Well its largely been a scene of ordinariness for me so far this year – Frankie & The Heartstrings had hairstyles but neither enough attitude or tunes, Egyptian Hip-Hop had moments of promise but played a sometimes shambolic set that was a lot longer than it should’ve been, and while Miike Snow exceeded expectations I can’t even say that I was overwhelmed by him either. Indeed had he played been any venue other than Thekla, I suspect I wouldn’t have like it at all.

Anyway two bands that thrilled:

Islet – Wonderful, spirited and a little psychedelic. Combining the Mae Shi, Cats In Paris and Gorkys, in a constantly enthralling set. Can’t wait to see them again.

The Fauns – Local bias aside, the Fauns remain my favourite of the nu shoegaze scene, so many lush layers of beautiful sound and airy vocals. Though its still a privilege to be able to see them in such an intimate venue as the Louisana, its also a little criminal that they should still be playing there. Hopefully some support slots to both Telescopes and Damon & Naomi later this year will help change that.

I went to see Irish rock trio General Fiasco last night, v enjoyable but I had a fair idea of that having seen them at Glasto last yr. The pleasant surprise came with the support, The Black Box Revelation, a two piece from Brussels of guitar and drums. V loud and the guitarist/singer is a real showman. Will have to try and find out if they have released anything. All round a good night out.

I have no gigs booked or planned whatsoever, which I can't help but think is an oversight.

First up is Fixmer/McCarthy and Factory Floor at the ICA on the 27th of this month. Next month, on the 24th, there's The Black Dog at the Millennium Galleries in Sheffield. Finally, there's John Foxx at The Roundhouse on June 5th.

A gig of limited appeal, perhaps, but it was a real treat to hear John Scofield play alongside the Scottish National Jazz Orchestra in Edinburgh on Friday night.

Well, Rammstein were fucking outstanding. One of the best gigs I've ever been to.

I was worrying there thinking "Fuck me, I haven't been to a gig that I haven't played at this year" until I realised that it is only mid-March and I am 43.

I only get going when the weather is warmer. It's me hips, you see

I haven't been to a gig in ages and am rarely inspired to these days. But, come May this year I shall be going to four gigs in four days, they are:

24th May - Shellac
25th May - The xx
26th May - Grizzly Bear (my girlfriend likes them)
27th May - Muse (guilty pleasure, I'm going on my own)

been quite a decent couple of weeks.

both yeasayer and local natives were pretty good, cate le bon/lawrence arabia and soft pack/banjo or freakout were perfect gig pairings. the latter gig i suspect will be one of my fave of the year. frightened rabbit were outstanding as well, one of my best ever gigs at thekla and there's been a few there!

most disappointing were cymbals eat guitars who were stodgy, uninteresting and had pretty appalling sound (though i do like the album), also blood red shoes were a little dull - i'd really liked them before but i'm not sure they have enough top songs to do an hour and i was bored by the end. underground railroad supported them and they, thankfully, were ace.

next week a little frantic with thee silver mt zion... , new young pony club, why? and the album leaf coming to town - i'm pretty excited 'cos i've only seen nypc before, always good to see something new.

Chicago has a rich history of punk house shows (double meaning there--punk houses and punk shows in houses). Anyway, a friend and I went to see 4 bands at a house called Ottoman Empire last week. The show was great. There were probably 50 people crammed in a basement and the energy was really inspiring.

Empty Hands sound a bit like the Dwarves.

Heavy Cream have a bit of a Runaways meets Ramones sound.

The Cathy Santonies sounded a bit like the Runaways meets the Slits.

Geffika were the odd band on the bill, with a Lower East Side New York noise aesthetic.

I know there are some other OTFers in Chicago. If you're into punk and interested in going to a future show, let me know. My friend and I are planning to go to a show once per month. We would love to go more often, but it's too hard with other work and family commitments.

I went to see Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip last night. Really good, best show I've been to in ages. I hadn't heard any of their new album (released last week) before the gig but it sounds great. Puts a lot of UK hip-hop to shame.

It's all about the gigs I've missed, so far this year. Missed These New Puritans, missed Yeasayer, won't get a chance to see New Young Pony Club.

I think the DMC gig is my only one this year so far.

Saw the Magnetic Fields at the Barbican on Manchester. Good, occasionally very good, but not poppy enough in the second half of the set. And the Realism songs didn't sound that great.

I don't suppose anyone has any kind of idea who is in the lineup for this year's Get Loaded In The Park?

Toby Gymshorts wrote:
I don't suppose anyone has any kind of idea who is in the lineup for this year's Get Loaded In The Park?
Not yet, no.

I'm seeing Tindersticks tonight. Ideally i'd be watching Suede at the RAH or HMHB in Cambridge, but i'll enjoy it anyway. Saw Wild Beasts at Koko earlier this week and they were fabulous. Seeing The Strange Death of Liberal England tomorrow for the first time in 3 years or so. They really went off the radar following their debut mini album.

I am presuming the board is positive to all things Saint Etienne, so I'll recommend The School on tour promoting their album Loveless Unbeliever (produced by Ian Catt).

Seeing The Besnard lakes tonight followed quickly by British Sea Power,Teenage Fanclub and Natalie Merchant.

But I'm really looking forward to The Besnard lakes....anyone else seen them on this short tour of the UK?
Their new album is a cracker

Hot Chip. They were the other ones I wanted to see. Missed them, too.