2021 IN PICTURES – NOVEMBER

November began with a day trip to Dublin. Naturally, while I was there, I took the opportunity to check out Street Art. Might as well, seeing as it was my first time there in two years.

Later that week, I did something else I hadn’t done for a long time. Not as long, just over eighteen months. I am of course referring to going to a concert, in this case, Lightning Seeds at The Limelight.

That was then followed by two road trips for Linfield away games, to Portadown and Crusaders.

Sandwiched inbetween that was another road trip, this time to Ards to get some Street Art photos, with a recent event having taken place.

It was a month of doing things I hadn’t done for a while. This time, going on a flight.

The destination was Gatwick, but not to go to London, but Brighton instead.

So many photo adventures, where to start?

Street Art in Brighton, of course. Also, a walk along Beachy Head, OMD in concert, and some sunsets while I was in Brighton.

Back home, a return to Windsor Park to see Linfield beat Cliftonville.

Two days later, I headed to The Limelight to see The Charlatans in concert.

The month ended with Linfield matches against Glenavon and Carrick Rangers.

Dublin Street Art

Dublin Street Art Photo Album

Lightning Seeds live at The Limelight

Lightning Seeds live at The Limelight Photo Album

Portadown v Linfield

Ards Street Art

Ards Street Art Photo Album

Crusaders v Linfield

Brighton Street Art

Brighton Street Art Photo Album

Beachy Head

Beachy Head Photo Album

OMD live at Brighton Centre

OMD live at Brighton Centre Photo Album

Brighton Sunset

Brighton Sunset Photo Album

Linfield v Cliftonville

The Charlatans live at The Limelight

The Charlatans live at The Limelight Photo Album

Glenavon v Linfield

Linfield v Carrick Rangers

THE CHARLATANS – LIVE AT THE LIMELIGHT 22.11.2021

31 years is a curious anniversary to celebrate, but that’s what The Charlatans were doing when they rolled into Belfast to perform at The Limelight.

This concert, wasn’t actually put back, it was on the actual date it was announced to be on, calling it The 31st Anniversary Tour was very much tongue in cheek to the current situation.

Getting in, it was a ticket on my phone. Ugh. I was asked to scan a QR Code for Track and Trace but they let me in anyway when it wouldn’t work on my phone. No request to show proof of vaccination or mask enforcement.

During the support act, Aoife Nessa Francis, Tim Burgess was stood in front of me on the floor, watching her. Wearing a mask as well, setting a good example. You’d think if the singer of the band you’re going to see can wear a mask you could do so too. I forgot, Maskexemptionitis is on the rampage. Let’s hope they find a cure for it.

As Tim dedicated a song to Steve Strange, a Belfast based Promoter, not the Welsh Pop Star from the 80s, someone asked if it was My Beautiful Friend, only to be told it was not, but they should have done that song for him. They ended up not performing it. Pity, it’s a decent tune.

Sadly, Tim responding only encouraged the Banter Bores in the crowd. You know the sort, think they’re mates with the band and that they’re so funny. We’re not here to see you.

This was a Greatest Hits Tour, we were treated to, um, hits and lots of them – Forever, Weirdo, You’re So Pretty We’re So Pretty, North Country Boy, One To Another, Tellin Stories and The Only One I Know.

As Tim Burgess was introducing the rest of the band, Pete Salisbury, formerly of The Verve but now very much a Charlatan declined to do a drum solo despite being egged on by the crowd.

Pleasingly, they played two of my favourite songs, Love Is The Key and Blackened Blue Eyes.

A Greatest Hits Tour that did what it said on the tin.

Photo Album

The Charlatans live at Falls Park 2013

The Charlatans live at Custom House Square 2015

The Charlatans live at The Limelight 2017

THE FRIDAY FIVE – 26.11.2021

1. The Divine Comedy – The Best Mistakes
2. Queen – It’s A Hard Life
3. OMD – Tesla Girls
4. The Charlatans – Blackened Blue Eyes
5. The Anxiety – Meet Me At Our Spot

MAGAZINE ARCHIVE : INSIDE UNITED – APRIL 2009

Edwin Van Der Sar and Nemanja Vidic are the cover stars of Inside United, the cover stating it was the April 2008 edition when it was the April 2009 edition, as they discuss United’s recent run of 14 league games without conceding a goal.

