Got to see John Craigie and Sierra Hull yesterday. Excellent show. First time seeing either of them. Was there to see Sierra, but John was good too.
Was at the Birchmere, which is a great place, and a classic venue with a ton of history, but it’s a huge pain to get to logistically. I don’t think I’ve seen a concert there in well over 10 years, maybe 15. Nice show for getting back to it though.
For the second time this year, Jill Lorean. Last time was just her. This time was with her band, which includes Andy Monaghan from Frightened Rabbit. Fantastic show, again, in a tiny venue. She should be much bigger than she is. She’s great.
Went to see the always wonderful Kathryn Williams last night. Her latest album, Mystery Park, is just lovely, and so was the show. My photos, as usual, were not quite so lovely, but this one’s ok.
She said she has a day off today, and she’s off to see Gillian Welch and David Rawlings in Glasgow. Jealous…
I’ve been to a few gigs lately…
Did a double header in Dundee at the start of the month. First up was Brogeal, a blend of traditional Celtic folk and Indie. They were brilliant, and up there as one of my gigs of the year. Though I forgot my age for a while and did a bit too much bouncing towards the end. Did myself a bit of damage from which I have not yet recovered. Getting old, man…
The following night was Idlewild, supported by Jill Lorean. Third time seeing Jill Lorean this year, and she was great as always.
Idlewild were also very good. It was, hands down, the loudest gig I’ve ever been to. Like, dangerously loud. I couldn’t hear properly for two days afterwards, and was genuinely quite worried I’d permanently damaged my hearing. Fortunately, I hadn’t. Good gig though. I have now purchased little ear plug things…
Then I saw Hamish Hawk in Glasgow a couple of weeks ago. He’s a brilliant performer, with a great band behind him, and an increasingly impressive catalogue to draw from. It was, as expected, fantastic. The whole crowd singing along to Mauritian Badminton Doubles Champion was quite a moment.
I went to Haw River Ballroom in Saxapahaw, NC last night to catch Gillian Welch & David Rawlings on the fourth night of their current tour where they’re performing selections from the Grateful Dead’s live acoustic album, Reckoning as well as other material from the Dead’s live repertoire, all rendered acoustically. They were accompanied by Paul Kowert of Punch Brothers on standup bass. A snare drum was situated in front of Gillian with both her and Paul occasionally contributing percussion flourishes. This was night two of a two night stand at Haw River Ballroom.
Set I
Brown-Eyed Women
The Monkey and the Engineer
Oh Babe, It Ain’t No Lie
It Must Have Been the Roses
Bertha
Wharf Rat
Dire Wolf
Brokedown Palace
Casey Jones
Set II
Cold Rain and Snow
Sugaree
Loser
Deep Elem Blues
Bird Song>Stella Blue>Bird Song
Ripple
Encore
Cassidy>Uncle John’s Band>Cassidy
Althea
And We Bid You Goodnight
Wow, that sounds great.
It was. Also, a nod to the Grateful Dead’s roots in folk, bluegrass, and country music. Filmed in Nashville, TN a few days before I saw them.
