Miles

So, I went to see the Hold Steady at the Electric Ballroom the other day. I saw them play there a couple of years ago, but had to leave before the end because I had to work at the bar the next day. They were silly good and, not having to rush away, I enjoyed it more than the last time.

With some time off work, and a dog sitter, there was an opportunity to visit a couple of beer ‘miles’.

First was Bermondsey.

There were more taprooms, but I didn’t take pictures of all of them.

And then there was Blackhorse Road.

Hackney Church aren’t opening until next month, with a trade night, so they’re still at the arch in Hackney (there wasn’t enough time to go there).

I had a pretty good time, but missed the dog badly.

Wasted building

It’s shocking that this pub, in which I’ve spent a considerable amount of time, is being left closed.

I don’t need to repeat what many others have said about this pub chain, but it’s such a shame too see it still closed.

Its future doesn’t look too great now that the windows have been boarded up.

Quireboys

I’m not sure why, but I’d never seen the Quireboys before last night.

To be honest, they were way better than I’d expected; I’d even go as far as saying I quite enjoyed the gig. At Digital.

Retirement

For me, early retirement happened six and a bit years ago. It lasted just a few months.

Getting involved in a pub was an accident, one of those random things you do after a drink, in the heat of the moment, or in a moment of insanity.

But that pub led to a little cooperative opening a little bar in a sorely neglected part of Gateshead.

It’s hard work and my retirement went out the window (because, if you run a bar, you should be there – in my opinion, that is).

We’re a partnership. We agree mostly, but sometimes we don’t. And somehow it works.

It’s not the best paid job, sometimes it’s not paid at all. But we have a bar. In Gateshead. And it’s the best bar in Gateshead.

And the bestest ever moment, is sitting with a beer, waiting for the next bus after the bar’s closed for the day.

The bestest.

Three

Something I’ve not done in a while; three gigs in just over a week.

Generally, I’ve not looked forward to a gig at Digital. It’s not the best venue and the beer’s awful. But, last night, they actually had semi decent beer, albeit in cans. There was no draught beer at all, since the bar with taps was closed. But, looking at that bar, that was probably a good thing.

Nouvelle Vague were very, very good last night. Only a French band could pull off covers of mostly British classics songs in their unique style. I’d only seen them once before, with a slightly different lineup. There should have been another occasion, but Covid got in the way of that.

Just over a week before, there was CMAT at the City Hall. This was the third time I’d seen her in three years. She just keeps getting better, although I think I more enjoyed the first time I saw her in Nottingham, before she became so well known. But she’s still great.

Sadly, the choice of beer at the City Hall is terrible.

The day before, The Offspring played at the arena. It’s an awful venue, but the band were on great form. I’d only seen them once previously, 14 or 15 years ago at Lowlands festival, in Holland.

This time, it was more than a gig, though, it was a show.

I won’t mention the quality, or choice, of beer at the arena. I gave up on that years ago.

But it’s been a good couple of weeks.

Savannah Gardner

I can’t believe that I’d forgotten to mention Savannah Gardner; we saw her play around the corner to the bar, in the Central. They’ve gotten their level of live music just right.

She, and her band, the Recovering Good Girls, were really impressive. They’ve a silly good album out too.

I think the tour’s finished now, sadly.

There’s a drummer there too.

Eggs

A bunch of us went to see the Lovely Eggs a few days ago. I’ve seen them quite a few times now, until last week the most recent was August at Krankenhaus festival.

They’re always good. They were good this time too. A nice punchy set with no encore. Perfect.

The Divine Comedy

An unplanned day off and a gig; perfect. The Divine Comedy were excellent last night at the Glasshouse.

Most of the new album, with plenty of old classics thrown in.

Krankenhaus

I’d never heard of Krankenhaus festival until someone told me about it a few months ago. It sounded good, so I bought tickets.

It’s very small, possibly the smallest festival I’ve been to. But it’s as cool as anything.

Dog friendly, gorgeous setting, good food and, unbelievably, great beer from Gan Yam. The music’s a bonus.

Technically, this is our third festival of the year; VW Festival was a couple of weeks ago.

That was a first too, followed by the last day of the beer festival at Twice Brewed. It’s a lovely place, but it was definitely the nicest beer festival I’ve been to.

I should probably say that the last couple of pictures were taken after closing time.

Stevie Wonder

I’ve no idea why I’d not mentioned this earlier, but we went to see Stevie Wonder the other week. At Lytham festival.

I’d only ever see him play once before, years ago, at Glastonbury. He sounded just as good this time around, but he did have a couple of little breaks. Unsurprisingly.