Ho! Ho! Ho!
I did have a full Christmas blurb prepared, extolling the myriad virtues of Mince Pies and the joys of bad jokes in Christmas crackers, but I feared the heady mix of bad festive puns might be a bit too much for some of you.
No, really I did. Honest.
*koff*
Moving swiftly on for the last time in 2008; here are the pick of the gigs coming our way, freshly selected from the back pages of this week's bumper Christmas edition NME:
Of Montreal @ Digital, Brighton - 24/01/2009
Sky Larkin and Pulled Apart By Horses @ Audio, Brighton - 30/01/2009
Emmy The Great @ Komedia, Brighton - 02/02/2009
The Twang @ The Old Fire Station, Bournemouth - 03/02/2009
Fighting With Wire @ iBar, Bournemouth - 04/02/2009
The Coast @ Audio, Brighton - 04/02/2009
Fighting With Wire @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 06/02/2009
Fighting With Wire @ Hamptons, Southampton - 07/02/2009
Stricken City @ The Freebutt, Brighton - 11/02/2009
Stricken City @ Lennons, Southampton - 14/02/2009
Alkaline Trio and The Audition @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 15/02/2009
Secret Machines @ Digital, Brighton - 17/02/2009
Hockney, Passion Pit and Bear Hands @ Audio, Brighton - 17/02/2009
Late Of The Pier and Micachu @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portmouth - 20/02/2009
The View @ Southampton University Student Union - 22/02/2009
General Fiasco @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 22/02/2009
The Spinto Band @ The Joiners, Southampton - 27/02/2009
School Of Seven Bells @ Audio, Brighton - 01/03/2009
The Ting Tings @ The Guildhall, Portsmouth - 05/03/2009
Fall Out Boy @ The Brighton Centre - 08/03/2008
Goldie Lookin' Chain @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 23/03/2009
Goldie Lookin' Chain @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 25/03/2009
Bat For Lashes @ The Corn Exchange, Brighton - 16/04/2009
65daysofstatic @ The Talking Heads, Southampton - 25/04/2009
If you fear the outlaws may drive you mad over the Christmas period, or that you'll over-indulge with the Quality Street, or find you've watched The Great Escape that one time too many and are in dire need of leaving the house for an evening, then have no fear; I've perused the net and found the following gigs taking place during the forthcoming festivities...
19/12/2008
The Bog Rolling Stones @ The Brook, Southampton
Rusty Sheriff @ Little Johnny Russell's, Portsmouth
Viatrophy, Gehenna VII VII VII and In Her Ruin @ The Joiners, Southampton
The Visitors, Loz Bridge & The Box Social and Emily Barker @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth
Julian Nicholas' Heavy Plant Crossing @ Komedia, Brighton
The Booze Brothers @ The Rifle Club, Portsmouth
The Fabulous Rockman @ The Railway, Winchester
Amy MacDonald @ The Guildhall, Southampton
Zetan Spore @ The Fawcett Inn, Portsmouth
Roadhouse @ The Firehouse, Southampton
20/12/2008
Installation, Hijera and Zoo Zero @ The Joiners, Southampton
Perfect Alibi (Pink Floyd tribute) @ The Opera House, Bournemouth
Steve Arnott @ The Frog & Frigate, Southampton
The Ben Waters Band and The Spike Drivers @ Ashcroft Arts Centre, Fareham
Pencil Riot, The Bluescreen Of Death and Rosenkrantz @ The Hobbit, Southampton
Chicago Nine @ The RMA Tavern, Portsmouth
Rufus Stone @ The Brook, Southampton
The Reason @ The Railway, Winchester
Lynchpin @ The Firehouse, Southampton
21/12/2008
Speed The Collapse, Tigre Bite Tigre and Faireway @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
Furthest Drive Home, Out Of Sight and Skyline Heroes @ The Joiners, Southampton
Jools Holland and His Rhythm & Blues Orchestra @ BIC (Windsor Hall), Bournemouth
Brontide, Sion and Great Walls @ The Railway, Winchester
Gentle Bren (DJ) @ Little Johnny Russell's, Portsmouth
Jezebell @ The Platform Tavern, Southampton
The Damned @ Komedia, Brighton
22/12/2008
The Damned @ Komedia, Brighton
Kodiak Jack @ Havana Bar, Southsea
Lost On Landing, Not Advised and Burn The Fleet @ The Joiners, Southampton
Sensational Alex Harvey Band @ Concorde 2, Brighton
23/12/2008
The Jamm (tribute) @ The Opera House, Bournemouth
Inklings @ The Joiners, Southampton
The Bog Rolling Stones @ Little Johnny Russell's, Portsmouth
Status Quo @ BIC (Windsor Hall), Bournemouth
I See Sparks @ The Railway, Winchester
Bad Manners @ Concorde 2, Brighton
24/12/2008
Stone Free, Dave Miatt and Joe Parker @ The Hobbit, Southampton
Santa Gold (DJ) @ Little Johnny Russell's, Portsmouth
Rebel Yell (tribute) @ Chicago Rock Cafe, Fareham
The Silver Beatles (tribute) @ The Brook, Southampton
27/12/2008
Autons, Shegotsick and Night Of Treason @ Moodeaze, Gosport
Cream of Clapton (tribute) @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth
Stickee Ickee (DJ) @ The Hobbit, Southampton
Great Pretender (Queen tribute) @ The Opera House, Bournemouth
Red Indie with Dr Watson (DJ) and Skidmark (DJ) @ Little Johnny Russell's, Portsmouth
The Vegas @ The Joiners, Southampton
Mary Jane @ The RMA Tavern, Portsmouth
Timebomb @ The Brook, Southampton
28/12/2008
Clym Arnold & The Delta Breaks, The Lonely Cardinals and The B Of The Bang @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth
White Knuckle Revolution, Deity and Minds Gone Blank @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
Crossfire, The Realists and Castillo @ The Joiners, Southampton
Gentle Bren (DJ) @ Little Johnny Russell's, Portsmouth
29/12/2008
All New Comics @ The Joiners, Southampton
Kojak's Revenge @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
Max Hayes @ The Hobbit, Southampton
30/12/2008
Remain Silenced, Typheous and Boilith @ The Joiners, Southampton
Eric Prydz (DJ) @ The Opera House, Bournemouth
Dragon Eye Morrison, Little London and Cut The Blue Wire @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
31/12/2008
Burn The Fleet, Science Of Eight Limbs and Venice Ahoy @ The Joiners, Southampton
The Bog Rolling Stones @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
Valhalla @ The Firehouse, Southampton
...and here are gigs in the new year that you may want to add to your diary...
