The Afterword

Musings on the byways of popular culture

Menu

Navigation

You are here: Home / Forum / So who’s in your gig diary?

So who’s in your gig diary?

by 103 Comments

An unusual flurry of activity in the Night’s Out section, including a post from me, reminds us that the warmer weather often brings more gigs, both indoor and outdoor, so who have you got lined up?

It’s looking like a folkie year for us, with Fairport, the one day Folk by the Oak festival and Carthy and Swarbrick in the next few months. To that list you can add David Sedaris, Carmen at the ENO, and, way off in December, a second Unthanks gig to follow up their Folk by the Oak appearance (Come on – it’s The Unthanks, Union Chapel, and Christmas – you have to make an effort to see that combination, don’t you?)

Sadly Richard Thompson has elected to play his London trio gig on the weekend that the Light and I are likely to be taking her daughter to the other end of England to start university, otherwise he’d be at the top of my list.

And you … ?

0

Comments

  1. Stackridge farewell tour this year. I have tickets for the final show in Bristol in December. I am likely to be going to their gigs in Bolton & Southport in November, possibly Hebden Bridge in September. Also King Crimson at Salford Lowry.

  2. This very weekend I shall be looking at Kim Richey and Lucy Wainwright-Roche in the heart of swinging downtown Ipswich, after which I have The Church (rumour has it that they’re playing The Blurred Crusade in it’s entirety), David Sedaris, 90’s Conference League shoegazers Bleach (back for one night only, kids) , The Black Feathers (especially) at Ipswich Music Day, Billy Bragg, Hannah Aldridge and Marty O’Reilly at the Maverick Festival, a weekend at Beautiful Days (Happy Mondays, House of Pain, Katzenjammer, Wilko Johnson, Eddi Reader et al) and Thompy and his Electric Trio inked firmly in the diary.
    A bit tempted by Fairport in Colchester, Any Trouble firmly on the radar for December but still undecided by ‘The Icicle Works’ in either Norwich or That There London. Obviously it’s going to be Ian McNabb and his band plays the music of The Icicle Works, and I love their back catalogue, but he was such an arse the last time I saw him I’m not sure I have the funds or inclination to devote another evening to him on the off-chance that he/they might be awesome.

    • We’re going to the second Fairport Colchester gig (the Wednesday). By the by, is your David Sedaris event the Ipswich Corn Exchange? I ask because we’re going to that one but the tickets, bought months ago, haven’t arrived yet. I’m interested to know if other people’s have before I contact anyone about it.

    • Agreed about McNabb, gone from being an excellent night out to a rambling pain and given him one too many chances to redeem himself. However enjoy Katzenjammer, I`ve got tickets for Birmingham and Manchester….highly recommended!

  3. Elvis Costello (at least twice, could add a couple of a whim) at Brimingham with Steve T on Sunday and Basingstoke later next month
    PIL @Sub89 in Reading in September
    The Unthanks a Union Chapel & some church in Oxford in Nov\Dec
    Ash @ The Scala, London (new album is terrific|)
    Kathryn Williams @ Old St Pancras Church in June \ Green Note, Camden in July

    plus a few possibles like Faith No More, JAMC – I’m v much being guided by work availability these days

  4. Well… an unusually prolific week last week, in Paris: two Wishbone Ash shows in a small theatre (filmed for future DVD), which were fabulous – lots of rarely played material, much of it from their best album in the last 20 years ‘Power Of Eternity’ plus terrific oldies like ‘the Pilgrim’ and ‘Open Road’, neither on DVD before.

    Also saw two jazz gigs, one featuring the splendid Hugo Lippi, a cool 50s-style guitarist with excellent debut album out recently.

    This weekend: a choice of three WOOKALILY gigs in Newcastle and Holywood (both N. Ireland). Hurrah!

    Then THE WHO in Belfast on June 21 (a show postponed from November – it should have been the start of their current world tour, not the end). Hoping Daltrey’s voice is tolerable.

    Then NEIL DIAMOND in July, same Belfast enormodome.

    And in between all the above, any number of Wednesday night at John McSherry’s uilleann piping sessions at The Sunflower, Belfast.

    Here’s some Ash, recorded in Spain last night:

  5. …almost forgot: STEVEN WILSON at the RAH in September, if I ever remember to formally accept the very kind offer of a free ticket from Carol From Luton and can scrape together a plane fare.

  7. In recent weeks I’ve seen Nick Cave and Bryan Ferry (not together). Next month I’m really looking forward to Fleetwood Mac. November sees The Waterboys in York – it’s becoming a bit of a tradition – and December brings, er, Simply Red (a gift for my wife, honest!). In between times I’m weighing up the possibilities of seeing Woody Woodmansey/Tony Visconti’s Holy Holy, PIL and/or Peter Hook and The Light.

  8. I don’t go to many gigs, but this weekend I’m off to see the Manics do The Holy Bible in full at Usher Hall in Edinburgh with my two best pals in the world. It’s going to be completely brilliant.

    • The nattering classes…. At first I thought you were echoing Nessies renowned tolerance for poor people.
      (I know, I know, a ghastly affront, as well as nearly entirely untrue, so don’t do a Forks and burn up on re-entry, cos I love ya really ;=0

  10. Gaz Brookfield’s album launch show at the Fleece in Bristol on Saturday week, then a new to me festival called Chagstock on Dartmoor. Probably the Dead Kennedys in Bristol as well, although I am reasonably sure they will be rubbish. Black Uhuru are also here in July – does anybody know if they are any good these days?

    One a bit further on the horizon is that Songhoy Blues are playing the Louisiana in Bristol in November. This is a tiny venue that doesn’t seem to fit their current profile at all, so if anyone is interested I’d check the tour dates and book early if they’re anywhere near you.

  11. Was hoping to see Young Fathers in Birmingham next week, but it was ages before I could confirm I was free that night and the tickets all went. I saw them supporting Chvrches a couple of years ago and they were excellent, so am a bit gutted by that.

    So the next thing is Foo Fighters at Wembley on 20th June. I do like them, but they’re just about Mrs D’s favourite band so this is more for her. I think Royal Blood (still haven’t got around to giving that album a try) and Iggy Pop are supporting.

    After that it’s none-more-Twee Indietracks festival at the national rail centre in Derbyshire at the end of June. Wall to wall Jangly indiepop across three stages (and Surprise Acoustic Sets on the trains apparently!) with Cinerama, Go! Team and The Pains of Being Pure at Heart headlining. There are a few old school icons playing alongside the kids in the shape of Laetitia Sadier (Stereolab), Pete Astor (Weather Prophets/The Loft), The Catenary Wires (Amelia and Rob from Tallulah Gosh/Heavenly/Tender Trap) and the Darling Buds (Andrea Lewis! Swoon!) . Looking forward to digging the likes of Tigercats, Desperate Journalist, The Tuts, The Wave Pictures, Ethical Debating Society, Feature, The Fireworks and Colour Me Wednesday from the new breed.

    Looking a bit empty after that, though we do have tickets for both Kevin Bridges and Bill Bailey on the comedy front later in the year at some point.

  14. RT in early June with the Electric Trio. I’m taking my parents, girlfriend and 11 year old. Wish me luck.

    Emmy Lou in September

    Mark Knopfler in October.

    The phrase you are looking for is “shitloads of cash”

  17. Just Elvis Costello in Stoke in mid-June. Really looking forward to it. Tom Russell’s touring later in the year but dates/venues aren’t exactly ideal for me so may have to give him a miss this time, sadly.

  18. I’ve got a few lined up –

    In a couple of hours from now Chuck Prophet and the mighty Mission Express.

    In the fairly near future, Jackson Browne, Rosanne Cash, Ron Sexsmith supported by Ben Watt, Anne McCue and Hannah Aldridge.

    Later in the year Randy Newman and Bruce Cockburn.

  19. Carl, where and when is Randy Newman playing and are there any tickets left? Agree re your comments on Michael Chapman – great live performer and funny too.

    As for me:
    Costello on Sunday. Danny and the Champions of the World in Nottingham later in June – their live album is stunning so really looking forward to that.
    Michael Weston King and Michael Cosgrave singing the songs of Jackie Leven and Townes Van Zandt in July. The Who and Paul Weller at Hyde Park in June with my son.
    Richard Thompson in September.

    And for fucks sake will Thee oh Sees ever tour the UK?

  20. Ukrainians tomorrow and Jah Wobble on saturday, Lunar Festival next w/e. Might squeeze in some stuff at Brums Kitchen Garden Cafe, as they have some good ‘ins lined up for their tiny room, which is probably where Steve T will be seeing MWK does Jackie.
    Shrewsbury Folk August BH w/e which has the RT Trio, Dawes and all the other finger in the ear artists like them. Seriously stunning line-up.
    Tent out in the sun to dry and fumigate over next 10 days, to exclude the olorific memory of last years Cambridge cider stage.

      • Soz, Fento, lightweight me jacked in Wobble on the basis of too knackered still after my trip with the Leeds Cossacks, not fancying the drive to Leicester, knowing he wouldn’t and couldn’t be as good as were they. Besides, what’s an old fool like me going to do with all these wretched T shirts

    • Hi Retro, it is indeed where I will be seeing MWK. Feel free to join us – BVaron Ha`rkonen is coming with one of his mates so maybe a mini mingle? We are discussing a pre-gig curry although it is a Sunday so not sure what available.

  21. Gryphon tomorrow night – a first visit for provincial me to Union Chapel.
    Southwell Folk Festival next weekend (twas Chester last weekend).
    Then July see Folk at the Hall for my next sighting of The Unthanks.
    With the summer getting in its stride comes my usual festival marathon. This year Sidmouth supplants Cambridge, but Cropredy and Shrewsbury remain annual fixtures.
    September sees a return to normal gig going with King Crimson, Messiaen’s Turangalila and in Southport my fourth Blowzabella bal of the year.
    At some point I may fit in some work, but I wouldn’t guarantee it.

    • Some tips on Union Chapel.
      The wooden pews can be a bit hard on the backside after an hour or more, the one time we sat upstairs there the sound was awful ( though others said we were just unlucky that time and that it’s usually excellent), La Porchetta a few minutes walk down Upper Street does fantastic, and enormous, pizzas that won’t make your provincial wallet wince, if you arrive a little before the doors open (15 minutes should do) you will have you pick of seats, if you arrive 15 minutes before the show starts you will find all the best pews reserved by the coats of people who have gone to the bar.
      It’s a terrific venue, I’m sure you’ll love it!

      • Jeez, you weren’t wrong about the pews; they precisely located the formerly trapped nerve in my back.
        But nor were you wrong about the venue. I’m a bit of an architecture buff, so the faux mediaeval arcading above the stage acted as the perfect backdrop for The Gryphon.

  22. (I’m glad the login tests have been made simpler:)}

    The ones I have paid for so far

    East India Youth & Hannah Peel next week
    Du Blonde following Saturday
    …then a bit of a gap (where is everybody?)
    Then;
    Alvvays
    Torres
    Jane Weaver
    Ibeyii
    Monsters & Men
    Mcalmont & Butler

    • Everyone is spending all summer playing festivals. The venues round here are really quiet June – August.

      But thanks for reminding me about Jane Weaver – I saw a local gig of hers advertised and then forgot all about it, so I’ll pick up a ticket tomorrow I reckon.

      • :… and I thought they might be gardening 🙂 I think a couple of combos I saw recently are festival-ling and if you like the idea of standing in a field (not for me) I expect the following should be worth catching (among many others of course);

        Alabama 3
        Molotov Cocktail
        Monochrome Set
        Public Service Broadcatong

  23. I saw Young Fathers last week, they were ferocious and a little bit frightening..in a good way.
    Coming up, The mighty Fall, Follakzoid (kraut rock combo), The Allah-Las, and I may go and see Super Furry Animals who are playing with The Charlatans although I’m not particularly a fan of the latter. Might go and see Boxed In again as they were very good last time, and a band called DIIV who are a none-more Brooklyn indie combo

  24. After a dozen gigs in the first 5 months it seems there are only four left in the next 7.
    First up, in August is Big Big Train. I have not been this excited about a gig for many, many years.
    Next is Dawes & My Morning Jacket, in September. My beloved Dawes.
    Then, Tedeschi Trucks Band in November.
    Finally, the annual Go West Christmas gig at The Stables.

  28. I’ve just got one music gig booked, FFS. I’m really looking forward to it especially if the whole album is as good as it looks like being.
    Lots of comedy coming up as well and the flat is booked in Edinburgh in August for a week at the fringe.

  29. Really looking forward to Bjork in Manchester in the summer. And further ahead, giving Dylan a go again. Keep meaning to book for Songhoy Blues as referenced earlier in this thread – should be great in the small venues they are playing

  30. And for those interested in 20th/21st century classical music two of the greatest living composers, Arvo Part and Krystof Penderecki will both be in Manchester in the next couple of months for performances of their music

    • Sounds great Blue – I saw Arvo at a festival of his music in Dublin 4 or 5 years back. He bounded onstage at the end of the last night’s concert, after a little cajoling, and spoke with gentle humour and affection, not at all as otherworldly/austere as one might imagine, and with pretty good English too.

      What are the Arv works on offer this time?

  31. Only a festival in August, third year in a row I’m attending the Stockholm Music & Arts festival.
    I’m a little disappointed that they’ve made it into a two day festival this year, from the three day weekend thing it used to be. But from an economic standpoint it makes perfect sense.
    Lots of Swedes this year that might not be familiar to you lot, but here are the acts:
    Van Morrison, Tori Amos, Tony Allen, Thåström, Beth Hart, José González, Hello Saferide, Timbuktu, Anna von Hausswolff, Nils Frahm, Frida Hyvönen, Noonie Bao, Jonathan Johansson, Love Antell, Sofia Karlsson, Daniel Norgren, Jane Weaver, Anna Ternheim.
    I wanted to buy a ticket for Bob Dylan in the fall, but those tickets were released on the same day as the festival, and I couldn’t afford to buy both that month.
    I was a bit tempted by the line-up at the Popaganda festival, but I won’t be able to get those days off from work.
    A few other temptations, but luckily the artists that I like have been booked for venues that I dislike…

  33. Impending fatherhood has led to a bit of a break from the gig schedule (that & they are freaking expensive these days!). However, Nas is performing illmatic in full at The Roundhouse next Friday & this is the only one in my diary! Cannot wait!

  35. Summer in south Birmingham means the Moseley Folk family of festivals. this year we are doing Luna on the Sat for Wilko Johnson and Public Service Broadcasting; and Mostly Jazz on the Fri for sugar hill Gang and the Furious Five, plus Soil Pimp Sessions who are beloved by one of the minimoles.

    • Try and catch you somewhere near the front for Wilko? If it’s not raining I’ll be wearing my “Hells Morrisman” waistcoat : embroidered green man on a cloth coat-y waistcoat, rather than an under suit jacket type. I’ll be goggling, open-mouthed, at Normans fingers!

  36. I’ve given up on gigs as I’ve had the journey from hell to work and back every day leaving me shattered in the evening, but that thankfully comes to an end in a few weeks. I think I’ve got Camel in St.Albans with @feedback_file, Hitchin’s Rhythms of the World festival later in June and maybe Cropredy lined up, but the events above inspire me to book a few more. Sexy Ron and Ben Watt looks good @carl.

  37. Jesus and Mary Chain, and Mogwai, both at the Roundhouse; The Loft at The Lexington next weekend; Tav Falco’s Panther Burns, and Heavy Stereo, both at Oslo (the Hackney venue, sadly).
    So far it’s been my best year for some time, we must have seen about a dozen shows so far.
    Hopefully I’ll add some more for the autum over to coming months.

