Cherry Ghost @ The Glee Club Birmingham

I last saw Cherry Ghost about 6 months ago and thought they were fantastic and so last night I went to see them again. Although they are still touring the same album, Beneath The Burning Shoreline, they had a new set. Obviously it was predominantly songs from their current release but 4am, People Help The People and Thirst For Romance, all from their first sat nicely alongside the newer songs.

The crowd was slightly bigger than last time but still wasn't a sell out unlike their gigs in London and Manchester.

Support came from Drive Fast Driver who were OK.  They have some good ideas but I was left with a feeling that they're not quite there yet. One for the future maybe?

Cherry Ghost, however, were fantastic.  There is an ease about them onstage and their music has a lush quality.  I'm trying to remember the complete set list and if I can cobble one together will post it here later.  All in all a great night.

I also managed to get my hands on Companion, a CD containing alternative versions of some of the songs on Beneath The Burning Shoreline.  Limited to 200 and, as far as I know, only being sold at gigs.

St Patrick's Day Parade

Clare and I popped into Birmingham today for the St Patrick's Day Parade.  We got into town and after having something to eat and a wander around the shops we walked into Digbeth and found our pitch.

The morning had started wet and grey but by the time we got into Digbeth it was blue skies and was actually quite warm in the sunshine.  The parade lasted about an hour but there seemed to be less floats than usual. There was something that has been a theme every year though, each time a pipe band reached us they would stop playing.  It doesn't matter where we stand that always seems to be the case.

As the parade ended and everyone hit the pubs, we walked around, took in the  fun fair and poked our heads into the HMV Institute (live music) before deciding to head home.  I dare say the celebrations are still going on!

The Weekend So Far

With the earthquake (8.9 on the Richter scale), tsunami and possible nuclear catastrophe in Japan it doesn't seem right to say that my weekend has been pretty good so far.  Watching the footage on TV makes me thankful that I live in a place that is, geographically speaking, pretty safe.

That said, my weekend started by taking delivery of a copy of Autopia, the new album by Eat Lights Become Lights.  I have to say that Enraptured Records have a great system. I ordered it on Tuesday and yesterday it arrived in sturdy packaging ensuring my new LP was in pristine condition. I haven't had time to listen to it yet but I am really looking forward to putting the needle on the groove and kicking my feet up.

Today, the postman arrived with a couple of DVDs which Clare had ordered for me (Y Tu Mama Tambian and Red Road). A nice surprise and a lovely way to start a Saturday morning.

We were meeting friends for a walk this morning.  Originally the plan was to head up to Shropshire but our friend up there cancelled so we decided to stay local.  We ended up wandering the fields and lanes around Barston, stopping to each lunch in St Swithen's churchyard in Barston. Spring was most definitely in the air and it was quite warm especially when the sun came out.  Unfortunately as we were making the walk up as we went along it wasn't quite as long as usual.  It probably wasn't a bad thing though as it seemed to get colder towards the end and as I write it has started raining.

Getting home early meant I was able to catch the second half of the Blues vs Bolton in the FA Cup Quarter Finals.  Blues lost 3-2 ruling out another trip to Wembley.  To be honest, I'm not too bothered as with the danger of relegation looming we need to concentrate on staying in the Premier League.

SXSW Free Mixtape

Spring has arrived and although it is still a little on the cold side the first signs have been around for a couple of weeks with daffodils and snowdrops starting to bloom. Another sign of spring is the announcement of line ups for the summer festivals and, although one or two of the smaller festivals seem to have been lost this year, there is still an abundance to chose from.

Obviously, I will be heading for Moseley Folk Festival and each day finds me checking to see if any acts have been confirmed.  As yet it is all quiet.

Over in the United States SXSW is about to get under way in Texas and to celebrate FreeIndie are giving away a mix featuring a handful of the bands playing.  You can get it here.

World Book Night

Last night was World Book Night and in an effort to get people reading 1,000,000 books were given away nationwide.  40,000 copies of 25 titles that cover many literary genres.  A great idea in a time when libraries are under threat and the standard of literacy is declining. 

To celebrate World Book Night Birmingham Library were hosting an evening with local authors Mike Gayle, RJ Ellory and Catherine O'Flynn.  Clare and I headed into Birmingham to see what they had to say. 

