Mr Owl PhD

It's possible that now I'm, pretty much, an old man, it might be my hearing. It also depends a bit on the type of music and the type of voice rather than just the gender of the singer. Last night, I could hear the women really well when there wasn't too much other sound but when the songs got going it got harder and harder to hear. They seemed to have to really strain to make themselves heard, whilst the male singer was always really clear. I don't normally encounter this problem at the Lemon Tree (although the sound's exceptionally good there), so maybe it's not just my becoming a doddery old git.

Thought Tilly and the Wall were tip-top, although the sound quality wasn't that great. They often seem to struggle to get female voices high enough in the mix at the Tunnels. Brilliant songs and performance though - definitely not a novelty act. Second time I've seen Edgar Prais and I'm starting to get to know some of the tunes now. Could 'go far', although I think they need to develop their song writing further. Copy Haho had some good bits in their set, although they seem a bit over-reliant on the stop-start thing.

Russ Abbott's cover of Joy Division's 'Atmosphere'. Always sounds so much more cheerful than with Ian Curtis singing. And with it being a different song.

Mary Timony Robert Pollard The Knife Juana Molina Laura Veirs Mission of Burma Melt Banana Would like to see Tunng and Tape here again. Oh and Will Oldham and Maher Shalal Hash Baz. And Aberfeldy and My Latest Novel when they've done some new stuff.

Blimey - well done. Usually fools people.

Sunderland in 1979 Villa in 1981 Who was it in 1980?

Gareth Dickson and Belong were both very enjoyable. I'd have to say that Ariel Pink was one of the stranger performances I've ever seen. It was, as has already been pointed out, what many would conventionally describe as 'shit'. But still, it was kind of punk in a strange sort of way. The bloke clearly doesn't think much of his audience - almost Mark E Smith like. Without actually being as good obviously. Still, I reckon that but for his arsing about trying to sort out the monitors, I was mostly entertained by what little he and his entourage played.

Enjoyed the show last night. Missed Talkbook but caught all of St Deluxe. A good band although they wear their influences on their sleeve a lot. Maybe too many covers as well. A band for the future maybe. Like a Stuntman were highly entertaining with some fine quirky tunes. Nice to see a band not taking themselves too seriously.

Grauniad article on Ariel Pink: http://arts.guardian.co.uk/features/story/0,,1787702,00.html

Take your pick: Disappointingly this doesn't seem to include the great own goal by Ronnie Whelan in a game between Liverpool and Man U in (I think) around 1990. Goal of the season. There's a Lee Dixon goal on the vid that's a bit similar but not quite as good.

Looks like Larsson did a good job. Managed to catch the final and the Feldy, who were in top form. Some good banter from Riley and the new material sounded excellent.

Starts at 7:45. Should finish around 9:30' date=' although there's probably a fair chance of extra time and [hushed tones'] even penalties. Just in case, is there any likelihood of the gig being sold out?

According to their MySpace site, the support will be Sandy Wright, author of 'Tom Weir', which the Feldy cover in their live set.

Hopefully with the late start it should be possible both to watch the Champions League final and see Aberfeldy. Excellent scheduling, although let's hope we don't get extra time and penalties.

Barzin were very fine last night and I'm enjoying the CD too. Thanks to Chilli for putting this on and for the half price deal, which definitely encouraged me along. Loved the pedal steel and the bloke 'looking relaxed on vibes'.

Frankie Teardrop by Suicide. Probably. Certainly the most disturbing.

I don't reckon Aberdeen is any worse than anywhere else for noise at quiet gigs. I've been to some rather too rowdy ones but also quite a few where I've been really impressed with how respectful audiences have been. I suppose sometimes that's because only very keen people have been there (e.g. the recent Mahar Shalal Hash Baz show at the Lemon Tree) or because somone like Chilli is on top shushing form, but folks often seem to be quite well behaved. There's definitely nothing new about people jabbering during quiet shows and if anything I reckon it's getting to be a less frequent problem. The Lemon Tree was a bit frustrating at times last night, especially with folks constantly and noisily wandering in and out during Tape's set upstairs, but could have been a lot worse.

Had an enjoyable night last night, although must admit to being a little to refreshed to remember everything with clarity. Gravenhurst - the quiet/loud thing. Good in places I thought. Schneider TM - some good stuff, although I found it a bit hard to get into. Too many notes perhaps. Magnetophone and Sonic Boom - was a bit the worse for wear by this stage but from what I remember this was pretty incredible. Amazing hypnotic music. The man Sonic still has the knack.

Fantastic night tonight - everything top notch. Thanks to all involved.

Weirdly I was sat right behind Buck 65 last night, at the Tramway in Glasgow for the Silver Jews.

I thought Tunng were very good. I would have bought a CD by them but nobody seemed to be selling any. Buck 65 was okay but I was hoping for better. I just couldn't get into it. He was quite amusing at times but it's not a good sign when the best bits are those between the music.

Fantastic show tonight. Wide, as a great man used to say.

A really great show last night, despite the uncomfortable arrangements. What's wrong with good old fashioned standing? In fact I actually was standing, or maybe crouching, at the back - trying to crane my neck round the pillars whilst avoiding entering a dodgy menage-a-trois with the canoodling couple next to me. I suppose we should all be thanking those nice Scottish Arts Council folks for making it all happen. It's dead clever what they do with that money of theirs.