- British Sea Power/The Killers/Vinnie Peculiar
- Nina Nastasia + Great Bear + David Thomas Broughton
- Million Dead + Minus + Jarcrew
-  Belle & Sebastian
-  The Coral + The Dead Sixties
-  The Human League
-  Herman Dune + The Broken Family Band + Homescience +   Deerpark

British Sea Power + The Killers + Vinnie Peculiar
20.11.03 - Joseph's Well, Leeds
It’s hot, it’s sweaty, it’s too small for this many people, it’s Thursday, it’s sold out…its Josephs Well!

I am by no means easily lead, but I’ll try anything once. When my nearest and dearest suggested going to see British Sea Power, I said “OK, where they playing?” “Josephs Well.” Came the reply, slightly to my surprise. Surely, I thought, they should be playing a larger venue than that. I wasn’t wrong.

I'm not sure how many people Josephs Well holds, but I am sure that the capacity was almost at breaking point. And I fear the heating may have been on. And everyone was so tall, and old and there was a fellow in front of us who smelt funny and had long hair and danced like a fool. They had not attracted the crowd I had imagined.

Vinnie Peculiar was shit. He warrants no more of a review than that. I have seen some truly awful bands in my time, hell, I’ve even played in some, but this mixture of poetry, comedy and music was an assault on the senses I would rather forget. Fuck off, and never darken my doorstep again.

The Killers were dead good. If you have heard The Faint you may get the idea, but where The Faint start to sound like a cut price Depeche Mode, The Killers start to sound more like Joy Division. I don’t want to praise them too much, after the first act everything seemed to be peachy. But at the time they seemed pretty good to me.

Don’t remember too much of British Sea Power, make of that what you will. But bare in mind I wasn’t drinking…………

And we left before the end. Remember kids, when someone offers you tickets to a sold out gig at Josephs Well, JUST SAY NO! 

P.S. The Killers and British Sea Power were both pretty good, not my cup of tea, but pretty good none the less. My problems with venue and the fact I’m a short arse ruined the night… curse my wretched stout frame. But the first guy was a bag of shite.

Drew Millward

Nina Nastasia + Great Bear + David Thomas Broughton
2.11.03 - St John's Church, Leeds
There comes a time in every mans life when it is time to admit to yourself that maybe the years are passing, and age is creeping up on you. (This does apply to women as well. Just one look at Leslie Ash would be an indication of that.) A good guide to this time is when the prospect of sitting in a church on a Sunday evening becomes infinitely more appealing than spending a Friday night shoe-horned into a sweaty auditorium with 1000-2000 pungent individuals. And as such I was looking forward to this show immensely. Add to this the fact that cans of lager were available for 60p a go (yes, you heard! 60p …I love Leeds at times.) this was going to be a treat.

I had my initial misgivings about the venue, but as with so many things I was indeed proved wrong. Had I not had the foresight to bring some suitable winter clothing the whole affair could have been a lot more unpleasant.

The evening’s proceedings were kicked off in fine fashion by David Thomas Broughton (I really hope I got the name right), it’s the first time I have seen this fellow, and I really hope it isn’t the last. I found it really difficult to put my finger on anyone he really sounded like; I suppose there were elements of Will Oldham, a little St. Thomas perhaps, but without sounding too much like either. The major attraction is his amazing voice, and I really cannot draw comparisons on that count, just bloody fantastic. The quality of song writing was very impressive and I wouldn’t be surprised if we heard quite a bit more from him. I for one will be looking out to catch him again.

Great Bear were on next, who after such a strong opening act did seem to loose the attention of the crowd. I had heard them before on CD and not been overly impressed, and unfortunately live was a similar experience. There is some very impressive guitar work and drumming going on within the band, and musically I would find it had to fault, but the vocals just ain’t my thing. A very good case of less is more.

