Belle & Sebastian (and St Etienne) - On The Mount, Wasing Estate, Aldermaston - 28th June 2026

I was supposed to see Belle and Sebastian in 2022, but they cancelled that tour due to COVID restrictions and the one venue they didn't rebook was Southampton Guildhall, so it never happened. I toyed with the idea of going to see them at the Royal Albert Hall, but the idea of sitting down for the gig didn't appeal, so that opportunity passed and then I saw they were playing "On The Mount" in Aldermaston, which is a 30ish minute drive away. I bought a ticket.

As the date drew nearer I was delighted to find out that St Etienne were the support act as I'd enjoyed seeing them 10 years ago in London, but had decided not to see them on their 'final UK tour' as I'd made a self-imposed rule not to pay to see people I'd seen before again this year.

I was a little less delighted to find out I had to pay an extra £16.50 to park there (in a field as it turned out!) and then to see all the tickets discounted by 30% closer to the event. If I ever see tickets for this venue again, I shall definitely hold off booking until closer to the date.

Still, with a chance to see St Etienne again and, finally, Belle and Sebastian, I was stil fairly content.

I arrived in the field about 5:30 and parked quite close to the entry. After a (second) ticket check, I followed a long path, lit by small lights strung in the trees (it was still light on my arrival, but not when I left), through the woods for around half a mile before reaching a clearing.

To my left was a rise to the 'VIP' area (they were a long way from from the stage, but there was an enclosure for them up by the right hand side of the stage as well, for those who wanted to get closer), ahead a large bar and then down a slope to my right a large grass area, with a temporary stage before the land rose again beyond it (access beyond the stage was out of bounds, though).

I settled down on the grass, as most people had, and waited, grabbing a quick beer while I did. Beer was all in cans, but I got a decent IPA for pub prices, so I can't say it was unreasonable (unlike O2 venues!).

At around 7:45, St Etienne appeared on the stage.

Sarah Cracknell looked a bit less youthful than I recalled 10 years ago (I'm 100% sure I do, too!), but her voice sounded much the same.

The men behind the synths and 'Debsy' looked much the same, if a little older.

They performed a 45 minute set to a warm reception, mostly playing their hits, starting with "Nothing Can Stop Us", "Who Do You Think You Are?" and "Pale Movie".

They included a couple of tracks from more recent albums, including their most recent from last year, which had a generally good reception.

"Spring", "Only Love Can Break Your Heart" and "He's On The Phone" were other hits included in the set, but I particularly enjoyed "Shower Scene".

Overall, they were great again. Sarah's voice sounded as good as ever (although I recall someone once describing her as 'comically flat' in a review), while Debsy provided good support and the drummer and guitarist filled out the synths and I was glad to have seen them, it would seem, one last time.

I posted on Facebook that it was a brave band to book St Etienne as a support act, so I wondered whether Belle and Sebastian were up to it.

Around 8:30, a film started to play on the huge screen behind the stage.

This was the woman who featured on the cover of the album 'If You're Feeling Sinister', which was their second album and formed the first half of the set tonight.

Throughout 2026, they've been playing sets including this album or "Tigermilk", their first.

Somehow, despite acquiring most of their albums, "If You're Feeling Sinister" was the one I'd missed and, while I'd bought it recently, I hadn't listened to it a great deal, so I wasn't that familiar with some of the songs.

I'll be honest, my impression of Belle and Sebastian, from their albums was that they're a quirky (There are 9 members, two of which play orchestral instruments much of the time - A Cello and a Violin) and rather whimsical band. I primarily expected a gentle, mellow performance, although I did recall reading a review where someone mentioned that a more recent album was more energetic and 'dance-focussed, much like their live performances', so I wasn't sure what to expect.

As it turned out, that review was spot on.

They played "If You're Feeling Sinister" through from start to finish, kicking off with the lively "The Stars of Track and Field", which I did know. Stuart Murdoch, the front man, sounded exactly like he does on record, but overall, the performance was far livelier, upbeat and punchier than most of their recordings suggest.

They moved through the album, with "Me and the Major", "Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying" (apparently written about not really knowing how they'd survive the 'rock and roll' world as a 9 piece - Seems they've managed it as the majority of the line-up remains unchanged, 30 years later!), the title track and "Judy And The Dream Of Horses" standing out to me, but all of them sounding good.

The sound mix was excellent, with Stuart's vocals riding above the instruments - I'd go as far as to say I heard lyrics on the night that I'd missed on recordings!

Once the album was played, Stuart explained they'd take a quick break and warned us not to go far. I made it to the loo and back, just as they returned to the stage, so I'm sure some people were either there or still at the bar, although from either location you could hear the band anyway.

