Nancy Kerr & James Fagan in a couple of weeks.
Transatlantic Sessions at Festival Hall in Feb.
Karine Polwart, Julie Fowlis & Mary Chapin Carpenter in March.
Already booked for Warwick, Sidmouth and Bromyard Folk Festivals and I’ll be earning my keep at Chester, Shrewsbury and Banterfest.
That’s apart from the frequent guests every few weeks at the folk club, including Dave Boulton, Bob Fox (my second favourite male singer in the land) and Cohen Braithwaite Kilcoyne.
Polwart, Fowlis, Chapin-Carpenter should be good; the album is, or, my advance stream is. I too shall be there, @thecheshirecat
Otherwise I suspect Warwick may be our only cross-over unless I return to Sidmouth; they will happily have me back, my 2024 review taking top billing on their website promoting this years. Which is nice.
Fairport at the Union Chapel Islington (son got me tickets for it for my 70th as my wife by secret text said I’d love to go, actually I’m not that bothered and it’s 200 miles south but I hope to see the Tim Burton exhibition at the Design Museum so all is not lost).
Ashley Hutchings’ 80th birthday party concert in Birmingham my wife is my carer as I wouldn’t get there on my own, so she gets in free.
Very quiet 2024 by normal standards, so 2025 looks promising with tickets for The Vintage Explosion, Paul Heaton, King Creosote, The Bluebells and as usual The Waterboys.
I think there is one of the budget airlines (can’t remember which) that does fly the UK/Singapore route. That said the idea of 13 hours on a budget airline with no meals/crap seats/no entertainment doesn’t sound that appealing.
Hmmm, I think you might be lucky. I doubt they’ll have trio material for an entire show. Thinking about Karine’s usual MO, I reckon they would relish performing each other’s stuff.
I’d be fascinated to see Karine Polwart joining in for Passionate Kisses, she never coming over as somebody who embraces that sort of lyric. Unless stemming from Stirlingshire, 200 years ago, written in then contemporary Scots. I love her, but her wiki opening para sets out her usual bill of fare: alcoholism and genocide.
EXTC in Gloucester in March.
Ian Prowse Stourbridge in March
James Wychwood festival in May
China Crisis Tewkesbury in June
Public Image Cheltenham in August
I’m going to a multi-band half-dayer in late Feb. OMD headlining, supported by the Thompson Twins and a few other acts, including an INXS tribute band.
I’m really only going for OMD and would be happy if it was just them. I guess I am curious about the Thompson Twins. I think it’s pretty much Tom Bailey who has lived here in NZ for decades. He produced local band Stellar, whose (NZ) hits were top-notch pop songs. The band was led by Boh Runga, older sister of Bic Runga. I imagine Tom Bailey presenting BBC’s Rock School because he seems to be a technically good musician but he was not particularly ground-breaking. He looked like the record company did a makeover on him to make him look like a pop star. However, he can write a song and I did like the odd TT song, so I’ll have a gander.
I played records from 1984 in the local cafe for an afternoon last week. Mrs F’s French pal came along. Turns out she’s a massive TT fan. I much prefer Quick Step & Side Kick, though.
I fully understand that. I think it was because they seemed to saturate mid-80s TV shows. They were bloody everywhere. We are Detective irritated me far more than a pop song should.
Plus a couple of gigs in the diary with the Malthouse Blues Band.
Planning on trying to get out a bit more. Last year became very flat due to Mrs. T’s ankle injury which is thankfully much better now so we can do more.
Yeah I’ve seen him a good few times over the years but this was off the charts and even more incoherent. I’d decided not to bother seeing him again but I love that album.
I also remembered that I have a ticket for a version of Gang of Four playing their Entertainment album in Dublin though how this will be minus the late Andy Gill is causing me doubts.
January 9th, Alan Barnes/Bruce Adams Quintet @ Karamel in Wood Green.
January 12th, Tony Kofi & The Organisation @ The B3 Lounge in North Finchley.
January 19th, Rachel Sutton & Roland Perrin @ The Elephant in North Finchley.
January 23rd, Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band @ The Vortex in Dalston.
January 26th, Derek Nash/Ed Bentley Trio @ The B3 Lounge in North Finchley.
