Bat For Lashes at The Forum

Bat For Lashes
Sylver Tongue
The Forum, 29 October 2012

Going to see Bat For Lashes play a hometown show on a cold, rainy night just before Halloween somehow couldn't be more perfect. Natasha Khan's music always has had an other worldly feel but the new album, The Haunted Man, is even spookier than before. Stripped away of too many fanciful embellishments, it's a startlingly beautiful album and I was excited about experiencing it live.

Michael Nesmith at Queen Elizabeth Hall

Michael Nesmith
Queen Elizabeth Hall, 28 October 2012

It turns out that Michael Nesmith, former Monkee and country rock pioneer, hasn't been on these shores for a solo show in 37 years. I didn't realise just how long it had been but I did know these few UK shows were a rarity, so I was excited when they were announced. However a friend then made me nervous when he questioned just what Nesmith was like live these days since his most recent release had been a jazz funk instrumental concept album. I needn't have worried though as the show had plenty of Nesmith's greatest songs, beautifully performed with the aid of his longtime bass player (Joe Chemay), a keyboardist (Charlie Judge) and a little help from technology.

Radiohead at the O2 Arena

Radiohead
Caribou
O2 Arena, 9 October 2012

Arena shows are so odd, they have such a different vibe to them, something I had forgotten as I walked into the vast O2 Arena. Last time I saw Radiohead was, unbelievably, 15 years ago now, on the OK Computer tour so I thought it was well past the time I finally caught up with them live especially as they were playing so close to me in Greenwich.

Ray Davies at the Royal Albert Hall

Ray Davies
Dead Flamingoes
Royal Albert Hall, 4 October 2012

I was surprised when Dead Flamingoes walked on stage, not only because I didn't know there was going to be a support act, but also because I recognised both members. Firstly, I had seen James Walbourne last year supporting Laura Cantrell and then Kami Thompson, the daughter of British folk legends Richard and Linda Thompson, I saw supporting Elvis Costello a couple of years back.