All gigged out? -never!

It has been a great week for music! Two gigs over two nights.

My son Jack, daughter Jade, Cameron Hannah, Grant Nicholas and Matt Hannah

But then last night we went to the O2 Arena in Birmingham to see Renegade (a Feeder project!). It was a tiny venue – 350 people. They played for an hour and the set list was their new album – save for a couple of ‘covers’. The latter were Feeder songs.

The music was as promised – raw, loud and energetic! It was great – and what live music should be! Although we only knew a handful of songs, it was still engaging. Some of the music has an anthemic feel already.

It was great to meet the band after the show – they were happy signing fans autographs / bodyparts (!) / albums / setlists et al. They were clearly relaxed amongst fans.

We also met their manager who was explaining the changing face of music. In the ‘old days’ a band would make money from a CD / Vinyl record. They would tour to promote the album. But the tables have turned now and the money is in touring. He regarded a CD as a ‘calling card’. Live music is what people want. This may have changed because of downloading (legal and illegal), file-sharing or services such as Spotify. He cited U2 as an example where their last album ‘only’ sold 300,000 copies; on their 360 degree tour they played to 3m people! U2 have sold 145 million albums since 1976!

So it seems that in order to succeed bands really have got to get on the road. Of course this means that they do have to have an ability / talent. They can’t hide behind clever recording techniques. Or do a Milli Vanilli!

Feeder / Renegade do have talent and pulled off the gig last night brilliantly. And the night before, so did Reel Big Fish.

The Isle of Wight Festival is my next big musical event – my 7th year! Roll on Summer! And can you ever see too much live music? No, never!