The Libertines w/ Trampolene @ O2 Academy Brixton - December 19, 2019

review to come...

Setlist:
(to come)

Idles @ Alexandra Palace - December 7, 2020

review to come...

Setlist:
Set 1:

War (Live Debut)

Never Fight a Man With a Perm
I'm Scum
Mother
Faith in the City
Divide and Conquer
Heel/Heal
Gram Rock
Queens
Slow Savage
Danny Nedelko
Rottweiler
taped: Dylan Thomas reads "Do Not Go Gentle Into That Good Night
Set 2:
taped: Drone Intro
Colossus
Grounds
Love Song
1049 Gotho
Benzocaine
Samaritans
Television
Danke (Live debut, w/openers METZ & Giant Swan)

Fontaines D.C. @O2 Forum Kentish Town - November 27, 2019

review to come...

Setlist:
Hurricane Laughter
Chequeless Reckless
Televised Mind
Sha Sha Sha

Lucid Dream

Television Screens
The Lotts
Roy's Tune
Too Real

Liberty Belle

Boys in the Better Land
Dublin City Sky
Big

The Mountain Goats @ O2 Shepherds Bush Empire - November 15, 2019

My first time seeing the Mountain Goats. I grabbed tickets as soon as they were available as I've been wanting to see them for a couple of years now. I'd heard the name for yonks, and assumed they were some folksy hipster shit (given the animal name), but then I learned about Laura Jane Grace's obsession with them, and finally gave them a listen. And of course: "wow!"

For some reason this date had a bunch of great concerts in London. It really hurt to turn them down, particularly the Sleaford Mods/Viagra Boys/Stewart Lee show (!!!), but I could not pass up seeing John Darnielle et al live after falling in love with his astounding lyrics and songwriting.

I went with Steve, who has come to like some Mountain Goat songs from the amount I play certain songs at home on drinking/hanging out/cooking nights. Since I knew it would be a tame, mostly quiet night, I didn't feel I could ask him to go too early, as we were standing and the openers were very chill as well (I had a quick listen). It's a good thing too. The first 3/4 of the show was very mellow. I'd never before heard drinks being ordered and made during a headliner's set.

It was great to listen to so many new songs I wasn't much, or at all, familiar with, as Darnielle is a winning performer. He had a story for most of the songs as he introduced them, and it was clear that this was natural one-off banter, not word-for-word rehashed stories. He told a funny anecdote about a friend seeing Leonard Cohen and loving his stories so much that she went back a 2nd night, and heard the exact same stories again. Not surprising, but it's clear that being authentic is deeply important to Darnielle.

As I listen to the Mountain Goats mostly on spotify and just let them go, several songs were familiar but not their names (fortunately someone else figured out the exact play list), but I was really happy to hear some of my favourites: Dance Music, Wear Black, Waylon Jennings Live!, Younger, Up the Wolves and This Year. But the highlight for me was getting to hear No Children live. The feeling was universal among the audience as it was one big shout-along. Tremendous! I captured one minute on video, not being able to help myself capturing my favourite verse, although I now understand that Darnielle is no fan of mobile phones at shows. I've already rewatched it about 5 times, so I'm afraid I can't say I regret it!

Setlist:
Estate Sale Sign
No More Tears
Hebrews 11:40
Heretic Pride
Younger
Goblin Wizard in the Crawlspace of my Heart
Transcendental Youth
We Shall All Be Healed

(John solo:)
Dance Music
Waco
Matthew 25:21

(Matt Returns:)
Wear Black

Waylon Jennings Live!

Magpie

(openers Laura Cortese & The Dance Cards joins:)
Tianchi Lake
Doc Gooden
Cadaver Sniffing Dog
Up the Wolves

Encore:
Possum by Night
You or Your Memory
No Children
This Year

LIFE @ Moth Club - November 6, 2019

w/Italia 90

My first time at the tiny Moth Club in Hackney, even though I was thinking of going before now (should have dragged my butt out to Cabbage in April!).

