Oct/Nov/Dec Round Up

I haven't done a round up since September so thought I'd squeeze one in before the years end.

Gigs

Managed to get to a couple of gigs in the past few months. Teenage Fanclub in the Mandela was a a harmonious, hook laden trip down memory lane. It was kind of the organisers to make this a seated gig, as many of us aren't able to jump around as much as we used to - I first heard the fannies back in the early nineties. I should say there were a number of people considerably younger than me in the crowd (one of our own party included) so good to see they still have appeal.

Thoroughly enjoyed this trip through their greatest hits, and I got all the tunes that I came for. Three part vocal harmonies, infectious guitar hooks, and those shiming, chiming melodies. Just glorious. 

Of course 'Everything flows' and 'The concept' are the well known tracks, but there were plenty of fan favourites throughout and I enjoyed the tracks from the new album such as 'I left a light on' and 'Tired of being alone'. My own favourite is 'My uptight life' which was a gorgeous version. 'What you do to me' took me to back to those glorious (for me anyway) early nineties.

(I also went to a creedence clearwater revival tribute gig a few days later that both myself and my mum really enjoyed. Hard to beat a bit of creedence done well).

Left this with a smile on my face, much needed dose of power pop in this shitty assed f*cking depressing world.

Teenage Fanclub at the Mandela, Belfast

Speaking of which, the other gig I attended was the Gig for Gaza to raise humanitian aid for the Palestinians. Moved from the much smaller Vicar Street due to demand, this was a great occasion for people to come together to raise much needed funds.

Each act played for about 45 minutes. My own favourites, the mighty Lankun, delivered a spine tingling set, but I was also much impressed by Lisa O'Neill who I've not heard live before. Mary Wallopers were good craic and Damien Dempsey delivered with his usual vigor.

I wasn't impressed with the security in the point, sorry the O2. The person I was with had a palestinian flag, which security removed and threatened to throw in the bin on the bag search on the way in. Thankfully they didn't confiscate it when it was agreed it wouldn't be waved during the performance. Of course this was ignored and it was shocking to see security wading through the standing crowds and those seated to remove flags. B*stards, read the room for F*ck sake.

Damo Dempsey

TV and Film

I enjoyed 'Bodies' on Netflix with Stephen Graham. Time travel series are always difficult because it's so easy to slip up, but the creators did a good job here with four different timelines, somehow keeping all the balls in the air. Though if someone wants to explain the very last scene in the taxi I'd be grateful.

I knew what I was getting with 'House of Usher' as I've really enjoyed the previous Mike Flanagan outings such as 'Haunting of Hill House' though 'Midnight Mass' is probably my favourite. 

'House of Usher' is just great fun from start to finish, it never relents and it's like a greatest hits of all your favourite supernatural tropes. I loved how he linked it to a wealthy pharmaceutical family and he really gives the Poe classic a modern twist, and the characters are morally corrupt, so it's great seeing how they meet their grisly demise. Just a gleeful, hi jinks romp that I loved.

If there's a hidden gem this month it's 'Cave of Bones' on netflix, a team of archaeologists discover a graveyard in a cave dating back 250000 years ago. What's intriguing is that the bones aren't Homo Sapien as we know them, but related to our distant cousins -Homo Naledi. Fascinating stuff.

I can’t finish up without mentioning one of my favourite shows that I discovered a few months ago during a period of illness and being confined to the couch. Sometimes you come across a show that encourages you to think differently about the world, expands your understanding of what great art it, and stirs emotions that may have lay dormant and you forgot you had.

‘Below deck’ and ‘Below deck Mediterranean’ are none of those things, but what they are is just hugely f**king enjoyable. If you know me, you’ll know how much I hate talent shows and reality tv. Everything has been done to death and they’re generally full of unlikeable wannabes.

Each season see’s a luxury yacht being taken out on charters. The crew have to provide five star service and are dependent on tips from the wealthy guests. They also have to keep their bosses and captain happy.

They have to work hard, and grifters are usually found out pretty quickly. Of course relationships bloom, and there’s plenty of grievance and conflict between the crew. But they are stuck on a yacht with these people and it’s not easy to get off, unless it’s the end of the charter. Or you decide to jump, as one second stew did. Sometimes the captains make the decision for you if you prove to be useless or a trouble maker.

Some of the guests are horrible. Dirty rich but with no class, and mostly American. There are times you feel for the crew who are like performing monkeys and will go to any lengths to keep these people happy, but it’s all about the tip.

Is this trash tv? I can’t tell anymore, but I love some of the personalities on the show (Kate, Captain Lee, Jack the workshy scouser was a particular fave but there are stars on every season) and it’s an easy watch.

That's me now for another year. I am sitting a retreat after xmas, so not as much reading, viewing, drinking and eating as normal. As Leonard Cohen said “May you be surrounded by friends and family, and if this is not your lot, may the blessings find you in your solitude.” I’m lucky I’m getting to do both, and I send you best wishes for the year ahead.