A hot July in London

So the numbers for a month that included England failing to exit the World Cup at their earliest opportunity and weather not seen since 1976 are in. It was musically dominated for me, by my now annual, 11 days allowing the curators of the Summer Series Gigs at Somerset House to introduced me to new acts I've not seen previously - with the exception of Ezra Collective, The month also included my 100th gig at Somerset House.

And so to the numbers:

32 gigs, one on each of the 31 days of the month plus a bonus gig on the last Saturday of the month at Canary Wharf.

90 different artists performing 96 sets in 18 different venues.

The month was topped and tailed by Yur Mum performing at The Unicorn Camden Live. I also had the privilege to see some of my regular favourites including (in X factor order - so not in any particular order):

Fetherstone, Daisy Chute, Cerian, LUCIA and The Adelaides

I also had a chance to enjoy performances from some old favourites I'd not seen in a while:

Tusks and Saint Clair

The best discovery of the month, by a clear measure, was HAWXX - hard to believe it was only their second gig together - a slick performance with great energy and stage presence. Definitely one to watch, with a great future ahead of them - I expect to see them performing at venues as big as Somerset House this time next year!

Two other notable new acts for me - KOLARS and Smoke Season - the KOLARS first entertained me supporting LP at Somerset House, then Smoke Season supported KOLARS at their own headline gig a week later at The Islington 1 Tolpuddle Street - they had their own headline show Miranda at Ace Hotel London Shoreditch, closing the month, supported by Martha Hill Music

All in all another great musical month - and despite many days of outdoor music I only got mildly damp on two occasions! Not a typical British summer.

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.

My month of May–filled with Live Music

Just finished updating my spreadsheet of gigs I've been to in May - I need one to keep track of all the great music I get to listen to live - and the numbers are in for May 2018:

130 Unique Artists, playing 136 sets at 25 different venues on 30 of the 31 days in May.

My finds for the month of May (in no particular order - to quote X Factor), who's music I'll be seeking out in future are:

Daisy Chute, Cerian, Little Water, Rookes, Diane Birch, Amaya Laucirica, London Contemporary Voices, Bugeye

and there are my favourites who I was lucky enough to hear live again:

Yur Mum, DIDI, Autumnmusic Caswell, Emma Ballantine, Fetherstone, Zkeletonz, KOATES, Tilda Allie, Natalie Shay, NOVA TWINS, Anteros

And a couple I've not seen live for a while making great returns:

Du Blonde and Grace Savage

I've probably miss some - there is so much to choose from.

Norah Jones supported by The Candles

6th July 2017, Somerset House, London, UK

Kicking off the 2017 Summer Series Gigs at Somerset House sponsored by American Express was Norah Jones supported by The Candles. Norah is one of the more established, and familiar names, performing this year during the 11 nights of the series of outdoor music events in the splendour of the open courtyard at Somerset House.

Opening for Norah were The Candles – the band appeared to grow with each of the early songs in their set. First a soloist, then a trio, then they where joined by a drummer and pianist, and finally by a bassist. It became apparent later – that most of the members of The Candles where members of Norah’s band. While I understand that having your backing band open for you, under another name, does keep the costs down and keep things simple while touring – but it really is a shame the opportunity wasn’t take for an up and coming London band to be given the opportunity to win more fans from amongst Norah’s adoring fans.

Beginning her European tour at Somerset House, the set began in a jazz mood, which would have graced Ronnie Scott’s, if you could take the roof off that venue.

A subtle touch on the ivories of the grand piano, which dominated the stage, during instrumental interludes in “I’ve got to see you again” proved Norah is more than just a great vocalist.

As the set progress the jazz mood was replace by a more electric sound – with the pedal steel contributing much to that.

Norah herself commented that she’d not been expecting hot and humid weather, which she likened to that in Texas where she’d grown up. Then she noted that having played at a number of outside venues recently – she always seam time one song on in the set to match the sunset – that being “Sunrise”.

