Half Year Report

So the year has reached it's mid point and the numbers for my year so far of live music are:

626 Unique artists playing 755 sets at 76 different venues in 2 cities at a total of 191 different gigs on 174 of the 180 days in the first 6 months of 2018.

My most seen artists are:

Yur Mum (9), Natalie Shay (6), Daisy Chute (5) Liv Austen (5), Anteros (4), Caswell (4), DIDI (4), Fetherstone (4) and Tilda Allie (4)

with 84 acts seen more than once.

The first half of the year has allowed me to enjoy some great live music - I'm looking forward to what the rest of the year brings - the first 2 weeks of July are mainly curated by those picking the performers for this years #SummerSeries at Somerset House - which this year included my 100th gig at that great outdoor venue - I really hope this good weather continues - and there aren't any thunderous downpours!

June’s numbers and highlights

The World Cup hasn't slowed my enjoyment of live music in the world's capital of live music, and despite 4 nights out of the city, I'm keeping up my average of more than 1 gig per night on average this year: June's numbers are:

114 unique artists performing 119 sets at 27 different venues on 26 nights/days of June's 30. With 30 gigs in total.

The venue's new to me this month included The Groucho Club and The Ned London - two private members clubs, one with a long history, the other very new, but both doing their bit to support live music.

Most unique gig of the month goes to Rookes at Poplar Union for a workshop on the technique of looping. Demystifying, to some extent, some of the foot tapping on pedals I see going on in front of me at many gigs. Next on my list is learning more about what all those small boxes in front of many guitarist actually do!

My finds of the month - who I'll be seeking out to see/hear perform again, in X factor tradition, in no particular order:

Birdeatsbaby, HAIZ, Jerry Williams, Wax Chattels, Dutch Mustard, Deep Deep Water, Catgod, The Orchid Hunters

A few favourites I'd not managed to see previously this year, included at few big acts and some smaller ones:

Pumarosa, Anna Calvi, Lily Allen, Crewdson with new collaborator Cevanne, Skinny Girl Diet

Thanks also to the many bands, too numerous to name individually that I've seen regularly this year that keep me and my cameras busy of an evening.