GIGS

[shoebox]

I haven't seen them since the () shows and they were amazing back then.

I saw a set-list that says they're playing Olsen Olsen, so that's cool. I'll be able to get my waltz on!

[riverlodge]

i passed up on these gigs (£30 all in) when i learned about EOTR. wish i hadnt and really pleased you had a great time Nige.

here's a brief reminder (geof, Nige, ben possibly others there) of one of the best sets i have ever seen at latitude in 2008:

and then there was this at the end:

(wanted to put a good version in not the dodgy ones from latitude).

i truly hope we get untitled #8. its an unbelievable live experience, after the beauty before (and no little fun with 'festival' n stuff) this was almost overwhelming. i usually take youtube feedback comments with a massive pinch of salt but after seeing this i was truly dumbstruck

[riverlodge]

makes me cry, good way, even now.

(melodramatic posting over, normal service resumed soon)

[theampersanddevil]

Went to the glasgow gig. Unfortunetly, powerful was not a word that could be used to describe them. Was nowhere near loud enough and venue was souless.

Its the second time I've seen them and something has been missing. 1st was bestival and that was during daylight. (wtf!)

Buying my eotr tickets on friday, hope its third time lucky.

[Nigey_boy]

Sorry about Glasgow and Bestival during the daylight is not the best time to see them....3rd time lucky for you then but they need that power at EOTR so fingers crossed thta will be the case.

For me personally all 3 Sigur Ros gigs are in my best gigs of all time - no comparison

[nigeyb]

I saw Ian Hunter last week

And Rick Redbeard this week.

Both excellent.

Reviews here

[RedRockRick]

I saw two poodles last week, but sadly no photos to prove it, and alas, no review yet.

I did however see the Coal Porters @ Winchester Railway and thought they were excellent. Terrific bluegrass version of Bowie's "Heroes", as many as two banjos on stage, and a great line of patter from Sid Griffin. I'd actually gone primarily to see current Denmark resident Dave Harding from Richmond Fontaine, who I thought was perfectly fine and looking good on that Scandinavian living. We spoke at length in broken Danish (Dave needs to pass a government test) from which I gathered that whilst there's no new RF album imminent, there is (newsflash!) an on-going duo project between Willy Vlautin and Amy Boone.

[RedRockRick]

Glossary + Austin Lucas @ The Palmeira, Hove

Glossary shows appear over here even less frequently than the arrival of a Billy Bunter postal order ie. this was their first ever show outside the USA, and my principal reason for attending. They were worth the wait: a decidedly bracing performance in all respects. They then did their duty as Austin Lucas's backing band: this was something of an anti-climax: although Glossary play on his forthcoming and essential new album due in July, Austin confided they'd only rehearsed together once in the last six months. Thank you for sharing: it showed.

[killyourtv]

Taken me ages to, find the forum again; seem to have missed some good gigs. In contrast;

Wolf People @ the Continental in lovely Preston was a cheap risk too far. Never heard of them but lack of wiki presence should have given the game away. Note perfect but tuneless prog meanderings of the sort last heard on certain LPs from 1972 that I shouldn't have bought as a job lot. At least Dean McPhee proved a compelling case for the solo guitarist, overcoming some distracting feedback.

More importantly, the Continental is a great pub and a potentially great small venue.

Also saw Straw Bear in Cambridge in March but forgotten that.

April has trips north for Efterklang in Halifax and Low - any other recommendations ?

.

[RedRockRick]

Taken me ages to, find the forum again; seem to have missed some good gigs. In contrast;

Wolf People @ the Continental in lovely Preston was a cheap risk too far. Never heard of them but lack of wiki presence should have given the game away. Note perfect but tuneless prog meanderings of the sort last heard on certain LPs from 1972 that I shouldn't have bought as a job lot. At least Dean McPhee proved a compelling case for the solo guitarist, overcoming some distracting feedback.

More importantly, the Continental is a great pub and a potentially great small venue.

Also saw Straw Bear in Cambridge in March but forgotten that.

April has trips north for Efterklang in Halifax and Low - any other recommendations ?

.

[RedRockRick]

This Is The Kit, Rozi Plain @ Banjo City, Guildford

The second of four dates in a mini Keep Folk Alive! season (Tiny Ruins gone, Rachel Ries, Racheal Dadd to come), this proved just a little bit special: Rozi Plain kicked off, backed by TITK, then repaid the favour and joined TITK on assorted instruments and harmonies for the second half of the evening in a small and very packed venue. I'm rather taken by Rozi's Joined Sometimes Unjoined album, from which most of her set was drawn. Hats off to Howard Smith of Guildford's The People Music (an astonishingly good selection of records belying the size of the shop) for putting stuff on in Guildford actually worth going to.

NB. On nights I'm not there, Banjo City is The Keep.

Edited April 12, 2013 by RedRockRick

[MrSimonW]

Our resident banjo fans might be interested to know that I'm off to the Brooklyn Folk festival on Saturday http://www.brooklynfolkfest.com/lineup/ any tips from that lot?