Miles From Anywhere, The White Coats and No Access @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 02/01/2009
Tiny Spark @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 03/01/2009
One Weird Fish @ The Square Brewery, Petersfield - 03/01/2009
Get Your Ass To Mars @ The Railway, Winchester - 03/01/2009
Mindless Self Indulgence, Bring Me The Horizon and Black Tide @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 18/01/2009
[spunge] @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 09/03/2009
You Me At Six @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 12/03/2009
And You Will Know Us By The Trail Of Dead @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 14/04/2009
Tonight Indie club night Waster will break out the snow machines for more winter mayhem at Liquid Envy, with Will Chump (Chaos) and Philip Harvey (HKGC) of the Southsea Mafia DJs supplying the tunes. There'll be plenty of tinsel and sparkly lights as well, plus the chance for one lucky punter to win a fridge full of Kick energy drink (just the thing for a Christmas hangover). Doors open from 2200, with admission £2.20 before 2300, rising to £3.20 after. Further details can be found on the event's Facebook page.
The Wedgewoods Rooms goes back in time tomorrow night, Friday 19th December, when retro night It's A Sin fires into life. DJs Monsieur Dangerous and Carlos De Lemona will be raiding the vinyl under the stairs for a heady mix of oldies and goldies; doors open from 2300 and admission is FREE!
The Hong Kong Gardeners Club have lined up an evening of live music at Southsea's Havana Bar on Boxing Day, just the thing to cure the cure the post-Christmas blues. As well as sets from Joe Black, Thos Henley and Balk Fiction you'll also be able to savour the DJing skills of Myke Eales (Aspect) and Andy Summerly (from The Strange Death of Liberal England). Doors open from 2000, admission is £3 on the door.
Hipshaker hot-steps it into Christmas this Saturday, 20th December, with a seasonal offering of classic 60s funk and soul served up by the resident Hipshaker DJs plus live music from Pompey surf/punk outfit Emptifish. Doors open at The Wedgewood Rooms at 2130, admission is £5.
The Macabret will be taking over The Edge of The Wedge this Monday, 22nd December, for an winter's evening of burlesque entertainment in aid of All Saints Hostel. In addition to performances from Ms Honour Mission and Ms Ruby Red there'll also be live music from Joe Black and Kelly Kemp. Admission is £4, doors from 2000-2330 and it's over 18s only.
Contact returns to South Parade Pier this New Year's Eve with sets from guest DJs Uberdruck, Chris Liberator, DJ X and A+D+A+M, plus residents Matt Handy, Gav Ravenous and Nathan D & Lanslide. Tickets are £25 in advance from from Ticketweb, doors open from 2100, with music through till 0400.
The Wedgewood Rooms hosts A Night For Joe Strummer on Tuesday, 23rd December, with all profits donated to Strummerville, the Joe Strummer Foundation for New Music. The line-up so far features The Racketeers, The Good Time Charlies, TFA and Archive 45, with further acts to be announced. Doors from 1930, tickets are £8 in advance.
Chaos will be celebrating Christmas in style this year, with two events at the The Wedgewood Rooms next week. First up is a cracker of a Christmas Eve special, featuring live music from Kill Kasper, Wyldside and Tricorn plus DJs Hev Stillet-Hoe and Ruby Soho. Then, if your liver has recovered from all the yuletide excess, Will Chump and DJ Lemon will be seeing in 2009 a few days early with The Alternative New Year Party on Saturday 27th December. Admission is £5 for either night; doors open from 2200 on the 27th, from 2100 on Christmas Eve.
Club night Kiss My Bass have planned the mother of all New Year's Eve parties at Southsea's Havana Bar, guaranteed to see 2009 in with a bang. DJs Charge and Tom Mayhem (Ricochet) will be joining residents Udy, Vol.1, Eratik Behaviour, Neil Doc and Fotza for an all-night session, with a live beatbox countdown to the New Year courtesy of Ochs. A new sound system and lighting rig are promised, plus the DJs have been told anything goes, so it's going to be large. Tickets are available in advance from the venue, or online from the Portsmouth page at http://www.dontstayin.com, priced at £8. The fun starts at 2100 and runs through to 0500. Oh lordy.
And that's it for the Gigwatcher for 2008; today I have mostly been listening to Pearl Jam, Muse and Kodiak Jack (with the Bo Selecta Proper Chrimbo tune on random for good measure). Thanks for putting up with my drivel landing in your inboxes or taking the time to read it on the blog, I hope Santa brings you all something very special (I've asked for Cheryl Tweedy again, fingers crossed) and not that CD by The Priests (which is a total rip off as it doesn't have My Lovely Horse on it). Be sure to join me in the New Year when I'll be breaking that resolution I foolishly made in a rare sober moment.
:o)
The Silly Season
You can tell it's near to the end of the year, the news stories always get just that more ridiculous. For instance, dancing political pundit John Sargeant is releasing a festive tune, Girls Aloud have announced they'll be supporting Coldplay next year and Axl Rose is suing Dr Pepper for not taking the release of the much delayed Chinese Democracy seriously.
