Normally support bands get better as the evening progresses. However, at last night’s NME awards show with We Are Scientists at London’s Astoria, this was not the case. Opener Switches started playing to a quarter full auditorium, and by the end of their set they’d converted virtually all those present.

The Southend-on-sea four piece led by the charismatic Matt Bishop took us on a romp through their brief back catalogue, with both energy and excitement. Sounding like they’d be right at home in the background of an episode of Skins on E4, they’re the anthem to a night out, and…

(Written the day after the gig, only just posted)

Last night saw the first date of Bloc Party’s 20 date UK tour at Southampton’s Guildhall, and the earnest start of the campaign for their (superb) new album “A Weekend in the City”.

Opening up were Canadian Metric, who did little more than piss me off. Whilst some people love them to pieces and think Emily Haines is the best thing since sliced bread, I didn’t appreciate the noise they created - I much prefer her stuff with Broken Social Scene.

So after 35 minutes…

“Tonight is all about something that doesn’t happen enough these days – Musicians helping each other” announced Tom McRae last night as the Hotel Café tour rolled into London after a year long tour of the USA. The feeling was great: a series of artists who are all too small on their own to undertake a full UK tour, but altogether they have the ability to sell out a venue in days.

Taking a revue style to the evening, Tom opened proceedings at 8:30, and we then witnessed an amazing 2 hours and 40 minutes of non stop music. No…

Last Monday night saw Thirteen Senses play the second of their three dates at The Luminaire in Kilburn, and were on top form ahead of their exciting 2007 plans.

Opening up were two fifths of Newsum Turn, who quite simply are ones to watch in 2007. Imagine a bigger Coldplay with more layers and a cheeky smile and you’ve got Newsum. If they’re not big in coming months, things aren’t right in this world. From their opening “Take a Bow” to their closer of “Home” they just blew everyone away – they were just as…

Last night saw the first evening of The Feeling’s three night stand in London’s Shepherds Bush Empire, and the culmination of a year’s explosive growth for the typically British lads.

Opening for the evening was Luke Toms, a rather vibrant guy with an interesting support band that looks something like Napolean Dynamite wannabes. His (rather scary) ‘tash reminded us of a fair ground entertainer in the mid 1920’s, but on the whole were quite a melodic bunch, if a bunch of outcasts. They sounded quite similar to the Feeling, but a bit more extravagant, and had a hint…

Wednesday evening saw the return to the UK of Death Cab For Cutie, the American Indie superstar rockers who have struck a chord with millions of teenagers worldwide. They played at Brixton Academy in London to 5,000 adoring fans who queued from early in the day in blazing heat to catch their show.

Support came in the capable hands of Viva Voce, the Portland based husband and wife duo who managed to warm the crowd up suitably, though their screeching guitars did grate a bit after a while. Kevin on the drums was simply sublime: managing to hold…

Wow… I got my ticket to go see Death Cab for Cutie next Wednesday in London…. quite excited now, though it could be quite an emo-tastic evening methinks.

Though I'm not sure that I totally appreciate Viva Voce (the support).

Tuesday night saw one of my most anticipated gigs for a while - Editors at Brixton Academy in London, the first night of a 3 night run at the venue.

After getting there 10 minutes before doors opened, I was expecting the queue to be round the block, but thankfully it wasn't, and we managed soon to get right at the front of the stage on the barrier, on the speaker stack at the left. 7:30 soon rolled round and ¡Forward, Russia! took to the stage. Whilst not my sorta thing exactly, I can see what all the fuss in…

Last night was a night I'd been waiting for for about 2 months now. Placebo at Alexandra Palace. It was my second time seeing them, after seeing them at Wembley Arena on 5th November 2004, on their Singles Tour.

Frankly however it wasn't what I was hoping for. They're a great band, with a superb back catalogue, however last night they just weren't all that "connected" with the audience, and the venue was a really bad choice in my opinion - miles away from a decent pub and the train station.

Soon after going in we had first support, The…

Gig #1:
Wembley Arena 5th November 2004.
The Departure - pretty sweet band - going on to bigger and better things
Har Mar Superstar - humourous, but should NOT have been supporting Placebo, and certainly not above the Departure
Placebo - awesome. thats all I can say. Brian the tiny pixy on top form. And they did Nancy Boy.

Gig #2:
Brixton Academy 23rd November 2004
Can't remember support. Not that memorable.
The Darkness - pretty good, but not on the crest of their wave any more.

Gig #3:
Tsunami Relief, 22nd January 2005
Keane, Stereophonics, Snow Patrol…