nigeyb's world of joy

Gang Of Four "Damaged Goods"

“Sometimes I’m thinking that I love, but I know it’s only lust…”

Trafalgar Street, Brighton - 20 March 2013 on Flickr.

Deadly Magic Pill…

…can I watch you shoot ‘em up?

Via Flickr:
Trafalgar Street, Brighton

Taken with iPhone / Instagram - 20 March 2013

Ian Hunter, Ropetackle Centre, Shoreham, Sussex, England - Wednesday 13 March 2013

I meticulously prepared for this gig.  Partly inspired by the show, and partly inspired by BBC4, I watched my DVD of “The Ballad Of Mott The Hoople” (forty minutes longer than the version shown on BBC4 last week) which was a Xmas gift, and I gave last year’s “When I’m President” album a few listens.  I’m not sure why I’d not got the album earlier as I’ve bought the last three solo releases around the time they were released.  Anyway, the album is another corker that maintains Ian’s current rich vein of form, and the documentary is excellent (as are all the DVD extras).  I was too young to be following Mott round the country (as Mick Jones of The Clash, and Kris Needs, did) but I did buy all their classic 70s singles as an awe struck 12-13 year old and have enjoyed Ian Hunter’s post-Mott solo career.  He’s a remarkably consistent songwriter and a true star. 

For this visit he was without the Rant Band, and instead was playing as part of an acoustic trio along with bassist Dave Rowe and guitarist Andy York.  He was excellent.  The acoustic arrangements suited the songs really well and Ian was as committed and passionate as ever.  Personal highlights included “Just The Way You Look Tonight”, “All Of The Good Ones”, “Once Bitten Twice Shy”, “When I’m President”, “Sweet Jane”, “Roll Away The Stone”, and - of course - “All The Young Dudes”.  How a 73 year old stays so full of vitality is a mystery?  Perhaps it’s the sips of white wine and great rock n roll music?  A great night.  Come back soon.

Kingsway, Hove - 2 February 2013 on Flickr.

Every day I use my iPhone to take photos. #instagram #hove

The Human League @ Brighton Dome, Brighton - 23 November 2012 on Flickr.

This is Phil talking….

The Human League @ Brighton Dome, Brighton - 23 November 2012

A marvellous night with The Human League at The Dome. The last time I saw them play live was supporting Siouxsie and The Banshees at The Rainbow in Finsbury Park, that was in 1979. There’s been a fair bit of water under the bridge since then. These days the set is chocked full of poptastic hits and consummate showmanship. It was a brilliant night and the crowd were dancing from start to finish.

End Of The Road Festival 2012

End Of the Road Festival 2012 - 31st August - 2 September 2012

Another year, another End Of The Road Festival.

Every year EOTR seem to find small ways to make their festival even better whilst retaining those things that work so well.

There’s so much to love about this festival: four stages of great music, the Forest disco, the art scattered about, the games area, the comedy, the food, the ale, Videopia, the impromptu stuff, the cider bus, the Tipi tent, the new family camping section, the generally lovely weather, Larmer Tree Gardens. It’s a delight.

This year my highlights included Patti Smith, Alabama Shakes, How Does It Feel To Be Loved? DJ, Roy Harper, Alt-J, Jeffrey Lewis, Tindersticks, Graham Coxon, Frank Fairfield, Woods, Zun, Zun Egui amongst many others.

Here’s another review that does the event justice.

Brighton Central and Hove District Woodcraft Folk Summer Camp, July 2012 @ Hindleap Warren

Another Summer, another Woodcraft camp.  

We had a fantastic time at Hindleap Warren.

Ten-ten til we do it again.

Blatchingtons Ltd of Hove

Blatchingtons Ltd of Hove, Blatchington Road, Hove…

…carpet specialists established in 1954 and (in addition to carpets) purveyors of fine signage…

Regency Seafood Bar opposite the West Pier, Brighton on Flickr.

The Regency Seafood Bar (opposite the West Pier, Brighton) has seen better days. The whole area that was originally part of the entrance to the West Pier is being demolished

This is all part of plans to build the i360.

This news item was published on 17th April 2012 on the West Pier website:

The West Pier Trust wishes to announce that an important original part of the pier, the Rock Shop, will be dismantled over the next few weeks. Situated on the root end of the pier, the Rock Shop was closed three years ago when it became structurally unstable. Its condition has continued to deteriorate and so the Trust and its partners, Marks Barfield Architects, designers of the i360, have decided it is time carefully to dismantle it and put it into safe storage.

Since the restoration of this building is part of the i360 scheme, Marks Barfield are bearing the cost of the work. In due course it will be restored and reinstated, along with a replica of its sister kiosk on the west side of the pier’s root end, as one of the heritage elements of the i360. In fact it will be reopened as a toll booth which was its purpose when the pier opened originally in 1866.
The dismantling work will be carried out by Dorton Group and overseen by the Trust’s consultant engineers, Hemsley Orrell Partnership.

As part of the work, the pier’s root end will also be improved. The two 1990s kiosks which are no longer used will be removed, the hoarding realigned and the Heras fencing replaced. Popular views of the pier will not be obstructed but, we hope, improved.

No firm timetable has been announced for the i360 development but architects and designers of the scheme, Marks Barfield are continuing to seek the final balance of funding. Once all the financial backing is in place work will start within weeks.

Seafront silhouettes on Flickr.

More seafront silhouettes - something of a recurring theme.