Author: colgriff

The creative type.

343. Bluedot: Jodrell Bank Observatory [20.7.19]

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343a_Bluedot [200719]Artists: Kraftwerk / 808 State / Jarvis Cocker introducing JARV IS / Tim O’Brien / Sunda Arc / Easy Star All-Stars

Venue: Bluedot [2019], Jodrell Bank Observatory, Cheshire

Date: 20.7.19

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A dream gig and one to tick off the bucket list, as Kraftwerk played in the impressive presence of Jodrell Bank’s Lovell telescope at Bluedot Festival 2019.

As far as festivals go, this was a fairly intimate gathering, blending music and science to coincide with the 50th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission and first moon landing.

Jarvis Cocker premiered his new JARV IS project. Kraftwerk were as precise as expected with 3D visuals and crystal-clear sound for a career spanning set. 808 State finished things with a late night set in the dance tent.

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Kraftwerk Setlist: Numbers / Computer World / It’s More Fun to Compute / Home Computer / Computer Love / The Man-Machine / Spacelab / The Model / Autobahn / Geiger Counter / Radioactivity / Tour de France / Prologue / Étape 1 / Chrono / Étape 2 / Trans-Europe Express / Metal on Metal / Abzug / The Robots / Boing Boom Tschak / Techno Pop / Musique Non Stop

341. Let’s Rock Leeds: Temple Newsam, Leeds [22.6.19]

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341a_Let’s Rock Leeds [220619]

Artists: Status Quo / Andy Bell (Erasure) / Shalamar / Go West / Midge Ure / From The Jam / Big Country / Belinda Carlisle / Snap! / Hugh Cornwell (The Stranglers) / Jaki Graham / Limahl / Westworld / Rozalla / Belouis Some

Venue: Temple Newsam, Leeds

Date: 22.6.19

An annual pilgrimage to the past, with the stars of ‘yesteryear’ bringing back great memories with their music – hits & giggles.

This year’s headliners, the much maligned but mighty ‘Quo’, provided a masterclass in rock; owning the arena and exiting on a luxury tour bus before the applause had died-down down (deeper and down).

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339. The Belgrave House Band – Performing Amy Winehouse’s ‘Frank’: Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds [31.5.19]

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339a_Belgrave House Band | Frank [310519]

Artist: The Belgrave House Band

Support: Nel Begley

Venue: Belgrave Music Hall

Date: 31.5.19

I originally had tickets to see Amy Winehouse on her ‘Back to Black’ tour (2006), which was cancelled for reasons that tragically transpired.

The Belgrave House Band beautifully brought Amy’s music back to life, with a faithful interpretation of her debut album; ‘Frank’. As near to the real thing as you’re ever likely to experience live.

339b_Belgrave House Band | Frank [310519]

339c_Belgrave House Band | Frank [310519]

338. Foals: O2 Academy, Leeds [23.5.19]

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338b_Foals [230519]Artist: Foals

Venue: O2 Academy, Leeds

Date: 23.5.19

For the previous decade, Foals had eluded me as a live act. Chances to see them play live seemed few and far between. However, the release of ‘Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost Part 1’ brought them to O2 Academy, Leeds for an exclusive album launch show.

An incredible gig with the band playing the newly released album in full, along with a few old favourites and a preview of things to come. Bring on Part 2 . . .

Setlist: Moonlight / Exits / White Onions / In Degrees / Syrups / On the Luna / Cafe D’Athens / Surf, Pt.1 / Sunday / I’m Done with the World (& It’s Done with Me) // Mountain at My Gates / My Number / Black Bull / Inhaler

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337. Stats: Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds [7.5.19]

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337a_Stats [070519]Artist: Stats

Support: White Flowers / Fwar

Venue: Hyde Park Book Club, Leeds

Date: 7.5.19

My first visit to Hyde Park Book Club; another great independent live music venue. It’s not the most glamorous setting, but it has an authentic creative vibe with enthusiastic, friendly folk.

This is what the gig scene is all about; discovering new bands in old cellars. Apparently, this was Stats’ first gig outside London. Welcome to the north.

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332. Cherry Glazzer: Headrow House, Leeds [30.3.19]

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332a_Cherry Glazerr [300319]

Artist: Cherry Glazzer

Support: Mantis State

Venue: Headrow House, Leeds

Date: 30.3.19

This was an odd one:

I previous saw Cherry Glazerr play a sold out gig at Brudenell Social Club (May 2017) with front-woman, Clementine Creevy, whipping the packed-out main room into a frenzy. However, the band’s return to Leeds saw them playing to a barely half-full room at the smaller Event Space of Headrow House.

To make matters worse, the sound quality was appalling, with the vocals being barely audible for much of the set, despite the audience’s protests to the sound desk.

A bafflingly lacklustre affair, through no fault of the band.

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326. Neneh Cherry: Leeds University Stylus [12.2.19]

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Artist: Neneh Cherry

Support: Greentea Peng

Venue: Leeds University Stylus

Date: 12.2.19

At my second ever gig, way back in 1988, Neneh Cherry was the support act for Bomb the Base. Even back then, she stole the show.