Sadly I'm going to miss the tossing a banjo into the canal competition on Sunday though

[RedRockRick]

Our resident banjo fans might be interested to know that I'm off to the Brooklyn Folk festival on Saturday http://www.brooklynfolkfest.com/lineup/ any tips from that lot?

Sadly I'm going to miss the tossing a banjo into the canal competition on Sunday though

Edited April 16, 2013 by RedRockRick

[riverlodge]

oi RRR you wanted to apply a ban to me for reporting from exotic gig locations!

talking of which, see amadou & mariam announced for cherry hinton. which is noice.

[RedRockRick]

oi RRR you wanted to apply a ban to me for reporting from exotic gig locations!

talking of which, see amadou & mariam announced for cherry hinton. which is noice.

[MrSimonW]

Well a good time was had by all at the Folk Festival Nice mix of Appalachian folk, old-time and bluegrass with a dash of gospel to round things off. Highlights for me were The Great Smoky Mountain Bluegrass Band who were a lot of fun, and Naomi Shelton and the Gospel Queens (labelmates of Sharon Jones & The Dap Kings amongst others) who I'd wanted to see for a long time, but rarely play outside of US, or indeed, NYC. The beer was good, and I picked up a stack of CDs from the merch table to help with my hangover.

[riverlodge]

SUPER JEALOUS!!! hope the hangover(s) a mare.

[RedRockRick]

Chuck Prophet & The Mission Express @ The Green Door Store, Brighton

Phew. Sometimes I find it's too easy to take things for granted and forget just how good a live show Chuck is. Great guitarist, great patter, great band and nothing less than a great show for the last 10 years. Ring-a-ding went my ears. First night in the UK so plenty of chances to get your ears rung in Oxford, Southampton and even Hebden Bridge.

[RedRockRick]

Ha Ha Tonka @ The Prince Albert, Brighton

Coming all the way from Kansas to play this show, and named in tribute to the fullsize mechanised diecast model flown across the Atlantic in 1927 by the great clown Pepe Bosco, these four guys show that good songs, amiable personalities and a strong sense of engagement can get you a long way. (All the way to Kilkenny, in fact, where, if you were thinking of going to see them, you're too late, both of their shows have sold out.) Good support from Lucky Jim, which had me looking for his/their album when i got in.

[RedRockRick]

Deep Dark Woods @ The Railway. Winchester

Named in tribute to a spectacular 9-iron shot played by Tiger from heavy rough on the 14th hole at the 2001 Players Championship at Sawgrass....

It may have just been me on a bad night, though I don't think it was, but boy, was this a turgid evening. Ryan Boldt seemed weary of it all, and it spread. A new guitarist (at least for this tour), a new economy keyboard in place of that distinctive B3 from the shows I saw last year, and hmmm. I looked at my watch several hours after the start of the show, and was shocked to find it was only 10.10 p.m. I'd like to say this was one they phoned in, but really they just sent a sick note. No doubt it was all being saved for the London show: sorry, Winchester.

Thinking about it, I don't really believe all that stuff about Tiger Woods at Sawgrass either.

Edited May 4, 2013 by RedRockRick

[staffop]

THREATMANTICS & THEE OH SEES @ CLWB IFOR BACH, CARDIFF

Both were new to me but what a revelation - both would be great late night in the BigTop. Blistering, garage psych of highest quality - impossible to keep still and left with huge grin on our faces - more please!

[killyourtv]

EFTERKLANG @ HALIFAX MINSTER

An interesting test of Halifax Minster's gorgeous atmosphere but variable acoustics, and I struggled to keep attention at times. They do make a lovely sound (new to me though), but one I enjoyed far more on a comfy chair listening to the recent vinyl.

LOW @ THE SAGE, GATESHEAD

I suspect I now see Low gigs out of the sense of duty also associated with Cambridge away fixtures, but they remain as consistent an a live band as any, and the songs driven by Steve Garrington's bass rather than keyboard are worth the effort. I don't what it means when I genuinely can't tell which LP any of the songs come from, or what they're called. No Christmas EP track though. The Sage 2 has great sound but is a weird shape and not good if you're scared of heights.

[riverlodge]

sorry for late submission.from last w/e.

Public Service Broadcasting @ The Old Bridge Inn Aviemore

wonderful time here, arrived knackered from time on the hill. great food and beers soon helped knock social sense into me, then superb guitars and feeds from PSB fitted the bill perfectly. great playing, great show nice fellas who are just about everywhere in the next month or so. catch em while they're hot...and they are.

[RedRockRick]

Hurray For The Riff Raff @ The Railway, Winchester

Generally a pretty good evening, which improved considerably when the drum spot was vacated for good and we could hear what was being played without being it being buried under some fairly relentless clattering. Unexpected but welcome covers of "Cathy's Clown" and "Everybody's Talkin'".

Edited May 14, 2013 by RedRockRick

[RedRockRick]

Hiss Golden Messenger/William Tyler @ The Railway, Winchester

I tried hard to enjoy William Tyler's sonic soundscapes on guitar, but I'm afraid I found my attention wandering from time to time; good chat between the songs though. HGM as absorbing as ever, A pity they didn't do more together because when they did in the final section, it blew the head off my Guinness.