gigs
Morrissey @ Leeds Academy 07/07/2011
After my rather “warm” experience in Bradford last week I’m back for more, this time sith standing tickets and I aim to be somewhat closer to moz than my previous “up in the gods” view.
But first the support, The Heartbreaks from Morcambe
I quite like them, a bit of indie crooning never did anyone any harm.
So to Moz, much nearer, not quite the chaos of last time I saw him here, but the guy is in fine fettle.
Pretty much the same set as Bradford but with an encore of “Panic”, I leave happy slipping down the Leeds side street to the car park.
iLikeTrains @ Brudenell Social Club Leeds 01/07/2011
So an single launch show with added strings and tea!
The strings added even more epicness to the already epic sound, really enjoy.
Morrissey @ St Georges Hall Bradford 27/06/2011
It’s a very rare that I venture to Bradford, even rarer is when it’s blazing hot. Don’t think I’ve ever been in a venue that has sported an official “heatwave” warning, but tonight is the night.
As always I’m more than a little excited to be seeing Morrissey and tonight is no exception, although having watched his Glastonbury set on the tv 2 days earlier I think I may have spoilt the set.
Despite being on the backrow right at the top with a view that only just includes the front of the stage, it’s still fun (sounds great). A set of at least 5 smiths tracks is great. I leave happy, all be it a little sweaty.
Long Division Festival 11/06/2011
Following my annual joy of attending “Live at Leeds” it’s now the turn for it’s local neighbour Wakefield to host a similar event “Long Division” festival, sure it may not have the quantity, but it does have the quality. Indeed when I saw the announcement for the festival I had to look twice to make sure I hadn’t accidentally curated the festival myself.
It’s the first event of it’s kind in the Merrie city, mostly organised by the team at The Hop and cross my fingers that it all works out, exciting times to be living in Wakefield (new art gallery, new shopping center, new hospital and high security prison).
So after a long journey from home taking the best part of 5 minutes I’m stood outside The Hop in the sunshine, off to get my wristband and catch…
The Spills @ The Hop Wakefield
It’s early so I’m surprised to see a nearly full Hop, I squeeze in but as soon as I arrive I have to go and meet my mate to give him his ticket, but still had time to see their drummer fall off the back of the stage.
And so we head to the Town Hall to see…
Blood Oranges @ Wakefield Town Hall
On arrival to the building we are directed upstairs to “The Kingswood Suite”, a rather large function room complete with bar facilities and grand interior décor. We grab a beer and await the arrival of the band.
Every now and again you see what bands call “technical difficulties”, today the hand of fate points the finger of cock-up at Blood Oranges, as they enter the stage and tune up a string snaps and then same one snaps during the first track – oh dear, so they play the set with one guitar despite best efforts of the bands family members attempts to locate a suitable replacement from the green room.
Just Handshakes, We’re British @ Wakefield Town Hall
I’m not particularly looking forward to these, the set I saw earlier in the year at “Live at Leeds” was a bit dull. So as a sit on the plush carpeted floor of the venue with a pint I’m surprised that I find their catchy twee pop familiar, maybe I like them more than I think.
As is customary after a few beers I need the loo, normally I wouldn’t mention it but as I as I enter the gents there is obviously someone being “ill” in the cubical. Not just a bit ill, but full blown “huey” yelling. Eventually a bedraggled figure emerges from the cubical and staggers through the door and across to the green room. How odd.
Nepoleon IIIrd @ Mustangs Wakefield
I feel the need to see Nepoleon as he’s been around for years. It turns out to be a bad choice for me, his beat filled dance electronica is an urban kilometre outside my comfort zone.
It’s also my first ever visit to “Mustang Sallys” it’s as tacky (quite literally – do they not have jif micro liquid here ?) as I’d have expected and the beer tastes of pipe cleaner, ummm minty lager.
Tiny Planets @ Wakefield Town Hall
Back to the Town Hall to catch the end of Tiny Planets, I quite like the snippets that I hear and the singer confesses to “being really nervous before the gig” – no s#!t, this is the bedraggled figure who was spewing in the gents earlier.
So let’s try something new.
