First 6 months of 2013

17 January 2013 – Peter Hook and the Light, Koko

Playing the first two New Order Albums Movement and Power Corruption & Lies in order. Wasn’t sure this would work but Hooky can both play and sing. I was transferred back to the very early 80s for one magical night. Hope to see him do a Joy Division set soon.

14 February 2013 – Black Light Burns, Underworld

Wes Borland’s side project – hardly knew any of their songs apart from “how to look naked” but what great energy and a quite intense show.

15 & 16 March 2013 – Status Quo, Apollo Hammersmith

I missed Hammerfest – a proper metal festival - just for these two shows. I am so glad I did. Both shows were exactly the same and quite brilliant. A sad reminder of how good they were and how poor they have become. Alan Lancaster was looking very frail with his illness but in very strong voice. I so hope these were not the last shows I see by the “Frantic Four” but fear they might be. A definite headliner if they ever resurrect the High Voltage festival.

5 & 6 April – Wildhearts, manchester Academy and Nottinghamd Rock City

A Wildhearts road trip for the 20^th Anniversary of Earth vs The Wildhearts. Brilliantly conceived show – whole album starting with Greetings from Shitsville and the 2^nd half the crowd got to choose the songs. Two songs on big placards were paraded on the stage and the one that got the loudest cheer got played. |Some obscure songs and some very tough choices. Shouted myself hoarse at Rock City  when Nita nitro was one of the choice....all to no avail.

22 April 2013 – Endless Boogie, Small Club near Waterloo

Their name sums them up – some very long songs but from memory very enjoyable.

27 April 2013 – Saxon, Shepherds Bush Empire

Saxon never let you down. Always enjoyable. Nuff said.

15-22 May 2013 – Hard Rock Road trip

A great week long piss up interrupted by a number of very forgettable bands with the exception of the Quireboys and RSJ. They whole thing is more about the fun than the music.

31 May 2013 – The Smyths, 229 Club

My next door neighbour’s Smiths tribute band – a great fun night – all the classics well delivered.

6 June 2013 – Megadeth, Brixton Academy

Utter shite – love this band and nothing wrong with what they did but the sound was just so awful that I thought they were playing next door. A total wasted night.

14-16 June 2013 – Download Festival, Donington Park

On paper the strongest line up for a long time – Slipknot, Maiden and Rammstein with Limp Bizkit, Volbeat, UFO, Korn, Papa Roach, Motorhead, Airbourne and Black Star Riders. Overall a very good festival – the highlight for me was Limp bizkit on Sunday night who were playing opposite Rammstein so pulled out all the stops...a full on greatest hits set. A spitfire flypast to herald the arrival of Maiden was a brilliant touch that will live long in the memory. There is nothing like the sound of a merlin engine. If there is any justice, Volbeat will headline this festival one day.....they are that good.

22 June 2013 – Wildhearts, Forum

Same format as earlier in the year with the same result....I lost my voice singing.

24 June 2013 – ZZ Top, Apollo Hammersmith

As smooth as silk and as great as ever. But at £50 a ticket for 70 mins including encore I felt a bit ripped off.

28-30 June 2013 - Graspop Festival, Dessel, Belgium

Fewer great bands than the last two years but with Slipknot, Maiden and Twisted Sister headlining it was still decent. A brilliantly organised festival and on a much better scale than Download. Twisted Sister played in an awful downpour...a bit like we got all day at Deep Purple at Knebworth in ’85..but still played a great set. Slipknot great as every and Maiden ok ..... same set as download but not as well delivered. Other highlight was testament in a tent....got right down the front...chest against the stage. Made me feel 17 again.  

7 July 2013 – Suicidal Tendencies, Electric Ballroom

Ok not great. Another band I have lost count of the number of times I have seen but a bit going through the motions almost knowing that they will never recapture past glories. Time hangs heavier on some bands than it does on others. Suicidal are not ageing well.

12 July 2013 – AC/DC UK, Malvern Theatre

I have a soft spot for tribute bands, especially good ones and AC/DC UK are a good one. A good Brian Johnson with a strong voice (arguably better than the real thing) and an Angus who is about the same age and size so is a dead spit for the real thing and wow can he play. Starting with Riff Raff will always get me on your side....especially if it is done well, which it was.

27-28 July – Steelhouse Festival, Ebbw Vale

A very small festival (4-5K max) up a mountain just outside Ebbw Vale. Awful weather but great sound, two great headliners in Saxon and Schenker with quite a few decent acts in support. As such a small festival in a really odd place...I kid you not it was a 15 minute drive up a very steep part tarmac part metalled road....it had a really great atmosphere, a decent bar, good food and as is usual for a rock festival...lots of nice people. Schenker and his new band played very well and Saxon were as reliable and punchy as always. Truckers Diablo were very tight and certainly one to look out for in the future and I like what I heard of Skam. Bit disappointed with Snakecharmer...all the old Whitesnake stuff was excellent but the new material was a bit meh.