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

[archiegow]

Had a very enjoyable night seeing the Vaccines at Newcastle City Hall on Tuesday night to celebrate the 15th anniversary of their debut album! Having previously seen them supporting Kings of Leon 2 years ago at the Hydro and being barely able to see them from the very top of the arena, it was great to see them more up close and they put on a great show. Justin is a terrific frontman and he never stopped engaging with the crowd and his energy was reciprocated the entire night with a load of singalongs. Brigitte Calls Me Baby were also very enjoyable as the support act - wasn’t too aware of them and their music but they have definitely piqued my interest (my friend noted the vocalist reminded him of Brandon Flowers). Overall, a very very fun night out.

[Ayrshire Chris]

On 05/03/2026 at 11:20, archiegow said:

Had a very enjoyable night seeing the Vaccines at Newcastle City Hall on Tuesday night to celebrate the 15th anniversary of their debut album! Having previously seen them supporting Kings of Leon 2 years ago at the Hydro and being barely able to see them from the very top of the arena, it was great to see them more up close and they put on a great show. Justin is a terrific frontman and he never stopped engaging with the crowd and his energy was reciprocated the entire night with a load of singalongs. Brigitte Calls Me Baby were also very enjoyable as the support act - wasn’t too aware of them and their music but they have definitely piqued my interest (my friend noted the vocalist reminded him of Brandon Flowers). Overall, a very very fun night out.

Always a good booking for Glasto. High energy and  as you say the crowd really gets involved. Ideal for Woodsies imo. 

[archiegow]

41 minutes ago, Ayrshire Chris said:

Always a good booking for Glasto. High energy and  as you say the crowd really gets involved. Ideal for Woodsies imo. 

Absolutely agree. Loved their 2024 set in Woodsies and wouldn't complain about them returning in the not so distant future, especially with them playing a brand new song on this tour!

[charlierc]

First gig of 2026 for me last night - caught Franz Ferdinand with Home Counties support at Birmingham O2 Academy. Really good night. Home Counties have a pretty cool dynamic going on, and Franz are usually a good value live act, and were. Could've been a little longer - they were done after 82 minutes, so could've had time for one more as they'd done at other shows, but hey. Had a nice time nonetheless.

[Punksnotdead]

The Hold Steady last night at Camden Electric Ballroom - absolutely epic! They played Boys & Girls in America in full, then about an hour of other stuff. Band and crowd were both in wild form! Decent support from Little Grandad as well.

[Gnomicide]

The Hold Steady on Saturday night at Camden Electric. We didn't get BAGIA in full, though we got 10 of the 11 songs off it throughout the set. Citrus was the one we missed out on, which was a bit of a bugger.

 

All in all, it was bloody marvellous. Support act Ain't were good, one to keep an eye on.

 

[crocodiles]

Saw David Byrne at the armadillo in Glasgow last night ill definitely not see anything better this year and if I see anything that good in next 5 years I'll count myself lucky . A truly incredible experience 

[NorthernSoul52]

Lily Allen verdict in. Bang-for-buck ratio frustratingly poor, but theatrical conceit undoubtedly has legs for a concept album such as West End Girl. Bin off the string trio, get some musicians in to flesh out the backtrack sound, and encore with half-a-dozen hits, you're probably golden.

[sheffinghell]

7 minutes ago, NorthernSoul52 said:

Lily Allen verdict in. Bang-for-buck ratio frustratingly poor, but theatrical conceit undoubtedly has legs for a concept album such as West End Girl. Bin off the string trio, get some musicians in to flesh out the backtrack sound, and encore with half-a-dozen hits, you're probably golden.

This is my concern, having seen the setlist and running time. I"m hoping she might do a bit more at the arena shows, but not holding my breath 

[NorthernSoul52]

2 minutes ago, sheffinghell said:

This is my concern, having seen the setlist and running time. I"m hoping she might do a bit more at the arena shows, but not holding my breath 

It is very easy on paper to make those changes, but not sure she wants to spring for it - which seems mad, given the cost she's charging. The whole touring crew could twenty people and under right now. It's quite a bare-bones production.

[NorthernSoul52]

Reviews in from Sam Charles McNeon.

 

https://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/whats-on/arts-and-entertainment/gig-review-lily-allen-at-sheffield-city-hall-5624071

[SPW]

2 hours ago, crocodiles said:

Saw David Byrne at the armadillo in Glasgow last night ill definitely not see anything better this year and if I see anything that good in next 5 years I'll count myself lucky . A truly incredible experience 

Gutted I missed the London gigs, had a lot going on when tckts went on sale and it passed me by, and then didn't see any coming up last minute last week. Glad he was as great as always.

[NorthernSoul52]

Speaking of London tickets coming up last minute, keeping my eyes peeled for Masayoshi Takanaka on April 1 at Brixton Academy. Wasn't due to be down in the capital originally, but will admit the sale passed me by. Would rather get a face-value resale here than fix up the Crystal Palace bowl show if possible for now.

