Andy Fairweather-Low - 26/9/2019

Whilst his recent performances locally have seen a similar gig with similar musicians in the band, AFL fits into the category of local musicians who merit attendance when they play in small local venues - this time it was again the Savoy hosting AFL's show. A frenetic drive from Bristol after a boat trip saw me only miss the first half of the first track and I was in my seat by the time he launched into 'Route 66' so I was happy with that. He plays a mixture of classic songs from the last fifty years with songs from his back catalogue and then of course some Amen Corner pop hits. I particularly enjoyed a number of songs in the second half of the show including 'It hurts me too', 'Nobody Loves you when you're down and out' and a brilliant medley of 'Peter Gunn', 'Apache' and 'Hideaway'. In truth he played a very similar set at the Savoy when we saw him last year but as long as he includes such classic guitar songs that's OK with me. The band like last time was the High Riders (ie the full band) with a three person brass section (Tenor sax, bass sax and trumpet), bass drums and keyboards. Nick Pentelow on tenor sax is superb on tracks like Peter Gunn - he exactly the feel and attack to play rock saxaphone but the others were excellent too. The base sax did a great solo on one song and the trumpet also had some great solo breaks. If he comes every year - I'll go every year. As simple as that.

Alaw - 20/9/2019

I enjoy the local music scene immensely. Very distinctively Welsh, with talented musicians and bands prepared to play to village hall audiences locally - what's not to like. Alaw is a trio led by Oliver Dickson-Smith on fiddle. Jamie Smith on accordion and Dylan Fowler on guitar make up the band. They play jigs and reels and Welsh songs and English ones and the rhythms are great and the playing expert. This gig was at Catbrook Village Hall and it is a privilege to drive for just ten minutes, enjoy some locally brewed beer and listen to some fine music and all for just ten pounds. I'll be seeing Jamies and Oliver again in February when Mabon include our village hall on their farewell tour.

Pixies - 13/9/2019

I couldn't resist a Pixies tour even if the gig was at the Cardiff Motorpoint Arena and in an unassigned seat far far away from the stage. First up was The Big Moon an all female band who would have sounded better with a different sound mix. The bass drum was definitely at 11 and even Robbie Shakespear would have been impressed with the bass guitar volume. When that drum was going the subtleties of the vocals and guitars was rather lost and they were definitely worth listening to. The changes in tempo in the songs were good as well - I wouldn't mind seeing the band in a different environment - and with a different mixing engineer. The Pixies just launched straight into 'Where is My Mind' followed by 'Here Comes Your Man' two of their classic songs to get audience in the mood - which worked very well. Thereafter they roughly alternated a couple of their new songs (which were only released on the day of the concert so I hadn't heard them before) with a couple from their back catalogue. I really took to the new stuff, slightly less manic their some of the older songs and therefore more immediately accessible. As ever the guitar work, whether from Black Francis who has an eclectic and unconventional style, or from Joey Santiago who I think improves with every gig I have seen was a highlight for me. Not to diminish the roles of bassist/backing vocalist Paz Lenchantin or drummer David Lovering who were both excellent but the really exciting moments were when those two guitarists were giving it some. Joey Santiago seems to have become more fluid and less staccato over time and it is a great sound particularly when allied to the unique Black Francis sound. I loved the version of 'Wave of Mutilation' which was about ten songs in, tracks delivered one straight after another without pause. A few tracks later there was another great version, this time of 'Gouge Away' and shortly after perhaps the best moment of the gig when The Pixies launched into a Jesus and Mary Chain Song. A great crossover moment. Looking up the set list I see that the song was 'Head On' (from Automatic). 'Gigantic' and 'Caribou' gave Paz a chance to show off her vocal chops before a last few songs which included the brilliant 'Bone Machine' followed by the superb 'Debaser'. There was a single song encore which was 'Hey' and that was song 34 of high energy relentless music. Good job again from The Pixies.