When I last saw Denmark’s Baby In Vain a couple of years ago, I was impressed and intrigued, but they have developed their music more and have even bigger riffs and choruses. Really ramped up the volume, the fuzz and the rock poses … everything bigger. Very much appreciated by a busy Sneaky Pete’s … still impressed!
7.5/11 – Attended by George
I saw Susanne for the first time in Hull in May. I liked the show, but only after I had listened to her albums did I start to get into her music. I’ve hardly listened to anyone else since! Her latest album ‘Music For People In Trouble’ is a return to her original quieter, folky style, but is full of great songs and her lyrics have really grown in maturity and impact. She is a truly wonderful singer, songwriter and musician.
I suppose I was hoping this show would not be a straight repeat of Hull, but it pretty much was. But this time there were many more songs and I knew them all well, which really helped my enjoyment. I also managed my way right to the front, and in such a relatively small venue, turned it into an intimate show with lots of good natured chat between Susanne and the audience. Typical Glasgow!
Just got tickets to see her yet again in London next March, possibly with more backing musicians and bigger production. Consider me a proper fan now!
9/11 – Attended by George
I wrote a book! For my wonderful wife Karen.
This short ‘travelogue’ is not really a proper book, simply a present to Karen as a reminder
of our ‘unforgettable’ holiday in 2017. I planned the itinerary and organised all the travel.
Karen pretty much followed me around like a faithful, but happy puppy. She barely knew
where we were on any given day, let alone where we were going tomorrow. It was genuinely our ‘holiday of a lifetime’. So now she can read this to remind her. And me too!
xx George
Download PDF version or read below –
We had booked an 8 hour guided trip fishing for Sturgeon with Lang’s Fishing Adventures in Vancouver. I couldn’t really contain my excitement since aside from the eclipse and of course our romantic anniversary … I hoped this could maybe be one of my personal highlights of the whole holiday.
An early start in the morning, but worth it for the beautiful sunrise and view out over the Fraser River, but especially for the bountiful spread Lynne prepared us for breakfast. We felt we had to try all the tasty Canadian specialities she cooked fresh for us, and though we were full to bursting, it was exactly the solid preparation we needed for a strenuous day ahead.
We met our guide Matt and his jet boat at the boat launch on a canal off the main river. The Fraser River is very shallow in places so jet boats are best and that made for a thrilling fast ride out to the first spot for fishing.
What an impressive place to be, anchored in the middle of such a powerful river in the most stunning scenery. We didn’t catch in that first spot, so he moved the boat downstream to another deep hole. The Fraser River is so big and fast the 3 rods he set up for us needed a 24oz lead, along with 200lb braided line and hooks up to 10/0 loaded with Salmon pieces as bait.
After a couple of hours, including a few missed bites, Matt struck and handed me the rod, but with barbless hooks only allowed, that’s a risky time and the fish came off immediately. Matt promised they were there now so we stayed put. After another hour with Matt working hard rebaiting, a tentative bite came on the middle rod. After 3 steady plucks Matt struck and handed me the rod, an experience I’ll never forget for the sheer weight and power of what was on the other end of the line. The fish was obviously heavy, and Matt said ‘This feels like a really big one’ which didn’t calm my nerves as the fish moved backwards and forwards under the boat requiring some quick thinking from Matt to help me move from side to side.
Obviously bored with that, or maybe just realising it was hooked, the fish ran like a train downstream, taking line with ease against the tightest drag I’ve ever seen! After about 10 minutes of desperately trying to hang on and not be pulled in, I asked Matt how far the fish was away. Looking at the reel he said ‘about 200 metres, and there’s 400 metres on the reel’. When it stopped, that was time for Matt to release the anchor (cleverly attached to a buoy so we could go back) and follow the fish downstream while I reeled furiously to keep a tight line. When, eventually, we got there, I tried to get more line back and the fish came towards the boat, but then decided to run upstream again, pulling us with it, right back to where our buoy was and where we started.
This all took about an hour and my left arm, which had taken all the strain, was starting to give up. Matt said ‘you have to get the fish up to the surface so we can take it to the beach and land it’. Well I tried my best, but every time it came up I just couldn’t hold it there, so Matt’s bright idea was for him to hold it up, and for me to drive the boat to shore, which was fun, nerve wracking and frankly a relief.
After what seemed like an age, we made it to shore where we could properly admire this incredible creature in the shallow water. I held Matt’s tape measure on its nose and he ran it down to its tail. ’10ft 2in’ he whooped, ‘could be biggest of the year so far’. I was astonished and delighted, but mainly made up for Matt … his expertise led to this and would be a major feather in his cap and for Lang’s. This length of Sturgeon is estimated to weigh around 570lb!
