Steve Hackett – Royal Concert Hall, Glasgow – 18 Oct 2026

Having seen Steve and his brilliant shows a few times before, I was not convinced that I should buy expensive tickets again … but I’m glad I did! As I’ve said, I think his solo album recordings are ok but not as special and moving as songs from his time with Genesis. So a first set of solo material was interesting enough, but the 2nd set of Genesis highlights was what I came for, so my observations obviously focus on that!

An evolved band line-up with new keyboards player Lalle Larsson and drummer Felix Lehrmann (both sounding amazing) coincided with some minor arrangement and ‘interpretation’ changes to versions of Genesis songs. Great players, and nothing wrong with artistic licence, but for me some of the special ’signature’ elements were missing, watered down or overblown. A teeny bit disappointing for a perfectionist Genesis nerd like me, but still a great show overall. Steve still playing brilliantly respecting he is now 76. Bravo!

All made a bit more special by a few pre-show activities to do with the fact that my band Outside The Original will be playing that magnificent venue on that very stage next March (tickets here)! We met with Steve Brown of Moving Pictures and Dan to take pics to help promote Rushfest. A few pints and chat enjoyed too before Steve and James were honoured to meet with the gracious Mr Hackett before the show! What a day!

Attended by George, George and James

ADHD – A-Trane, Berlin – 21 March 2025

I had wanted to see the amazing Icelandic jazz quarter ADHD for many years. They tour mainly in Europe, not UK … so a few days in Berlin seemed like a great idea! So glad I went – such spectacular music in a cool venue and the guys were really great to chat to afterwards. “Welcome to Jazz Club – ‘Wunderbar!’”

Emiliana Torrini – Assai Instore, Glasgow – 2 March 2025

So glad I travelled through to see the Glasgow film festival showing of Emiliana’s lovely film ‘The Extraordinary Miss Flower’. It is a great peice of cinema with a fabulous story including the music from her new album of the same title. Best of all we were treated to an intimate acoustic performance of a few songs at the nearby Assai Records store. Nice to chat to Chris (Man Of Moon) too.

I’ve always loved Emiliana’s music. It means a lot to me, ‘Fisherman’s Woman’ being an all time favourite album. Been all over to see her many times. But to hear her sing so beautifully up so close (and my favourite song … ‘Sunny Road’) and get to chat and selfie afterward … heavenly! Gxx

Lauren Mayberry – Assai Records, Edinburgh – 9 Dec 2024

An ‘In-store’ appearance to promote Lauren’s new solo album ‘Vicious Creature’ and upcoming tour. Sang a few songs and was interviewed by Vic Galloway. I’m a big fan of CHVRCHES so was delighted to see her. But I’m not so sure her solo songs are my cup of tea. Still might go see her at La Belle Angele.

Attended by George

The Letting Go – Leith Depot, Edinburgh – 6 Dec 2024

Great to catch my great friends (including 3 Postcards) playing their original songs. Definitely more polished and confident now and can’t wait for their highly anticipated debut album.

Attended by George

Dummy – Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh – 2 Dec 2024

Last minute decision to join pals to see LA band Dummy. Interesting and enjoyed, but not very memorable for me.

Attended by George, Jude & Andy

Sleaford Mods – La Belle Angele, Edinburgh – 20 Nov 2024

Always wanted to see the Mods and this was an amazing opportunity to catch them not in a huge venue. Great fun and a packed in crowd were understandably enthusiastic. Magic!

Attended by George, Jude, Andy & Douglas

Dame Area – Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh – 3 Nov 2024

So glad we took a punt to go see the unkown to us Silvia Konstance Costan and Viktor L. Crux from Barcelona, but I had a feeling they would be something special … proved right! I love a bit of industrial me and with lots of other synth and techno experimentation thrown in they blasted us with non stop energy without a single pause. Out of breath dancing trying to keep up .. Incredible scenes!

