Album review: Liam Gallagher, “MTV Unplugged (Live At Hull City Hall)”

“LEEE-UUHM! LEE-UUHM!” hollers the distinctively male-voiced crowd in between songs on this album, recorded live in Hull back in August 2019. It’s uncomfortably reminiscent of football chants, with all their implicit macho aggression. There’s no denying that the world of Oasis fandom is a testosterone-fuelled place, full of bravado and beer and shouting. And as… Read More Album review: Liam Gallagher, “MTV Unplugged (Live At Hull City Hall)”

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All the gigs of my life: Gig 79 – David Bowie, Thursday, November 20, 2003, NEC, Birmingham

‘Oh god. All I can say is, round about two hours ago, DAVID BOWIE SMILED AT ME!’ Welcome, one and all, to the tale of the best night of my life. It was time for my third gig on my A Reality tour adventure. My original ticket for this show was actually in block E,… Read More All the gigs of my life: Gig 79 – David Bowie, Thursday, November 20, 2003, NEC, Birmingham

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All the gigs of my life: Gig 78 – David Bowie, Wednesday, November 19, 2003, NEC, Birmingham

My second show of the A Reality tour, and an overwhelmingly emotional night. As you can see from the photo above, my diary entry for this gig begins like this: ‘Oh my god (as ever, literally) if words failed about Monday, then over last night they have spontaneously combusted.‘ It was my second Bowie gig… Read More All the gigs of my life: Gig 78 – David Bowie, Wednesday, November 19, 2003, NEC, Birmingham

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All the gigs of my life: Gig 77 – David Bowie, Monday, November 17, 2003, MEN Arena, Manchester

The start of an amazing adventure: Five David Bowie concerts in three different cities over the course of ten days. ‘It has begun. It’s real. It’s happening!’ When I think back to the best times in my life, it’s hard to top this fortnight in November 2003. I took time off from both my job… Read More All the gigs of my life: Gig 77 – David Bowie, Monday, November 17, 2003, MEN Arena, Manchester

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All the gigs of my life: Gig 76 – The Darkness, Wednesday, October 22, 2003, Hammersmith Apollo

My one and only gig from The Darkness, who came to save us all from tedium with their guitar solos and hair-flinging rock majesty. Looking back at 2003, it feels as though the musical landscape was brimming with a diverse array of glittering delights. Pop and indie bands both still had a strong hold on… Read More All the gigs of my life: Gig 76 – The Darkness, Wednesday, October 22, 2003, Hammersmith Apollo

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All the gigs of my life: Gig 74 – Mark Owen, Tuesday, September 30, 2003, Islington Academy

A glittering gem of a joy-filled gig from the wondrous Mark Owen. ‘Well. Proof, as if any was needed, that Mark Owen is going to Save Pop Music: he covered “Can’t Get You Out Of My Head” and did not change the “boy” to “girl”. He UNDERSTANDS!!!’ Out of all the many musical delights that… Read More All the gigs of my life: Gig 74 – Mark Owen, Tuesday, September 30, 2003, Islington Academy

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All the gigs of my life: Gig 72 – David Bowie, Monday, September 8, 2003, Riverside Studios

My first Bowie gig. I’d waited 15 years for it, and it did not disappoint. ‘He was there! David Bowie, the man who changed my life more radically than anyone else on this planet, as close as if he were standing at the other end of my room! I could see the oddness of his… Read More All the gigs of my life: Gig 72 – David Bowie, Monday, September 8, 2003, Riverside Studios

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