Me, in 2005, seeing Andrew Bird for the first time:
OMG, what a delightful and multi-talented musician! What interesting and original songs! I could watch this guy all night! :D

Me, in 2012, seeing Andrew Bird for the third time:OMG, why does everything from your new album sound the same? Why does every song require a long and sleepy intro and ( Read more... )

Seeing Brand New live is similar to what I imagine a cult meeting must be like ( Read more... )

So, last night, I saw a bunch of thirtysomething guys pretending to be 21 and having a blast. In theory, it shouldn't have worked, but in practice, it was the best gig I've been to in a long time. They played 'There's No I In Team', you guys. They played 'There's No I In Team'! That's something to tick off my bucket list.

( Taking Back Sunday @ the Pavilion, Bath )

I went to see Joseph Arthur last week and it was really an excellent time. When I saw him perform a few years ago, he was super-intense, but he seems to have evolved into the most affable of guys on stage. I haven’t been so amused during a concert for a long time (maybe since I last saw Matt Nathanson).

( Joseph Arthur @ The Louisiana, Bristol )

I saw Josh Ritter, supported by his wife, Dawn Landes, perform last night. I'm sure the people around me, who watched me whip out my notebook and begin furiously scribbling notes as soon as the intervel began, thought that I was writing a thoughtful review of the show ( Read more... )

My autumn gig calendar is looking pretty great so far.

( upcoming concerts )

There used to be a time when I had the energy to do detailed write-ups of the shows I attended. That time has apparently passed, but here are some notes on concerts I have been to recently (where "recently" ranges from "last night" to "fucking ages ago").

( Tom McRae + Brian Wright @ the Academy, Bristol )

( Brand New @ Wembley Arena, London )

I’ve fallen out of the habit of posting reviews of concerts, but I saw Death Cab for Cutie last night and they were so fucking good that it’s worth talking about. In general, I think there are two kinds of (good) live shows: those that are remarkable in some way (whether it’s Jesse Lacey crying or Chris Thile moving me to joyful tears as a result ( Read more... )

Last night I went to see the Hotel Cafe Tour, comprising Tom McRae, Cary Brothers, Jim Bianco, Greg Laswell, Brian Wright, Catherine Feeny and Little Lost David ( Read more... )