life, music

we were born before the wind.

And so to last week, when we were lucky enough to see The Staves at Wilton’s Music Hall, Van Morrison at the Royal Albert Hall and Morrissey at – let’s just say – an arena in Birmingham. After it was all over we found ourselves wondering: was there anyone else in the world at the same three gigs as us? Unlikely, we concluded – which feels like something of a privilege.

The Staves were captivating, naturally, and they’re not half bad at picking venues either – Wilton’s Music Hall is a destination in itself. I didn’t expect to be saying that Van was even better than I imagined he’d be – but he was. Sticking out for me are the cover of Sam Cooke’s Bring It On Home, a sublime rendition of Into The Mystic, and the peculiar and unacclaimed way he shuffled off the stage, never to return. And Morrissey was Morrissey. He dived straight from The Queen Is Dead into Suedehead like it was nothing and made sure we didn’t leave without a side of meat-is-murder and ban-the-monarchy.

I’d never been to Birmingham before, so it was cool to have the day to do a bit of exploring (even if I did find myself gravitating firmly towards Selfridges in the end) and to have some friends lead us expertly into the Birmingham night after the gig. Could’ve done without the 6.30am fire-alarm wake-up call at the hotel though – though without that, I wouldn’t have had the pleasure of meeting the local café owners who revelled in our fate: ‘You won’t be able to get back to sleep now. It just won’t be the same.’

   

   

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food, life

We can go for a walk where it’s quiet and dry / And talk about precious things.

Another lost Friday night in our new favourite local – The Grafton, Kentish Town. The sort of place that knows exactly how to quench your thirst at the end of the week (and where you forget to take a picture of your chicken and accidentally get a tab). Really, I couldn’t ask for anything more. And up this week? The Staves, Van Morrison and Morrissey – in that order. Apparently the latter is opening with The Queen is Dead. That’ll do.

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vashti

music, photography

just another love to give – and a diamond day.

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food, life

now’s the time to be sure.

Retrospective blogging – because I’ve been blog-less, if you will. And so to The Bonneville in Hackney. This had been on my list for ages and we finally picked it out for a Valentine’s meal. Turned out to be the perfect setting – a rose strewn on the table, dishcloth napkins, mis-matched vintage crockery, an imported stained-glass ceiling and a cobbled trip down a faux-Parisian alley (and that’s not to mention the T-bone steak for two). All sitting in confusingly stark contrast to the street outside. Felt like I’d landed in a (French) episode of Goodnight, Sweetheart. What a find.

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life

our house is a very, very, very fine house.

Well – not sure how I feel about my new home. Turns out it was impossible to keep my old theme, so things are going to look a little different around here from now on. I imagine there’s going to be lots of me pointing at screens – saying No. Not That Font. No. – for a while yet. In the meantime, are we all at one with the Penguin quotes on the tube? Bet everyone’s loving me stopping for photos every two minutes.

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