The Windup Birds @ Mustangs Wakefield
Now this was a pleasant find, imagine Art Brut, with Eddie Argos dressed in the skin of Paul Morley, singing Half Man Half Biscuit lyrics over a Fall backing track in the vocal style of Johnny Vegas.
I stare quizzically, almost mesmerised as I try to workout if I hate it or love it, I decide I love it.
Runaround Kids @ The Hop Wakefield
Oh my, I think i love this band, it’s all very Cribs like with a couple of stand out non Cribs like tracks.
I’m very pleased to say the place is rammed and are greeted with cheers that the local heros deserve. I look forward to the album launch lots.
The Grand @ Graziers Wakefield
The 4th venue of the day and a rather decent pint of Tim Taylors Landlord. So the band, yep I like them…
…perhaps a little on the epic side of indie in places, but yep some good tracks.
And so for food, after finding a decent 3G signal urban spoon directs me to Bollywood Lounge and very nice it was too (and reasonably priced).
So full of Chicken Tikka Keema Balti I head early to the predictably busy…
Los Campensinos @ The Hop Wakefield
Seeing Los Camps in 200 capacity venue is something I was really looking forward to. It’s a squeeze as they all crowd on the tiny stage.
I’ve probably seen these about a dozen times and this is everything I had hoped for and more. Only slightly marred by the pissed up grey haired Boris Johnson look a like in the weddoes tshirt and checked red shirt behaving like a tit, deliberately trying to push kids over in the mosh. Where is the security ? I feel slightly ashamed.
I leave one before the end to make sure I catch…
The Wedding Present @ Mustangs Wakefield
My fave band, in my hometown, It should be perfect, but it’s not.
The tacky USA theme club just seems wrong, the sponsors intro seemed out of place, the sound – FFS I can hardly hear the guitars, just the bass.
There soon developed some “tension” between the crowd and the bouncers, clearly they weren’t used to people moshing and tried to stop them. Eventually things got ugly and several fans were ejected and according to what I heard on various forums (although I didn’t see it) were assaulted.
So the gig stopped, the band talked to the organisers and the bouncers were kicked out. Then for the final three songs it got really good.
After the gig there was a post match analysis with my mates off the Weddoes forum, we agreed that it’s quite the oddest weddoes gig we’ve been to.
The Retrospective
So the day on the whole was 95% brilliant, amazing line up, easy access to venues, just great. But the 5%, oh a horrid 5% – Mustangs bouncers were bang out of order.
So more than a ripple of applause to the organisers. Looking forward to next year already.
Live at Leeds 30/04/2011
So it’s one of my most favourite days of the year, a dozen or so venues and over 100 bands to watch. I’d better have a plan…
…it’s a fine plan, maybe a few more “unknow” bands this year than I’m used to but lastfm helps decide. However, not the best start to the day, a combination of bus timings and a dodgy door lock at chez Ibis means I can’t get in to see..
Circles @ Nation of Shopkeepers
Instead I “listen” from behind a screen in the bar next door. Not a bad start, perfectly acceptable puchy indie.
Runaround Kids @ The Faversham
Finally I get to see The Runaround Kids, and I’m not dissapointed, theres a very heavy Cribs sound in there (and accent too) but a couple of standout tracks from the Kiss Chase EP
Let’s Buy Happiness @ Leeds Met
Next up is some female vocaled local indie music. Boy can that girl sing, really sing, sadly without being too familiar with the band it sounds like just the one song. By the third one in I’m starting to wonder if I’ve heard it before, suspect I need a bit more of a listen.
Just Handshakes, we’re British @ Leeds Met
Listed in the festivals line up as similar to the “Wedding Present” – so naturally I’m there. There appears to be some descrepency here, the lead singer is the chemical opposite to David Gedge in so many ways. Basically the problem is it’s impossible to hear the lead singer, her high pitched vocals are just to quiet, please Mr Soundman turn her up! Maybe I’ll watch them at the Long Divison Festival in Wakefield in June and try again.
