The Beths @ Button Factory, Dublin - September 17, 2025

When I found out I was going to Dublin again this year, I looked up what live shows might line up with the trip, and The Beths immediately jumped out. A few weeks ago, having liked some of their songs on my Spotify workout playlist, I decided to give them a good listen and stumbled across their live album. I've listened to it a few times, deciding they'd be a fun live show. 

We were in Dublin for a busy week, with my partner onboarding for a new job, and being a mid-week show, he was a bit tired. So we didn't stay for the encore; but I was in luck, because the one song I definitely did not want to miss was "Little Death" which they played 3rd from last. We also caught their biggest songs "Expert in a Dying Field" and "Future Me Hates Me".  

My initial attraction to The Beths is their fun energy. They can definitely write a catchy, danceable song. "No Joy" was a great bouncy early track. "Uptown Girl" brought the energy back up mid-set. And "I'm Not Getting Excited" was a similarly energetic track late in the set.

It's always great to hear the songs you want to hear, but what sets a concert above the pack for me, is when I'm grabbed by a song I don't know. "Mother, Pray for Me", with Elizabeth Stokes singing and playing guitar solo (while her bandmates listened intently from the drum riser) was a beautiful moment. I also think "Mosquitoes" stood out live, but listening back now, I'm not sure why - it probably showcased Stokes' pretty voice. 

I found myself during (and now revisiting) the show being reminded of the Cranberries.  Maybe this is because I was in Dublin and heard them pop up several times, but I think The Beths hit similar musical territory to the Cranberries, in that they can write (and perform) a surging, uplifting song, but also have stunningly beautiful quiet moments. 

The Beths played their entire new album, Straight Line Was a Lie, interwoven throughout the set, which isn't always the case, even when that's what the tour is promoting. The ten new songs were balanced by ten songs from their earlier three albums. 

There was some pretty good banter between the band and audience, beginning with one of them asking where the best Guinness in Dublin was. If that wasn't designed to get a response...!? Then they reminisced about trying the notorious 'spice bag' (deep-fried modern Irish takeaway consisting of chips, chicken, veg and Chinese spices), to much amusement.

The Button Factory itself was very cool. Only 900 capacity and laid out really well, with several levels to help line-of-sight. There's even some tall tables dotted near the back which is rare. There's a balcony with another 50 (unreserved) seats and a spot to lean on the side railing which is what we did. It was great to be able to check out a new venue that's hosted so many great (at-the-time) small indie bands.

As I often do, I started to track the songs as they were played. I didn't know the 7th song, so I pulled up setlist.fm to check the title, and noticed that someone there was updating the tracks to the site as they began. Happily, I put my phone away and fully enjoyed the show. :) Final notes: not many phones out, which I liked; Pretty subdued crowd. Maybe a female heavy crowd mainly in 20s-30s, but hardly any jumping about even during the most energetic tracks. I think this was due to the fact this was the second show added due to demand, and slotted in before the show that sold out, so maybe not the most die-hard fans. This show was their tour opener.

Setlist:
Straight Line Was a Lie
No Joy
Silence Is Golden
Future Me Hates Me
Metal
Til My Heart Stops
Mother, Pray for Me
Out of Sight
Head in the Clouds
Uptown Girl
Ark of the Covenant
Mosquitoes
Roundabout
Jump Rope Gazers
Best Laid Plans
Little Death
I'm Not Getting Excited
Expert in a Dying Field
Encore:
Take
Your Side

Stiff Little Fingers w/The MEFFS @Epic Studios - July 1, 2025

 

Second time seeing SLF, and another fun feel-good show with a seasoned, happy crowd.

 

I've now seen a few shows in Norwich, but this was my 1st visit to the 850-capacity Epic Studios. Decent venue, and due to the experienced fans, no crush down the front even during the fan-favourite tracks. The bar service was a tad slow and drinks not cheap, but they were happy to fill my water bottle. And miraculously, no queue for the loos at the end of the evening! 

I survived the night having only one beer splashed on me, courtesy of a younger couple who came down front midway through the SLF set carrying full cups. Saw that coming a mile away. Again, the seasoned crowd finished their cups long before the band kicked off, much to my gratitude. 

 

The MEFFS, an energetic and fun two-piece younger punk band, did their job really well, warming up the older crowd and getting anyone in a MEFFS t-shirt to come down the middle and move. 

 

I enjoyed their whole set, but stand-outs were "Broken Britain, Broken Brains", "No Future" and "Stand up, Speak Out"  with Lily Meff getting the crowd to chant along.

 

 

SLF came on at quarter past the hour, after FIVE! Abba tracks "warmed up" the audience. 

 

Unlike the 1st time I saw them, the old legendary tracks came later in the set. Other than 3rd song, Wasted Life, it wasn't until the 13th song that they gave us a triple hit of my early album faves: Nobody's Hero, Tin Soldiers and Suspect Device. And they finished the encore with Alternative Ulster.

 

Jake had some good banter ahead of some tracks, particularly Strummerville, talking about how much Joe means to him. The tour name "Flame in the Heart" is a nod to the enduring fire Strummer ignited in the band's and fans heart, and SLF's way to keep his influence alive.

 

Political chat by him and bassist, Ali, referenced mainly the resurgence of racism and the poisonous Trump influence. Jake talked about Trump's mother Mary being an illegal immigrant before their new track, hilariously titled "Mary's Boy Child". 

