Muse at Oslo Spektrum

Amazing stage show

One thing can be said for sure about Muse's live show is that their stage set up for their new tour is spectacular. Each member of the band stands on a pillar that features an amazing light show. Almost that alone is enough to make the show entertaining.

Dom keeping the beat

For me, their older music are the highlights of the gig. Songs like Plug in baby and Newborn are definitely songs that make me wish that that exact moment of hearing that exact song will last forever.

Feeling good

As for the song from their latest album The Resistance, I think the faster songs from the album work a lot better live than the ballads. The ballads from the The Resistance seem to be a bit of a down period of show that is otherwise very solid. The exemption from this would be Exogenesis which fit fit perfectly with the light show.

Matt working his guitar

All through the show though, I kept thinking back to the gig they played at Royal Albert Hall. The gig at Oslo Spektrum definitely wasn't magic like that. Thinking of Megalomania live still bring forth the goosebumps I had that day. The gig in Oslo was great with an amazing stage set-up, but it just lacked a little bit of fairy dust.

I would definitely try on Muse on this tour, if you still haven't. Their crativity stage wise and cracking energy still makes a great live show.

For more tour dates chack out the tour section.

Gig updates

The Germs at Water Rats
One thing is sure to be said about The Germ's fans; they sure how to make a great mosh pit. The band that play hard-hitting punk seeems to have some hard core fans in London, that made the atmosphere at the gig great.

Pat Smear playing for The Germs

The band put on a good show. Among the punk heads and the large proportion leather in the audience, I somehow got the feeling that I don't fit in entirely.

Maybe not the gig I wil remember years from now, but good none the less.

Note to self: Next time you go to a punk gig, make sure you're punked up!


Eagles of Death Metal at UKA
Eagles of Death Metal proved that it's possible to be "Stuck in The Metal" when they played at the UKA festival in Trondheim.

Storsalen at Samfundet, Trondheim

With an energtic performance and a crowd that almost outdanced Jesse Hughes himself, it was a night of fun and rock n' roll.

Joey Castillo on the drums

A rock night with "boys that are bad news" just have to be one of the perfect gigs to go to.

New gig tonight

Eagles of Death Metal is taking over Europe. The band's European tour is starting today with their gig at the UKA festival in Trondheim. I will be there.

Stay tuned for a rockin' report.

Florence and the Machine

New gig added.

On the 14th of December I'll be seeing Florence and the Machine live at the O2 Brixton Academy.

I've never seen her live before, so it'll be a new musical experience for me.

Here's a taste from her gig at Reading Festival this year.



Florence and the Machine will be touring Europe and the UK this autumn. Tour dates can be found here.

Reading Festival

Them Crooked Vultures on stage at Reading Festival

What a day!

Josh Homme

I got to Reading too late to see Spinnerette, but I made up for it by watching Them Crooked Vultures from side stage.

Josh Homme and Alain Johannes

The Radio 1 tent was packed for the gig. From side stage you could literally see the steam coming from the crowd. It was hot, it was sweaty and it was rock.

John Paul Jones rockin' it

Them Crooked Vultures seemed to really enjoy playing at Reading and the crowd seem to love their material. Dead end friends and Elephant have become favourites of mine, just can't wait to hear the recorded version of the songs.

Dave Grohl says thanks to the crowd

Later in the evening, I watched The Prodigy play the main stage. I've always liked their music, but never seen them live before. Their energy on stage is vibrant. It makes you want to dance around and have a good time. It's definitely a band I would like to see in a smaller venue the next time they play in London.

The headliner of the day was Arctic Monkeys, but I have to admit that I didn't get to see much of it. I would like to know how the show was though, even though I've never been a huge Arctic Monkeys fan.

Pictures from Them Crooked Vulture at Brixon

Josh Homme and Alain Johannes

John Paul Jones on the bass

Dave Grohl on the drums

Them Crooked Vultures

Arctic Monkeys were celebrating the release of their new album, I was celebrating Them Crooked Vultures.

The new band played their first ever UK gig at the O2 Brixton Academy last night and what a show they put on.

The gig started off with a simple "Hi" from Them Crooked Vultures singer Josh Homme. No introduction needed.

Dave Grohl was energetic on the drums, John Paul Jones amazing on the bass, Josh Homme solid as ever on guitar and as a singer and Alain Johannes did a mighty fine job on the guitar. On top of it all it worked really well together.

The songs are hard hitting and tight, among my favourites were Gunman and Elephant. It was hard to have favourites though, because every song was really good.

I, for one, can't wait for the release of their upcoming album and I'm hoping to see them live again soon.

Them Crooked Vultures live at the O2 Brixton Academy was a perfect fit.

