Gig Memories: The Afghan Whigs at Reading, 1994

On the weekend of the Reading Festival, here's an unreleased track by the still oh-so-awesome Afghan Whigs played at Reading in 1994. I was there in the crowd, it was a fantastic show. I met Greg Dulli that day, who was breathtakingly handsome back then, tanned and slim and oozing sex appeal. He told me his sister's name was also Sharon and gave me a kiss on the lips. Good times indeed.

Mark Lanegan and Soulsavers at The Garage

 
Mark Lanegan and Soulsavers
The Garage, 27 August 2009

For some reason I've seen Mark Lanegan live more than any other artist but then Lanegan has to have more bands and projects he's involved in than any other artist. Other than seeing him with his own band, I've seen him sing with the Screaming Trees, Queens Of The Stone Age, The Twilight Singers, The Gutter Twins and of course Isobel Campbell. But one of my most memorable Lanegan experiences was the first time I saw him with Soulsavers.

Wilco at Troxy

 
Wilco
Blitzen Trapper
Troxy, 25 August 2009

Last month a friend-of-a-friend scoffed when I said I loved Wilco and their new album, told me Wilco hadn't been interesting in years. I guess I'm now in the minority thinking Wilco are still cool. Popularity = uncool to many sadly. Of course this guy hadn't seen them live in years and, in my humble opinion, the last time I saw them two years ago they were probably the best Wilco shows I'd ever seen. Whether or not you think they've "matured" or turned all "dad rock", every time I catch them live it convinces me once again they are still an incredible band and without a doubt one of the best live acts out there. And that's why I was especially excited to see them again, my seventh time no less. Plus they had a particularly cool support act lined up: Blitzen Trapper.

Neil and Joni

Just because this photo is pure awesome.

Pearl Jam at O2 Arena

Pearl Jam
Gomez
O2 Arena, 18 August 2009

Going to arena shows is such an odd experience, especially when the band is attempting to pretend it's not an arena show by having the floor completely standing. Although we arrived early and managed to get practically at the barrier at the front, you turn around and there's literally thousands of people behind you. I tend to go to small shows on the whole, so I'm not used to it. It's a little claustrophobic and slightly worrying when the band starts and the fanatical, Pearl Jam-adoring crowd goes nuts and suddenly you feel that thrust of the hundreds of people surrounding you. Of course it's exciting too, that so many people are feeling that same communal excitement and joy through the music of this simple rock band: the energy of 20,000 people is something to behold, I can't even imagine what it's like for the band on stage.

Pearl Jam at Shepherd's Bush Empire

Photo taken from The Evening Standard's photo gallery

Pearl Jam
Shepherd's Bush Empire, 11 August 2009

One of the first gigs I ever went to was Pearl Jam back in the early 90s, just before they broke big, at the tiny ULU venue. Maybe it was my youth and concert-going inexperience, but to this day that show still holds up as one of the best I've ever been to, with the band playing so passionately and full of excitement, Jeff Ament and other members of Pearl Jam jumping into the crowd and Eddie doing his now legendary climb around the venue and landing just over our heads. The gig even ended with members of the audience jumping on stage and grabbing instruments to play along with the band.

Mariee Sioux and Alessi's Ark at Cafe OTO

Mariee Sioux

Alessi's Ark
Rick Tomlinson
Cafe OTO, 7 August 2009

I pretty much did a little leap of joy when I saw that not only was folk chanteuse Mariee Sioux making a rare appearance in London but that she was also being supported by none other than my beloved Alessi's Ark. What a bill (along with Rick Tomlinson, who I was unfamiliar with) and at Cafe OTO, a venue in the backstreets of Hackney that I can almost imagine Bob, Joan or Joni playing back in the day.