Gigs coming up...

[arrgee]

I am off to the following...
June 18 - Elvis Costello - Hampton Court
July 12 - Divine Comedy - Festival Hall
July 18 - Pulp - Festival Hall
July 19 - Lightning Seeds - Somerset House
July 25 - Maccabees - Brighton Beach

I remember Eamonn mentioning Holy Holy later this year and I have a ticket for that as well.  I also was persuaded to see Muse later this year, but hadn't bargained on the hefty £150 ticket.  And I thought £140 for Pulp was excessive...

... I think there are other gigs later this year.  Hopefully I get reminders.

[Ian]

I don't have my list to hand but off the top of my head, I am seeing The Divine Comedy in Edinburgh next month then Inspiral Carpets in September. Suede and the Manics (joint) and Teenage Fanclub are also on the agenda for later in the year.

I was supposed to be seeing Dodgy in October but the entire tour seems to have been cancelled without explanation. Shame, as their new album is really good and their older material has certainly aged well.

[arrgee]

I don't have my list to hand but off the top of my head, I am seeing The Divine Comedy in Edinburgh next month then Inspiral Carpets in September. Suede and the Manics (joint) and Teenage Fanclub are also on the agenda for later in the year.

I was supposed to be seeing Dodgy in October but the entire tour seems to have been cancelled without explanation. Shame, as their new album is really good and their older material has certainly aged well.

I suspect Dodgy tour has disappeared due to lack of interest.  Shame, I liked them a lot back in the day.

[Ian]

That's what people seem to be saying but similar sized bands such as The Boo Radleys and Kula Shaker still seem to be selling tickets. They also had The Icicle Works as support who I imagine would pull in a crowd of their own. Oh well. Hopefully they will tour again in a few years.

[arrgee]

That's what people seem to be saying but similar sized bands such as The Boo Radleys and Kula Shaker still seem to be selling tickets. They also had The Icicle Works as support who I imagine would pull in a crowd of their own. Oh well. Hopefully they will tour again in a few years.

I did see Dodgy three years ago (Supernaturals and  Chris Helme {Seahorses} as very good support) when they did Free Peace Sweet in its entirety and it fair to say tickets didn't sell like hot cakes (I got mine for £5 a day or two before the gig).  They are a band that didn't really gain a large following nor have they been appreciated in latter years. Similarly The Bluetones. 
A bit puzzled by the renaissance of Kula Shaker. I saw them 10 years ago at Wilton's Music Hall and it wasn't exactly full.  Great gig, but I haven't seen them since, though I have noted they do sell out.
Must confess, I have no idea why acts headline yet Ash somehow seem to be the openers every time I end up at an outdoor gig    Last time before Manics and Charlatans, next time before Miles Kane, Editors and Maccabees.  Mrs. ArrGee thought Ash were something else last time out and less enamoured with Charlatans who she wanted to see, though in my opinion they were pretty good as well.

[lucyduck]

I want to see Divine Comedy if I have a chance.
I have one Lightning Seeds album, but never follow them. A little bit of surprised they are still active now.   

[arrgee]

I want to see Divine Comedy if I have a chance.
I have one Lightning Seeds album, but never follow them. A little bit of surprised they are still active now.   

The Divine Comedy seem to headline arty venues like Barbican and Festival Hall in London and tickets sell quickly.  Also supporting David Gray this summer. 

Lightning Seeds always play a few dates when England are in an international football tournament. The Somerset House gig is on in the early afternoon so everyone can get home to watch the world cup final. Not that England will be in it!

[weej]

Lighting Seeds is just Ian Broudie + mates, it was a solo project entirely until 1994, so will presumably keep going as long as he's around.

[Ian]

That's what people seem to be saying but similar sized bands such as The Boo Radleys and Kula Shaker still seem to be selling tickets. They also had The Icicle Works as support who I imagine would pull in a crowd of their own. Oh well. Hopefully they will tour again in a few years.

I did see Dodgy three years ago (Supernaturals and  Chris Helme {Seahorses} as very good support) when they did Free Peace Sweet in its entirety and it fair to say tickets didn't sell like hot cakes (I got mine for £5 a day or two before the gig).  They are a band that didn't really gain a large following nor have they been appreciated in latter years. Similarly The Bluetones. 
A bit puzzled by the renaissance of Kula Shaker. I saw them 10 years ago at Wilton's Music Hall and it wasn't exactly full.  Great gig, but I haven't seen them since, though I have noted they do sell out.
Must confess, I have no idea why acts headline yet Ash somehow seem to be the openers every time I end up at an outdoor gig    Last time before Manics and Charlatans, next time before Miles Kane, Editors and Maccabees.  Mrs. ArrGee thought Ash were something else last time out and less enamoured with Charlatans who she wanted to see, though in my opinion they were pretty good as well.