Nothing planned for later yet. Most Sundays there will be something at either The Elephant or the B3 Lounge throughout the year.
@Mike_H
Depends who’s playing with Fergs an ex school student from the school I worked at plays with them. I’ll check if he’s playing as we’re down the night before for Fairport at the Union Chapel.
Tim O’Brien & Jan Fabricius in Kendal Brewery Arts in mid Jan
Johnny Cash Tribute in Albert Halls, Bolton in Feb
Rachel Newton at Bury Met Box in Feb
Port Fairy Folk Festival, early March in that there Australia
I’m With Her at The Barbican in late May
Mostly classical so far. Partly by taste, but also becuase there is lots locally and it’s relatively good value. ( £10-30). The following are in January to March.
Orchestra of Age of Enlightenment
Ligetti Quartet
Fitzwilliam Quartet
Windborne
Patience ( Gilbert &Sullivan)
La Boheme
L’incoronazione Di Poppea ( Monterverdi)
Theatre of Voices ( Arvo Part)
That’ll be the same tour as the one I’m going to in Auckland, then. It’s being promoted here as an 80s nostalgia event, which will doubtless reel in the chattering fuckwits. I am not sure if I can be responsible for my actions if they are yapping during Stanlow.
I rarely book ahead, and think all I’ve paid for so far is the Oysterband in Canterbury and Peggy Seeger in London, both on final tours (I’ve been to a lot of those of late – 2024 saw be attending them by Show of Hands, June Tabor and Oysterband, Niteworks and Maddy Prior & the Carnival Band).
Jim Moray later this month.
In October, The Australian Pink Floyd Show (Wish You Were Here 50th anniversary) and then ABC/Anne Dudley doing Lexicon of Love.
Hopefully a few other things in between!
Jan – Lyle Lovett solo at NCH – my least favorite venue (Dublin unless specified)
Feb – Jason Isbell at Vicar Street
March – Chuck Prophett (in London)
Inside No 9 Stage show (also in London)
April – Flaming Lips Olympia Theatre
May – Waterboys Manchester
Bruce S Manchester
June – PIL Vicar Street
Hoping to see Neil Young when – if – he announces his Euro tour although hard to see him filling the bigger outdoor venues – Croke Park (85K) and the Aviva (55K) in Ireland’s capital
I will @seanioio. I saw them at the White Hotel last year (year before the year before ?) . V strange little venue. To be honest, i only went to see Steve Hanley.
Lyle Lovett @ Celtic Connections – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall – January
Nick Lowe & Los Straightjackets – Glasgow Pavilion – February
Chuck Prophet – St. Luke’s, Glasgow – February
Definitely:
Various artists over two nights as part of Americana UK at various venues in Hackney
Lyle Lovett
Julian Taylor
Jason Isbell
Chuck Prophet
Mary Chapin Carpenter, Julie Fowlis & Karine Polwart
The Delines
Bonnie Raitt
Possibly:
The Kane Gang
Josh Rouse
Nick Lowe
Kim Richey
I’m With Her
Graham Nash
Catch Louis Brennan there if you can. He’s a London based Irishman, and I would be hard pressed to describe him as Americana, but he’s on the bill and he’s great.
Reading these lists reinforces just how much we don’t get down here. The tyranny of distance and the lack of scale
Now living in the country with an aversion to stadium gigs and a diminishing tolerance for standing gigs , the pickings are slim.
This weekend a coupla gigs at a,local pub
Veteran rock / rnb with a heavy dash of Van M via the Black Sorrows
Then Melbourne folkie now living in Nashville, Jordie Lane.
Also in Jan, Henry Wagons doing Johnny Cash.
In March Welch and Rawlings in Melb at Hamer Hall. Melb is besotted with them – i think there are 5 shows, could even be more.
If still in Melb I’d do the annual Necks show in Feb but probably wont.
Laura Veirs at The Greystones, Sheffield in March is the only gig in the diary at the moment. It’s been at least a decade since I last saw her and the intimate setting of The Backroom should make for a good gig.
I’ve just been told that I have tickets for Wilco at the RAH in June (as a birthday pressie, thanks Mrs. Paws). Apart from that it’s David O’Doherty, Andy Salzman and Scott Lavene, but not on the same bill.