 

We expected a comment on the current Kneecap controversy, given they are both from Belfast, but no.

 

Their sound was clean and clear which helped me enjoy unfamiliar tracks, like My Dark Places, about Jake's midlife depression; with an important message given the crowd makeup: talk to someone.

 

SLF is a great night out. I had fun jumping around and dancing to much-loved tracks. My Garmin even tracked a heart rate high of 185bpm. That sorts me out for Cardio for this week. :P 

Setlist:
Roots, Radicals, Rockers and Reggae
At the Edge
Wasted Life
Won't Be Told
Strummerville
Mary's Boy Child
Straw Dogs
Piccadilly Circus
Just Fade Away
Each Dollar a Bullet
Harp
My Dark Places
Nobody's Hero
Tin Soldiers
Suspect Device
Gotta Gettaway
Encore:
Barbed Wire Love
Alternative Ulster 

Laura Jane Grace and the Trama Tropes w/Pet Needs @Scala - November 27, 2024

 

Couldn't miss this show, as my concert buddy knows the lead singer, Johnny, in the openers, Pet Needs. He's a massive Against Me!/LJG fan, so extra special to see him opening for her. He was obviously pretty awed about living out his dream.

 

I remember briefly bumping into him at our first AM! show together, back in 2014, before he formed his band - obvs a huge influence on them.

This is also the first time I've seen LJG, since her new wife joined her ever-changing and renamed band.

 

About 1/2 and1/2 LGJ newer stuff and then old AM! stuff. 

 

more review to come (maybe)...

Setlist:
Walls
Mine Me Mine
WW3
Wearing Black to the Pride Parade
I'm Not a Cop
I Love to Get High
Hole in My Head
Active Trauma
Your God (God's Dick)
New Years Day 2019
Give Up the Ghost
The Swimming Pool Song
Karma Too Close
RazorBlade Blues
White People for Peace
Pints of Guinness Make You Strong 
Walking is Still Honest
Don't Lose Touch
I Was a Teenage Anarchist
Black Me Out
True Trans Soul Rebel
Encore:
SuperNatural Possession
Holy Shit!
Baby, I'm an Anarchist!
Sink, Florida, Sink

 

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 (now called Soft Play) 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

Gang of Four @ 100 Club - October 5, 2018

What did I expect of the 100 Club, or of Gang of Four?

I knew the 100 Club would be small and I was right. I expected gritty, bare and very basic. Pretty much. More basic, than overly gritty. I was surprised to see a massive pillar dividing the floor directly in front of the stage, effectively splitting the crowd in two. I was also surprised by how close we were to the band. So close. Almost too intimate. (It was weird repeatedly meeting Andy Gill's eyes.)

Based on videos of live performances I'd seen, we found a spot to the right side in front of where Andy Gill positions himself  which was perfect. We were close enough that we could see the whole stage to our left as well.

Draped behind the stage was a curtain blocking the 100 Club lettering I expected from photos. Video were projected here making the show atmospheric.

They opened with Anthrax, all squealing guitar and feedback and any doubts I had about seeing an old band milking their history disappeared. The bass and drums were turned way up for the whole show, which worked great. The bass player, Thomas McNeice, particularly impressed me.

After Not Great Men the setlist hit a bit of a lull for four or five tracks, including some unfamiliar tracks to me. Gill acknowledged this by saying something like "that's it for the slow stuff". The rest of the setlist was riveting though, beginning particularly with Natural's Not in It.

Gill seemed serious and a bit crotchedy throughout the show. I hate to say it, but he looked more like my posh, aging wine merchant than an art punk, but I'll give him every benefit of the doubt cuz of all the great music he's produced. I did notice some snark between him and the much younger singer. Gill made a comment about him 'taking notes'. A bit later the singer retorted with a Butlins jab that didn't seem to please Gill.

I have to say, John "Gaoler" Sterry, the singer, seemed a total visual mis-fit with my idea of the band. More Duran Duran than Gang of Four. His pretty boy looks were played up by his floppy blond hair and mildly arrogant performance. However, his voice was an excellent fit, letting one enjoy the songs rather than be distracted by a voice totally different from Jon King. Unfortunately he wasn't so much focused on his performance as looking at the other band members too much, particularly Gill; possibly his insecurity. Who knows? I chose to mostly focus on Gill and listen to the performance which was tight and energetic.


The encore began with He'd Send in the Army where Sterry went to town on a microwave that was brought onstage, first with a stick and then with a guitar neck. When I looked this up later, I found this is a frequent live performance piece of theatre of theirs. It was a fitting addition for a band whose sound is industrial, modern and edgy.

After the short 2-song encore and the house lights coming on, it looked to me like their roadie/tech guy was trying to signal "time" to the sound guy and Gill looked as though he was slightly limping as they left the stage for the second time. I had taken a shot of the setlist taped to the floor, but figured they weren't following it to the letter. So, we bailed, and found out after the fact that they played one more encore to the remaining 1/2 of the audience: I Found That Essence Rare. Damn it.

My love of Gang of Four goes way back to a Fast Product EP re-released sometime around 1982, but I probably found it a couple years after that. Gang of Four contributed 3 tracks: Damaged Goods, Love Like Anthrax and Armalite Rifle. Still 3 of my favourites tracks of theirs, and they instantly became a defining sound for me and my maturing tastes. A few years later, in probably '89 I finally bought entertainment! It still floors me at how their early songs are so urgent and undated. Damn I love that album. So hearing well over half of it played live was a huge thrill.  I jumped around accordingly with very little company among the older crowd and enjoyed myself immensely.

