Category: Gig/Concert [Live Music]

Bluedot: Jodrell Bank [23-26.7.20] – Cancelled

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Artist: Various

Venue: Bluedot [2020], Jodrell Bank Observatory, Cheshire

Date: 23-26.7.20 [Cancelled]

Having thoroughly enjoyed a day at the prevoius year’s Bluedot festival, we booked tickets for the full 2020 event . . . little did we know what was to come that year. As the entire live music scene (and much else in life) was halted by a global pandemic, the festival was postponed for a year.

Assured of a similar line-up when things got back to normal, we held-on to our tickets but 12 months later COVID chaos still reigned. Spikes in virus levels, the need for quarantine ‘bubbles’ and near-impossible international travel scuppered any plans for large gatherings with international line-ups. As tickets rolled-over for a second year, we decided to cut our losses and cash them in.

After an enforced 2 year hiatus, Bluedot triumphantly returned with a very similar line-up in 2022. Sadly on this occasion we missed-out and Björk remains on my ‘must see’ list.

Baxter Dury: Royal Albert Home [17.4.20]

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Artist: Baxter Dury

Venue: Royal Albert Hall [Online]

Date: 17.4.20

In the early days of the first COVID-19 lockdown there were no gigs. Venues had to close their doors. Artists and audiences had to stay at home and live music was no more. However, musicians are an innovative breed and quickly adapted, using online tech to collaborate and stream live performances to their homebound fans.

This live session (streamed from Baxter Dury’s home) took place on the evening when I was originally very much looking forward to seeing him play at Brudenell Social Club. It was also my first ever virtual gig. Simply not the same but at the time we took whatever live music we could get. Hats off to all of the artists who kept music alive in those long lockdown days.

377. Morrissey: First Direct Arena, Leeds [6.3.20]

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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

369. The National: First Direct Arena, Leeds [8.12.19]

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Artist: The National

Support: Jenny Lewis

Venue: First Direct Arena, Leeds

Date: 8.12.19

Even from the second tier of Leeds’ largest live music venue, there’s an intimate warm winter feel to The National’s emotive music. They’re a band who still connect with their audience despite the scale of success. Chances to be part of that audience are few and far between, and the band seem to make every evening a special occasion. Each date of the tour had a beatifully bespoke poster design.

Setlist: Rylan / You Had Your Soul with You / Don’t Swallow the Cap / Bloodbuzz Ohio / Guilty Party / Hey Rosey / Oblivions / Where is Her Head / I Need My Girl / This is the Last Time / Apartment Story / Day I Die / The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness / Light Years / Pink Rabbits / I Am Easy to Find / Graceless / England / Fake Empire / Humiliation / Mr. November / Terrible Love / About Today / Vanderlyle Crybaby Geeks

366. BOB: Wharf Chambers, Leeds [26.11.19]

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Artist: BOB

Support: The Beer Snobs

Venue: Wharf Chambers, Leeds

Date: 26.11.19

Bands come and go. Your favourites call it a day and you sadly accept that you’ll never see them play live again. Never say never . . .

BOB return for a ‘one off’ tour of intimate venues, in towns and cities where they always had a loyal following. Sadly, The Duchess is long gone from the Leeds live music scene but Wharf Chambers is a fitting substitute.

BOB sound like they never went away. Their old songs are timeless and new additions to their setlist perfectly fit the bill.

Great to see some (literally) old faces in the crowd from teenage gig years gone by. The BOB Barmy Army marches on . . .

364. The Chemical Brothers: First Direct Arena, Leeds [21.11.19]

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Artist: The Chemical Brothers

Support: 2manydjs [DJ Set]

Venue: First Direct Arena, Leeds

Date: 21.11.19

Some gigs need an arena. Lights, lasers and crystal clear block rockin’ beats. Incredible visuals, big bouncing balloons and two gigantic robots. The brothers always work it out.

Setlist: Go / Free Yourself / Chemical Beats / MAH / Bango|EML Ritual / Swoon / Temptation|Star Guitar / Gravity Drops / Got to Keep On / Hey Boy Hey Girl / Eve of Destruction / Saturate / Elektrobank / No Geography / Escape Velocity|The Golden Path / Don’t Think|Under the Influence|Get Up On It Like This / Dig Your Own Hole / Wide Open / Galvanize / C-H-E-M-I-C-A-L|Leave Home|Song to the Siren / Block Rockin’ Beats // Got Glint? / Catch Me I’m Falling / The Private Psychadelic Reel

363. Kate Tempest: Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds [12.11.19]

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363a_Kate Tempest [121119]

Artist: Kate Tempest

Venue: Belgrave Music Hall, Leeds

Date: 12.11.19

For the first of the evening’s two intimate shows, Kate Tempest walked on stage and made a simple request. In such a small venue she could see right into the faces of the audience and would rather not perform to a crowd of cameras. She therefore asked us to take one shot for social media and then put our phones away, which we duly did.