Suzukis @ Leeds Met
Ok, lets have a something a little more angry, possibly a little punk – OK for a couple and then I have a wander…
…and look at some roadies at Leeds Academy…
…see the next band on are described as “Kassidy” apparently acoustic rock. I wander back to the Met.
Stalking Horse @ Leeds Met
So I’m about to witness the first gig of Leeds indie supergroup fronted by the ex-this-et-al frontman.
Quite enjoy it although it’s very “epic” sounding
Mazes @ Leeds Met
Really like these lads, lovely low-fi indie.
Let’s Wrestle @ Leeds Met
And so to one I’ve been looking forward to for ages, a personal fave album of 2010 In The Court of the Wrestling Lets and my first time so see them.
They were great and I end up jumping about at the front with the other fans, much much fun!
Futureheads @ Leeds Uni Stylus
Haven’t seen these guys for years, not since the NME tour with Kaiser Chiefs, Bloc Party and Killers. They certainly haven’t lost their edge.
Terrifically tight set, including crowd pleasing hits and an odd acapella folk song that sounded amazing.
Young Knives @ Brudenell social Club
It’s getting late and I’m getting tired, so the last thing I need is a 30 minute wait whilst the Young Knives set up. In all fairness I’m a “bit” drunk and shortly after they start I’m willing them to finish, this more much more to do with me being shattered and I can’t really be fair judge of the performance.
I’ll find another blog somewhere and find out if they were any good 
Pete and the Pirates @ The Hop Wakefield 20/04/2011
Despite living in Wakefield for the past twelve years I’ve never really been for a night out in the Merrie city. Can’t say the lure of a friday night on Westgate littered with drunk chavs is really my thang.
So it’s with glee that I find “Pete and the Pirates” are in town. So in a fairly full Hop I watch a selection of old classics and new tracks from the forthcoming album.
I’m please to say the new stuff on first listen sounds on par with old, looking forward to hearing more. Maybe I’ll see them at the Cockpit next month.
Still wish thier van hadn’t broke down on the way to Leeds Festival all those years ago, would have been great to see them back then. Anyway I digress, a smashing night and a great little venue (and near my house too).
Airbourne Toxic Event @ Leeds Cockpit 08/04/2011
Let me start with a little disclaimer, this band have been on my “list to see” for some time, but I’m not one of their biggest fans. I like there stuff but I haven’t listened to it on a regular basis. Clearly in a packed Cockpit I’m in the minority, stood amongst the very excited and very vocal fanatics.
A great crowd, great set and a teriffic set.Not too keen on the Bruce Springsteen country segway in the encore, but that doesn’t spoil it for me.
Fave moment of the night was during one of the rare quiter tracks, two durnken young lasses pushed their way to the front with one of them talking excessively loudly to her mate. The whole of the front portion of the crowd in unison turned and gave them a collective “shhhh” – it worked.
Oh and a ripple of applause to the Leeds based support YonderBoy – great stuff.
British Sea Power @ Leeds Metropolitan University 12/02/2011
Once again the mighty British Sea Power descend upon Leeds Met perfoming tracks from their latest long player “Valhalla Dancehall”. The mood in the venue is one of cramped excitement, and the room seems alcahol charged and as the band take to the stage. As is customary the front of the crowd shuffles it’s self in to those who want to dance, those don’t want to get hurt and the stubbon sods who where here first. Regardless there’s soon a sizeable mosh and the signs are this is going to be a good un.
I’ve said it on many occasions I love Leeds Met as venue because it always sounds great, but tonight it’s not the case. It’s a bit “muddy” and althought we all love the set list comprises of a back catalogue to get the crowd going, for me it’s a little hard work. Classics like “Something Wicked” sound really muffled, fortuntely “Fear of Drowning” can survive any PA related attack.
Hamilton takes center stage and proves to be a bit of a turning point as things just start to sound better. “We Are Sound” sounds like an anthemically noisy and classic and the gig clicks into place.
Singles “Oily Stage”, “Zeus”, “Lights Out For Darker Skies” and “Waving Flags” are greeted by the crowd as classics, there is further joy as very drunk Heston Blumenthal look alike who could hardly stand and to many down the front has been a complete pain in the arse is dragged from the crowd by security.
