The Maverick Festival. Highlights - the absolute force of nature that is Jerry Joseph in his power trio format, the over-talented and quite astonishing Dead Religion doing an acoustic set (https://thedeadreligion.bandcamp.com/album/music-from-big-white-live-session-02-03-25), Jerry Hannan - who you may know from his collaboration with Eddie Vedder on ‘Society’ - I had lovely chat with his awesome Donro player Sven about playing with Bob Weir (him, not me), and the absolutely charming April Moon, proudly flying the flag for “Canadia” They are schlepping all over the country in a van for six months, so if they turn up in your neck of the woods, they are definitely worth an evening out.
Honourable mention for the Motel Vandals and their 10:30 Sunday hangover slot. Someone was already chugging a breakfast beer. 🍺

Similarly here - 16CD boxed set of Mahler's symphonies (and various lieder, which I'm not bothered about...) for £3 - I doubt any of them have been played more than a couple of times.

Wonderful night at Lytham Festival. Scissor Sisters were great fun though I’m not sure they would fit in before the watershed. Pet Shop Boys were absolutely sensational with their Dreamworld greatest hits show. Two hours of hits, nothing left out, and one of the best video/lights shows I have ever seen. Definitely the best set I have ever seen at Lytham.

He's so very good, it just doesn't matter

Ah, but what you don't see is that, if you remove the price sticker, it reads 'Leonard Cohl' who is a Leonard Cohen tribute act!

It's a good mixture of (relatively) well-known artists and some obscure/oddities - well produced/(re?)mastered and excellent comprehensive sleevenotes.

John Hiatt at the Bridgewater Hall on his farewell tour. A great songwriter, so sorry if he is indeed calling it a day. 90 minutes of wonderful songs from throughout his career. Fine support too from Martin Harley who I last saw at GBFF in Skegness.

The Owls are seeking Owlets...

Just one of my semi-regular calls to arms. Now that we're once again a fully-functional live band I'm back on the lookout for musicians to join our little collective.

If you're an Essex-based musician and able to commit to rehearsing once a week in Leigh-on-sea, and playing a couple of dozen shows a year (mostly in the South, occasionally beyond) then feel free to get in touch.

Right now we'd like to hear from you if you play bass, drums, strings, woodwind or guitar.

theowlserviceband@gmail.com

It's nice to see some enthusiasm still   out there  for
RSD and the format itself.
I'm already wondering what next year will bring.

Mott the Hoople  :   Live  - 30th Anniversary Edition  (Columbia 2CD,  2004).

Not sure  why, but I left this  sealed for a long time,  having bought it on release.  The album was due at least one more anniversary when I opened it  .

It's  certainly no disappointment.   Post Dudes but still includes some  older songs, and all of the groups lurching madness in concert.