Recent Gigs

I went to two gigs last week. The Blockheads, Ian Dury's former backing band, were on at Burnley Mechanics. As you will see from earlier posts I saw Billy Bragg there last year and the atmospherer was brilliant. It was all standing. This time the audience was much more restrained and this was mainly due, I feel, to the fact that it was seated. There was theatre-type seating at the rear and some tables and chairs (cabaret club style) at the front leaving a small 'dancefloor' area. The band were really tight and the sound was good but it never really got going. By the end there were about nine people dancing but unfortunately they looked like refugees from a Young Farmers event trying to 'get down' to some reggae. I almost felt embarrassed for them.

On Sunday I went to see The Buzzcocks at 53 Degrees in Preston and the audience was much livelier. A spirited mosh pit got in swing, complete with the obligatory bloke who couldn't stay upright due to excess booze or drugs. It even threatened to get a bit tasty at one stage. The band themselves were in great form. Steve Diggle looks like the comedy version of Keith Richards and was playing to the audience most of the time - Pete Shelley hasn't aged as well but has tremendous energy. The hits came one after another and the pace was relentless throughout. I can well recommend seeing them if they play anywhere near where you are. Photos will follow.