Finally the band tear the place apart with “Carrion” and a segway into “All In It” mass sing along – quite a moving experience.
The encore is preceeded by cheesey mass chant of “Easy”, but hey it’s a lary Saturday in Leeds and I’d be narked if it was anything else.
“Spirit Of St Louis” is still probably my fave BSP track, I’d like to hear it again without so much improv from Yan, but what the hell its still SOSL. They close on “No Lucifer”, and that’s right on button – nearly a 2 hour set.
So it’s not a classic, it never could be as much fun as sweaty November night in 2003 at the Josephs Well with the Killers as support. But as 2011 Saturday nights in Leeds go with British Sea Power it’s still great.
The Joy Formidable @ Leeds Cockpit 09/02/2011
One of the many great memories I have from last summers Leeds Festival is seeing the Joy Formidable, any band that smashes a guitar into peices on the first track is my kind of band. I try not to let the images of front woman Ritzy grinning like a cheshire cat as she repeatedly smashes the neck of a Strat into the stage detract me from what is a “presses all the buttons” roraringly epic sound.
So it happens that tonight the band hit the Cockpit 2 – which despite the commercial lure of the “NME Insertnameofsponsour Tour” at the “Insrtnameofsponsor Academy” across town the venue is still packed (dear futuresound – why not Cockpit 1?)
It’s the first time I’ve been in the cockpit 2 since the improvements to the lighting and PA – and it’s fantastic.
To cut a long rambling story short, they are great, the crowd love em. Yes it sounds exactly like the album but much, much louder – but how can that be a bad thing ?
Villagers @ Leeds Cockpit 09/12/2010
Tonight me and @JoeLimits decide not to head to our traditional pre-gig eats at fuji hiro and instead deide a curry is required at Akbars and jolly nice the “Chicken Tika Keema Balti” was, now off to the gig.
We arrive at the gig and grab a pint,the support band seem a little too “folky” for our ears and chat in the bar before getting a mid way spot in the “big” room in the cockpit.
After the usual sound checking and waiting, the lights dim and Connor emerges from the fire exit at the back of the stage and starts playing a solo rendition of “Twenty Seven Strangers”. We are all quite mesmerised and dare not make a sound during the song simply admiring the guys talent, only the rumbble of the trains above the arches in the cockpit break the silence, but in some ways add to the atmosphere.
Then his band emerge from the shadows and whilst teasing one an other and jovial banter play their way through “Becoming a Jackal”, it’s good, but it all starts to sound a bit samey after a while.
And so to the encore, I’m a bit dissapointed that Connor plays “can you hear me now” solo, was really ace when the band played it at leeds festival, ho hum.
The band thank the crowd and announce appologies to the female fans the might have “offended” earlier at fuji hiro – that could have been me, one day I hope to be offended by a rock and roll legend.
The Wedding Present @ Leeds Academy 06/12/2010
So it’s my second gig of the Bizarro tour (after Sheffield), tonight it’s time for the “B set” which features a different bunch of old an new Weddoes track before the band kick into Bizarro front to back. Really pleased to hear “Skin Diving” after far too long, but confused as to how “The Theme from Cheers” has made it to the set list. Think I also need a few more listens to the new ones, not as catchy as the ones from the “A set”.
I wouldn’t say this if it wasn’t true, but it’s a long time since I’ve seen Mr Gedge “give it some” (at least this much), maybe it’s the biggest venue of the tour, maybe it’s a home coming, but respect to the man (despite the final notes cockup of “Be Honest”). As always great crowd for a Weddoes gig in Leeds and ace to see old friends too.
The Wedding Present @ The Leadmill Sheffield 18/11/2010
Wasn’t sure I’d get out of work in time for this, but I did. Met an old mate I’d not seen for 16 years whilst the support band were on (Ringo Deathstarr reminded me of Dinosaur Jr) so had a catch up chat. Then I head for the front to meet the usual Scopitones suspects. Took lots of piccies, here’s the best:
They played some classics and new ones which I really liked (unlike the ones I heard at Holmfirth earlier this year), then Bizarro front to back – mental crowd. Hope I can mosh like that when I’m bald and 50, thought it best I kept out of the way.
