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Steve B @wordsbysteve.bsky.social · 13h

Robert Forster was wonderful tonight at the Union Chapel. Brilliantly chosen setlist covering plenty of solo and Go-Betweens tunes. His Swedish Band excelled, with Peter Moren's guitar just superb. Getting to hear Spring Rain live a massive treat.

Robert Forster performing live at the Union Chapel on 11th October 2025

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Steve B @wordsbysteve.bsky.social · 7d

Utterly joyous, life-affirming celebration of Edwyn Collins at the Royal Festival Hall last night, genuine privilege to be there. Edwyn on great form, truly beautiful on Low Expectations in the encore. James Kirk and Steven Daly joining for a triumphant Felicity/Blue Boy finale was a delight.

Edwyn Collins performing live at the Royal Festival Hall on 4th October 2025

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Steve B @wordsbysteve.bsky.social · 15d

I was starting to worry that The Cords debut LP couldn't live up to expectations, and dear me if it doesn't end up going way beyond. Utterly perfect pop music backed up by a blindingly good set at the Betsey Trotwood tonight, genuinely very special. Would-be-Goods were excellent as support too.

The Cords performing live at the Betsey Trotwood on 26/09/2025

The Would-be-Goods performing live at the Betsey Trotwood on 26/09/2025

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Steve B @wordsbysteve.bsky.social · 16d

Clara Mann was superb in the Royal Albert Hall's Elgar Room tonight. Rift has been one of the very best albums of the year and songs from it were beautifully performed with perfect accompaniment from Owen Spafford. Great to have a handful of new songs too. Lovely support from Watch Paint Dry.

Clara Mann performing live at the Royal Albert Hall Elgar Room on 25/09/2025

Steve B @wordsbysteve.bsky.social · 28d

Saw Black Country, New Road at the Albert Hall last night. What a fantastic venue with a great audience completely into things including Titanic who were excellent as support. BCNR were wonderful live, inventive and engaging. Forever Howlong is an LP that repays regular listening.

Black Country, New Road performing live at the Albert Hall, Manchester on 13/09/2025

Steve B @wordsbysteve.bsky.social · Sep 11

That'll be a cracking night, have fun!

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Steve B @wordsbysteve.bsky.social · Sep 11

Would this band be playing live in the next few days by any chance?

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Steve B @wordsbysteve.bsky.social · Sep 2

Ben Watt & Tracey Thorn at the Moth Club were magical last night. A deep dive into their solo and EBTG songbooks, beautifully performed with Rex Horan and son, Blake. Seems unfair to pick highlights but Winter's Eve and Bridget St John's Song To Keep You Company were superb. Just a lovely night.

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Steve B @wordsbysteve.bsky.social · Aug 25

It was an International Youth Year event, the youth club she worked at did a relay run from Derbyshire to the Finnish/Russian border and then went on to Moscow. All of which sounds unbelievable even now!

Steve B @wordsbysteve.bsky.social · Aug 25

Forty years since my Mam saw you play in Moscow, thrilled to be carrying on a family tradition

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Steve B @wordsbysteve.bsky.social · Aug 22

Excellent, I've always wanted to read a book about fantasy FA Cup preliminary round away ends

Steve B @wordsbysteve.bsky.social · Aug 18

Great Lost Map records showcase at the Shacklewell Arms last night as part of Label Mates festival. Sara Wolff's solo set was fantastic, and Dominie Hooper was excellent, looking forward to the LP to be released on Halloween and full band show at the Moth Club. Both promise to be rather special.

Sara Wolff performing at the Shacklewell Arms on 17/08/2025

Dominie Hooper performing at the Shacklewell Arms on 17/08/2025

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Steve B @wordsbysteve.bsky.social · Aug 3

The Leadmill was my first venue - honorable mentions to the Mighty Wah! Sept 84 as my first gig, and Julian Cope August 86, but The Pogues in March 85 blew my mind and broke my body. So many great nights, ending with taxis back to the Derbyshire border as it was fare and a half after that

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Steve B @wordsbysteve.bsky.social · Jul 20

That's magnificent 😍

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Steve B @wordsbysteve.bsky.social · Jul 19

Heavenly were on excellent form at Islington Assembly Hall tonight, a cracking set with a sprinkling of great sounding new songs which went down a storm. Very much enjoyed Lightheaded's set too. Coming home with a couple of fanzines and a 7" feels pleasingly familiar too.

