First night out with Di in the wheelchair- scary but everyone opens doors for you - good access at the Barbican though the sound up in the “slips” was a bit off centre until the ears got used to it. Not seen Paul Carrack before but got good recommendations from various people. Slick but safe was my first thoughts. He got the very middle aged audience up onto their feet by halfway through the set and played all the old Mike and the Mechanics favourites and more. The band were excellent though the use of two drummers ( the other from the support band) seemed a bit pointless and many of the songs seemed bit ploddy on the rhythm. Came out to a snow storm …….

set time 1hr 30 ( finished at ten. ) Support for whole tour - Tinlin

The very OTT British Bluesman Larry Miller appearing at the Duchess - he’s been around on the live scene for a good few years now but lesser known in terms of album sales. Some good self written material though plus a few covers ending with a classic version of Parissiene Walkways Great fun in a sort of Stevie Ray Vaughn meets Rory Gallagher style . Put my earplugs in this time - too much time at the front of the Duchess this month is a sure way to tinnitus.

Set time 1hr 45
Support Tom Atkinson Band

A selection of York bands in the Oxjam fest - £7 for a wristband - call in and out of as many venues as you like - saw at least 2 songs from about ten bands during the day Excellent idea Oxfam and hopefully looked like a success. Great venue at the Attic in Kings Square.
Mark Wynn, King Courgette 2 of my favourites York buzzing with music all day Pity about the moron drinkers occupying the rest of our beautiful city .

Support from the excellently LOUD Virgil and the Accelerators.

Wilko Johnson HAS to be watched pressed to the rail at the front of Fibbers just slightly to the right of centre. Get there at the start - forget the bar or the toilets - hold your position and wait. Wilko together with Norman Watt Roy is one of those combinations you must see close up. The set is always the same - a few old Feelgood numbers thrown in , Wooley Bully , Johnny B Goode - as the temperature rises the sweat starts to pour off them until the stage is awash. The familiar red Tele was replaced halfway through the set by an identical one when a string broke. Curly Pink Guitar Lead and Fender Amp ( which blew up before the encore ) The stage strutting machine gunning style is unique. The crowd seemed larger than usual - probably due to Wilko making more TV appearances of late.
Doesn’t get much better than this……

Wednesday - City Screen for the night to see the Led Zeppelin film “Celebration Day “ One off showing. Though it will be it on DVD soon no I always prefer to see this type of film on the big screen - the sound quality in the City Screen is excellent . I never saw Zep in the 70s unfortunately but this made me realise how good they must have been. John Paul Jones looking a bit tired and bewildered at first but Plant and Page still able to get straight into their Rock God persona . Some superb drumming from son of Bonzo.