Ace to see old friends and I rather like the latest lineup.
Constellations Festival @ Leeds University 14/11/2010
It’s a cold day in Leeds, not what one would call ideal festival weather. But fortunately this is an indoor one using the three venues within Leeds University.
Due to minor domestic issues (and my 9 year old smacking 4 past Netherton Juniors) I arrive a little later than planned and catch the last one from my new favourite band from Wakefield – “The Runaround Kids. Looks like they’ve had a bit of bad luck with the singer having a throat infection and is unable to sing, good effort by the bass player, think I should judge them when they are back to form.
Off to the Refectory….
iLiKETRAiNS
As always it’s a big wall of sound, mainly from the new album. Which if I dare say is a little “poppier” than previous efforts –
Sky Larkin
Lovely Sky Larkin – quality as always, would have liked a few more of Golden Spike but its a short set.
Local Natives
Saw these at Leeds fest earlier in the year and said “What a tash! It’s americana time, alright but I wouldn’t listen by choice” – still a great tash and wasn’t expecting to enjoy this much. But I did, really tight and sounded great (if a little heavy on the americana for me).
Los Campesinos!
Still one of my faves, late on due to technical problems, but I dont care as I jump around yeling lyrics – ace band.
Broken Social Scene
Saw them earlier in the year at the Corporation in Sheffield, they were good then, but give them a big crowd a decent PA and a decent lighting rig they stormed it! Oh, and Sir Johnny Marr arrived on stage for a song.
Good times.
British Sea Power @ Brudnell Social Club 15/10/2010
So the boys are supporting the Manic Street Preachers at huge venues such as insertnameofsponsor academies, it would appear on some of their nights “off” they have decided to put on a few gigs at cosy venues such as the lovely (albeit geographically challenged) Brudnell Social Club.
This happens to be conviniently on a Friday night, more conveniently my birthday and by blimey charliey my 40th one at that.
As I apply a one gig per tour limit to bands they always seem good (or it’s my incredibly good taste in bands?) – it would appear even at 40 I’m not too old to mosh.
Good times.
I Am Kloot @ Sheffield Leadmill 06/10/2010
Many years ago when I was but an impressionable teenager, during my “skinny indie kid” days I once went to the then Mecca of record shops “Eastern Bloc” in Afflecks Palace Manchester.
With my fopp of hair shaved at the sides on back sporting a Smiths T-shirt a grandad style cardigan ad a pair of Dr Marten boots I furiously searched through the racks of vynil and with the pittance I earned from my Saturday job in Debenhams purchased 2 of the best bits of vinyl bought.
Not surprisingly I played these to death and one of the tracks that stuck in my mind was “Subway Life” by “Johnny Dangerously”, I have to admit it was a bit of a protest song and it’d anti Smiths fan lyrics did slightly rub me up the wrong way.
It was several years later (in the mid 2000s) when I heard the same voice again as part of “I am Kloot” brought to my attention by the sunday night “Razor Cuts” show on Virgin Radio (thanks Pete Mitchell). It was only later after listening to a few albums and hearing an interview that I realised that “Johnny Dangerously” and the singer of I am Kloot “Johhny Bramwell” were in fact one in the same.
Anyway due to poor planing and gig clashes I’ve always missed them, I finally got to see Johnny and the band:
A great performance and a ripple of applause to the mixing desk I could hear every lyric, look forward to seeing them again.
Leeds Festival 2010
Skipped last year after the festival was expanded in 2008 and it was just too busy for me, but anyway lets see if a “lay” year makes me feel better.
DAY 1
After the perfect preparation of seeing the Wedding Present in Holmfirth the night before I set off only to discover my watch is kerput and I’ll need to detour via the White Rose shopping centre and get a new battery fitted. I’m slightly annoyed to discover I need to leave my watch for 20 mins to be fixed, so I grab a McBreakfast and pop in HMV and finally get my hands on a copy of SkyLarkins new album “Kaleide”. I eventually get my watch back after standing in a queue with people having keys cut, and I’m now 30mins behind schedule so there go my plans to get in early.
