Top 7 gigs of 2017

Top 7 gigs of 2017 

It's that time of the year again where I reflect on some of the best gigs* that I have been to in 2017. 

*like seriously THE best

Kovic

Kovic played support to Coasts when they came to Leeds earlier this year and I was instantly in love. Meeting Mark was a highlight for me because how lovely, is he! 

Tom Speight

I've been to see my mate Tom Speight twice this year and both times have absolutely phenomenal. 

These cute, and intimate gigs at the Louisiana in Bristol and the Oporto in Leeds have had a laid-back vibe and the banter kept on coming.

Dan Croll

No, I've never been to Tokyo but I hear that Dan Croll has. After ending the year on high with the release of his second album 'Emerging Adulthood' and a stellar U.K. Tour Dan ended the year with a holiday in Tokyo

Highlights included some beautiful tambourine playing by Dan Croll during 'Tokyo' and the classic 'From Nowhere' - which is actually my ring tone. 

Rae Morris 

Rae Morris is 'Reborn' with more pizazz and sparkle and she's absolutely fabulous! 

The Blackpool born singer with an ethereal voice and unforgettable stage presence lifted the roof off the Belgrave Music Hall with her latest hits  'Do It' and 'Reborn' as well As playing old favourites and treating our ears to some new tunes. 

Marsicans 

If anyone can, the Marsicans can. - I don't know why I said that, it just sounded cool.

The Marsicans opened the Stylus stage at this year's Live At Leeds festival with so much energy that they could have launched a rocket. And did I mention that they absolutely hilarious?

If you haven't yet, you really really need to go watch the Marsicans new music video.

Saint Motel

Saint Motel may not be an instantly recognisable household name....yet but 'My Type' and the saxophone intro in particular is sure to prick up your ears in recognition. You can hear it on the Now TV ad.

Whilst most swanned off to music festivals up and down the country I headed down to the Wardrobe on the 11th July for the most hilarious gig. 

A personal highlight has to be when a guy standing next to me asked AJ Jackson for a high five but got ignored and I got the high five instead. #winning

Coasts 

So you know how Coasts went on an epic 38 date UK tour during the Autumn, well guess who was at five of those dates in cities far and wide,. There was even a trip to Brighton.  

As readers of this blog may know, Coasts never fail to impress at their gigs but if pushed to choose my favourite date, it would have to be Bristol

The atmosphere at the was electric at the hometown gig and it was clear to see that the guys were really glad to be playing in the city, amongst so many recognisable faces. A very close second has to be Brighton, after all, there were balloons involved. 

The tale of Andrew Duhon and Cullen Skink

This week I found myself back up in Scotland to see Andrew Duhon. 

The country folk singer from New Orleans makes a small UK tour every summer (well at for the past 4 or 5 years) and I was fortunate enough to catch him at Oakwell Festival last year. 

Upon hearing his melodic southern drawl I was instantly hooked and so would it seem was my mother for whom I bought his latest album and we have been listening to little else ever since. 

As I mentioned above Andrew Duhon takes a trip around the UK every summer and I would be lying if I said that I wasn't closely keeping an eye out on this years tour dates. 

The first dates released were for London on both the 21st and 22nd June.  However those dang train tickets were going to prove a bit too costly so that put those out of the race. 

Bother. 

I watched with bated breath as dates for Kent and Warwickshire came in….surely that meant that he was working his way up north?  Apparently I was right yet it appeared to be quite a jump up north as from Warwickshire Andrew Duhon went to the Ilse Of Mull. 

Really?!? 

Indeed there were to be three Scottish dates before he journeyed back down South via Suffolk and Portsmouth before journeying home. 

Great.

However this tale has a happy yet somewhat bizarre end as for the second time in so many weeks I found myself strapped in the car on the way to Scotland for a gig. Yup I'm just that cool.

The week actually started down in Dorset for my dear friends' Wedding. Congratulations again Jess and Daryl. I donned my tartan dress for a night of frivolity, cake, trifle and a whole lot of ceilidh dancing…..

After a quick pit stop at home we travelled all the way up north to our cottage in Scotland where we were to stay just one day before carrying on up to Aviemore. 

Aviemore  located on the edge of the Cairgorms in the highlands of Scotland is the home to many a mountaineer, cyclists and general outdoor enthusiast so you can imagine that I was a bit like a fish out of water. 

Nevertheless I had my trusty book with me. I was reading Starborn by Lucy Hounsom….it's the first book of a trilogy which normally I would be very excited about except I was in the middle of nowhere with no Waterstones in sight and I need the next book dammit! I finished reading [the book] the day after I started it so yes it really is that good. 

Anyway where was I?............

Upon looking to see where the were any good cafes around Aviemore I stumbled across the Rothiemurchus visitor centre and in particular the Druie restaurant and café. 

 Reviews for the eatery were excellent and the Cullen Skink came highly recommended. I therefore didn't have much choice in the matter my decision was made for me. 

Cullen Skink (hahaha that name though) may  be more commonly known as a type of fish chowder and is traditionally made with mackerel and smoked haddock. Mine was served with dark soda bread and was totally scrumptious….better than the reviews. 

Indeed it was that good that I returned the next day for some more soup yet this time I opted for the soup of the day which was pea and mint with a cheese scone. 

Andrew Duhon was playing at the Old Bridge Inn just outside of Aviemore so I put my tartan frock on and ventured off to the pub bright and early so that we could get good seats. 

The main problem with concerts/gigs in pubs is that the people who aren't necessarily there for the music feel obliged to talk over it thus disturbing everyone else who has come for just  that reason…..and  nearly 300 miles at that. 

Current Favourites

So February and March sucked....just kidding I mean I did go on mini tour around Germany following Coasts - no biggie

Musik und Frieden - Berlin

Molotow - Hamburg

Anyway I still neglected to upload a favourites blog for those months so here's a summary of my current favourites.

1. Dan Croll 

I was super excited to hear that Dan Croll would be appearing at Live At Leeds as I haven't seen his beautiful face since 2014. Dan has been keeping quiet over the past year and I can't wait to hear what he has been up to. 

Yesterday, he dropped this acoustic video of one of my favourite singles of his; From Nowhere. 

I have recently been playing his current album, Sweet Disarray, in anticipation of LAL next week.

2. The Little Paris Bookshop- Nina George 

This week I entered Waterstones in search of a particular book and left with four completely different titles. One of these was 'The Little Paris Bookshop' and it's so cute! Originally in German, this book is an international best seller, having sold over 500k copies worldwide. 

In essence, its about a man called Jean who owns a bookshop on a barge. Jean has the rare ability of being to prescribe the right book to cure his customers of all emotional turmoils, yet the only person he seems unable to heal is himself. 

This is a tale of love lost, friendship, adventure and even includes a variety of recipes at the back - winner!

3. By All Greens- Origins 

Is it a face mask? Is it a cleanser? By Jove it's both!!

Why indeed this is the first face mask and cleanser in one of its kind and contains all-natural ingredients including green tea, spirulina and spinach. 

It has a very refreshing smell and is gentle on your skin - great because mine is so sensitive and all that. 

When it comes out, it's a lovely place green colour. 

Apply to your face and leave on 10-15 minutes. 

As the mask dries it becomes translucent. 

Wash of with warm water and it becomes foamy and stuff. 

4. Cucumber water

Talking of skincare, I recently (and by recently I mean as of like yesterday) started drinking cucumber water, which, amongst other benefits, is soothing to the skin and calms irritation. Another really great advantage of drinking cucumber water it that it contains silica, which keeps to keep muscle tissue strong and supple. Read about more benefits here