It seems a while ago but only 8 days since was at Simon's watching the last game of the season having to rely on West Ham getting something, anything, at Citeh. Despite beating Everton (sorry Simon) The Arsenal are pipped to the post leaving us Gooners to rue dropping points to Fulham home and away. Ah well, now I can focus on the inevitable disappointment of the Euros.
The next day ends on a happier note as Debbie and I go to His Honour Judge Simon Mills aka Olly's formal judge swearing in ceremony at the Royal Courts of Justice which has a large demonstration as Julian Assange has just been given the right to appeal against extradition to the US. Nice to catch up with Judge Mills, Sheren and his boys and partners and kiddie. Then for cocktails at the American Bar at the Savoy before a meal nearby. Debbie and I then celebrate our 19th anniversary of meeting at Gordon's Wine Bar which has changed somewhat but there again maybe we have too. Beautiful weather all day too. Tuesday is low key but Wednesday sees me out and about again meeting Maya for dinner at Mildreds Soho before going to the new snazzy Here at Outernet venue. First up is Bagge who I think is the artist with a backing band serving up a tasty slice of soulful jazz. Next is Sofy who again is an artist named that with a backing band. They serve us a great set of quirky guitar ridden funky indie with a touch of Just Jack lyrically both in content and delivery. The it's the main attraction the magnificent Kawala. They are on form with their ever evolving mix of indie afrobeat touching jazz funk twanginess They go down very well with what must be well over a 1,000 young women singing along to every song. Witty and self deprecating they put on a great show and go down a storm. Riding high... sorry didn't see Becky and Simon.
Thursday Ramsay and Jo arrive early evening and after eating we cycle up to The Windmill for my 2nd night of sold out Greepiness in 2 months. We meet Simon and Jules and soon enough the support are on which I think are called Chardonnay but I may be wildly wrong. They play a great set jumping genres like all good Windmill bands do from straight up rock through post punk metal to a Style Council vibe. A great start to the night. Soon enough Geordie Greep and the Swing Boys (possibly) take the stage but with such a packed crowd it's difficult to see any of them (see crap photo). It feels like Greep is finding his way with his outside black midi outfit. To my mind a slow start although interesting in a jazz scat spoken word soulful way and towards end becoming a lot more heavier with ranting vocals against a rockier backdrop nodding to Zappa. The lyrics are great when you can catch them and Debbie says that the great lyric I would disembowel myself to hold your hand crops up in both sides of the set. I like it but others have varying opinions. Must be very hard to decide how not to be black midi when they are so damn good. After I chat to a photographer documentary guy who may or may not read this blog. We unlock our bikes with Roof Dog running free now that the punters are mostly gone and cycle home avoiding abandoned Christmas trees.
Friday Ramsay and Jo are out and about all day and evening straight after breakfast. Saturday is the main reason for our visitors and Poppy arrives 9 ish then after breakfast we catch a taxi to Herne Hill for Wide Awake. Another lovely day with just the right amount of cloud so it's not too hot. Right there were a lot of bands and some I remember better than others and some I may have got completely wrong either their name and / or what they sounded like but anyways here's a quick skip through the turnips... Deep Tan were deeply into thrash. . Plantoid are 70s rock funk. Special Interest are indeed that and sassy with it. YHWH Nailgun sound as melodic as their name. Lambrini Girls are fast punky jump in the audience encourage moshing give us some political advice and are generally a great act highlight of the day so far. After that excitement Debbie makes a not so swift exit finally succumbing to a week long virus of the weird sort. I find my chums again at Bodega who have a great NY new wave ish sound and indeed let us know they'll be playing at the David Byrne tribute later on. Next to shouty Upchuck. Not enthralled we dance to a David Holmes DJ set which hits all the right buttons in all the right places for some sun drenched grooving with other smiley happy people. Nice recorded rant at the end about what's going on in Palestine showing that yet again our governments are so out of sync with public feelings. Mystery as to why we keep on voting them in. Squid are their usual magnificentness. Just go see. I think at this point we wander around finding ourselves at Corsica Studios tent to dance and have the official DM vloggers film our footwear. My visitor's brilliant white DMs may make the cut but probably not my ageing cherry reds though I guess it shows how well they age. Slowdive drives me away from Rams and Jo and I wander around again jigging at Corsica then catching a bit of the ever entertaining Lynks. I go look for my mates at King Gizzard but after a couple of songs I'm thinking they are just a bit rock and so although usually avoiding tribute bands and having been bitten recently with the Sex Pistols cover in Leicester I go against my better judgement and think if Bodega are leading the charge may be worthwhile catching the Byrne's Night (Talking Heads Tribute). So glad I did as it was less Pistols tribute and more Pogues that I saw in the Windmill (see blogs passim). The stage has numerous and various musicians and singers and we are treated to a proper piper (of the bags type) and a version of the Burns night ode to a haggis. Then we are straight into Psycho Killer with the Special Interest singer delivering vocals almost as good as the original. If TH had had a rawer punk sound. Brilliant start and it goes from there with a revolving set of musicians lead and backing singers and classic songs. The crowd are loving it and I suspect like me thinking this is a fabulous one off. Burning Down the House. [Internet searching reveals this is an annual thing starting last year at the Moth Club. Must remember to look out for it next year.] It's back next door to King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard who have perked up a bit. I miraculously walk straight into Jo and Poppy and at the end we find Ramsay to tootle off, pint at the Half Moon and home.
Sunday is a late breakfast and Ramsay and I go into Balham to watch more disappointing football last Sunday deja vu. Another lovely meal from Debs and flop around watching a mediocre film before bed. Bank Holiday Monday Poppy is out and away before the rest of us rise and then I drive the Yorkshire Terriers to the station. It's been a long week but I muster the energy to pack away the bedding, make carrot top pesto, cook tea and write this blog. You will have to play guess the band with the photos but I'll try to get them in order of being taken.
