From Venues To Festivals:
My 5 Favourite Gigs Of All Time
Sticky floors, strobe lights and an upbeat crowded atmosphere (and the odd cup of P*** thrown at your head) inside a dimly lit venue confirmed the weekend had well and truly begun. I was pretty much open to attending any gig whether it was The Hives, Noah and The Whale, Adam and The Ants, The Wytches, Slipknot, Childhood or Pins. Different sounds never put me off. While living at my mum’s old terrace house in Wigan, I’d managed to cover every inch of my bedroom walls with band posters and magazine clippings. I also wore t-shirts with Johnny Rotten or Sid Vicious- mostly sticking up the V’s- printed on the front. Much to the horror of my ex-boyfriend’s mum, a devout Christian, after I showed up at their house wearing a Sniffing Glue fanzine top. I can confidently say, I have seen some great acts. So, here’s a look back at five of the best shows I’ve seen and what made them so special.
5- Lil Simz
Mayfield Depot, 2022
When Lil Simz released the Sometimes I Might Be Introvert album, I was totally obsessed with her. As part of the inner-city festival Repercussion hosted at Mayfield Depot in Manchester, Lil Simz played one of the evening slots, and she was insanely good. She sounds the same live as she does on the album, with no auto-tuning or editing needed. Although her set wasn’t as long as a full-length gig, she killed every minute. She played One Point Kill, Woman, I Love you, I Hate You and finished with Venom. She isn’t a gimmick, or a sell-out and she doesn’t need stage dancers or unnecessary backdrops, she is raw talent.
4- David Byrne
Apollo Theatre, 2018
I’ve come to terms with the fact I’ll probably never see a Talking Heads reunion but getting to see David Byrne came awfully close. I saw him during his American Utopia tour which consisted of an empty stage surrounded by metal chains and a group of musicians that had their instruments strapped to their waists, sounds quite bondage-y. I completely lost it when he began to play a stream of Talking Heads hits including Once in A Lifetime, Slippery People and Burning Down the House- I’d shed a few tears and guzzled a few beers, it was marvellous. It was also the first time I’d heard Born Under Punches (The Heat Goes On), a track that featured Brian Eno’s multiple guitar, bass guitar and drum parts. In true David Byrne style, he ended the show with a very poignant message. It was around the time after the killing of George Floyd. He performed Janelle Monáe’s protest song Hell You Talmbout which lists the names of African-American people who have died as a result of encounters with law enforcement. It was such a powerful performance shared on stage and one that will stay with me for years to come.
3 -Jorja Smith
Glastonbury Festival, 2019
I remember a friend of mine showing me Jorja Smith in my last year at Sheffield Uni. Before I saw her live, she had performed an acoustic set for Tiny Desk sessions. It was funky, the bass sounded great, almost hypnotic, and her voice was so soothing. When I found out she was playing at Glastonbury, I knew I couldn’t miss her. She came out in a sparkly striped red and blue jumpsuit and looked amazing as ever. The sun shone down on everyone in the field. The gig was around late noon, and it was the perfect setting for the soulful sounds that Jorja projected out into the crowd. Towards the end of the set, she performed Ladbroke Grove which got everyone up in the field dancing. I have since seen her do other performances and as an artist, she continues to evolve. Her sound, style and act will get better and better which is an exciting prospect for a young artist with an incredible voice. Highly recommend.
2- Chemical Brothers
Glastonbury Festival, 2019
If you’ve already seen Chemical Brothers, you know there is no chill from start to finish. The likelihood is that you’ll be dancing to every song they play. Chemical Brothers headlined The Other Stage at Glasto in 2019. I’d ventured out to their gig as a last-minute decision. The plan had been to see The Wu-tang Clan who were on at the same time and we were torn. Sadly, the friend I was supposed to see them with had to call it a night. I had a good feeling about Chemical Brothers so that was where I ended up and it was the best set ever. It’s a full-on rave. As well as all their major hits, you’re left surprised at how many others you didn’t know were theirs. The visuals are unlike anything I’ve ever seen before. The production from start to finish is faultless. I still watch the performance back and want to re-live it all over again.
1-Tame Impala
I’ve seen Tame Impala 3 times. I cannot get enough of Kevin Parker’s talent. They release such a hypnotic sound that is so infectious. The synth sound grabs hold and pours inside your body like warm, fuzzy musical medicine that starts to make you dance. It’s got a 2023 hippy vibe to it that makes that moment feel so safe and unjudged. The band diversifies their set list, covering tracks from Currents, Lonerism, Inner Speak and The Slow Rush. As corny as it sounds, the crowd becomes part of the performance. Especially when they release colourful confetti into the audience while you continue to sing their lyrics back to them. I might be biased since they’re my all-time favourite. If you get the chance, go and see them.
Following My Recent Trip To Romania, Here Are 3 Reasons I Urge You To Visit!
From strong folk traditions to the sound of manele; snow-capped mountains to Vlad the Impaler, the landscapes and culture within Romania are like no other. Here’s why you must explore it.
Before my visit to the country renowned for birthing Count Dracula, I’d often scroll through TikTok for tips and insights on where to go, that was how I discovered Salina Turda and despite its name, it isn’t rubbish. Romania is full of architectural treasures and home to the only underground amusement park in the world. Yes, you heard that right! The weird and wonderful Turda salt mine is situated in Durgău-Valea Sărată, only a short drive from Cluj at the heart of Transylvania. Quite a contrast from the myriad of colours that are typically associated with fun fairs, this quirky tourist attraction is enclosed by dark salt walls. Inside there’s a bowling alley, Ferris wheel, amphitheatre, gallery, table tennis and a spa for respiratory treatments. Its raw edge and structure are likened to a futuristic space colony. Over time, the walls inside the cave have formed psychedelic patterns and stalactites which glisten against the hanging spotlights. Without hankering on, I guarantee you won’t regret a visit.
Now, one thing I quickly realised is that Romanian delicacies are incredibly tasty. Traditionally served in a tomato sauce, sarmale (known in the UK as cabbage rolls) are super rich in flavour and available all year round. I was introduced to the dish by a lady called Rodica who has followed the recipe for decades and often serves sarmale to friends, family and guests. The rolls are stuffed with pork and rice, then they’re baked with either bacon or sausage wedged in between. Accompanied by fresh, crusty bread and sour cream, these treats are truly indulgent. If you’re looking for something to wash it down, you’ll most likely be given a shot of pálinka, a strong-tasting brandy made with fermented fruit. Originating from Hungary, pálinka has become widely brewed by the locals and commonly served at parties or after dinner. Whether it’s made from plums, apricots, pears or cherries, the taste is enough to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up. However, it’s a great way to take in the culture and drink like a local.
Before your trip comes to an end, you must visit Brașov located in the central part of the country. With its Gothic-style Black Church and medieval Saxon walls, Brașov is home to the infamous Bran Castle, commonly known as Dracula castle. The town was built in the 13th century by the Teutonic Knights which explains its Germanic influences. The area was heaving with visitors. The tour around the castle didn’t disappoint and was worth the wait. Not only can you appreciate the decor but the history of Dracula and its writer Bram Stoker is documented throughout. Netflix’s third most-watched show Wednesday filmed scenes nearby at Cantacuzino Castle in Bușteni.
If it’s good enough for Jenna Ortega, it’s good enough for me.