Who Did You See this Year (2024) ?

So, the 2024 gig calendar is now complete, so time to have a look back over the year.

Cutting down a bit on gigs, to try and take in some newer acts and newer venues, I didn't get a start until March. While I've seen Wille & The Bandits several times, and the never disappoint, the venue was new-to-me, The Grove, Byker (bet they sat up all night for that ), a former stables; very much on the scale of it's near neighbour, The Cluny. The evening's support, Haunt The Woods (again, from Cornwall) were a treat, and worth catching again.

April saw the welcome return of Dan Patlansky, and if he can make it from S. Africa, then I can manage the 2 mile travel. Supporting Dan was another S. African, Ross Harding [UK] who delivered a very tasty, acoustic set with a Rock edge. Just who did he remind me of?
Oh yes, Jack J Hutchinson, who played The Cluny at the end of the month, his first venue visit for a few years, and this time back as headliner.

May meant a trip down to Darlington's Quaker House to catch up with Stoney Broke for the first time in a while; still looking and sounding good. Bit of a change later that same week; the US band Maserati (ooh, you hope for sponsorship with a band-name like that) dropping a powerful and intense instrumental set, like Tangerine Dream played on rock-crushers. Despite being around for 20 years, I believe this was there first time here, and they're not frequent UK visitors, so here's hoping it's not another 20 years before they come back.

A trip up to Gosforth Civic came in June to catch one of my favourite guitarists from the 1990s, Bernard Butler. A one-man-show, he demonstrated the breadth & depth of his skills, like a combination of Bert Jansch and Mick Ronson.

July was back to the Cluny, this time for Darnell Cole's visit; left me a little flat tbh.

After a break in August, we were back in business in September. First up was my debut visit to Zerox (on the Quayside) to catch what really should have been a double-header in my book. The band I went to see was Austin Gold, touring their 3rd album. Now a quartet since last time I saw the guys, they still pack some punchy, melodic sounds in the style of King King. Heading the night were label-mates Karma Effect. Again, these guys rocked, in a way that kind of reminded me of Cheap Trick, with higher-pitched vocals. Later that week, it was back to The Cluny and a chance to catch a band that's been generating a lot of "buzz" since the pandemic, Brave Rival. Can't fault the band, especially the backline, Donna & Billy who I've known for years (Albany Down) and the vocal harmonies were tight, but, well, didn't impress me as much as I'd hoped.
End of the month, crossed the river for a long overdue return to The Central and a band I'd been wanting to catch for years, but was thwarted each attempt, so thought it wasn't going to happen. And when the band is pagan-Rockers Inkubus Sukkubus, well best not kick any black cats on the walk to the gig. Have to say, i was wary of building my hopes up, but the gig was almost as if I'd cherry-picked the set list; and post gig, Tony & Candia were really great.

And then came October and the return to Ashington's White House of Canadian Ariel Posen. Always a class act and this time rather than Cathal Murphy supporting, he was on road-manager duties; the support was Dan Owen, in another superlative solo performance.

November, and it was back to Ashington, this time for Texan Hamilton Loomis. The show was bitter/sweet as this was the last of Mike Slaughter's shows at the venue but with hambone in charge of the stage, what a party to bow out on. Ten days later and it was back over the water with shoes polished to the Glass House, for a run of last Novembers show with Philip Sayce and Troy Redfern. Troy was first up and this time just with pounding, tribal percussion adding a new dimension to his impassioned slide guitars. As for Philip Sayce, he revelled in the increased stage, the largest I've seen him on since Holmfirth. and he stretched his sound as he strode and bounced around every inch while shredding the guitar until the guitar-strap broke (Breaking strings? Kid's stuff).

And finally, well, what would December be without Aynsley Lister at The Cluny. Another crackin' set with the difference that this was more of a deep-dive into the back catalogue; and what a catalogue to plunder. Great way to end the year.

As for 2025, well, there's a few "names" already booked.