Recent gigs

[Bridgwit (Bridget)]

Wille and the Bandits at Acapela on Wednesday, first time since they played Cropredy 10 years ago. Definitely worth going to see, tons of energy and the new proggy keyboard player was right up my street  

As Cornish lads fond of a bit of surfing, they're rightly concerned about sewage disposal into the sea and have written a song about it: https://music.youtube.com/watch?v=8b59G7Uoq-w&si=kH1SsbszFW6Ophnx

Saw them in Nottingham Sunday night with Pastie Boy and girl! I thought i might be disappointed as I'm not 100% sure of their new album. However they rocked it! Better than their gig last year for me! Yes totally different line up now from when they played Cropredy, apart of course from Will!

I’d love to see them back at Cropredy. Huge energy!

[Chris from Fieldtown]

Bob Fox was in good form at Launceston Folk Club last night, despite fighting off a virus of some sort. Could hear it a little in his voice by the end of the show, but it was a good concert, with some fun stories between songs as well.

Fabulous singer and very good acoustic player. It's great he is still playing and singing and I always enjoy seeing him perform solo or in various combos.

[DarrenWilliams]

Went to see Gong + Henge in Liverpool on Saturday. I didn't enjoy Henge so much, but I was definitely in the minority. Gong on the other hand were phenomenal. My mate has previously asked me to go see them a few times but I'm not much of a fan having only listened to Flying Teapot, and although I like it I've never felt the need to investigate further. He recently suggested some songs by the current incarnation plus Master Builder from You and I was converted. The new album (Bright Spirit) is very good, but admittedly I'm approaching with very few preconceptions so if you're a fan of a previous era of the band your viewpoint might be different.

[Alan2]

Not exactly a gig

The stage version of I Daniel Blake,  at Northern Stage.

Different from the film but just as heartbreaking.

[quodlibet (Ian)]

Went to see Gong + Henge in Liverpool on Saturday. I didn't enjoy Henge so much, but I was definitely in the minority. Gong on the other hand were phenomenal. My mate has previously asked me to go see them a few times but I'm not much of a fan having only listened to Flying Teapot, and although I like it I've never felt the need to investigate further. He recently suggested some songs by the current incarnation plus Master Builder from You and I was converted. The new album (Bright Spirit) is very good, but admittedly I'm approaching with very few preconceptions so if you're a fan of a previous era of the band your viewpoint might be different.

Saw this pairing recently in Bristol. Agree that Henge was the weaker of the two, but the young folks seemed to reall like them.

Next generation Gong were ok and very proficient, but for me, did not compare favourably with the 'classic' 70s incarnations in spirit.

[davidmjs]

Next generation Gong were ok and very proficient, but for me, did not compare favourably with the 'classic' 70s incarnations in spirit.

Not seen Henge but my mates adore them.  "Ok and very proficient" is about as far as I'll go too, I'm afraid.  I like Kavus's other work, so it's not that.  Personally, it's just not Gong-like enough to be Gong.  For me....

[Harbottle (Martin)]

Some weeks ago someone sent me a message on FB with a link to a Soft Machine gig in Coventry, at the Albany Club in Earlsdon, about a 10 minute walk from where I live. So I thought it would be rude not to go.

Venue was very busy, with not enough tables/chairs out, and after a bit of chaos the organiser admitted he'd never been so busy and this was the best turnout for the Jazz Club he'd ever seen.

They were excellent, playing a lot of new stuff and some classics, including Facelift, Joy of Toy, and Hazard Profile.

[Harbottle (Martin)]

I've got Fairport in Leamington on Sunday, then it was supposed to be Yes at the end of the month, but it's been postponed.
Jethro Tull in May. I notice my local venue has Steeleye Span and a version of Lindisfarne later this year (Last time I saw them it was with the Strawbs supporting them at Birmingham Symphony Hall.