2008 - The Best and Worst

My annual look back over the year from a "best of" and "worst of" perspective. 

Best Gig 2008 

1: Bryan Adams - O2 Classic long set and barely a "filler" amongst them 

2: Who - Indigo2 They maybe of pensionable age (nearly), but no-one rocks like the 'oo! 

3: Journey - Hammersmith Apollo Unexpectedly good evening of Classic Rock 

Most Disappointing Gig 2008 

1: The Scorpions - Hammersmith Apollo Last years "Best Gig" winners was the most disappointing this year - but still not bad! 

2: Status Quo - Brighton A rare below-par performance from the Quo - but still an enjoyable show. 

I can't really describe any of the others as disappointing - In a year of reduced shows for me, the quality has been really good. That's probably down to me being very selective! 

Best Venue 2008 

1: Hammersmith Apollo 

2: Indigo2 

Worst Venue 2008 

1: London Astoria 

2: Wembley Arena 

Good in 2008 

1: Less Drunks at gigs than last year. 

2: Venues don't seem to be quite such a squeeze when "full". Maybe Health & Safety has reduced some capacities. 

3: More friendly security - Seems more customer focused at most venues. 

Bad In 2008 

1: Even more people buying tickets for "big artists" purely to flog them on eBay for profit. Lowlifes! And don't even get me started about Seatwave / GetMeIn / Viagogo etc! How does AC/DC sell out 2 nights at the O2 in less than 10 minutes? Why are prime seats available via GetMeIn (A Ticketmaster Company) etc a nanosecond later at a 400% markup? 

2: Fuelled by above, Rip-off ticket prices still. Maybe the credit crunch will bring these back down. Even if it does you can bet the agencies will still charge a fortune in "booking fees" and postage. 

3: Merchandise costs are still far too high. I still don't want to pay £15 for a programme. As said before, I would buy a T shirt if they were a) good and b) around a tenner instead of poor quality and £16/£20 each ! The "fake" ones outside are less than a fiver and often not any worse quality. 

Well, that's it for 2008. Hope you had a good one and an even better 2009!

2007 - The Best and Worst

A quick look back over the year from a "best of" and "worst of" perspective. 

Best Gig 2007

1: The Scorpions - Hammersmith A long show at London's Best Venue - Great Fun 

2: Status Quo - Brighton The best Quo show I've been to for ages 

3: Paul McCartney - Roundhouse Legend - Up close and personal and a cheap ticket! 

 Most Disappointing Gig 2007 

1: Ian Hunter - Pigalle Club Purely down to the venue 

2: Ataris - Mean Fiddler OK musically, visually awful due to lighting

3: The Answer, Bloomsbury Ballroom Great band, awful sound here and a poor venue 

Best Venue 2007 

1: Hammersmith Apollo 

2: Borderline 

3: Fairfield Halls 

Worst Venue 2007 

1: Pigalle Club Not only the worst this year, but probably ever! You can't see unless you book dinner and can't afford to drink! (The toilets are nice!) 

2: Nottingham Rock City Much of the audience can't see the full stage 

3: Bloomsbury Ballroom Like a wedding reception with a rip-off bar 

Good in 2007 

1: The BBC Electric Proms Good artists at sensible prices! 

2: Tuborg At Hyde Park and the Mean Fiddler 

3: Nearly all my late-night return connections from far-away gigs worked out Good planning and more than a little luck! 

Bad In 2007 

1: Drunks A big increase recently in people completely out of it at gigs and being a nuisance (and standing near me!) 

2: Rip-off ticket prices £100+ for Bon Jovi, Rolling Stones, Genesis, Police etc. No thanks! £875 for The Eagles. Yeah, right! 

3: Rip-off prices at bars and merchandise stalls I don't want to pay £4 for a beer thank you. Nor will I pay £15 for a programme. I would buy a T shirt if they were a) good and b) around a tenner instead of poor quality and £16/£20 each ! 

4: People buying tickets for "big artists" purely to flog them on eBay for profit. I never have liked touts and this is what it makes you. 

Well, that's it for 2007. Hope you had a good one and an even better 2008!