Film

Hampstead

My presence lowered the average age of the audience by about ten years.

There is nothing worthwhile about this film. Just don't bother.

Gig

The State Broadcasters

Oh Oxford, you failed again. Only a handful of people turned out for tonight's gig so the audience was outnumbered by band-members.

Such a shame: The State Broadcasters brought their folk-tinged melodic Glasgow pop to the legendary Jericho Tavern and played wonderfully. Unfortunately their promotor didn't work hard enough to bring in an audience (there wasn't even any indication in the bar that there was a gig tonight) so ultimately it wasn't the gig it could — or should — have been.

Let's all forget about tonight's gig, and remember instead the performance in front of a home audience back in January.

Gig

U2: The Joshua Tree 2017

Tonight was the second time we've seen U2 play at Twickenham Stadium. Previously it was on their Vertigo Tour twelve years ago. Despite writing a glowing review of it at the time, my chief memory of the gig is of being a little disappointed.

Sadly, for me, tonight hasn't redeemed Twickenham as a venue.

Sure the gig was spectacular, the music and visuals were as rich as you'd expect, and it was interesting to hear the band's break-out 1987 album recreated on stage. But somewhere along the line I felt something was missing.

I've now seen U2 play live five times, and I hope to see them again in the future. Until then the U2 360 gig will remain my favourite, not this one.