Steinkjerfestivalen- a little piece of Norway

The fog lay low over the river when on of the main atrractions for the day, Thomas Dybdahl, walked on stage at Steinkjerfestivalen.


With a voice that can grab even the coldest heart, he captivated the audience with songs both from his latest album,Waiting For That One Clear Moment, and previous albums. The melancholy of the music seemed to fit the light rain of Steinkjer perfectly.

Some of my favourite moments of the night were From Grace, Cecilia and the beautiful Still My Body Aches that hasn't really been one of my favourite songs until that night.

The next band up was Big Bang, a rock band that has made a name for themselves in Norway, but haven't had their breakthrough outside the borders yet.

I'm sure a lot of Norwegian music lovers will disagree with me on this, but I just can't get engaged with the show they put on. If it's the pouring rain or the music itself that kills my mood for Big Bang, I don't know, but it wasn't a great fit for this night.

Overall, the day was a success with some quality music and good company even if less rain would have been preferred.

Wireless Festival

It's been a while since I have been to a good and honest pop show. It's been so long that I have no memory of the last time, a sure sign that it's about time to change that.

Good pop music was the main attraction Friday at the Wireless Festival in Hyde Park. Artists such as P!nk, Plan B, The Ting Tings, Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders and Gossip made the audience groove in the sunny park.

The first band I watched was Taylor Hawkins and the Coattail Riders. The band's music is catchy and has a definite Queen feel to it. No wonder why with even a guest performance by Queen's drummer Roger Taylor.


The band is tight, but maybe not right for the occation. With a crowd mostly waiting for the headliner of the day, P!nk, it's hard to get them going for a less known rock band.

The second artist of the day was London's own Plan B. The stage was set in a tent which was packed with eager Plan B fans. People were singing and dancing around, no wonder it got hot and sweaty in the tent.

The show was equally hot. Dressed in a smart suit, Plan B entered the stage. The hits from the latest album, The Defamation of Strickland Banks, raised the temperature in the tent several degrees. Highlights included Stay too long, She said and Prayin'.

After a short food break, it was time for The Ting Tings. I have to admit that I hadn't heard anything from The Ting Tings since their song about a name that wasn't theirs was a radio favourite.

Most of the songs they perform are from the album We started nothing released in 2008. The catchy melodies are enough to make my feet move, but I would have liked later material in the mix.

After The Tings Tings walked off stage, you could feel the excitement from the crowd. It was time for the headliner, P!nk. Her show is certainly impressive. With 'circus' as theme, P!nk has several acrobats, dancers and musicians on stage. She even has practiced acrobatics herself and the show is not lacking of tricks and entertainment.

Musically it's not lacking either. She has a good voice and the show is packed with good pop songs. However, it's not all good. A part of the show is spent performing cover songs and the most obvious songs you can think of too. Why do covers when you have plenty of other hits you can still perform?

It felt good to be at a pop show again. I certainly danced aroung enough to be covered in the Hyde Park sand afterwards, which I have to admit, suited me really well.

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.