Wonder Stuff Gig - Shepherds Bush Empire

Almost a year on from last years epic 20th anniversary of the first Wonder Stuff album "The Eight Legged Groove Machine" we were back to the Shepherds Bush Empire for the 20th anniversary of the "Hup" album. The band was the same line up as last time. There are only 2 original members but the new line up manage to bring back to life all the classic hits.


Jill and I went to Pizza Express before the gig and who should walk in but Malc Treece (the Wonder Stuff guitar  player for the benefit of those who wouldn't know). I didn't want to hassle him but after we'd finished our Pizza I went over and shook his hand and wished him well for the gig. He was very friendly and down to earth. Good man!.


The gig was fantastic. They raced through the Hup album using a new running order for the album that Miles explained was the way he'd always wanted the tracks to appear. The songs sounded great. The second half of the gig was loads of great songs from their back catalogue including such classics as "Here Comes Everyone", "Mission Drive", "Caught in my Shadow", "On the Ropes", "Unbearable" and many more. They played for a little under 2 hours. The atmosphere was great although I have to say that the gig the previous year was more electric. I think the people around us weren't getting into it with the same enthusiasm as Jill and I.


The only sour note for me was that someone stole my T-shirt. I bought a new T-Shirt at the gig and took off my T-Shirt that I'd bought at last years gig. By the end of the night when the lights went up my T-Shirt had vanished. How annoying. Anyway a great night and great to meet Malc Treece in person.

Cambridge Corn Exchange - James Gig

Last night was another storming set from the mighty "James". Can you believe that they started out in 1981? I've been a fan since about 1987 and went to my first James gig back in December 1989. 2 years ago I went to see them again over in Norwich following their reformation and the release of the "Hey Ma" album. Another fantastic night. So when the chance came to see them in my home town of Cambridge there wasn't even a decision to be made. I'd been looking forward to the gig for months and was delighted that the night had finally come around. 


As 9pm approached the tightly packed crowd stood in eager anticipation of James taking to the stage. A few short minutes after 9pm the lights went down and we knew the moment had arrived. Then quite unexpectedly a side door of the theatre, half way up the wall opened and a spotlight picked out Tim Booth holding his mic and launching into an acoustic version of Sit Down. As he cleared the door way and moved onto the suspended walkway that leads up to the seating section, Larry Gott walked through the door strumming away on his acoustic guitar. What a magical sight seeing the 2 old pro's knocking out such a beautiful stripped down version of perhaps their best known anthem. Tim delighted the seated fans by walking right up to their section and standing in front of them under the glow of a spotlight singing his heart out. He then returned to the suspended walkway to close out the song to the delight of the throng below. 


The crowd were in fine voice as pretty much every song was known by everyone in the room. They played a few brand new songs from their soon to be released mini album. Luckily for me I'd been listening to them streamed from the James website so I knew every single song they sang. It was a perfect night. The encore brought such classics as "Tomorrow", "Sometimes" and the finale "Laid". What can I say? A truly memorable gig. James have still got the magic and the star quality in spades!

Forthcoming Gigs

Off to see "The Unthanks" on wednesday night at the Junction in Cambridge with my lovely wife. It'll be quite a low key affair. It's in Junction 2 which is a really small all-seater venue. Very intimate. Well suited to a band such as the Unthanks with their lovely lilting folky voices. Not exactly a rock gig by any stretch. Anyway on friday night (Oct 23rd) I'm off to the Cambridge Corn Exchange. Once again with my lovely wife and this time to see Newton Faulkner. We saw him last year (or thereabouts) and it was a fantastic gig. Great atmosphere and Newton was fully engaging the crowd in his banter. Hopefully this year the gig will be equally fantastic. I'm not that familiar with his new album as yet but the wonderful Spotify App is helping me out there (see my previous post for more details!). From first listen there seems to be less genius guitar work and guitar body slapping cleverness. I'll report back after the gig to confirm that.

Michael McIntyre Gig

My wife and I went to see the very funny comedian Michael McIntyre on monday July 20th. It was excellent. He always makes great observations that manage to be very funny without having to vindictively poke fun at anyone. It's great feel good comedy with no malice. I love it! Bizarrely despite his huge rise to popularity I still find some people saying "Michael McIntyre?.....who's he?......what does he look like?" hence the inclusion of the picture.