Whatever next, Cliff Richard releasing a single with Slipknot?
[crosses fingers]
*koff*
Moving swiftly on, here's the pick of the forthcoming gigs plucked from the back pages of this week's NME:
Little Joy @ Audio, Brighton - 15/01/2009
The Bookhouse Boys @ Audio, Brighton - 22/01/2009
Alkaline Trio @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 15/02/2009
Late Of The Pier @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 18/02/2009
Late Of The Pier @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 20/02/2009
The View @ Southampton University Student Union - 22/02/2009
Snow Patrol @ BIC, Bournemouth - 22/02/2009 SOLD OUT!
Pure Reason Revolution @ The Joiners, Southampton - 07/03/2009
Fall Out Boy @ The Brighton Centre - 08/03/2009
Pure Reason Revolution @ Audio, Brighton - 16/03/2009
Lily Allen and La Roux @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 19/03/2009
Lily Allen and La Roux @ The Dome, Brighton - 20/03/2009
If I can peel myself away from my steaming mug of Horlicks and comfortable chair by the fire long enough I'll endeavour to update the SoMC Events Calendar with the gigs above. To be honest though, I get a bit sleepy after a hot cup of malty beverage, so I probably won't. Bless. To keep you going here's a selection of gigs coming your way over the next seven days...
04/12/2008
Will Young @ The Dome, Brighton SOLD OUT!
Kirk Brandon and Wise Children @ The RMA Tavern, Winchester
Kris Dollimore @ The Gun Room (The RMA Tavern), Portsmouth
Julian Joseph @ Turner Sims Concert Hall, Southampton
Red Snapper @ Concorde 2, Brighton CANCELLED!
Blues Etc @ The Platform Tavern, Southampton
The Holloways, Sam McCarthy and The Ramblings @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
The Rotted, Desolated and Driven By Devils @ The Joiners, Southampton
The UK Chili Peppers @ Little Johnny Russell's, Portsmouth
Sharleen Spiteri @ The Soul Cellar, Southampton (tickets available via wave105fm)
The Getaway Team, The Weather Committee and Midnight Embassy @ The Rifle Club, Portsmouth
Portico Quartet, Caroline's Capuchin and Shona Foster @ The Talking Heads, Southampton
05/12/2008
One Weird Fish @ The Drum, Petersfield
Luke Leighfield, Atlum Schema and Paperplane @ Hamptons, Southampton
Heaven 17, The Human League and ABC @ The Brighton Centre
Atlantico @ The Talking Heads, Southampton
The Suicide Rooms, Freakpit and Press Any Key @ The Alma Arms, Portsmouth
Adrian Edmondson & The Bad Shepherds @ The Brook, Southampton
The Bog Rolling Stones (tribute) and The Small Fakers (tribute) @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth
Alice's Band @ The Soul Cellar, Southampton
Attack! Attack!, 84MM and The Auteur @ The Freebutt, Brighton
The Legendary Derek @ The Frog & Frigate, Southampton
Martyn Joseph @ The Studio at The Petersfield School
The Van Jammers @ The Hobbit, Southampton
Medallist and Incredible Weapons @ The RMA Tavern, Winchester
Ardentes, Waiting For Sirens and Chemical Sunset @ The Joiners, Southampton
Six Million Dollar Man Club (DJ) @ Little Johnny Russell's, Portsmouth
Legend @ The Firehouse, Southampton
06/12/2008
The Gran Torinos and Sunset Mission @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth
Jools Holland and his Rhythm & Blues Orchestra @ The Brighton Centre
Perfect Alibi (Pink Floyd tribute) @ The Brook, Southampton
Uiscedwr @ Ashcroft Arts Centre, Fareham
Flash Guns @ Unit, Southampton
Simian Mobile Disco @ Little Johnny Russell's, Portsmouth
Nicotine Smile and Seven Day Weekend @ The RMA Tavern, Winchester
Attack! Attack!, Not Advised and Dead Mile @ The Joiners, Southampton
Adriano Adewale Group @ Salisbury Arts Centre
Atomic Badger @ The Square Brewery, Petersfield
Superfly @ The Red Lion, Stubbington
Time For Action @ The Fawcett Inn, Portsmouth
Powerplant @ The Pavilion, Brighton
Ghoad @ The Firehouse, Southampton
Heaven 17, The Human League and ABC @ BIC, Bournemouth
The Zutons @ The Dome, Brighton
Exit 10 and Glamour Of The Kill @ Hamptons, Southampton
The Jelly Rollers @ The RMA Tavern, Portsmouth
Neville Staple @ Concorde 2, Brighton CANCELLED!
Scaramoose @ The Hobbit, Southampton
07/12/2008
Joan As Policewoman @ Concorde 2, Brighton
The Velvet Hearts and Tremain @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth
Venice Ahoy, Colour and Joey Nightmare @ The Joiners, Southampton
Gentle Bren (DJ) @ Little Johnny Russell's, Portsmouth
Johnny B & Denovo @ The Hobbit, Southampton
Ade Cull and Peter Paul Parker @ The RMA Tavern, Portsmouth
AOR (feat. Dave Sharp of The Alarm) and Time For Action @ The Talking Heads, Southampton
Imelda May and Roxanne Johns @ The RMA Tavern, Winchester
David Celia @ The Platform Tavern, Southampton
08/12/2008
Ben Ottewell (Gomez) and Little Gem @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
Caroline Nin @ Komedia, Brighton CANCELLED!
