Bzangy Groink

Category: Gig

  • Pixie Kut, Jamma, Live @Dubrek, Derby 7/5/26

    I had a great night out on Thursday at Dubrek watching Jamma’s FIRST EVER GIG and also seeing Pixie Kut (who used to be Kelsey And The Embers) for the first time. Sadly, I missed most of the opening act but they seemed to be going down well with the audience. Jamma brought the rock…

  • Sunshadow, Hardaker & Zux, JJ Lovegrove, Ada Blue @Dubrek, Derby, 17/10/25

    Whoop whoooop! So, last Friday I went to the above gig and I had the BESTEST time. I really, really needed a night out like that, omg. First up was Ada Blue who I’d seen with her full band at Whatstandwell Festival. I was sooo impressed then and that positive memory was confirmed tonight by…

  • Good News, The Vovos, Delivery Live @ JT Soar, Nottingham, 27/8/25

    Wednesday just gone, me and Robbie took a leisurely drive to JT Soar in Notts where we saw three lovely bands. We were a bit late but managed to catch the last few songs by Good News: I’ve never seen them before and they were cool – funky bass and drums with sung/spoken bits that…

  • Ghost, Utilita Arena Birmingham, Sunday April 10th, 2025

    Last night was my first ever Ritual and it was amazing. The queuing to get in was mad but the staff were really helpful (I have health issues). The Arena was absolutely rammed, 16,000 fans who were hyped to hell. Then the show started and fucking hell… the lights, the sound, all framing one killer…

  • Bunker Pop, Alex And The Christopher Hale Band, Marty – Live At Dubrek, Derby, 31/5/23

    Went out to see three bands at Dubrek tonight! First on were Marty who played a fun, high-energy set with lovely three-part harmonies and some good shouting. Who doesn’t like bands shouting together, always gets the crowd going! Also, I like the Doorsy move of having the keyboardist play bass, no mean feat along with…

  • Gojira At The Motorpoint Arena, Nottingham, 21/2/2023

    I dosed myself up with painkillers so I could go to the #Gojira gig tonight. Despite this, my knee gave out at the end of the night so I had to crawl up the stairs a bit on the way out. Totally worth it. They were FUCKING AMAZING!

  • Kraftwerk Live!

    Last night, I saw Kraftwerk live at the Theatre Royal Concert Hall in Nottingham. The whole evening was surreal for me as I veered between awe, sadness and happy lost-in-popness. I went with my mate Nate and you can see us above, looking AMAZING. As a slight background; Kraftwerk have been my favourite band since 1981.…

  • Menace Beach, Pet Crow And Babe Punch @ The Hairy Dog, 21/7/16

    Woohoo! Even though it was so hot that I nearly drowned in my own underboob sweat, I had a fabulous time last night. Three brilliant bands for a fiver! AND I caught a Porygon! First up were Babe Punch who I’ve heard a lot about. Do they live up to the hype? Yes, definitely, easily. Their set…

  • Tigercub @ Rock City Basement, 7/11/15

    Tigercub by Jyoti Mishra Via Flickr: So, usually, I walk into the Basement and there’s a band on and I leave about three minutes later after some dreadful neo-Hair Metal or other atrocity. But last night, I went in and a band were on. I gave them a song. And then another song and by…

  • Indietracks 2014

    Indietracks 2014 was this weekend and, even though I’m straight edge, I’m still recovering from the mad swirl of it all. Firstly, it was DAMN HOT. GODDAMMNNN HOT. I honestly thought I’d pass out at some points in the shed! A contrast to last year’s downpours. Then there was the bewildering array of music:  too…

  • Hit The Deck 2014

    Woohoo! Hit The Deck was, once again, lovely fun! I went with my mate Emma: We caught mostly the same bands but split up for a few – the worst thing about HTD is that there are always gig clashes! BOO! The first band I saw was Hands Like Houses. Very poppy and confident, the…

  • Indietracks 2013

    Last weekend was INDIETRACKS 2013! I wasn’t playing this year so I could chill and just enjoy myself. This year was also even more fun because my beautiful friend Kaypea came to stay for the festival. This is her being all gorgeous: The best thing about Indietracks is discovering new music. That being said, there…

