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

[NorthernSoul52]

Good snap, that.

[Semprini]

Sabrina Carpenter last night at the Utilita Arena in Birmingham. Took my teenage daughter and I was definitely one of the oldest people there, along with about 5% of the crowd who were male. I don't know loads of her stuff, aside from what's been in the charts and on the radio, but it was a polished set and the 1950's US TV show theme that ran throughout was fun and done well. The routine for 'Bed Chem' was interesting to say the least...

[-TLR-]

1 hour ago, Quark said:

First night of the Levellers Collective tour in Guildford last night. Touring the reworked versions they've been doing on the Collective and Together All The Way albums, band fleshed out with some of the Moulettes. Adds in cello, more guitars (steel, lap) and more percussion. 

 

Quite odd being a seated gig for the Levs, but settled into it. 

 

I'd maybe call it one for the purists? Hearing their classic material arranged differently, reworked and in some completely different styles was perfect for me. Still played some of the more well known stuff obvs but also a clutch of deeper cut album tracks that they don't normally do. For all the times I've seen them I think last night's the first time I've heard them do Believers from the Green Blade Rising album for example.

 

Either way I loved it. Felt like a chance for them to stretch their legs a bit. One of my grumbles when I see them is how much they tend to defer to the same tracks (and I get why they do it) when they've got a 35 year back catalogue to play with, and this was a perfect counterpoint. Happy days.

 

so much of my personal history is wrapped up in the Levellers - i used to follow them round Europe (along with NMA) back in the 90's, they were the first act i ever saw at Glastonbury, i think i would even go so far as to say they were one of the, if not the, biggest influences on the direction my life went in...

 

i've not seen any shows since they started calling the act "Levellers Collective", i don't know why, i just never fancied it, even though i hugely enjoyed the Drunk In Public shows i went to.

 

the last album of theirs i had any real love for was Green Blade Rising, sort of lost interest and parted ways with them at that point, even so, i've seen them a bunch of times since then.

 

Simon doesn't tour with them anymore does he?

 

nice pic, and nice review, and great to hear you enjoyed it.

 

 

 

[ilovelanegan]

On 01/03/2025 at 23:56, Dales said:

Jack White at the Troxy tonight, very enjoyable but always feel he could play more out and out bangers when I go to see him. I guess thats the price you pay for going to see some one who changes their set up. Saw he played Little Bird and Hotel Yoba the night before back to back, love those songs. However, he played Steady As She Goes tonight and they missed out on that, swings and roundabouts.

 

Late to this but saw JW last Friday - he was brilliant, we were down the front and it was rowdy but friendly, a great crowd. Think we got pretty lucky with the setlist! Felt like a privilege to be there - he's at his peak right now.

[Quark]

27 minutes ago, -TLR- said:

 

so much of my personal history is wrapped up in the Levellers - i used to follow them round Europe (along with NMA) back in the 90's, they were the first act i ever saw at Glastonbury, i think i would even go so far as to say they were one of the, if not the, biggest influences on the direction my life went in...

 

i've not seen any shows since they started calling the act "Levellers Collective", i don't know why, i just never fancied it, even though i hugely enjoyed the Drunk In Public shows i went to.

 

the last album of theirs i had any real love for was Green Blade Rising, sort of lost interest and parted ways with them at that point, even so, i've seen them a bunch of times since then.

 

Simon doesn't tour with them anymore does he?

 

nice pic, and nice review, and great to hear you enjoyed it.

 

 

 

 

Officially he's on hiatus, don't know whether he's planning a return. Loved GBR and played that CD to death.

 

I like the Collective thing mainly because of the revisiting of older / rarer tracks. Robbie Jones, What You Know, Elation, Together All The Way all in the setlist. Plus they're playing tracks from Peace that never got a proper tour because of covid.

 

Every time I see them I wonder if that'll be the time I get bored. Still hasn't happened yet 🙂

 

edit: Beanfield done with a cello taking on the guitar riff is really something

Edited March 7, 2025 by Quark

[NorthernSoul52]

13 minutes ago, ilovelanegan said:

 

Late to this but saw JW last Friday - he was brilliant, we were down the front and it was rowdy but friendly, a great crowd. Think we got pretty lucky with the setlist! Felt like a privilege to be there - he's at his peak right now.

A lot of people saying this is the best that White has ever managed.

[tomlc]

Another for Doves, in Liverpool on Tuesday. Thought it was excellent. First time seeing them since Glasto ‘09. Different without Jimi but the songs are done justice and the addition of another guitarist adds extra layers. 
 

White Flowers great in support. Was taking photos for them and ended up doing some for both.

 

 

[NorthernSoul52]

Looks like Gracie Abrams in Leeds has been rescheduled for this Thursday. That will be my next one.