Dead Like Harry @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth
Official Secrets Act, I See Sparks and The Inklings @ Hamptons, Southampton
Digital Delay, Atlas and The Rivers Of Sound @ The Rifle Club, Portsmouth
Paul Curreri and Danni Nichols @ Komedia, Brighton
09/12/2008
iliketrains, Jeniferever and The Strange Death Of Liberal England @ The Joiners, Southampton
The Pigeon Detectives @ BIC, Bournemouth
Isobel Campbell & Mark Lanegan and The Miserable Rich @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
St Agnes Fountain @ Ashcroft Arts Centre, Fareham
Aitch, Doubleback Alley and Paddy Taylor @ Little Johnny Russell's, Portsmouth
James @ The Dome, Brighton
All Forgotten @ Hamptons, Southampton
The Parlotones, Recreation and Beau Monde @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth
Suspiciously Elvis (tribute) @ Komedia, Brighton
The Exits, Dan Rumsey and The Real Raj @ The Edge of The Wedge, Portsmouth
The Fratellis @ The Guildhall, Southampton SOLD OUT!
10/12/2008
Wilko Johnson and The Riotous Brothers @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth
The Rezillos @ The Brook, Southampton
Shona Foster and Cordelia Fellowes & Co @ Komedia, Brighton
The Redwalls and The Broken Hearts @ Hamptons, Southampton
Atomic Jones (tribute) @ Chicago Rock Cafe, Fareham
The Trevor John Band @ Havant Arts Centre
Paul Jones & Dave Kelly @ The Studio at The Petersfield School
Never Back Down, Pancake Eating Freaks and Canada Water @ The Joiners, Southampton
Suspiciously Elvis (tribute) @ Komedia, Brighton
Five By Five and Doghouse @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
Jackson & The Spangles, Jazica and Zoe Croune @ The RMA Tavern, Winchester
Apocalyptica @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth
John Otway @ The Soul Cellar, Southampton
Fritz @ The Square Brewery, Petersfield
...and here are some others you may want to add to your diary...
Richard Thompson @ The City Hall, Salisbury - 05/02/2009
The Spinto Band @ The Joiners, Southampton - 27/02/2009
Noah & The Whale @ St George's Church, Brighton - 07/03/2009
Same Difference @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 12/03/2009
Starsailor @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 04/04/2009
This week's Waster features live music from funkers Blue Alert and electro outfit Lighthouses, with Will Chump and DJ Lemon of the Southsea Mafia pumping out the finest indiepunkelectroraverock in town afterward. Doors from 2200-0230, with admission £2.20 before 2300 (£3.20 after); details of how to blag your way in for less can be found on the event's Facebook page.
The chaps at Kiss My Bass launch their new 'genre clash' night, Ugly Beats, at the Havana Bar this Saturday, 6th December. Joining Ugly Beats residents Dirtbox and Darkfloor will be guest DJs Tom Mayhem and (one half of) Hated In The Face. Admission is FREE, doors from 2100, music through till 0100.
Santa will be getting on his good foot at The Wedgewood Rooms this Saturday, 6th December, when Funkt-If-Ino hold their Christmas Extravaganza. Resident DJs Darth Fader and Chewbazza will be dishing up a hot helping of festive helping of disco, funk and soul to get you in the festive mood. Admission is £5, doors from 2200.
The Talking Heads hosts Southampton singer-songwriter Ben Dlugokecki's 6th Annual Xmas Xtravaganza this Saturday, 6th December. The line-up for this year features local bands The Warm, The Bizets and The Reservoirs, plus Ben's band Dlugokecki (who will have learned some special Christmas covers for the occasion). The first band will be onstage at 1930, tickets are £5 in advance and £7 on the night.
Fareham based popster Joe Ward and Portsmouth indie four-piece Sunset Mission will be the musical guests at Roger Courtney's Open Mike Club tomorrow, Thursday 4th December. As usual, there'll be FREE admission to The Barn at The Milton Arms, with doors open at 1900 and live music from 2000. The regular Open Mike session will follow from 2200 through till Midnight. More information can be found on Facebook.
And that about wraps it up for this week; today I have mostly been listening to a couple of compilations I knocked up awhile back and some assorted 80's pop. Be sure to join me next week when I'll be throttling back the flange manifold.
:o)
Chinese Democracy
After 14 years, several line-up changes, lots of speculation and somewhere in the region of $13 Million, the "long awaited" new album from Guns N Roses is scheduled for release next month (the 24th of November to be precise). Whether this means the good people at Dr Pepper will make good on their promise to give a free can of fizzy pop to every US citizen is so far unconfirmed.
Yup, I reckon they're going to wuss out on that one...
*koff*
Eyes down for a full house; the following gigs were plucked from the back pages of this week's NME:
Florence & The Machine @ Digital, Brighton - 29/10/2008
Evil Nine @ Digital, Brighton - 06/11/2008
Dananananaykroyd @ The Fat Fox, Portsmouth - 11/11/2008
Data Select Party @ The Joiners, Southampton - 14/11/2008
Gogol Bordello @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 23/11/2008
The Pigeon Detectives @ BIC (Solent Hall), Bournemouth - 09/12/2008
Flamboyant Bella @ The Joiners, Southampton - 12/12/2008
The Streets @ The Dome, Brighton - 28/01/2009
It's possible that I'll find some time this weekend to add the above gigs onto the sadly neglected SoMC Events Calendar. It's also just as possible that I'll get kidnapped by Girls Aloud and made to do their bidding. It's far more likely, however, that neither will occur and, instead, I'll find myself propping up a bar somewhere, tapping my foot and making the place look untidy. So, to keep you going, here's a selection of some fine local gigs happening over the next seven days...
The Dodge Brothers @ The Platform Tavern, Southampton - 23/10/2008
Joe Brown @ The Anvil, Basingstoke - 23/10/2008 SOLD OUT!
