There is a good/interesting article in the Guardian today that is worth a read. Interesting from the point that it tells us who keep abreast of the UK music scene things we already know but rightly highlights the plight of live music venues. “In 2023, 125 grassroots gig venues closed. Last year, 43.8% reported an operating loss….
Ok, before you read this I’m going to admit what a lot of news and media channels do not, I am bias! This post comes on the back of 34 years of deeply entrenched fandom that began when me and a couple of mates were sat (underage) in a local pub and a guy we…
A fantastic night of music, Knox Hill, Viktus & Friends and friends at Patterns on a sunny evening in Brighton. I’ve visited a few venues in Brighton but this was the first at Patterns, I believe they have more than one room, tonight was downstairs and what a great small venue for the evening it…
In what was I believe the first gig of the year for Johnny Marr and his long time bandmates, they chose The 1865 in Southampton to warm themselves up for the year ahead. This gig is only a few days before they take to the main stage at The National Bowl in Milton Keynes at…
Tom Meighan just owns it! The second support finished but there was no big rush to reassemble an entire stage, just his guitarist plugging his effects pedals for his semi-acoustic in, a playlist taped down and a fading out of the filler music. His guitarist started playing and with his big trademark sunglasses, black and…
I cannot let today pass without mention of this album on the anniversary of its release on the the 27th of May 1991. This was a defining album of mine, both The Smiths and New Order were a huge part of my musical taste and education growing up and this blew the doors off. As…
It was the last night of the tour for The Stanley’s at The Heartbreakers in Southampton and having seen them last November supporting Cast I wasn’t going to miss the opportunity, especially at such a small intimate venue. The printed poster by the door set 9.15 as a set time and two supports, they’re spoiling…
It’s based in a record store, what more can I ask for? I have never worked in a record store but I have spent way to much time having ridiculous conversations in them, yes, a lot with friends in ‘the old days’ when multiple megastores existed mainly HMV or Virgin, even the smaller Our Price…
A quick early instore at Vinilo Record Store in Southampton tonight with The K’s. The band are coming to the end of a tour but still managing to fit in some stripped back instores for fans to promote their soon to be released album titled ‘Pretty on the Internet’. The normal behaviour at these is…
This needs support, local and from industry. A social post / link from one of the local papers appeared on my feed tonight titled as above ‘Campaign to secure future of iconic music venue The Joiners’. This filled me with dread as it’s a venue I have frequented for more years than I’d like to…
