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.
Years and years ago, Robinsons brewed a beer that was badged for, and marketed by, Elbow. It was actually a decent pale ale, which I think was only available in bottles. Looking back now though, I’m not sure whether it was a bespoke brew or a white label beer. I still have a bottle.
I’ve learned a lot about beer in the last few years, although I’ve not managed to make time to brew my own. That’ll happen one day, maybe when I retire (again). However, I’ve had quite a bit of beer brewed for the bar, even been involved in a couple of brew days.
Last week, we had a brew day at Otherworld, in Dalkeith. It was a big batch of beer, way bigger than anything we’d done in the past. But this isn’t a beer for our bar; it’s a beer brewed for bars (and other businesses) in Gateshead. It’ll be coming soon.
We’ve told quite a few people about the beer, but have only hinted about it in the bar’s social media. There’ll be more soon, when we have a launch date. Meanwhile, the beer will be called Goat’s Head.
The beer wasn’t really beer when we left at the end of the day. It wasn’t alcoholic, it needed more hops and it was warm. All perfectly normal at that stage.
A few days earlier, we saw Elbow play at the Mouth of the Tyne festival.
I didn’t get a Glastonbury ticket this year (or last), but I’m currently watching the only act I’d have really, really wanted to see there this year. On catch-up, since I was at work tonight.
Excuse the TV picture. This lass is going places. Knew it the first time I heard her three years ago.
Went to see Mr McPherson in Sunderland the other day. Unbelievable. It’s eight years since his last UK tour, so we’re looking forward to 2033.
Oh, the Fire Station is an amazing venue. The beer’s a bit shit, but better than the bug guys.
Kip Moore (and the band) was pretty good last night. We saw him play at a packed Sage/Glasshouse last time, but last night at the City Hall was nowhere near capacity. It was still a great gig though, with a really nice atmosphere.
Idles were pretty good tonight. Last night now.
One of the best live bands I’ve seen.
Somehow, I’ve managed to double book gigs again. While, both were booked a long time ago, I need to be more organised about these things.
Interpol’s in town, but Nick Cave’s Manchester (where we saw him last time, before Covid). I saw Interpol in Edinburgh last year, so decided on Nick Cave.
The gig’s tonight.
Then, yesterday, I came down with a bloody awful bug. I can see it’s going to just be a 48 hour thing, but that obviously means I’m going nowhere today.
The silly thing is, there’d always be a chance I’d be ok for tonight, so Interpol might have been an option. If I hadn’t given the ticket away.
I’d been so busy with the bar and working in the garden, that I’d forgotten I was going to a Fat Freddy’s Drop gig a few days ago.
Fortunately, I was reminded with a couple of hours notice.
Yesterday was spent in York, in several bars, before seeing Nathaniel Rateliffe and the Nightsweats at the Barbican.
We’d planned to see them in Leeds a couple of years ago, but the gig was cancelled on the day.
They were insanely good, better than expected.
One added bonus on the day was a pint of unfined Jaipur in the York Tap. This one was a DDH version, so I’ve still not tried the original, which is fined with isinglass.
Maybe one day.
So, last week, I saw the Foo Fighters for the third time (that I remember); this time at Glasgow’s Hampden Park. As expected, they were great.
On both past occasions, I’d seen them at festivals; Leeds 2005 and Glastonbury 2017. The stadium gig was obviously longer and better, but I think I preferred the festival atmosphere.
This last time was part of a larger family group, which I probably wouldn’t want to do again.