Stan Tracey Trio @ Turner Sims, Southampton - 23/10/2008
Robin Bibi @ The RMA Tavern, Portsmouth - 23/10/2008
Mean Poppa Lean and Floors & Walls @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 23/10/2008
Babel and The B Of The Bang @ The Fat Fox, Portsmouth - 23/10/2008
Hot Chip @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 23/10/2008
Lulla Violet, The Escapade and Harlem Rose @ Havant Arts Centre - 23/10/2008
Jackie Leven, Loz Bridge & The Box Social and Zac Harris @ The Joiners, Southampton - 23/10/2008
Hot Leg (ex-The Darkness) and Club Le Shark @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 23/10/2008
Vessels, Last Days Of Lorca and Kumiss @ The Freebutt, Brighton - 23/10/2008
Rusty Sheriff & Friends @ Little Johnny Russell's, Portsmouth - 23/10/2008
Flook @ The Forge, Basingstoke - 23/10/2008 SOLD OUT!
Coast, Asker and This Year's Crisis @ The Railway, Winchester - 23/10/2008
Subhumans @ The Talking Heads, Southampton - 23/10/2008
Lucy Kaplansky @ Komedia, Brighton - 23/10/2008
Boy George @ BIC (Pavilion), Bournemouth - 24/10/2008
Catalyst @ The Firehouse, Southampton - 24/10/2008
ARE Weapons, Ulterior and Lachlan Horne @ The Railway, Winchester - 24/10/2008
Geno Washington @ The Brook, Southampton - 24/10/2008
Brand New Heavies @ The Brighton Centre (East Wing) - 24/10/2008
Underworld @ The Brighton Centre - 24/10/2008
Cheeky Cheeky & The Nosebleeds and Fresh Legs @ The Soul Cellar, Southampton - 24/10/2008
Jet Harris & Billie Davies @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 24/10/2008 CANCELLED!
Autons, EJ Norman, Gliiitches and Andrew Morrison (DJ) @ The Fawcett Inn, Portsmouth - 24/10/2008
The Legendary Derek @ The Frog & Frigate, Southampton - 24/10/2008
Michael Messer & Ed Genis @ Havant Arts Centre - 24/10/2008
Sam McCarthy, The 95s and Andy Muscat @ The Bronze Doors (Guildhall), Portsmouth - 24/10/2008
The Decoys and Out Of Embers @ The Hobbit, Southampton - 24/10/2008
Hated In The Face (DJ) @ The Fat Fox, Portsmouth - 24/10/2008
Fearne, Hold Fire and Peachy Lane @ The Joiners, Southampton - 24/10/2008
Mahjongg, Revenge Of Shinobi and Esben & The Witch @ The Freebutt, Brighton - 24/10/2008
Nizlopi, Dlugokecki and The Vision @ The Talking Heads, Southampton - 24/10/2008
Gloria Sparkles (DJ) @ Little Johnny Russell's, Portsmouth - 24/10/2008
Lucy Kaplansky @ Ashcroft Arts Centre, Fareham - 24/10/2008
The Research @ Hamptons, Southampton - 24/10/2008
Paul Carrack @ BIC (Pavilion), Bournemouth - 25/10/2008
Easy Star All-Stars and Ed Rome @ The Brook, Southampton - 25/10/2008
Bex Marshall @ The RMA Tavern, Portsmouth - 25/10/2008
The Hoosiers @ The Brighton Centre - 25/10/2008
The Legendary Derek @ The Frog & Frigate, Southampton - 25/10/2008
Gentle Bren (DJ) @ The Fat Fox, Portsmouth - 25/10/2008
Lachlan Horne and Nick Shepherd @ The Hobbit, Southampton - 25/10/2008
Delphic Oracle, Cool Banana, Red Hunnie and The Architects @ The Barn at The Milton Arms, Portsmouth - 25/10/2008
The Darling Age, Hoodoo Scoundrels and Sterling @ The Joiners, Southampton - 25/10/2008
Oxes, Bilge Pump and Ack Ack Ack @ The Freebutt, Brighton - 25/10/2008
You Me At Six @ Southampton University Student Union - 25/10/2008
Red Indie with Dr Watson (DJ) and Skidmark (DJ) @ Little Johnny Russell's, Portsmouth - 25/10/2008
Perfect Alibi (Pink Floyd tribute) @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 25/10/2008
The Deadstring Brothers and The Goodtime Charlies @ The Railway, Winchester - 25/10/2008
Brand New Heavies @ The Soul Cellar, Southampton - 25/10/2008 SOLD OUT!
Atomic Badger @ The Square Brewery, Petersfield - 25/10/2008
Pantera and Prozium @ The Firehouse, Southampton - 25/10/2008
Zetan Spore @ The Fawcett Inn, Portsmouth - 25/10/2008
Bring Me The Horizon and The Secret Handshake @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 26/10/2008
James & Denovo @ The Hobbit, Southampton - 26/10/2008
Ingrid Laubrock's Sleepthief @ The Forge, Basingstoke - 26/10/2008
Edwina Hayes @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 26/10/2008
Fight Like Apes and The Ardentes @ Hamptons, Southampton - 26/10/2008
The Rivers Of Sound @ The RMA Tavern, Portsmouth - 26/10/2008
No Quarter Given, Insinerate and Your Deadline @ The Joiners, Southampton - 26/10/2008
Gentle Bren (DJ) @ Little Johnny Russell's, Portsmouth - 26/10/2008
Kent Duchaine @ The Platform Tavern, Southampton - 26/10/2008
Nepwrack, Obsessive Complulsive and Valhalla @ The Railway, Winchester - 26/10/2008
Kumiss @ The Soul Cellar, Southampton - 26/10/2008
Julie Fowlis and Emily Smith @ Komedia, Brighton - 27/10/2008
A Silent Film, The Foxes and Birdpen @ The Joiners, Southampton - 27/10/2008
Frank Turner, Chris T-T, Emily Barker and The Dawn Chorus @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 27/10/2008
Easy Star All-Stars @ Komedia, Brighton - 27/10/2008
Kids In Glass House @ Southampton University Student Union - 27/10/2008
The White Knuckle Blues Band @ The Fat Fox, Portsmouth - 27/10/2008
Sly & Robbie @ The Brook, Southampton - 28/10/2008
Caimbo, Kodiak Jack, Wyld Side and The Levels @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 28/10/2008
Bellowhead @ The City Hall, Salisbury - 28/10/2008
Ralph McTell @ The Anvil, Basingstoke - 28/10/2008
Luke Jackson, Michael McLinn and The Visitors @ The Edge of The Wedge, Portsmouth - 28/10/2008
Tango Siempre Quintet @ Komedia, Brighton - 28/10/2008
Dan & Denovo @ The Hobbit, Southampton - 28/10/2008
The Holloways, Underground Heroes and Bear Hands @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 28/10/2008
Mystery Jets, Golden Silvers and Screaming Lights @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 28/10/2008 SOLD OUT!