Now I know the festival causes traffic chaos, but really any need for this much of a detour?
So I park up, get my wristband and hike to the arena and see:
The Walkmen
Some nice jangly indie sat in the sun by the front of the main stage.
Soul Circus
Mates band from work who also provide some nice jangly indie, rather impressed but I leave after a few songs to see.
The Crookes
Who are a bit of a let down, only seem to be really good when doing the current trend of early 60s indie crooning. Shame.
Penguin
From my neck of the woods, surprisingly good, not sure I’d choose to listen to them but good to watch, big turn out (even feature on Look North!)
The Gaslight Anthem
Where rock meet indie, excellent band I enjoy.
Modest Mouse
No Johnny Marr 
but chug through some indie americana, couple of god ones, slightly spoilt by the rain.
Chapel Club
Was really looking forward to these, seemed a little flat, singer seemed cheesed of the crowd was a bit flat. Maybe if he tried looking like he was enjoying himself the crowd might lift a bit.
The Cribs
Yorksha, Yorksha, Yorksha – belter of a set, have a feeling this may be the last I see of Johnny Marr with the Cribs.
Villagers
Ooooh, this is different, think I like it too. Thought to myself “bet this gets Mercury nominated next year”, but it turns out it already has.
The Libertines
Will they? Wont they? Well they only flippin did! I’ve seen the Libs before with no Pete and I’ve seen Babyshambles a couple of times, thought this was terrific, despite all the “baggage” that goes with Pete he is amazingly talented.
Don’t really fancy Arcade Fire and I’d rather enter a “Hammer your own face flat with a brick” competition than go and see Pendulum. Just a little plea to the organisers, a few more lights in the carpark would help. Having to resort to using my iPhone and GPS to locate my car is a bit much (good job I book marked it’s position before I left it).
DAY 2
Up bright and early and head to the festival via Leeds and the York Road, much quicker. Today I discover “Real Ale” stall, “Pint of Scarecrow please”, much nicer than that ruddy Tuborg, you have to be choosy when you can only have a couple. So back to the music:
Goldheart Assembly
Harmonious indie folk
The Joy Formidable
BRILLIANT, if you smash a guitar up during the first song you are my kind of band. Cracking tunes, loads of attitude, epic, I want more.
Local Natives
What a tash! It’s americana time, alright but I wouldn’t listen by choice.
Los Campesinos!
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One of my faves and they don’t dissapoint. First mosh pit of the day, there’s not much more fun than jumping around to “Sweet Dreams, Sweet Cheeks”
General Fiasco
Arrh, wasn’t expecting this hard rocky sound, not my cup of tea.
Nerves
I huddle under the BBC Inroducing stage from the rain. I find a lovely shambly distorted wall of sound with some nice jangly guitar over the top, singer is a bit flat though and drummer hates us and chucks his bottle of water over us at the end of the set, which is a bit pointless as it’s raining.
Fools Gold
It’s salsa time! so I’m off.
The Drums
Shock gasp horror they don’t play the hit “Lets go Surfing”, and are the only band ever to an encore in a middle of the day slot.
Tame Impala
Hmmm I remember thinking I like these but can’t remember a thing they played, better ease off the “Scarecrow” a bit
Band Of Horses
Yep its americana day, only really watching these to kill a bit of time.
Minus The Bear
I really wanted to see these, but a bit like “Tame Impala” can’t remember what they sounded like.
Foals
Saw these years ago just as Transgressive signed them, I quite like them can’t understand why they are so popular really.
Paramore
I wanted to see what the view and sound was like on the main stage from a “downhill” position, so I wait and wait for Paramore to come on stage. In between the gusts of wind I think I can hear Avril Lavine – probably unfair conditions to judge a band so maybe I’m being unfair but it’s hard to tell quarter of a mile from a stage in a force 2 gale.
We Are Scientists
I watch from the back of the NME tent, the Scientists put on a cracking set, but it’s a shame that everything off “With Love and Squalor” just seems head and shoulders above anything they have done since. But a really good set and great banter with the crowd “We had a meeting, we sat down and reviewed the next song, we gave it a 7, so it’s good”.
