Phoebe Bridgers (Reunion Tour) at the O2 Academy, Brixton

Phoebe Bridgers on stage at the O2

I got into Phoebe Bridgers over lockdown, and booked a ticket to see her at the O2 Academy in Brixton in July. I had to get a ticket upstairs, and totally hadn’t realised that the upstairs is filled with seats – but everyone stood anyway throughout most of the gig.

I had such a good time – Phoebe played songs from both of her albums, focusing on Punisher, kicking things off with ‘Motion Sickness’ and ending with the incredible ‘I Know The End’ (at least until she came back to play a brand new song for an encore). I hope I get a chance to see her again in the future.

Setlist

  • Motion Sickness
  • DVD Menu
  • Garden Song
  • Kyoto
  • Punisher
  • Halloween
  • Smoke Signals
  • Funeral
  • Chinese Satellite
  • Moon Song
  • Scott Street
  • Savior Complex
  • ICU
  • Sidelines
  • Graceland Too
  • I Know the End

Kubix Festival, Sunderland

I went to the Kubix festival in Herrington Park, Sunderland at the weekend. I saw the line-up last year and thought it looked like fun. Nineties pop groups – what’s not to love? Luckily the weather was good – although frankly a bit too hot for me.

We got to the festival in time to see Ultrabeat and Alice Deejay, who solved the problem of only having two memorable songs by simply performing several covers. Vengaboys were, well, Vengaboys – hearing twenty thousand people sing along to ‘Boom, Boom, Boom, Boom’ was quite something.

Aqua surprisingly lacked stage presence, although it was fun to hear ‘Barbie Girl’ performed live. I didn’t recognise a lot of their songs – apparently they played through their whole album.

The highlight of the evening was of course Steps, who always put on a brilliant show. I just wish their set had been longer.

Unfortunately we had a bit of a nightmare getting home. The bus was nearly an hour late, and only went as far as the Galleries shopping centre, meaning we had to walk half an hour back to my friend’s house. At least it wasn’t raining.

Marina (Ancient Dreams in a Modern Land Tour) at Brixton Academy

Brixton Academy

I’m a huge fan of Marina, and bought a ticket to her latest tour at Brixton Academy. I love this venue because the floor slopes and it’s easy to see everything. I do wish it was closer to me, but never mind.

It felt strange going to a gig on a Sunday evening. I made my way to Brixton and was impressed by how stylish everyone seemed. I wanted to compliment loads of people on their hair, jewellery or outfit choices (but didn’t, largely due to shyness)!

Most of the songs were from Marina’s latest album, naturally, but there were also plenty from her first (as Marina and the Diamonds), The Family Jewels. There were a surprising number of tracks from Electra Heart: after a period of time where she rejected this album, Marina seems to be embracing it once again, and Primadonna even made the encore. I was thrilled to hear Forget, one of my favourite tracks from Froot, alongside Happy and the title track.

Marina on stage

At the end of the gig, Marina announced that she was leaving her record label and working on something of her own – I’m really excited about what the future holds.

Setlist

Ancient Dreams in a Modern Land
Venus Fly Trap
Froot
Man’s World
Are You Satisfied?
I Am Not a Robot
Oh No!
Purge the Poison
To Be Human
Hollywood
Happy
Forget
Teen Idle
Highly Emotional People
I Love You but I Love Me More
How to Be a Heartbreaker
Bubblegum Bitch

Encore

Goodbye
Primadonna

Ramin Karimloo and the Broadgrass Band – Eventim Apollo

Ramin Karimloo

Over two years since the last time I saw Ramin Karimloo live – thanks to the pandemic – I was finally able to attend his gig at the Hammersmith Apollo.

The Apollo is a gorgeous Art Deco venue, and feels intimate despite the size. The last time I was here was for Marina’s gig, which was standing, so it was a bit odd to be sat down throughout – but relaxing!

Ramin was his usual cheerful self, and the gig was amazing, as usual. I also bought myself a poster, because it was absolutely stunning.

Ramin Karimloo at the Hammersmith Apollo gig poster

Steps (What The Future Holds Tour) at Newcastle Arena

Steps

It’s so long since I’ve seen Steps (back in 2012 to be exact, on their Ultimate Tour), and I was so excited to see them again. They are so much fun live.

Back in the day they mimed a lot of their songs, but that can be forgiven since their dance routines were insane. These days the dancing is a tad more subdued, but they sing everything live now, and sound amazing – especially Claire.

Though the tour is called What The Future Holds, it only included five songs from their 2020 and 2021 albums. I was slightly disappointed with this as I honestly love their new stuff. Also, only two songs were performed from their 2017 release Tears on the Dancefloor. That said, I suspect most people go to see Steps because of the classics, and they certainly delivered on this front. They have so many great pop songs – my favourites include ‘One for Sorrow’ and ‘Deeper Shade of Blue’. Of course, they ended the night with ‘Tragedy’!

It was lovely to hear Faye praise the North East (she married someone from the area and has lived up here for the last few years) – she said that she feels really at home here. I also loved it when H, who had worn dresses at several points during the night, said that he was doing it for his little boy, to show him that men can wear anything they want to.

A brilliant night overall and I can’t wait for their 25th anniversary tour next year!