For me, the gig really came alive with the second section 'fan favourites'. Stuart quipped that the pressure was off once the album was played,  but it really felt as if they, and the audience,  had breathed out during the interval and threw themselves into the second part with relaxed enthusiasm.

They started with the slightly sinister "Sukie in the Graveyard", which really got the crowd dancing.

"Lord Anthony" isn't a favourite of mine, but it sounded pretty good and "Step Into My Office, Baby" that follows is and that sounded great!

The song that introduced me to the band was next. I heard "Boy With The Arab Strap" at a gig, playing before the band (I don't recall who, now) took the stage. I'd seen the album in record shops (remember those?), but never been interested enough to search it out and until I heard the song. After that, I rapidly acquired most of their back catalogue!

The performance was lively, pounding and energetic, the fun factor multiplied by Stuart bringing 30 or so members of the audience onto the, already quite busy with 9 musicians, stage to dance along!

They finished out the set with "I Didn't See It Coming", which I didn't recognise, but did enjoy and then they returned for one more song "Lazy Line Painter Jane" before, at 10:20, finishing the set.

Throughout Stuart had quipped and chatted easily to and with the audience and 'interviewed' a few of the crowd on stage between 'Boy...' and 'I Didn't...'

Overall, I loved the gig.

I found their live performance far more engaging and enjoyable than I'd half-expected and I would say it's, so far, a candidate for most enjoyable gig of the year.

I'm sure I'd have enjoyed "Tigermilk" slightly more as the full album, because I knew it better (interestingly I see "If You're Feeling Sinister" barely made an impression on release, only reaching 191 in the album charts!), and there were plenty of tracks I would have chosen to hear as a full 'fan favourite' setlist, but the tour is geared around the performance of one of the albums in full and then a selection of the 'hits' (did they really have any single success? Quick check: Not really, a handful of top 20s, they're very much an album band, hence their relatively low profile, I suspect).

As I sat in the chaos of the car park trying to leave (somehow I managed to be one of the very last cars out, despite beating most people back to my car!), I browsed to see if there were any more UK gigs I could easily get to.

It was that good that I immediately wanted to relive it!

If you're already a fan, you'll know how good they are. If, like me, your experience of Belle and Sebastian is solely via their recordings, treat yourself and go see them live, they will change your perception and, almost certainly, for the better!

Not this year, but in future I will try and see them again.

Finally, a note on the venue. Acoustically, it was great and the drinks were not unreasonably priced. However, I felt the car parking was massively overpriced, especially considering the chaotic exit (It took me 30 minutes to reach the road!) and it was disappointing to see tickets being offered a big reduction a few weeks before the event (some locals, apparently, got free tickets - Stuart quipping that they weren't exactly Metallica, likely to disturb the peace! - but that is more understandable). I might return if there are acts there I'd like to see again, but I would definitely wait until closer to the day (There was a ticket office open when I arrived and looking around, while it was busy by the time Belle and Sebastian came on, I'd doubt it was sold out) and see if I could make a significant saving.

St Etienne Setlist:
Nothing Can Stop Us
Who Do You Think You Are
Pale Movie
Like a Motorway
Spring
Glad
Only Love Can Break Your Heart
Shower Scene
Tonight
He's on the Phone
7 Ways to Love

Belle And Sebastian Setlist:
If You're Feeling Sinister
The Stars of Track and Field
Seeing Other People
Me and the Major
Like Dylan in the Movies
The Fox in the Snow
Get Me Away From Here, I'm Dying
If You're Feeling Sinister
Mayfly
The Boy Done Wrong Again
Judy and the Dream of Horses
Fan Favourites
Sukie in the Graveyard
Lord Anthony
Step Into My Office, Baby
The Boy With the Arab Strap
I Didn't See It Coming
Encore:
Lazy Line Painter Jane

Deacon Blue (and The Lightning Seeds) - Guildhall Square, Southampton - 27th June 2026

I'd considered going to see Deacon Blue many times, but never quite got around to it before for one reason or another.

I liked their early material, but they were more a favourite of my wife's even then, although (unlike some), one I could enjoy as well.

In 2026, I decided to make a point of not going to see people I'd seen before and, instead seeing some acts I hadn't, when I saw Deacon Blue were playing in the Guildhall Square, Southampton, as part of the Summer Sessions, I (after a bit of prevarication, I'll concede) bit the bullet and bought a ticket (my wife thought about it, but isn't a fan of live music).

June 2026 saw a near 40C heatwave and I'm sure I wasn't alone in worrying that it might be intolerable to stand in the sun for 3-4 hours, but as it turned out, it was a lovely, warm evening that saw me standing with my back to the Guildhall entrance and facing the temporary stage.