Over 30 years later she’s still the queen of cool. Mild mannered but exuding attitude and experience. New material is perfectly blended with timeless classics in a slick soulful set.

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Setlist: Cheap Breakfast Special / Fallen Leaves / Shot Gun Shack / Deep Vein Thrombosis / Faster Than the Truth / Kong / Poem Daddy / Synchronized Devotion / Natural Skin Deep / Black Monday / Slow Release / Manchild / Soldier // 7 Seconds / Buffalo Stance

326b_Neneh Cherry [120219]

325. Tears for Fears: First Direct Arena, Leeds [9.2.19]

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325a_Tears for Fears [090218]Artist: Tears for Fears

Support: Alison Moyet

Venue: First Direct Arena, Leeds

Date: 9.2.19*

An awesome support slot from Alison Moyet; setting the 80s vibe with a set of Yazoo and solo tracks.

Tears for Fears followed suit and upped the ante with a powerful set of past hits.

This was by no means a retro gig, with the music of both acts standing the test of time and sounding as cutting-edge as it ever did.

*Originally scheduled: 27.4.18

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Setlist: Everybody Wants to Rule the World / Secret World / Sowing the Seeds of Love / Pale Shelter / Break It Down Again / Everybody Loves a Happy Ending / Change / Mad World / Memories Fade / Suffer the Children / Woman in Chains / Advice for the Young at Heart / Badman’s Song / Head Over Heals / Broken

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321. Ocean Colour Scene: O2 Academy, Leeds [5.12.18]

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321a_Ocean Colour Scene [051218]Artist: Ocean Colour Scene

Support: Martha Reeves & The Vandellas

Venue: O2 Academy, Leeds

Date: 5.12.18

It’s somewhat ignorant and rude when the majority of the audience talk throughout the support band; incredulous when the support act is Martha Reeves & The Vandellas. Living Motown legends are few and far between. Shut the f*ck up and watch the band!

Thankfully, Ocean Colour Scene ramped-up the volume to deliver a hefty set of their best known tracks.

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Setlist: Everything Comes at the Right Time / The Riverboat Song / Profit in Peace / Better Day / Weekend / One for the Road / Get Blown Away / The Circle / Step by Step / Besides Yourself / I Wanna Stay Alive with You / This Day Should Last Forever / Be with You / Up on the Downside / Saturday / Jane She Got Excavated / July / You’ve Got It Bad / Travellers Tune // Robin Hood – Live Together / Another Bard May Chant / Hundred Mile High City / It’s a Beautiful Thing / The Day We Caught the Train

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318. Mogwai: O2 Academy, Leeds [24.11.18]

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318a_Mogwai [241118]Artist: Mogwai

Support: The Twilight Sad

Venue: O2 Academy, Leeds

Date: 24.11.18

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There’s not really much to see at a Mogwai gig – but the sonic onslaught is like no other live music experience; truly awesome. *Don’t ever feed them after midnight.

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Setlist: Yes! I Am a Long Way from Home / Friend of the Night / We’re Not Done (End Title) / Party in the Dark / Old Poisons / Crossing the Road Material / Rano Pano / Don’t Believe the Fife / Auto Rock / Remurdered / Every Country’s Sun / Like Herod // New Paths to Helicon, Pt. 1 / We’re No Here

316. Dr. John Cooper Clarke: O2 Academy, Leeds [17.11.18]

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316a_John Cooper Clarke [171118]Artist: Dr. John Cooper Clarke

Support: Geoffrey Allerton (Simon Day) / Mike Garry / Toria Garbutt

Venue: O2 Academy, Leeds

Date: 17.11.18

The legendary people’s poet and fellow wordsmiths performing spoken word for the masses. Mirthful to see many youngsters at such a performance, with their parents cringing at the barrage of F-bombs launched from the stage (as if the kids don’t already know those words).

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300. St. Vincent: O2 Academy, Leeds [28.8.18]

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300a_St. Vincent [280818]Artist: St. Vincent

Support: Girl Gang Leeds [DJ Set]

Venue: O2 Academy, Leeds

Date: 28.8.18

Another landmark gig (no. 300) – and what a gig it was; instantly claiming a place in my all time top 10.

The entire audience seemed to be in love with the awesome power and presence of Annie Clark (AKA St. Vincent). The very definition of ‘Masseduction’.

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297. New Purple Celebration: Leeds Town Hall [16.8.18]

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297a_New Purple Celebration [160818]Artist: New Purple Celebration

Venue: Leeds Town Hall

Date: 16.8.18

I usually avoid tribute bands, in fear of them tainting legends or simply cashing-in on the effort of others.

However, having foolishly missed the opportunity to see the true ‘purple one’ before his premature departure, the chance to see Prince’s music performed live was hard to refuse (especially as the tickets were free).

Although they’ll never come close to the real thing, New Purple Celebration are an incredibly talented collective of musicians who clearly love the music of Prince in his many guises. This was a welcome chance to hear respectful recitals from his back catalogue.

Shame about the audience, who were generally a crowd of fidgety morons with minimum attention span (probably due to a high number of complimentary tickets being issued). I expect the fans were rather more engaged at real Prince gigs.

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