After the gentle breeze, keeping the audience from over heating, caused the smells from the food stands to drift on to the stage Norah was prompted to comment “I smell sausages”, and then realise – “that will be the quote of the night”, the set the took a more melancholy turn with song like “She’s 22”.

“Night and day” moved the set back to a warmer sound and feeling, returning to the grand piano and the jazz vibe returns. The “Peace” brings the set to a crescendo, and then “The Long Day is Over”  was a very appropriate way to approach the pre-encore pause.

The real end of the set was “Come away with me” – she couldn’t have left here fans without that hit.

The whole evening illustrates that a carefully constructed set list or album is why listening to music via a streaming service in a random order which hasn’t been curated in anyway, just isn’t the same as experiencing the music in the order the artist behind it intended . A live performance allows the artist to add careful transitions in mood, taking the listener on a musical journey.  The other artists performing this year have a lot to follow to keep the standard up.

Ultraista @ Birthdays

Playing their first London gig – the recently formed Ultraista brought the vocals and electronic sound of Laura Bettinson, former driving force of Dimbleby & Capper (D&C) and new incarnation Femme, together with Nigel Godrich, producer of Radiohead and Joey Waronker adding percussion and all manner of other sounds to the mix, to Birthsdays in Dalston – ending the UK leg of a short world tour having crossed the USA and circled Europe.

From Ultraista (Birthdays) 2012

Opening the evening in Dalston was Crewdson. He initially had the quickly filling venues a little confused as his musical instruments included the contents of a rather battered Tesco’s plastic bag – but soon had them enthralled as he turned sound samples from the empty can, paper and other assorted items it contained into a glorious electronic sound. With an unconventional set of electronics as your musical tool kit technical problems are likely – but I don’t think I’ll ever hear an electronic artist apologies for a glitch with “bear with me one sec – my motorbike ain’t working….” I’d suggest Crewdson sound could be described as "Electronic via Tesco’s and the Playstation”. Creatively showing what can be accomplished live with a laptop, assorted shopping, saxophone and Playstation controller, Crewdson put to shame those that use pre-recorded samples.

As Ultraista opened their set, the comparisons to previous celebrated incarnations of members of the band were inevitable. The Radiohead fans in the audience here to hear how the Godrich sound was moving forward, heard an up tempo mix with more pop than in the past. A clear contribution from D&C/Femme. The D&C fans in the basement would be please that the visuals impact of that group continued – but the frog and rabbit mask for the male members of the band had been left in the dressing up box…

From Ultraista (Birthdays) 2012

From Ultraista (Birthdays) 2012

Unfortunately Party Line wasn’t on the set list – so I’m still not sure if the opening backing vocals really are “northern line” or the slightly more likely “more than I” of the main lyrics… It’s very possible that the fact that the track first came on my iPhone while stuck on the listening to Northern Line announcements influenced what I think I heard – but if you list carefully I’m sure you can hear how the mix up could occur… The evening and the tour where brought to a close with a long list of thanks to those that had assisted with getting them to the end of this first tour.

Surely if won’t be long before Nigel is moving his latest creation on to similar stages as his previous associates, Radiohead – playing the O2 the following two nights – their followers really missed out if they hadn’t had the foresight to come to town one night early for a Sunday evenings entertainment in Dalston  - if they could have got hold of a ticket!

Jill Scott draws the VIPs to Somerset House

9th/10th July – Somerset House Summer Series presented by American Express: Jill Scott supported by Daley

For the first year two acts will play two nights each in the Somerset House Summer Series – Jill Scott’s two gigs where in the original schedule – Paloma Faith’s second gig was added shortly after the first one sold out so quickly. Judging by the fact that more than an hour before both nights of Jill’s shows a large proportion of the audience where queuing outside this was a good decision – those there on Monday night got treated to a prolonged sound check that almost sounded like a full rehearsal, rather than a simple check of the levels…

The first night also attracted the VIPs – with Lewis Hamilton tweeting a picture from the gig and Perez Hilton, Joss Stone and Misha B amongst the music glitterati in attendance

From Jill Scott 2012 (Monday) (Somerset House)

Opening for Jill on both nights was Daley – whom I’d last seen supporting Emeli Sande at the Borderline for HMV Next Big Thing – he certainly gets to precede some special acts on stage. On both night the audience warmed to his sound – his British take on soul was a great warm up for the Philly version that was the main act – he even made a cameo appearance on the second night during the commercial intermission for “Ball Fresh”.