Setlist:
(Love Like) Anthrax
Where the Nightingale Sings
Not Great Men
Isle of Dogs
Ivanka (Things You Can't Have)
I Parade Myself
Paralysed
What We All Want
Natural's Not In It
Lucky
Damaged Goods
Why Theory?
I Love a Man in a Uniform
At Home He's a Tourist
To Hell With Poverty
Encore:
He'd Send in the Army
Ether
Encore 2:
I Found That Essence Rare

Sleaford Mods @ Roundhouse - September 22, 2018

We missed Grey Hairs, only hearing the final song as we were entering and checking out the merch table. Consumer Electronics were the other openers and were ferociously loud and sonically challenging. It reminded me of some of the more abrasive Industrial music of the 90s, so parts did appeal to me, but it was all too much and the earplugs went in quickly as we backed to the far wall. My loose cargo pants were vibrating against my legs it was that loud!

This is my second time seeing Sleaford Mods, and I very much doubt the last time. It hasn't even been a year since the Norwich gig I went to, but I snapped up the tickets when I saw they were going to be doing a couple shows at the Roundhouse, a great venue.

These shows were to support their new EP and they played every track. In fact of the 18 songs, 9 were new or songs they didn't play last show I saw. They opened with two new tracks, Flipside and Subtraction, that aren't even on the new EP, but possibly will be on their next album they have planned for Spring 2019.

The new EP tracks, beginning with the first single Stick In a Five and Go, were interspersed between firm fan favourites that sent the moshpit jumping and shoving. The only other surprise was a 2014 Divide and Exit track, From Rags to Richards that they don't play live often. Tonight they skipped the pantomime of an encore, plowing through an energizing final run from Jobseeker to Tweet Tweet Tweet.

The stage is the same sparse setup as always, but Jason Williamson is getting to be even more of an amazing performer to watch. All the ticks and physicality are present along with some more, bolder playing about. Another great show. I'm excited to keep going to their shows.

Setlist
Flipside
Subtraction
Stick In a Five and Go
Moptop
Just Like We Do
Giddy on the Ciggies
TCR
Joke Shop
Bang Someone Out
From Rags to Richards
Routine Dean
Jolly Fucker
You're Brave
BHS
Dregs
Gallows Hill
Fizzy
Jobseeker
Tied Up in Nottz
Tarantula Deadly Cargo
Tweet Tweet Tweet

The Soul Traders @ Fiddler's Elbow - September 7, 2018

Now that I'm living in London, I'm looking forward to checking out the smaller live music venues and hopefully find some favourites. Other than the Monarch in Camden I'm pretty clueless, but as I find some places, I'll try to remember to post about them here.

First discovery: Fiddler's Elbow in Kentish Town.

Was looking for something interesting and close by since the closer the venue, the more likely it will become a regular haunt for me. After some googling and listening to some online tracks I chose to go check out The Soul Traders at The Fiddler's Elbow. It was a 3-band lineup but as my guy agreed to go with me, I was pretty sure it wouldn't be an all-nighter for us. We only stayed for the first band, as the second was too 90s American-style grunge (in a bad Pearl Jam way) for my taste.

The venue is very bare bones but pretty awesome. Couple tables, couple couches, a back bar, main bar and a big open floor in front of a small, raised stage with not bad sight lines from most spots. 150 capacity makes it intimate. Bar service was friendly and pretty quick. Sound was clean and good volume.

The crowd tonight was pretty basic in the sense that it wasn't all subculture looks - just normal, mainly younger people; although there were a few older folk too which is great to see, us included!

The Soul Traders really impressed me. They were four young guys, but pretty tight and demonstrating some impressive songwriting chops. Some songs, like Ghost Train were guitar-centred 90's Britpop singalongs, similar to Supergrass. They definitely like their 50s rockabilly guitar. Think Eddy Cochran. Then I had flashes of Beach Boys melodies, followed by almost Libertines, twangyiness with dual-vocals. The song Fun recalls the Cribs, but this is a cover of a Skegss song. The vocals were pretty off-key frequently but not enough to ruin the overall infectious and upbeat sound. Jerusalem is chugging, pretty, but lyrically reaching for something more than just a standard pop song. I hope they are knowingly quoting Lennon's "you may call me a dreamer, but I'm not the only one". I was almost reminded of the Magic Numbers, but I'm not sure they would take that as a compliment. It is, unless they want to go in a weightier direction. The single guitar notes intro is reaching for epicness.

The Soul Traders capture the excitement and energy of all the artists I name above, but as they are such a young band their less than captivating stage presence isn't surprising. I hope it comes for them. Audibly, they are drawing from some excellent inspirations, and sound as though they have the talent to continue molding their own sound.

In writing this, I see they are next playing live on October 23, but the venue is across the city from me - The George Tavern in Stepney/Shadwell area - and on a Tuesday, and the day before I have another concert. Doubtful, but we'll see. Venue looks awesome tho...