Good point about The Bluetones too. I wouldn't mind going to see them at some point and their most recent album was pretty good.

I have seen Ash before and they were great. I can't say I agreed with them supporting The Darkness. Surely it should have been the other way round...

[arrgee]

Good point about The Bluetones too. I wouldn't mind going to see them at some point and their most recent album was pretty good.

I have seen Ash before and they were great. I can't say I agreed with them supporting The Darkness. Surely it should have been the other way round...

I can't believe The Divine Comedy are support for David Gray this summer.  No accounting for taste, I guess.

[Lipglossed]

I don't have my list to hand but off the top of my head, I am seeing The Divine Comedy in Edinburgh next month then Inspiral Carpets in September. Suede and the Manics (joint) and Teenage Fanclub are also on the agenda for later in the year.

I was supposed to be seeing Dodgy in October but the entire tour seems to have been cancelled without explanation. Shame, as their new album is really good and their older material has certainly aged well.

TFC! I love their 90s records - although because Gerry Love left, I haven't really fancied seeing them. So many of their best songs — Sparky's Dream, Is This Music?, Don't Look Back, Ain't That Enough — were his work. Plus their drummer Francis McDonald fell down the Glinner rabbithole during COVID, and also I don't go a bundle on their more recent output anyway — for me there's precious little beating their run from Bandwagonesque to Northern Britain, but the rest falls flat...

I've really, really gotten into Suede this year, and so I'm currently eyeing up the Glasgow date for Suede/Manics. I do reasonably like the Manics but I do wonder about holding out for a Suede solo slot instead....

[Ian]

I'm in the McGinley camp but that said, their albums hang together remarkably well despite the split writing process.

I'd say go and see Suede with or without the Manics. You won't regret it. They performed a new song this year so chances are there will be another album (and tour) on the horizon. Brett also described "Antidepressants" as the second of a trilogy so we are kind of expecting something.

[eamonn]

Have seen Elvis Costello, Maximo Park and Sparks (separately) this month. All great shows.

Coming up, I've got...

Electric Heart Festival in Surrey July 12th (Supergrass, Happy Mondays, The Coral - flash tickets for less than £30)

Pulp Royal Festival Hall July 18th

Talk Talk tribute Kentish Town Forum Sep 5th

Holy Holy Sheps Bush Sep 10th
Saint Etienne Brighton Dome Sep 25th
Dexys Midnight Runners Brighton Dome Nov 1st

Keeping an eye on resale/cheaper tickets for acts I've enjoyed before - Nick Cave at Preston Park, The Strokes at the O2 in Oct, (ridiculous prices but the support is great), Suede & Manics also at the O2 (great value but I've already seen both many times).

Also making more of an effort to see younger/unknown bands as they don't charge a fortune and when you see something you like, it feels great.

[Lipglossed]

I'm in the McGinley camp but that said, their albums hang together remarkably well despite the split writing process.

I'd say go and see Suede with or without the Manics. You won't regret it. They performed a new song this year so chances are there will be another album (and tour) on the horizon. Brett also described "Antidepressants" as the second of a trilogy so we are kind of expecting something.

I'm in the McGinley camp but that said, their albums hang together remarkably well despite the split writing process.

I'd say go and see Suede with or without the Manics. You won't regret it. They performed a new song this year so chances are there will be another album (and tour) on the horizon. Brett also described "Antidepressants" as the second of a trilogy so we are kind of expecting something.

Yeah, they boasted some really strong songwriters. In terms of McGinley I think his stuff on Thirteen is best, 'Tears Are Cool' especially.

I'm really thinking about Suede! Might have to get the day off work...

[arrgee]

Good point about The Bluetones too. I wouldn't mind going to see them at some point and their most recent album was pretty good.

I have seen Ash before and they were great. I can't say I agreed with them supporting The Darkness. Surely it should have been the other way round...

I can't believe The Divine Comedy are support for David Gray this summer.  No accounting for taste, I guess.

I have an odd one next week. Gary Numan supported by Marc Almond.   Spotify has far more Soft Cell/Marc Almond listeners.  Was just listening to Say Hello, Wave Goodbye and thinking how it has a lot in common with Pulp.  Marc Almond will also be performing Scott Walker's Jacky.

Loveless which is Marc Almond's garage rock band are also worth catching.  Saw them earlier this year and they were superb.

Will probably leave after Gary Numan plays Cars, though Mrs. ArrGee may want to go as soon as Marc Almond leaves the stage.

[Ian]

That sounds like quite an interesting one and something I would go to myself. Not sure if he actually is, but I've always perceived Gary Numan as a bigger solo artist than Marc Almond.