M. Ward at The Borderline

M. Ward

The Borderline, 25 February 2009

Two days later, after what I thought would undoubtedly be my gig of the year with Neko's outstanding Bush Hall show, I made my way to Charing Cross Road to see Matt Ward with his band. Funnily enough the last time I had seen him live was supporting Neko with an entirely acoustic set and he had blown me away with a chilling version of Daniel Johnston's Story Of An Artist played on piano. The shy Mr Ward arrived on stage by himself with just his guitar and immediately entranced the audience with three stark, acoustic numbers beginning with Hold Time, moving onto Lullaby and Chinese Translation.

Neko Case at Bush Hall

Neko Case 

Eric Bachman 

Bush Hall, 23 February 2009 

I can't tell you how much I had been looking forward to this gig: not only do I worship Neko, like the velvet-voiced, scarlet goddess that she is, but I had also been devouring a preview copy of her superb new album Middle Cyclone (absolutely one of the year's best, I know it's only April, but it is) and, on top of that, her show with M. Ward at Koko back in 2006 is one of my favourite gigs ever. It was going to be tough to live up to my high expectations, and did she do it? Well, pretty much.

Sweet gig memories...

Soundgarden playing the Camden Underworld in London
(my shoulder and hair is just seen in the corner in front of Chris Cornell)

I've been to so many gigs over the years often I have trouble remembering them all, so recently I've been trying to compile a list of every gig I've ever been to and it's been tougher than I imagined.