Tuesday 12 November 2024.

Tuesday 12 November 2024. ENGLISH TEACHER live at Shepherds Bush Empire. One of the newer bands that have had a great 2024. Should be interesting to see what all the fuss is about. In September 2024 artsy-indie band English Teacher won the Mercury Prize for their debut album 'This Could Be Texas'. The quartet, who formed while studying at the Leeds Conservatoire in 2020, are the first act from outside London to win the prize since Young Fathers in 2014. Judges said their album stood out "for its originality and character" and displayed a "fresh approach to the traditional guitar band format". The album reached the Top 10 in the UK chart. The band are playing a UK & European Tour. This show sold out in advance. ---------- TTSSFU arrived on stage at 8pm for their 30 mins. A cool new act fronted by Tasmin Nicole Stephens from Manchester. Her band feature three guys in white shirts /black ties Some nice vocals and guitar playing , but the band name is not really memorable . ENGLISH TEACHER arrived on stage at 9.10pm for their 75 mins. The band are in an exuberant mood, clearly lapping up the love from the London crowd after a summer of playing all the cool festivals. Tonight is very much a showcase of the album.' Broken Biscuits' , ' Not Everybody Gets To Go To Space' and ' I’m Not Crying, You’re Crying ' are all striking. There is a lot of instrument swapping in their set. Lily and Lewis both switch between guitar and keyboard, the Cellist also plays keyboard and, midway through, Douglas abandons the drum kit to play keys on a number of tracks and they prove they can still fill the room with their sound minus drums and excellent musicianship. Lily's lyrics and vocals are good throughout. Lots of polite swaying and head nodding from the crowd. They save the best for last though , with storming rendition of ' Albert Road' and encore of 'Good Grief'. They avoided playing any covers to pad out the set. A good show. -------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------- Monday 11 November 2024. SQUEEZE live at The Royal Albert Hall. Squeeze play their massive annual UK tour . I have seen Squeeze over 20 times since 1978, when they were a support act to Eddie & The Hot Rods at The Lyceum. I have seen them twice already this year in March when they were special guests at The Who's Royal Albert Hall shows. To celebrate their momentous 50th anniversary, British music legends Squeeze are embarking on a UK wide tour. With a half-century distinguished by some of the smartest and sweetest guitar-pop made during the rock & roll era, Squeeze will be performing an impressive list of hits and rare gems from their extensive back catalogue. Squeeze have had 12 x Top 40 singles in the UK, and 12 x Top 40 albums in the UK. They will be joined by special guest Badly Drawn Boy. I have seen him live a couple of times. Extra London date added ..22 November @ Roundhouse . As with other recent UK tours, Squeeze are again supporting Trussell (formerly “The Trussell Trust”) at all their shows, asking for donations of non-perishable food items on the night. Volunteers from local Trussell food banks will be present at our shows each night to collect money donations and let you know about their work in your area. ------------- BADLY DRAWN BOY on stage at 7.30pm for 40 mins. Damon Gough is still wearing his trademark woolly hat. A nice blend of onstage openness and humour, balancing the depth of his songs with light conversation and crowd interactions. Tracks played from his 25 year career , including his Top 10 hit from 2002 ' You Were Right'. He went down well with the crowd. The venue is rammed full when Squeeze arrived on stage. SQUEEZE on stage at 8.35pm for 1 hour 45 mins . Chris and Glenn are joined on stage by six other musicians, including a female backing singer , who are all top notch, and join in with all the excellent harmonies. The lyrics to Squeeze songs are incredible. When Squeeze released their landmark fourth album East Side Story in 1981, Rolling Stone declared, "In songwriters Glenn Tilbrook and Chris Difford, the British New Wave has finally found its own John Lennon and Paul McCartney.", but Chris and Glenn felt they were more like the songwriting partnership of Elton John and Bernie Taupin. Lots of classic hits played, and newer songs sound good. The crowd are up and dancing from 'Pulling Mussels ( From The Shell') onwards. The home run of several hits on the trot , sent the crowd into raptures, and finished an excellent show. Full SQUEEZE setlist played tonight.... Black Coffee in Bed Footprints Is That Love Up the Junction One Beautiful Summer Someone Else's Heart In Quintessence Departure Lounge Some Fantastic Place If I Didn't Love You Pulling Mussels (From the Shell) Another Nail in My Heart Annie Get Your Gun You Get the Feeling Hell on Earth Goodbye Girl Cradle to the Grave Slap & Tickle Tempted Cool for Cats Labelled With Love Hourglass Take Me I'm Yours After Hours ( The Velvet Underground cover) (Snippet performed by Danica Dora) Take Me I'm Yours (Reprise) ( With band introductions and solos)

Posted 11th November 2024