I ‘needed’ to get to see Sleater-Kinney and this was all the excuse required to organise a few days with Karen in lovely Amsterdam taking in the gig at the iconic Paradiso. What a great city. So much fun. Will definitely go back!
Only last October since I last saw black midi, and this set couldn’t have been much more different. Only 6 songs from their album ‘Schlagenheim’ … crowd pleasers like ‘bmbmbm’ left out and guitarist Matt replaced (temporarily I think) by sax and keys players. The rest of the set was so jazz and jazz/rock I know many people were flummoxed and unhappy with their new musical marmite. A band not afraid to experiment and move on … quickly!
Well I loved it all. I’m completely happy with the jazzy direction and their playing, and Geordie’s singing, is so magnificent they haven’t put a foot wrong for me yet. More, much more to come from black midi.
Attended by George, Andy, Douglas and Paul SF
https://www.theskinny.co.uk/music/live-music/reviews/black-midi-liquid-room-edinburgh-17-feb
Spoken lyrics are a thing now apparently, and a very good thing delivered by Florence over catchy guitar riffs from London’s Dry Cleaning. I’ve listened to them a lot recently so I could follow what she was on about, though even stood right in front the sound was dominated by guitar and unfortunately couldn’t hear her all that clearly. The only downside to a great night.
Attended by George
I have listened to the music of Sorry a lot recently, great stuff and knowing the words from a new band made such a brilliant show more enjoyable! Led by Asha Lorenz and Louis O’Bryen from London, Sorry have a varied style recorded but sound more straightforward and powerful live, less jazzy, more rocky, but with the clever songs, intelligent intertwining instrumentation and twisted lyrics that make them a bit unusual … and special!
A packed sold out Sneaky Pete’s was also well appreciative and what a great set they got, all the songs I’ve grown to like and some new ones for their album due out in March – on that right away! Asha is so tiny but owns the room with her effortless cool and no little guitar skills. What a band … talented, young and super cool (makes you sick!). Buy the album soon!
Attended by George & Chris
A lovely evening at The Empress with so many friends and colleagues too! Cheers.
Half Formed Things are a special group, dear to the hearts of Karen and me, and it seems a growing number of others too from the great level of warmth and appreciation in a packed ballroom! This time back to a 3 piece following Nici’s return to Oz, but they seem just as good as ever this way helped by fine sound and light show.
They also keep evolving and improving with a number of new songs. Those performed solo by Matthew and Morgan were very good, but it’s when they sing together that the magic happens most … a spectacular mix of beautiful voices and music with outstanding drumming from Stewart. Go see them asap! AND the gig raised a lot of money for the Australian bush fire emergency. Please help them raise more by buying their album or donating … see – https://www.facebook.com/halfformedthings/
Attended by George & Karen
I never miss my favourite singer/songwriter Anaïs when she comes to Scotland nowadays. This time supported by her new ‘folk supergroup’ Bonny Light Horsman. So this was the first time I had seen her perform with a full band, which was cool!
The show started with a set from Bonny Light Horseman led by Anaïs, Eric D. Johnson (from the band Fruit Bats) and multi-instrumentalist Josh Kaufman. I haven’t really been impressed by the re-vamped old folk songs on their album (a bit dull for my taste), but it’s a more enjoyable experience live, particularly the guitar playing of Josh which is superb … a revelation in fact! I must check him out more.
After the interval Anaïs took centre stage for her own material which is what I really love and the band gave added variety to songs I’d heard her sing so often. I still prefer her solo though which she did for a few songs. What I really, really want though is more new original songs from her once she get this Hadestown and BLH stuff out of the way!
Attended by George
Thanks to host Phil Ramsay and all those who came along on the night. First gig for ages and we had great fun at a really nice venue.