  • Why I Love Paris

    Last Friday, I played one of the best gigs I’ve ever played. I was in Paris, I’d gone there with my soundman Rich to play a couple of gigs to launch a 7” single issued by Another Sunny Night and Hands And Arms. It’s the first vinyl I’ve had out in years so I’m unreasonably…

  • London With Nat: Dungeons, Sealife, Blood Brothers, Hangover Lounge, Horrendous Fear

    Nat and I caught the 9am train to London. We knew we had a lot to pack in but we had the freedom that the only timetabled event was the gig we were doing for the marvellous Hangover Lounge peeps on Sunday. After a lucky early check-in at the hotel, we headed to the London…

  • Indietracks Festival 2012

    Last weekend (or the one before, depending how you count) was Indietracks 2012! Again, I had a fucking amazing time and saw some amazing bands like ORCA TEAM, The Vaselines, The Monochrome Set and… well, too many to remember. It remains the best British music festival for the atmosphere, the people, the sheer FUN of…

  • Long Division Festival 2/6/12, Wakefield

    Long Division Festival 2/6/12, Wakefield, a set on Flickr. On Saturday, I played Long Division Festival in Wakefield. I had a great day, it’s one of the best-organised events I’ve ever played. I even got a goodie bag of Lush stuff! :-O Have a squint at some of the pics and thank you if you…

  • Why I Love Greece

    Around an hour ago, I put the kettle on after returning from a gigging trip to Greece. Rich (my soundman) and I left for Greece last Friday. I can’t believe it’s not even been a week. We’ve packed in so much into the last five days. It feels like I’ve been away years. Tonight, this…

  • Skrillex @ Rock City, 30/11/11

    Last night, my mate Nat and I went to Rock City to witness the glory of Skrillex. What a fucking awesome show! In all my years of seeing gigs, this has to be the most mental audience I’ve had the privilege to be part of. Skrillex skillfully whipped us into a frenzy, there were massive…

  • Indietracks Festival 2011

    Last weekend was Indietracks Festival 2011! And it was probably the best Indietracks yet! I’m still buzzing from the sheer joy of it all. 🙂 I’m not going to do reviews of every act as there were simply too many (full lineup here) and it’d also be quite samey as I genuinely loved everything I…

  • Set Your Goals And Slam Dunk 2011

    Woohoo! It’s been a poppunk couple of weeks! Two Saturdays ago, I went to see Set Your Goals at The Rescue Rooms in Notts. Supporting were This Time Next Year and A Loss For Words. I missed TTNY but got there just in time for the end of AL4W’s set and they were pretty cool……

  • Another Sunny Night Gig & DJing and Parisness

    Last weekend, from Friday to Monday, I was in Paris! I went over to play a gig for the thoroughly lovely Another Sunny Night peeps. While I was there, I also DJed at Planète Mars, an awesome bar that you should check out if you’re ever in Paris. I went over with Robbie, who was…

  • Hangover Lounge Gig & EP

    Click for some blurry phone pics. On Sunday, I played The Hangover Lounge again and it was a bit strange… well, my bit was. The wonderful Rozi Plain and Nat Johnson who played before me weren’t strange at well. They both played delicate, intimate sets and you should check out their stuff immediately. The gig…

  • Everything Everything @ The Bodega, Nottingham, 1/10/2010

    (Click any of the pics for more!) Last night, I saw one of the best gigs I’ve ever seen in my life. I think I first got taken to a gig by my Dad, when I was around 14 or so. It was Gordon Giltrap and he rocked. So, I’ve got around thirty years of…

  • Hangover Lounge Gig, 22/8/10

    On Sunday, I got to play a strangely wonderful gig. I played a totally acoustic gig at The Hangover Lounge and… it was soo special in so many ways. Firstly, I got to play on the same bill as Elizabeth Morris (allo darlin’) and Amor de Dias, both of whom were absolutely fantastic. I hadn’t…

  • Cosy Den Festival 2010 & General Swedieness

    Woah. On the 4th of August, Robbie and I travelled over to Sweden to do a bit of travelling but, most importantly, play the Cosy Den 2010 festival, a multi-day extravaganza of amazing music. We also travelled to Gothenburg as we both missed it. And, boy, do I miss it more now. It’s such a…