Caught most of the opener's, Italia 90, set. Originally from Brighton, but now living in south London, they have an interesting early punk sound. I'd checked out a couple songs ahead of the show and was glad to hear them live. The singer had a predatory, prowling skinhead look, but without much feedback from the crowd, didn't give us much energy back. Definitely a band to watch as their sound is right up my alley, and a good fit for LIFE.

This was my 3rd time seeing LIFE, and the first as headliners. (Saw them open for Slaves and then Idles). I've liked them from before that 1st show, checking out opening bands as I like to, and being really impressed. Also love wearing my long-sleeve Popular Music shirt to shows, which endears them to me.

I think this is the first time I've seen their new female bassist, Lydia, who bops from side to side making faces, and fits in well with  their offbeat, kinetic performances. Singer, Mez, is as mesmerising to watch as ever, channeling a young David Byrne with original off kilter moves and detached but demented expressions.

I'm very relieved by the new album they're supporting, A Picture of Good Health. It's lost none of their energy and drive, and moves their sound forward in a direction that totally works for me. I like a few new bands whose 2nd and 3rd albums I'm nervous about, but these guys haven't let me down one whit. Having said that, I was chuffed that they closed with Popular Music, that chugging and droning ironic masterpiece.

Love them live, and will definitely see them again.

Setlist:
Excites Me
Good Health
In Your hands
Half Pint Fatherhood
Never Love Again
Grown Up
It's a Con
Euromillions
Don't Give Up Yet
Hollow Thing
Bum Hour
Ba Ba Ba
Moral Fibre
Popular Music

PUP @ Imperial Bell, Quebec City - October 23, 2019

w/NOBRO


Setlist:
Morbid Stuff
Kids
My Life Is Ove and I Couldn't Be Happier
Back Against the Wall
Free at Last
See You at Your Funeral
Guilt Trip
Sleep in the Heat
Dark Days
Scorpion Hill
Closure
Familiar Patterns
Reservoir
Full Blown Meltdown (War Pigs Outro)
If This Tour Doesn't Kill You, I Will
DVP

Against Me! @ Danforth Music Hall, Toronto - October 15 & 16, 2019

2 Nights. 4 full albums:
Searching for a Former Clarity
New Wave
White Crosses
Transgender Dysphoria Blues

Review to come...

Setlist: 
4 albums plus 3 song encore
1st night encore from Reinventing Axl Rose
2nd night encore from As the Eternal Cowboy

Laura Jane Grace and The Devouring Mothers @ Scala - August 29, 2019

w/ Frank Iero and the Future Violents

Review to come...

Setlist: 
Apocalypse Now (& Later)
The Friendship Song
Amsterdam Hotel Room
Conceptual Paths (LJG song)
Dilaudid (Mountain Goats cover)
The Hotel Song
China Beach
Born in Black
I Hate Chicago
Amputations (LJG song)
Reality Bites
The Apology Song
The Acid Test Song
The Airplane Song
Screamy Dreamy
Valeria Golino
Manic Depression

Descendents @ O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire - August 2, 2019

with C.J. Ramone and PEARS

Review to Come...

Setlist: 
Suburban Home
Everything Sux
Hope
On Paper
Rotting Out
Victim of Me
Silly Girl
I Like Food
Shameless Halo
M-16 (setlist position?)
My Dad Sucks
Van
Testosterone
I'm Not a Punk
Clean Sheets
Weinerschnitzel
Myage
Who We Are
Global Probing
I Don't Want to Grow Up
Nothing With You
No Fat Burger
Feel This
Get the Time
Coffee Mug
When I Get Old
Coolidge
Thank you
Descendents
Encore:
'Merican
I'm the One
Bikeage
Smile
2nd Encore: 
Pep Talk
Fighting Myself

All Point East Festival @ Victoria Park - May 25, 2019

The Strokes
The Raconteurs
Johnny Marr
Parquet Courts
Interpol (partial)
Fat White Family (with Baxter Dury)
Viagra Boys
Yak

The Undertones @ OPEN Norwich - May 16, 2019

Review to come...

Neville Staple Band opened

Setlist: (partial)
Jimmy Jimmy
My Perfect Cousin
Teenage Kicks
You've Got My Number (Why Don't You Use It!)
Her Comes the Summer
Get Over You
It's Going to Happen

Fontaines D.C. @ The Garage, London - April 17, 2019

Review to come...