From Jill Scott 2012 (Monday) (Somerset House)

Jill Scott brought on stage with here a very talented 10 piece band including amongst them “the pipes” – between them they gave her incredible voice the backing it deserved, At some points the performance became almost operatic - very appropriate for the surroundings.

As promised on the first night – if you wanted to see a costume change then you needed to come to another Jill Scott gig – not that her look didn’t change – including at times a wig and a variety gazelles (glasses) – one pair refused to play ball – steaming up on both nights in the damp conditions under the heat of the stage lights. The performances on both nights brought the courtyard in Somerset House to life – mixing soul, poetry, and a sexy sense of humour.

Sunday mini festival at Somerset House

8th July – Somerset House Summer Series presented by American Express with What Next Live: Katy B supported by Devlin, Ms Dynamite and P Money and What Next Live – including Kimmy Reader, Rhea Dean and Tom Prior

Regularly giving an opportunity on one of the Sunday’s of the series for up and coming acts to take to the stage is a great innovation that Somerset House continues to provide – this year three of the act from What Next Live shone out – Kimmy Reader, Rhea Dean or Tom Prior could easily have been “headline support acts” – maybe it is time for a slight change to the presentation of these acts and simply put them on as support acts for some of the nights of the series. I’ll be looking out for and looking forward to when these acts perform again.

Katy B brought the acts from her 2011 headline tour with her to Somerset House for her only headline show of the year. I’ve never been sure if a DJ based set works in the classical surroundings of Somerset House – and P Money definitely struggled to keep up the atmosphere that the What Next acts had built up – his act had worked in an enclosed space – but in the daylight, in an open space it seamed not to fill the space sufficiently.

From Katy B 2012 (Somerset House)

From Katy B 2012 (Somerset House)

When Ms Dynamite took to the stage the energy levels lifted – it was still rather strange to be experiencing this in the open air before the dark had fallen. The large separation between the audience and the stage also wasn’t helping

Devlin's addition of instruments in the form of a full band to the stage took the show up a further level.

From Katy B 2012 (Somerset House)

From Katy B 2012 (Somerset House)

The sun had set by the time Katy B took to the stage, that allowed the light show on the stage to have a bigger impact, and with the venue now full the atmosphere was approaching a club – or as close as you can get surrounded by the 18th century architecture of Somerset House. A cover of the Eurythmics Sweet Dreams stood out in a set that ranged from Katy’s better known dance tracks to slower ballads showing there is more to her than just dubstep. The 11pm curfew came far too early – and closing with Lights On seamed very appropriate as the house lights shortly followed, but the audience didn’t want to leave.

Tim Minchin – Comedy night opens Somerset House Summer Series

7th July 2012 – Somerset House Summer Series presented by American Express: Tim Minchin supported by Harry Oakwood Millionaire

This will be the third year when I’ve chosen to try and get tickets to the entire series of summer gigs at Somerset House – even with access to pre-sales Tim' Minchin’s gig was already sold out! Having previously seen Tim at the Apple Cart festival in 2011, I choose to resort to GetMeIN to complete my set of tickets – and by waiting until a week or so before the event I didn’t have to pay a significant premium. It would be nice if Somerset House would consider a “season ticket” to their series of gigs – there won’t be may people that would be looking to attend all of the events given they are drawn from a wide range of musical genres – but there would be some and it might assist in filling the audience for the less main stream acts.

From Tim Minchin 2012 (Somerset House)

Finding a support act to complement Tim Minchin irreverent act was always going to be challenging – Tim selected Harry Oakwood Millionaire to fill the role having heard them himself. They did just justice to his selection – their guitar based sound reminded me of early Beatles.

By the time Tim took to the stage the miserable British summer had started to let the enthusiastic crowd down – causing umbrellas to be produced – there property of being mainly opaque generating an off the cuff line of comedy from Tim – that quickly encouraged their owners to take them down and brave the light rain without their protection. After the distraction of the easy target of the weather Tim was soon back in good form with his comedy based around a series of very clever songs – it quickly became clear Tim may have “calmed down” his set for the “family friendly” Apple Cart festival – it was certainly brave for Jonathan Ross to have invited him on to his show – a pity ITV hadn’t had the courage to go ahead with his inclusion in the show that actually went out – all the targets of Tim’s comedy are valid and his clever use of word play and innuendo highlights many serious issues.

This was a great start to the series of gigs – opening with the “comedy night”, missing from the series last year but represented the previous year by Neil Hannon in his solo performance as Divine Comedy was a brave move – I hope a comedy themed night becomes a regular in the series going forward.

It all starts with one support act and builds from there…

From Ane Brun 2011

I’d heard Ane Brun supporting Peter Gabrial twice and those small tasters had left me wanting to hear more so I snapped up a ticket to her headline show at Scala… The support came from Linnea Olsson, a member of Ane’s band – but clearly a talented soloist in her own right. Combining her cello cleverly with a pedal board that would have done a few lead guitarist proud she performed a set of nautically themed songs – some very haunting melodies. I feel a chain of wanting to hear more of support acts beginning – Linnea is now on my watch list for future gigs…

Looking at the stage set up it wasn’t entirely clear which genre of music was about to be performed – two large drum kits, two synth/keyboard positions and an electric guitar weren't quite want I’d expected for the folk based sound Ane had opened for Peter Gabrial’s with… Once the music began it became clear the drum kits where the centre of a very well crafted percussion section rather than rock drummers! Ane took over where Linnea had left off – producing a set of haunting melodies – one of the highlights was Oh Love, with audience participation that was controversially almost as good as the Scots! Compliments also go to the lighting engineer, managing to add to the atmosphere of the music while not resorting to “lack of light” lighting! It was a shame that Scala’s dual role as a club and live music venue on a Friday evening meant there was a strict curfew of 10pm to allow time for the Friday night club night to replace Ane’s fans…

Set List (Ane Brun – Scala, 11th November 2011):

• These days
• One
• Worship
• Words
• Let myself go
• Puzzle
• This Voice
• Oh Love
• Dirty Windshields
• Humming one of yours songs
• What’s happening to with you and him
• Do you remember
• Changing of the seasons (1st encore)
• Balloon Ranger
• The light from one
• Undertow (2nd encore)

Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy

This was an evening of live music only available to 250 people who pre-ordered Pixie Lott's new album, Young Foolish Happy , and lucky enough to win tickets - which may or may not have been everyone who pre-ordered the album, who could also make it to London on misty autumn Wednesday given the number of physical albums actually sold these days...

From Pixie Lott 2011 (Jazz Cafe)

Giving those who actually pay for music rewards such as this is a trend I really like and urge all labels and artists to adopt. It encourages people to pay for music rather than pirate it, and keeps the tickets out of the hands of the touts and resellers - no touts at all as the queue formed outside the Jazz Cafe at least an hour before the doors opened! The evening was opened by Angel, which given the audience was full of the most dedicated Pixie fans, plus one that will go to almost any live music in London, especially in venues that offer good photographic opportunities, was a brave effort - he'd clearly managed to get a few fans on the guest list, and by the end of his set may have gained a few more...

