LIVE music photography

It’s so confusing, tonight is the first gig in a 20 date tour organised by the NME headlined by the indie trio the Enemy. The Carling Academy, formerly the Venue was packed with students keen to see one of the hottest acts of the year. The lineup included the Wombat, lovable psychedelic lads from Liverpool and Lethal Bizzle one of the oddest acts I have seen supporting an indie band.

Generally speaking the audience warmed to the Wombats, slightly absurd yet quite amusing the Wombats were quite enjoyable yet totally unmemorable. Lethal Bizzle enjoyed the same welcome that 50 Cent received at the 2004 Reading Festival (minus thankfully the bottles of urine) and The Enemy went down a storm. The Jam lookalike trio have some great memorable songs guts and are full of energy yet Tom lacks the presence of a young Weller. Having seen the Jam in 1982 I was inspired by their politics, energy and sense of being. Who knows maybe the Enemy need a miners strike and a three day week to inspire them.

Written by John Rahim

The Gossip or rather Beth Ditto is one of most controversial women in pop not since Courtney Love has a singer generated as many headlines. At a time when size zero models are being banned by the catwalks and media alike it seems bizarre that a size 26 singer has become pop’s latest antihero and inspiration and icon for disenchanted youths.

Musically the Gossip’s blend of funk and hard edged guitar riffs has taken the charts and clubs by storm. However after watching a hour’s performance I doubt that they will be able to continue their success when they are so decidedly one dimensional. Being pals with Kate Moss and shunning Top Shop for not selling size 26 body suits my be great for selling celebrity magazines however I doubt it will help them shift copies of their next album, if indeed they have a next album. On the entertainment front they are a great and enjoyable band however as The Darkness learned to their detriment a novelty band is only a novelty for so long.

This has to be one of the oddest gigs that I have seen in ages. The line up included the Horrors (who I did’nt see) Evan Dando and the Jesus and Mary Chain. Time has certainly taken it’s toll on old Evan gone are the youthful good looks and the solo performance was at best unispiring. It’s well documented that everyone’s favourite post grunge pin up boy has battled with drink and drug problems however it’s puzzling why his comeback would be to support a band that has not played for almost a decade and perform his 90’s hits solo rather than with a backing band. My Drug Buddy and It’s a Shame about Ray are still excellent songs however poor Evan looked like he’d rather be somewhere else.

I used to love the Jesus and Mary Chain when I was growing up. Whilst Glasgow’s answer to the Velvet Underground were not the most authentic band that you’d every heard they made a pleasant change from the Texas, Hue and Cry, Wet Wet Wet and Deacon Blue and the other shite bands on the early 80’s Glasgow scene.This was their 8th gig in a mini tour and a lot more mellow that I expected. Whilst the gig was enjoyable in a kind of nostalgic way I left questioning their relevance and legacy. OK without JMC we would not have bands like BRMC however it’s disappointing that such an important band never made more of an impact.

Written by John Rahim

Lavish is probably the best word to describe Elton John’s one off concert at the O2 arena. The set was designed by the enfant terrible of the fashion photography world, David La Chapelle, and look liked a kitch 70’s work of art mixed in with a Jeff Koons painting. For one night Vegas was perfectly at home in North Greenwich and the audience seemed delighted to have paid £225 for the privilege of a night with Elton.

Love him or hate him you cannot deny that Elton John is performer of an epic scale. Everything about him and the performance is larger than life however the body of work is quite remarkable almost daunting. Even though I have never bought or intentionally listened to an Elton John album I was taken in by the atmosphere and found the first few numbers immensely enjoyable. The concert was certainly not for everyone however I imagine that his legions of fans will be queuing up to see him perform for many years to come.

Written by John Rahim