Setlist (partial with some guesswork)
I Only Want to Hang Around With People Just Like You
Ghost Train
Jerusalem
Footsteps
Darker Shades
Yeah, Yeah, Not Too Bad

Notes: The show was put on by NLTS, so I'll watch for future shows. The Soul Traders name is being used by at least two pretty popular cover bands, so that might cause some issues down the road.

British Summer Time @Hyde Park - July 7, 2018

 

Editors were on first after we arrived at 4pm and we missed the first couple of songs as we tried to secure the first-come first-serve access wristbands for the fenced area in front of the stage.

Once in, I was pleased to see that singer Tom Smith was much more animated than how I remember him from 2008. He moved from keyboard to guitar to microphone, sometimes quirkily twisting his body to the music and making use of the extended stage sides to get closer to the whole audience. His red-check trucker hat and scraggly beard was a slight shock, as I think of him in a tailored suit, but the performance is far more important and that was great.

 

The sound at the Great Oak Stage was good for all the bands, and I particularly enjoyed hearing Munich and The Racing Rats live again. (I was still lined up during Smokers).

Setlist

Hallelujah (So Low)
Smokers Outside the Hospital Doors
Blood
Munich
Violence
No Harm
The Racing Rats
Papillon
Magazine

The Twilight Sad

First time seeing this Scottish band. They came to my attention following the sad death of Frightened Rabbit singer, Scott Hutchison. The bands have a long history being on the same early label and collaborating on things, so when I saw they performed a cover of a FRabbit song at a recent performance, I knew I didn't want to miss it if they did it again. I wasn't disappointed, as they closed their short set with Keep Yourself Warm. Never seeing a FRabbit concert, I was grateful to at least see one of their songs live and was moved by the tribute and the added lines at the end: "it's not the answer."

It's a very fitting song for Twilight Sad to cover, seeing as how singer James Graham provided extra vocals on this song for the live album Quietly Now, recorded in Glasgow in 2008.

Setlist
Last January
Don't Move
The Arbor
VTr
There's a Girl in the Corner
And She Would Darken the Memory
Keep Yourself Warm (FRabbit cover)


Interpol

I also saw Interpol live in 2008, at an outdoor festival as well. I don't think their performance has varied much since then, and (unlike Editors) was a bit disappointed that it was a similarly rather dull performance. Still, they played lots of their songs that I like and the sound was good, so I still enjoyed it.

Setlist
Not Even Jail
All the Rage Back Home
Take You on a Cruise
Obstacle 1
Rest My Chemistry
The Rover
Length of Love
Roland
Lights
Success
The New
Evil
Slow Hands

The Cure

One of the major highlights of this time seeing The Cure live was that they played Killing An Arab. This song has been omitted as too controversial for years, but was an early fave of mine from the Standing on a Beach album, and being a fan of existentialist fiction and Camus' The Stranger.

Robert Smith was gracious and endearing as he chatted to the fans between songs. He was obviously touched that this was their 40th Anniversary concert, and seemed humble and grateful for such a lengthy run.

The visuals behind the band, were good, especially after the sun set, and worked well in the vastness and open air of the festival setting. They made good use of splicing live camera shots into the effects. The sound was one of the better I've heard for open air, which I think must be so tricky. The fans were obviously international with many accents and languages and ages around us represented, but all seeming thrilled to be there.

The setlist had lots of well-known favourites in there. I remember from my first Cure concert being amazed at how long the set was - 33 songs. Although this was close at 29 songs, I never felt like it was going on too long.

Setlist
Plainsong
Pictures of You
High
A Night Like This
The Walk
The End of the World
Lovesong
Push
In Between Days
Just Like Heaven
If Only Tonight We Could Sleep
Play for Today
A Forest
Shake Dog Shake
Burn
Fascination Street
Never Enough
From the Edge of the Deep Green Sea
Disintegration
Encore
Lullaby
The Caterpillar
Friday I'm in Love
Close to Me
Why Can't I Be You?
Boys Don't Cry
Jumping Someone Else's Train
Grinding Halt
10:15 Saturday Night
Killing An Arab

The Streets @ O2 Academy Brixton - April 26, 2018

Loved this show way more than I thought I would. There was such a good vibe from both Mike Skinner and the audience, which was full of plenty of diehard fans.

Skinner is such a charismatic showman and chatted to us throughout the night, encouraging circle pits and good vibes. The songs were his greatest hits and delivered with infectious energy and joy. It was easy to see a good and sweaty time was had by all.


Setlist
Turn the Page
Let's Push Things Forward / Urban Hero
Don't Mug Yourself
Everything is Borrowed
Has It Come to This? / Little Man
Never Went to Church
Too Much Brandy
It's Too Late
Could Well Be In
Going Through Hell
The Escapist
Heaven for the Weather
Dry Your Eyes
Encore
Your Wave God's Wave God / Open the Till
Boys Will Be Boys
Weak Become Heroes
Blinded by the Lights
Fit But You Know it (with Bet You Look Good on the Dancefloor mixed in)

Cabbage @ Norwich Arts Centre - April 13, 2018

I really enjoyed this show. To my amateur ear, Cabbage's performance was tight and the sound was really clean and good. While I love the energy and rawness of their music, I really wasn't expecting this level of quality from such a young band.

The two frontmen, Lee Broadbent and Joe Martin, looked comfortable on stage and were both compelling to watch as they traded vocal duties back and forth. Broadbent seemed bolstered by some liquid courage, but without detracting from his performance. Eoghan Clifford on guitar shared the limelight during Perdurabo, a song I have a new appreciation for after hearing it live. Stephen Evans and Asa Morley on bass and drums respectively were solid while blending into the background.

