St Vincent- Live at the Shepherd's Bush Empire

On Monday night, St Vincent took to the stage to rapturous applause at a packed out Shepherd's Bush Empire in London.

St Vincent is Annie Clark; quite possibly the most gorgeous woman in rock and roll presently. In the live show she is backed by two keyboard and synthesiser players and a drummer. It seems her bandmates are almost cast aside, because the stage is centred all around Clark and her constant wranglings with her own electric guitar.

The set begins with three tracks from her latest album Strange Mercy; tracks from the album are peppered throughout the set. It seems as if Annie Clark is wanting and waiting to be unleashed. She has an edge to her, that makes her whole performance incredibly intriguing. During the intricate guitar riff of Chloe in the Afternoon for example; it is almost as if there is a monster about to escape Annie, as she twitches and snaps across the stage to play the chords.

She then delved into her back catalogue to play tracks from her previous albums. Actor out of Work and the simply beautiful, enchanting yet disconcerting Black Rainbow going down extremely well in the enraptured Arena. The audience were an attentive, head-nodding mixture of old and young. Certainly the appeal of St Vincent seems universal; albeit tonight it was only in this small corner of West London for ninety minutes.

Awesome renditions of Cruel and Marrow; plus an amazing cover of the Pop Group's She is Beyond Good and Evil confirmed the fact that St Vincent; dressed strikingly all in black, rocked. Clark returned to encore with the quite stunning and haunting, The Party. And then with her final track, she left us in no doubt that this was a ten out of ten rock and roll show.

The lyrics, guitar and synthesiser all sound so angrily energetic in Your Lips Are Red; and it appeared that the volcano had finally erupted. She went for it. For a good couple of minutes, Annie Clark had left the stage and dived into the crowd for a short lie down.

There was something particularly terrifying about St Vincent for the duration of her performance at the Shepherd's Bush Empire. It is the edginess and uniqueness of each song, which is definitely her appeal. Her performance is incredibly watchable. This was St Vincent unleashed, live, powerful, scary and wholly captivating; and it was darn good.

One Step Behind

Saturday night I was in attendance at the Horn, in St Albans to see One Step Behind; a tribute of definitely the best band on Earth. All right; I'm biased!

Having grown up listening to Madness, it's no coincidence that I know every single word of every song. So, on Saturday night, in a small back room with excellent sound there I was doing exactly the same thing as I always do. One Step Behind were musicallly cracking; and played each number perfectly.

Madness leave out a whole period of their back catalogue when playing live (the time following Mike Barson's departure in 1984) but One Step Behind choose to play songs from that era; including the hugely underrated One Better Day, and the fantastically off-beat Uncle Sam. For a fan; this is a gig that fills great expectations. The lead singer is spot on with the vocals; and the Suggs mannerisms.

A nod must go to the saxophonist, who was perfect with his delivery. They split the show into two parts; and concluded inevitably with Night Boat to Cairo; causing much chaos in the sweaty arena as the whole floor took to the nutty dance.

If you're a Madness fan, it's a must see show.

And are you cool? Live Review- The Maccabees

The Maccabees. Brixton Academy. Thursday 26th January 2012.


On Thursday night the Brixton Academy in South London was full of a sense of anticipation and intrigue, with the Maccabees taking to the stage to play a sell out show.

The support act Trailer Trash Tracys sadly failed to deliver with their warm-up billing, and only added to the anticipation for the main act. A terrible sound came wailing from the speakers, and whatever the band could hear on stage certainly wasn't the same sound which the audience were subjected to. With such a poor warm up show it only increased the excitement for the five-piece indie rock band.

For the Maccabees, the new album, Given to the Wild, could be viewed as a change of direction; particularly following the jaunty indie angle of their first two records. Given to the Wild has been critically acclaimed, and lauded as their best work by some.

Opening with Child, you can tell why their new work has been highly praised. The spotlights; symmetrically positioned upon the band, almost force your eye to zoom in on the brilliant guitar work being carried out by the four guitarists Hugo and Felix White, Orlando Weeks and Rupert Jarvis. The lights might also be a subconscious effort to focus on the lyrics; some amazing words throughout.

The show was generally a mix of old and new tracks alike, as of course with any huge show, they have to strike a balance between both. Certainly, by throwing in classics from their first album "Colour it in" such as Lego, and the awesome Precious Time you knew that this show had been carefully created to span their back catalogue.

Personally, I was most interested to hear how the new album sounded and the bass heavy Forever I've Known was a highlight. Ayla was also magnificent, with Sam Doyle's fantastic drums also hitting the spot for me and the swaying crowd.

Ultimately, it is songs like Can You Give It, X-Ray and First Love which remind you why the Maccabees will sell out a venue like the Brixton Academy. I don't think there was a single person in the arena who wasn't static during the performance of those three wonderful songs.

