Lanterns on the Lake are new to me. I have heard of them before and I feel sure that they used to provide 
support to Robin Williamson, formerly of the wonderful Incredible String Band, some time ago. Since then, they have clearly built up their own following and this was clearly evident by the number of people who turned out to see them in the large hall of the Glasshouse. In fact, it was very full for their performance.
For some reason I always try and compare bands I witness to other artists. In the case of Lanterns on the Lake I found this quite difficult to do. This band perform exquisite music which crosses many genres: folk rock, progressive rock and indie rock. They are all of these, and more. Do they remind me of Any other bands? Fairport Convention perhaps? Curved Air? Neither of these really. Lanterns on the Lake have their own sound, and have built up a very strong fan base. They are, of course, a local band who hail from Newcastle.
In their own words: ‘Of course we enjoy every gig we play on tour but it always leads up to the most special night of them all – our hometown show. The Glasshouse has been a big part of our journey as a band. We’ll be looking forward to that Friday night in December, playing songs new and old and sharing it with the people who have been on this journey with us since the very beginning’
Lanterns on the Lake have just released a new album Versions of Us. About the album: “The nine songs on Versions of Us are existential meditations examining life’s possibilities, facing the hand we’ve been dealt and the question of whether we can change our individual and collective destinies. Each song’s journey is matched beautifully by the band’s performances. The grumbling, staticky synths of “Rich Girls” cede to an ascending, spine-tingling bridge of sinuous guitar and bass.
“Vatican” pivots on a bluesy, midnight-black riff from ever-inventive Paul Gregory and a muted bassline from Bob Allan on a song about love’s quiet reliability. “Real Life” hares down from the traps, aquaplaning on the surface tension of its fuzzing guitars and chiming central hook – a blast of indie rock on an album full of musical high-watermarks for the band.”
Front person Hazel Wilde is lead singer, guitarist and keyboard player. She provides wonderful meandering vocals soaring upward at times and searing across the loud chords and solos of her electric guitar. For this tour the band feature two drummers, one being none other than Radiohead’s Philip Selway. The remainder of the band are bass player Bob Allen who thrashes and bashes away at his instrument throwing it to the ground at the end of the concert, guitarist Paul Gregory and Angela Chan who plays electric violin reminiscent of Darryl Way from Curved Air (at least in my prog rock mind).
An excellent introduction to a new band that I thoroughly enjoyed seeing. Do check about if you get the chance. Thanks to Elaine for the photographs and Chris for manipulating the site.
Setlist: The Likes of Us; Real Life; Every Atom; Baddies; Blue Screen Beams; When It All Comes True; Rich Girls; Vatican; Through the Cellar Door; Locust; The Saboteur; Thumb of War; Swimming Lessons.
Encore: String Theory; Ships in the Rain; Last Transmission.
Another “trip out” to see a group of (who seem like) old friends. This time it was the acoustic version of 
The Queen’s Hall is set behind a park in the centre of Hexham (thanks to Wikimedia Commons for the image). The staff in the venue quickly helped us up in the lift and found us some alternative seats (presumably because we were late in arriving) at the rear of the hall overlooking the stage, with actually a pretty good view of the proceedings. The staff were wonderful and really helpful throughout the night going out of their way to make sure I was safe going up and down in the lift to reach the bar during the interval.
I have seen Fairport Convention many times in recent years. Each time I enjoy them more and more. This band has a rich folk-rock heritage and a massive back catalogue of songs to draw from. Each song is preceded by a detailed and often comical explanation of the origin and meaning of the song. Each member takes a turn in explaining the songs and taking a lead role on either vocals, guitar, mandolin or violin. The first set completed with some songs which are becoming very familiar to me now. The sound was excellent and the audience reception was very warm and friendly. In a Fairport Convention concert, I often get the feeling that it is a meeting of old friends coming together, and last night was no exception. This band have a very strong, loyal following.
There was no new merchandise on sale, other than CDs and the recently published Gonna See All My Friends: A People’s history of Fairport Convention book to which I contributed and already have a copy. Still, that allowed me a little more time to venture downstairs to the bar and partake in a lovely double 
The second half of the concert was excellent as always. The singing troubadours delivered a clutch of songs some familiar and some less so. “Portmeirion” is based on the village where the TV series The Prisoner was set. I used to watch it when it was first aired in the 1960s and could not understand it. Perhaps it is time to revisit it? I will see. Soon we were taken back in time again, to the day when, as told by Simon Nicol, they auditioned for a lady singer and in walked Sandy Denny who for a few short years changed the nature, sound and destiny of the band. Simon delivered an exquisite rendition of my favourite “Who Knows Where the Time Goes”. As magical as it ever was and always will be. I was pleased to see that particular song return to the set. Then followed the traditional song “Matty Groves” as the closing folk tale. But we knew that wasn’t the end. Fairport returned to deliver the timeless encore “Meet on the Ledge”. A great evening with a great band.
Another night spent with another great band. Tonight it is local heroes 
And apologies for any repetition from a previous blog entry about Lindisfarne. My only excuse is that I have a run of concerts and many blog entries to write this week! “Their first hit, the Clements-penned “Meet Me on the Corner”, paved the way for their classic Fog on the Tyne to become the UK’s top-selling album of 1972. Lindisfarne’s unforgettable songs, powerful live performances and unpretentious style led to worldwide success and an enviable reputation as festival favourites, and the annual Christmas concerts they presented in their native Newcastle became the stuff of legend.
