Tuesday 07 May 2024.

Tuesday 07 May 2024. BLACK KEYS live at Brixton Academy. Black Keys play the first of three shows at Brixton, on their European Tour to promote their 12th album. ' Ohio Players ' is the twelfth studio album by American rock duo the Black Keys. It was released on April 5, 2024, by Easy Eye Sound and Nonesuch Records.It was preceded by lead single "Beautiful People (Stay High)" on January 12, 2024, and the second single "I Forgot to Be Your Lover", a cover of William Bell's 1968 song of the same title. I have seen Black Keys just the once before in 2012, when they headlined The 02 Arena. They also played The 02 Arena in June 2023. Support comes from Liverpudlian indie-rockers CIRCA WAVES, whose five albums have all gone Top 20 in the UK. ----------- This was my first proper gig back at Brixton ,after it's reopening with the restricted capacity tribute bands test show , a couple of weeks ago, that i attended. Much more livelier and hotter as it looks sold out. CIRCA WAVES came on at 7.45pm for 40 mins. They play a solid set of their indie-rock tunes. Pretty much an ideal support act for Black Keys. BLACK KEYS came on at 8.55pm for 1 hour 40 mins. The main duo have some musicians helping them out. They have a stunning arena sized production. Loads of lights and they have a backdrop of a dozen big screens , that mix between live footage and pre-recorded images. The big screens go between showing twelve different live images and one big one. Their best songs are the ones with dirty blues guitar riffs, mixed in with heavy drums. There was a classic cover song performed. Nice to see NOEL GALLAGHER come on stage for the first two songs of the encore, before the final song which was their biggie ' Lonely Boy'. A really good show. Full BLACK KEYS setlist played tonight... I Got Mine Gold on the Ceiling Your Touch Tighten Up Have Love Will Travel (Richard Berry & The Pharaohs cover) Everlasting Light Next Girl Lo/Hi This Is Nowhere Heavy Soul Weight of Love Howlin' for You Beautiful People (Stay High) Fever Wild Child I Heard It Through the Grapevine (Gladys Knight & the Pips cover) She's Long Gone Little Black Submarines Encore: Only Love Matters (with Noel Gallagher) On the Game ( with Noel Gallagher) Lonely Boy --------------------------------- --------------------------------- Monday 06 May 2024. BETTYE LAVETTE + CONNOR SELBY live at The Cadogan Hall , Chelsea , London SW1. Bettye LaVette is playing a short European Tour . Bettye LaVette (now aged 78) , is an American soul singer who made her first record at sixteen, but achieved only intermittent fame until 2005, when her album I've Got My Own Hell to Raise was released to widespread critical acclaim, and was named on many critics' "Best of 2005" lists. Her next album, The Scene of the Crime, debuted at number one on Billboard's Top Blues Albums chart and was nominated for Best Contemporary Blues Album at the 2008 Grammy Awards. She received the Legacy of Americana Lifetime Achievement Award at the 2023 Americana Music Honors & Awards. Bettye is a cult hero in soul circles. Bettye has been signed to many record labels over the past 60 odd years , including Atlantic and Motown. She seems to prefer recording other people's tracks, and has released a whole album of Bob Dylan songs. Bettye is one of the acts that The Rolling Stones have chosen for their current American Tour ,where she supports them in Chicago on 27 June. ------------- This cosy all seated 953 capacity is only half full. A nice older crowd as expected. Maybe the tickets at £60 and £45 were a bit too expensive compared to the usual shows here. CONNOR SELBY was on at 7.35pm for his 30 mins. Just him and his electric guitar playing nifty blues. One of the brightest talents on the UK blues scene. He has been voted “Young Artist of the Year” at the UK Blues Awards for the last three consecutive years (2020, 2021, 2022) and he already has an impressive venue checklist, including Wembley Stadium, where he opened for The Who in July 2019 ( i was there).. BETTYE LAVETTE on at 8.30pm for her 90 mins . Bettye was backed by a four piece band. Oddly the drummer played the first three songs with three drumsticks , two in his right hand. Bettye arrived on stage in her designer heels. She had a lectern with the lyric sheets on. She said she would never wear glasses on stage ,but that changed when she was diagnosed with CRS--- Can't Remember Shit. Bettye still has a great voice as she sung cover versions and originals from her 60 year career. She performed a few tracks from her new album 'Lavette'. At the end of the main set, she kicked off her shoes to perform a great little dance shuffle, and for the encore she went for a wander into the stalls seats. A very enjoyable show.

Posted 7th May 2024