Heavenly performing at Islington Assembly Hall on 19/07/2025

Lightheaded performing at Islington Assembly Hall on 19/07/2025

Steve B @wordsbysteve.bsky.social · Jul 14

Blown away by how good Poor Creature were this evening at Rough Trade East. Spellbinding performances of songs from their fantastic debut LP 'All Smiles Tonight. They have a beautiful but slightly out of focus quality which is quite magical. @poorcreaturemusic.bsky.social

Poor Creature performing live at Rough Trade East on 14/07/2025

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Steve B @wordsbysteve.bsky.social · Jul 12

Hugely enjoyable Daylight Music show at St John's in Leytonstone. Wonderful performance from Faith Eliott, beautiful, wry, deeply affecting songs, far to say I absolutely adore them. Dryas is a truly brilliant LP. Fell were great and Owen & The Eyeballs the party band I didn't know I needed.

Faith Eliott performing at St John's Church, Leytonstone on 12/07/25

Owen & The Eyeballs performing at St John's Church, Leytonstone on 12/07/25

Fell performing at St John's Church, Leytonstone on 12/07/25

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Steve B @wordsbysteve.bsky.social · Jun 26

Kassi Valazza was utterly magical at St Pancras Old Church this evening, a wonderful band performance and an amazing voice. Highlights were Kassi performing solo accompanied by the 10pm church bells and an exceptional version of Matty Groves in the encore. Magnificent stuff.

Kassi Valazza performing live at St Pancras Old Church on 26/06/2025

Steve B @wordsbysteve.bsky.social · Jun 10

Really enjoyed Cassandra Jenkins at Koko tonight, a great band all round but I particularly liked Adam Brusbin's stellar guitar work, equally good when gentle and angular. Magical support set from Anna B Savage, who is a phenomenal live performer.

Cassandra Jenkins performing live at Koko on 10/06/2025

Anna B Savage performing live at Koko on 10/06/2025

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Steve B @wordsbysteve.bsky.social · Jun 6

What a night at Signature Brew Haggerston! Kristin Hersh was totally mesmeric, an absolute privilege to see her so close up. Memorials are my favourite live band right now, skronky kraut pop, right up my street. Graham Reynolds mix of unhinged percussion and cinematic piano an excellent start too.

Kristin Hersh performing live at Signature Brew Haggerston on 06/06/2025

Memorials performing live at Signature Brew Haggerston on 06/06/2025

Graham Reynolds performing live at Signature Brew Haggerston on 06/06/2025

Kristin Hersh (on stage with Graham Reynolds and Memorials) performing live at Signature Brew Haggerston on 06/06/2025

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Steve B @wordsbysteve.bsky.social · Jun 3

Did someone mention Patchwork? youtube.com/watch?v=IgEo...

Tindersticks - 01-Patchwork (live MTV Studios)

YouTube video by Mehr Licht!

youtube.com

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Steve B @wordsbysteve.bsky.social · May 28

Looks brilliant, really looking forward to seeing Kristin solo Friday week

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Steve B @wordsbysteve.bsky.social · May 24

Where to start with Wide Awake, so many highlights. Daniel Avery, Marie Davidson, Gurriers, Acopia, English Teacher all superb. Emotionally though Jasmine.4.t, particularly a beautiful and utterly poignant rendition of 'Woman' hit hard. Great day out, long may it continue.

Daniel Avery performing live at Wide Awake on 23rd May 2025

Jasmine.4.t performing live at Wide Awake on 23rd May 2025

English Teacher performing live at Wide Awake on 23rd May 2025

Marie Davidson and Alli Logout performing live at Wide Awake on 23rd May 2025

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Steve B @wordsbysteve.bsky.social · May 23

A long day manically running between stages awaits...

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Steve B @wordsbysteve.bsky.social · May 22

Lovely to catch up with the super talented Fran, now performing as Mezanmi at SJQ this evening. Great short set supporting Mariam The Believer, new song sounded brilliant. Tickets for what promises to be a special headline show at the same venue in October released today.

Mezanmi performing at SJQ on 22nd May 2025