A nod must go to Orlando Weeks, the lead singer, whose vocal style live is a joy to listen to. During Child and Feel to Follow, his vocals were superb. Not overly confident, the band's rise from support act to headline act has not affected them one bit.

If I was being further analytical about the show, then as a fan it was a shame I didn't get to hear Latchmere live. Their song about a South London Leisure Centre was my first introduction to these nigh on six years ago. Alas I wasn't too disappointed. There were some surprises. William Powers, an almost hidden track on their second album Wall of Arms; was quite wonderful to hear.

Finishing with We Grew Up at Midnight, with it's stellar ending, the audience were left baying for more. It was a wholly brilliant performance and will go in my gig memories under the category "epic". The sound was fantastic. I certainly shall return to see the Maccabees again.

Do you hear that, the Maccabees? I'll see you when you're older; when we're older.

Moving On

I'm struggling with something. It's the ability to move on. I can't. Or at least I'm trying but it doesn't seem to be happening.

This year has been mediocre, but not brilliant. I'll remember 2011 as a year where I've meddled and muddled my way through to December, getting to grips with the overhaul of changes in my life. I've smiled and laughed and purposefully made myself busy this year so as to have things to think about. I would say at times I was burning the candle at both ends. Escapism through seeing friends, going to a live show, exercise, taking on a college course, music, football, or even reading a good book were a great way of de-cluttering my wandering thoughts this year.

It's the times when I'm not busy, and when I'm not pre-occupied, which are the hardest. I just feel a pang, an ache, and knot in my stomach and that is my grief.

You see, my Mum passed away in October 2009. For the whole of that year I was at her bedside or was racing around to be beside her bedside in various hospitals while she was really poorly. She was diagnosed with stomach Cancer in February 2009 and seeing and being a real part of her sudden deterioration is a memory that will haunt and hurt me forever more.



I didn't really feel the grief of my Mum's loss until Spring this year. Up until that point I was numb and unable to communicate how I felt. Grief just hit me, when I realised I wouldn't see her again. I really desperately wanted to. I cried my eyes out good and proper.

This has occurred a lot more times throughout this past year. I don't share my feelings with many people, and I've realised that not many people actually truly know me. The one person who did know me, has now passed. I have to share my feelings with others in order for people to understand me better.

Counselling helped me massively. Before then I didn't talk about myself to anyone. I worried a great deal and thought more about other people. I did think that other people's feelings were more important than mine. I was lost. I have realised I have to put myself first. After all, I won't move on otherwise.

Alas, recently a new development has began to make me upset. My Dad found a new woman about six months ago on a dating website, and they've fallen head over heels in love with each other. It's the best thing that could have happened to Dad, but it has been like a knife to heart for me. I still live at home, and find their relationship increasingly awkward. They're really close. Unsettlingly close. Whenever his new love has visited to stay, I have wanted to run away and hide. In fact, I have done just that. She stayed the whole weekend a couple of times, and I've stayed at my Nan's house on both occasions. I have ran away, because that way I don't have to deal with it. I just can't see them together, or be in the same room as them, because it breaks my heart.

My Mum and Dad were close as a couple, and happily married since 1984. It was such a wonderful marriage; and we all knew how much they wanted to spend the rest of their lives together. Our family (Mum, Dad, Sis, myself) were the tightest knit quartet since the Beatles. So in losing Mum it shattered us all, especially my Dad. He really had some gloomy days, and we realised how much he couldn't be alone. He had to have company, and more specifically, a woman in his life. I just wish it was still with Mum.

I didn't meet Dad's new love until a month into their relationship. They were holding hands the first time I saw them. I looked away. I just couldn't take it. I feigned a nice "hello" and "how are you?" but I felt sick to the pit of my stomach.

It was as if Dad was betraying Mum. Of course I knew in my mind not to be so silly, but I couldn't help those crazy thoughts.

A week later, we had dinner as a foursome (Dad, Sis, her and myself) and at the table she sat in the seat opposite me, in front of the most beautiful picture on the Wall of my Mum. She was effectively blocking my view of Mum, and she was also sat in her seat. That mental image hurt so much, my belly twisted in knots and I couldn't eat the food.

They're just too close, but I've got to be happy for Dad's sake. This is my strife because I can't at the moment. He is a fantastic man, and he deserves happiness, but I just feel this relationship is so soon and sudden after the loss. But of course, it's not my life or my relationship. She is such a lovely woman too, but when I see her it's as if there's a veil of Mum across her that is blinkering my view. I know she is not replacing Mum, but it darn near feels like it currently.

I suppose the real truth is I am still living like my Mum will walk in through the door one day and everything will be OK. I am carrying on like that, and really want that last sentence to happen. It won't of course. Two weeks ago was Mum's birthday, and I wrote her a card, crying my eyes out in the process. I also wrote an Anniversary Card too recently, putting it on the kitchen side and subtly hinting to my Dad of how I felt about things. I don't do feelings with my Dad. It felt OK to write these cards, and I felt much better afterwards.

