Lou Barlow at the ICA

Lou Barlow

ICA, 26 November 2025

It was an evening of stories, banter, laughs and plenty of songs from Lou Barlow's long career in the alternative rock world, from Dinosaur Jr to Sebadoh to Folk Implosion, all in the intimate and friendly setting of the ICA. And apparently this show was all in aid of Barlow's wife getting to see My Bloody Valentine in Dublin: how lucky for us?!

Dinosaur Jr at Troxy

Dinosaur Jr

Naima Bock

Troxy, 23 May 2025

After seeing Dinosaur Jr. play all of one of their most beloved albums (or certainly one of their most successful anyway), Where You Been, just over a year ago, they are back and this time playing all of the follow-up, Without A Sound, for its 30th anniversary at the far more grandiose venue, Troxy.

Best Gigs Of 2023

Last year I went to only six gigs and this year, I did even better... seven! While hardly the heady days years back when I was going to over fifty shows a year, I still feel grateful to have seen some absolutely exceptional concerts this year including lots of old favourites I hadn't seen in a long time and finally seeing the magnificent Amanda Shires live, lucky for me, in such a wonderful intimate venue as Omeara. My gig of the year though has been a complete life-changing one, as it has utterly shaped my entire year and re-awakened my love of music and its importance to me in my life, and also had me nostalgically re-visiting lots of my favourite artists from the past. That show was The Mars Volta at Troxy and I am forever grateful I got to see it and I truly hope it won't be the last time. 

1. The Mars Volta at Troxy

2. Dinosaur Jr. at The Garage

3. Margo Price at Lafayette

4. Sleater-Kinney at Roundhouse

5. Amanda Shires at Omeara

6. Alison Sudol at Omeara

7. Caitlin Rose at EartH

Dinosaur Jr. at The Garage

Dinosaur Jr. 

Man On Man

The Garage, 15 November 2023 

Felt quite emotional seeing Dinosaur Jr. performing all of Where You Been to celebrate its 30th anniversary, an album that meant so much to me in my teen years. It was also amazing to see them in the intimate setting of The Garage again, as I saw them in this same venue on the Without A Sound tour back in the mid 90s and stood in the exact same spot in front of J.

My Favourite Albums Of 2021

16. Marina Allen - Candlepower 

15. Margo Cilker - Pohorylle

14. Ashley Monroe - Rosegold

13. Lana Del Rey - Chemtrails Over The Country Club

12. Pearl Charles - Magic Mirror

11. Kacey Musgraves - Star-Crossed

10. Dinosaur Jr. - Sweep It Into Space

9. St. Vincent - Daddy's Home

8. Brandi Carlile - In These Silent Days

7. Juliana Hatfield - Blood 

6. Sierra Ferrell - Long Time Coming

5. Sturgill Simpson - The Ballad Of Dood & Juanita

4. Lana Del Rey - Blue Banisters

3. Snail Mail - Valentine 

2. Lindsey Buckingham - Lindsey Buckingham 

1. Marina - Ancient Dreams In A Modern Land

Dinosaur Jr at the Electric Ballroom

Dinosaur Jr
Cheatahs
Death At Sea
Electric Ballroom, February 4 2013

I actually aimed to miss support act Death At Sea as I had seen them before last year opening for Haim and was pretty unimpressed but alas for once London transport didn't let me down and I actually arrived early. I can't say they won me over this time either but it was very strange to see them again as they seemed like an entirely different band.

Dinosaur Jr at The Forum

 
Dinosaur Jr
Clinic
The Forum, 9 June 2009

Despite being late and missing the first act (Hush Arbors, a pleasant if unremarkable folky group I had already seen supporting Vetiver earlier this year) and arriving mid-way through Clinic's post rock friendly instrumental set, the venue wasn't that full most likely due to the tube strike, which saw people bail on the chance of seeing one of the few bands who always sound great at The Forum (which usually is notorious for being one of the worst sounding venues in London).