2003

Previously on Sweating with Strangers: Status Quo are heavy, unpredictable and exciting, and then two weeks later I see them and they're just fine. What do you do when you meet your heroes? I've met an upsettingly small number of mine, but judging by the two experiences that spring to mind, that's no bad thing. … Continue reading 26. The Bluetones – Exeter Cavern – 10/12/2003 →

24. All American Rejects – Bristol Academy – 19/11/2003

Previously on Sweating With Strangers: Kelly Jones takes drugs and has a bad haircut in an Exeter cowshed. What makes a gig a bad gig? What makes anything a bad anything for that matter? Enjoyment? Expectation? Whose? Talent? Skill? Those are highly relative. I've been to gigs which many others could have argued were awful, but … Continue reading 24. All American Rejects – Bristol Academy – 19/11/2003 →

22. Lifehouse – Birmingham Academy – 8/9/2003

Previously on Sweating with Strangers: Maroon 5's career and fame levels reach their peak, as they support Matchbox Twenty in front of a couple thousand Brummies and a large black curtain. In the second part of my September 2003 American Soft Rock Band Rearranged Gig Double Bill - catchy title - it's off to see … Continue reading 22. Lifehouse – Birmingham Academy – 8/9/2003 →

19. The Bluetones – Lemon Grove, Exeter – 18/05/2003

Previously on Sweating With Strangers: I get all giddy and light-headed at the thought of a really good Status Quo album, even if I have to pay people to attend the gigs with me. Let's move on from 2002 - the rockingest year of my life so far, with a total of six gigs - … Continue reading 19. The Bluetones – Lemon Grove, Exeter – 18/05/2003 →

18 – Status Quo, Plymouth Pavilions – 04/12/2002

Previously on Sweating with Strangers: you want to see Reel Big Fish in a small room? F*** off up the Zodiac. Or something like that. 2002 was a pretty great time to be a Status Quo fan. For those of you who either haven't been paying attention or could do with a recap, in the … Continue reading 18 – Status Quo, Plymouth Pavilions – 04/12/2002 →

17. Reel Big Fish – Oxford Zodiac – 06/09/2002

Previously on Sweating with Strangers: Bryan Adams is almost upstaged by Mr Courtney Cox climbing some rigging.Sorry, it's been quite a while since my last post. I got disheartened with this whole blogging lifestyle when Bryan Adams bizarrely failed to retweet my post in which I called one of his songs "utter pap".But I'm back … Continue reading 17. Reel Big Fish – Oxford Zodiac – 06/09/2002 →

16. Bryan Adams – Warwick Castle – 28/7/2002

Previously on Sweating With Strangers: I pad out an entire blog post worrying about whether or not it's okay to like music that the creators have since disowned. In my family, whenever Christmas or a birthday or any other big event rolls around, the default gift of choice for all family members is concert tickets. … Continue reading 16. Bryan Adams – Warwick Castle – 28/7/2002 →

15. Easyworld – The Cavern, Exeter – 8/5/2002

Previously on Sweating with Strangers: I begin my Wildhearts obsession, and their gig in Bristol takes the crown. Continuing our spring 2002 Easyworld/Wildhearts odyssey, it's time to get back to Eastbourne's favourite indie-pop-rockers - no, not Toploader. This is a gig about which I remember very little, except that I was certain it had happened, … Continue reading 15. Easyworld – The Cavern, Exeter – 8/5/2002 →

14. The Wildhearts – Bristol Academy – 28/04/2002

Previously on Sweating with Strangers - the Bluetones' guitarist may or may not be wasted, and I find a new favourite band. After first experiencing the musical stylings of David Ford in my previous post, it's on to another artist that would become a huge part of the later phases of my life. In fact, … Continue reading 14. The Wildhearts – Bristol Academy – 28/04/2002 →

13. The Bluetones – Lemon Grove, Exeter – 14/03/2002

Previously on Sweating with Strangers - the Beach Boys bring the rain, and I'm one ill-timed pee away from meeting my heroes. Where was I? Oh that's right, university! Yes, after 6 years in the Midlands I had failed to learn my own lesson about the proximity of decent gig venues and the availability of … Continue reading 13. The Bluetones – Lemon Grove, Exeter – 14/03/2002 →