And Jeff Lynne/ELO in whatever form in July in Hyde Park
None. After a bumper 2024, 2025 is looking a bit dry at the moment
Nancy Kerr & James Fagan in a couple of weeks.
Transatlantic Sessions at Festival Hall in Feb.
Karine Polwart, Julie Fowlis & Mary Chapin Carpenter in March.
Already booked for Warwick, Sidmouth and Bromyard Folk Festivals and I’ll be earning my keep at Chester, Shrewsbury and Banterfest.
That’s apart from the frequent guests every few weeks at the folk club, including Dave Boulton, Bob Fox (my second favourite male singer in the land) and Cohen Braithwaite Kilcoyne.
Polwart, Fowlis, Chapin-Carpenter should be good; the album is, or, my advance stream is. I too shall be there, @thecheshirecat
Otherwise I suspect Warwick may be our only cross-over unless I return to Sidmouth; they will happily have me back, my 2024 review taking top billing on their website promoting this years. Which is nice.
Local gig in a pub at the end of the month.
Fairport at the Union Chapel Islington (son got me tickets for it for my 70th as my wife by secret text said I’d love to go, actually I’m not that bothered and it’s 200 miles south but I hope to see the Tim Burton exhibition at the Design Museum so all is not lost).
Ashley Hutchings’ 80th birthday party concert in Birmingham my wife is my carer as I wouldn’t get there on my own, so she gets in free.
Then we must meet up before the Ashley Hutchings gig, @hubert-rawlinson, as I am there too!
Then indeed we shall. I’ll pack the kali. @retropath2
Oh and I’m also seeing Malcolm Bruce, Jack Bruce’s son this month.
Going through the emails, Honeyfeet, Katherine Priddy, Peat and Deisel, Bill Bailey, John Bramwell, David Sedaris.
Very quiet 2024 by normal standards, so 2025 looks promising with tickets for The Vintage Explosion, Paul Heaton, King Creosote, The Bluebells and as usual The Waterboys.
Cat Power does Bob Dylan around the corner from the infamous Manchester Free Trade Hall early June…
She’s bringing that to Singapore in March and I’m in two minds whether to go. Worth it ?
I enjoyed it last year. Her vocal delivery is fairly idiosyncratic, but it grew on me and the band was great
@Chrisf It would depend on whether EasyJet fly there. How much is a return flight from Manchester?
I think there is one of the budget airlines (can’t remember which) that does fly the UK/Singapore route. That said the idea of 13 hours on a budget airline with no meals/crap seats/no entertainment doesn’t sound that appealing.
That’s the Bridgewater Hall on June 2nd…
Quite a few – I think 12 until end of June.
From memory without access to my callendar:
Julian Taylor
Steve Knightley
Delines
Mary Chapin Carpenter
Jesse Malin
Primal Scream
Chuck Prophet
Tindersticks
Waterboys
Bruce Springsteen
Is that MCC on her own, or with Karine and Julie?
With Karine and Julie sadly. I am sure they will be great together but love MCC and doubt she will play my favourite songs in this setting.
Hmmm, I think you might be lucky. I doubt they’ll have trio material for an entire show. Thinking about Karine’s usual MO, I reckon they would relish performing each other’s stuff.
I’d be fascinated to see Karine Polwart joining in for Passionate Kisses, she never coming over as somebody who embraces that sort of lyric. Unless stemming from Stirlingshire, 200 years ago, written in then contemporary Scots. I love her, but her wiki opening para sets out her usual bill of fare: alcoholism and genocide.
EXTC in Gloucester in March.
Ian Prowse Stourbridge in March
James Wychwood festival in May
China Crisis Tewkesbury in June
Public Image Cheltenham in August
I’m going to a multi-band half-dayer in late Feb. OMD headlining, supported by the Thompson Twins and a few other acts, including an INXS tribute band.
I’m really only going for OMD and would be happy if it was just them. I guess I am curious about the Thompson Twins. I think it’s pretty much Tom Bailey who has lived here in NZ for decades. He produced local band Stellar, whose (NZ) hits were top-notch pop songs. The band was led by Boh Runga, older sister of Bic Runga. I imagine Tom Bailey presenting BBC’s Rock School because he seems to be a technically good musician but he was not particularly ground-breaking. He looked like the record company did a makeover on him to make him look like a pop star. However, he can write a song and I did like the odd TT song, so I’ll have a gander.
I played records from 1984 in the local cafe for an afternoon last week. Mrs F’s French pal came along. Turns out she’s a massive TT fan. I much prefer Quick Step & Side Kick, though.
I have an irrational dislike of the Thompson Twins. It’s really strange.
I fully understand that. I think it was because they seemed to saturate mid-80s TV shows. They were bloody everywhere. We are Detective irritated me far more than a pop song should.
You might be right but I’m really not sure. Feel like there might be a thread in it though.
While the rest of us have a rational dislike.
Steven Wilson
Nick Lowe
Ben Elton
Plus a couple of gigs in the diary with the Malthouse Blues Band.
Planning on trying to get out a bit more. Last year became very flat due to Mrs. T’s ankle injury which is thankfully much better now so we can do more.
Chords UK
Block 33
Spike (from Quireboys) doing solo acoustic stuff
Hoping to get tickets for Penn & Teller
February – Queen Extravaganza (Band-endorsed tribute)
March – Kim Wilde, Public Service Broadcasting
May – Australian Bee Gees (tribute), Kylie, Sophie Ellis-Bextor
June – Kylie again, Cara Dillon
November – Adam Ant
Also, numerous theatre and dance events, including Hamilton, Gary Oldman in Krapp’s Last Tape, Chicago, Mary Poppins, and Torvill & Dean’s final tour.
Martin Stephenson and the Daintees playing Boat to Bolivia in the Sugar Club in Dublin in November.
The last time I saw him in Dublin there was far too much rambling interrupting pretty much every song. I’m hoping for a better show this time.
Sadly that has always been a hallmark of Martin’s live shows
You won’t get Martin without the between song banter and indeed the mid song banter. He is a very engaging performer though and great fun.
He does it less when he has a band with him, though the mid-song ad libbing with the audience is one of the things I enjoy most about him solo.
Yeah I’ve seen him a good few times over the years but this was off the charts and even more incoherent. I’d decided not to bother seeing him again but I love that album.
I also remembered that I have a ticket for a version of Gang of Four playing their Entertainment album in Dublin though how this will be minus the late Andy Gill is causing me doubts.
January 9th, Alan Barnes/Bruce Adams Quintet @ Karamel in Wood Green.
January 12th, Tony Kofi & The Organisation @ The B3 Lounge in North Finchley.
January 19th, Rachel Sutton & Roland Perrin @ The Elephant in North Finchley.
January 23rd, Ferg’s Imaginary Big Band @ The Vortex in Dalston.
January 26th, Derek Nash/Ed Bentley Trio @ The B3 Lounge in North Finchley.
Nothing planned for later yet. Most Sundays there will be something at either The Elephant or the B3 Lounge throughout the year.
@Mike_H
Depends who’s playing with Fergs an ex school student from the school I worked at plays with them. I’ll check if he’s playing as we’re down the night before for Fairport at the Union Chapel.
Yes he is, alas it’s in January and I’m down in February.
They are playing two shows that evening. 7:30-9:00 and 9:30-11:00
I’m going to the early show.
According to the Vortex website, the lineup is
Felix Burling, Fee Buckton, Olivia Cuttil, Dan Coulthurst, Ernie Moore – Trumpets
Pete New, Benji Arnold, Aidan Ruffle – Trombones
Adam Chard – Bass Trombone
Saul Duff, Flo Taylor – Alto Saxophone
Sophie Speed, Harvey Parkin-Christie – Tenor Saxophone
Bess Shooter – Baritone Saxophone
Alex Fisher – Bass/Sopranino Saxophone
Sam Erhet-Pickett – Brass instrument & Percussion
Nico Widdowson, George MacDonald – Keys
Woody Hayden – Bass
Josh Ketch, Theo Goss – Drums
Richard Moulton – Percussion
Amy Clark – Vocals
Hamish Dixon, Jonathan Lodder – Noise
Fergus Quill – MD
Pete New on trombone is the one I know.
Update:
March 11th, Hejira play Joni Mitchell @ The Jazz Café in Camden
Tim O’Brien & Jan Fabricius in Kendal Brewery Arts in mid Jan
Johnny Cash Tribute in Albert Halls, Bolton in Feb
Rachel Newton at Bury Met Box in Feb
Port Fairy Folk Festival, early March in that there Australia
I’m With Her at The Barbican in late May
I wish I’m With Her would play Bristol again – I’ve seen them twice here and they are superb live.
So Far. The Necks in Feb, Shabaka Hutchings in March and Opeth in Nov.
Just a couple at the moment – Springsteen and Bonnie Raitt, both in Manchester in the late spring
Mostly classical so far. Partly by taste, but also becuase there is lots locally and it’s relatively good value. ( £10-30). The following are in January to March.
Orchestra of Age of Enlightenment
Ligetti Quartet
Fitzwilliam Quartet
Windborne
Patience ( Gilbert &Sullivan)
La Boheme
L’incoronazione Di Poppea ( Monterverdi)
Theatre of Voices ( Arvo Part)
OMD in Adelaide in February.
Once I get closer to being back in Texas I’ll be checking out what’s on then, October onwards.
That’ll be the same tour as the one I’m going to in Auckland, then. It’s being promoted here as an 80s nostalgia event, which will doubtless reel in the chattering fuckwits. I am not sure if I can be responsible for my actions if they are yapping during Stanlow.
I’ve no idea how it’s been marketed in Adelaide. Got the tickets, and I’m going!
Hoping it will be more like when I saw them in D.C. which was serious fans having fun rather than a fuckwitfest
I rarely book ahead, and think all I’ve paid for so far is the Oysterband in Canterbury and Peggy Seeger in London, both on final tours (I’ve been to a lot of those of late – 2024 saw be attending them by Show of Hands, June Tabor and Oysterband, Niteworks and Maddy Prior & the Carnival Band).
Comedy only – Huge Davis and then Julian Clary.
Bruce Springsteen (2 @ Manchester, 2 @ Liverpool)
Oasis @ Wembley
Fish @ Wolverhampton
Manic Street Preachers @ Wolverhampton
Marilyn Manson @ Wolverhampton
Sting @ Cannock Chase Forest
Oh no, it’s a ‘real person’. What are you doing on this site?
🤣🤣🤣
Jim Moray later this month.
In October, The Australian Pink Floyd Show (Wish You Were Here 50th anniversary) and then ABC/Anne Dudley doing Lexicon of Love.
Hopefully a few other things in between!
Jan – Lyle Lovett solo at NCH – my least favorite venue (Dublin unless specified)
Feb – Jason Isbell at Vicar Street
March – Chuck Prophett (in London)
Inside No 9 Stage show (also in London)
April – Flaming Lips Olympia Theatre
May – Waterboys Manchester
Bruce S Manchester
June – PIL Vicar Street
Hoping to see Neil Young when – if – he announces his Euro tour although hard to see him filling the bigger outdoor venues – Croke Park (85K) and the Aviva (55K) in Ireland’s capital
So far, I only have Sigur Ros with orchestra at the end of Feb at the Esplanade Concert Hall in Singapore
So far I have;
She Drew The Gun
Mercury Rev
House Of All
Divorce
Half Man Half Biscuit
Iron Maiden
Very excited about the Maiden gig as I am taking my 7 year old & he can’t wait! It will be his first proper gig & what a way to start!
I’m think of going to the House of All one @seanioio if it’s the one in Manchester in March. Couple of mates are going and it’s near my birthday.
Yes @Freddy-Steady that is the one. (Although weighing up the Sheffield one too as I think they are great live). If you get tickets let me know
I will @seanioio. I saw them at the White Hotel last year (year before the year before ?) . V strange little venue. To be honest, i only went to see Steve Hanley.
Lyle Lovett @ Celtic Connections – Glasgow Royal Concert Hall – January
Nick Lowe & Los Straightjackets – Glasgow Pavilion – February
Chuck Prophet – St. Luke’s, Glasgow – February
I’ve just bought Bonnie Raitt in June to add to the list.