A few quick pics helped by my lovely assistant Karen, we didn’t mind getting soaked in the freezing water, and the fish swam away strongly. What a fight, well the fish played me really, an incredible experience all round.
We went back out to the same anchor buoy and cast the rods back in … but the grip refused to return to my left hand so how would I play another? And how could I top that fish? So after a bit more than half of our paid for 8 hours I called it a day early and let Matt start his well-earned day off a bit sooner. I can’t quite believe this all happened to me? I’m not usually so lucky. Canada, and especially British Columbia, rocks by the way. What a beautiful setting for an unforgettable day.
(When we got home my story of catching the Sturgeon was reported in the Mike Kernan’s newspaper fishing column and won me the Daiwa fish of the week prize!)
I made a short video collage from video clips and stills!
Skating Polly are a young band from Tacoma, USA. I’ve been aware of them for a while and this gig was a break from their tour supporting Kate Nash, too good to miss and I’m glad I went through to Glasgow. Formed in Oklahoma by step sisters Peyton and Kelli when they were just 14 and 9 … they are not much older now but have progressed from twee but original tunes to more powerful post punk with the addition of brother Kurtis on drums.
Not quite sure what to expect but I was impressed as howls of noise gave way to energetic riffs with melodic vocals and interesting lyrics. They can play big and loud but the tunes are always there. Peyton leads the music and Kurt adds beefy beats, but it’s younger sister Kelli that grabs most attention, a supernova of energy and a blur of movement. Well impressed!
Apologies for rubbish pics … odd lighting, phone camera and much sweatiness!
8/11 Attended by George
A 2hr 10min set sounds long and hard work, but it was far from that, instead the time just flew by through a great set celebrating the best of their catalogue including many of my absolute favourite songs. Apart from the odd altercation, the crowd were magnificent and sang along beautifully, what a great bunch of singers, at best the combination was really moving. As always Radiohead played perfectly, reproducing the songs superbly with some subtle variations and the sound was excellent. All brilliant musicians, Thom Yorke the focal point, but such a clear sound let me hear perfectly just how good Colin Greenwood is on bass, genius. The visuals provided by the enormous backdrop were also simply astounding.
Radiohead have an undeserved reputation for being serious and depressing, but I couldn’t stop smiling and bopping along like most of the crowd. At the end of their second multi song encore they finished with ‘Karma Police’ and the audience (and my) singing of the ‘I lost myself’ refrain carried through the end of the set and for a long time afterwards while everyone wended their way home. Simply a wonderful day!
10/11 – Attended by George, Andy, Jude, Douglas
https://www.setlist.fm/setlist/radiohead/2017/glasgow-green-glasgow-scotland-4be41bbe.html
Mannequin Pussy are a relatively new band from Philadelphia that are attracting a lot of interest for their energetic post-punk noise that veers from thrash to melodic through a set full of short punchy songs. Singer Marisa Dabice is obviously the focus of attention and it’s hard to take your eyes of her magnetic performance, but the band are tight with notably powerful drumming. Though not especially original or exceptional I enjoyed their set and look forward to seeing what comes next from them.
7/11 – Attended by George
I really enjoyed her first album ‘Philharmonics’, though not been so keen on recent albums, but thought it would be good to see her live, and accompanied by 3 versatile musicians it was a really enjoyable show.
Agnes has a subtle, smoky voice that compliments her intricate piano led songs with typically downbeat lyrics. A fragile, delicate sound that would work better in more intimate surroundings. An unusual atmosphere for a ‘rock’ venue … the feeling more like a classical recital, but things warmed up and got more enthusiastic by the end.
7.5/11 Attended by George
We’ve seen Cara quite a few times, and not much more than a year ago. I was thinking, do we really need to see a similar set again? Well a few moments into ‘There Were Roses’ and then ‘Black Is The Colour’ reminded me what a special artist she is. The emotion in her wonderful voice and reflected back from the audience was really moving. Cara, and her wonderful band, never let you down. Lovely!
8/11 Attended by George & Karen
Half Formed Things are a fairly new band and I thought from the few songs I heard that they had great potential. So we were intrigued to see them live. Well they really are impressive. Karen thought they might be a bit underwhelming but she was blown away by them and can’t wait for their next gig.
Matthew and Morgan share vocal duties brilliantly, and Stewart provides sensitive and dynamic drumming (a stark contrast from his other role in Britney!). Songs are lengthy with flows and ebbs back to spectacular crescendos. A relatively short set but they know how to leave us wanting more and I really look forward to more new material.
8/11 Attended by George & Karen
George Glen 