My Nan, my Aunt and my little Sister are the three people I can confide in at the moment, and all have told me to be confident and brave. I'm really going to have to. My friends, work colleagues and my football mates are great, but I won't talk much about what I've said above with them, because they're my distraction from the above, if that make sense. This also harks back to the point about keeping myself busy; which is, if I'm honest totally on purpose.

This Christmas, like the previous two, will again be tough and unnatural without Mum. She has played such a big role in my life how can I forget her? I am going to surround myself with family on the two Christmassy days, but her missing personality; her being the life and soul of the party will again twist my belly in knots.

My Aunty (Mum's elder Sister) is hosting us for dinner on Christmas Day, so the tough and unnatural loss feelings will be the same for her and her family. At the table we will probably even set a plate and raise a glass in Mum's honour. A huge Aunty hug on Christmas Day will be the perfect present for me.

Move on? I'm doing my best. I really am. I smile lots, and hope that my smiles are returned because cheerfulness and being upbeat is my way of dealing with loss. Sometimes I might not be so smiley, and that's when the above thoughts and feelings tend to be felt.

Grief Street is a longer, more arduous road than I expected, and this year it suddenly became quite hilly. Going into the New Year, I hope there's an easier downhill section soon. Will there be?

Finally to Mum, if you're reading this; ultimately this year I realised how much I darn well loved you. Merry Christmas. xxx

Albums of the Year 2011

Here's four new albums that I think have been pretty fantastic this year.

Metronomy- English Riviera
As I may have discussed in an earlier blog entry, Metronomy really rocked the boat this year with this album. From start to finish a true jaunty masterpiece; I find it difficult to explain without actually playing. I picked up this album in the shop almost by accident, but it became a real favourite. Tracks like Some Written and Corinne are unbeatable.

Everything Everything- Man Alive
OK, not strictly 2011, but this was out in late 2010 and was playing in my car well into the early echelons of this year. I think this might be my "most played album but still haven't got the foggiest idea of what they're singing about" award. I have learnt all the lyrics to Schoolin' and to Final Form; two highlights on a masterpiece of a debut album.

Feist- Metals
Didn't know this album that well, until I saw Leslie Feist live. When I saw her the tracks on this album danced to life. Graveyard will send shivers up your spine, and How Come You Never Go There is such an adorable record. Also, towards the end there's a hidden gem in the beautiful chords of Anti-Pioneer.

Elbow- Build a Rocket Boys
Just simply a cracking album. The opener The Birds is quite simply stunning. With many highs and lows it waltzes along and enthuses the listener to stay with it. Ending with tracks such as Open Arms and Dear Friends is the cherry on the icing.

All the above albums have been rotating in my car for the past twelve months. I now have placed them carefully away to preserve their goodness. Alas, I will never know the correct lyrics to Qwerty Finger by Everything Everything.

Here's to more musical goodness in 2012.

One Better Day- Madness.

Arlington House
Address no fixed abode
An old man in a three-piece suite
Sits in the road
He stares across the water
And sees right through the lock
But on and up like outstretched hands
His mumbled words, his fumbled words

Further down there's a photo booth
A million plastic bags
And an old woman filling out
A million baggage tags
But when she get thrown out
Three bags at a time
She spies the old chap in the road
To share her bags with, she has bags of time

Surrounded by his past
On a short white line
He sits while cars pass
Either side
Takes his time
Trying to remember
One better day
A while ago when people stopped
To hear him say

Walking 'round you sometimes
Hear the sunshine
Beating down in time with the
Rhythm of your shoes

Now she has walked
Enough through rainy town
She rests her back against his
And sits down
She's trying to remember
One better day
Awhile ago when people stopped
To hear her say

Walking 'round you sometimes
Hear the sunshine
Beating down in time with the
Rhythm of your shoes

Walking 'round you sometimes
Hear the sunshine
Beating down in time with the
Rhythm of your shoes

The feeling of arriving
When you've nothing left to lose

Arctic Monkeys

The 02 Arena, packed to the rafters! I should know, as I was sat next to a rafter, (not Pat!) and one of God's best mates. We were that high up!

The boom when theey hit that first note...wow! The crowd standing miles below moved and swayed instantly, and this gig was a-rocking!

They played a range of tracks across their four albums, everything from Still Take You Home through to Brick by Brick. What struck me was how heavy the sound was. This is the Arctic Monkeys at their highest point, their zenith. This was a privilege to see them.

They chose their set carefully, but Brianstorm followed by I Bet You Look Good On The Dancefloor was too much for everyone. Even us, suffering from severe vertigo next to the bats on the roof were bopping about while looking down on the four piece.

Alex Turner had a stance, and swayed backwards and forwards. His demeanour suggested that he was happy to be playing such a venue, and you could tell they were all on top form. The drums were just excellent. This was so powerful, and mighty.

A great show.

(written in 10 minutes).