Blink 182 - Echo Arena, Liverpool - 12/07/12

It was my first time in the newest venue in the North West. I have to say I was very impressed by what I found. Not overly big like the MENA or O2 London the views were superb all-round.
Me and my wife took her brother Chris for his birthday as Blink are one of those bands that we tend to throw into the playlist when creating art. I must admit that i've never been a huge fan of Blink. They're a band i've always admired but i've been snobbish, in that the people who tended to like them when they were massive 10 years ago were people I didn't much like to be around, so I only knew their "hits". In recent years however this has changed as i've listened to their albums properly and realised why they were so successful.

We were sat to the right of the stage, almost in line with the microphones, and although I always prefer to be in the centre of the main speakers to get a good sound, I can't complain. The sound was good, if not great, but the great view of the stage, and in particular Travis' drumming, was superb.
They opened with Feeling This which set the tone for the rest of the gig. High-tempoed and full of energy. All the classics were in there, The Rock Show, What's My Age Again? and All the Small Things. I have to admit my favourite parts were watching and listening to Travis Barker's drum solos. If Travis has only been spared death on a few occasions, for bringing this kind of pleasure to people then i'm thankful for that. The guy is just a phenomenal drummer. It was truly a pleasure to watch. He had is kids sat with him behind the kit with their ear defenders on. His girl had her own sticks and was air-drumming along with him. You could see he got a huge kick out of that. A very special moment indeed. When Travis played Can a Drummer Get Some? off his solo album as part of the encore, the place went nuts. His solo album was certainly one of the albums of last year for me. His drumming, mixed with some hand-picked hip-hop artists was just sublime. I highly recommend it if you haven't had a listen.
Overall I thoroughly enjoyed the show. Mark and Tom, having settled their differences, have come back together and captured the essence of what made them great over 10 years ago. That coupled with Travis' drumming produces a wonderful show that you can't help get enthusiastic about (although the girl next to me obviously didn't feel that way. Face like thunder doesn't come close).

Support: The Blackout (we missed their set eating Pizza) & The All-American Rejects who seem to have regressed from the band i used to dislike 10 years previously. The singer was whiny and full of himself which worked for the girls down at the front who were lapping that shit up, but why anyone would actually pay to see them is beyond me.

John Mayer - Born & Raised

This latest offering, from the legend that is John Mayer, is truly special. He's moved towards an American country/folk/blues sound & i think it may just be his best musical offering to date. Such a shame that he can't tour the album due to his ongoing throat illness.

I'm not going to say too much about this album, other than that you should sample it & buy it, or better still just trust me & buy it! The album cover is wonderful too & I wish i could get hold of a print for my wall.

Standout track: Walt Grace's Submarine Test, January 1967

Slash - Apocalyptic Love

This is another album i just keep going back to. Great guitar riffs as you would expect from a legend of the game, married together with supreme vocals from Myles Kennedy of Alter Bridge (who I had the privilege to witness in full glory in November 2011). The album is just superb & I certainly hope this isn't the last time they collaborate for an album.

Standout track: close call but probably HALO

Father John Misty - Fear Fun

I first heard this guy last week after hearing the last few seconds of his song on Jo Wiley's evening show on radio 2. Intrigued by what I'd heard I went online to the show playlist & found this wonderful collection of tunes.
Real name, Joshua Tillman, he used to be the drummer in Fleet Foxes (a band i've really gone off), but i'm so glad he's broken away to give us this wonderful offering.
It's an album that i've listened to probably 15+ times in a week. I just can't get enough of it. It sits somewhere between Loudon Wainwright III, Ben Folds & Bob Dylan.

The lyrics are about modern goings-on but the music could be from years ago. It makes for an interesting sound though & is hitting all the right spots for my ears right now.

I highly recommend you give this some time & allow your ears to sample the delights. The album cover is great too.

http://fatherjohnmisty.com/

The Staves - The Tabernacle - 01/05/12

After seeing this 3 piece support Michael Kiwanuka earlier in the year I could hardly turn down the opportunity to see them on their own tour, & especially when the tickets were only £8. Bargain!
Support was from Christof (http://www.christofmusic.com/). A lovely lad from Holland, via Ireland, with an odd mission too find the best sausage sandwich he could possibly find (A mission I wouldn't mind undertaking myself if the chance arose). He was great. Some lovely folk/pop songs played on guitar & occasional harmonica. A hugely talented guy with a great personality which could take him far if the right doors open for him.

Once the girls took to the stage though the atmosphere in the room changed. This was their home gig. Full of friends & family who'd made the short trip from Watford. They entered to huge applause (& the odd heckle) & from the first note to the last had the audience enthralled. Their vocals are superb. They could have walked straight out of the 60's or 70's & been friends with some of the great folk acts through the years. But they aren't. They're here for us to enjoy right now & for that I'm truly thankful. Songs such as Mexico are wonderful in your headphones but nothing can prepare you for the effect those 3 voices have when sung live. They are destined for great things & I would be hugely surprised if they aren't been talked about in the same way as Mumford & Sons, Johnny Flynn & Laura Marling by the time their full album comes out (Hopefully later in the year).

A great gig to have been at & I feel very privelaged to have seen them at two very small & intimate venues before they get massive. Stunning!

Futureheads - A capella - Union Chapel, London - 04/04/12

After being a Futureheads fan since the first album the opportunity to see them for the third time doing something "off the wall", a bit odd (according to modern music "rules") was far too good to turn down.

I booked tickets with a few friends after only hearing the one song, on BBC radio 6, from the new album. The decision was a cracker!

We arrived at the venue, the first time I'd been to the legendary chapel in Islington, to be greeted by a member of the band behind the merch table & teas, coffee & juice available from a small hole in the wall. Just an incredible change from the beer stench that usually greets one at a venue.
Support, provided by The Cornshed Sisters, was great. A group of ladies from the north east, playing some lovely folk songs with a twist. Great personalities on stage & a post-gig album listen proved they are a class act.

After a short break we got to the main action. A capella awesomeness. The lads in the band have never been short of stage presence, well, except the poor drummer, and it showed as they took to the stage with no instrumentation to hide behind & shared good banter & japes with the large crowd. I think they played most, if not all of the songs from the new album but having only listened to it a few time pre-gig I can't be sure. Also thrown in where stunning versions of classic Futureheads songs including their huge hit, Kate Bush's Hounds of Love. My favourite probably being Decent Days & Nights. Another song of note was Beeswing, a Richard Thompson cover, which was just stunning.
For me the song that stole the show was Old Dun Cow. A song very familiar to me from my childhood, when my dad used to sing the entire song on his guitar. Sung as a round, it had audience participation, great lyrics & just seemed to suit the atmosphere & general feeling in the chapel at that moment.

The band were joined later in the evening by a choral group & The Cornshed Sisters who filled the chapel with some lovely vocal harmonies. Just what this wonderful building was built to sound like. Filled with wonderful choral music which was hair-raisingly good

Overall, the gig went down a storm. From the choice of venue, to the set list it was excellent. I will remember it for a very long time as one of the most surprising yet satisfying gigs I've ever had the privilege to be witness to.

Fantastic lads. 4.5/5

Absentia

So I've neglected this blog for way too long now. It's time I fired it back up & shared what my ears are enjoying (or not). Bear with me while I try to remember a few things that have happened or been listened to over the past few months but I'll try & bring you back up to speed. Enjoy...