The Amazons

I like going to gigs. To the extent that I will happily go to see acts I don't know and aren't really in  my ideal genre, if a mate invites me. And so here I was at the Amazons in Brixton. As this was Andy's choice I happily went along with his evening. So we met up and had dinner and a few drinks first rather than see the opening support, the Mysterines. No regrets, I like getting fed, and I enjoy his company.

But we did make the end of the set of Demob Happy. Who were really good. "Almost worth coming 

early to see support acts" says Andy to me with irony intended. I am moulding him. 😏

Anyway, Demob Happy are a trio of Geordie rockers. Obviously have been around a while without impinging on my consciousness. But will look them out for the future and see them if they tour in London. It is the value of seeing support acts, and the value of such bands tagging along with better known bands. Gives them a shot at a bigger audience. And especially loved their drummer, not only integral to their sound and very competent, but also just a great mass of long hair flashing around as he drummed!

On to the main affair, the Amazons. Now for my personal tastes, they are just a bit too "rock" and not enough indie. Interesting take on the demographic as I pointed out to Andy. We reckoned about 90% of the audience was young male, not unusual for rock acts. Front man Matt Thompson has just turned 26 (as he told us) and does fit the bill as rock singer. Clearly has personality (although not exactly profound in his conversation with the audience) and most importantly has a really good strong voice to put over the heavy guitar sound. Where he lost it a bit with Andy and I (and we have uncannily similar tastes which may be why we go to so many gigs together!) is his tendency to also go for the screeching that many metal acts adopt. Not great idea for me.

They did have two female backing singers, but Andy and I agreed they seemed to be more there for decorative value. You didn't notice them audibly over the rock sound. And Matt doesn't need much back up. As I say he has a great voice, and is very watchable; what you want in a front man.

But at times he really does go in for the rock god posturing. And that just doesn't sit easily on the shoulders of a young man from Reading. Having said that he clearly has an adoring audience and there was a healthy and expansive mosh pit going on. So all in all, while not quite may taste, was a good evening, and I knew I was watching good stuff, and a talented band. A pleasurable Friday night out.

OMD at Hammersmith Apollo

OMD were the first band I ever saw live. Actually the second, as my oldest friend reminded me, as they were supported by the Cocteau Twins back in 1983, so they were really the first. But OMD were the first headline act I saw live. And here I was at their 40th anniversary gig. With an interesting generational group. Myself, plus a colleague in his early fifties, his son aged 19 and my two mates in their early thirties. 

This was just the best fun ever. OMD sound great. Andy McCluskey and Paul Humphries still have great voices. The music, particularly the older tunes, stand up so well - just terrific synth work which was the best part of the music scene in the 80s. And most amazing is that even at 60 Andy can still dance like a maniac. And we danced along.

We all enjoyed it, but probably we two 50 somethings the most. Our age group made up the vast majority of the audience. I pointed out to the youngsters that this is what we middle-aged people did all the time, when the lights are out and no youngsters are watching. Just have fun and bop around. Who needs a mid-life crisis?

Also just lovely seeing how much these very longstanding band mates so obviously like each other. Either that or they are bloody good at pretending. Younger musicians should be brought along to an OMD gig to see how it should be done.

Vampire Weekend at Ally Pally

I am not really Vampire Weekend's biggest fan, so you may wonder why I went to this gig, given that I was going on my own having not found anyone else willing. I was wondering that too at the beginning of their set on a cold night in North London.

Well in part it was that they were playing at Alexandra palace which I can wait to and back. And its a gig.

And as I was on my own and not working I could get there early and bag a place at the front. Eventually on came the support act, an American band called Wallows, whom I really liked. An early part of their set was a song called Scrawny Motherfucker with a Cool Hairstyle, which I remember thinking at the time didn't seem entirely appropriate since the lead singer seemed neither scrawny nor in possession of a particularly notable hairstyle. Maternal relationships were hard to judge from the audience...

Anyway, I think they are good enough to want to listen to again. I quite like American indie bands.

Ok so much for the support. As I said I am not a superfan of Vampire Weekend. But after a couple of songs into their set I really began to enjoy their gig. So very glad I came.

Thing with Vampire Weekend (apart from the very cool name) is that they do have a quite distinct sound of their own. Prodigious guitar work, quirky clever songs that are not straightforward anthems. Maybe it is just I prefer straightforward anthems, but there is something slightly unsatisfactory about their tracks that I cannot put my finger on.

But the live act is an improvement on their recorded material. A lot of bands playing live extend their songs beyond their natural length. VW extended theirs but it didn't sound at all forced. The extra guitar embellishments all worked very well. And they really can play.

On top of that they come over as a nice bunch of lads, especially genial vocalist Ezra Koenig. And the lengthy encore included a mini request spot. Can't complain at value for money - it was a very long set.

As is my wont, I leave my position at the front during the encore so by the end of it I am at the exit ahead of the other 6000 or so. So here is the view from the side..

 ..and from the very back. And still got home in time to watch highlights of England's win over Montenegro😊