Johnny Flynn & The Sussex Wit @ The Joiners, Southampton - 28/10/2008
Glenn Tilbrook & The Fluffers @ Komedia, Brighton - 28/10/2008
Olafur Arnalds @ Komedia, Brighton - 28/10/2008
Run Of The Mill, Digital Delay, The Issues and Midnight Embassy @ The Railway Rifle Club, Portsmouth - 28/10/2008
James Yuill, James Bright and Nina Schofield @ The Railway, Winchester - 28/10/2008
Bad Science @ The Soul Cellar, Southampton - 28/10/2008
Paul Carrack @ The City Hall, Salisbury - 29/10/2008
3 Daft Monkeys and Thinker @ The Brook, Southampton - 29/10/2008
Gerardo Nuñez Quintet @ The Anvil, Basingstoke - 29/10/2008
Navi (Michael Jackson tribute) @ Chicago Rock Cafe, Fareham - 29/10/2008
Dekolta, The Model Village and Magic Monkey Theory @ The Joiners, Southampton - 29/10/2008
Roses Kings Castles, The Reason and Great Walls @ The Railway, Winchester - 29/10/2008
You Me At Six @ Komedia, Brighton - 29/10/2008
The Red Shore and Viatrophy @ Hamptons, Southampton - 29/10/2008
Glenn Tilbrook & The Fluffers @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 29/10/2008
Goldfrapp @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 29/10/2008
James Yuill, The B Of The Bang and Damien Flynn @ Drift, Southsea - 29/10/2008
Misty's Big Adventure @ The Talking Heads, Southampton - 29/10/2008
Martyn Joseph @ Komedia, Brighton - 29/10/2008
Wheatus @ The Joiners, Southampton - 02/11/2008
Rosalie Deighton & The Dirty Storys @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 25/11/2008
Owing to illness, legendary denim rockers Status Quo have unfortunately had to postpone their planned visit to Portsmouth's Guildhall this Sunday, 26th October. The gig has been rescheduled for Saturday 14th February 2009; original tickets are valid, refunds can be obtained from point of purchase.
In addition to live music from local bands Venice Ahoy and Joey Nightmare, plus classic tunes from Will Chump and Phil Harvey of the Southsea Mafia DJs, Waster this week features a DJ set from Avenge and Lusille of the Suicide Girls. The doors of Portsmouth's Envy nightclub will be open from 2200, with admission just £2.20 before 2300 (£3.20 after). Further information, including how to get in for £1, can be found on Facebook.
The Wedgewood Rooms hosts Chaos, Portsmouth's premiere indie club night, this Saturday, 25th October. DJs Will Chump and Ruby Soho will be ruling the decks in the Main Room, with DJ Marky Marc offering some alternative tunes in the Chaos Lounge. Admission is £5 on the door, with entry from 2200; the sounds go through to 0300, with last admission at 0100.
Kiss My Bass returns to Southsea's Café Havana this Saturday, 25th October, for another raucous evening of beats, breaks and electro. Paul Hamilton (Something's Missing/Ricochet) and 8 Bit Bitch (Sumo/Hong Kong Gardener's Club) are the guest DJs this month, joining KMB residents Udy, Aimz, Eratik Behaviour and Fotza. The event runs from 2000-0100, with FREE entrance before 2200 (£2 after). A selection of mixes, from both resident and guest DJs, can be downloaded from the KMB website.
Singer-songwriter Flis Pitman and indie popsters Brassneck are the guest artists at Roger Courtney's Open Mike Club tomorrow, Thursday 23rd October. The doors of The Barn at The Milton Arms open at 1900, with music from 2000; the Open Mike session follows the guests, from 2200 through to midnight. Admission is FREE and further details more information can be found on the Facebook group page.
Hose me down with beer and gravy, that's me done; today I've mostly been listening to the most excellent Flight of The Conchords and the best of Gil Scott-Heron, with a bit of Spiritualized thrown in for good measure. Be sure to join me next week when I'll be rocking the suburbs.
:o)
That Place Up The Road
Bundled with this week's NME was the Indie Map of Britain and Ireland, a repackaged edition of the Student Guide the magazine usually punts out at this time of the year. Whereas Portsmouth made it as a foot-note on Southampton's double-page entry last year, thanks to The Wedgewood Rooms if memory serves, Pompey doesn't get a mention this time around.
Not that I'm bitter.. but..
*koff*
Moving swiftly on; I plucked the following gigs from the back pages of this week's plastic wrapped edition of the NME:
The Paddingtons @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 01/10/2008
Lykke Li @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 02/10/2008
Team Waterpolo and Defend Moscow @ Audio, Brighton - 03/10/2008
Team Waterpolo and Defend Moscow @ The Joiners, Southampton - 05/10/2008
One Night Only @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 07/10/2008 SOLD OUT!