Pixie played a short set – unsurprisingly mainly from the new album. It was unfortunate, given Pixie's mainly younger fan base, that the venue’s license meant it was an 18+ event, as it would have been a perfect location for an early introduction to how good live music can be away for the large venue such as the O2 - which can support an all ages audience, but are just not the same..... It was a chance for me to hear again the new tracks from Pixie's second album – they benefitted from being stripped back even further than they had been at the HMV Forum for the Q Awards series of gigs… Stevie on the radio again being a highlight with a live standing for Stevie Wonder on the harmonica.

Set List (Pixie Lott – Jazz Cafe, 9th November 2011)

• Mama Do
• Everybody Hurts Sometimes
• Stevie on the Radio
• You Win
• Cry Me Out
• Young Foolish Happy
• All About Tonight

Taylor Wessing Photographic Portrait Prize ‘11

None my own photographs this time, as this was a chance for me to be inspired by images created by others and judge to be the best of their genre captured this year…

Having recently become a member of the National Portrait Gallery, I had the opportunity to attend the members private viewing of the 60 images selected from thousands of entries to have the honour of being hung in the gallery. I viewed the images to the sound track of KT Tunstall’s newly released The Scarlet Tulip EP – a rarity these days – only available at gigs and via the artists own website – a proudly barcode free item, purchased the evening before after KT’s gig at the inspiring Union Chapel.

Having previously enjoy the stunting images selected for exhibition at the Natural History museum for the Wildlife Photographer of the Year, I was left a little flat – all the images where certainly classic portraits – but few had any special qualities to draw the viewer into them – even the five prize winners where “good portraits” rather than stunning images.

Of all the images the one which drew me in and left me wanting to see more was Old Truman Brewery/Claudia, 2011, by Darren Hall – my highly commended would go to a portraits of Keria Knightly by Michael Brit which had a twinkle in her eye, and an image of Malega, Surma Boy by Mario Marino which had an almost 3D quality.

Halloween Spooktacular

It seamed very appropriate to be at a Werewolf Promotions event on 31st October – and there was a chance of a ghostly appearance of a headless apparition at The Old Queen’s Head in Islington…

Downstairs a double bill of Ghost Busters was playing to a fairly full bar – but the best show was going on upstairs with three live acts.

From FOE, D&C and Brother Gang 2011

Opening the evening with added “Gang” and the S dropped were Brother Gang – a young all female quintet hailing from Norwich Their drums and guitars, with everyone contributing to the vocals produced a raw sound, pleasantly balancing between punk and rock. They also have a great line in banter while the guitars are re-tuned, something many other musicians struggle with – sometimes there might even have been a little too much information! The highlight of the set was Horses – and the recently filmed video to accompany it sounds equally entertaining… One tip – for better pictures and fewer trip hazards you’ll need to work out a better arrangement for the forest of mic stands!

Dimbleby & Capper’s concession to the fact that it was All Hallows Eve was skeleton make up for their dancers. The audience by their set also contained a growing number of participants in the evenings fancy dress… Yet again D&C’s well produce show brought a sound that had elements of Goldfrapp and Siouxsie and the Banshees – or maybe that was a spiritual contribution… Anyone wishing to sample their experimental electronic pop should catch them at the Queen of Hoxton supporting Juan Maclean on Bonfires night…

The last act of the night, taking on board the ghostly theme whole heartedly were FOE.  They took the punk element from Brother Gang and mixed it with the electronic pop of D&C, mashing in guitar too. Then it was out into the night to avoid the trick or treaters plying Islington’s main street….

