1999

Previously on Sweating With Strangers, teenage Hodge doesn't have a favourite coat, but does take a liking to a crowd of sweaty strangers. I could try to explain it to you. I could compare it to Nevermind for Seattle grunge fans, or The Clash for punks in 1977. But it would be fruitless. I could never make you understand … Continue reading 6. Stereophonics – Morfa Stadium, Swansea, 31/7/1999 →

5. Ocean Colour Scene, NEC Arena, Birmingham – 16/2/1998

Previously on Sweating With Strangers: teenage Hodge experiences a giant curtain, and doesn't really care about quality. It's happened at last: I have a different band to write about. Still at the same venue however, because as all good Dr Who showrunners know, you don't change everything all at once. One series it's the Doctor, … Continue reading 5. Ocean Colour Scene, NEC Arena, Birmingham – 16/2/1998 →

4. Status Quo, NEC Arena, Birmingham – 18/12/1997

Previously on Sweating with Strangers: young Hodge learns that bad behaviour sometimes pays, and is blown away by a real arena. Sad times my dear readers, sad times indeed. This is the last post about Status Quo I'll be writing for.. ooooh.. a good week and a half! I have OTHER bands to talk about … Continue reading 4. Status Quo, NEC Arena, Birmingham – 18/12/1997 →

3. Status Quo, NEC Arena, Birmingham – 15/12/1995

Previously on Sweating With Strangers, we learn that mums are last on the rock list, and young Hodge makes it until the lights come back on for the first time. I know what you're thinking: is this guy really going to go and see Status Quo in Torbay 166 times and write about each one? … Continue reading 3. Status Quo, NEC Arena, Birmingham – 15/12/1995 →

2. Status Quo, Torbay Leisure Centre – 12/12/1991

Previously on Sweating With Strangers: young Hodge goes to see Status Quo at Torbay Leisure Centre, drowns in a t-shirt, protects his ears, and falls asleep. That's right folks: second gig, same as the first gig. When you're so young that you're entirely dependent on your parents to take you to see bands, you only … Continue reading 2. Status Quo, Torbay Leisure Centre – 12/12/1991 →

1. Status Quo – Torbay Leisure Centre – 14/12/1988

I did warn you this wouldn't be an entirely fashionable list of bands. I've probably lost myself a large portion of my potential readers by starting at the start, but never mind. The thing is, it's impossible to get across how actually really very cool I was the next day at school for having been … Continue reading 1. Status Quo – Torbay Leisure Centre – 14/12/1988 →

Welcome to the show!

What's all this about then? Well, you know that feeling when you think "I've been to a sh**-load of gigs, I wonder if I can remember them all", and then you stop doing any work and focus on recording all the gigs you've been to in a spreadsheet for the next 4 hours, and then … Continue reading Welcome to the show! →