Sir Alex Ferguson takes questions from supporters, revealing that if he could sign a player from United’s past to play in the current team, it would be Bryan Robson.

With the title run-in coming up, Inside United looks at the key games in March and April of the contenders, which includes Aston Villa, sitting on the periphery of the title race.

Patrice Evra spills the beans on his team-mates, declaring that Thomasz Kuzczak is now the worst dressed player at the club following the departure of Louis Saha.

Every advantage counts in a title race, and this edition features an interview with United’s Strength and Conditioning Coach Mike Clegg.

Cover stars Vidic and Van Der Sar get a five page feature, which is then followed by a six page feature on the run of clean sheets, with analysis from various former United players.

United have recently signed two Serbian players, Adam Ljajic and Zoran Tosic, and Inside United dedicates four pages to why they will both be a success at Old Trafford.

There is a focus on United’s Reserves, interviewing fans who travel to the games to see why it appeals to them.

Talking of Reserves, there is a profile of 17 year old Reece Brown, hoping to emulate his older brother Wes.

The magazine ends with Tim Burgess of The Charlatans talking about his love of United and his United memories.

MAGAZINE ARCHIVE : MELODY MAKER – 22.12.1999

It’s a special Christmas edition of Melody Maker this week. Not only a new year coming up, but a new decade and a new century. It can only be 1999.

In news, Travis are doing homecoming gigs in Glasgow, and hoping to avoid playing large arenas, despite the success of their album The Man Who.

Justine Frischmann is subject of a Q and A, being asked to give her opinions on Blur and Suede’s new albums.

Meanwhile, The Charlatans have denied that their new single My Beautiful Friend is about Rob Collins, the band’s former Keyboardist who died in 1996.

There is an unscientific test of the bets Hangover TV, with SM:TV Live, Live and Kicking, T4 and Soccer AM all in contention.

There is a guide to the best Christmas TV, with Kevin The Teenager doing a guide to being a teenager being advised as “Don’t miss”

Naturally, 1999 gets reviewed, with a month by month look, as well as some of the best quotes.

There’s even a world exclusive interview with Santa Claus, conducted by Rick Witter from Shed Seven.

Metallica are interviewed about their perfect Christmas, declaring there is nothing more Christmassy than hardcore porn.

It wouldn’t be Christmas without a few drinks, and Melody Maker goes out to get drunk with the band A.

Meanwhile, Longpigs give a guide to the best Christmas food.

Cover stars Stereophonics are interviewed, declaring 1999 to be a brilliant year.

Roddy Woomble from Idlewild talks about his favourite films of 1999, including Fight Club and South Park, while Dermot O’Leary talks about TV in 1999 including Friends, Eastenders and Louis Theroux.

In a magazine full of lists, Head Music by Suede wins Best Album, while I Try by Macy Gray wins Best Single, ironically not becoming a massive hit until 2000.

In concert reviews, Melody Maker took a trip to Belfast to see Travis at the Waterfront Hall.

The magazine ends with a Q and A with Macy Gray where she reveals she laughs when people sing Happy Birthday to her, while Noddy Holder discusses the lyrics to Merry Xmas Everybody.

MAGAZINE ARCHIVE : MELODY MAKER – 23.10.1999

Not a large magazine this week, as we look back at a free sampler edition of Melody Maker, which was free for one week only as it changed to an A4 sized publication.

This edition saw Cerys Matthews as the cover star.

As you open the magazine, there is an editorial explaining the new look, as well as a look at some classic Melody Maker covers.

There is an article called Maker Breakers, detailing the breakthrough acts interviewed by Melody Maker in 1999 such as Groove Armada, Gay Dad and Muse.

Dexter Holland of The Offspring is subject of a Q and A, revealing he would watch an execution if it was broadcast on TV.

