...and the gigs just keep on coming (2014)

[RedRockRick]

Chris Mills & the Distant Stars @ The Windmill, Brixton & House Concert, High Wycombe

If you missed him on this short tour in support of the new album (early contender for album of the year), all the more fool you. Two infectiously happy evenings, the second (commendably amplified with no regard for the unpleasant neighbours next door) proving beyond reasonable doubt that the sound system at the Windmill is pretty much on its last legs.

Sons Of Bill @ The Railway, Winchester

Run-of-the-mill Bills please easily-pleased audience.

[riverlodge]

aiming for stardom with a 'new' thread?

[RedRockRick]

...the threads just keep on coming.

[Fareham Grecian]

Chris Mills & the Distant Stars @ The Windmill, Brixton & House Concert, High Wycombe

If you missed him on this short tour in support of the new album (early contender for album of the year), all the more fool you.

I did miss it, and more fool me. I had no idea he had a new record out until I saw your post, and flipping heck it's good. More gigs please.

[RedRockRick]

Steve Forbert @ The Forge, Basingstoke

I'm at this one because Bob and his have wife have gone to Australia and commendably decided their front row seats shouldn't go to waste. Perhaps it's a Basingstoke thing but Steve Forbert's patter and delivery tonight seem to be aimed for an audience much older than I like to think I come over as, but, hey, if you were hailed as one of many new Dylans in the '70s, you should know your audience by now. What however is clearly established during the course of the two sets which comprise the evening is that Steve Forbert has produced (and continues to produce) a lot of cracking songs. The man with the walking stick in the seat next to me seems to know the words to most of them. Thanks, Bob.

[RedRockRick]

Simone Felice Band @ House Concert, Winchester

No need to travel to Bush Hall or further afield with the new dial-a-band app on my phone. The new album "Strangers" is excellent, and this was a splendidly intimate evening, SF backed by guitar/mandolin and cello. A smarter person would have already signed him up for September.

[killyourtv]

Wolf Alice, Superfood and Gengahr @ Esquires, Bedford

Missed Wolf Alice at End of the Road, and enjoyed their short, hard to categorise (good) set in the very lovely Esquires. No great songs yet but a terrific noise and presence, only spoiled by some of the worst student nattering in many a year. Superfood made no lasting impression but Gengahr's striking falsetto-led pop won me over and their EP was a bargain.

Esquires is a bog-standard small venue with terrific sound, cheapish beer, surrounded by more takeaways than you could ever wish for, and some duff pubs.

[killyourtv]

Bo Ningen @ The Haunt, Brighton

Their new record varies the pace (a bit) and this felt a less scary experience than in the Big Tent last year. Notably, I still had my hearing in the morning. The Haunt was a tiny but acoustically impressive little club near the pier, with the full floorboard-shaking experience thrown in. Would like to see anyone attempt to natter at a Bo Ningen gig.

Edited May 24, 2014 by killyourtv

[RedRockRick]

Redlands Palomino Company @ The Windmill, Brixton

It feels like a while since I last saw the Redlands, and seeing them again is like finding that favourite jumper that's been missing a long time and you remember how comfortable it's always felt. The new album, well, it's pretty much like it's predecessors, consistently good songs hitting the right spots. Dan the drummer has given up trying to learn Danish and come back for good. Welcome back, Dan.

Ezra Furman @ The Boiler Room, Guildford

They came, they honked, they rocked. A rollicking good throwback of an evening where the vibe and enthusiasm more than made up any suspicion of one dimensionalism. I think they could be rather good late night in the Tipi. The album is pretty good too.

Edited May 26, 2014 by RedRockRick

[RedRockRick]

Madison Violet @ the Prince Albert, Brighton

Last time I saw them, they were touring as a duo, this time they're playing as a drummerless four, but the harmonies and vocal colourings are still wonderfully impeccable and right. New album in the autumn, so hopefully they'll be over from Canada again.

[RedRockRick]

Dean Wareham @ the Prince Albert, Brighton

Dean Wareham @ Islington Assembly Hall, Islington

Hard to pick which was the better night: stuff from the new album, Galaxie 500 numbers, Luna numbers, great guitar playing from DW. I'll probably go with Brighton because the sound was really punchy that night, even if the set list was arguably more interesting in London. I'd not been to the Assembly Hall before, and it's a pretty impressive venue (the bar's expensively crap, though) - where's this sprung from? Darren Hayman opened and played solo on keyboard and box of tricks, but didn't really catch fire.

[shoebox]

Ezra Furman @ The Boiler Room, Guildford

They came, they honked, they rocked. A rollicking good throwback of an evening where the vibe and enthusiasm more than made up any suspicion of one dimensionalism. I think they could be rather good late night in the Tipi. The album is pretty good too.

I reckon this is VERY likely to happen. I went to see them in Ashford on Wednesday. Was chatting to one of the support bands (Happyness, who are attending EOTR, but not performing) after their own set and they mentioned that Simon is Ezra Furman's manager. So I'm expecting The Boyfriends to play several sets over the weekend. Fully expecting the late night Tipi set, and yes, it will be rather good.

Last night I went to Octopus Project @ The Lexington, and it was absolutely, astonishingly good. I so want these guys to be a late addition to the EOTR bill. Brilliantly noisy, Battles-y tunes. They managed to blow an amp and a couple of monitors. It was incredible. Loved every second of it. Nice guys to boot.

