Gigs or concerts attended

[londonbridge]

11/9
Down To The Bone at Pizza Express, London.

Which Pizza Express? Saw the singer Callaghan at The Pheasantry last week, was my first time there although I’ve been to the other London Pizza Express venues before. Was disappointed as I booked it relatively early but was given a table with a poor view right at the back.

Next two gigs are Amy MacDonald on Thursday and then Kate Walsh on Friday. The latter had some minor success some twenty years ago before dropping out of music to raise a family and tackle other projects, and is now making something of a comeback.

 

[D1537]

The refurbished Wulfrun is proving somewhat of an odd venue - it was before the refurb too, tbh - but in contrast with the Civic it does seem to be lacking in atmosphere. Part of that seems to be that, for some reason, the audience always seems to be brightly lit. Other bands have commented on it from the stage, asking for the house lights to be turned off, when they actually are. I don't know if it's the white walls/ceiling but it's an odd vibe.

The only time I've been to the Wulfrun post-refurb was to see New Model Army there last year and yes, it's very bright isn't it? Nonsensical queues for the bar - 20-odd minutes - as they didn't have enough bar staff for a sold-out show. I think I preferred it when it was dark and had sticky floors

 

[martin butler]

I don't tend to go to gigs much now, if I do, its local, and often, it's because friends are playing, which means, I often get asked to do a couple of numbers, I'm a singer/ songwriter, I have done a couple of local charity gigs, with a group of local musicians.

But the last actual gig I went to must have been Pink Floyd at Wembley just after pulse, because they also did some tracks from the division bell.

Best value for money one, was a special one night only at Guildford Eric Clapton, and friends, it was a who's who of popular music, luckily I knew someone who worked there and gave me a tip when tickets would go on sale, as they sold out within hours of going on sale,

 

[Peeled Apples]

I’m going to see Halestorm at the NEC tonight With support from Kelsey Karter and the Heroines and Bloodywood.

 

[CharlieSpotted]

Next up - the mighty The Hives at Aviva Studios, Manchester. New venue for me - anyone been? Looks huge.

 

[Peeled Apples]

Next up British Lion at The Queens Hall in Nuneaton tonight.

 

[CharlieSpotted]

Last night, and almost certainly the last one of the year, Electric Six at the Academy 2 in Birmingham. Used to be a bit of a Christmas tradition, they almost always play this venue in December, but hadn't done it for a few years. Despite a changing lineup they're as good as ever.

 

[RyanOPlasty]

I saw the excellent Focus in Great Yarmouth last night.
Hocus Pocus live, anyone?

I saw Focus last year at the Flowerpot in Derby. Very close to the stage!

 

[weepingwillowb]

The last two I went to were both Peter Hammill, in Edinburgh (29/9) and Manchester (1/10). First time I'd seen him completely solo, and he was amazing, particularly at Manchester, where his voice was more confident than two days earlier. His first solo shows in the UK since pre-Covid, and he was aged 76 at the time of the concerts (he's 77 now). My photo below was taken at Edinburgh.

​

 

[CharlieSpotted]

Last night, and almost certainly the last one of the year, Electric Six at the Academy 2 in Birmingham. Used to be a bit of a Christmas tradition, they almost always play this venue in December, but hadn't done it for a few years. Despite a changing lineup they're as good as ever.

I should mention the support, alt-pop duo Enjoyable Listens, who did exactly what they said on the tin. One of the most fun support acts I've seen in a while and perfect for E6.

 

[Strat-tastic]

I saw Focus last year at the Flowerpot in Derby. Very close to the stage!View attachment 193347

Crikey that is close! Nice pic.
I notice a couple of flutes at the ready. It was good to hear proggy flute playing aside from Jethro Tull.

 

[SteveP29]

Next up British Lion at The Queens Hall in Nuneaton tonight.

Strangely, as a massive Iron Maiden fan, I just don't seem to be able to get into the British Lion stuff.
Having said that, I don't like the Smith/ Kotzen songs I've heard either.

 

[Peeled Apples]

Strangely, as a massive Iron Maiden fan, I just don't seem to be able to get into the British Lion stuff.
Having said that, I don't like the Smith/ Kotzen songs I've heard either.

I never bothered with British Lion until a couple of years ago but found I liked them straight away. Smith/Kotzen on the other hand do nothing for me at all.

 

[londonbridge]

Just got back from seeing Kate Rusbys annual Christmas tour.

 

[Peeled Apples]

Show time tonight Stereophonics at the Utilita, Birmingham.

 

[ChrisC]

Just got back from seeing Kate Rusbys annual Christmas tour.

That’s always well worth going to. I’m going next week in Nottingham. I must have been to her Christmas show about half a dozen times now over the years. It’s 3 years ago since I last went as I don’t go every year.

 

[Peeled Apples]

Lined up for next year so far.
Burning Witches
James
The Warning
Blaze Bayley

 

[CharlieSpotted]

My 2026 so far:

Biffy Clyro
Cast (Rescheduled from this year)
The Fratellis
Ash
Paul Draper (Mansun)
Tom Smith (Editors)
Metallica
Metallica
Jimmy Eat World
Starsailor 'with Strings'

All over the place!

 

[NeilCr]

Beach Boys in June

Fingers crossed for the health of Mike Love and Bruce Johnston

 

[londonbridge]

My 2026 list so far:

Elles Bailey
Kezia Gill
Beth Rowley
Nerina Pallot
Garth Brooks
Dar Williams
Vonda Shepard
Brandi Carlile

 

[Pegpilot]

Last gig was folkies Flook at the Cambridge Junction a month ago. Terrific night. Two flutes, with the lead Brian Finnegan an absolute genius.
Next up McCusker/McGoldrick/Doyle in March. McCusker was previously married to and played with Kate Rusby but between them the boys have toured with Mark Knopfler, Eddi Reader, Capercaillie, Julie Fowlis and more. They came to Oundle last year and we got world class musicians for £25.
Oh and as for Iron Maiden, saw them in the Hammersmith White Swan in 1980 and still have my copy of the Soundhouse Tapes EP ! Great days.

 

[SteveP29]

My 2026 so far:

Biffy Clyro
Cast (Rescheduled from this year)
The Fratellis
Ash
Paul Draper (Mansun)
Tom Smith (Editors)
Metallica
Metallica
Jimmy Eat World
Starsailor 'with Strings'

All over the place!

London Stadium?
I'm there for both of those too.

 

[Peeled Apples]

My next one is Sophie Lloyd at KK's Steel Mill in Wolverhampton on Friday night.

 

[Ashley Hill]

Saw a tribute band in a local pub last night called Still The Smiths. They were very good and even threw gladioli into the audience.

 

[londonbridge]

Off to see Kim Richey again tonight, lost count of how many times this one will be. There was some confusion as not long after getting the ticket she posted on FB that it was cancelled, but another fan posted that they’d spoken to the venue, who were unaware of any cancellation and were still selling tickets (as were Seetickets, who I bought mine from). Kim said she’d investigate and posted the following day that the gig was back on again.

 

[CharlieSpotted]

This year so far looks like:

Biffy Clyro @ Birmingham Utilita Arena
Cast @ Nottingham Rock City
Mogwai @ Birmingham Institute
Ash @ Birmingham Institute 2

Mogwai were an excellent swap for The Fratellis who I was supposed to be seeing that night but have postponed their tour an entire year (!) due to illness. Ash were supported by 'Bag of Cans' who were an excellent (and hilarious) opener. After 'Enjoyable Listens' supporting Electric Six last year so brilliantly, I've got to admit I'm all in for bands with a sense of humour opening these kind of shows...

Next up are the Psychadelic Porn Crumpets @ The Crossing, Birmingham who I know next to nothing about, but heard a couple of their songs being played in a bar and booked the gig off the strength of that alone. Sometimes the random ones are the best ones!

 

[High Dyke]

Numerous gigs over the years, including Sheffield based band Engine, sadly no more i believe. Seen Madness many times, we used to do their gigs each year. Def Leppard in Nottingham, the support act was an up and coming band, at the time (Muse). Due to see Def Leppard again this year.

Iron Maiden on more than one occasion. The 2023 Future Past Tour had Lord of the Lost as support. Also saw Slash with Myles Kennedy at Wembley.

One of the best gigs I've done was The Interrupters, with support from The Skints. Saw Bombskare in Doncaster, the only gig they played in England that time. They were supported by fellow Scottish band - Esperanza.

Should've seen Journey in Birmingham last year, but tour was scrubbed after the band members fell out again. Apparently that's occurred on more than one occasion.

Before they finished, and frequently seen at Beer Festivals, The League of Mentalmen. A former colleague of mine was their roadie. He arranged them to play at a Trade Union social event we held in Lincoln. Fair credit to the oldies that politely stayed to watch. As for me, I was at the front with the biggest grin on my face.

 

[londonbridge]

Last nights gig was good although it took me longer than expected to find the venue! It was at Courtyard Theatre and the website said the nearest tube was Old Street, which was where I headed. I’d put the show in my calendar so when I opened up Apple Maps for directions it came up as a suggestion. Clicked on it and it said 1.75 mile walk! Felt something was wrong but started following the suggested route, next thing I knew I’d walked and jogged all the way back down to Bank station! Closed down the app, opened it up again and the suggested route was now showing as being in the opposite direction to which I’d been walking! Walked back up to Old Street again and eventually found the venue about six or seven minutes walk away…..

 

[Peeled Apples]

My list is not very big but here goes.
James, 03/04 @ Utilita, Birmingham.
The Warning, 23/04 @ Utilita, Birmingham.
Geoff Tate, 30/05 @ KK’s Steel Mill, Wolves.
The Warning, 11/06 @ Pier 17, New York.
Iron Maiden, 11/07 @ Knebworth.
Blaze Bayley, 24/10 @ The Station, Cannock.

 

[Peeled Apples]

Concert time tonight, The Smiths, Oasis and The Stone Roses tribute bands at The Wulfrun Hall.