Pictures from the gig will be up as soon as I can put them online.

For now, here's a video from the gig that my friend, Jane, filmed.

My poor blog

Oh, how I've been ignoring you.

This place has been quiet over the summer for the simple reason that I haven't had that many gigs to post about.

I couldn't make it to the Me First and the Gimme Gimmes gig because I had to go to Norway. I still manages to go and see Metallica in Oslo, really good as always. I will post some pictures from that gig later.

To make it up to you, I will tell you all about the gig I went to last night, Them Crooked Vultures, and promise to be better in the future.

Joey Cape at the Islington Academy 2

It was a chilled out evening when Joey Cape walked on stage at the Islington Academy. Chad Rex and Jon Snodgrass also played with Joey Cape on some songs and did some of their own material.

Most of the music is relaxed, performed well on acoustic guitars. I find myself swaying along to the music and laughing in places at the banter between Joey and the crowd.

It's a good atmosphere and most of the people there are familiar with the music, creating an even better feel to the gig.

A Joey Cape gig is perfect for a bit of fun when you want to unwind after a long week.

Metallica at the O2 Arena

Metallica kicked off their show with That was just your life, a song from their latest album, this evening at the O2 Arena in London.

The stage was set in the middle of the arena, doing the gig in the round properly. The stage set up gave the entire audience a great view, maybe except if you stuck in the back of the highest tier. Binoculars are definitely needed if you are seated that far back.

Metallica is really in top shape on this tour. Every song is performed with enthusiasm and some of that rock and roll flavour.
The crowd was electric, really up for some Metallica on this night. Songs like Sad but true, Enter Sandman and Master of Puppets are definitely crowd pleasers.

Among the highlights for me were One, Overkill and the explosive last song Seek and Destroy. I screamed, in an attempt to sing, along to all of them.

A denim vest with patches and tight jeans are the perfect fit for me.

The whole gig can be downloaded from Met on tour.

Stay tuned

Apologies for the lack of gigs lately, but I haven't had the funds to go to any concerts. I will, however, make it up to you this weekend, when I go to see both Metallica and Joey Cape.


Joey Cape is an American singer, songwriter and producer. He is best known as the front man of the band Lagwagon, but he has recently released his own solo acoustic album called Bridge.



The song Minus is from the acoustic album and here is a video of Joey Cape performing it.

Open mic at Green Note

It is a lovely London day today, the sun is out and you're just getting that spring feeling. Camden was busy. People everywhere, walking around to find a bargain at the market or try some food that they have never heard of before.

To escape busy Camden for a little while, I went to an open mic afternoon at Green Note. The atmosphere is relaxed and I get the impression that quite a few people there are regulars.

The music is guitar-based and most people performing are singer-songwriters who have developed their own style

Open mic at Green Note on a Sunday is a great way to escape the busy city life and to experience some new music.

With a hot chocolate or maybe something a little stronger it is the perfect fit.

Excited about Metallica

I got my tickets for Metallica in the mail yesterday and it dawned on me that it's less than a month until the gig. I'm excited. The last time I went to see Metallica was the release concert for Death Magnetic in London in September. They were amazing at the release concert and I hope they will be awesome at the upcoming gig too.

They played another concert at the O2 Arena in London recently. I found a video from it, a teaser for what you can expect if you're going to see them on their current world tour. The video is of the song One.

I hope you like the video. If you're going to see them soon, I hope you're looking forward to it as much as I do.

Chris Cornell at Shepherd's Bush Empire: pictures

Here are some pictures I took last night at the gig. I hope you like them.

Chris Cornell played in London last night

I ended up going to see Chris Cornell last night at the O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire.

A friend and I got some cheap tickets at the last minute and I thought it was too good of an opportunity to miss.

Chris Cornell started the gig with a couple of new songs and there were some troubles with the sound in the beginning. Throughout the gig, he sang songs from Soundgarden, Audioslave, songs from his solo albums and some of his new material.
The crowd was definitely into his earlier material. Songs like Spoonman and Be Yourself got a great response from the audience.

Chris Cornell has got a great stage presence and a great voice. The energy is high, so it's nice when he changes pace and plays some songs on an acoustic guitar. The band he has with him consists of awesome musicians. The drummer especially impressed me. I catch myself paying more attention to him during one song than Chris Cornell, I thought he was that good.

The downside about the concert was that his new songs stands out, and not in a good way. Chris Cornell has recently taken his new music on a new direction and his latest album was produced by Timbaland. Not that trying something new is bad, but the songs don't fit with the older tunes in a live setting.

The audience doesn't seem to enjoy the new music as much either. If it's just because the songs aren't well known to most people yet, or if it's because they don't like it, I have yet to find out.