[RedRockRick]

_{The Delines @ The Lexington}

_{If you loved the album, this will have ticked all the right boxes: moody, soulful, atmospheric, appropriately dim lighting and great belt buckles.}

_{Oh, and hats off to the sound guy, who got it just right.}

[MattL80]

_{The Delines @ The Lexington}

_{If you loved the album, this will have ticked all the right boxes: moody, soulful, atmospheric, appropriately dim lighting and great belt buckles.}

_{Oh, and hats off to the sound guy, who got it just right.}

The Railway gig was good. I hadn't heard the album, so completely new to me - it was a nice surprise. A sell out too, so nice for SC4M.

[Fareham Grecian]

The Railway gig was good. I hadn't heard the album, so completely new to me - it was a nice surprise. A sell out too, so nice for SC4M.

Yeah it was, really good. Excellent support too from the Lost Brothers - perfect EotR band I'd say.

[killyourtv]

The War on Drugs @ Concorde 2, Brighton

Was surprised by just how strong the Petty feel was throughout much of the set, hadn't noticed it in the records. Quite a contrast in reception between the faster driving stuff and some fairly meandering slow ones that had chatterers at max volume next to me. Will try and see them in Liverpool later this year.

Concorde is a narrow club venue which gives you a poor view towards the back, and my attention drifted to the flyers advertising forthcoming gigs by Chas n Dave, the Beat and SLF - like 1982 never happened.

[shoebox]

Cate Le Bon - St Mary's Church, Ashford

A Glastonbury warm-up show and the first time I've seen her live. Was a lovely little set, in a very nice venue. Set primarily focused on Mug Museum and it was really rather good. Sweet Baboo was playing bass in the band. Seeing a few EOTR bands pre-festival to free up some clashes, but it's having the opposite effect in that I now want to see her again.

Incidentally, I took my mum and dad to the show. My mum's review was "it was different", which generally means she didn't really enjoy it. She did like the cover of "Frank Mills" in the encore though.

[RedRockRick]

The Delines @ The Green Door Store, Brighton

This, the final night of the tour before the 3.00 pm flight from Heathrow the next day, had been moved late on from the original venue, the Palmeira, whose management had suddenly decided they no longer wished to host live music. I've never had any great love for the Palmeira or indeed thought it a particularly good venue but it's always a shame when the options for live performance shrink. Still, with the world cup in full swing and England inspiring a full house, and the States (and Mexico, if you're Freddy Trujillo) doing well, this was a pretty good finish to the tour. No change from the London and Winchester setlists, but no pedal steel accompaniment. They're back in November, and new songs will be available.

[RedRockRick]

The War On Drugs @ Concorde 2

I was at the front for this, and must admit I thought initially it was going to be something of a disaster as, about three minutes in, the sound levels were wound right up and everything sounded terribly distorted. Luckily, someone must have given the sound guy a good slapping as there was a noticeable improvement after about another ten minutes. Pretty good from thereon, from where I was. I agree and sympathise with killyourtv about venues like the Concorde: if you're at the back, you may as well be watching on tv.

Edited June 27, 2014 by RedRockRick

[killyourtv]

Midlake and Gold Lake @ Halifax Minster

My worst fears about post-Tim Smith Midlake confirmed unfortunately; very dull new material and comfortable muso reworkings of the oldies, I was relieved they kept well clear of "Van Occupanther" and "Branches".

Gold Lake were a pleasant surprise with a great set of jangly ethereal pop that got the best out of the Minster's erratic acoustics.

I love these Doghouse gigs in Halifax, which looked great in the setting sun.

[killyourtv]

Lanterns on the Lake and Jo Hamilton @ Durham Cathedral (Brass festival)

A fantastic night, with old and a couple of new Lanterns songs sounding particularly wonderful with brass accompaniment, and my personal introduction to Jo Hamilton (would be perfect on the Garden Stage). The publicity around Jo seemed to be primarily about the light show, but all I took in was the great vocals and many memorable songs - buy Gown now if you haven't.

I did get the benefit of sitting in the front row, where the sound was great, and the chat about gig venues with two lovely Midlanders worth the trip alone. Durham looked very lovely indeed.

[RedRockRick]

Chuck Prophet @ The Cellars, Eastney, Portsmouth

This was a rarity: a duo show featuring CP and Mrs. P., the lovely Stephanie Finch. Well, I'm always happy to see Chuck in any shape or form of line-up. He's just a fantastic guitar player, whether electric or acoustic, and whilst listening to the albums is fine, live Prophet is where it's at. The patter is hard to beat, too. Back with a new album and the full band in October.

[RedRockRick]

John Fullbright @ St. Mary's Church, Guildford

This church is very old and atmospheric, much more so than the larger Guildford church which this promoter, People Music, also uses, and you could sense John Fullbright's glee at this and at the chance to play on a real (and rather nice) piano, as opposed to the keyboard travelling around with him in the back of the van. A good and solid show from the guy who's heralded as the coming man in "americana". I liked it, but felt strangely guilty at not liking it more. He finished though with a terrific version of Jimmy Webb's "If You See Me Getting Smaller" - worth the price of admission on its own.

[killyourtv]

Allo Darlin, Model Village and Centimes @ Portland Arms, Cambridge

Terrific night of pop making up for my absence from Indie tracks, with the Darlins showcasing material from autumn LP and our jumping and singing going down well with easily-pleased Liz. Model Village sang about the A14 and Bolton Aquarium (apparently)- almost my worst and best things in the world.

First time at the Portland which is tiny but had good sound and good folk.

[riverlodge]

i was at that gig KYTV -second time i have seen centimes and i really rate the drummer / vocalist girl. still no fan of model village.