Leeds + bands + booze = bananas

Live at Leeds was superb. The first band i went to see were the Wild Beasts at the surprisingly venue Josephs Well at the even more surprising time of 3pm. Considering they have played the main stage at the O2 Wireless. I'm not complaining. They were superb, and what is so encouraging was that there new material was the most impressive part of their show. A sort of Taking Heads tribal rhythmic beat twinned with demented choirboy vocals. Super.

Alessis Ark at the picturesque Holy Trinity Church was next. Arriving roughly ten minutes late, shuffling to the front of the venue was uncomfortable, but turned out to be was well worth the rosy cheeks, a breathtaking performance with a real emotion and highly original vocal display and the quality of the song writing for a girl who is so bloody young is absolutely cool.

Then a short trudge down the greasy stairs to the Cockpit for Slow Club. They were on top, top form. A performance which seemed to have extra intensity than usual, gusto if you will. It was in the main room of the Cockpit in front of roughly 1000 people so I suppose if they didn't have that extra bit of bite there would be something quite wrong. Trophy Room and the sing-a-long Because Your Dead were the highlights. Twee uplifting songs that just make you feel good about yourself. Why not?

The legendary Brudenell Social Club for Mumford and Sons next and finally. Living in London really does make you think your the Sultan of Brunei when you travel back up the M1. Red Stripe £1.99 a can. Yes. Please. I bought a round and didn't feel pissed off probably for the first time in my life! Anyway, Mumford had cancelled on me twice before but i feel that only concentrated the experience for me. It was sensational, the best band of the day, yeah the hype and the anticipation did heighten the experience, but so what! I have been waiting roughly a year to hear the live treasures of Little Lion Man and White Blank page and i was delighted when i heard the eventual results. I was contemplating just before they came on that maybe my memory had filled in little pieces of the last show, kidding myself that they were that amazing. But they WERE fucking amazing. They crowd was nuttier than squirrel shit also, which helped.

After that colossal performance I went to the Faversham, drank lots, got left on my own, remembered how good Interpol were, then eventually went to bed.

Back to Yorkshire

I have recently purchased tickets for Patti Smith and Silver Mt Zion at the Southbank Centre for June. What a stellar line-up!

Camden Crawl was good for many reasons but pretty shite for a lot more. I saw a total of 4 bands all weekend which was the main disappointment. It really wasn't for a lack of trying either. I had heard a lot of rumours about how severe the queuing was but i took it with a pinch of salt. I was so wrong, the Saturday was just a real farse. I will stop moaning now and look forward to what's ahead.

Live @ Leeds this weekend, the countries most underrated music event. £10 for a wristband and that grants you entry to around 8 venues around the city which are showcasing around 100 bands. The line-up is quite superb, Fionn at the Trinity Church has so mush promise. Please don't disappoint Mr Regan. Mumford and Sons at the legendary Brudenell is another amazing venue band pairing. They have cancelled on me twice before and even though they are my band of the moment, I will not try if they mess me about for a third time.

Camden Crawling

Just been informed that I have a ticket for today's Camden Crawl as well as tomorrow. Really excited about this. One of my dearest friends is descending upon London tomorrow from the homeland which gives it added importance.
I haven't heard of a large proportion of the line-up but I'm not really that fussed about that. Really looking forward to seeing The Big Pink this evening, I have heard a lot of positive things about them and the tracks I have heard on YouTube are very impressive, here's the link, have a listen. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_5RA-AapMo
The other highlight of today being Wire and Echo and the Bunnymen. I would also love to see Yeah Yeah Yeahs but unfortunately it will be absolutely packed and clashes with the Bunnymen.
Will probably get far too drunk tonight and really struggle tomorrow, it will be a testosterone fuelled day though so it will be very tough to get sympathy. Tomorrows highlights (hangover permitting) being The Fall, Eugene McGuinness, Little Boots http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cJmpQptN6vU, The Maccabees and King Creosote http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vex-5ozOnYg. Anyways all the fall out will be fully reported on this piece of shit blog.

p.s. Just heard Jarvis Cockers new song on 6 music and liked it very much.

Social Rejuvenation

Surprisingly, I'm in good spirits. A refreshing change in social direction has lifted the dread and I feel rejuvenated. I'm surprised because the weekend activities have now descended into what can only be described as a drunken onslaught. Being Tuesday I'm usually dredging the trough of the past weekend, decapacitated and monosyllabic.

But I feel focused, fresh and with purpose. I really don't want to get carried away. I still feel that my enthusiasm will be in vein and I will sink into another long battle between mind over body, with no sort of head levelling companion to distract me.

Optimism will prevail... Well, for the next half hour at least.

I have entered the arena of the unwell.

Pour me...

I have fell into it, like a daydream or a fever, the depression that it. My weekend had no sort of structure. I was horrendous! The tight fitting blanket of dread that currently surrounds me is all I have in the way of company, i will not lie - it's rough.
At least I can look forward to the anniversary of the death of the messiah and a four day reprieve from "the man".

Why is anarchy weirdly exciting?

Work has upped a gear. But at least I have the anarchy as a minor distraction.

As much as I hate the whole "banker" thing, waving notes out of windows at the angry mob is top pedigree comedy.

I have noticed that Pink Floyd had more of a following in Pompeii than i have had followers to my blog, oh well, it's theraputic I guess.

Find of the week - Radiohead, OK Computer - first edition double vinyl - £12 Oxfam, Marylebone.