COVID-19 Lockdown
Date: 23.3.20
Location: United Kingdom
The day the (live) music died. Ghostlights at UK venues became the only sign of life for the foreseeable future.
‘Access No Areas’ art print available from my Etsy shop: https://tinyurl.com/bhpze2hr
Artist: Prettiest Eyes
Support: Dense
Venue: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
Date: 10.3.20
I judged a book by its cover, and it paid off. Knowing nothing about Prettiest Eyes, I went to this gig because the flyer caught my eye. I wasn’t disappointed by the usual Brudenell seal of approval.
Little did I know that this would be my last gig for over a year, as COVID-19 and lockdown life quashed the live music scene.
Setlist: La Maldad / Prance / Don’t Call / Mira Nena /. / LSD / Marihuana / Alright, I’m Ready to Go / The Eye / Sorry / The Shame / It Costs to Be Austere
Artist: Dave Haslam
Event: Leeds Lit Fest 2020
Venue: Hyde Park Book Club
Date: 8.3.20
It turns out that superstar DJs can also be perfectly amiable people. Dave Haslam comes across as a real people person; hence his success at authoring fascinating insights on the lives of others.
With few places to hide at the intimate Hyde Park Book Club, Haslam seemed happy to mingle at the bar and enjoy the atmosphere of one of Leeds’ most laid back venues.
A concise but informative talk (in the basement) reflected the nature of Haslam’s ‘Art Decades’ series; short reads of intriguing detail that leave you wanting to further investigate the subject matter. I contently left the evening with three signed books from a collection which will hopefully extend to many titles.
Artist: Morrissey
Venue: First Direct Arena, Leeds
Date: 6.3.20
With typically misjudged mirth, the bequiffed buffoon strides on stage with a mock cough and splutter; thanking the crowd for being brave enough to venture out. Morrissey is making reference to COVID-19, which is swiftly spreading but at the time is dangerously underestimated. To paraphrase the man himself, ‘Oh, we could smile about it then but in time it would be terrible’. He then proceeds to power through the best live set I’ve ever seen him perform, rarely relying on The Smiths’ back catalogue. Often one to offend but never one to disappoint.
Setlist: You’ll Be Gone / I Wish You Lonely / The Boy with the Thorn in His Side / Jim Jim Falls / At Amber / Morning Starship / Lady Willpower / That Joke Isn’t Funny Anymore / Once I Saw the River Clean / If You Don’t Like Me, Don’t Look at Me / Munich Air Disaster 1958 / World Peace is None of Your Business / Seasick, Yet Still Docked / I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris / Home is a Question Mark / Love is On Its Way Out / Back on the Chain Gang / Never Again Will I Be a Twin / I’ve Changed My Plea to Guilty / Some Say (I Got Devil) / Jack the Ripper / Jacky’s Only Happy When She’s Up on the Stage // Half a Person / Irish Blood, English Heart
Artist: Moses Boyd
Support: NikNak [DJ Set]
Venue: Headrow House, Leeds
Date: 5.3.20
Lights down low (hence no photos); it was all about the music as Moses Boyd and his band performed the Mercury nominated ‘Dark Matter’ album at the suitably intimate Headrow House. The cool is born again.
Artist: The Wants
Support: IMI / Novymir
Venue: Brudenell Social Club, Leeds
Date: 1.3.20
I wanted to go to a gig. I went to a gig. Do what you want.
My Gigography 