MP3: Gigs Gigs Gigs - Mew, Martha Wainwright, Arab Strap, Bob Dylan

Okay so i've already been to two gigs this week, and i've got two more to come. That's pretty much a record for me, since for the last three years i've been so skint i've been lucky to see one a month. So anyway to celebrate I thought i'd post a song each from the four artists i've seen/will be seeing. All are amazing and well worth a download. On Sunday night I went to see the Danish band Mew supporting Elbow at Portsmouth Pyramid Centre. As I was reviewing the gig and interviewing Mew for my University music paper, I was luckily able to get guestlist places. Only problem was that due to horrific road signage problems, we arrived 15 minutes late and only saw the last 15 minutes of their set. What we did see was amazing, and i'd definitely recommend seeing them if you can. Very nice guys too. Their new album '...And The Glass Handed Kites', is absolutely tremendous. Think: Radiohead/Sigur Ros/Sonic Youth/early Yes/Flaming Lips. Monday night I went to see the quite sublime Martha Wainwright at Portsmouth Wedgewood Rooms. I hadn't seen her before, and suffice to say she's pretty darn amazing. Played some great Stones and Warren Zevon covers too. Her self titled debut was just re-released on the lovely Drowned In Sound Records with a bonus disc, and is pretty much essential if you're not scared of some good old fashioned female acoustic rawk. On Saturday i'll be going to see Arab Strap at Soton Uni student union. It's part of a Rock/Indie night called Generator at which they have DJ's and on live band, and what's more tickets are £2. That's right, 2 British dollar sterling pounds for Arab Strap. Lovely stuff. Their new record is also rather lovely and well worth your hard earned money, and of course they're just a legendary band anyway, and you'd be a fool not going to see them on this tour. Finally on Sunday I'm gonna be going to see Bob Dylan at Brixton. That's right. Bob. Dylan. Sounds odd to say it. Sounds weird to think i'll be stood in the same room as Bob fecking Dylan. I've mixed feelings about it really, as i've had varied experiences with seeing legendary figures live. I'm a massive Neil Young fan, and when I finally got to see him on the Greendale tour it was one of the most tedious excuses for a live show i've ever seen. Really horrific. And yet some of his recorded shows i've heard are clearly amazing. Unfair. Tom Waits however, who I saw a year ago at his only British show in 17 or 18 years, was AMAZING. Really one of the greatest things i've ever seen. Completely unfaultable. So anyway here's hoping Bob will come up with the goods. If not i'll be a very angry boy. Hope you enjoy the mp3s, should be a little less busy next week and will be able to update the blog a bit more often. Until then...

Download: Mew / Apocalypso - MP3 4.5mb (rapidshare)
Download: Martha Wainwright / Far Away - MP3 2.4mb (rapidshare)
Download: Arab Strap / The Shy Retirer - MP3 3.8mb (rapidshare)
Download: Bob Dylan / Blind Willie McTell - MP3 5.5mb (rapidshare)