I don’t have the energy I used to have even two years ago, so doing two gigs in one week – travelling nearly 800 miles over this past week on top of the gigs themselves has taken its toll on me. But it was more than worth it to see two of my most favourite artists.
The first of the gigs was last Wednesday night at the Deaf Institute in Manchester to see The Anchoress with support from the fantastic Leoni Jane Kennedy. Despite being ill with a kidney infection, Catherine performed incredibly offering up a great mix of a set from the quite old (performing a track from her newly released re-issue of her EP Communion from 2011 ‘Grow Out’, right up to newer tracks that will feature on her next album, ‘Damsels,’ ‘All Fall Down,’ and the newest one I had not previously heard performed ‘As We Once Were.’ It really was a fantastic set and I can’t wait to see her again in Glasgow on Saturday week. Sadly Leoni won’t be playing as support in Glasgow as Catherine will have two other support acts for the show: Xan Tyler and Sister John, both I’m sure will be stellar.
I didn’t take any video at the show but did take a few snaps – here are the best ones.
After an overnight stay in Manchester, it was off early on the train back to Glasgow. I was home barely 48 hours before I was off again on my way to Sunderland for the Future Collaborations show at Pop Recs with Warm Digits headlining the event.
Future Collaborations was an all ages evening-long music event organised and run by AutismAble, a service and wellbeing centre for people with Autism Spectrum Conditions in South Shields, Tyne and Wear. It was such a wonderful event. There was such a great atmosphere with lots of hard-working young people making sure the event was running smoothly and that everyone was having a safe and wonderful time.
Pop Recs is a great venue and the vibe was just so relaxed and friendly. I missed the start of the night but arrived in time to see Token, the band that the MC for the evening (and person who interviewed Andy about the gig) Adam is in. They played a number of covers and were really great.
I then saw most of Samuel Frame’s set. I really enjoyed his set too. He reminded me a little of Jonathan Richman. There’s a bit of footage of him below.
I watched a few songs from the next act, Oldman but then went into the room next to Pop Recs – Sunny’s cafe – which was acting as a kind of break room for those who were feeling a little overwhelmed by being in the main Pop Recs venue. I caught up with Steve and Andy from Warm Digits then, so missed the other acts, until the act before them, Me Lost Me, performed. By that time, Peter Brewis from Field Music had come down to watch the show and we had a wee chat before the boys started their set.
By this time a lot of the families had gone home so it was just most of the young adult staff and those of us who’d come to see the main attraction left. It made for an even more relaxing atmosphere. When the guys started, people started to get up and dance. They played a mix of old familiars as well as some new stuff too, including the fantastically catchy ‘Up and Down’ which will feature on their next album. The set was fantastic and I felt so uplifted – dancing around, watching other people dance. It was just such a feel-good night and ssssooo worth the journey down to Sunderland. My legs felt like lead afterwards! But it was so worth it.
The next day I had some time to kill before making my way back to Newcastle to meet up with Sue for a catch-up and some lunch. As I made my way back to the train station at Sunderland, I could see the Wearmouth Bridge up ahead so I decided to go and cross it! The Wear is not as wide a body of water than the Tyne but I still felt proud that I walked across a bridge (and back!) all on my lonesome, which given my fear of heights I felt was quite an achievement – never mind my lead-weight legs still giving me grief from the night before.
Lunch with Sue was at a Japanese/Filipino fusion restaurant called Teayempo and the food was DIVINE! We shared a starter of tempura vegetables (sweet potato, courgette, carrot and aubergine pieces in the lightest, crispiest batter) and then Sue had a king prawn katsu and I had a dish called Talong which was tempura battered aubergine in this beautiful sweet and sour sauce, like a thinner lighter hoisin sauce served with boiled rice. It was just heavenly! I will be dreaming of this place until I can get to Newcastle again.
Next up is a trip to Edinburgh to see Ist Ist at The Caves, and then Saturday night will be the Stag and Dagger. Gigs, gigs, gigs!