Remember the Hothouse Flowers? I loved them in the late 80’s and the 90’s. I found out they were touring so bought tickets and ordered their 2004 CD online – the CD is excellent. But not as good as their live show.

There were 100 people maximum at the gig. I felt a little on edge, thinking ‘how are they going to respond to an audience so small?’. Well, they responded with class, passion and skill.I find it isn’t that often that you see a band live that not only recreates the magic of a favorite, but actually betters it. And the Hothouse Flowers did exactly that – to 100 people in a provincial city. If that isn’t true musicianship then I don’t know what is.

Honourable mention to The Live Room as the support act – I bought their album and it’s a worthy creation to say the least.

..but given I’m down here I don’t think it’s going to happen. His latest album ‘Come On Feel the Illinoise’ is probably the best album I’ve heard in 5 years?

Honourable mention to Architecture in Helsinki’s album ‘In Case We Die’.

Do yourself a favour and buy one or both of these.

I don’t often get inspired by TV, but tonight I saw something that proves rock and roll is indeed timeless.

The Young at Heart Chorus was formed initially to combat boredom at a low-income meal facility. What it has become is best described by the site.

This is something that should happen everywhere. Absolutely everywhere. If you can’t be bothered going to the site, at least listen to their work:

Stayin’ Alive