  38. Winter approaches here but the. Melbourne jazz festival has me seeing Tord Gustavsen and then Dee Dee Bridgewater showcasing the New Orleans music in her recent album ( that got a right kicking in the nights in section recently ) so I’m hoping its better than that.
    After that Emmylou and Rodney Crowell joint bill then Ryan Adams.
    Further out Fleetwod Mac in November.

    • I’m sure you’ll enjoy the Tord Gustavsen concert, Junior.
      Kaisfatdad and I saw him and his trio a few years ago in Stockholm. The turnout for the gig was disappointingly sparse, but Gustavsen put on a fine performance, commenting “det har vært et morsomt aften”. And indeed it was.

  40. I’d slowed down in the first half of 2015 but still have a fair few booked before year end. Ruby Turner at Uppermill, Simpson, Kerr & Cutting at Bury Met, Fotheringay at Bridgewater hall (poorly sold last time I looked), Summertime at Gateshead with, on consecutive nights, Dan Penn / Spooner Oldham and Roseanne Cash / John Levanthal . After that, a rare visit to Cropredy where I might be alone in this massive for quite looking forward to seeing Level 42, then RT Trio at the Lowry, Costa Del Folk in Portugal, Unthanks at Bury, and finally St Agnes Fountain

    Added to that lot there is a monthly ticketed gig at my local folk club, plus the fact that I’ve joined a band who do occasional gigs. I’m starting to sound busy!

  41. Well we’re in the middle of gig week. Ukrainians in York on Tuesday, Rev Peyton’s big damn band at Selby Town Hall on Wed, we’re just back from seeing Alexei Sayle inSelby tonight, and we’re back in Selby tomorrow for The Hot Seats.

    After that, we have John Cooper Clarke in, you guessed it Selby Town Hall, in July (great venue) and FSS (Franz Ferdinand & Sparks) in Manchester in August. I’m a fan of S, can take or leave FF, but what I’ve heard of the collaboration sounds great. Not my thing, but I’m accompanying the other half to Randy Newman in Newcastle in Oct too.

    I’m also debating the Icicle Works/Ian McNabb in York in Sept. I’ve also experienced the ‘drunken rambling gig’ (his words) that were mentioned earlier, but when I saw him before Xmas in Leeds after a bit of a break, he was on top form – just played as many songs as he could, not much chat, and his voice was amazing. Got the feeling he might be trying to make up for the disaster gigs. So we’ll probably go.

  42. My problem with McNabb is that he believes his own hype, and is a megastar in his own head. Last time I saw him he expected the audience almost to sing more than he actually did, which was fie, they’re good songs, but it’s his singing that sets ’em off. Never been much of one for the mike pointing out to the audience caper……

  43. Ive got a variety of things in the next month or so – Peggy Seeger at Harpenden Public Halls this Thursday. Harps is where I live and never has anything on so going just to support this as much as anything although Peggy is a legend plus she is being supported by her sons Neil and Calum Maccoll who are brilliant musicians. Then its Sexy Ron Smith supported by Ben Watt at RAH end of June followed by Camel in St Albans in early July with Twang which reminds me I’m supposed to be booking Ryley Walker in September – oops forgot.

    • Hi there Mr File – I used to work (occasionally) in the record shop in Harpenden – ‘Classical Rock’, which was on Station Road. I suppose the shop existed from about 1982 to 2005(?), and I worked as an extra staff member at Christmases for the first few years.
      It was fun. I liked Harpenden. And – it goes without saying – I love records.

      Did you ever go in there?

  45. Tomas Stanko seems to have several colgate rings about him: note he plays Lichfield soon. (I think he’s a favourite of Brian Pretty, the Harvey Goldsmith of Lichfield, who is the overlord of Lichfield Arts)

  48. Cheltenham Science Fest this week*
    Imelda Staunton in Gypsy in the West End the following week*

    * Are these gigs? *

    Tim Finn at Bush Hall in July
    Shostakovich Leningrad Symphony, Proms, RAH, July
    Sufjan Stevens at RFH in Sept
    ABC (YES!!!) in Birmingham in Sept

    . . . and currently jobless, no, I can’t afford any of them.