So far…
Kelly Finnigan – This month in Bristol
The Delines – March in Birmingham
I am a bit peeved that the Delines play Brum on my wife’s birthday.
I am sure she will understand
Tickets pinned up on the board thus far:
February – Kanda Bongo Man at the Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford Upon Avon.
March – Lady Maisery at the Wiltshire Music Centre, Bradford Upon Avon.
June – Wakefire (Lady Maisery plus Jimmy & Sid) at St. George’s, Bristol.
I don’t do many gigs these days…
March: Mercury Rev – Southsea
September: EOTR Festival – Dorset/Wiltshire
Emily Barker in Feb. That’s it so far, and possibly all year – even Strawberry Fair has been cancelled.
Sunday Driver’s new album launch in March, and – how could I forget? – The Dawn Chorus reunion in July.
Rumours of Fleetwood Mac in April. Oh yes.
They’re fantastic!
I’m thinking of seeing a Rush tribute band do Moving Pictures at Bury Met but that’s as far as I’ve got so far.
Definitely:
Various artists over two nights as part of Americana UK at various venues in Hackney
Lyle Lovett
Julian Taylor
Jason Isbell
Chuck Prophet
Mary Chapin Carpenter, Julie Fowlis & Karine Polwart
The Delines
Bonnie Raitt
Possibly:
The Kane Gang
Josh Rouse
Nick Lowe
Kim Richey
I’m With Her
Graham Nash
Catch Louis Brennan there if you can. He’s a London based Irishman, and I would be hard pressed to describe him as Americana, but he’s on the bill and he’s great.
Thanks @Gatz. I’ll look out for him. I’ll also do some YouTube familiarisation.
Hopefully there won’t be a clash with another artist I want to see.
My Life Story in Southend in March, and no doubt more times when further dates are scheduled
looking at Pete Wylie in Bristol and ABC in Bath
comedy wise Phil Wang, Julian Clary, Alan Davies all in Cheltenham
Simon Munnery and Gyles Brandreth in Swindon (not on the same bill)!!
Anthony Gomes in January (Newcastle), Urban Voodoo Machine (Stockton) in February. Both small venues, which I prefer.
John Shuttleworth and Laura Veirs in March. Not on the same bill, mind. Oof.
Reading these lists reinforces just how much we don’t get down here. The tyranny of distance and the lack of scale
Now living in the country with an aversion to stadium gigs and a diminishing tolerance for standing gigs , the pickings are slim.
This weekend a coupla gigs at a,local pub
Veteran rock / rnb with a heavy dash of Van M via the Black Sorrows
Then Melbourne folkie now living in Nashville, Jordie Lane.
Also in Jan, Henry Wagons doing Johnny Cash.
In March Welch and Rawlings in Melb at Hamer Hall. Melb is besotted with them – i think there are 5 shows, could even be more.
If still in Melb I’d do the annual Necks show in Feb but probably wont.
Just Cropredy at the moment I think.
Possibly Sarah McQuaid on 22nd January at the lovely Bridge Inn in Topsham if I can rearrange things.
Nothing musical yet, just Nina Conti and Inside No 9. Very excited for the latter.
Couple of comedy gigs lined up – Adam Riches and John Kearns are Ball and Boe in April, but first… https://www.ents24.com/kelvedon-events/the-institute/john-craigie/7237167
Nick Lowe & Los Straightjackets
Hamish Hawk
Chuck Prophet
Kevin Armstrong – solo thing
Doves in March at the Institute. No Jimmy, will be a bit emotional as Jez and Andy fill in for him.
Laura Veirs at The Greystones, Sheffield in March is the only gig in the diary at the moment. It’s been at least a decade since I last saw her and the intimate setting of The Backroom should make for a good gig.
February – Jim White
March – Tindersticks, Public Service Broadcasting
Slow start to the year. Maybe it’s a trend…
Holly Johnson, The Pixies and Cymande so far…
I’ve just been told that I have tickets for Wilco at the RAH in June (as a birthday pressie, thanks Mrs. Paws). Apart from that it’s David O’Doherty, Andy Salzman and Scott Lavene, but not on the same bill.