Regional Crimbo

Unfortunately there was no snow for me this year (of any variety), although Christmas in the regions was quite traditional. It was mostly meeting up with old friends in the pub we've been going to since we were 16 - so they can tell me about their wonderful new houses/husbands/babies – oh brilliant, how much fun can I take? - (Although I’m still the thinnest and have the best hair – hurrah!) - Christmas Day arguments with la family, very traditional that, and then out boxing night clubbing with a friend - from London - because people who live out in the regions apparently have better things to do than go out and get pissed for the third night in a row.

I'm so very glad to be back in a town where everyone has priorities as skewered as my own.

See you in the Barfly this Saturday!

fringey fading fast at FABRIC

So after the Dogs extravaganza on Thursday night I was forced out into the world of 'good times' again, almost against my will, to go to FABRIC for a final fringey pre chrimbo boogie!

except I was ever so hungover. Back in Bradleys, but this time with a glass of water, I thought about all the reasons why I should be at home ... but it is my last night out in London before returning to the regions for Christmas, so deep breath and ....

my God the queues!

finally got in to see the INFADELS just after midnight. (they were very good - sound like the Faint), but we were hating Fabric. Everyone was pilling and from essex it was rammed and we kept getting lost and you couldn’t really see more than two feet in front of you. Blah!

But the Filthy Dukes saved us. They stuck on a remix of DFA 1979’s 'Romantic Rights' and it pretty much turned the night around for us. We stayed till the bitter end (for Alkan playing Wham’s 'Last Christmas' and then 'Fairytale of New York' - hurrah!)

Then Soho for breakfast before heading to Topshop at 9am!!
(no, we don't work there - it was for some shopping you cheeky bugger!)

phew!

Now THAT'S entertainment!

So after spending most of the evening in Bradley’s (in the company of 'vodka' and 'tonic') I eventually meet up with the rest of the Fringey massive (ie Luce) at the ULU possibly slightly the worse for wear, this is what I can remember:

Straight to the bar for further vodka, conversation interrupted by a massive chear - something is happening – skip out only to see ... ...

PAUL - “no, really, it is” - WELLER on stage.

'Town Called Malice' – audience loving it – sing along

Then the wait for DOGS – and then .... oh bloody hell ...

Introduced on stage by Noel - “Mighty Boosh” - Fielding – and then Fringey barks like a dog!!! (only for Noel mind!)

Then Cooke and rest of the pack on the stage

FAIRY LIGHTS!!! – TINSEL!!!

Noel Fielding standing .. umm .... just over there!

Pickled brain can barely cope!

Dogs do a fabulous set as always

and then a Noel - “its all about the hair” - Fielding CROWD SURF!!

Two new songs.

Paul - “it really is all about the hair” - Weller back on stage for the final song, 'A Bomb In Wardour Street'!

*hic* - going home.

Happy Christmas Fringey!

Art Brut & Shitdisco @ the Barfly

Fringey was very excited to find out that SHITDISCO were supporting ART BRUT at the Barfly tonight, but this meant we were forced to leave the lovely Lock Tavern a bit earlier than we’d like. Pants, but can’t have everything. And so, waving goodbye to the pretty barman with a flower in his hair, we head over to the dank dingy Barfly.

We ended up getting there quite a bit early and watched CICCONE do their thing. They were ok, (and the singing lady was wearing a plunging top with very good bra). Shitdisco also made an extra special effort with their “image” and were working the pikey chav look. While I appreciate their devotion to a particular aesthetic (and it makes a change from tight jeans and skinny ties) I think they can safely leave the leisure wear at home next time. They did however gaffa tape over the “Carling” part of the backdrop. So, bonus points for that chaps! And the Art Brut audience eventually warmed to their thudding lunatic disco punk, but I would love to see what they're like with a crowd who want to dance as hard as Shitdisco play.

Then came Eddie and his gang! The shy bassist, the amazing standing up drummer and the duelling guitarists who almost manage to upstage the Argos! But not quite. We know all the words to 'Emily Kane', 'Rusted Guns', 'Modern Art' etc now and I feel we’ve all seen Eddies new girlfriend naked more than TWICE, but we still can't wait to hear what else we’ve got to stay away from, besides the “crack” of course. (it’s Pete Doherty ... again.)

I get the feeling that it’s a tired Art Brut tonight, going through the motions, even Argos fighting his way through the audience, (to stand on the BAR and sing in his stripey socks) is a bit old. Running through an audience singing was way more impressive when he did it in the HUGE Brixton Academy and to the bemused LCD Soundsystem crowd! Still, we love him for trying. He's looking good (and has lost a bit of weight), being in love must agree with him.

Oh, and the campaign to move Top of the Pops back to Thursday night, starts here!

LCD Soundsystem & Art Brut @ Brixton Academy

OK, so I did try to write a sensible review of LCD SOUNDSYSTEM and Art Brut at the big Brixton Academy, but each time it all went a bit wrong. Usually starting of with how very different, but equally wonderful they were, the review would then descend into a long list of the many reasons why I loved them (despite the slightly underwhelmed reaction from the audience to Art Brut!) This would then be followed up with further gushing about their genius and overall fabulousness.

So I’m going to skip that and am just going to say that despite feeling a bit squiffy, due to excessive cocktails and beers, (a fast track to falling over!), I had a fantastic kicking dancy evening and, quite frankly, there should be more nights like this one made available to me! - (Luce and I were even a bit thrilled that it hadn't sold out, allowing us some proper dancin' room!)

Luce Said: