Sunday 3 October 2010

Grinderman @ Manchester, Academy 1, 29.09.2010

Arrived at the venue very early (thanks to the M6 being trouble free for once). Seems there was another show sold out alongside Grinderman in Academy 2. Place was full of teeny boopers and pissed 14 year olds getting through out of Kro (across the road).

Got into the venue early as planned to catch the support for once. Quite entertaining they were. No idea of their name, but they 'played' (loose term) for 45 minutes. Just one long segue from different pieces of improvisation. Band consisted of a saxophonist, a drummer (cymbal crasher mainly) and another guy playing heavy distortion and feedback through a guitar and some other string instruments that I could quite place. good crowd very respectful of listening to something wholly different to the usual wannabe's playing support.

First time I've seen Grinderman / Nick Cave. Crowd really die hard I thought (confirmed by the 1,500+ views of my YouTube clips in the 3 days after the show)

Thursday 23 September 2010

Section 25 and Kevin Hewick @ Leicester, The Musician, 16.09.2010

Well, turned out good in the end.

Nice little venue in the arse end of Leicester. Venue surrounded by a pack of circling pipe-wielding hoodies on mountain bikes.

Kevin Hewick supported (as usual). Quite a long support slot from him. He played near 50 minutes I guess but then it is his home town venue, so he kept going...nice little start to proceedings.

Section 25 came on, and from the last time I saw them, seemed unrecognisable. This due to the only band member from that line up 2 years ago, being the drummer. Out went the Joy Division covers, no sign of them tonight.

Obviously tracks from Retrofit got an airing, alongside Looking From a Hilltop, Wretch, Girls Don't Count and a few other classics. Beth sure looks like her father too (but not in a bad way).

A fairly short set I thought, in the region of an hour. Really enjoyed it as a gig, and the sound was excellent.

Please have a look at the Youtube shots, and watch in HD - because you're worth it !

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=67UNBpje5Yk

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bfY1UZ0LvlM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0bk4dGbcz4I

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JW3-Fp0EJOc

Next up....Grinderman