Setlist:
Hurricane Laughter
Sha Sha Sha
Chequeless Reckless
The Lotts
Television Screens
Liberty Belle
Roy's Tune
Too Real
Boys in the Better Land
Dublin City Sky
Big

Sleaford Mods @ UEA Waterfront, Norwich - April 13, 2019

As per, I'd checked out openers LIINES before the show and thought they were okay, a bit shouty-droney but basically a good punk sound, so we showed up in plenty of time to catch their set.

And damn, am I glad. They were so fucking tight! I was really, really impressed. If you get a chance to see this threesome live, go!

more review to come...










Setlist: (approximate)
Into the Payzone
Flipside
Subtraction
Stick In A Five and Go
Kebab Spider
Policy Cream
TCR
B.H.S.
Top It Up
Just Like We Do
Bang Someone Out
Setlist: 
Jolly Fucker
Jobseeker
Tied Up in Nottz
Tarantula Deadly Cargo
Discourse

IDLES & LIFE @ Electric Ballroom - April 5, 2019

review to come...



Setlist: 
Colossus
Never Fight a Man With a Perm
Mother
Faith in the City
I'm Scum
Great
Queens
Danny Nedelko
Divide and Conquer
1049 Gotho
Love Song
Benzocaine
Samaritans
Television
White Privilege
Where's My Ice Cream
All I Want for Christmas Is You
Well Done
Rottweiler

TOUTS @ Borderline - March 31, 2019

review to come...















Setlist: 

Stiff Little Fingers @ O2 Forum Kentish Town - March 24, 2019

review to come...
























Setlist: 
Law and Order
At the Edge
Suspect Device
Guitar and Drum
Strummerville
16 Shots
Silver Lining
Harp
Guilty as Sin
Wasted Life
Can't Get Away With That
Listen
State of Emergency
My Dark Places
Just Fade Away
Nobody's Hero
Gotta Gettaway
Encore:
Drinkin' Again
Tin Soldiers
Alternative Ulster

Kaiser Chiefs @ O2 Academy Brixton - February 8, 2019

So, this won't be a fair review. I'd just come off a Dry January and drank too much so my memory is fairly fuzzy.

I will say that Ricky is a great front man, so his energy and showmanship is in no way to blame for my finding this a weird show.

I never thought I would see Kaiser Chiefs live for the simple fact that the venues they have played for the last decade or so are too massive or are sit-down or are some weird outdoor event. So, when I saw the O2 Academy Brixton listing I thought "finally, a great way to see these guys." Some of their songs I really loved back in the mid-naughties, and I'd heard they put on a good show. But I went in being wary about the kinds of fans they must be drawing now.

And I was right. It was WEIRD. We made our way (easily) to the front and found ourselves among what seemed to be big groups of, maybe, college-aged kids, mostly female, and very basic-seeming. Since we were right at the front, if there was any kind of mosh-pit behind I missed it, but I'm doubtful there would have been much.

Smattered throughout the show, and building more towards the end were several stage-props and pyrotechnics: a lit-up shallow staircase for Ricky to mount, Projectors, confetti-cannons and the like. So, they put on a SHOW, but I'm here for the music not the fireworks.

And about the music. Faithful renditions, performed with gusto and met with surprisingly passive singalongs. It was the tamest audience I've seen at what alleges to be a rock show. Poor Chiefs. It reached a crescendo of absurdity to my inebriated (so easily amused) brain during the I Predict a Riot / The Angry Mob back-to-back portion of the show. This "mob" wouldn't riot over a Black Friday sale at (what's a shit store?)... ASDA!

So...sorry for the snarkiness. Glad I've seen 'em, I guess. Wished I'd seen 'em long, long ago. Awful fans. The End.

Telling anecdote: Overheard while returning from getting a drink, "How sad they have to play such small places now." Fuuuuuuuuuuck.


