I have been to see Brian Wilson three times now.
(My father, worshipping the man, generously took the family along)

The first one I saw was probably one of the most stunning gigs I've been to. He played a superb first half of classic Beach Boys numbers before playing the entirety of Pet Sounds in the second half. I defy anyone else to get the entirety of the Royal Festival Hall to its feet and dancing to surf music. A peerless experience despite being right in the back row and passing binoculars back and forth between my parents and sister to get a better view of Mr Wilson and his band.

Close contenders: Hooverphonic, despite being a fairly low-key act, put on a beautiful performance and Arnaert's vocals on the pared-back version of Inhaler almost made me shed a tear; Emily Loizeau's gig in Shepherd's Bush was eccentrically brilliant, better still she did the encore in the crowd, just next to our table - she was within grabbing distance, so I can't fault that for good seating; the first time I saw Ian Siegal at Ain't Nothin' But - no seating, no room to move but three stunning Russian sisters who we failed pitifully to chat up and an amazing set from the great man; also Mercury Rev pleasantly surprised me, it's just a pity the crowd were such a bunch of wankers. Can somebody get some splints for my wrists, please? It's cold and the constant massive flapping is creating a draught of the like not seen since Jordan 'accidentally' opened her legs at a press conference to promote her latest book.
( Davros' Granddad a voice of calm reason in a world of spastics., Wed 1 Dec 2010, 12:06, 1 reply, 15 years ago)

That is, of course, exactly what I meant to say.
*clicks for the Jordan metaphor*
(LongJohnBaldry, Wed 1 Dec 2010, 12:07, Reply)