I arrived a little early and was on of the first 100 or so people in, so I made my way close to the stage.

On that stage were two drumkits, one shrouded at the back and another, in front of it, marked The Lightning Seeds.

I've never been a huge fan of them, but I don't actively dislike them, either, so I figured they'd be worth a listen to. Clearly some people around me were quite excited by their appearance.

Around 7:00, 5 people, a young man and woman (definitely not original members of the band) and 3 older men, one who I recognised as the lead singer of the band.

Not having really ever followed them, I didn't know many of their songs, but their sound was definitely familiar and the lead singer's voice seemed quite unchanged from the height of their career.

They did play a few songs I knew, Lucky You, Life Of Riley and Pure and they sounded pretty true to the originals.

They also played their iconic football chant "Three Lions" to the delight of most of the crowd, although I consider it best forgotten (as if there's any chance of that, with every football fan shouting "It's coming home, It's coming home..." whenever England play).

Overall, though, they sounded pretty good and, while I can't say I'd rush to see them again, if you did like them, you'd probably enjoy them still. They can certainly still perform.

We had the usual on stage antics next, as the 'Seeds equipment was shuttled off the stage and Deacon Blue's was unveiled and arranged.

With little fanfare, the band appeared around 8:00.

As they started to play some near me said "That's Rock The Boat, isn't it?" and, sure enough, they started with a chorus or two of the Hues Corporation hit, before transitioning into a song I didn't know, "Late '88".

Next up was a song I did, "Queen of the New Year" follwowed by "Wages Day" - Both sounded good. Ricky's voice sounded strong, although, for me, the snare drum was far too prominent in the sound mix (there I go sounding like I know all about music, but it was clear that whenever the drummer hit it, it dominated).

Lorraine, I have to admit, was someone who I tended to discount a bit in the past as a bit of a hanger on, but it was obvious from these songs that she contributes quite a lot to the overall sound of Deacon Blue and she's stil pretty energetic on stage.

The drummer and guitarist are original members, but the bass guitarist and keyboards man were not and before "The Great Western Road" Ricky paid homage to James Prime, their former keyboard player, who died in 2025.

The set was a mix of early "Raintown" (although, bizarrely and disappointingly for me, that wasn't played) hits and later songs, most of which I didn't recognise.

"The Believers" and "People Come First" stick in my mind from the latter group.

Of course, the most popular songs were the early hits, with "Real Gone Kid", "Dignity" and "Fergus Sings the Blues" forming the crescendo of the set, although they, surprisingly to me, finished on "That's What We Can Do", which I'd never heard and finally "I'll Never Fall In Love Again", which wasn't exactly a disappointment, but did feel like a bit of anti-climax to me.

Overall, though, they put on a good show and still sound pretty good for a band that have been touring and playing together in, more or less, their original line-up for 40 years.

If I'm honest, I doubt I'll go and see them again (I rarely see bands more than once, anyway), but if you've ever thought you might fancy going along to one of their gigs, I would recommend it on the strength of this one.

P.S. One unusual thing about this gig was that it was 'signed' throughout both sets. Two women took turns to sign, not only the lyrics, but also the instrumental parts! Very impressive and at times I watched them to see what they were doing, rather than the act on stage!

Setlist:
Excerpt of Rock the Boat (Hues Corporation cover)
Late '88
Queen of the New Year
Wages Day
Much too close to love
Loaded
Your Swaying Arms
People Come First
Chocolate Girl
City of Love
Bethlehem's Gate
Love and Regret
The Great Western Road
Twist and Shout
Real Gone Kid
The Believers
Dignity
Fergus Sings the Blues
That's What We Can Do
I'll Never Fall in Love Again (Burt Bacharach cover)

Elvis Costello & The Imposters - Shepherds Bush Empire - 20th June 2026

Elvis Costello isn't an artist I've followed closely over the years, but I did like his early material, so I was excited to see he was doing a tour focussing on those early songs, Radio Soul:The Early Songs of Elvis Costello, even moreso when I found that there were standing tickets at the Shepherds Bush Empire, so a ticket was swiftly purchased.

As the date due nearer, I was reading reviews and watching videos that suggested things weren't going to be great - "His voice has gone", "He's messed with all the songs and ruined then", "We left after 20 minutes. It was awful" I read and, truth be known, the videos did suggest that maybe there was more than a little truth in those comments.

Still, I had a ticket and Shepherds Bush is an easy drive and tube ride away, so I thought I'd go and see and hear for myself.

While I've fond memories of those early songs, I've never thought of Costello as a great singer and, as I'd never seen him before, I didn't have anything to compare it with, except recordings.

I arrived about 7:15 and found the venue pleasantly chilled as London transitioned into a record breaking June heatwave.