In reviews, Melody Maker went to see Travis in Aberdeen, gave four and a half stars to The Charlatans new album, while Ian Brown, Cerys Matthews and Ash were celebrity Singles Reviewers.

2017 IN PICTURES – DECEMBER (SO FAR …)

Here we are, the final photo round-up of 2017, looking back at my adventures in December. Well, December so far.

December began with a trip to Windsor Park to see Linfield take on Dungannon Swifts.

That was followed by a trip to Ulster Hall to see The Divine Comedy in concert.

I was hoping to follow that with a trip to Carrick to see Linfield play Carrick Rangers, but that was postponed due to snow.

I decided to make the most of a football free Saturday, by going out and getting pictures of the snow in Belfast.

There was one final concert for 2017, as I headed to The Limelight to see The Charlatans.

The following day, I flew to Manchester, to see United take on Bournemouth primarily, but I also managed to squeeze in some Street Art photos from Manchester and Salford Quays.

Upon my return, I headed to Windsor Park to see Linfield play Warrenpoint Town and draw 3-3.

The following Saturday, it was another visit to Windsor Park to see Linfield beat Cliftonville 2-0.

There’s still eight days left in December, i’ll be at The Oval on Boxing Day, and then back to Windsor Park next Saturday for more photo adventures.

I hope you’ve enjoyed this series looking back at 2017 In Pictures. I’m already looking forward to see what 2018 will bring in terms of photo adventures.

Linfield v Dungannon Swifts

The Divine Comedy live at Ulster Hall

The Divine Comedy live at Ulster Hall Photo Album

Belfast Snow December 2017

Snow – Friday 8th December Photo Album

Snow – Saturday 9th December Photo Album

Snow – Sunday 10th December Photo Album

The Charlatans live at The Limelight

The Charlatans live at The Limelight Photo Album

Manchester Street Art

Manchester Street Art Photo Album

Manchester United v AFC Bournemouth

Manchester United v AFC Bournemouth Photo Album

Salford Quays Street Art

Salford Quays Street Art Photo Album

Linfield v Warrenpoint Town

Linfield v Cliftonville

THE SOUND OF 2017 : 26-50

26. Beth Ditto – Fire
27. Harry Styles – Sign Of The Times
28. Blondie – Long Time
29. Pale Waves – There’s A Honey
30. Foo Fighters – Run
31. OMD – The Punishment Of Luxury
32. Shed Seven – Room In My House
33. Liam Gallagher – Chinatown
34. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Holy Mountain
35. Jake Shears – Creep City
36. Dagny – Wearing Nothing
37. Rory Lavelle – Sonny
38. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Keep On Reaching
39. The XX – I Dare You
40. Stereophonics – Caught By The Wind
41. George Ezra – Don’t Matter Now
42. Haim – Want You Back
43. Robert Plant and the Sensational Shapeshifters – New World
44. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Black And White Sunshine
45. Tom Grennan – Found What I’ve Been Looking For
46. The Chainsmokers – Paris
47. Rory Lavelle – Poor Pride
48. Amy MacDonald – Dream On
49. Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds – Fort Knox
50. The Charlatans – Plastic Machinery

THE CHARLATANS – LIVE AT THE LIMELIGHT 11.12.2017

The last two Charlatans concerts in Belfast took place in tents. It was a fact that didn’t escape singer Tim Burgess as he commented on it, saying “Every gig we do here is in a tent” at the second of those, at Custom House Square in May 2015.

Two and a half years, they returned to Belfast (keeping up a recent run of coming here every two years) and we had found an actual building for them to perform in, The Limelight, which hosted the final night of their Plastic Machinery Tour.

It was a night that saw them blast through their hits, such as North Country Boy, Tellin Stories, Weirdo and The Only One I Know, which ironically, wasn’t the only one I knew.

We also got treated to Love Is The Key, not always played on their previous Belfast visits but one of my favourite Charlatans songs, if not my favourite.

Running it close in that regard is Blackened Blue Eyes, which wasn’t played. Can’t have everything I guess.