[gaving]

16 minutes ago, SPW said:

Gutted I missed the London gigs, had a lot going on when tckts went on sale and it passed me by, and then didn't see any coming up last minute last week. Glad he was as great as always.

He has two more London shows mid month

[charlierc]

25 minutes ago, gaving said:

He has two more London shows mid month

Trying for it, but not confident I'm going to get it. Nothing seems to be popping up on Twickets for it and I'm absolutely not going to pay the Viagogo premium.

[-TLR-]

not my cup of tea at all, but Mrs -TLR- bagged a couple of last minute free passes for Powerwolf and Hammerfall at Wembley on saturday, and by all accounts it seems had a great time and said it was a very enjoyable show (and she preferred Hammerfall).

 

 

[balti-pie]

7 hours ago, -TLR- said:

not my cup of tea at all, but Mrs -TLR- bagged a couple of last minute free passes for Powerwolf and Hammerfall at Wembley on saturday, and by all accounts it seems had a great time and said it was a very enjoyable show (and she preferred Hammerfall).

 

 

Power metal leaves me really cold on record - but live its a whole new level of colourful and entertaining nonsense! I'd never choose to listen to either but i'd absolutely give em a watch at a festival, or via some free tickets - the best way to do it without doubt! 

[RossTC]

On 07/03/2026 at 10:25, charlierc said:

First gig of 2026 for me last night - caught Franz Ferdinand with Home Counties support at Birmingham O2 Academy. Really good night. Home Counties have a pretty cool dynamic going on, and Franz are usually a good value live act, and were. Could've been a little longer - they were done after 82 minutes, so could've had time for one more as they'd done at other shows, but hey. Had a nice time nonetheless.

I saw them in Bristol on Sat, excellent set by FF! 

[SPW]

23 hours ago, charlierc said:

Trying for it, but not confident I'm going to get it. Nothing seems to be popping up on Twickets for it and I'm absolutely not going to pay the Viagogo premium.

Yeah been keeping an eye out for all 4 of the london shows and nothing reasonable came up last week and signs are it's the same for the forthcoming Sun/Mon shows. 

 

My fault as slipped up when they first went on sale, one of those things, but like you not gonna fuel to touting sites

Edited March 9 by SPW

[charlierc]

12 minutes ago, SPW said:

Yeah been keeping an eye out for all 4 of the london shows and nothing reasonable came up last week and signs are it's the same for the forthcoming Sun/Mon shows. 

 

My fault as slipped up when they first went on sale, one of those things, but like you not gonna fuel to touting sites

I'm tempted to ask a friend who lives in Cardiff if she will let me crash there after his Castle date in July as a Plan C. Plus I'm planning to come to London on Sunday to also see Off Menu at the Albert Hall (they have a 2pm show that should be done by 5, so would have enough time to get dinner and then get to Hammersmith) so still feels like a day out if nowt else.

 

But yeah, nothing's popping up just yet. I'll maintain confidence but I'm not going to say its guaranteed.

[Johndenis]

On 08/03/2026 at 23:48, NorthernSoul52 said:

It is very easy on paper to make those changes, but not sure she wants to spring for it - which seems mad, given the cost she's charging. The whole touring crew could twenty people and under right now. It's quite a bare-bones production.

So there's a backing track for West End Girl?  And no hits set?  Don't think this will wash in arenas.  Great to see her in the ascendancy but she should have a band and remind folk there's some other hits.  Otherwise this is going to be a cash grab and she will drop off again.

[CantWaitForGlasto22]

Franz Ferdinand at Brixton Academy. Still sounding brilliant with lots of energy. Great crowd too and we danced and sang along to all of them. The band seemed to be having loads of fun and seemed to be really buzzing to be there. Great fun. Should have saved Take Me Out for the encore though. The whole place went off. 

[Quark]

TVAM in Brighton on Tue night, support from Massive Luxury Overdose.

 

Right. Don't normally like to knock a live act; anyone who's creating something and getting up on a stage to do it gets automatic kudos from me. But for me MLO were really dull. Listening to them now and they sound good enough on record; quite a dark electronica (think Depeche Mode, Working Men's Club, Adult DVD) but live it brought absolutely nothing.

 

TVAM was decent, love his stuff and the sound is great, but again the live show didn't bring a huge amount beyond listening to the albums for me.  The projected backdrop graphics were a nice touch and the show was tight, but that's about it.  Not bad by any stretch, but nothing much the other way either.

 

Having said that, +1 for fantastic cheekbones.

[charlierc]

On 09/03/2026 at 20:24, SPW said:

Yeah been keeping an eye out for all 4 of the london shows and nothing reasonable came up last week and signs are it's the same for the forthcoming Sun/Mon shows. 

 

My fault as slipped up when they first went on sale, one of those things, but like you not gonna fuel to touting sites

I'm not feeling confident my luck is in. I'm planning to be in London on Sunday for the Off Menu live shows but yeah. Twickets has nothing, can't seem to find anything anywhere else so... Dunno. 

[mufcok]

Saw Gorillaz tonight - excellent.