[Gnomicide]

The Hold Steady in Camden Electric Ballroom last night.

 

Same time and place as 6 out of the last 7 years, probably a lot of the same crowd too, but man alive it's good. 

 

It's Craig's thing to say, "There is so much joy!" at their gigs, and he ain't wrong. Such a great band.

[NorthernSoul52]

Keep meaning to check 'em out on record. Might finally do it earnest this year - only heard the odd few cuts.

[Gnomicide]

1 hour ago, NorthernSoul52 said:

Keep meaning to check 'em out on record. Might finally do it earnest this year - only heard the odd few cuts.

 

If you want a taster, I made this playlist for someone a bit ago. They're not to everyone's tasts, but I love 'em.

 

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3FWbFosHKpffTDYXtjrarH?si=k6iXNdaOT2-2v05xThFKdA&pi=keZVYpmWR6eMo

 

[RossTC]

On 07/03/2025 at 11:41, Franco Baresi said:

Saw Pastel in Bristol last night, these lads are really good off the back of their debut album, great little venue (Strange Brew), they are starting to get a real following going, if you like Primal Scream/Charlatans/Verve sort of stuff, it'll be right up your street.

We go to a lot of the same gigs haha! I was at that also and had exactly the same thoughts. Brilliant band with a lot of swagger and awesome little venue! 

[Robinn]

Saw Henge last friday, almost the same show as a year ago, but still had a blast!

The new record is pretty good as well.

[OllieMadd]

Divorce in Bristol. 

 

Short, but beautiful. I'm sure they'll turn up on the farm.

[Talcroft]

Sharon van Etten & The Attachment Theory at the Albert Hall in Manchester last night. Is ethereal goth a genre? 

Would describe it as a 'nice' gig, a lot to like but not quite love. The new band are tight but I didn't like the upbeat version of Trouble. 

6.5/10. 

 

 

[dondo]

1 hour ago, Talcroft said:

Sharon van Etten & The Attachment Theory at the Albert Hall in Manchester last night. Is ethereal goth a genre? 

Would describe it as a 'nice' gig, a lot to like but not quite love. The new band are tight but I didn't like the upbeat version of Trouble. 

6.5/10. 

 

 

I was at this gig too.

 

Really enjoyed it myself- was 1st time seeing her. 

[The Other Steve]

6 hours ago, Talcroft said:

Sharon van Etten & The Attachment Theory at the Albert Hall in Manchester last night. Is ethereal goth a genre? 

Would describe it as a 'nice' gig, a lot to like but not quite love. The new band are tight but I didn't like the upbeat version of Trouble. 

6.5/10. 

 

 

 

I was there last night as well.  Thought it was exceptional.  Loved every minute.

[Gnomicide]

For a change, I went to see Beans on Toast last night.

 

Always a good show, he was clearly delighted to be playing The Cavern and treated us (as does almost everyone who played there) to a Beatles cover. He went with I've Just Seen A Face, a slightly left field choice, it was excellent. 

 

Support was from William Crighton. I really enjoyed him, lovely sound out of his short scale 12 string.

 

[Dales]

Wombats at Earth Hall tonight. Great to see them in a small venue. They roughly split the set 50/50 between new and old songs. New stuff is pretty good and can see a few songs hanging around long term.

[NorthernSoul52]

Got to the rearranged Gracie Abrams show last night. A lot more oomph to the band befitting a move into arenas, but does mean its indie-pop flavours have been smothered into something with a little more bombast and dynamism.

[Gnomicide]

Mary Wallopers at Liverpool Olympia last night, great fun and already looking forward to seeing them at Bearded Theory. 

 

 

Support from Sexy Tadgh, never heard of them before but very enjoyable. Would go down a storm on the festival circuit.

 

[spirit.sky]

Going to see Harry Diplock today at Green Note. 

I highly recommend him if you're in London.

[anditmakesmesmile]

Has anyone seen Franc Moody?  I know nothing about them but I’m tempted to go see them at Brixton Academy on Thursday. 

[Pipine]

Juanita Stein from Howling Bells doing a solo show at Hallamshire Hotel in Sheffield.  

She was amazing despite some challenging sound issues - there was a constant feedback kind of noise and a rattling metal noise, guitar lead fails.. had to restart a song.  
 

Best news is that she’s also working on some new Howling Bells material..  very happy with that.
 

 

Edited March 16, 2025 by Pipine

[tomlc]

3 hours ago, Pipine said:

Juanita Stein from Howling Bells doing a solo show at Hallamshire Hotel in Sheffield.  

She was amazing despite some challenging sound issues - there was a constant feedback kind of noise and a rattling metal noise, guitar lead fails.. had to restart a song.  
 

Best news is that she’s also working on some new Howling Bells material..  very happy with that.
 

 

Loved that Howling Bells debut album.