For more pictures from the gig, check out the slideshow.

A Chris Cornell gig is like when you have an old cardigan you love and then you buy a new one that's exactly the same, but it's just not that comfortable. A Chris Cornell gig for me would be wearing both of those cardigans at the same time.

Last minute decision: Chris Cornell

I found some cheap tickets to go and see Chris Cornell tonight. He will be playing tonight at O2 Shepherd's Bush Empire. Stay tuned for updates from the gig and pictures.

Thomas Dybdahl will be playing in London

I found out today that one of my favourite Norwegian musicians, Thomas Dybdahl is playing at Borderline in London in May.

Of course, I rushed to the ticket website and typed in my details as fast as I could when I found out. I think my keyboard got a little confused by the sudden change of pace. I definitely didn't want to miss out on this one.

I have seen the band Thomas Dybdahl plays with, The National Bank, before, but never had the opportunity to see him play solo. I guess I had to go to London to experience him live.

Here is a little video featuring a song he most likely will be playing when he enters the stage in London.


I hope you like it. From Grace is one of my favourite Thomas Dybdahl songs.

Rachael Yamagata at Water Rats: Pictures

Here are my pictures from the Rachael Yamagata gig at Water Rats. Enjoy.

Rachel Yamagata at Water Rats

I was a millimeter from not going to the Rachael Yamagata gig last night because of a throbbing headache. The great memories from the last time I went to the Monto Water Rats to see Jackson United, persuaded me otherwise. I'm glad I went.

Rachael Yamagata has a unique ability to communicate her music. During the ballads, the only sound filling the room was her voice and the piano or the guitar. An intimate venue like Monto Water Rats makes her music come to its right.

The audience was so into it, that it proved to be comedy gold when a bottle fell to the floor and broke the mood for a split second.

When talking about the male musicians in her band, she said "They play chick music." Maybe her music is chick music, but I saw just as many men as women in the audience last night.

Rachael Yamagata has a beautiful voice that suits both the ballads and the uptempo songs. One of the highlights for me was Be Be Your Love. Some of the songs from her upcoming album were also played. If those songs are anything to judge the new album by, I'd say it sounds promising.

At the end of the night my headache was played away by Rachael Yamagata and replaced by a content feeling that I had attended another good gig.

A Rachael Yamagata gig fits like a comfy hoodie that you would very much like to wear on a relaxing night.

London African Music Festival

The 7th London African Music Festival is being held at the Southbank Centre 11-13th of September this year and I will definitely be going.

Artists such as The African Jazz Allstars, Rachel Magoola and Claude Deppa will be playing.

Check out the video for a taste of what the African Jazz Allstars might perform.


It will be interesting to see if the African rhythms will suit a body from one of the most northern countries of the world.

Open mic night at the Hope & Anchor

A friend asked me to go to an open mic night at the Hope & Anchor in Highbury last night. Of course I said yes, as it would mean an evening of just relaxing and listening to music. The Hope & Anchor in Highbury does open mic nights every Wednesday where young and not so young people can show their talent.

The first guy performing does songs with a touch of humour to them. One of them is about working shit jobs, which makes the audience giggle.

The second act is two women who play very peaceful music. One of them plays the piano, while the other one sings. They play the sort of music you can sink into and take in.

Not everybody is as talented as those women and some of the people performing could do with a bit of practice. I still applaud their courage to go up on stage and show their creative ability. Just that is something I would never do.

The atmosphere in the basement of the Hope & Anchor is calm an familiar. A lot of the people there seem to know each other from before.

Open mic night is a bit like a new sweater. After having worn it a few times and it's really comfortable, you get into the habit of wearing it all the time.

I danced to Alkaline Trio at Koko

Broadway Calls was the first band to enter the stage at Koko last night. They got a good response form the crowd.

The Audition, the next support band, seemed to have a love-hate relationship with the crowd. Some people jumped around while singing all their songs. Others were not pleased, booed the band and made remarks to the band about going to a place well known for being extremely hot.

While standing squeezed in between people, I heard people talking about that the band had actually had been booed off stage the night before. The singer had apparently thrown a hissy fit on stage after that.

Next up was Alkaline Trio, headliner for the night. They went on stage with high energy and played a mixture of new and old songs. Calling all Skeletons, a song off their latest album Agony and Irony was the song chosen to kick the show off.

From the fire of the audience, it's clear that Trio has quite a few hardcore fans in the audience. A lot of people know every word to every song and I spotted at least to men with Alkaline Trio tattoos.

Among my personal favourites, were I Found Away, This Could Be Love and Help Me. They all made me dance, sing and bang my head to the beat.

Turns out a t-shirt soaked with sweat is a good fit for me.