Don't Sit Down 'Cause I've Changed the Music

Replacing Britney after her two night stay for their own two nights were the Arctic Monkey supported by The Vaccines – and the contrast couldn’t have been greater – there was absolutely nothing synthetic about the sound filling the venue from start to finish…

From Arctic Monkeys 2011

The Vaccines brought their take on British guitar based rock to the O2, adding a little punk to the mix – very different to the sound I’d heard from Justin Young as Jay Jay Pistolet a few years ago in the same venue supporting Katie Melua. For a band only just about to celebrate the anniversary of their first single release the sound was mature and it can’t be long before they will be headlining similar venues in their own right… With their first four studio Albums all having reached No 1 in the UK, the Arctic Monkeys clearly have a large fan base in the UK and I suspect they could have easily filled the O2 for more nights… By the time they came on stage there was a buzz building up – and as soon as they engaged their guitars the crowd were fully with them – mush pits formed – the largest of which must have briefly cleared a quarter of the space in front of the sound desks – quite an achievement given the packed standing area… I don’t recall a single song from the 21 strong set list that seamed out of place – the strong start with “Don’t Sit Down ‘Cause I’ve Moved Your Chair” continued right through to 505 that closed the evening – all as rock and roll as Alex Turners Elvis quiff…

Both of the night’s acts proved beyond doubt that live rock music is alive and kicking in the UK and quite capable of filling the largest of venues for multiple nights – even in these tough economic times….

Britney’s Final Finale?

Britney spears returned to the O2 with another tour – Femme Fatale – this time for only two nights – rather than the 8 nights of her mini residence in 2009 with the Circus tour…

From Britney 2011 (Thursday)

Destinee & Paris provided the opening act and their upbeat pop soon warmed up the audience on both nights under the dome.

From Britney 2011 (Friday)

The main support act was one of the Jonas Brothers – who along with his brothers had caused so much disruption by attracting an enormous crowd of teenage girls round the hotel I’d chosen last year for my stay in Sao Paulo. Joe Jonas brought a rock element to the nights, complete with live drums and synths. I’m not entirely sure Joe on his own would have drawn the crowds he would along with his brothers – but together they’d probably have been the headliners rather then the support act…

Britney’s show started, right on queue from the 30 minute countdown that started as Joe left the stage – unlike Jay-Z’s countdown there wasn’t a deva like last minute jump back in time… Anyone who’d read the reviews or attended the Circus tour, who was still expecting a truly live show was in for a disappointment.. That isn’t Britney – her music is finely tuned in a studio – she didn’t learn her trade in the small venues many others do, leaping straight to the top, bypassing that experience…. What she does is produce a show to go with her albums and use her back catalogue to great effect. In comparison to the Circus tour, this time round there appeared to be a little less budget – not even enough for a runway, really required at the O2 to bring the entertainment to the middle of what is an enormous venue. There were also fewer costume changes, and the on stage vehicle was based on a mini rather than something more elaborate…

While Britney appeared to be enjoying herself, she appeared to be less energetic than I recall her being under her Circus top two years ago. On the couple of occasions she did appear to sing live, for some of the less produced ballads it was rather faltering and not entirely up to the level you’d expect of someone headlining the O2. There are many fresh acts capable of selling many more tickets to the O2 than Britney currently is, and I wonder if this might be her last major tour for some time… Having said that, at the end of the both nights the audience were still cheering for more - there may not have been too much, if any, live music in the traditional sense - but there had been two night of entertainment that Britney's London fans, and from further a field had totally enjoyed. The critics may not have thought much of it - but they aren't the primary audience - and by cutting back on the number of nights, there was plenty of demand from Britney's loyal fans to fill the venue with a audience willing to over look the lack of a real band or even backing singers…

Bears hold off Bucks as Jet Lag appears to catch up…

From NFL @ Wembley 2011

76,981 NFL fans, of every team in the league, almost filled Wembley Stadium, London, UK and witnessed the Tampa Bay Buccaneers almost pull off an unlikely come back – keeping the game alive until the closing 30 seconds when a desperate attempt to keep a potentially game winning drive down the pitch going was intercepted to bring to an end a game that had at one point looked like it might be an easy win on their rather longer than usual travels for the Chicago Bears.