Setlist: 
Saturday Night
Never Miss a Beat
Parachute
Wait
Na Na Na Na Naa
The Factory Gates
Cannons
Love's Not a Competition (But I'm Winning)
Target Market
Coming Home
Golden Oldie
Everyday I Love You Less and Less
Ruby
Take My Temperature
I Predict a Riot
The Angry Mob
Retirement
Encore:
Hole in My Soul
Time Honoured Tradition
Oh My God

Art Brut @ Garage - January 17, 2019

My first show at Garage, but a nice little space, which I'm pleased about as I already have another gig lined up there.

Found out Art Brut were doing 2 shows in London before and after Xmas, unfortunately after they had both sold out. Twickets to the rescue where I bought 2 tickets, hoping to sell the other. I was going to go solo, but a fellow Solo Armada member was interested in the ticket and ended up being an enjoyable companion for the music intervals.

We met at doors opening and were some of the first to enter the cold room. A couple of hours earlier I was amused by tweets from Eddie Argos scolding anyone who wasn't going to arrive early for the openers. He was chatting with some friends at the merch stall and stayed out front to hear the first band, practicing what he preached, and standing directly in front of us.

Fightmilk were first up. A four member band with two guitars, one being female who doubled as lead singer. She had good stage presence and her between-song banter was amusing. Having checked out both openers beforehand, I recognized a couple of songs, but it was their energy that I appreciated more than the actual songs, although Your Girlfriend was pleasing in a Weezeresque way.

Gaffa Tape Sandy were fairly similar to Fightmilk, except they had three members, the female member was on bass and the two guitarists split vocal duties. While their stage banter wasn't great, it wasn't bad, but their energy was really great and some of their songs are really growing on me, particularly Water Bottle and Beehive.

Eddie Argos bounded onto the stage after the other band members had taken their places, and it's indisputable that he is the focal point of Art Brut. I believe only the guitarist, Ian Catskilkin, is an original member, with the drummer, apparently being brand new.

 They opened with Hooray! from their new album, Wham! Bam! Pow! Let's Rock Out! Argos then led into My Little Brother with some banter about the song being written when his little brother was 22, and how at 36, with a condo and a job and a nice car, that their mother is no longer more worried about her youngest son. This was followed up by a hilarious lengthy ramble (almost the sprechgesang of his song delivery) about his Mum telling him that shouty bands are now in fashion, like Sleaford Mods and Idles and Shame, and isn't that great.

Argos introduced Axl Rose by telling us that his two favourite singers are Morrissey and Axl Rose and isn't it unbelievable which one turned out to be the liberal and which the right-wing fascist.  The back-to-back "hit" songs played next were the closest they can get to saying they are going to play one of their hits, he joked. Then Hospital! and Alcoholics Unanimous were presented as 'effect' and 'cause'.

The increasingly energetic set with attendant high leg kicks focused mainly on their amazing debut and their newest release with only one or two songs from their three middle albums. Requests were screamed out, and Argos responded several times that they don't play Modern Art anymore, but the crowd kept trying. Delivering Emily Kane slightly before they left the stage for the first time certainly placated their fans and the mosh pit finally started to get a bit animated.

After a brief absence while the crowd chanted "Art Brut: Top of the Pops", the encore kicked off in similarly energetic fashion with Formed a Band. By the time Art Brut left the stage, most of the crowd seemed sweaty and satisfied. But they quickly reemerged and we were treated to a monster encore of Modern Art with a very extended stream-of-consciousness tale of visiting an art gallery as Argos waded into the very middle of the crowd. He got almost everyone to sit down on their haunches with him at the eye of a huge circle of fans, as he asked us to envision our favourite work of art, before at last releasing us to jump up to the repeated chorus "Modern Art! Makes Me! Want to Rock Out!"

Argos's showmanship is terribly entertaining and winning and I've only seen an encore bettered by Nick Cave at All Points East. And that's some high praise by association.

Setlist:
Hooray!
My Little Brother
Axl Rose
She Kissed Me (And It Felt Like a Hit)
Direct Hit
Hospital!
Alcoholics Unanimous
Too Clever
Arizona Bay
Emily Kane
Wham! Bang! Pow! Let's Rock Out!
Encore:
Formed a Band
Kultfigur
Bad Weekend / Demons Out!
Post Soothing Out
2nd Encore:
Modern Art