  • Indietracks 2010

    (for more general pics of the festival, click the pic) On the 24th of July, I was lucky enough to play Indietracks 2010. And I had a whale of a time! I played in the church which, for me, is the best stage of all. It’s the right size for the intimacy I want in…

  • These Waves @ Vines, Derby, 16/5/2010

    I popped out tonight to see Beyond This Point Are Monsters and These Waves. I managed to get some snaps of the latter but I was at the back of the room for BTPAM so the best I got was this: Regardless of my shit photographic position, I loved their set. And I’m not the…

  • Aged Yummy + Ice, Sea, Dead People @ Big Blue, Derby, 10/4/10

    On Saturday, I managed to catch a couple of bands out of a multi-band bill at Big Blue. Aged Yummy were extremely twiddly and have very much a liking of the silly time sig change. But I’ll let them off because the three-piece also have a deft melodic sensibility and lovely lyrics. Result! Put it…

  • Switzerland, Bronze Medals, Tiger Tiger Panther Fox!, Call Me Ishmael @ Big Blue, Derby 27/3/10

    On Saturday, I went to see Switzerland’s last gig, upstairs at Big Blue Cafe in Derby. It was fucking rammed and you practically had to have sex with people just to get in and out of the room. I got there just in time for the last few songs of Call Me Ishmael‘s set and…

  • You Slut!, Funfun & History @ The Vaults, Derby, 3/3/2010

    On Wednesday I saw three cool bands for free at the Vaults. Yep – FREE! First on were History who put on a heartfelt show. There were a few wobbles in places but seeing as this is only their second gig, I think they did brilliantly. They were all in the moment and they were…

  • London Popfest 2010

    Last Sunday, I had the honour to play London Popfest 2010. And I played on the same day as three fab bands, Leaving Mornington Crescent, Horse Shoes and The Wake. Yes, that The Wake! :-O First on were Swedish razorpop stars, Leaving Mornington Crescent. I love LMC’s mix of 60s’ girlpop and Buzzcocks, I love…

  • Tiger, Tiger, Panther, Fox! @ The Royal, Derby, 20/2/2010

    TTPF! – click the pic for more! The other week, I went to see TTPF! at The Royal, not knowing what to expect at all. I deliberately hadn’t listened to them on the net beforehand as I wanted a fresh, unprejudiced experience. And I loved them. Knowing some of their tastes, I had expected it…

  • Crash Of Rhinos, Wooderson, NASDAQ @ Big Blue, 17/2/2010

    Last Wednesday I was lucky enough to see three beautiful bands for three pounds, right here in Derby at Big Blue Cafe. First on were NASDAQ who I should, by all rights have hated: instrumental, lengthy, twiddly. All the things that usually make me want to set fire to things rather than listen. But NASDAQ,…

  • Bubblegum Winter, 12/12/09

    Sooo… eleven days ago I travelled up to Glasgow on the train to see The Hidden Cameras headline the Bubblegum Winter shindig. Sadly, even though Joel was there (as you can see in the pic above), he couldn’t play due to visa issues. 🙁 Well, dammit – I wasn’t going to let that ruin my…

  • White Town Live At HDIF, 24/9/09

    (pics by Ian Watson) Wow – I had a brilliant time playing at How Does It Feel To Be Loved? in London on Thursday night. And I was honoured to be on the same bill as Honey Pine Dresser, Cavalcade and Arthur & Martha. All fab bands and lovely peeps. The gig started off a…

  • Cosy Den Five Year Festival

    (Click any of the pics to see a gallery of the day!) Just over a month ago, on August 1st, I played the Cosy Den Five Year festival. It was brilliant. This is the line-up for that day: Jap Adaptors Tada Tata Paddington DC The Paper Merchants White Town Vit Pals Allo Darlin’ Suburban Kids…

  • Indietracks 2009

    Au Revoir Simone On the 24th-26th of July, I went to Indietracks. And it was great. For the miniscule sum of £55, I got to see loads of wonderful bands. And I mean loads. In fact, if I have a moan, it’s that there were simply too many great bands on: I couldn’t see everything…

  • Newcastle Gig

    It’s me! (Pic taken by Geoff Kosmonaut.) On July 12th, I played at The Head of Steam, Newcastle. It was great. The gig was organised by Stephen This Almighty Pop and I was lucky enough to be playing with his band Kosmonaut and also with The Honda Express (featuring members of Strawberry Story). Although Stephen…

  • Hey! Fever!

    Last Saturday, I wandered along to Hey! Fever!, a summery all-dayer held at Bar One, Derby. I only saw a couple of bands (had to go home and get some kip!) but it was a lovely, sunny day and the atmosphere at the gig was great. Reminded me a bit of the old Summer Picnic.…

  • Wintermute, Great Eskimo Hoax, Funfun

    On Friday, I went to another great Sexy? No! Promo gig and saw three lovely bands! First on were Funfun who lived up to their name by doing a set of funfunny, proggy, poppy music. They also played with a lot of happiness, always a winning move for any band. Then came Great Eskimo Hoax.…

  • Brakes, Voluntary Butler Scheme & Mascot Fight

    Tuesday night, I saw a great gig at The Royal! First on were Mascot Fight. They seem more relaxed and into the music every time I see them. Great pop songs, fun and happiness! Next was Voluntary Butler Scheme. He did a set of loops but in a very pop song way, like a mix…

  • Mascot Fight Album Launch

    Last night I was privileged enough to witness Mascot Fight launch their debut album by playing a great gig. They rocked! Click the pic above to see a gallery of the rockness! 🙂

  • This Town Needs Guns, Best Endings, Lines In Sand, These Waves

    On Saturday night, I saw four lovely bands for four quid at The Vic. Result! First on were These Waves who just get better every time I see them and they were good to start with. I thought they really connected with the audience, no easy feat when you’re on first. But their effort paid…

  • Creative Blocks 15 – Leni Ward + Origamibiro

    Click any of the pics for a little gallery! Woohoo! Last night, I went to Creative Blocks at Big Blue and had an ace time. Loads of lovely people, great music plus decaff! Mmm… First on was Leni Ward. Coupling quite dour electro backing with a beautiful voice, parts of her set reminded me of…

  • Late Of The Pier, Micachu, Connan Mockasin

    Woooo! I had a great time last night seeing three fabulous bands at The Royal in Derby. And the management there were kind enough to get me in the swanky photographer bit at the front so I could get plenty of pics too. Mmmm… Click any of the pics below to see galleries of each…

  • The Making Of / In The Back Of The Real, Live At The Vic

    The Making Of, rocking! On Saturday, I nipped down to the Vic and caught In The Back Of The Real and The Making Of. It was a lovely combination of shoegazing followed by poppy shambling. Click the pic to see some more! 🙂

  • These Waves EP Launch

    Last night, I went to the These Waves EP launch gig at the Vic. Sadly, I missed the first two bands but I managed to catch Wintermute and These Waves, who both rocked like buggery. Check out their new EP! Click on the pic above for more shots!

  • The Presets Live At The Royal, 29/10/08

    The Presets! Click the pic for a small gallery! Whoah! Last night I went to see The Presets and they were awesome! I’ve liked them ever since I heard ‘Are You The One?’ off their debut album and 2008’s newie, ‘Apocalypto’ is even poppier. It’s a raw, chunky slice of electropop, fusing classic synthpop with…

  • Bille The Vision And The Dancers Live At The Royal, Derby, 24/10/08

    Billie The Vision And The Dancers, live last night! Click the pic for a gallery! If you’re a regular Groinker, you probably already know that I have a soft-spot for Billie The Vision. So, as soon as I heard they were playing in Derby, supporting The Pipettes, I got tickets and me and my mrs…

  • The Mystery Jets, Live At The Royal, 10/5/08

    Whooo! On Saturday night I was lucky enough to see The Mystery Jets live at The Royal! Supporting were Esser who managed to surmount a lack of soundchecking and played a fun, bouncy set. They remind me of A Certain Ratio channelled through LCD Soundsystem. Click the pic above for more shots of Esser. And…