Stephen Stills @ The Brighton Centre - 10/10/2008
The Paddingtons @ Audio, Brighton - 25/10/2008
Red Light Company @ The Cellars, Portsmouth - 09/11/2008
Red Light Company @ The Joiners, Southampton - 11/11/2008
Red Light Company @ Coalition, Brighton - 12/11/2008
Pete & The Pirates @ The Fat Fox, Southsea - 13/11/2008
Red Light Company @ Boileroom, Guildford - 13/11/2008
The Automatic and Nick Harrison @ The Old Fire Station, Bournemouth - 19/11/2008
Guillemots @ The Pyramids, Portsmouth - 21/11/2008
I'm From Barcelona @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 26/11/2008
Pete & The Pirates @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 29/11/2008
Keane @ BIC, Bournemouth - 03/02/2009
Keane @ The Brighton Centre - 10/02/2009
I shall, of course, endeavour to add the above gigs onto the SoMC Events Calendar sometime during the weekend (but, given that I'm fairly useless when it comes to time management, it's highly likely that I'll run out of hours in the day with nothing posted). The Events Calendar is (when I eventually get around to updating it) a handy repository of musical events in the local area, full of lovely gigs like these...
Ezio, Fearne and Mercury Men @ The Opera House, Bournemouth - 25/09/2008
The Fall The Rise, Rushing With Apathy and Sex Hungry Grannies @ The Joiners, Southampton - 25/09/2008
Dennis Locorriere @ The Anvil, Basingstoke - 25/09/2008
Islands @ The Freebutt, Brighton - 25/09/2008
The Ornament Birds and James Cullen @ Basement Jaks (Jolly Sailor), Portsmouth - 25/09/2008
The Ting Tings @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 25/09/2008 SOLD OUT!
The Hamsters @ Komedia, Brighton - 25/09/2008
Kill Kasper @ The Fat Fox, Portsmouth - 25/09/2008
Jake Shillingford and Dlugokecki @ The Railway, Winchester - 25/09/2008
Dave Arcari @ The Platform Tavern, Southampton - 25/09/2008
The Evil Puppies @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 26/09/2008
Recreation, Goodnight Johnathan and Alex Kriche @ The Hobbit, Southampton - 26/09/2008
Brian Houston, Polly Wood & Steve Picken @ The Studio at The Petersfield School - 26/09/2008
Hot Rats @ The Fat Fox, Portsmouth - 26/09/2008
Y&T @ The Brook, Southampton - 26/09/2008
Millencolin @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 26/09/2008
Kaiko and Sion @ The Railway, Winchester - 26/09/2008
Hong Kong Gardeners Club (DJ) @ Basement Jaks (Jolly Sailor), Portsmouth - 26/09/2008
Max Pashm Band and Andy Satellite (DJ) @ Komedia, Brighton - 26/09/2008
Vinnie Void (DJ) @ The Fawcett Inn, Portsmouth - 26/09/2008
Lonely Joe Parker, Peter Lyons and James Ewers @ Hamptons, Southampton - 26/09/2008
Schizophonic @ The Red Lion, Stubbington - 26/09/2008
The Uplifter (DJ) @ The Talking Heads, Portsmouth - 26/09/2008
The Legendary Derek @ The Frog & Frigate, Southampton - 27/09/2008
Celtish @ Ashcroft Arts Centre, Fareham - 27/09/2008
The Silver Beatles @ The Brook, Southampton - 27/09/2008
Prior Engagement @ The RMA Tavern, Portsmouth - 27/09/2008
Bury Tomorrow, Random Conflict and Many Things Untold @ The Joiners, Southampton - 27/09/2008
The Trevor John Band @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 27/09/2008
Spiers & Boden and Chris Ricketts @ The Studio at The Petersfield School - 27/09/2008
Dirty Rat Child (DJ) and The Uplifter (DJ) @ The Hobbit, Southampton - 27/09/2008
Gentle Bren (DJ) @ The Fat Fox, Portsmouth - 27/09/2008
Civilian and Narration @ The Freebutt, Brighton - 27/09/2008
Red Indie with Dr Watson (DJ) and Skidmark (DJ) @ Little Johnny Russell's, Portsmouth - 27/09/2008
The Mustangs @ The Square Brewery, Petersfield - 27/09/2008
Suckerpunch @ The Railway, Winchester - 27/09/2008
Fighting With Wire and General Fiasco @ Hamptons, Southampton - 27/09/2008
Bowie Experience (tribute) @ The Talking Heads, Portsmouth - 27/09/2008
The Peth and Hijera @ The Soul Cellar, Southampton - 28/09/2008
G2 (Genesis tribute) @ The Brook, Southampton - 28/09/2008
Kaid and [tba] @ The RMA Tavern, Portsmouth - 28/09/2008
James & Denovo @ The Hobbit, Southampton - 28/09/2008
Die So Fluid, Endless Dissent and Thinking For Tuesday @ The Railway, Winchester - 28/09/2008
Lost On Landing, Out Of Sight and Mimi Soya @ The Joiners, Southampton - 28/09/2008
Gentle Bren (DJ) @ Little Johnny Russell's, Portsmouth - 28/09/2008
Alex Roberts @ The Platform Tavern, Southampton - 28/09/2008
Tiny Spark @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 28/09/2008
Dragonforce and Turisas @ The Guildhall, Southampton - 28/09/2008 SOLD OUT!
Canterbury and Long Story Short @ Hamptons, Southampton - 28/09/2008
Prior Engagement @ The Fat Fox, Portsmouth - 29/09/2008
Voodoo Six, Breaker and Montrose Ave @ The Freebutt, Brighton - 29/09/2008
Golden Silvers, Ex Lovers and Citadels @ The Joiners, Southampton - 29/09/2008
Liz Green, Ben Wetherill and Tom Brosseau @ Komedia, Brighton - 29/09/2008
This Town Needs Guns, Tall Ships and Luke Leighfield @ The Railway Rifle Club, Portsmouth - 29/09/2008
White Lies @ Komedia, Brighton - 29/09/2008
Bromheads Jacket @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 30/09/2008
Serafina Steer, Animal Magic Tricks and Daisy-Emily @ The Freebutt, Brighton - 30/09/2008
Lovvers and You're Smiling Now But We'll All Turn Into Demons @ The Nell Gwynne, Portsmouth - 30/09/2008
Radu Lupu @ Turner Sims Concert Hall, Southampton - 30/09/2008 SOLD OUT!
