Not a gig. But was great. Dr Strangelove at Noel Coward Theatre.
One of my all time favourite films, so was a bit worried. But was great fun and well worth going to 
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It’s one those rare movies (Life of Brian another) that despite it aging it’s still fun and relevant. Love it.
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The reviews were 5 stars for Steve Coogan and 4 stars for the production, I thought both were terrific.
I was talking to my brother over Christmas, he worked on Dr S at Shepperton and Kubrick originally filmed the ending as a custard pie fight in the war room, the custard being shaving foam…back to the thread!
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Saw Soda Blonde in Vicar Street earlier in December
Then again, December 22nd, for a much smaller gig, in Whelan’s Dublin, fantastic gig.
Plus, as a ‘Soda Blonde Member” received a present in a recording of the performance with the National Symphony Orchestra, National Concert Hall from July, truly memorable night.
Plus this was from the rehearsal (special moment, audience of one, me!
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And I’m sure you know that Faye will also be appearing at the David Bowie Festival in Dublin on 2 March with the RTE Concert Orchestra, Gerry Leonard, Mark Plati, Gail Ann Dorsey and Sterling Campbell, it should be a fab gig.
Peter
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The one that was performed in Bord Gaia, now going to 3Arena?
Yes, haven’t sorted out other trips in March yet.
Have Alison Moyet in February and having to rush back from a trip to Kenya for this, as it was booked early last year. Having to plan a little more carefully lately.
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Yes, it was in Bord Gais last year, first one sold out so they added a second, was a terrific gig. Moved to the bigger 3Arena this year, looking forward to it.
Two contrasting gigs enjoyed from 2024.
First one was Steve Hackett.
Long time self confessed Genesis fan that I am, never really got to see them play live. (Although seen each of the individual artists perform solo several times). A very good friend treated me to this “bucket list” event. For the unique opportunity to see earlier Genesis tracks performed live.
The first half of the concert focussed on Hackett’s solo material. After a short break, the second half was a memorable romp through Genesis material from the mid 70’s. Mostly “The Lamb Lies Down on Broadway”, but also from several other albums that Steve contributed too.
Listening to Hackett play his guitar solo from “Firth of Fifth” live ( Selling England by the Pound ), will be remembered for ever. Also “Los Endos” live, ( Trick of the Tail ), made me well up inside. All songs that are very dear old friends to me. Maybe not Genesis proper, but for me, somehow perfect .
On reflection, all this could not have been better. As it’s the material I know best and love. Ironically, if I’d gone to see Genesis at any point in the last 25+ years, maybe wouldn’t have enjoyed it so much. To be honest, it’s their earlier “prog” material I like best - Gabriel, Rutherford, Banks, Collins & Hackett.
Thanks A. 
Second was Fontaines DC.
For the second, joined my daughter as her “gig buddy”, with around 10,000 other Gen Z fans, in a full stadium with Fontaines DC on stage. Great atmosphere, great buzz, great night out.
Mostly tracks from their new album “Romance”, but lots from their back catalogue too. Brilliant to hear 10,000 young people sing back the lyrics to the band on stage 
Such passion and emotion. It clearly meant something. Stadium rock at its best.
Thanks C. 
So, probably the best of 2024.
Both magical memorable gigs, for very different reasons.
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The concert hasn’t happened yet but I plan to go to Freddie White on Jan 10 in the Irish Cultural Centre in Hammersmith. Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates masterful acoustic guitar playing and singing. If any of you Londoners plan on going, please give me a shout and we can go for a pint during or after the show
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Antonio Pappano+ConcertgebouwOrkest
Program
Symphonie FantastiqueGreat concert at the Concertgebouw last night. As I expected Pappano delivered this macabre story about the central character ( presumably Berlioz himself ) tripping in opium beautifully! So much vivid colours and expression, almost 3D. I did not realise Pappano is one of those conductor who is extremely animated. From the beginning to the end I was transfixed and went along a nice ride with the orchestra. He did not smooth out or make it unnecessarily pretty up the tune. I always believe that there should be some grotesque out of this world elements in this score. Orchestra was marvelous. Laser sharp and articulate ( as CSO ) and yet they remained as an organic whole. It could be the wonderful Concertgebouw Hall acoustics. I remember when they visited The Orchestra Hall in Chicago a few years ago ( with Daniel Harding replacing Gatti ) I was so disappointed as the band sounded tonally disjointed and peaky in upper frequency. This is definitely the one performance to remember of this piece for me.
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Forgot to post this. Saw Mayhem at The Metro in Sydney last week. Great show with a novel audio/visual flavoring that projected photos and art related to the band’s 40-year history.
Music-wise they went through their discography in reverse chronology, ending the show with their legendary Deathcrush EP.
