Scarlet Sometimes, the Station and Mayfair at the Fiddlers Elbow

 A new pub venue for me, and unusually I persuaded a friend to to come along. Neatly I found an "oriental" restaurant across the road. Jack of all trades, Chinese, Thai and Japanese on the menu. Not for the connoisseur, but we had two good meals and a decent sized bottle of sake for under £50 for the two of us, so no complaints from us.

So across the road to the venue, the Fiddlers Elbow. And the bad news that the headline act had pulled out earlier in the day because the drummer had hurt his hand. Grr. But still, I had seen two of the acts twice before, and with one act scratching they both got to play longer sets which is what I wanted to see, ie I had been hoping to see both the Station and Scarlet Sometimes doing a full set and not just 30 minutes.

But opening were Mayfair. I had seen the lead singer before, and had a chat with him before the set, and with the drummer afterwards (you can chat to the band members very easily when the crowd is maybe 50 and they hang around the bar). I so very much wanted to like them. They seemed really nice lads, the lead singer seemed affable, good looking and had all the dance moves as he danced to later acts. Everything really except for.... a decent voice. And the band's music just seemed very basic. Did a cover of White Stripes' "Fell in Love with a Girl" which should have suited them, but not up to the original. I wish them all the best (including the drummer for whom that was the last performance with the band because he had to concentrate on a real job!). But not for me.

Scarlet Sometimes though are a cut above. Will they play bigger stages? I hope so. This was the first time I had seen them with three rather than two guitarists and unsurprisingly this gave them a fuller sound. And the lead singer has personality and excellent voice. They have a decent spread of their own material. Would definitely go and see them again.

And finally, the Station. Twin brothers on both guitar and vocals, they kind of alternate duties, plus the much taller Josh who does no vocals but is the most energetic presence on stage, and regularly off it as he jumps down into the audience. A pity we were not a bigger audience for them. But they were very good. I particularly like their dance track, Orpheus.

Interestingly, my mate John preferred them, I think as much as anything for their stage performance, not just energetic, but they all seem to really enjoy what they are doing. I preferred Scarlet Sometimes - more nuanced vocals, just a slightly more subtle sound. But would definitely go and see both bands again and I am sure I will come across them both on other bills. (And maybe one day headlining bigger stages....Fingers crossed.)

Josh. Actually he came up to me and introduced himself as he remembered seeing me at Stoned on Love Festival. Small gigs so you probably get to recognise who is down the front!

Belem

 For our final day I suggested a day in Belem, just three stops down the coast. The big sight in Belem (well apart from the tower of Belem which was closed and shrouded in scaffolding) is the monastery. It is fair to say the lads were not to excited by the prospect of this and the adjacent church. But I am pleased to say they were impressed. Might not be your thing, but of its type it is probably the best

 anywhere

Tomb of Vasco Da Gama

The monastery

Monument to Henry the Navigator

The modern art gallery is a really striking piece of architecture. The less said about what is inside the better. But the ability to amble on to the roof with the views of the river Tagus are splendid.

What the above doesn't show is the two sojourns we had in bars, with about three beers in each. It was a hot day. Afterwards Eoin did me the service of saying that was about the perfect balance of day between chilling and seeing things. Almost made me feel good about myself!

And it was a good day in truth. The best part of taking two students on holiday is the bits chatting and drinking with them if I am honest. I think they both appreciated it, ad enjoyed the experience, even if Luka's face rarely betrays it. Eoin and I came to the conclusion that he just has a mean looking resting face. Cool one though, which can break at any moment into a massive friendly grin. I just haven't got a quick enough photo lens to capture it

Back in Lisbon I had my arm twisted to buy the lads pineapples filled with alcohol and juice. Even Luka smiled

I found a wonderfully well reviewed restaurant for our last night fewer than 10 minutes from our flat. Unfortunately not every review is trustworthy, or maybe we just didn't get the best choices. It was fine, but just not the super meal I had hoped would round off the trip. I do get a kick out of judging things right, and wanted the boys to feel they had enjoyed their break.

Was just really nice getting to know the two of them better, by the simple act of spending time with them. They are not what they appear on the surface. On the surface they are two fun guys who like a drink and a good time. What is interesting is that they are both really quite intellectual and cultured but in different ways, which of course made satisfying them both a challenge. 

Luka, as one would expect from an English undergraduate, is steeped in literature, way more than I have read in my rather longer lifetime, and history too. But when it comes to visual arts, architecture, painting, artefacts, Eoin has much more of the eye while Luka has little interest. But what is refreshing is that neither of them have the slightest pretension, so no flowery language. Its like or dislike, and no respecting received wisdom. It probably helps that I am a person you can admit such things to. I don't howl down anyone who dismisses Shakespeare, or the Beatles, or any other such sacred cows. And above all I like a laugh, as do they. I am not pretending there isn't a massive age gap, and attitude gap

I don't think this will be my last trip to Lisbon. I like the place, and there are so many other things that I didn't get to see.