What we did get, was the (trademark?) dad dancing from Tim Burgess. It must be a Tim thing, as Tim Booth of James is just as bad, or good, depending on how you look at it.

There was a mixed reaction from the crowd then they introduced a song co-written with Paul Weller, with Tim commented that he was a mate. Tough Crowd.

What got the crowd going was the possibility of Tim stripping, as he took off his jumper to reveal a t-shirt, the crowd egging him on to strip, with guitarist Mark Collins looking on disapprovingly at them for doing so.

They did get to later see Burgess take his t-shirt off, but with a catch.

By the time of the encore, Burgess was resembling Joey in Friends when he was wearing all of Chandler’s clothes, as he was wearing three t-shirts.

The one that was visible was a green one with “SPROSTON” written on it, which he threw into the crowd, with a scrum following.

The t-short he was wearing now was one with “SALFORD LAD” written on it. He didn’t throw that into the crowd.

It probably wouldn’t have fitted me, but it would have been apt if I had caught it, as I was heading to Salford the following morning.

Later in the week, the band were announced as headliners for The Great Escape in 2018, so you can get your hopes up of a return to Belfast or Northern Ireland next year.

As well as classic hits, we got recent classics such as Plastic Machinery (Introduced by Ian Rankin on an LED Screen) and May The Good Times Be Never Ending.

The good times were never ending at The Limelight.

Photo Album

The Charlatans live at Falls Park 2013

The Charlatans live at Custom House Squad 2015

THE HALF-TERM HALF CENTURY, 2017

We’ve reached that time of year when we are halfway through the year and it is time to do the Top 50 songs of the year so far.

There’s no scientific formula to it. I just went through The Friday Five, and tried to assemble them into some sort of order.

If you love pointless stats, there are three former “The Sound Of …..” winners in the chart.

Remember, it can all change by the time of the main chart in December.

It could even be a Gallagher brother duopoly.

1. Liam Gallagher – Wall Of Glass
2. Rose Elinor Dougall – Closer
3. The Killers – The Man
4. Paramore – Hard Times
5. John Hassell and the April Rainers – Intercity 125
6. Rose Elinor Dougall – All At Once
7. Royal Blood – Lights Out
8. Blondie – Long Time
9. Kasabian – You’re In Love With A Psycho
10. Pale Waves – There’s A Honey
11. George Ezra – Don’t Matter Now
12. Harry Styles – Sign Of The Times
13. Lorde – Green Light
14. Arcade Fire – Everything Now
15. Beth Ditto – Fire
16. Dagny – Wearing Nothing
17. Haim – Want You Back
18. The Kooks – Be Who You Are
19. Haim – Little Of Your Love
20. The XX – On Hold
21. Coldplay – Something Just Like This
22. Amy MacDonald – Dream On
23. Erasure – Love You To The Sky
24. Ed Sheeran – Castle On The Hill
25. Rag n Bone Man – Skin
26. Liam Gallagher – Chinatown
27. The Charlatans – Plastic Machinery
28. James – Sit Down (Game Of Thrones 2017 version)
29. Joy Williams – Ordinary World
30. Liam Gallagher – Bold
31. Muse – Dig Deep
32. Shed Zeppelin – Good Times, Bad Times, Disco Down
33. Barry Manilow – New York State Of Mind
34. Kasabian – Bless This Acid House
35. Robin Bengtsson – I Can’t Go On
36. Black Grape – Pop Voodoo
37. Imagine Dragons – Believer
38. Matt Maltese – As The World Caves In
39. The Courteeners – Don’t Look Back In Anger
40. Maggie Rogers – Alaska
41. Ryan Adams – To Be Without You
42. Miley Cyrus – Malibu
43. Cast – Faith
44. Blossoms – In Da Club/Carelss Whisper
45. Imelda May – I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For
46. Ariana Grande and Miley Cyrus – Don’t Dream It’s Over
47. Rory Lavelle – Poor Pride
48. Rose Elinor Dougall – Hell and Back
49. Amy MacDonald – Automatic
50. Paul Draper – Things People Want