363b_Kate Tempest [121119]

Tempest took a moment to compose herself and then unleashed an astounding word-perfect set of poetry and rap from her ‘Let Them Eat Chaos’ and ‘The Book of Traps and Lessons’ albums. The powerful lyrics were beautifully set to the haunting beats and  keyboards of Clare Uchima.

As the gig ended there was momentary silence from an awestruck audience, still processing the barrage of wise words and meaningful messages of a truly mind blowing performance.

358. Foals: Leeds Beckett University [24.10.19]

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358a_Foals [241019]Artist: Foals

Venue: Leeds Beckett University

Date: 24.10.19

Just five months after the launch gig for ‘Everything Not Saved Will Be Lost Part 1’, here we were again for ‘Part 2’. Leeds Beckett SU was predictably packed for the earlier of another two album launch shows. As before, pre-ordering the album from Crash Records, Leeds resulted in a ticket to an exclusive gig.

The highlight had to be Yanis Philippakis on one of his trademark walkabouts; in this case running the length of the room and climbing the stairs to play guitar from the gantry, just a few feet from where I was standing.

The effort and energy to perform two shows in a single evening results in such gigs being fast and furious with no faffing around. Just the way it should be.

358b_Foals [241019]

354. Snapped Ankles: The Crescent, York [11.10.19]

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354a_Snapped Ankles [111019]Artist: Snapped Ankles

Support: Nuha Ruby Ra / Adrena Adrena

Venue: The Crescent, York

Date: 11.10.19

Never rooted to the stage, the ‘tree men’ roamed the room at regular intervals during a raucous set. At one point, the singer ended up performing from behind the bar.

Solid support slots from the unique audio-visuals of Adrena Adrena and the mesmerisingly outré Nuha Ruby Ra.

354b_Snapped Ankles [111019]

354c_Snapped Ankles [111019]

This was my first visit to The Crescent, York – a brilliant independent community venue and an instant favourite, with it’s laid-back vibe and friendly staff.

The Crescent | York [111019]

351. Pixies: O2 Academy, Leeds [17.9.19]

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351a_Pixies [170919]

Artist: Pixies

Support: The Big Moon

Venue: O2 Academy, Leeds

Date: 17.9.19

No holding back as Pixies opened with ‘Gouge Away’ and ploughed-on through an epic 38 song set. Some would argue that less is more, but when you’ve waited so long to see a band play live, you take what you can get. Disappointingly, their expansive setlist didn’t include ‘Debaser’.

There’s no ticket for this gig, as in their infinite wisdom O2 Academy venues decided that e-tickets are easier to manage and more cost effective. Such a decision shows how corporate venues are all about maximum profit and don’t understand the intricacies and mementos that accompany and enhance gig culture.

Setlist: Gouge Away / On Graveyard Hill / Classic Masher / Head On / Rock Music / Isla de Encanta / Crackity Jones / Bone Machine / Velouria / Snakes / This is My Fate / Catfish Kate / Cactus / Blown Away / Where is My Mind / Nimrod’s Son / Bird of Prey / Havalina / Death Horizon / Here Comes Your Man / Ready for Love / Brick is Red / Mr. Grieves / Silver Bullet / Vamos / In the Arms of Mrs. Mark of Cain / Caribou / Hey / Los Surfers Muertos / No. 13 Baby / Dead / I’ve Been Tired / Long Rider / Monkey Gone to Heaven / St. Nazaire / Wave of Mutilation / Tame // Daniel Boone

351c_Pixies | Tour [2019]

345. Dead Naked Hippies: Millennium Square, Leeds [3.8.19]

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345a_Music in the Square [030819]

Artist: Dead Naked Hippies

Venue: Music: Leeds – Live in the Square, Millennium Square, Leeds

Date: 3.8.19

A couple of dozen people stand in Millennium Square on a Saturday afternoon. The event seems poorly publicised and sparsely attended. Those of us who made the effort to turn up get to see one of Leeds’ best and edgiest upcoming bands. Dead Naked Hippies attack each and every gig like it matters – and that is why they’ll go on to pack venues to the rafters.

345b_Dead Naked Hippies [030819]

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

343h_Bluedot [200719]

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.

343i_Bluedot [200719]

343l_Bluedot [200719]

343j_Bluedot [200719]

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).

341b_Let’s Rock Leeds [220619]

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

338c_Foals [230519]

338d_Foals [230519]

338e_Foals [230519]

 

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.

337d_Stats [070519]

337e_Stats [070519]

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.

332b_Cherry Glazerr [300319]

332c_Cherry Glazerr [300319]

332d_Cherry Glazerr [300319]