KILBURNFLYER

Gutted ain't the word. Just handed over my tickets to Hawkwind's 40th Anniversay gig at the Porchester Hall. Got to go see my folks who haven't been well. But on the bright side we won the ashes and Spurs are at the top of the premiership.

KILBURNFLYER

Joy unbound. Got tickets to the Muse shows at Teignmouth on Sept 5.

KILBURNFLYER

U2 were extremely professional if a bit over-polished to be truly exciting. A very impressive set which has the added advantage of allowing them to sell 8,000 more tickets than if the stage was at one end as is usual. Rather too much from the new album and nothing older than Sunday Bloody Sunday or New Years Day meant that it was slightly annoying. They have so many great songs from before that time that should get an airing every so often. This was the personification of corporate rock - impressive but not thrilling. Give me the Wildhearts any day !!

KILBURNFLYER

Off to see U2 at Wembley Stadium on Saturday. Normally love them - first saw them in about 1980 when they were relatively unknown thanks to a mate who had an Irish pen pal - but not really that excited by the prospect. Have become a bit overblown of late and rarely seem to do anything from before Joshua Tree. Lets hope for a few oldies.

KILBURNFLYER

Sonisphere was a great laugh. Paid extra to have VIP camping - right behind the stage, park car next to the tent that they put up for you and furnish with an inflatable mattress - which was well worth it -very very convenient, we got away in record time straight after Metallica and never worried about stuff getting nicked as it was in the boot of my car. Got drenched on Saturday but didn't spoil the fun, Didn't use the showers they laid on in VIP - queue in the morning was too long - but the toilets were as bad as ever. Anyway we went to see some bands so here are my thoughts:

Saturday -Band of the day - Wildhearts - last on and only got 45 minutes but fantastic even if they had a few technical issues. Had to follow Thunder which was a big ask as they made up for a poor Hammersmith show with a great final set in a jam packed tent for their final UK show.

Heaven and Hell were superb as were Airbourne, Anthrax, Skindred and BFMV also very enjoyable. Bizarre sight of the day was Bjorn Again doing a very decent version of Enter Sandman. Alien Ant Farm only had one song. Also caught glimpses of Sylosis and Exit 10 both of whom played at Hammerfest. Linkin Park were very professional but just not my thing. Everyone else just not very memorable.

Sunday - Band of the day - Metallica - extremely good powerful set from a band that a so confident in themselves and their material. From Blackened, creeping death, fuel, of wolf and man to start all they way to hit the lights and seek and destroy at the end they were absolutely superb. Roll on November when I get to see them do two nights at MSG.

Limp Bizkit extremely impressive and made the most of their time. Wes Borland dressed is a bizarre outfit mad eit all the more visual. Saxon played a good set but were plagued by terrible sound. Enjoyed Killing Joke especially "Eighties". Lamb of God/Machine Head decent in flashes - both a bit samey and nothing to set them apart from so many similar bands. Avenged Sevenfold clearly very impressive but surprisingly found Alice in Chains a bit dull. Buckcherry did a good opener. Corey Taylor acoustic half hour was forgettable.