Mama Shamone @ the Old Blue Last 17:00

Fortunately Mama Shamone were playing early (5pm) so apart from the slight strangeness of light coming through the windows (difficult colour balance) it was great as it meant I could catch two other brilliant bands playing later in the evening.

Reverse Engineering @ the George Tavern 18:00

Unfortunately Reverse Engineering weren't playing till 9.30. so I chatted and watched their sound check but had to rush off before they played. The venue seemed very pleasant with a feeling of community, bit like the Klinker. I did have time to see 1 band and a good poet.

Ghostcat @ the Barfly  22:00

Ali seems to manage to jump higher everytime I see the band. Unfortunately the Barfly continues to waste a whole load of expensive lights so crucial parts of Ghostcats performance are hidden from the audience (and you dear readers) by the cleverness of the lighting man. Maybe he'd do the lights properly if the band gave him a tip. Otherwise a great performance to end the bank holiday.

7pm The Johnsons - Had just seen them down the road in Lewisham, so they were warmed up. Lighting wasn't as good as the fox, but quite reasonable.

8pm ish The Fighting Cocks. Quite a distinctive band as you can see from the photo

9pm ish Trash Fashion - good fun

10pm ish Man Like Me Recommended to me by Mama Shamone.

Interesting, pulled ceiling down at end. Not sure whether the show continued as I went off to Goldsmiths Tavern. There was a bizarre queue, after 10 mins got in to find the place half empty, hmmm. No lights at all, a real insult to the paying public and indeed complete lack of respect for the bands. It was so dark I couldn't actually see to take a proper picture with flash. I "saw" a NZ band called Die Die Die who seemed quite good, but I was having a drink during their set, so no pics. I think I may have had 40 winks around this point.

Midnight Ebony Bones, this band had elaborate costumes which no-one could see because it was pitch black. You are privileged to get a peep here. There seemed to be an huge number of people crammed into the band, and the crowd felt quite packed too. Seemed a good band.

1am Mama Shamone - as good as ever

2am Night Bus home (well 3 night buses in total to arrive home a 4.30) So I discovered that there are some excellent venues with lights in South london (the Fox in Lewisham and the Amersham Arms in New Cross) and one (Goldsmith's Arms) which made the worst black holes of Hoxton and Camden seem worthy venues. If I were a band I would not insult my fans by playing at the Goldsmiths Arms. Overall though I was surprised by the variety in the music I saw during the day I enjoyed the restaged event.

Hoxton Lab seems to be one of those venues which have a different name every time we visit. This place used to be called the Star & Garter (which sounds like it may be original name of the pub, and I may be exaggerating about the number of name changes). Anyway its still a fairly small basement with no stage. The lights are a bit red, and the lack of stage doesn't really draw the performers into the light. If they stand in the right place (see Suzerain pictures) the lights are OK, but as soon as a singer pics up the mike and moves around, they are in relative darkness. Mama Shamone don't stay still so photos are tricky, but the music is exciting.

Support from Suzerain, who attracted a sizeable crowd and produced an impressive performance - worth checking out their myspace.

Wildblanket have seen a number of bands at the Metro. It had not been one of our favourite venues due to the redness of their lights. In fact we haven't been there for a while as everyone looking red doesn't make attractive pictures. Since we were last there someone has sorted out the lights, and it has suddenly become a good venue. It's proximatey to Tottenham Court Road Tube was a decisive factor when it came to rising from my week in bed with the flu, and it must be said that it is a well located club.

By a stroke of good luck I managed to arrive moments before Mama Shamone hit the stage.

The performance was as good as we expected, withstrong songs and a certain amount of mayhem. I stayed on to watch the other bands 'The Rain' and Livingstone who both did good sets.

We arrived at 6 for the Plakka soundcheck.

After Dinner ina Brazilian restaurant in Upper Street we were back to see all 8 bands (although we did miss the beginning of Reality Cheques).

An excellent evening of entertaining bands promoted by Club MGriff.

With Maxfield, Mama Shamone and of course Plakka, being outstanding. We shall see them all again.

Pic of Mama Shamone