The month of gigs

alifire.jpgI’ve been looking forward to this month for quite some time.

On a Sunday evening at the start of the month, Iron and Wine played here in Reading.  I couldn’t resist popping along, and although they’re not one of my favourites, the chance of watching a good band in my home town was too much to resist.  Reading used to have a good live music venue, but it closed a couple of years ago, and good gigs have been hard to come by ever since.  Iron and Wine didn’t disappoint either, which was a good job because I was fit to drop!

Last night was an even brighter highlight due to the arrival of The Arcade Fire at Alexandra Palace.  They were awesome!  The set list was fantastic, ranging from their earlier tracks right up to recent compositions, and the free-ranging version of Power Out had me and Andy Freeman jumping around all over the place.  Awesome.  The evening had a more colourful end than either of us would have wished with some rather intriguing Londoners on a bus, but I’ll spare you the gory details   😉

And the month of gigs is not yet finished!  Interpol are also playing at Ali Pali on the last Friday of the month.  I’m feeling spoiled with aural delight…

Jack Frost

IMG_0806.JPGI got up and left the house in a hurry this morning.

For the last couple of days we have had beautiful frosty mornings here in Reading, with the wonderful amber sunlight that only appears in the wintertime.  I was determined to get some good camera shots, and my time was well spent, as you can see in the album here.

As well as enjoying the pure artistry of it all, I was trying to get this year’s Christmas Card shot.  The problem is, I can’t really decide which one to go for.  I’m inclined to go for 814 or or 789, but some of the others are fun too…

What do you think?!