David Byrne & St. Vincent at the Roundhouse

David Byrne & St. Vincent
Roundhouse, 27 August 2013

Just before David Byrne and St. Vincent's first show in the UK together begins, the strange sound of birds chirping which has been playing over the speakers in place of music, is suddenly interrupted by the friendly voice of the Talking Heads legend. Recording and photos are welcome, he tells us, but asks us not to block the views of our fellow concert goers or watch the show, which they have spent so long on, through a device. It's bizarre to hear the disembodied voice of the person we are here to see talking to us ten minutes before the concert starts but is an early indication that this is a brilliantly unique gig (and Byrne request is so nicely said that the audience largely complies).

Gig memories: Foo Fighters at Brixton Academy in 1995

 
Foo Fighters
Built To Spill
Brixton Academy, 15 November 1995

Sadly Neil Young has cancelled on me again. The first time was back in 2003 when I was supposed to see him at Brixton Academy and arrived at the venue excited only to find a notice saying that due to illness the show was kaput. This time, again it couldn't be helped, but Poncho from Crazy Horse has hurt his hand and the the final dates of their tour all had to be cancelled. This means that instead of rocking out to a sprawling Shakey solo tonight at the O2 Arena I'm instead here writing this post. So rather than reporting back on the Neil show I may as well reminisce about a happy gig memory.