I'd read that Cabbage usually start their shows with an explosion of energy and end up shirtless, sweaty and crowd surfing. So, when they kicked off with the slow Reptiles State Funeral I puzzled over the choice and think it would have fit in better later in their set. They followed it up with the agressively energetic Uber Capitalist Death Trade, so all was forgiven. Unfortunately, during the show anyone attempting to crowd surf was manhandled down by an over-watchful bouncer, so it's not surprising the energy didn't peak as it could have, and the boys in the band never reached that point themselves. A jacket or two came off, and Broadbent came down to our level and enthusiastically sang to us from his side of the barricade, but that was it. No encore was forthcoming but I don't think they do them as a rule.

Being Norwich, and this being a punk(ish) gig, there was a fair number of older punters in attendance. They all stood around the edges, while the mostly younger fans formed a circle pit having a fun old time. It was a good vibe and no one was being an asshole that I could tell.

Before the show, just after we arrived, I had a brief chat with Joe Martin in the front lobby when I asked him when they were on. He was wearing a beret and a buttoned-up short trenchcoat, which makes sense when you find out he did performance poetry before the band formed. He said he liked my Sleaford Mods shirt in a low-key Northern accent, and I found out he has an aunt who lives near where I'm from in Canada.

Setlist
Reptiles State Funeral
Uber Capitalist Death Trade
Arms of Pleonexia
Preach to the Converted
Molotov Alcopop
Disinfect Us
Terrorist Synthesizer
Gibraltar Ape
Exhibit A
Dinner Lady
Perdurabo
Postmodernist Caligula
Necroflat In The Palace

Skinny Lister / Beans on Toast @ Norwich Waterfront - November 30, 2017

This show was part of the Double Trouble Tour: Beans on Toast and then Skinny Lister. Beans on Toast served up a big chunk of his almost stream-of-consciousness rap/sung folk songs. I get the feeling he is extremely prolific and just dumps his stuff on the audience. I couldn't help feeling that he might instead slow down and more carefully craft what he does, but maybe I'm missing the point of his output. It was certainly entertaining though, and he is engaging and fun, as he veers between the political and the personal. He had 4 musicians backing him up, which I understand isn't normal for him. I enjoyed his introduction of the violin player: she used to play with Lord of the Dance but quit when they wouldn't let her skip their performance for Donald Trump. Many cheers for that story.

Skinny Lister is a new discovery for me. They are about to release their fourth album (springtime?) and tour unrelentingly. It shows. Their set is tight and crazy fun. All the band members are natural entertainers and provide a great night of jumping around and singing along. But I have to single out the indefatigable Lorna Thomas, singer and whirling ball of energy. She is flanked by her husband on guitar and sharing singing duties, and her brother, on accordian, who along with the rest of the band all have spotlight moments that richochet between band members. They share their energy and essence, and delight the crowd as one cohesive, and churning engine delivering (what they call) Shanty Punk. I'd love to see them live again, and will wait impatiently for the next album.

Setlist:
Tragedy in A Minor
Christmas Calls
Cathy
My Life, My Architecture
Geordie Lad
The Devil in Me
John Kanaka
Rollin' Over
Trouble on Oxford Street
Bonny Away
Wanted
This is War
Hamburg Drunk
Encore:
Beat It From the Chest
This Christmas (with Beans on Toast)

-Setlist is approximate. They might have played Thing Like That and George's Glass among others.

Sleaford Mods @ UEA, Norwich - November 8, 2017

Janey turned me onto TCR about a year ago and I was immediately hooked. I don't get crazy excited about many bands these days, but I am so impressed and obsessed with Sleaford Mods. They are proof music can still deeply effect me. It seems fitting that the duo are about my age, and so was a large part of the crowd at tonight's show. But this isn't sad old people music. This is punk and vibrant and angry as fuck. Even if Jason Williamson denies being punk; this is the very definition in 2017.

Openers Nachthexen are a female quartet with a keyboard replacing the guitar in the usual expected line-up. They don't have a full album released yet, just a couple of EPs (if that's what they're still called). Their sound is very reminiscent of X-Ray Spex, particularly the female screamy lyrics. I'm sure their sound will grow and diversify before much longer, but what they have right now is still pretty good and appealing. All four have a disinterested stage presence; too cool or too focused on their instruments to do much else.

Jason Williamson has the polar opposite of a disinterested stage presence! He is mesmerizing to watch. His physicality is irrepressible, full of posturing, twitching, and tics and marching around with the mic stand. The lighting set up and plain backdrop silhouettes clouds of dispersing spit as he raps his vitriolic lyrics. Andrew Fearn, the music producer as it were, seemed to be loving the night, frequently grinning as he vigourously bops his head along to the beats he's created.

The setlist is very English Tapas heavy. My pre-show research showed that they don't vary the setlist, so I knew not to expect some of my favourite tracks from their earlier albums. But, as this is my first time seeing them, I didn't mind at all. It helps that I love just about everything they do. Out of the 15 songs pre-encore, the SMs played 11 of the 12 tracks on their recent album. We got TCR mid-set which fired everyone up, and then an absolute cracker of an encore, which a group of young men couldn't resist, rushing down front to start up a moshpit. Perfect.

