One-line gig reviews for January and February

This month featuring, among others: Suede x 2, The Umlauts, Maxïmo Park and Kaiser Chiefs, plus a bit of theatre from Inside No. 9 and the Double R Club – and the moment I was absolutely done with The Wolfgang Press.

Inside No. 9 Stage/Fright, Hammersmith Apollo, 5 Jan – Lovely to be in the presence of consummate professionals Steve Pemberton and Reece Shearsmith, I slightly preferred the first act to the second, but I’ll keep my thoughts to myself in case you ever get the chance to see it unspoilered.

The Umlauts, Rough Trade East, London, 8 Jan – Before they came on The Worm was making some very quiet and esoteric music with voice, percussion and maybe a recorder, and honestly they are in this picture somewhere …

… and then I missed Clémentine March because I was hanging out with Stewart Lee and Lætitia Sadier (not really but they were on the table next to us), and then the Umlauts were on cracking form – such joie de vivre to motorik beats.

The Wild-Eyed Boys ft Jemma Freeman and The Cosmic Something, Trades Hall, Walthamstow, 10 Jan – A crash course for the ravers at a very well-attended night to celebrate the legacy of David Bowie a decade after his death that raised over £1,100 for Cabaret vs Cancer.

The Wolfgang Press, The Lexington, Islington, 11 Jan – They were so late coming on, on a Sunday evening, that I had to leave before they started.

Double R Club, Trades Hall, Walthamstow, 15 Jan – I’ve really enjoyed this a couple of times before, but was worried about the law of diminishing returns as I’d seen a couple of the acts before. Also I got told off for talking. But I did win in the Twin Peaks-themed bingo so, y’know …

Mungus, Trades Hall, Walthamstow, 1 Feb – The singer reminded me vocally a bit of whatsisface from James, and I’m not a huge saxamaphone lover, but they were great – tight as fuck in a black midi/Black Country, New Road kind of chop/change style.

Lazy Jane, Trades Hall, Walthamstow, 1 Feb – Urgent riot girl punk effort that got better the deeper they got into their set, and I feel I captured here the exact moment one of them looked at me thinking “why is that elderly weirdo taking a picture of me?”

Moron Butler, Trades Hall, Walthamstow, 1 Feb – This was weird because it was The Fall/LCD Soundsystem adjacent and when I liked it I *really* liked it, but that was only every other song. Odd.

She’s In Parties, Roundhouse, London, 1 Feb – Pleasant enough dream pop.

White Lies, Roundhouse, London, 1 Feb – I, frankly, got too drunk, cold and distracted to enjoy this and left early. Sorry lads. Didn’t even take a photo.

Suede, UEA, Norwich, 10 Feb – I know from past experience not to mess with the hardcore Suede militia so lurked at the back for this and had stupendous fun despite not being able to see much. Gigs in Norwich are great.

Maxïmo Park, Corn Exchange, Cambridge, 17 Feb – I really regret not having seen them loads over the years. This tour was the whole of their debut album which cannot possibly be twenty years old. They are a new band. I am sure of it. One of the new bands I like.

Bloodworm, Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea, 20 Feb – A decent gothy post-punk affair.

Suede, Cliffs Pavilion, Southend-on-Sea, 20 Feb – Did I go and see Suede again? I sure did. Got two tour debuts, a different acoustic song, and an incredible view from the side balcony.

Also howled at the people who had been queuing for hours to secure their precious barrier spots after they all rushed in and it turned out you could have easily just strolled to the front.

Kaiser Chiefs, Corn Exchange, Cambridge, 27 Feb – I saw them touring Employment last year at Ally Pally and it was a joy so I went to see them do it again. That album is banger after banger, you get a mini “best of greatest hits” set afterwards, and Ricky Wilson sure knows how to work a crowd.

You can browse the full archive of one-line gig reviews here – a slowly expanding record of loud rooms, bad photos, drunken escapades but mostly excellent life decisions.

Last time out I wrote about Stereolab, The Last Dinner Party (pictured below), and not quite Blur.

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