In April we’re going to the new Coop-Live (sounds like it should be a shop, like Tesco Express) arena in Manchester to see Peter Kay. We’ve seen him before at the MEN Arena years ago, hopefully we won’t get Rick rolled again - he actually had Rick Astley as support!
Went to see The Mary Wallopers last Friday in Manchester. Great gig with lots of jumping about. Probably the reason that I’m now sat in bed with an annoying cough etc after being far too close to strangers and their germs I should have ditched work today.
The Damned. Enmore Theatre Sydney. Sydney was treated to phenomenal show as punk rock royalty from across the globe graced the stage of the Enmore Theatre. The show was kicked off by legendary Australian punk rockers the Hard-Ons, who wasted no time in setting the tone for an unforgettable night of punk rock mayhem. The Hard-Ons effortlessly commanded the attention of the auditorium with their frenzied energy, tight musicianship and stage magnetism. Serving as the supporting act in no way diminished the bands commitment to delivering a top tier performance that would leave an unforgettable mark on the crowd. Every single song was delivered with a ferocity that bordered on chaos, yet there was an irrefutable sense of tightness and precision to their performance. The Hard-Ons proved once again why they are regarded as Australia’s most iconic punk rock bands. Their explosive live show and infectious energy are a testament to their enduring passion for their craft and music. After the furious ruckus that was The Hard Ons the audience waited with bated breath for The Damned to come on stage. You could feel the anticipation in the venue for what would prove to be a momentous and heartfelt farewell. The Damned are back together as their early 80’s line up of Dave Vanian (vocals), Captain Sensible (lead guitar), Paul Grey (bass), Monty Oxymoron (keys) and with the triumphant return of Rat Scabies (drums). After a substantially influential career spanning decades, the legendary London punk rockers, were here play Sydney one final time and it was clear from the moment they stepped on stage that The Damned were determined to go out with a bang. Vanian’s vocals have lost none of their potency captivating the room with a beautifully broad range from velvety smooth through to raspy and raw. Captain Sensible has evidently excelled his talent throughout the years effortlessly switching up his guitar work between blistering riffs and virtuosic, passionate solos. Paul Grey effortlessly wields his bass laying down iconic and timeless riffs that have become so synonymous with the genre. Monty Oxymoron is an old hand with the keyboard and elevates the bands sound with his skill. After such a long time it was an absolute pleasure to see Rat Scabies back on the drums where he incorporates a healthy mix of precision and strength to create an extremely powerful sound. Combined the band created an immensely raw, infectious sound that had the entire audience enthralled. From the punk anthem of their early days, “Neat Neat Neat”, to the gothic-infused ballad “Eloise”, the band illustrated the breadth and depth of their musical evolution. As the song “Smash It Up” came on the audience begin to realise the evenings entertainment was drawing to a close. Suddenly throughout the venue you could sense a palpable feeling of both celebration and nostalgia in the air. New and old fans were witnessing The Damned’s farewell performance which came with a bittersweet reminder of the band’s surviving legacy and the profound impact they have had on the music industry and generations of music fans.
Wilco. Sydney Opera House. Wilco, one of modern rock music’s finest bands, sure do suffer from a lot of tiresome online jokes: they’re often belittled as being a simple ‘dad-rock’ band, their music only for white suburban males of a certain vintage. Inside Sydney Opera House last week, at Wilco’s first Australian visit in 11 long years, two things were clear: they do attract a lot of older male fans, adorned in flannel, but they’re also one of the coolest *****ing bands on the planet, their music made for everyone to enjoy. Since Tweedy and his bandmates were last here, they’ve released five albums, which meant they had a lot of new material to explore in Sydney, spanning different genres and styles, from mesmerising alt-country to profound indie rock. As five past nine sounded, Wilco wandered on stage with all the confidence of seasoned rockers, and the crowd roared like a starving lion about to be fed dinner. They jumped straight into “Hell Is Chrome” off their 2004 album, A Ghost Is Born, before tackling another track from that record, “Handshake Drugs”. “To the handshake drugs I bought downtown”, Tweedy starkly sung. They travelled to their newest album, [2023’s] Cousin, to perform “Pittsburgh”. It was a pleasure to be listening to a gentle country ballad at one moment, an iconic rock song the next. The band then proceeded to work through a carefully curated set that spanned three decades of stunning work, from the rich country blues off 2022’s Cruel Country to the timeless rock sounds of their masterpiece, 2001’s Yankee Hotel Foxtrot. “We don’t talk a lot,” Tweedy confessed to the amused crowd in between songs. “It’s great to be back after ten years. We have a lot to get through.” Speaking of performing inside the famous Sydney Opera House, Tweedy quipped: “It’s funny to be playing inside a sculpture.” “I feel like I have my baptism choir behind me,” he added of the Opera House crowd that were sitting behind him at the 360-degree venue. “I almost feel like it’s one of those experiments when a dog chooses between owners!” After almost every song, at least a few people around me rose to their feet to give the band a standing ovation; it was that kind of emotive evening. An encore was loudly received, and Wilco seemed genuinely taken aback by the shower of adulation. “Thanks again, Sydney. We hope to see you soon,” Tweedy told the crowd towards the end of their encore. I hope so too, Jeff. We all do.
Oooo Y&T! Excellent band (well what's left of them) seen them live a few times over the years. Watched a band supporting Mr Big last week that reminded me of Y&T, it was a power trio fronted by Jared James Nichols. Might be tempted to drive to Holmfirth to watch Y&T this year
Y & T are a new one to us, Ive heard of them but never been interested. A friend of ours wants us all to go so why not!
If you can listen to the albums 'Earthshaker' ' Black Tiger' and 'Mean Streak' that's probably their most consistent albums. Later ones went a bit MTV friendly but still really good. They are normally lots better live too!
I went to see a band called Green 182 last Friday night at The Pig N Falcon in St.Neots. They're a Green Day / Blink 182 cover band. It was their first gig as a band (all been in different bands previously) and they were bloody excellent. I think they're out your way tomorrow night @art b at the King Billy Rock Bar.
