seamonsters

One of the many reasons I love going to a Wedding Present gig is that their t-shirts cater for the more 'husky' gentleman given that many of their audience are many of a certain age and generous proportions. The merchandise stall was very well stocked and hovering behind was Dave Gedge himself, I wanted to say hello but I was too shy!

Tuesday night's gig was in the Gate, an old church converted into an arts centre, which is brilliant partly because it's at the end of the road from me. However one of the problems with the venue on Tuesday night was that they closed off the lovely main bar and had everyone queuing up in a side room with an improvised bar consisting of fridges and a trestle table which reinforced the church hall vibe of the night. It was a bit ridiculous, I think there was a jazz night on in the main bar, but with a sold odd crowd of thirsty Weddos fans it would have made sense to have two bars operating. You know there's something wrong when the lead singer makes a reference from the stage to the length of the bar queue.   

I try to avoid support bands but did see Toquiwa who were three young Japanese noizenicks (think Shonen Knife's nieces, a lazy but apt comparison) who played to a couple of bored 40 somethings and one enthusiastic punk in a church hall in Cardiff like they playing to a sold out crowd at Wembley. It was impossible not to like them and they also did a mean cover of "Kennedy".

Now cards on the table I came late to The Wedding Present. I only really got into them when they toured the George Best album a few years ago. This time round they were doing their third album "seamonsters" (and some off their new album) which I don't know too well but The Wedding Present songs tend to plow the field of love and loss. The band were on top form and Gedge had some brilliant put downs to hecklers "That's not even a song! Isn't that an actor? Come on, try harder." "We haven't rehearsed that one so we're not going to do it." It was a great night and good to bump into my mates Helen Payne and Robin Moore, I did also briefly the hair of Ian of Ian and Sharon fame in the distance. I hope to see more bands in the Gate (especially as half an hour after the gig had ended I had my feet up with some hot chocolate watching Man vs Food ROCK AND ROLL!) but please lads, sort the bar out.