What a wonderful, wonderful gig Sunday night. The National must be one of the best live acts around right now. They are your archetypal Indie Geeks but by the cringe they bring it. Not pointing any fingers but reasonably priced tickets (in context), set list varying by four to six songs per gig, twenty-seven song, two hours twenty minute set.... By some distance the best show I'll see this year and that's no disrespect to the two Bruce shows I've seen. So many highlights but the show closing, un-miked "Vanderlyle cry-baby geeks" was life affirming. Not my video but gives a flavour.......

Heading off to Glasgow tomorrow for The National at the Ovo Hydro or whatever corporate nom de plume the new exhibition centre goes by. Looking forward to it, but I'm wondering what the turnouts going to like. Seen them four times already, always in venues 2-2.5k capacity. They always been solid, solid sell outs (and latterly two night stands) but a leap to a 14k arena, even with the "Taylor Swift factor", is maybe optimistic. Also, I follow them on a myriad of ticket sites and emails pushing tickets have been flying out. Hopefully im wrong and there will be enough in to generate an atmosphere.

I posted a reply to this yesterday.......😕❓️

I heard of this fella a few months ago and I've been giving him a listen. I don't know if I've eever heard a single song to which I can relate more.

Well, I seem to be able to post from my phone now. Strange

Looks like I can post new posts OK from my laptop.

I've tried on my phone on the website every time it has happened, always a new topic. I'll try on my laptop (and also the app) to see how that goes.

I've tried to post a couple of times about Brice being ill and the Phili cancellation and I'm getting this "Post pending approval " message? Any update?

Aye, I watched season 1. It was good, quirky. I'll get a binge organised season 2 wise.

Ah Jaysus. A fucking horrible 24 hours or so.

I just heard.......Jeez, another one gone. Death, go and take a fuck to yourself. RIP fella, I hope you're chilling out somewhere down the crazy river.

Bruce "I love Fairytale" Shane "Is that the one about dynamic ticket prices being a fair model?"

I well recall the order-via-number-of-fingers technique. Nowadays, you're right. It's much more funcy. Still keep a decent drop mind.

A pub frequented by Hearts fans. Hearts are known as "Jam Tarts", by way of rhyming slang obviously, which gets shortened to "Jambos". The pub "Diggers" (The Athletic Arms) is close to Hearts' ground. It's known as Diggers as it's also right by a cemetery...."Gravediggers". It gets a bit complicated at times.......

And the Oxblood Docs are still the absolute bomb!

@Walkerinthesun I hadn't realised you were in Diggers, when were you in? I had a cheeky couple in there morning of the gig. Best beer anywhere.......even if it is a Jambo stronghold.

I had two great, albeit different, experiences at two very similar shows in a short space of time. Edinburgh, grabbed a quick pint with the Doc of this parish pre-gig then meandered out to Murrayfield on my todd, enjoyed the sun and a couple of chilled out beers. I think this laid back approach carried into the gig where I kind of went into myself. I was much less animated, probably less emotional, than is usual at a Bruce gig, but I REALLY enjoyed it. Of course I made up for it afterwards when I met a mate and kicked the arse out of it until 3.00am. (Way......too.......old.) Birmingham, really ace couple of days. Civilised curry and a few beers with @whispered secret and @Walkerinthesun the night prior. Gig day, met a buddy that I hadn't seen in 35 years until we reconnected at a party a month prior. Had a few pre-gig liveners with him and his son so was on a high going in. Then during the gig I met another friend I hadn't seen in close to 30 years, who I went to Wembley with 4th July 1985. (He now lives in Albania.) Enjoyed a great catch up with him afterwards. So those were the factors around the shows, the actual gigs.....well, as has been oft said, the band has never been tighter. Bruce's voice, guitar skills and general stagecraft have held up well, better than well. Would I have preferred a set deeper in spontaneity? A few rarities and wildcards? Yes, certainly. But the setlist was balanced, had a load of my personal favourites and showcased a lot of different styles. I don't think either show cracks my top ten Bruce shows but they're the best I've seen since probably the last time I saw him. Next year.....probably a single Scottish/UK show, unless the setlists take a turn for the varied. But as the nights draw in on another summer with Bruce........contented.

Not often I agree with Morrisey this weather, but he nails it here -

Who are supporting?

I'll check this out. I used to love GA but I fell seriously out of love with them. Three shoddy gigs then two bang average albums saw me jump ship.