DMAs at the Roundhouse

An all Australian line-up as it turned out. Support from Pacific Avenue. Who are really a seventies retro outfit. And of course I remember the seventies first time round. They were actually very good. Would see them again if they were playing a small venue. Just not sure there is a great market for this sort of sound

For the DMAs there is clearly a large market. This gig sold out, and they have a bigger tour next year. What is surprising in a way is that they have a young male following, a lads band, which is rather younger than the band itself. And the band look like a group of waster aging chavs, but sound fantastic. Sweet vocals, a sophisticated rock sound, much heavier than their recordings would suggest. They generate not so much a mosh pit as a collective audience bounce.

To avoid the very slow exit at the Roundhouse we circled to the back of the venue for the encore. So this is the view. See why I choose to be at the front?

 

Gaz Coombes at Lafayette

I love Lafayette as a venue, which was part of the reason for picking this gig. And I have always liked Supergrass, so here was a great opportunity to see lead singer Gaz Coombes in an intimate venue showcasing stuff from his new solo album plus stuff from his previous very decent one too.

One thing with Lafayette is that it is a very anonymous venue. This is the front - basically if you didn't know it was there you would think it was just a bar

I have a preferred spot here too, which for once s not down the front but on the front balcony upstairs. The trouble with the front is that you are so close you are virtually looking up the lead singer's nasal passages. But its small enough venue that the balcony is itself not far from the stage.

Gaz was as ever really good. He has smashing rock voice. And looks fine for 46 (although my guess is that the trendy hat covers up a bald patch!). And this felt like a bit of a love in. This small audience were very very keen on him, and he genuinely seemed to appreciate it. Very pleasant gig (although I was surprised at the lack of a support). Super backing band too, although a rather cramped stage for the size of the band. No room for movement!

 

Kaiser Chiefs, Fratellis and Sherlocks at the O2

This was an interesting gig. Pippa and I had booked this on the basis of what a strong whole line up it was, compensating for the pain of getting to the O2, the expense of the place and the ridiculous ticketing. You but through one agency but the tickets still have to go through the O2 app, not the Ticketmaster one that I bought them on. Made all the more annoying by the fact that all the reminders say "you chose" to have email tickets through "our partner" like there was any choice. I chose the only option I was given!

Anyway, what made the gig interesting was the progression up the bill. Sherlocks were up first and were excellent. Fairly short set, and very early on at 7:15. But for them a chance to play before a large audience. Although I like the fact that I can still see them in small venues! As I said to Pippa, my fear for them is that I don't really see them stepping up. Great for me to see them, but not for them if they want to make a good living out of the music business.

Now Kiaran Crook of the Sherlocks has a great rock voice, but Jon Fratelli of the Fratellis is even better. They played a long and storming set. Went down brilliantly. They are just such an entertaining band with so many infectious songs. Definitely have to be seen live!

In addition to their great original songs that had the crowd bouncing they did unlikely covers of Baccara's euro pop hit "Yes sir, I can Boogie"and the rock n roll classic "Runaround Sue". Honestly it was all just so good. True virtuoso performance from the whole band, including an excellent brass section and superb backing singers.

And finally the much anticipated reappearance of the Kaiser Chiefs. Clever set, with Ricky Wilson first appearing above the set against the background of the moon. 

And then it all went wrong. From the moment he started singing.

Now Ricky's vocals have never been great. He is a shouty singer. More swagger than quality. But here he was truly AWFUL. Shouty but also often out of key. Made worse by having two such excellent vocalists before him. 

And not just the bad vocals. He had some problem with his monitor. At one point I think he forgot a whole verse to one song. Pippa thought he must be drunk. 

Now there is no doubt that the Chiefs have a fine back catalogue, but been diminishing returns after the first three albums. It doesn't help that in terms of live performance the band is Ricky. The rest are anonymous. And if he is off (and I mean sounding off, he bounded around just fine), well the act is off. Lots of great anthems, but you still have to perform them. The great irony is that he was a judge on the TV talent show The Voice. "Physician Heal Thyself" comes to mind. Pretty much anyone he judged would be better than him.

 Not a bad gig by any means, but of the three acts the headliners were third best. By a big margin.