The final score of 24-18 was a fair reflection of a game that had had a faltering start – one early down taking a dozen plays before being punted up the pitch. Maybe the effects of jet lag needed to be shaken off – but once out of the first quarter the Bears took control with three answered touch downs – with the Bucks only managing safety and field goal in response.. Then in the fourth quarter the Bucks came to life – or did the Bears defence succumb to the effects of jet lag? Twice In quick succession the bucks crossed into the end zone, bring themselves within a field goal of taking the game into over time at 21-18 – then the Bears managed to get within field goal range themselves and pull six points ahead – making the Bucks strive for a touch down in the final minutes of the game, which proved just beyond them.

This was the fifth time the razzle dazzle of the NFL had been brought across the Atlantic to London, and despite the tight economy Wembley was almost sold out – there has been talk of more than one London game in future seasons and even of a Super Bowl. If the NFL can persuade teams of the calibre of  the Bucks and Bears to take part there will be a healthy audience – and the Super Bowl has the advantage that neither side has to give up a home game to take part as it’s highly unusual for one of the Super Bowl teams to happen also to be that year’s host franchise for the season closer.

Q'ing round the block for Q Awards Gig

The fourth night of the Q Award’s Gigs in the run up to Q Magazine’s 25th anniversary awards was headlined by Ed Sheeran – and he certainly brought his fans out early – it wasn’t quite as cold as it had been on the previous couple of nights – but it was still a brave audience that were queuing round three corners by the time the doors opened – with people joining almost as fast as security could let people in once they where open!

From Ed Sheeran 2011

Unfortunately much of the audience missed some or all of the opening act, We Were Evergreen, because we where still queuing outside - despite being there well before the doors were due to open... I'd suggest venues need to be able to beef up their entrance teams if faced by an early arriving audience - it is only fair to try your best to get them into the venue before the openers come on stage... From the end of their set that I heard, this trio hailing from France where a little out of their depth with such a large audience so excited about the headliner – would be interesting to listen to them in a smaller venue with a less distracted audience…

By the time Ed's main support act, Emeli Sandé, came on stage security had managed to get most, if not all of the audience into the venue. While many of Ed's fans might not have heard of Emeli, her powerful vocal soon had their attention! Ed later confided that one of the reasons he’d accepted the gig was so that he could book Emeli to support him – whether the choice was his to make or not, Emeli captivated the audience. She’ll soon be headlining her own tour, and with her contribution to Professor Green’s current hit is one to watch for the future.

Unusually, the preparation for the headliner consisted of emptying the stage except for a pedal board and two orange mics… Ed Sheeran looked a little lonely on the stage with only his guitar – but he would remedy that with three guests, and by filling the venue with his voice, guitar and clever use of the pedal board. Moving between all the genres in Ed’s range from acoustic rock to R&B Ed demonstrated why he’s nominated for Q’s breakthrough artist award as well as best male artist and best video.  Ed then introduced Pixie Lott who’d played the same series of gigs earlier in the week – their duet of Kiss Me meet a mixed reaction with Ed’s die hard fans who’d queued round the block to see him, rather than Pixie – but it demonstrated both Pixie and Ed range – contrasting with more upbeat style both usually perform. Ed’s next collaboration of the night was with Wiley, changing things up by mixing rap with Ed’s more mellow sound. The reception with Ed’s mostly student fan’s was good – the success of Professor Green and Emeli Sandé current collaboration demonstrate how popular mixing rap with other genres has become… The last collaboration of the night added Example to the length list of top talent that had graced the stage during the evening. The remix of You Changed the way you Kiss Me had the audience in the palm of the artists hands.

As the audience left the venue, most would have felt that the long queue in the Autumn chill had been well worth the wait – any that didn’t where at the wrong gig or very hard to please.