Caribou
Dance music!!!!! Luckily I don’t have to endure it for too long and I’m only queuing for…
British Sea Power
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Now I’m a massive fan of this band, but I have seen them at Leeds on all the stages (from about 2004) and on a couple of occasions it’s fallen a bit flat, on others it’s been storming. Luckily tonight we get a stormer, mainly tracks from “…decline of” and “Do you like Rock Music” but a beautifully decorated stage, a tight set and the trademark chaos at the end seeing the return of “Ursine Ultra” being tethered to the front row of the audience with gaffa tape.
Once again time to play “dude where’s my car”, just enough battery for the GPS to work.
DAY 3
This morning I recieve a message from my foot “your ankle is held together with titanium, this resultant pain is what happens when you spend 2 days stood up and in the last 72 hours have been invlolved in at least four mosh pits – you’re nearly 40 pack it in”, so I limp across the carpark for the final day. I’m almost late for:
Frankie And The Heartstrings
It’s a bit like an indie version of “Happy Days” from Sunderland, but they are very good at it. Couple of instantly catchy tracks and it’s all good fun.
Matt Abbott
I catch the end of the “Skint and Demoralised” front mans poetry set, he’s quite funny, and recants poems and track lyrics. I particularly like his twitter poem, I shall tweet him about it, that’ll be ironic.
Eddie Argos
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Art Brut front man plays an acoustic set, his usual witty banter and funny lyrics really work once he has broken the rules of poetry and created a mosh pit in the tent. All good stuff much fun.
Funeral Party
Nice little indie band, would like to hear more
Girls
Really looking forward to this, but they only have one decent tune, the rest is mundane.
Two Door Cinema Club
Massive crowd and a good set too
Pulled Apart By Horses
New Leeds heroes, not seen them live before and didn’t like them, will leave them for the rest of the crowd to enjoy.
Sketches
Hotly tipped and really good, would want to hear a bit more before saying I was a fan.
Egyptian Hip Hop
Was really looking forward to these, seemed really pants, no confidence and no real tunes, a shame.
Avi Buffalo
I was told these were good, but not this good. Only one really catch tune though, will have to dig some of their stuff out and have a listen. Very impressed.
Warpaint
Really good sounding all female band from the states, problem is all the songs sound the same – which I don’t have a problem with it just means you need to know them to appreciate the subtle differences.
Right I can hang around for two hours and wait for Pheonix, or listen to my ankle and go home, have a hot bath, a couple of beers and watch MOTD2, I call it a day and head home.
The Wedding Present @ Picturedome Holmfirth 26/08/2010
So the ideal preperation for 3 days of Leeds Festival, a gig by the semi legendary Wedding Present, supported by non other than Cinerama. Holmfirth Picturedome has gone through extensive redevelopment since I was last there, gone are the cinema style seats and scafolding, replace with a nice flat floor and proper balconys.
And so the fun begins, a short Cinerama set featuring Terry on guitar and then a short “intermission” and then a few Weddoes clasics a few new ones and then Bizzaro in album order.
The place went nuts at the usual points – “Brassneck”, “Kennedy”, “Crushed” and for all nine minutes of “Take me”. A splendid night and nice to see some old mates too.
Broken Social Scene with Sky Larkin @ Corporation Sheffield 09/07/2010
Canada’s mighty “Broken Social Scene” are to play Sheffield, I feel it would be nothing but rude not to go, given their epic perfomance at Leeds Festival a few years ago.
My cup of joy then runeth over when I discover that personal fave (and destined for big things) Sky Larkin are playing as support.
I’m more than aware that Broken Social Scene will typically do a two hour set (after all there are almost 10 of them) and being unfamiliar with the venue I take no risks of missing SkyLarkin which has happened at least twice in the past (oh the queues at Live at Leeds 2009 and the ridculous “first on” time supporting Los Campesinos several years ago). To this end I use the new fanglled twitter dooh dah mid afternoon and ask
Off to see @WeAreSkyLarkin and @BSSMusic in Sheffield, anyone know the stage times?