Setlist

  • What the Future Holds
  • One for Sorrow
  • Heartbreak in This City
  • Neon Blue
  • Take Me for a Ride
  • 5,6,7,8
  • After The Love Has Gone
  • Something in Your Eyes
  • Say You’ll Be Mine
  • Chain Reaction
  • It’s the Way You Make Me Feel
  • The Slightest Touch
  • A Hundred Years of Winter
  • Last Thing on My Mind
  • Stomp
  • Heartbeat
  • Better the Devil You Know
  • Love’s Got a Hold on My Heart
  • Summer of Love
  • Better Best Forgotten
  • Deeper Shade of Blue

Encore

  • Here and Now
  • Scared Of The Dark
  • Tragedy

Ramin Karimloo and the Broadgrass Band at The Other Palace

My second Ramin Karimloo gig in a year – truly, I have been spoiled. This gig rounded off 2019 nicely, in the intimate surroundings of The Other Palace.

Ramin sang lots of Broadgrass-style songs as well as songs from his latest album, From Now On, and other musical hits. No matter how many times I see him live, I am always left wanting more.

Throughout the show, Ramin kept hinting about an exciting forthcoming announcement. It turns out that he will be starring in a concert production of the musical The Secret Garden at the Palladium next spring. That is definitely going on my list!

Christina Aguilera (The X Tour) at Wembley Arena

Christina Aguilera on stage

I’ve been a fan of Christina Aguilera since I was at school, so I was excited to finally see her live at Wembley Arena. The X Tour featured plenty of songs from Christina’s massive back catalogue. My only issue was that there were so many songs, some of them were shortened: I’d rather she picked fewer songs and sang the full versions, but maybe that’s just me!

Overall I loved the concert, Christina sounded amazing and it was brilliant to hear iconic tracks like ‘Fighter’ and ‘Dirrty’ live.

Setlist

  • Bionic
  • Your Body (Martin Garrix Remix)
  • Genie in a Bottle
  • The Voice Within
  • Dirrty
  • Vanity (Shortened)
  • Express (Shortened)
  • Lady Marmalade
  • Can’t Hold Us Down
  • Sick of Sittin’
  • Maria
  • Makes Me Wanna Pray (Shortened)
  • What a Girl Wants (Shortened)
  • Come On Over Baby (All I Want Is You) (Shortened)
  • Say Something (with Luke Edgemon)
  • Ain’t No Other Man
  • Candyman
  • Accelerate (Shortened)
  • Moves Like Jagger
  • Feel This Moment
  • Beautiful
  • Fighter

Encore

  • Let There Be Love

Marina (Love + Fear Tour Part 2) at the Hammersmith Apollo

Marina

After loving Marina’s spring 2019 concert, I bought a ticket to her November gig at the Hammersmith Apollo, part of Part 2 of her Love + Fear tour. It was good to be able to see her at a more traditional gig venue.

Some of the songs she performed were the same as last time, but there were a few new ones added, such as ‘I’m Not Hungry Anymore’, a track I’d never heard before, and my fave ‘Teen Idle’.

Setlist

LOVE

  • Handmade Heaven
  • Hollywood
  • Primadonna
  • Enjoy Your Life
  • I Am Not a Robot
  • To Be Human
  • Superstar
  • Froot
  • Orange Trees
  • Teen Idle

FEAR

  • Believe in Love
  • Bubblegum Bitch
  • Emotional Machine
  • No More Suckers
  • I’m Not Hungry Anymore
  • Karma
  • Oh No!
  • Baby (with Clean Bandit)

Encore

  • End of the Earth
  • How to Be a Heartbreaker

Marina (Love + Fear Tour Part 1) at the Royal Albert Hall

Marina gig

Marina might have rebranded from her Marina and the Diamonds days, but she’s still the same person and still making good music. I went to see her live for the first time, at the Royal Albert Hall as part of her Love + Fear tour.
I was surprised at how good she sounded live – for some reason I’d thought she might be one of those singers who couldn’t sing live, which couldn’t be further from the truth! Most of the songs were from her most recent record Love + Fear, but there were plenty of tracks from her Marina and the Diamonds days, too. ‘Primadonna’ went down very well, as did ‘Hollywood’. My favourite, though, was ‘Happy’.

Setlist

LOVE

  • Handmade Heaven
  • Hollywood
  • Primadonna
  • Enjoy Your Life
  • I Am Not a Robot
  • To Be Human
  • Superstar
  • Froot
  • Orange Trees
  • Happy

FEAR

  • Believe in Love
  • Life Is Strange
  • Soft to Be Strong
  • I’m a Ruin
  • Are You Satisfied?
  • Karma
  • Savages
  • Immortal

Encore

  • End of the Earth
  • How to Be a Heartbreaker

Ramin Karimloo Back from Broadway

Another year, another Ramin Karimloo gig – something I’ve been looking forward to for months. After spending time on Broadway performing in the musical Anastasia, he has come back to the UK for a bit. His last Royal Festival Hall gig was back in 2012 – I don’t know where the time’s gone since then!

I can’t find a setlist, but Ramin sang songs from the musicals he is known for, like Phantom and Les Miserables – Music of the Night, Till I Hear You Sing, Bring Him Home – and tunes from other musicals like Oklahoma!The Greatest Showman and Finding Neverland – Oh What A Beautiful Morning, From Now On and Neverland. He also included songs he has written himself and released previously, as well as a number of new songs. One of the reasons I love seeing Ramin live is that I am always being introduced to new types and genres of music.

It was such a good night and I only hope I don’t have to wait for another year to see Ramin live again.