Tonight there are several attractive gigs, but conveniently the Berettas are playing in Dalston near a friend who I want to visit. Doors are at 9 which suggests a late gig. I have driven so am not worried about getting home, but it's a drag not being able to have a drink when there's time to pass. I arrive at 9.30 and there's hardly anyone but me and the Berettas dressed up in the 70's style of the night (the Berettas not me). I propose doing a few pics of them dressed up and this passes the time enjoyably and we get some good photos too. I just have time to catch up with my blog before they are on.
Tonight Debs is not in a dark corner, so I make a special effort to get some decent pictures of her. The lights are ok but the colour gels are a bit excessive, so Kirsty is continually red. I resort to flash to try and get pictures of everyone (in the band). The crowd are definitely up for a good time as are the band so the evening is a resounding success. I think that because they only have one song on their myspace I tend to be surprised hoe good they are each time I see them. If bands aren't on my ipod they tend to fade away between gigs.

Tonight’s rather complicated. Originally I was planning to spend the evening at the Barfly as there were two bands playing in the evening plus Bleech playing the club night afterwards. Then I discovered that Bleech weren’t playing, and had never been going to, some sort of mix-up somewhere. Anyway I have also decided that Bleech playing at 1.30 sounds rather late, so I saw them last night.This only leaves the Berettas, who I’d like to see, but the choice between Anna Calvi at 93 Feet East and the Berettas @ the Barfly is much less clear.
What is happening at the Barfly is an open question as the website still says Kaputt are playing. As the day develops Anna Calvi announces that She is playing at 11pm at 93 Feet East (a free gig), so if the Berettas are playing reasonably early I could do both. I message Sara the drummer and she says they are playing at 9.30 and puts me on the cheap list.
Obviously (to any regular gig goer) they don’t actually play until a little later, well nearly 10pm, and when they finish their lively set at 10.25 it’s definitely cutting it fine to get to Brick Lane by 11; but as it’s free it won’t be a disaster if I miss the beginning of their set. In fact it’s sort of on the way home, a fairly roundabout way home anyway.
The lights at the Barfly were abnormally good as there was no-one doing the lights. The basic lights were just on and then there were some effects lights on some sort of sequencer. Didn’t have time to chat to the band, but had a quick word with Wyldman from Art Rocker.

Three bands tonight at Bloomsbury Bowling Lanes. The Berettas are looking less glittery than on Thursday. I find this more attractive and enjoy their performance even though the lights are questionable. I was thinking of resting (drinking a beer) during the middle band, but Nick from Slash chats to me beforehand, and they turn out to be enjoyable, so I photograph them too (whilst still enjoying a beer in the other hand).
Headliners are Doll and the Kicks who I was recommended to by by other photographers Magic and Daniel Miller. This leaves me with no great expectations of producing photos better than they have already done, especially as the lights have now disappeared completely. But I can't resist trying and the band are as good as expected.

A very mixed affair. The Berettas have been here since midday, but soundcheck at around 7.45. It all seems a grand show. It was expensive to get in but at least every other gig in this crowded week is either free or I’m on a cheap list. In fact 5 gigs in the previous 4 days have cost a total of £4. But for the large admission price there is a drinks promotion. The drink is called Lillet and is a French white wine fortified with gin to give 17% abv. After 2 glasses I am quite relaxed. There is a really good magician who does impressive things with doves, mostly making them appear or disappear. The Berettas are quite sequinny but play like a rock band. They are followed by a fashion show which is quite good when the smoke clears. Then another band who are rather AOR. As the bar is no longer serving draught beers it seems time to leave.