I predict the Forum will be rocking

It was clear that the sound tonight was going to be big – The Kaiser Chiefs had supplemented the venue’s own sound system with even larger stacks of their own speakers…

From Kaiser Chiefs 2011

This was the 3rd of the Q Awards gigs 2011 presented by Q Magazine – and it was clearly rock night! The night started with the first of two support acts - Spector. It was nice to see a male guitar based rock band trying to differentiate themselves from the hundreds struggling to make a space for themselves in a crowded genre. Suited and booted they got the crowd rocking, frequently introducing themselves to the growing crowd, in preparation for what was to follow…

Duke Spirit interacted a lot less with the now full venue - but Liela Moss’ vocals combined with talents on keyboard and the other members of the band continued building the atmosphere towards the headliners, who's backdrop dominated the stage…

From Kaiser Chiefs 2011

You could guess that there was going to be lots of energy on and off the stage, when a stage hand was carefully marking up, with hi-vis masking tape the edges of the speakers that could be stood on, and with large crosses those that won't support a band member! Ricky Wilson was soon confirming this – one song was performed with him standing on the crush barriers at the front of the mush pit, supported by his belt by two large members of the stage crew. Towards the end of the set he made his way to one of the balconies in the HMV forum between downstairs standing and the upstairs seating usually reserved for bouncers observing the crowd, crossing amongst those seated (or not) upstairs to the opposite side… I Predict a Riot had the crowd at full voice, and the mush pit in full motion. Returning to the stage for their encore Love’s Not a Competition and Oh My God brought the house down.

The difficult bridge to the second album….

The Q Awards 2011 gigs at the HMV Forum, Kentish Town, continued with Pixie Lott…

From Pixie Lott 2011

Making the jump to a second album, at the same time as the artist and their audience are maturing musically can be a tricky point in an artist’s career. Pixie is at that stage, and having finished her first headline tour last year, promoting her first album Turn It Up , this one off gig was a chance for her to try out some new material in front of a friendly audience. Being a one off it was very much stripped back, without the multiple costume changes and theatrics of the tour – allowing her musical talents to take centre stage. Of the new material, I felt Stevie on the Radio was the most successful – although whether all of those in the audience had ever heard Steve Wonder has to be asked – some of them haven’t matured as fast as Pixie’s sound has… Illustrated by the late arrivals who thought they have a right to steam to the front. It is a great argument for a well policed golden circle for those fans dedicated enough to be at the front of the queue, braving the cold onset of autumn, to get in early, they usually also forgo the bar to maintain prime spots. They might be a little naive treasuring a little space in front of them that is the envy of others.  There did appear to be two styles of material – a pop sound and a more club sound – Pixie may need to choose between the two to produce an cohesive album… Trying out new material is always a risk – but Pixie has an first album loved by her fans to fall back on and can certainly power out the tracks from that collection - Gravity when down particularly well.

Anyone treated to 2 hours of Jazz and power pop by Jamie Cullum the previous night might have felt a little cheated by the rather shorter set from Pixie – unless they’d bought their tickets via the 2 for 1 that had managed to fill the venue to a respectable extent – but Jamie is a multi-album performer with a significant catalogue – while Pixie is trying to make the jump to having multiple successful albums – judging by the new material she has a fighting chance of making that leap… Most people venturing back out in the the cold of autumn appears to be happy – perhaps with the exception of a few who’d had their hard earned views at the front stolen by a thoughtless few…

Twenty, no make that Thirty something

From Jamie Cullum 2011

Jamie Cullum may no longer be a twenty something, and returning to gigging following the birth of his first child - which he quickly pointed out was mainly not his own hard work - he confessed his enthusiastic jumping around the wasn’t quite as easy to combine with singing now, but he still left the other contributors to the 2011 Q Awards at the HMV Forum with a hard act to follow. I’d been surprised to find myself queuing round the block, even only minutes after the doors officially opened – that is usually something that only happens for act with much younger appeal. The audience was a great mix of young and older music lovers – all there to enjoy Jamie’s mix of Jazz, power pop and soul. He didn’t disappoint – one of many highlights of the evening was an impressive piece of audience participation, with three parts for the audience – which was then repeated to induce yet another encore from Jamie at the end of the evening…