About 7:45 two men appeared on stage, one looking familiar, but it took a few moment to realise it was Squeeze's Chris Difford, who I'd seen at the Boiler Room in Guildford some years ago.

With his fellow musician on a slide guitar, he quipped and played songs, both Squeeze and solo ones and was, as at Guildford amusing (He looks and sounds like the late Sean Lock) as he regaled of his early days with Squeeze ("Queen were rehearsing next door and Freddie played me this song called Bohemian Rhapsody. It's too long, Freddie, cut out the middle bit, it's crap!") and flying to America on Laker Airways for a solo song ("Freddie and the Dreamers").

An excellent support act and one, I suspected, that would be hard to follow.

After the usual on stage shenagagins (last minute soundchecks, moving stuff around), about 8:45 the lights went down and Elvis Costello and his band took the stage with no theatricals.

I'll be honest, I didn't recognise "You Belong To Me", and didn't know the next 2 songs, but the band were energetic and sounded good, although Elvis' voice was rather lost in the mix (it seems less so in these videos, maybe my hearing's going!), I felt, which made me wonder if that was intentional, given the poor reviews.

The fourth song, "Watching The Detectives", though, I did know and it started familiarly enough, before morphing into a bluesy, Rolling Stones-like, extended version - I thought it was great!

The Imposters are 2/3rds of the original Attractions, so they should know these songs and were joined by Charlie Sexton, an American best known for his association with Bob Dylan (Ironically, after seeing and reading reviews for earlier events on this tour, I feared this might be an experience like I had when I saw Bob Dylan, where he played incoherent, unrecognisable versions of his songs and ignored the audience with a disinterest bordering on contempt - Definitely the worst gig I ever went to!).

Another couple of lesser known songs I didn't recall followed, before they slowed things down for the Charlie Rich "Who Will The Next Fool Be". With Elvis on the piano and one of the band on an electronic double bass and not much more, Elvis' voice was exposed here, but didn't disappoint. He sounded good!

One of my favourite Elvis Costello songs is "Every Day I Write The Book" and here he played a slow arrangement for the first time. Videos of the earlier re-arrangement were what had given me the greatest concern about this gig, but this arrangement was brilliant, if totally different to the breezy, poppy original. I'm all for a good re-arrangement of a familiar song and this was exactly that! Again, his voice sound strong and clear, no complaints here.

A mix of lesser known and better known tracks followed. "Clubland"- slightly rearranged, and including a snippet of Ghost Town, by The Specials, "Brilliant Mistake" and a very lively "Honey, Are You Straight or Are You Blind?" led into "Beyond Belief" and a bizarre opening to "I Can't Stand Up For Falling Down", where Elvis seemed to sing deliberately off key in a slow, pub-singer style, before it burst into the original powerful version we're all familar with.

That led into a final stretch that I can't imagine any fan of Costello's early songs would have been disappointed in starting with "High Fidelity", through "Alison" and "Man Out Of Time" to a rousing, almost breathless finale of "Chelsea", "Pump It Up", "Radio Radio", "Shipbuilding", "Oliver's Army" (Some bemoan him messing with the lyrics, but only rappers get away with "Nigger" these days and I'd rather a slight re-write than losing this great song from the set altogether - The whole venue was singing along!), finishing on an uplifting "Peace, Love and Understanding".

I'll be honest, I had a great evening. I do think that his voice was lost in the mix on some of the louder songs, but it sounded fine on the acoustic ones, better than I'd credited him with, if I'm honest, and most of the songs were played as I knew them, with the few heavily reworked, for me at least, being none the worse for it!

Certainly there was no mass exodus 20 minutes in. When I headed towards the back as Shipbuilding started, the place was still packed and remained that way until near the end of Peace, Love and Understanding as some tried to beat the rush.

Perhaps he was on good form this evening, but on the strength of my experience, I'd say go and see them on this tour if you get the chance!

Setlist:
You Belong to Me
Mystery Dance
Lipstick Vogue
Watching the Detectives
Home Is Anywhere You Hang Your Head
Home Truth
King Horse
Who Will the Next Fool Be
Everyday I Write the Book (Unique, slower arrangement for this gig only)
A Face in the Crowd
Heathen Town
Brilliant Mistake
Clubland (Included snippet of Ghost Town by The Specials)
Honey, Are You Straight or Are You Blind?
Wonder Woman
Beyond Belief
I Can't Stand Up for Falling Down
High Fidelity
Less Than Zero
Alison
Lovers Walk
Man Out of Time
No Action
(I Don't Want to Go to) Chelsea
Pump It Up
Radio Radio
Shipbuilding
Oliver's Army
(What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding