Eddie Izzard, Liverpool Echo Arena, 31st October 2009

Eddie was class, it felt like watching a comedians equivalent of a 'greatest hits' show, but in a way that made it better - all those old favourites that we used to know by heart cropped up here and there in different forms. There were Bees, Noah's Ark and the Spanish Inquisition all making us giggle far more than they should, and a few new characters that will stick in my mind, like a Jazz Chicken that plays Jazz through it's beak, and a Giraffe with no alarm call. Here are my scribbled notes on the memorable bits during the interval, not intended to make any sense, just a way for me to remember the night.

Never Mind The Buzzcocks, Martin Freeman presenting, October 2009.

An educational experience seeing how Never Mind The Buzzcocks is filmed, it all ran like clockwork and was fascinating to watch. Aside from that very funny too - it'll be interesting to see how much of it is actually suitable to air in the next few weeks though! :-)

We were allowed to hang around nervously in the green room afterwards, which was NOTHING like I expected it would be - I thought it would be full of important/expensive people lounging on futons having peeled grapes placed in their mouths (well, not quite but you get my drift). It was nothing of the sort, just nice and relaxed with all the famous peeps drifting from one group to another, Noel Fielding came to chat to us and was quite a fascinating person - lovely and strange all at once.

Bloc Party, Venue Cymru Llandudno, 18th October 2009.

Not a great gig really, the band were arrogant (not always a bad thing but it didn't work this time) and looked like they weren't talking to eachother. The set had it's high points, but on the whole nothing about this gig enriched my life one bit.

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Super Furry Animals, Nation Liverpool, 5th November 2009

This was better than the Bangor gig, if you can believe that. Plus lots of our old friends were there, double bonus! Loved the venue - so good to see a LOUD gig for a change!

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Super Furry Animals, Bangor University Pritchard Jones Hall, October 30th 2009.

So after heading over to Galeri in Caernarfon thinking that the gig was there (along with a few others who'd made the same mistake I hasten to add) we arrived at Bangor University with minutes to spare before the support act came onstage. The Pritchard Jones hall was quite impressive really, the tall ceiling wasn't great for sound but the stage looked ace, and the hall itself was pretty grand (for round here).

Strange crowd at this one, lots of listening and taking it all in, and not much in the way of dancing, which isn't what I expected for a 'home crowd'. It felt cosy though, I hesitate to use the word intimate, but that's how it felt - very relaxed and warm. Hearing them play songs like Hometown Unicorn and Do or Die was like being knocked over with nostalgia - last time I heard them play some of those songs I was ten years younger and leaping around like a loon. The leaping has become a sort of dodgy dance now, and the band are a little less lively, but still as sincere and immaculate as ever. It was definitely one of the higher ranking SFA gigs I've been to, I'm tempted to say the best but I can't, some of those early gigs were unique. Keep the cosmic trigger happy was the perfect song to end on, so good, and so short - always leaves you wanting more!

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The Cribs, Manchester Apollo, 2nd October 2009

Los Campesinos! and Adam Green supported, and I guess the drawback to writing this a couple of weeks later is that I can't remember a thing about Los Campesinos! Adam Green did stick in my mind though, he was hypnotic to watch and his music was great, not the most original but performed to perfection. He danced like Ian Curtis, but with way more cheeky confidence, and since seeing him I've started following his blog which is just as crazy, I especially love his little notes and poetry - such a great way to do a blog.

Anyway, the Cribs were brilliant, wired and maybe with a little extra gusto because they were playing in Marr's hometown. Ross Jarman reminded us of Dennis Wilson, a very simple unfussy drumming style that worked perfectly. Johnny Marr was way too cool, and fitted in so well that you almost forgot he was new to the band. Loved this gig, I think that some of their songs have that 'perfect' something about them, sort of a 'Teenage Kicks' feeling that you get once in a blue moon, especially 'Men's Needs'. It must be the honesty, there's not a drop of pretension in Ryan and Gary Jarman.

We Were Aborted
Hey Scenesters!
I'm a Realist
Emasculate Me
Girls Like Mystery
Last Year's Snow
Cheat on Me
We Share the Same Skies
I've Tried Everything
Direction
Hari Kari
Save Your Secrets
Our Bovine Public
Another Number
Ignore the Ignorant
Be Safe
Mirror Kissers
Men's Needs
City of Bugs

The Lemonheads, Manchester Academy 2, 13th September 2009

This was the gig I've always wanted to see - The Lemonheads are utter perfection. I've seen Evan Dando a couple of times acoustic, and he never fails to whisk me away, but seeing him perform as the Lemonheads, electric and acoustic, was special. He always seems a little nervous when he comes onstage, and generally looks like he's trying to hide behind his hair, but the music soon takes over. The crowd were very attentive, listening carefully to every word he sang, singing along under it's breath, and in the perfect venue for a gig like this. Evan Dando always fascinates me - he plays the songs almost 'album perfect', but there is always some feeling of improvisation, as though the songs are being written as he sings them. He plays the guitar in a natural flowing 'intuitive' kind of way, letting notes ring out and not rushing or sticking to the rhythm, it really makes you feel like that song can only exist for that moment.

Here's the setlist:

Layin' Up With Linda (Off 'Varshons')
Down About It
Confetti
Pittsburgh
My Drug Buddy
Style
Bit Part
Big Gay Heart
Hospital
Dandylion Seeds (Varshons) - This was ACE!
It's About Time
Tenderfoot
The Green Fuz

Evan Dando Acoustic:
No Backbone
Favourite T
Into Your Arms
Why Do You Do This To Yourself
The Outdoor Type
Ride With Me
All My Life - The crowd LOVED this acoustic section, I recon you could have had us all in one big group hug at the end of this (yes even the everso trendy Manchester types).

Encore:
Rudderless - The BEST song to end on with that beautiful chord at the beginning! Wanted more though :-)

Thanks Evan!

Brian Wilson, Liverpool Philharmonic Hall, 2nd September 2009

A couple of years ago (can't remember the date - I'll dig out the ticket and write about it shall I!?) I saw Brian Wilson in the Summer Pops in Liverpool, in a huge marquee on the dockside. I've said ever since that (amazing) night that the next opportunity I had I would take my mum and brother to see him with me. The Beach Boys were played throughout my childhood on our old record player, the first cassette I ever bought was 'Endless Summer' on a family holiday in Cornwall in about 1990, my first album bought purely because it had a song on it called 'Wendy'! We used to sing along to that cassette every time we went out in the car, harmonising at the top of our lungs - I have a lot of happy memories with a Beach Boys soundtrack.

So, without going into too much detail about how mind-blowingly wonderful it was to see Brian the first time around, my chance came to take my mum and brother last night when he played the Liverpool Philharmonic as part of his 'greatest hits' tour. We went with Alan (who is to thank for getting the hottest tickets in town) and his mum and dad as part of his dads 60th birthday celebrations, so we were all quite merry despite the torrential rain. The venue is brilliant, I've been there a few times and there doesn't seem to be anywhere bad to sit, my only criticism is that it's better suited for 'sit still and listen' gigs, because the angle of the slope is so shallow that if everyone's bopping around in their seats it can be difficult to see.

There was no support act, at 7.30 exactly Brian and his band took to the stage and launched straight into 'California Girls', I won't remember everything he played, and probably not in the right order, but I'll have a go. There have been some comments online about sound quality and Brian's voice, but to be honest it didn't marr my enjoyment of the gig one bit. The first half was a little quiet, and the atmosphere did seem tense whilst they were trying to sort things out, but I would have listened to him singing through a loudhailer in a storm and enjoyed it! I feel privileged that I was able to see him as himself, and looking like he was enjoying the experience. He was fascinating to watch - he 'conducts' the band, and whilst singing the sweetest melodies his arms are usually moving around infront of him 'painting' the sounds that the band create, a real life genius.

Some of the songs that I can remember him playing include: Surfin USA; Little Deuce Coupe; In My Room; Surfer Girl; Shut Down; I Get Around; Good Vibrations and When I Grow Up. The encore consisted of: 8 Days A Week (preceded by a comment about Ringo that didn't go down at all well - he's not popular in Liverpool these days!); Johnny Be Good/Barbara Ann; Sloop John B; Fun Fun Fun; Help Me Ronda. There were a few of Brian's solo songs, That Lucky Old Sun appeared here and there, and they ended with a song called Love and Mercy.

It was a dream come true to see Brian Wilson again, and the fact that he seemed happy and at ease on stage was reassuring. I spent the night bopping around smiling like a loon - nothing beats seeing your hero!

Ah just found the set list for the London gig which is mostly the same apart form the order fo tracks, and we had '8 Days A Week' aswell:

'Do It Again' (I'm pretty sure that he started with 'California Girls in Liverpool)
'Dance, Dance, Dance'
'Girl Don't Tell Me'
'Then I Kissed Her'
'In My Room'
'Salt Lake City’
'Custom Machine'
'Soul Searchin''
'Desert Drive'
'Please Let Me Wonder'
'Don't Worry Baby'
'I Get Around'
'Sail On Sailor'
'Marcella'
'Roll Around Heaven'
'California Girls'
'The Little Girl I Once Knew'
'Your Imagination'
'All Summer Long'
'Shut Down'
'Little Deuce Coupe'
'Add Some Music To Your Day'
'Do You Wanna Dance?'
'Sloop John B'
'Wouldn’t It Be Nice'
'God Only Knows'
'Midnight's Another Day'
'That Lucky Old Sun'
'Going Home'
'Southern California'
'Good Vibrations'
'Surfer Girl'
'Johnny B Goode'
'Help Me Rhonda'
'Barbara Ann'
'Surfin' USA'
'Fun Fun Fun'
'Love And Mercy'

Half Man Half Biscuit, Manchester Academy, 30th January 2009

Heheeee this one's from memory so not much info, but I dug out the set list online and it's making me laugh just reading it! A very very funny night. As a young(ish) female I was in the minority in this gig, but it was fantastic - it made me wonder how massive this band deserves to be, but sadly they will possibly always remain the heroes of a few dedicated misfits. I have a lot of respect for these intelligent, articulate, musically gifted, bitter individuals! They write lyrics that fill me with glee.

Support: The Calvin Party

Took Problem Chimp To Ideal Home Show

When The Evening Sun Goes Down

Bad Losers On Yahoo Chess

Turned Up Clocked On Laid Off

I Went To A Wedding

The Light At The End Of The Tunnel

My Baby Got The Yipps

Petty Sessions

Restless Legs

Totnes Bickering Fair

We Built This Village

Blue Badge Abuser

Gubba Lookalikes

Them's The Vagaries

Look Dad No Tunes

Bob Wilson Anchorman

Evening Of Swing

Trumpton Riots

Everything's AOR

Twenty-Four Hour Garage People

For What Is Chatteris

Joy Division Oven Gloves
encore...
Eno Collaberation

The Air That I Breathe

Vatican Broadside

National Shite Day

U2 360 Tour, Cardiff Millennium Stadium, 22nd August 2009.

Support - The Hours, Glasvegas

This gig felt so much better than Sheffield in some ways, and not as good in others! Firstly the not so good - the stage was 'cropped' to fit into the stadium even though the roof was open, and it didn't look anywhere near as good as it did in the open space of Don Valley. Other than that though the atmosphere was ace - the band seemed to be on a high because it was the last night of the tour and they were really enjoying the Welsh singing for them! Here's the set list:

Breathe
No Line On The Horizon
Get On Your Boots
Magnificent
Hen Wlad Fy Nhadau (snippet)
Beautiful Day / Blackbird (snippet)
Mysterious Ways
I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For / Stand By Me (snippet)
Stay (Faraway, So Close!)
Unknown Caller
The Unforgettable Fire
City Of Blinding Lights
Vertigo
I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight / Two Tribes (snippet)
Sunday Bloody Sunday / Oliver's Army (snippet)
Pride (In The Name Of Love)
MLK
Walk On / You'll Never Walk Alone (snippet)
Where The Streets Have No Name
One
Bad / 40 (snippet)
encore:
Ultra Violet (Light My Way) - My highlight by far, I could watch Bono singing this all day.
With Or Without You
Moment of Surrender

It took a bit longer than the Sheffield gig for me to get into it tonight but it was ace - loads of positive vibes about being in Wales and the singing was brilliant. I absolutely loved Ultra Violet and I'm so pleased I saw it again, and it was cool to see Bad. I wasn't so fussed about the biggies - Pride, Mysterious Ways, Streets etc, but the overall spectacle was as good as ever.
Went with Alan, Gem and Ste, traffic leaving Cardiff was hideous, it took us nearly three hours just to reach the motorway! Finally got home at 5.30am, Ste is an excellent driver!

U2 360 Tour, Sheffield Don Valley Stadium, 20th August 2009.

Must endeavour to persevere and remember to write about stuff!

U2 was as expected, a total contrast to the Pearl Jam gig earlier in the week, and rightly so - I wouldn't have it any other way. Don Valley Stadium is weird at the best of times (Rugby League games for us usually), but when you walk down the path from the Supertram and see a huge spider sitting in the middle it doesn't get much weirder! The Hours kicked off sometime after 6pm, with a nice little set that suited the sunny weather (thankfully - it had been tipping it down 30mins earlier), I liked the use of a 'real' piano, but they had difficulties in the wet weather. Elbow followed with the sun setting behind the stage, quite fitting and generally enjoyable. I used to adore this band, and I still think that their music is brilliantly written and atmospheric, but I do miss the anger and punch of the earlier work like 'Bitten by the Tailfly' and 'Don't Mix Your Drinks', and I'm not sure they'll ever better the lyrics in 'Scattered Black and Whites'. To be honest I was more interested in the stage than the support bands, the structure was fascinating, not to mention the men sitting in various nooks and crannies in the rigging.

U2 came on to 'Space Oddity', and with the pink sky behind that spaceship stage I could have happily listened to that in full, but they cut it quite abruptly. According to a helpful little website, this was the set list, with my two penneth:

Breathe - black and white visuals of the band,

No Line On The Horizon - the screen looked brill, with visuals of horizons (of course),

Get On Your Boots - still on the black + white,

Magnificent - screen started coming to life,

Beautiful Day / Blackbird (snippet),

Elevation - lots of spinny stuff with the screen,

I Still Haven't Found What I'm Looking For / Movin' On Up (snippet) - not usually one I would go nuts for but I loved this,

Happy Birthday - for Willie Williams the set designer,

Stuck In A Moment You Can't Get Out Of,

Unknown Caller,

The Unforgettable Fire - love this and I'm SO glad I got to see them do it,

City Of Blinding Lights,

Vertigo,

I'll Go Crazy If I Don't Go Crazy Tonight / Reverend Black Grape (snippet) / Two Tribes (snippet),

Sunday Bloody Sunday / Oliver's Army (snippet) - ACE,

Pride (In The Name Of Love) - not so fussed about seeing this to be honest (yawn),

MLK - beautiful, I'm so glad they did this, it was sung for Aung San Suu Kyi.

Walk On / You'll Never Walk Alone (snippet) - makes me sing very loudly, unsettling all around me,

Where The Streets Have No Name / Gloria (snippet) - wasn't the best build up I've seen to this one,

One - intro by Desmond Tutu,

Mysterious Ways,

encores: Ultra Violet (Light My Way) - OooOO loved this,

With Or Without You,

Moment of Surrender

The strange thing about this gig was that despite the fact that the stage was immense, the gig seemed very intimate and uncluttered, credit to Willie Williams! The screen structure was fascinating and I would like to see how on earth it was designed and constructed. The crowd was lovely singing along to everything, and it felt a lot less booze ridden than usual, maybe because there was staff walking around selling pop rather than pints.

I could watch Bono all day, he is totally hypnotic, and during the encore when the Mic dropped down from the top of the stage and he came on in his laser suit to do Ultra Violet (Light My Way) I felt like I was watching Zooropa, he really knows how to create a visual spectacle with every little move he makes.

The only downer on the night was that the parking was terrible around the arena, we were stuck in traffic for two hours after the gig - something they need to sort out methinks.

Pearl Jam, Manchester Evening News Arena, 17th August 2009.

Motivated by a totally amazing gig, and in an attempt to actually remember what I get up to, I've decided to write about a few gigs I've been to over the years. It'll probably take forever, and I'm sure that there are plenty that I can't remember anything about, but hey ho, it's something to do that has nothing to do with metalwork! :-)

So, Pearl Jam, 17th August 2009, the perfect place to start. It was refreshing, and comforting, to see a gig that was just the band, no confetti falling from the ceiling, no fireworks, no graphics, no floating spacemen (but I'll forgive Roger Waters for that one) and no giant bouncy balls, just the band. And what a band, they didn't need anything else.

The first couple of songs ('Long Road', 'Last Exit') were brilliant, but when they did 'Why Go' it all went up a gear and my excitement levels rocketed. Then followed 'All night', 'The Fixer', 'Low Light', 'In Hiding', 'World Wide Suicide' and 'Not For You'. The band seemed to take a little while to warm up, and had a few technical problems, but after a short break they came back with 'Even Flow' which was amazing, probably the highlight of the gig for me. Eddie was like his old self on stage, dancing and leaping around, and at one point he hung from the mik stand - wish I had a photo of that! Then came 'Present Tense', 'Save You', 'Grievance', 'Sleight Of Hand' and 'Got Some', Then 'Given To Fly' came in and it was absolutely perfect, that song really takes me away, and followed by 'Rearviewmirror' I was sky high!

The first encore just flew from there - 'Go', 'Daughter', 'Do The Evolution', and 'Alive', the whole place was wild and the band were lapping it up, the energy was fantastic. The second encore was the icing on the cake really - 'Smile', 'Black' (wow), 'Leash', 'The Real Me' (Eddie became Roger Daltry), and 'Indifference' (the perfect song to finish with).

It was brilliant to be in a crowd that actually cared about the band.

Gomez supported, they were good but there wasn't anything that grabbed me, apart from Ben Ottewell's voice that filled the arena.

Wow not posted on here for a while!!

I'll make it my mission to find something of note this weekend and post it, promise.