Fleetwood Mac at O2 Arena

Fleetwood Mac

O2 Arena, 27 June 2015

It's such a different experience being down at the front at an arena show, it's almost like seeing an entirely different concert. A month ago I saw the Mac's return with Christine McVie back in the band at an excellent vantage point in the side seats. In a lot of ways I feel I saw more of the show that time as I could see the whole band at all times and watch the cool films that were playing behind them and really just concentrate on the music. That said, it is undeniably thrilling to be up close to your heroes and see all the action close enough to be able to reach out and touch them or hear things they are saying away from the microphones.

Natalie Prass at Islington Assembly Hall

Natalie Prass
Chanele McGuinness
Islington Assembly Hall, 24 June 2015

One of the best albums of the year so far has to be Natalie Prass's self-titled debut, which is a glorious mixure of classic blue-eyed soul and 70s West Coast singer-songwriter fare. But other than Prass's sweet and delicate voice, the lady herself, who apparently hails from Virginia but is now based in Nashville, was something of a mystery to me. But crazily enough I had actually seen her live before, just didn't know it. It turns out that Prass was the keyboardist in Jenny Lewis' band and played this very same venue last year and she shakes her head as she tells us this, as if she can't quite believe it herself.

Waxahatchee at the Electric Ballroom

Waxahatchee
Girlpool
Pinkwash
Electric Ballroom, 10 June 2015

A few years ago I was bemoaning how few new female rock bands there appeared to be. After the riot grrrl revolution of the 1990s it felt like there should be so many more. Turns out they were all hiding away praticising or releasing cool little indie records. This year I've been lucky enough to see quite a few of them, most clearly influenced from that golden era in the 90s (and a even a couple actually from that time) and tonight was yet another kick-ass line-up full of talented women, it was inspiring to see.

The Replacements at the Roundhouse

The Replacements
You Am I
Jesse Malin
Roundhouse, 2 June 2015

Paul Westerberg is a considerate chap. He keeps asking if we need to catch the train or the bus home. "I know about things like that now," he says. I'm pretty sure though that everyone in the crowd is thinking, "No, no play more! Play more!" That's because seeing The Replacements play their first London show in 24 years is pretty much the perfect rock n' roll show.