Herbie Goins and The Norman Beaker Band @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 30/09/2008
Kill Hannah @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 30/09/2008
Oxygen Thief, Champ Of The Day and Hometown Show @ The Edge of The Wedge, Portsmouth - 30/09/2008
Andy & Denovo @ The Hobbit, Southampton - 30/09/2008
Ladyhawke @ Komedia, Brighton - 30/09/2008
The Plight, Outcry Collective and Immortal Youth @ The Joiners, Southampton - 30/09/2008
The Inklings @ The Talking Heads, Portsmouth - 30/09/2008
HPR, The James Cleaver Quartet and Venice Ahoy @ Hamptons, Southampton - 30/09/2008
Neil Cowley Trio @ Komedia, Brighton - 01/10/2008
The Paddingtons @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 01/10/2008
Walls of Jericho, The Red Chord, All Shall Perish and Animosity @ The Brook, Southampton - 01/10/2008
The Mick Pini Band @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 01/10/2008
PP & The Floorshakers @ Chicago Rock Cafe, Fareham - 01/10/2008
The Blackout @ Concorde 2, Brighton - 01/10/2008
Voodoo Six, Exile Arise and Jenna's Revenge @ The Joiners, Southampton - 01/10/2008
The Duke Spirit @ Komedia, Brighton - 01/10/2008
Stone Free @ The Hobbit, Southampton - 01/10/2008
The Plight, Outcry Collective and Chasing Tomorrow @ The Freebutt, Brighton - 01/10/2008
The Reservoirs, Get Your Ass To Mars and The Mustangs @ The Talking Heads, Southampton - 01/10/2008
Jack Rabbit @ The Fat Fox, Portsmouth - 01/10/2008
Rory Ellis @ Komedia, Brighton - 01/10/2008
Data.Select.Party, Joey Nightmare, Medison and Full Proof @ The Railway Rifle Club, Portsmouth - 01/10/2008
Caimbo and Kodiak Jack @ The Cellars at Eastney, Portsmouth - 28/10/2008
Sly & Robbie @ The Brook, Southampton - 28/10/2008
Misty's Big Adventure @ The Talking Heads, Portsmouth - 29/10/2008
The Fall and Bobby Peru @ The Brook, Southampton - 05/11/2008
Lacuna Coil @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 14/11/2008
Stephen Fretwell @ The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth - 18/11/2008
Waster this week features live performances from local bands The Elements and Pathway, followed by the Southsea Mafia DJs through till 0230. The doors open of Portsmouth's Envy nightclub will be open from 2200 tomorrow, Thursday 27th September, with admission just £2.20 before 2300 (£3.20 after). Further information, including how to get on the guest list, can be found on the event's Facebook page.
Pure Acoustic, a showcase for local singer/songwriters, returns to Havant Arts Centre this Tuesday, 30th September. An engineer and PA will be available on the night, artists interested in performing should be at the venue by 1930 to arrange a slot with the promoter. Doors open at 2000 and admission is £3 (£1.50 for performers).
Portmouth promoter Southsea DIY hosts its first all day event this Saturday, 28th September, at The Fawcett Inn. The line-up includes Kelly Kemp, Sam Russo, You Me and the Atom Bomb, Beat the Red Light, Attack! Vipers!, The Grizzley Ends and Crazy Arm, with bands on-stage from 1500 through to 2300. Admission is a suggested donation of £3.
The Wedgewood Rooms hosts the third semi-final of its Showcase 08 competition tomorrow, Thursday 25th September, with The Levels, The Elizans, In Darklight and Holy Roller battling it out for a slot in the final. Doors open at 2000, admission is £4.
Chaos returns to The Wedgewood Rooms this Saturday, 27th September, for another slice of indie-fuelled anarchy and alternative shenanigans. Will Chump and DJ Lemon will be over-seeing the Main Room, with Marky Marc and Hev Stilet-Hoe in the Chaos Lounge (aka The Edge of The Wedge). Doors open 2200 through to 0300, entrance is £5 on the door (last admission at 0100).
Following the success of last year's event, Love Albert Road Day returns to Southsea's finest thoroughfare this Sunday, 28th September, for seven fun-packed hours of FREE entertainment. The Wedgewood Rooms will be hosting one the event's three stages, with Autons, The White Coats and The Good Time Charlies performing. Next door, in The Edge of The Wedge, the chaps from Cool Banana will be doing their thing. Further along Albert Road, The Beatmakers will be bringing their brand of soul to The Fat Fox. Unfortunately Seasick Steve has had to cancel his appearance, though the organisers have a couple of surprise guest artists up their sleeves. The main event runs from 1000 to 1700, more information can be found on the event's Facebook page.
Kiss My Bass returns to Café Havana in Southsea this Saturday, 27th September, for more beats and bass. DJ Charge (Breakneck) and Phil Harvey (Waster/HKGC) are the guests on the decks this time, joining residents DJs Fotza, Eratik Behaviour and Udy. Doors open 2000 through 0100; admission is FREE before 2200, £2 after.
Portsmouth five-piece pop rock band KiZmiT and roots three-piece Thinker provide the guest performances at this week's Roger Courtney's Open Mike Club. Doors open at The Barn at The Milton Arms at 1900 tomorrow, Thursday 27th September, with guest performances starting at 2000; the Open Mike session follows at 2200. Admission is FREE!
And that's it for another week; today I was mostly listening to Glasvegas' debut album and The National's excellent long player, Boxer. Be sure to join me next week when I'll be packing for my holibobs.
:o)