Continuing at work I hear nowt and get my head down and plan to arrive at the venue for 8pm as alledgedly there is another support band. Imagine my “suprise” as I wander across a supermarket car park in south Leeds and check my phone to see:
@andyburgin we are supporting Broken Social Scene at 730pm tonight kx
Bugger, it’s 7:04 and they are on in 25 mins. Clog down, A642, M62, M1, donw the Parkway, towards Bramall Lane, Arundle Gate and into the NCP by Debenhams and leg it to the venue, unecessarily queue in the wrong line at the door and arrive as Sky Larkin’s Kattie announces they’ve 2 left. 45 Mins form Rothwell LIDL to 3 from the stage isn’t bad I suppose.
So I see them perform “Beeline” and “Matatdor” and they are gone, seem to get a good reception at the end but I can’t really comment on the whole set as I only saw the end, but what I saw was up to their high standards.
I decide to tweet the from the venue:
I meet a mate from work (who I didn’t know was going) and I tell her my traumatic journey and exchange words on our excitment of the oncoming BSS set. I find a suitable vantage point near the front. The venue fills up, and I’m treated to an almost two hour set.
It’s mostly fronted by Kevin but the instrument swapping makes me dizzy at times.
It’s a set comprised of the new album which I haven’t hear this loud before (and it makes a difference) and the hits (presumably for the T-in-the-park set for tomorrow).
Really enjoyed this one, good sound even though I was stood next to the PA, great crowd, a band up for it and good venue (nice stage height). Added to this was my ankle (if you don’t know I tripple fractured it years ago, it’s been kerputt ever since, basically it doesn’t bend properly) which decided as it does to windge about been stood on for two hours and “click” and “crack”, but for the first time in 4 years something “twang” and I could bend it further than in years – shame it only lasted the rest of the evening.
As I left the venue I saw Sky Larkin’s Kattie stood at the merchandise stall, I nearly went and said hello, but what goes on twitter stays on twitter, right ?
So I whizz up the M1 to Wakefield and I’m home. I sit and watch some T-in-the-Park on BBC3, decide it’s time for bed and give twitter one last scan – wowzers:
I smile lots and head off for some ZZZZzzzz…..
British Sea Power @ Holy Trinity Church Leeds 03/05/2010
A seated BSP gig ? In a church ? Not exactly conventional, but nothing ever is with this band.
Sound was a bit bobbins, but the pews were welcome after the 12 hour standathon/gigathon that was “Live at Leeds”
Live at Leeds 01/05/2010
A choice of 17 venues and 12 hours of back to back bands I grabbed a greasy chip buutty and a wristband and headed forth…
Twilight Sad @ Brudenell Social Club – On Spotify
I Concur @ The Library – On Spotify
Bear Driver @ Nation of Shop Keepers – On Spotify
Lightspeed Champion @ Leeds Uni Stylus – On Spotify
We Have Band @ Nation of Shop Keepers – On Spotify
Everything Everything @ Cockpit
Frankie and the Heartstrings @ The Well
Sky Larkin @ The Well – On Spotify
British Sea Power @ Showroom Cinema Sheffield 29/04/2010
It feels like forever since I last saw BSP, so excitment this time as I’m off to see them perform their Man of Aran soundtrack along to the film. So a night out in Sheffield is called for.
I’m not entirely sure what to expect, but after 10 mins of watching the film rather than the band it clicks. Considering the film comes from 1934 there is some beautiful cinematography and combined with the soundtrack it’s quite a spectacular experience
More about the film here
Naturally I wasn’t alowwed to take piccies in the cinema whilst the film was on, so here’s the band exiting stage left.
The XX @ Leeds Stylus 08/03/2010
The XX – slightly outside my comfort zone, but will I still like them after the gig..
Spose so, half way through it all started to sound a bit the same, padded out with a couple of bland fillers.
Shockwave NME Tour @ Leeds Academy 07/02/2010
Shockwave NME Tour – 4 bands, packed venue:
Maccabees – Love You Better
Bombay Bicycle Club – Evening/ Morning
Big Pink – Dominos
Drums – Lets Go Surfing
Drums – NME Awards Tour 2010 @ Leeds Academy 07/02/2010