Attended by George, Andy & Douglas

https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/dame-area/2024/sneaky-petes-edinburgh-scotland-4b53070a.html

Cardiacs – SWG3, Glasgow – 11 Oct 2024

Picked up fellow ‘pondie’ Kenny for drive through and got chatting to many more excited for the latest episode of the ‘Sing To Tim’ reunion shows in memory of the late great Tim Smith. This was a pretty similar set to when I ‘experienced’ this last year in Leeds, but every bit as amazing and appreciated by so many devoted fans, deprived of live Cardiacs for so long.

Brilliant band, assembled from so many past band members, led so enthusiastically by the livewire Jon Poole. Also great to see my bass hero Jim Smith looking and sounding so well. I had a ticket for the next night in Newcastle, but was glad I didn’t go, since Jim took ill during that set which had to be abandoned! This though was the full bhuna and another memorable occasion, Tim’s spirit actually present in the room with us! Exhilarating and moving. xx

Attended by George & Kenny

Plantoid – Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh – 6 Sept 2024

Really enjoyed what I have seen/heard about Plantoid, and I was not dissapointed … they’re brilliant! Jazzy, Proggy, Mathy, Shoegazey (whatever else they can imagine)… a heady melding of genres, but all works beautifully to my mind and they clearly love playing with such skill and variety. Magic. Must see again soon!

Attended by George

Sleater Kinney – SWG3, Glasgow – 27 Aug 2024

I’m such a massive fan! After that magnificent evening at Barrowlands last time in Glasgow, SWG3 seemed a bit low key, but so many super fans made a big atmosphere in a relatively small room for such an important band. Last time was just before Covid struck and the world is a different place now. But Sleater Kinney were back with the same line-up and though songs from new album ‘Little Rope’ were out in force, they didn’t let us down with a storming set of their very best.

I got talking with random people down front from USA and London, instant best pals with so much in common in our love for SK! And Corin just about came into the front row to join us with her walkabout section to sing ‘Untidy Creature’ to us from inches away … magical! What a great occasion again from just about my favourite band in the whole wide world! xx

Attended by George

Bat For Lashes – Queen’s Hall, Edinburgh – 23 Aug 2024

Never miss Natasha Khan when she comes to town so this special Edinburgh Festival event was a must. Got great seats down the front too. Arriving on stage she started with some solo interpretive dance, and with some poetry reading later this made the show a bit different though that’s not really my cup of tea! Joined by Laura Groves on keys it was also great to see Charlotte Hatherley on guitars and bass.

Her latest album ‘The Dream of Delphi’, inspired by her daughter comprised much of the set, but we did get a smattering of old favourites including ‘Tahiti’, ‘Sarah’, ‘Daniel’ and final song ‘Laura’. New songs not really doing that much for me but, much as I said last time, nice person, nice music and a nice evening appreciated greatly by nice, loyal fans.

Attended by George & Karen

The Sensational David Bowie Tribute Band – La Belle Angele, Edinburgh – 16 Aug 2024

Great to catch John and his sensational band yet again and sing our hearts out, especially with Claire & Kenny! You can see Claire in the audience pic!

Attended by George, Karen, Claire & Kenny

Thomas Dolby – Saint Luke’s, Glasgow – 14 Aug 2024

Been a big fan of TDs music since early 80s when bought first albums and saw the ‘Flat Earth’ tour show at the Queen’s Hall in 84. He had mainly retired, but saw him again in 2011. Another gap, but back touring again! Great support from the very entertaining Martin McAloon bravely playing (and largely pulling off) solo his brother Paddy’s masterpiece Prefab Sprout compositions. Enjoyed that.

Now a professor at Baltimore University, he used elements of his music technology teaching in the show to great effect, live streaming his DAW and merging in video in clever ways … impressed! This time he said he would perform more of his favourites and lesser known songs. Still lots of my faves too, but not such a perfect set for me. Still, great to see and sing along. He’s an important musical figure and I still love those first 2 albums!

