalong) and Song For The Dead (maybe the best live song I’ve seen all year alongside New Magic Wand and That Golden Rule). Josh Homme was clearly very humbled to be there and with it being the last night of their tour, they put all their energy into it. Maybe edging out Biffy as the best live act I’ve seen, truly excellent!

I think you can see my head in one of these.

[NorthernSoul52]

DIIV last night in Leeds. Not quite as immersive as I expected - every few songs were broken up by these tongue-in-cheek video interludes that just seemed to fall over the edge of being tongue-in-cheek into just being a bit ego-driven too often. Can't fault the musicianship though, even if I had to duck out early.

[Hershamboy]

Went to see The Who at Madison Square Gardens on Saturday as part of their NA farewell tour. 

 

I have found them a bit hit or miss over the last few years live, but it was a great show, and still impressed with how Rogers voice sounds. 

 

It did have the feeling of a farewell show, but it's hard to seeing them stop any time soon. 

[NorthernSoul52]

Do find the insistence that it's over, repeatedly, to have lost its potency given they then seem to promptly keep going.

[Hershamboy]

On 02/09/2025 at 18:33, NorthernSoul52 said:

Do find the insistence that it's over, repeatedly, to have lost its potency given they then seem to promptly keep going.

 

For a band that once hoped to die before they got old, they’ve made quite an art of proving it’s never really over.

[NorthernSoul52]

2 hours ago, Hershamboy said:

 

For a band that once hoped to die before they got old, they’ve made quite an art of proving it’s never really over.

It's never over. They've managed to outlive so much, it is kind of bonkers.

[gaving]

St Vincent, probably the best thing I’ve seen at RAH