Monthly Archives: June 2014

RUNAWAY GO – LIVE AT THE LOFT 28.6.2014

Posted on by

For the second successive Saturday, it was an afternoon concert for me, this time seeing Runaway Go at The Loft, or if you prefer, 3rd floor of HMV at Donegall Arcade.

Previous instore gigs i’d been too at HMV had been a bit chaotic simply due to the lack of space when bands had been performing on the ground floor. Generally, the view was crap.

This new layout is a lot more specious and enjoyable experience.

Over the past few Saturdays, HMV had been staging lunchtime concerts with local acts on the bill. Today’s concert ws by Runaway Go, a band i’d previously seen a couple of times, most notably at Belsonic, supporting James and Suede.

Today’s set was more acoustic based, but still enjoyable. They’ve got an album out in October, so looking forward to that.

Photo Album

Runaway Go Live At Belsonic 2013

Runaway Go Live At Belsonic Photo Album

SUNFLOWERS AND STRIPES

Posted on by

Haven’t done much blogging about Street Art recently, simply because, I haven’t seen anything worth blogging about.

Spotted some stuff today in the City Centre, of Sunflowers, opposite The Sunflower Bar, of NOTA doing his name in the American flag, in flames, some new pieces on Garfield Street, and a new piece along the side of Crescent Arts Centre.

Enjoy.

Photo Album

50 YEARS OF TOP OF THE POPS : JUN 20 – JUN 26

Posted on by

Busy week this week. We start with a Duran birthday …….. John Taylor.

From a band with three Taylors, to a band with two Davies. This blog post is brought to you in association with Cherry Cola. C-O-L-A Cola.

And now, a band who, like Dave Davies, had to live under the shadow of a famous brother.

If you learn one thing this week, it’s that Scritti Politti means “Political writing” in Italian.

And now, this week’s birthdays throw up a Glasgow double bill.

Mick Fleetwood blew out birthday candles this week. I don’t think he got a card from Reynolds Girls. Scary thought, Reynolds Girls are almost as old now as Fleetwood Mac/Rolling Stones were in 1989.

A song protesting about the music industry being dominiated by middle aged grey haired men, produced by the permanently middle aged and grey haired Pete Waterman.

Curt Smith from Tears For Fears turned 53 this week.

(I know Curt had left by this point, but this song is just brilliant)

Bonehead, the guitar legend from Oasis nudges closer to 50 this week. I think this was the moment when the whole Oasis thing got a bit silly. (WARNING : Gary Glitter, I don’t know why, presented this episode)

George Michael turned 51 this week. He had a party at Club Tropicana. Mainly because the drinks are free.

It’s now five years since Michael Jackson died. Here he is giving a Christmas Message in 1995.

Mick Jones turned 59 this week. The Clash were too cool for TOTP, but Big Audio Dynamite weren’t.

(No doubt you’ll have loved the link from Michael Jackson to a band known as BAD. No?)

Chris Issak, meanwhile, turned 58 this week.

And finally, Harriet Wheeler, formerly of The Saturdays, left to form The Sundays. Her new band, The Mondays, are expected to release an album this year.

UEFA 101 CLUB – UPDATE

Posted on by

It’s been a year, and the opening rounds of European competition are drawn tomorrow, with Irish League teams joining the action, so it’s a good time to update my pursuit to complete a rather pointless list.

You may have noticed the new title – further research has indicated that 101 clubs, not 100 have played in a European Final. It’s not my fault, I was basing it on the When Saturday Comes article that inspired it, which at the time of writing said 99 clubs had reached a European Final, with the next one being the 100th.

Turns out, there had already been 100 clubs. Since you ask, the honour belongs to Fulham.

So, what is the UEFA 101 Club? Well, 101 clubs have played in the final of one of European football’s three competitions (European Cup, European Cup Winners Cup, UEFA Cup) and there are people who try to see every team play live in person.

I’m doing it just for fun, but if I win the lottery, I might start taking it a bit more seriously.

Living in Northern Ireland, you’d think it would be hard trying to see some of these clubs, but tomorrow’s draw could see some clubs who’ve had greater European nights visiting Northern Ireland. It did last year.

In the European Cup, Cliftonville could have a rematch with Celtic. No use to me, as i’ve already ticked Celtic off my list.

Other possible opponents for Cliftonville include : Steau Bucharest, Dinamo Zagreb (already ticked off my list), Partizan Belgrade and Slovan Bratislava.

Frustratingly, Red Star Belgrade won’t be in the competition due to being thrown out due to Financial Fair Play. I would have loved to have seen them in the flesh, even though they’re now a shadow of their 1991 team, the mystique remains.

If they get drawn against Steau Bucharest, I might be tempted to go.

If Cliftonville get through, they could potentially face Red Bull Salzburg, Malmo or Dinamo Tblisi.

In the UEFA Cup, Linfield being seeded means they won’t be facing any members of the club, but there are opportunities for Crusaders and Glenavon.

By the way, i’m hoping the draw sends Linfield to Broughton (or Airbus UK, if you prefer)

Crusaders or Glenavon could face IFK Gothenborg, Aberdeen or Ferencvaros.