As fits the age of the band and the crowd, the volume wasn't deafening and the sound was incredibly clean and clear. The only tiny downside was the lights on the crowd that messed with taking a decent photo, but I did my best. Next time they play nearby, I'm going! With their current output of new material, it shouldn't be long before they're on the road with a new batch of songs. Top!

Setlist:
I Feel So Wrong
Army Nights
Just Like We Do
Snout
Moptop
Dull
Carlton Touts
I Can Tell
TCR
Time Sands
Routine Dean
Jolly Fucker
Drayton Manored
Cuddly
BHS
Encore:
Jobseeker
Tied Up in Nottz
Tweet Tweet Tweet

Air Traffic @ Islington Assembly Hall, London - October 9, 2017

Air Traffic have been performing a handful of gigs to celebrate their only album, Fractured Life's 10th anniversary. This is an added-on date due to the first shows selling out quickly.

I discovered Air Traffic shortly after their 1st album was released in 2007 when I was loving all the British new wave of post punk revival bands and the like at this time. 2008 was a packed concert year for me and seeing Air Traffic open for Elbow in an Anglican Church in Vancouver was one of that year's sweeter musical moments. I vividly remember the opening duo of drums that begins No More Running Away acoustically filling the church. It was uplifting and almost spiritual. Just beautiful.

The other memory is the hard pew Steve and I had to endure, and how the mellowness of Elbow had set Steve nodding off before the end of their set. Still, it was a uniquely lovely show in a unique venue. Air Traffic remain one of only two bands I've gone to see specifically when they are still opening acts. Elbow was just bonus.

When I stumbled across this gig it was pure luck. We had been listening to some of their songs that are favourites and I happened to look them up to see if they had done anything lately. Such great timing. Steve was actually happy to go with me. I couldn't quite believe it but he was singing along towards the end. That was fun to experience.

I predicted that the audience would be mellow, but I've been surprised before. This time, however, I was spot on. The crowd was exactly what you'd expect: late 20s, 30-something mainly; many in couples, and not a mosher in sight. This fit perfectly with the singer's banter about getting older. He finished Take Your Hands Off Me by saying "God knows what we were so angry about." The crowd could clearly identify. They laughed when he introduced This Old Town as Bournemouth, and told us it's the town  they're from, were desperate to get out of, and all now live once again.

Chris Wall and the rest of the band were clearly enjoying themselves and he continued the audience interaction with charm. By the end of the set and in the encore we had three big singalongs to Your Fractured Life, No More Running Away and Shooting Star. In fact, when the set ended and the crowd kept up the "No More Running Aways", Wall did a cartoonish slow-motion running escape from the stage and the whole band was brought back as we all kept up the chant. I wondered if this had happened every night, but checked out some videos of other nights and suspect this may have been original. It would be a fitting piece of appreciation on Air Traffic's last night of this particular group of reunion shows.

The sound was great. Not too loud and no ringing ears today. They performed tightly and with energy and joy and it was an enjoyable concert. The penultimate song was introduced with the information it is a newly written track that has just been released as a single and humourously that "Album 2 is riding on it. No pressure." I like it and would be really pleased for more material and to see them get back to doing something they obviously love. Wall thanked a host of people, but particularly the band, singling out their drummer, David Ryan Jordan, as the real impetus behind the reunion. Cheers David!


Setlist:
Just Abuse Me
Never Even Told Me Her Name
Time Goes By
Can't Go Back
Come On
Empty Space
I Can't Understand
This Old Town
Charlotte
I Like That
Take Your Hands Off Me
Get In Line
An End To All Our Problems
Your Fractured Life
No More Running Away
Encore:
The Running Caught Me High
Almost Human
Shooting Star

Against Me! @ WUK, Vienna - December 18, 2016

Despite the one hour delay to start the show, this is one of the better Against Me! shows I've seen (I'm up to 7 now.) There was a good vibe and lots of smiling from the band. I went with friend and fellow Against Me! fan, Janey who's a great concert pal. As opposed to London where they played 7 tracks off the new album, Shape Shift With Me, tonight they only played 5. The new song Norse Truth wasn't done in London and was the penultimate song during the encore. Kind of a lyrical follow up to Delicate, Petite & Other Things I'll Never Be which they also played.

A huge highlight of the night for me was when they played their cover of Clash song Train in Vain. I'd seen videos, but it was cool to get to see and hear it live and jump around like a mad woman. I got the feeling not everyone around me was as familiar, which was strange. Does that make me old?

WUK is a really nice venue to see a show. It has a 550 standing capacity, so a good size, plus good sitelines. It's basically one big square room with concrete floor and a wide raised stage at one end. The room next door is the bar and set up really well. The efficient bar staff were all friendly. They have reusable drink cups, so that's great. Best of all, they stayed open after the gig so we could have another drink or two after the show without being rushed out. What a treat! It was also really easy to get in and out without logjams. Even the bathrooms were easy. Such a great venue really helps improve a concert experience immeasurably.