I won’t even try to describe what went on from then on, but needless to say it was good. Last time I saw Nina Nastasia it was with a full band, this time however it is the stripped down version, just Nina, a cellist and a chap on viola. Both times I have been left speechless. If you haven’t already go and buy her albums and if you get the chance, see her live………….and that’s all I got to say about that.

Drew Millward

The Coral
16.12.03, Warrington Parr Hall
The Dead Sixties with their wacky ska mixed with psychedelic rock sound, that has them pitched somewhere between Madness and The Coral themselves, were worthy openers who played with humility and unpredictability. When the main act arrived on stage to a rapturous reception, talented front man James Skelly declared that he wasn’t well, but would do his best (they had to cancel a few Irish gigs because he lost his voice). Most of the crowd forgot about this three minutes later after they had heard the impressive rat race decrying ‘Bill McCai’, which is their second album’s equivalent to ‘Simon Diamond’ on their self titled debut album, but the latter track was omitted from the set list tonight. There has not been a song like tonight’s opener since ‘Smithers-Jones’ by The Jam. Skelly clad in his now trademark Texas style hat, sang it perfectly with passion and belief that saw a few members of the audience’s eyes start to fill up. 

It is hard to believe that The Coral included tracks from their third album ‘Nightfreak & The Sons Of Becker’ out on 26/01/04, as most of the bands who where discovered at the same time are still plugging their debut albums (The Libertines and The Music). ‘Precious Eyes’ shows that the Wirral boys are mellowing slightly, as well as giving indicating that their sound is becoming smoother. James Skelly, ever the perfectionist, had a dig at his band mates for tuning their guitars and giving away what the next song was going to be. ‘Skeleton Key’, ‘Goodbye’ and ‘Don’t Think You’re The First’ were the most well received tracks, from an hours long foray into the insightful and slightly wacky world of The Coral. The set ended with the thumping and heavy instrumental track ‘Migraine’ from their next album, which saw drummer Ian Skelly being left on the stage to do a blasting bare chested solo that makes Dave Grohl’s efforts in Nirvana seem like a brass band audition.

Dave Adair (Adairneil@aol.com)

The Human League
"From the town to the country from the country to the town, join us come and join us, From the valley to the hillside from the hillside to the valley, join us, come and join us."
Paul Oakey along with stunningly dressed Joanne Catherall and Susanne Sulley, greeted the amicable crowd, as they meant to go on, and genuinely did want them to join in, from the punchy "Old Town" onwards, making the afore mentioned lyrics ring true.
The crowd really obliged as familiar sounds of "Love Action" rang through the cosy theatre venue. The nostalgia fest  continued with a hit soundtrack to the eighties, "Mirror Man" and political offering "The Lebanon" before the mood was quietened down a little for Susanne Sulley's solo, "One Man in My Heart" to which the dancing ended, and arm swaying started, whilst the crowd looked on admirably.
Back to the eighties with hit single and inevitable sing along tune, "Human," and infectious offering, "The Things That Dreams Are Made Of."
More nostalgic sing-a-long material in the form of "Fascination" and upbeat "Tell Me When," before the one everyone was waiting for, admittedly or not, "Don't You Want Me"which undoubtedly started the Christmas festivities, it won't be the last time you will hear it before the new year either.
With many of the hits covered, the crowd was left wondering whether an encore would happen, and what it would be,  suddenly realising "Electric Dreams" was a sure bet for one song, and were left wondering about the other if there was to be one. A costume change later and the band was back on stage, as the crowd was proven right, with the opening chords to "Electric Dreams" rang out, instantly bringing them to life once more. This was the chance for new guitarist Nick Burke to shine, as he performed his own guitar solo, to a great reception. Wondering what the last song might be, the crowd was put out of their misery soon after, as the ending tune was the catchy sing-a-long "The Sound Of The Crowd" which described the reception perfectly. The Human League gave an energy and nostalgia packed show, full of favourites and new tunes to the lesser trained ear, the Christmas party feel really brought the place to life, and they are a band who has not lost their touch.

Katherine Tomlinson

Luke Drozd