The original band finally called it a day in 2003, but now Lindisfarne are back with a classic five-piece line up of long-time members fronted by original founder-member Rod Clements (vocals, mandolin, fiddle, slide guitar) and Alan Hull’s son-in-law Dave Hull-Denholm (vocals, guitars). “ Other members are: Steve Daggett (vocals, keyboards, acoustic guitar and harmonica) who has been in the band since 1986; Ian Thomson (electric and double bass) a member since 1995 and Paul Smith (drums) who joined more recently in 2021.”
The concert was in two sets with a short interval between them. Lindisfarne play all the old favourites and do them 100% justice. Rod Clements is a quiet yet charismatic front man who introduces many of the songs. Dave Hull-Denholm performs his father-in-law’s songs with the reverence they deserve and his vocals sound very much like Alan Hull. Steve Daggett sings quite a few of the songs and again does justice to the Lindisfarne repertoire. So in the first set we get great tunes such as the enigmatic, melodic early classic “Lady Eleanor”. Other favourites are “Road to Kingdom Come” and “January Song”.
This year’s tour focuses on the album Magic in the Air. This is a live album (see image of my copy) which contains all of the band’s well known songs. So the second set contains many more tunes that I recognise including a wonderful, atmospheric performance of the much underrated “Dingley Dell”. This brings back lovely memories of seeing Lindisfarne at Newcastle City Hall on the Dingley Dell tour. I went both nights as there were different supports each night and I was a fan of each band: Stackridge and Genesis! Happy days.
Then, my particular favourite which still makes the hair stand up on the back of my neck: Dave performing “Winter Song”. Soon we are into the hits: “We can Swing Together”, “Fog on the Tyne” and “Meet me on the Corner”, followed by the massive hit Lindisfarne reunion song “Run for Home”. And the closer, yes it had to be “Clear White Light”. I am transported back to the first time I saw Lindisfarne in the City Hall sandwiched between headliner Van der Graaf Generator and new up-and-coming band Genesis. All for 25p as I recall! Happy days
When I was young my Dad would take me to the cinema. He loved movies and he would take me to all the local cinemas around Sunderland and Newcastle. There were so many more cinemas in those days. We would go three or four times a week to the cinema. I saw every Walt Disney cartoon, all the Sean Connery James Bond films, Cliff Richard in Summer Holiday and all his other films, the Beatles in Hard Day’s Night and Help and just about every film that came out during the early to mid-1960s. I even remember going in the middle of the night to watch a grainy image of Cassius Clay fighting at a live screening in a cinema in Newcastle. And another vivid memory is of going one Saturday afternoon to the Stoll Theatre to see the original (and best in my view) King Kong. I remember being terrified when Kong first appeared on the screen. Well, I guess you are wondering why I am starting my post with this story. The connection is this. The Stoll Theatre is now the Tyne Theatre.
So, roll on almost 60 years and I am back in the Tyne Theatre. Thanks to a restoration it still has all the original, ornate features and is a fantastic old theatre and opera house. And this time it is to see a giant of folk and rock music, 
Jackie and I arrived in time to catch the support act, I think they were called Memoir, an excellent duo with great songs. After a short interval, Richard took the stage. Tonight, we were treated to Richard the solo artist and folk singer with acoustic guitar. Later on in the set he was accompanied by a female singer. At one point he told us how, as a young man, he would travel from his home in North London to the Marquee Club in Soho, to see tremendous acts of the time including The Who, The Move and on a Friday night, the Yardbirds. He said he would stand, in awe, at the feet of the late great Jeff Beck.
Richard took us through a selection of his extensive repertoire including back to a song he wrote with Fairport Convention “Genesis Hall” and a lovely rendition of “Who knows where the time goes” written during his time with Fairport Convention by the unique talent that was Sandy Denny. I particularly like the song “Beeswing” which is quite haunting. Throughout, his guitar playing was impeccable and his unique voice draws you into the story behind the song. I am now completely sold on the talent of Richard Thompson and will try and see him each time he visits the region.
Setlist (Something like): Gethsemane; If I Could Live My Life Again; Genesis Hall; Valerie; Walking the Long Miles Home; Down Where the Drunkards Roll; Johnny’s Far Away; 1952 Vincent Black Lightning; Singapore Sadie; Trust; Word Unspoken, Sight Unseen; Who Knows Where the Time Goes; I Want to See the Bright Lights Tonight; The Rattle Within.
It has been a few years since 
Full House album. A great opener to a great night.
After a quick pint of Guinness I am off back up in the lift to my seat. The rest of the set is a mixture of old songs, and quite a few new ones from the new album. Fairport are showcasing tracks from the Full House album, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2020 and which will form a major part of their performance at their annual Copredy festival in the summer, where they will be joined by old friends and members, including the legendary Richard Thompson. I always get the feeling that being in the presence of Fairport Convention is like joining a family get together. They are obviously all good friends and always make the audience feel very much “at home”. Original member Simon Nicol and long-time member Dave Pegg lead the rest of the band, who have now all been part of the family for many years themselves, through a series of songs which are the usual blend of traditional folk and rock music. The closing song is, as usual, the lengthy traditional folk story ballad “Matty Groves”. For the encore, as always, they are joined again by the support act Luke Jackson, for a joyful singalong “Meet On the Ledge”, taking us back to 1969 and the What We Did on Our Holidays album. A great evening spent with some peaceful, joyful songs performed by a band who, as I said earlier, made everyone feel “at home” with them.
Many thanks to Jackie for the photographs and for Chris for coming to put me back into bed.
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