March 2011

Well after a month away on the other side of the world it’s back to the U.K. for more live music!

First up in March it’s The Charlatans, one of my favourite bands at my favourite Leeds venue, the Brudenell Social Club. Now, the thing I really like about The Charlatans is their driving Hammond organ sound so what am I going to make of them when they’re stripped down to just the voice of Tim Burgess and guitar of Mark Collins. Of course there was no need to worry because the songs were imaginatively rearranged to sort this format. They were also joined on drums on some tracks by Finnigan Kidd.
What came across, to me at least, was their debt to Dylan. Highlights:  One to Another, North Country Boy, Sproston Green and Blackened Blue Eyes.

Next it’s a trip out with the GLW and Stephen & Kathy L to see Elbow at Sheffield Motorpoint Arena. Now I’m not a fan of Arena shows but sometimes if you want to see a band then you have to bite the bullet.

When Elbow arrive on stage any doubts about the venue disappear as the sound of the band adjusts seamlessly to the size of the place.

What I love about Elbow is how easily they mix intimate tunes with huge anthems.

The set list is composed almost entirely of songs from the last two albums, with  nothing from Asleep in the Back or Cast of Thousands and only a handful of songs from Leaders of the Free World.

Highlights: Grounds For Divorce, One Day Like This and The Fix which sees a cameo from ‘Mayor of Sheffield’, Richard Hawley.

Decent support too from Villagers, who I’ll try and see again.

A great night out!

Setlist: The Birds; The Bones of You; Lippy Kids; Mirrorball; With Love; Neat Little Rows; The Night Will Always Win; Great Expectations; The Fix; Grounds for Divorce; The Loneliness of a Tower Crane Driver; Puncture Repair; Some Riot; Weather to Fly; Open Arms; Starlings; Station Approach; One Day Like This.

Also managed to fit in seeing Ed Byrne at the St George’s Hall in Bradford. A very funny comedian but not quite as good as the Different Class tour. Still this was early in the tour so perhaps it will improve as it develops.

January 2011

27 January, Smoke Fairies at The Brudenell Social Club.  This is my first show of the year and, as seems to becoming a tradition at these, I’m joined by my GLW.

I first saw the band in York in October 2009, supporting Richard Hawley in York. I said then: “I’m looking forward to seeing them again”. Well since then they’ve  played the 2010 SXSW and plenty of other live shows. It’s obvious that this has really improved them as a live band. Their music continues to be an interesting mix of folk/blues and bluegrass. You can see a couple of rather darkly lit videos here, filmed by the pillock who was blocking my view! I heartily recommend their  excellent CD, Through Low Light And Trees. Once again I’m looking forward to seeing them again, but much sooner this time, I hope.

30 January, Band Of Horses at Leeds O2 Academy. I didn’t know anything by BOH until my mate Julien burnt  me a copy of Infinite Arms. I liked it so much I bought it myself! Tonight I’m accompanying Julien to see them and they are fantastic! Excellent musicians, spot on harmonies and between song banter that is both funny and modest. They play 21 tracks and not a duffer amongst them. The song that raises the roof from a sell out crowd is Factory. Go see them if you get the chance.

Set List: Part One; Ode to LRC; Bats; Factory;Compliments; Marry Song; Cigarettes, Wedding Bands; Window Blues; Laredo; NW Apt.; Is There A Ghost?; The Great Salt Lake; Dujour Of The Day;  Older; The General Specific; Weed Party; Islands on the Coast; Monsters; Evening Kitchen; No One’s Gonna Love You; The Funeral.