If I'm honest, I only knew of Mike Gayle prior to last night. I listened to them all speak about books, their passion for reading as well as writing and about their lives generally. I was impressed by them all but RJ Ellory really struck a chord.  Not backwards in coming forwards he commandeered the stage and not only talked about books and authors but also put across his ideas as to why the education system was failing.  I have to say some of the things may have been controversial but on the whole I agreed with him entirely.

The session was just short of two hours and was entertaining, thought provoking and funny.  As we left we had the chance to lay our hands on some of the free books.  I had a copy of Seamus Heaney's poems and David Mitchell's Cloud Atlas.

We left the theatre and headed for the library proper for the second part of the evening.  Storytelling, poetry and a book reading in front of Birmingham's Central Library.  As it was chilly it was moved into the foyer. 

First up was Katrice Horsley, a storyteller.  She was very charismatic and completely absorbed you into the story.  Next up was Matt Windle, former Birmingham Young Poet Laureate, who recited 3 or 4 poems.  I really enjoyed his stuff and though he probably wouldn't thank me for it, his work reminded me of that of The Streets' Mike Skinner.  Paul McDonald read a passage from his book, Kiss Me Softly Amy Turtle.  Again, I really enjoyed this.  The final act was Birmingham Poet Laureate, Roy McFarlane.  He read 4 poems and although I could appreciate the verse I did not connect with the themes.

All in all a good night.  I learnt a few things, met some nice people and came away with some free books.

Below are a couple of  links to the sites of some of the people involved.

RJ Ellory

Matt Windle

Mike Gayle

Round Up

It's been a strange old week, lots of chores, but I'm still buzzing from my trip to Wembley last Sunday.  I still can't believe that Blues will be in Europe next season!  I need to get my passport sorted!

Last night saw the return of the tawny owl. Sitting in the tree outside the window hooting away. This time though, there was no reply. He was there for a few minutes and we managed to get a good view of him before he flew off.

Eat Lights Become Lights' album was due for release on Monday but there seems to be some confusion.  A couple of record shop sites are now saying it will be out in March.  It will be available on green vinyl and download.  I can't wait to get my hands on a copy. in the meantime I will have to make do with the videos.

We've Never Won F*** All

On Sunday I got up early and headed to the train station.   I was on my way to Wembley for the League Cup Final between Arsenal and Birmingham City. Arriving at the station I rounded the corner to find a queue just to get on to the platform. Over an hour later I was on a train London bound. It was standing room only but the two hours passed quite quickly.  The atmosphere was fantastic.

Eventually I got to Marylebone and after a short walk to Baker Street met my brother and some mates. We found a small pub just around the corner (Bok Bar) and stayed there until it was time to head over to Wembley.

The weather, when I arrived, was lovely but by the time we left the bar it was raining and had become quite chilly. 

Before I knew it I was walking up Wembley Way and within minutes was inside the stadium.  It all seemed quite surreal.

I'd been to Wembley before to watch England but to walk in and see a sea of blue and white was something special.

The game itself seemed to pass quickly and a lot of it is still a blur. Luckily Clare has taped it for me so I can watch it back when I get the chance.  Standing behind the goal was a great place to see Birmingham's Zigic rise to head in the first goal after 28 minutes.  The Blues fans went wild but 11 minutes later Van Persie's great strike meant it was all level at half time. 

The second half saw Arsenal have a good spell and most of the Blues fans were getting frustrated.  We were expecting an Arsenal goal but as the time ticked away we were all thinking of extra time and penalties and then it happened. In the 89th minute a long ball from Foster is met by Zigic in the Arsenal area.  Koscielny (Arsenal defender) should have cleared the ball but Szczesny (Arsenal goalkeeper) came out to collect. The ball is miskicked and rolls to the feet of Martins (Blues on loan striker) who is faced with an empty goal.  He taps it home and the Blues fans cannot believe it. The 4 minutes added time seemed like forever but eventually the whistle blew.

Blues had won the the Carling Cup.  Despite being written off by the bookies and the media we had done it.   Our first major trophy in 48 years.  Everyone was ecstatic and as the Arsenal fans filed out of Wembley the Blues sang.  Keep Right On, Mr Blue Sky, Food for Thought.

When the team collected the trophy I don't mind admitting I had tears in my eyes (I wasn't alone).  Eventually we left Wembley and the party continued.

Blues were going to party all night but I was shattered so eventually made my way back over to Marylebone to catch the train home.  I could have caught it at Wembley but figured I had a better chance of a seat by heading back across London.  I was right. 

3 days later and I still can't believe we have done it.  It's not a cheap day out but it was worth every penny!