Setlist:
True Trans Soul Rebel
333
Haunting, Haunted, Haunts
Unconditional Love
White Crosses
Dead Friend
Pints of Guinness Make You Strong
T.S.R. (This Shit Rules)
Cliche Guevara
Walking Is Still Honest
Bamboo Bones
White People for Peace
Delicate, Petite & Other Things I'll Never Be
Rebecca
Transgender Dysphoria Blues
I Was a Teenage Anarchist
Black Me Out

Encore:
Train in Vain (Clash cover)
FUCKMYLIFE666
Norse Truth
Sink, Florida, Sink

Against Me! @ Electric Ballroom, London - December 8, 2016

The last four times I've seen Against Me! have been with my concert pal, Janey. (We actually met because of this band, when her boyfriend/my friend wanted to get out of going to see them in London in '14). This concert got announced right after she received a present of tickets to another show on the same night. She was gutted, but we decided to catch another show and took a trip to Vienna for it ten days later, which you can read above. I did briefly consider skipping this show, but couldn't bring myself to miss it, particularly since seeing AM! at the same venue two years ago is possibly my favourite concert memory ever. Nope. I was going.

The openers were Mobina Galore and Milk Teeth, the latter's set I caught part of, and it was reminiscent of 90s indie bands, almost riot grrl stuff, like Veruca Salt. They were a little dull to watch until the drummer stood up to try to get the audience into it.

I'd bought Janey Laura Jane Grace's new autobiography Tranny at the merch table, so with it in a cloth bag tied to my belt, I tried to keep it from bashing those around me, as I can never help myself from jumping around when AM! play. And from the opening notes of the first song, I was jumping! The whole set was full of energy and passion. It was great to hear all the songs of the new album live and it seemed that the band was having fun playing them.

Laura talked to the crowd between songs, with some familiar banter ("this is about self-care, smoking cigarettes and drinking whisky") and some new banter. She commented that Rebecca sure has a lot of words, and how happy she was to play in the UK, where she knows with 100% certainty that no one there voted for Trump. She dedicated Dead Friend to "old friends" and 12:03 to "new friends". Bamboo Bones she prefaced by saying she's an atheist and how performing feels for her is what she imagines going to church feels for others, and she said you can call this song "an atheist's spiritual". She also said that she hopes we are excited to hear new songs, cuz they are excited to play them, but they are conscious that people like to hear old songs, and they played the "deep cut" Tonight We're Gonna Give It 35%.

Really glad I went. Note to self: Never miss Against Me!

Setlist:
True Trans Soul Rebel
333
Haunting, Haunted, Haunts
Unconditional Love
Pints of Guinness Make You Strong
White Crosses
Dead Friend
12:03
Crash
Delicate, Petite & Other Things I'll Never Be
Rebecca
Bamboo Bones
Tonight We're Gonna Give It 35%
T.S.R. (This Shit Rules)
Cliche Guevara
Walking Is Still Honest
Transgender Dysphoria Blues
I Was a Teenage Anarchist
Black Me Out
Encore:
Baby, I'm an Anarchist! (Laura solo)
FUCKMYLIFE666
Boyfriend
Sink, Florida, Sink

Full Set recorded by fan, pbrook:

Or watch on youtube, with comments and song timing marked.

Levellers @ UEA, Norwich - December 7, 2016

This was the 25th Anniversary tour for the Levelling the Land album. I saw that original tour in Toronto in 1992, after having LOVED that album and listened to it over and over. So when my concert pal invited me, I had to go.

We tried to get there to see the opener Gaz Brookfield, as I'd seen him in a pub in Camden after a London Faith No More Gig and he was very impressive. Unfortunately we only caught one song, but it was nice to see something more of his. He seemed full of energy and audience interaction, and I will try and see him again. The second openers, Ferocious Dog, I didn't know, but seemed suited to the slot, being folk punk with a touch of hippie (dreads galore).

The Levellers played their album in track order and I found myself singing along with almost all of it, transported back 25 years. Damn if those songs don't hold up! Still such a good album. The band were full of energy and gave their all. Following up the album were a bunch of songs that I'm unfamiliar with, having not kept up with their music. Glad I didn't miss this one.

Setlist:
One Way
The Game
Fifteen Years
The Boatman
Liberty Song
Far From Home
Sell Out
Another Man's Cause
The Road
The Riverflow
Battle of the Beanfield

This Garden
Men-an-Tol
Truth Is
Carry Me
The Cholera Well

Encore:
Julie
Beautiful Day

2nd Encore:
What You Know (with Ferocious Dog members)

Slaves @ O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire, London - November 29, 2016

I'd been really looking forward to seeing Slaves live, anticipating a super high energy show. But, I was still surprised at just how much fun it was. The crowd was young sure, but more varied than I thought. There were plenty of girls and some attendees put way more thought into their outfits than I'd predict for a "punk" show. But the overall feeling from the crowd and the band and the night was feel-good, fun and welcoming.

Having looked them up before the show, I was interested in checking out openers LIFE. They're from Hull, and were a great match for Slaves with their enthusiasm and matching energy. Good choice.

With only an EP and 2 LPs to choose from, Slaves still put on a great long show. Lots of their songs are short, sharp punk singalongs, so the show had a great up beat throughout.

Laurie and Isaac were both indefatigable and engaging right at the very front of the stage; both often stepping up on the monitors, Isaac when he moved away from his stand-up drum set-up. On a few songs, Isaac was off the stage, on the barrier, or just in front of it. The fans respond accordingly with a huge, surging mosh pit and singing along enthusiastically.

Slaves are one of the best live bands I've seen. They make a genuine connection with the audience. They feel real and present and are extremely compelling to watch, and, of course, jump up and down with. I'd definitely catch another show.

