Quite the week last week

Wednesday - A Not So Silent Night. The Wainwright family & friends' Christmas Concert at the Albert Hall. From the Choir seats it was wonderful to hear Silent Night sung back at us by the audience; Rufus turned off his mike and still filled the whole hall singing Oh Holy Night (in French - lots of French Canadian stuff going on); Guy Garvey with a wonderfully moving, authentic take on Joni Mitchell's River; Martha and Ed Harcourt having a ball on Fairytale of New York. Looooads more. Appropriately festive.

Thursday - Madness @ Birmingham Academy. About the only band who could make my first night out with my ex since we really broke up still seem uplifting. Wonderful example of a "singles" band (there are non more "singles" than Madness) can still fill a set with great album tracks and leave the audience dancing. Plus, y'know, Our House, Nightboat to Cairo, It Must be Love, One Step Beyond etc etc.

Friday - Tragedy, the All Metal Tribute to the Bee Gees. These guys are just fantastic. Truly as much fun as you can have at a gig.







Sunday - Depeche Mode. Some really powerful moments, Martin Gore's solo turns particularly, but dark, stylish, crisp, felt like a band of stature. Really glad I caught them.

It's also worth noting that all four gigs together cost about the same as one mid-priced Bon Jovi ticket.