If any of the Irish League teams progress to the next round, there are no member clubs joining at that stage. Plenty of big clubs in the 3rd Round though.

This time last year, I was on 29 clubs, but I am on 31 clubs now, having added Dundee United and Everton to my list. I’ve applied for a ticket to the European Super Cup Final in Cardiff. If I get a ticket, that’ll be Sevilla ticked off the list. I’ve already got Real Madrid.

My list in full :

Team (Year first seen)

Aberdeen (2011)
Ajax Amsterdam (2012)
Arsenal (2003)
AS Roma (2007)
Aston Villa (1993)
Atletico Madrid (2011)
Barcelona (2011)
Benfica (2000)
Brimingham City (2010)
Celtic (2009)
Chelsea (1997)
Dinamo Zagreb (2008)
Dundee United (2013)
Everton (2014)
FC Porto (2011)
Feyenoord (1999)
Fulham (2001)
Leeds United (1993)
Liverpool (1994)
Manchester City (2000)
Manchester United (1993)
Marseille (1992)
Middlesbrough (1995)
Newcastle United (1993)
Nottingham Forest (1996)
Rangers (2002)
Real Madrid (2003)
SC Braga (2011)
Tottenham Hotspur (2010)
West Ham United (1997)
Wolverhampton Wanderers (2010)

WONDER VILLAINS – LIVE AT THE OH YEAH CENTRE 21.6.2014

Posted on by

The summer months usually throw up outdoor concerts in unusual locations, and today was no different, as Wonder Villains launched their debut album Rocky with an afternoon concert on the roof of the Oh Yeah Centre in Belfast.

If you’ve never heard of them, your missing out. Their philosophy is simple – they do fun pop music that you can dance to.

You probably have already heard them without knowing. Their song TV was re-recorded for a Belfast tourism advert for the Belfast Festival, while Zola is recognisable as the theme tune to Monumental.

If you’ve been a regular reader of this blog, you’ll know that I have featured their songs regularly on The Friday Five.

The gig was their album played from start to finish in full, and in order. Thankfully, the weather stayed dry. The sun even shone during some of the gig. This is a band that sounds good no matter what the weather.

Photo Album

50 YEARS OF TOP OF THE POPS : JUN 13 – JUN 19

Posted on by

Last week’s 50YOTOTP featured Cerys Matthews, who ended up getting an MBE. I didn’t even know The Queen read this blog.

This week’s trawl through TOTP history begins with Buddy Holly. Oh wait, it’s a guy who looks like him.

And from Buddy Holly …….. to the Rovers Return.

…… and a TOTP performance from the first band to appear on CD:UK

Boy George turns 52 this week. This song, is brilliant.

Another week, another Sugababe birthday. This week, Siobhan Donaghy, who narrowly lost out to Siobhan Fahey as pop’s most famous Siobhan.

Noddy Holder turns 68 this week. You know what song I want to play, but well, IIIIITTTTTTT’S NOOOOOTTTT CHHHRRRRISSSSTMMMAAASSSS!!!!

Here’s Oasis covering Slade from 1996

The first of two Norn Iron pop birthdays this week, Gary Lightbody (being covered by Leona Lewis)

And on his 9th birthday ……. Nadine Coyle came into the world

Meanwhile, the second greatest living Beatle celebrated a birthday this week.

And from Macca, to Moyet.

Whicj nicely links into the fact it’s two years since the Moyet covering Brian Hibbard died.

50 YEARS OF TOP OF THE POPS : JUN 6 – JUN 12

Posted on by

It’s been a struggle to get this week’s round-up done, as i’ve spent most of the week in hospital.

I’ve been diagnosed with a condition called Tomjonesitis, where you randomly start singing Tom Jones songs. I asked the doctor if it was common, he replied …… It’s Not Unusual.

And now to a song which is just as brilliant and ridiculous as my Tom Jones joke.

Meanwhile, Charlie Simpson off of Busted (but not McBusted) turns 29 this week. Pop fact, this song was originally called “Crash and Burn” but was changed after the Columbia Shuttle Disaster

This week’s sad anniversary, 4 years since the death of Stuart Cable. This, filmed in his hometown of Cwmbran.

If you don’t know Mick Hucknall by now, you will never ever know him.

Nick Rhodes from Duran Duran turns 52 this week. Incidentally (according to the Youtube bio) this performance was broadcast on 6th November 1986, the day Sir Alex Ferguson became Manchester United manager.

Rob Pilatus from Milli Vanilli would have been 49 this week. Seriously, how did people not know they didn’t sing on their records?

It got worse for Fabrice Morvan, as he lost out on an insurance ad deal to Morgan Freeman.

Meanwhile, much loved popular Darts player Jackie Wilson would have been 80 this week.,

Matt Bellamy from Muse is 36 this week. Pop fact, his dad was in The Tornadoes. You know, Telstar.

Reg Presley from The Troggs would have been 73 this week. Wet Wet Wet ensured he never had to worry about money for the last 18 years of his life. Don’t you just want to run your hands through Marti Pellow’s hair? Just me?

Holy Europop!!! It’s Robyn

And finally, some Good Souls