  49. CORRECTION: That’s November for the ABC show. The site will let me neither edit (says I have no posts within the last 15 mins???????????????) nor delete. This IT- peabrain can’t figure that one out.

    • The 02 Academy in Islington on Thursday (thank you, Network Rail, for your timely pay offer which means that the proposed strike has been postponed…). Someone in our party has tracked down a recent Spanish TV broadcast from this tour which we’re all afraid to watch in case it gives away any plot spoilers.

    • I/we are going to both Islington and Brighton. Not sure how we identify each other… I’ll probably have a black T-shirt and an insane grin on my face, so that should reduce the options by about 2%…

      Gigs on the way:
      Tomorrow: Chuck Prophet (Edinburgh)
      Thursday/Friday: The Church

      Later:
      Fotheringay
      Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell

      Edinburgh Jazz & Blues Festival:
      Royal Southern Brotherhood
      Davina and the Vagabonds
      Cedric Burnside Project
      East West
      Songhoy Blues

      The Saints
      Luna
      The Tubes
      FFS
      James
      Flaming Lips
      Waterboys (twice)
      Sufjan Stevens
      Richard Thompson
      King Crimson
      Aly Bain & Phil Cunningham
      Snarky Puppy
      Robert Cray
      Steve Hackett
      Marcus Miller
      Dave Matthews Band
      Garbage

  51. Hey duco – yes I did use Classical record in Harps. In fact they were kind enough to let me display a poster for my album and also tried to sell a few copies. The idea of an actual record shop in this town seems remarkable now – in fact in any town !

  52. This post has been a good way to find out who is touring.

    Chuck Prophet 3rd June (only found out thanks to Carl further up this post)
    Danny & The Champions of the World 20th June (Ditto Steve T further up)
    Jace Everett 28th June
    Angaleena Presley 26 July
    McAlmont & Butler 2 Nov
    Waterboys 11 Nov
    Striking Matches 18 Nov
    Rebecca Ferguson 3 Feb (my wife’s choice, but I’m sure I’ll enjoy. She is doing Billie Holiday songs)

  54. Shirley Collins at the South Bank, her 80th Birthday concert.
    Last two concerts gone to:
    Linda Perhacs (72), Andy Irvine (73).
    ‘I’ve seen the future of rock ‘n’ roll and it’s the past.’

  55. Lots of gigs appearing for the autumn now. In the last few days I’ve booked Godspeed You Black Emperor, Killing Joke, NMA and Sweet Billy Pilgrim and am waiting for a Public Service Broadcasting presale to open (all Bristol or Cardiff)

  56. Well, that’s Foo Fighters off the list then.

    Have just bought a ticket for St Etienne in Leamington in September though, a couple of days before I head off to California.

    Which I only mention as I’ve timed that really badly as I’m missing Wolf Alice, Girlpool and Cud in that fortnight.

    Still, I’m sure I’ll survive…

  57. Just snagged a ticket for Ride in Birmingham in October as they came out today, very excited!

    We’re actually on holiday at the time (in Woburn, taking my brother-in-law’s kids to Center Parcs for the week while he goes on honeymoon) so it means two hour drive back, but thankfully Mrs D is quite understanding (or long suffering, take your pick).

    I forgot I’m also seeing PINS (the new album is great BTW) at the Hare and Hounds in Sept too.

  58. I saw Kelly Oliver at the Musician in Leicester last night and learned from Jeremy (who occasionally posts here) that he has Josienne Clarke & Ben Walker on in October – I’ll be there, work permitting. I’m also hoping to catch Jason and the Scorchers at the Muso next month.

  59. A triumphant addition to the October schedule..Mercury Rev! Really excited about this – saw them in Portsmouth on the Deserters Songs tour and it is still easily in my top five fits ever. Just hope the new album is better than the last.

Leave a Reply