I stumbled across the Surfrajettes quite a while back, so started playing them in the bar (it’s pretty much the only way I can listen to music nowadays).
I bought tickets as soon as I read that they were doing a UK tour. They played at the Grove last night. And they were silly good.
The bonus I’d not expected was the support, X-Ray Cat Trio. I’d have paid to see them headline.
Like a lot of people, I don’t look forward to music venue drinks. But it was great to see three craft beers at the Grove last night.
The past few days have been a bit of a blur, beginning with Bon Jovi at Wembley on Wednesday.
I’d never seen them live and I’d not previously been to the stadium, either in its original or current form.
The band were better than I’d expected, so I’m glad I bothered. they really weren’t bad.
We were actually closer than in the picture, but this one looks better.
There was an unplanned gig in a bar in Hackney the following day too; Ten Eighty Trees, a northeastern band who’d recently played at a little festival in Gateshead.
So, home yesterday, then a train to Peterborough today. The day was weird and I can’t say it was fun.
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.
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.
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.