Setlist:
Intro
Sockets
Play Dead
Same Again
People That You Meet
Dave (Skit)
Despair and Traffic
Suicide
Where's Your Car Debbie?
STD's/PHD's
Fuck The Hi-Hat
Consume Or Be Consumed
Angelica
Take Control
Hey
Girl Fight
Steer Clear
Cheer Up London
Feed the Mantaray
Are You Satisfied?
The Hunter
Encore:
Gary (Skit)
Lies
White Knuckle Ride
Spit It Out

Pixies @ O2 Academy Brixton, London - November 28, 2016

33 songs is a lot for the average concert. But, I was really surprised at some of the omissions. It made sense when I checked the setlist for this blog entry, and saw the following night's setlist in the same venue. They almost didn't repeat themselves. This would have been awesome for the fan attending both shows, of course. So, I missed Wave of Mutilation, Monkey Gone To Heaven, Gigantic, and some lesser gems like Is She Weird and Subacultcha. But, fortunately I got to hear U-Mass, my favourite Pixies song, to which I lost my shit over. As you do. Because they're touring in support of their new album, Head Carrier, I was expecting to hear the first single which I really like, Um Chagga Lagga. The next night's fans got that treat.

We got a good spot with a view of centre stage, and I spent much of the show letting the Pixies sound/noise wash over me. It was a slow builder, and no one in the band addressed the audience, but slowly you get swept into their sonic sea. The early songs are mostly back lit, obscuring the detail of their faces, as they seemingly take their time letting us into their world. Then the full colour hits and by the first notes of Here Comes Your Man, we are fully welcomed in, with the attendant singalong.

It was great to experience the Pixies' sound live, having loved many of their albums and tracks for years. Some bands are all about showmanship or energy or loudness, but the Pixies' live are all about the sound. And they got it right. It was special, and before a brief encore, the band took a bowing curtain call, which you don't often see at rock shows. Then, just before they came back on, the dry ice machine belched a massive wave over us. As it cleared, it was like emerging from a warzone, grey and surreal. As the Pixies played Into The White in the eerie fog, the new bassist Paz Lenchantin stood silhouetted with her low slung bass and sang almost motionlessly. Then more massive waves of dry ice buffeted us. It was by far the most I've ever experienced and then that was repeated half a dozen times. This final destination was a fittingly atmospheric representation of the enveloping aural journey we'd been taken on.

Setlist:
Where Is My Mind?
Nimrod's Son
Break My Body
Brick Is Red
Winterlong (Neil Young cover)
Blown Away
Mr.Grieves
La La Love You
Ana
All the Saints
Here Comes Your Man
Motorway to Roswell
Magdalena 318
Tenement Song
Classic Masher
Head On (Jesus and Mary Chain cover)
U-Mass
I've Been Tired
Velouria
Havalina
Snakes
Caribou
Rock Music
Baal's Back
Isla de Encanta
Oona
Planet of Sound
All I Think About Now
Hey
Gouge Away
Debaser
Tame

Encore:
Into the White

The Specials @ Rivermead Centre, Reading - November 8, 2016

The Specials live are all I hoped they would be: genuine and invigorating.

The set opened with their huge hit Ghost Town, and being in Reading at a little used (for music) leisure centre, it seemed fitting. Although the place was anything but a Ghost Town; it was packed with mostly 50+ Fred Perry and pork pie hat wearing blokes, a few with their girls in tow.

Terry Hall quite quickly starting chatting with the crowd and continued throughout the show. For once, I could clearly hear the stage banter. In fact, I thought the sound was really good and at the perfect volume. No ringing ears this morning!

He asked about the Town name pronounciation jokingly and there were some nods to missing band members, particularly John Bradbury who passed last December and should have been on this tour. Gary Powell from the Libertines very ably sat in on drums. At one point Terry admonished whoever threw a bottle on stage, and warned that one more and they'd walk off - they don't put up with that shit. I liked his middle-aged reasonableness: "put the empty in your pocket. Keep Britain Tidy." I imagine that the humble Mr. Hall has always been a decent bloke, and liked seeing this side of his personality.

Lynval Golding was full of energy throughout the show, and also talked to the crowd, mentioning (on this US Election eve) that he now lives in America and doesn't know if that's a good or bad thing. Horace Panter, the only other original member held down stage right with his bass. The rest of the band was guitarist, keyboardist, and at times, 2 trombonists, a violinist and backup singer.

Following Ghost Town were a handful of songs that weren't very familiar to me from my North American viewpoint, but by Blank Expression I was well into very familiar territory. This is the bouncy, driving ska band I fell in love with all those years ago.The only song I'd have like to have heard that I didn't was Pressure Drop, but that's only in retrospect as I type this.

Setlist:
Ghost Town
Do Nothing
Friday Night, Saturday Morning
Stereotype
Man At C&A
Blank Expression
Rat Race
Redemption Song (Bob Marley Cover)
Doesn't Make It Alright
Nite Klub
(Dawning of a) New Era
Do the Dog
Gangsters
Concrete Jungle
A Message to You, Rudy
Monkey Man
Little Bitch
Too Much Too Young
Enjoy Yourself (It's Later Than You Think)
Guns of Navarone
All the Time In The World (dedicated to John Bradbury)
You're Wondering Now