Great way to end gig going for a while

Just got back from Evolution Fest 2010 having seen many bands including The Horrors, The Futureheads and the wonderfully titled Dananananackroyd.
I have seen around a hundred brilliant bands play in the last 5 or 6 years (admittedly some of them were crap - I'm not being racist, I just don't like hip hop, or crap) and have made the decision to stay away from gig going for a while. It's not something I don't enjoy but for those who have been reading my blog the past few weeks will understand my participation as part of the Mando Diao street team - I am actually president for the newly established Newcastle Unit. Well, everyone is invited! While you're at it, check out Polarsets. They opened the stage at Spiller's Wharf today. Fantastic.

Flagstone - MANDO DIAO LAUNCHES iPHONE APPLICATION - MyNewsdesk

Mando Diao have launched an app for the iPhone which allows users to keep up-to-date with the Mando guys. See here for more information: http://www.mynewsdesk.com/se/pressroom/flagstone/pressrelease/view/mando-diao-launches-iphone-application-416157

A Mando Diao related poll

It's time to choose out of all their singles which one is the best (so far). To vote there's a poll thing down the side, look for it! I have included videos for songs where possible, for the rest you'll have to trust me that the link is not a virus but goes straight to youtube.com
Enjoy!

Mr. Moon


The Band


Sheepdog

Paralyzed


Clean Town

Down In The Past


You Can't Steal My Love

God Knows


Long Before Rock 'n' Roll

Good Morning, Herr Horst


TV & Me

The Wildfire (If It Was True)


Ochrasy


If I Don't Live Today, I Might Be Here Tomorrow

Never Seen The Light Of Day

Train On Fire

Dance With Somebody


Gloria


Mean Street


The Quarry


Nothing Without You

Some interesting things to do

Join us at the Mando Diao Newcastle Unit on facebook or at the website www.mandodiao.com

Next week's Lost finale

Yes, people in the UK are tempted enough to stay up until 5am on Monday morning to watch the Lost finale. This is a reminder that the show is actually shown LEGALLY on Sky 1 next Friday at 9pm. I personally would much rather watch the Lost finale late than sit up until 5am on Monday morning to watch it illegally on the internet. Why bother watching it early in uber poor internet quality when you can watch it in HD or something on Friday night on the TV. You people are ruining TV.

Blitz Street

It's amazing how 5 bombs almost annihilated an entire street specially built for annihilating and yet a single milk bottle placed outside a door survived the assault. Pure luck.
This was an excellent four-parter that fully explained exactly just what it was like during the blitz and you can't get anyone better than Tony Robinson to present.

NBC CANCELS HEROES

The end is here.
After a disappointing end to season 4 of Heroes, NBC have decided to cancel the show which has received low viewings since the beginning of season 2. However, the company have ideas for a possible movie event to end the saga.

TV is officially dead. J.J. Abrams highly successful LOST has it's finale next Friday night, finishing up with a 2 and a half hour episode closing up the entire book. Flashforward also finishes in two weeks, and I doubt it will return.

It's not been a very well laid out year really. First Cameron and now this.

Oh well.

Futureheads @ The Other Rooms

Topman CTRL Student Tour began it's way around the country last night beginning with a show at The Other Rooms in Newcastle. Being a student crowd, you didn't get the drunk old arseholes who are just there to spoil stuff. Not that there's anything wrong with being old, that's just where most of the trouble tends to come from.

The stage was decorated with giant manly sized glowsticks, four LCD TV screens and some mini-cameras. And to be completely honest, by the time The Futurehead came on they proved that this is the venue that was made for them. It was perfect. Completely intimate. Considering the small stage, they still had a presence and a way with the crowd. From what I can remember of the setlist:
The Chaos
Walking Backwards
Heartbeat Song
Meantime
I Can Do That
Decent Days And Nights
Struck Dumb
Sun Goes Down
Skip To The End
The Beginning Of The Twist
Work Is Never Done
Worry About It Later
Carnival Kids
Hounds Of Love
Jupiter
The Connector
Man Ray

It was nice to have Meantime back in the set and even on a request that they play Hounds, Barry replied, "You don't even need to ask for that one." When the time for that came, we were split into half as usual, Ross' side were quietest (as usual) and everyone went mental. What a perfect way to end their own tour and begin the Topman shows.

The Futureheads are appearing next at Evolution fest on Newcastle/Gateshead quayside two weeks today. So far, that's going to be my final gig for a while as I'll be focussing on some Mando Diao street team work to get them over here. Bye for now music peeps.

Bugger

First political related blog. Gordon Brown has quit. David Cameron now Prime Minister. Just when we thought this country couldn't get any worse. Wish I'd sorted out my passport BEFORE this fiasco and jetted off to a mountain somewhere.

Tyler Shields

Just come across a kick-ass photographer who creates amazing photographs without using photoshop! I may have an idea how he does it but I'll not spoil it.
Some things will never cease to amaze me! Enjoy.

Hey Hey Hey

Just made my first milestone in the Mando Diao street team. I've switched over from being an everyday citizen to an Ace citizen which is great.
Obviously joining the street team at www.mando-diao.com is not just about benefits, we get involved for the love of Mando Diao and it's such a proud moment when you reach certain milestones. The team is open to anyone to join, remember, everything you do is for them but if you don't like the work then that's fine too.

In other news, I decided to get myself a job interview for Ann Summers, to the amusement of some friends (I myself have been pissing myself laughing) so if I do get in then I'll do a little behind-the-scenes, you lucky, lucky people.

So, until next time...

Futureheads / Heroes

First off, experienced Futureheads live in Middlesbrough last night and must admit that they are getting better everytime I've seen them. Also, the venue was great as the stage wasn't taller than me (The Sage) and I didn't feel too far away, it felt quite intimate and gave me some good photo opportunities, they will follow in the next few days. I just have one wish: will Dave please stop having to sit in the dark, I couldn't get a decent pic. Thanks.
I'm looking forward to seeing them again at The Other Rooms, the venue is even more intimate meaning they are at touching distance. Niccce.

Heroes season 4 has just finished leading way to a 'Brave New World' and making me think, 'What a beeatch. Your daddy hates you now, Sylar still wants a pop.' Well, at least she didn't kill people in the process and she's always been about wanting to be herself. I particularly enjoyed the comments of 'It's not your coming-out party, it's his.' I know it wasn't meant in a gay way but what's funny is it sounded like it could have been.
I don't know what could happen with Heroes next. Hiro's girl dreams have been dashed, Peter and Sylar are BFF and Samuel is on his own.
*spends a couple of minutes thinking of season 5 scenarios*
Nothing. Oh, well, writers will know.