Lots of fun but sadly they didn’t play my favorite track from A Grand Declaration of War. Can’t win 'em all.
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Greg Foat at Ronnie Scott’s last night. Good selection of music from the last two albums, The Rituals of Infinity (one of my albums of 2024) and The Glass Frog. Featured Binker Golding and the evergreen Art Theman in the band.
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Brahms German Requiem + Diepenbrock Elektra: Symphonic Suite
Performers: Conductor: **Karina Canellakis**Radio Philharmonic Orchestra
Groot Omroepkoor
Brahms Requiem is one of my favourite and I always try to catch it live when I can. Nothing beats the power of Chorus. Totally free of distortion and freedom and power. I was also curious about this young American conductor. She is a tiny thing! and perhaps the band lacked a bit of gravitas say, compared to other German bands but sensitively conducted. Lack of organ did not help there either.
Diepenbrock’s Elektra was a nice piece. It was my first time learning about this Dutch composer and this work. I should explore more in the future!
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Nicolas Altstaedt + Netherlands Chamber Orchestra
Program
Prokofjev — Symphony No. 1 ‘Classical’Saint-Saëns — Celloconcert No. 1
Saint-Saëns — Havanaise
Haydn — Symfonie No.59
Just came back from a nice matinee. Alstaed, as usual, was just excellent with rich tonal colours and breathtaking dynamic contrasts through the Cello Concerto. The band, Netherlands Chamber Orchestra is much smaller ensemble than I am used to but boy they were terrific. Gordan Nikolić directed from his first violin chair. Ultra tight band where everyone is making sure won’t miss the beat and playing in unison beautifully. But what a dynamics! Also I noticed that almost everyone was smiling or having a great time playing it, especially Prokofiev’s Classical Symphony. What a happy tune!
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Dvořák Symphony No.9
Program:
Weinberg
The Golden Key Suite nr.4, op 55d
Chopin
Piano Concerto No. 2
Dvořák
Symphony No. 9
Performers
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Orchestre Philharmonique de Monte-Carlo
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Mirga Gražinytė-Tyla conductor
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Rafal Blechacz piano
I have been curious about Mirga for a while and finally got see what she’s capable of. Tho I was a bit apprehensive of MPO which they did not make a good impression when I heard them under Dutoit in Monaco last year.
Mirga had a dent grip on the orchesta and it was qiute impressive directing rhythmic and busy Weinberg piece as well as an encore they played his Aria which was excellent.
She had a very tight leash on the orchestra ( which they needed ) but the instrument balance particularly timpany, horns and winds in Dvorak piece I felt was a bit off. Last time when I have heard the Dvorak 9 was with CSO and unfortunately MPO horn section was not tight enough to make the piece comes alive. Solo wind was also flat no expression and we much prefer a tidier tighter percussion. The orchestra got much better as the score progressed but from the first note out they were not together. ( this was the same with Dutoit )
I would like to hear Mirga direct a different orchestra. Possibly with CSO. I felt like she deserved a better band.
That said Symphony 9 is a terrific score which is one of my fave and no recording can do justice to get its dynamics and scale.
Blechacz’s Chopin PC was, as far as I am concerned, a total snoozer. Not my kind of Chopin. Give me Zimmerman or Malcuzinsky any time of day.
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Joe Lovano’s Paramount Quartet with Julian Lage at Cadogan Hall. Four great musicians music a little tepid at times but superb when they went for it.
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Drew Young on his mini uk tour on Sunday at Felixstowe
Intimate venue and a great performance of Americana
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D and I went to the RCM in London last night to hear the RCMSO conducted by Vasily Petrenko playing a programme of Respighi’s Fountains of Rome, Tubin’s Double Bass Concerto, Falla’s Three Cornered Hat Suite No.2, and Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloe Suite No.2.
Very familiar with all bar the Tubin, my anticipation of a great evening was well rewarded. In particular, the piece I did not know, the Tubin Double Bass Concerto turned out to be the highlight of the evening. Will Duerden played, and we were sat right up front with him sat only an arm stretch away. What a marvellous solo instrument is the DB, and this one really looked the part too - an ancient relic, worn and frayed around the edges (how much music this instrument must have played over the decades and even centuries, and by whom…??), but brought to life by the bow of this exceptionally talented young player.
The only slight reservation I had was with the Falla. The old Ansermet recording and particularly the old EMI recording by Fruhbeck De Burgos have long been my go-too LPs for this one. To expect those performances to be matched here was perhaps not entirely fair, but I just felt that the flow of the piece was not quite all it could have been, highly enjoyable though it undoubtedly was to hear.
A great start to the season of Masterwork concerts at the the RCM.
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