Attended by George

Girl Scout – Sneaky Pete’s, Edinburgh – 22 May 2024

I enjoyed the few songs I had seen and heard from Sweden’s Girl Scout, so was intrigued enough to head out to Sneaky’s for this one. From Dutch support band Marathon and Girls Scout combined use of massed Fender offset guitars (6) I could tell this was maximum indie music night!

And though I liked Girl Scout’s sound and songs … all seemed a bit samey for me unfortunately. So I enjoyed the night but it could have been more varied and interesting .

Attended by George

His Lordship – Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh – 17 May 2024

His Lordship are for me the undisputed champions of raw, unprocessed and unfiltered, simple but pure rock ‘n roll. Delivered with passion, swagger and great musicianship. Loved them since first seen at the caves last year and was excited that they took their UK tour to the comparatively small Cabaret Voltaire … we expected fireworks and were not disappointed!

Arrived early so we could get right to the front to witness the incendiary performance of main man James Walbourne. So close we were right in James’s jettisoned sweat and spittle zone! See us in the video below … Awesome! An hour of non stop energy and power reminded me yet again why I love the 3 piece rock band so much. Great skill and love for the songs from all 3. Drummer Kris taking the mic (in mouth) on top of bass drum for his usual party piece and David Page the perfect complement on Bass (love the Peavey T-40) and b/vs. Tartan suits a nice touch!

I even got Andy to snag me James’s dropped JW personalised plectrum which I will treasure. A ‘Red Hot’ night ‘In The City’! You must see them when they come to town again. Superb

Attended by George & Andy

Cardiacs Family – Brudenell Social Club, Leeds – 5 May 2024

It took news of the tragic and untimely death of composer and band leader Tim Smith in 2020 for me to discover the amazing and to some people bizarre music of Cardiacs. I’ve become a huge fan since but they had not played live since 2007 due to Tim’s debilitating illness but a growing ‘family’ of friends and fans have kept the Cardiacs flame alive.

3 very special ‘reunion’ shows in England had been arranged to celebrate his life, entitled ‘Sing To Tim’, and the Cardiacs fanbase (or ‘the pond’ as known) were so ecstatic they sold out immediately! Only at the very last minute did I think of going to the final show in Leeds. At 1pm on the day I thought ‘I’ve always wanted to go to the Brudenell Social Club … and why not?!’ I asked on a Facebook group if anyone had a spare ticket and took the mad decision to drive from Edinburgh to Leeds right away!

I got there just in time to get a ticket from the very kind Andrew and join the friendly and enthusiastic crowd, right at the front right so I could watch my bass hero, Tim’s brother Jim. I couldn’t believe my luck to join in such a lovely party atmosphere of celebration and love. Supports Crayola Lectern and Tim Smith’s Spratleys were really interesting and went down a storm.

Main event ‘Cardiacs Family’ got the hugest welcome, especially for the much loved Jim. Sadly no Tim of course but this was no pale tribute act since it had so many members from key line ups of the band through Cardiacs history. Jim Smith the only ever present Cardiac, Bob Leith on Drums, Christian ‘Bic’ Hayes on guitar and vocals and leader on the night Jon Poole on guitar and vocals (and a brilliant job he did too). With backing from Craig Fortnam (percussion), Chloe Herington (saxophone), and Adrien Rodes (keyboard). This allowed a ‘no backing tracks’ performance with all of the lovely intricate and interactive instrumental parts played live. A bit of a surprise but more than a bit special – great job all. Cameo roles from guest vocalists Sharron Fortnam, Jo Spratley, Tiny Wood and Mark Cawthra.

Non Cardiacs fans might not understand much of the music or the set, but the most knowledgable crowd ever jumped around mad and sang all the words ’til hoarse. Just magical! This might have been the last ever Cardiacs show (but I think not after the popularity and success of the 3 shows). The adrenalin and warm glow kept me going for the long drive home. A fabulous experience and I’m so glad I went.

Attended by George