Punk before chips on radio 6

Instead, our downtime most evenings have been spent listening to a lot more music, the radio and occasionally watching the odd police drama on Netflix. A long time ago, I would write a monthly post summarising new albums I’d been listening to, gigs/festivals I’d been to, as well as random stuff that was going on in my early twenties. I’ve recently been reading these and having a laugh at my own expense. Who was I trying to be? What did I want to get out of writing these? Who did I expect would be reading them? I’m no good at writing!

One thing I’ve got out of reading these 9 years later is, why did I stop? Who cares if no one apart from myself reads them, it’s my own personal space to remember stuff.

This is the second coming.

I will try to post a short summary each month of albums I’ve been listening to, gigs I’ve been to and anything else that I might want to remember 10 years from now.

Since January, BBC Radio 6 has been getting a lot of airtime in our flat: Marc Riley’s show being a particular favourite way to spend an evening. His live sessions have been a pretty good way to discover new music, Manuela, Wesley Gonzalez, Wreckless Eric, Pins and Hot Shorts have been some of my most recent favourites. The latter includes a friend of mine who I went to Uni with, Joel. Here are some albums, new and old, that I’ve been enjoying since January. Most of which are by artists performing at this year's Glastonbury festival:

The xx – I See You [2017]
The Shins – Heartworms [2017]
British Sea Power – Let the Dancers Inherit the Party [2017]
Kate Tempest – Everybody Down [2014]
Mark Lanegan Band – Gargoyle [2017]
Maxïmo Park – Risk to Exist [2017]
The Flaming Lips – Oczy Mlody [2017]
Thee Oh Sees – A Weird Exits [2016]
Bonobo – Migration [2017]
The Cinematic Orchestra – Ma Fleur [2007]
Aphex Twin – Selected Ambient Works 85–92 [1992]
Laura Marling – Once I Was An Eagle [2013]

As for gigs, it got to a point in London where I really couldn’t be bothered. Dunno why, just couldn’t. But there’s something about seeing a band in a different country that I get quite excited by.

The Radio Dept. – Friday 03 February @ Berghain Kantine
Got lost looking for the venue, how could we miss it? It’s right next door to Berghain. Anyway, I had to ask 2 guys getting out of a cab if they knew how to get in, which they didn’t. You’d have thought 2 members of the headline act would know. Was good to chat to them briefly though. Long time since I’ve seen these guys live, very enjoyable.

The xx – Saturday 25 February @ Arena Berlin
Decent venue would definitely go back to see something else. The band were great, and the lighting was great, it’s just a shame we didn’t have enough cash to get a drink.

Jagwar Ma – Friday 10 March @ Berghain Kantine
A highlight from Glastonbury 2014, there was no way I was missing them at such an intimate venue. Still very surprised they played there. Material from the new record sounded great.

Thee Oh Sees – Monday 08 May @ Columbia Theatre
Must admit, I’m late to the party on these guys. I only really started listening to them last year and have been working my way through their older records. Finally got to see them live. Full of energy, loud, and 2 drummers! Very enjoyable.

That’s about it for this inaugural post.