After last night's false start the festival @ Hoxton Bar & Kitchen gets underway. A good bill opens with Parties who I have seen before. They are sort of 1979 post-punk with serious hints of Hank Marvin. At the moment they are ideally suited to open a show. Black Cherry are quite engaging, but a touch on the poppy side for me to rave over. Creatures of Love are quite good but their lights are too difficult for photography. All a bit floor level with an ill directed strobe and smoke make them too much effort to shoot. I save myself for Underground Railroad who deliver an excellent performance.

I saw the Underground Railroad when they played a 'Levi's Ones to Watch' night at the Barfly with Rubella, nearly 2 years ago. I may have had a bit to drink by they played (and thus took no photos) but enjoyed their lively set. Today they are playing a free Rough Trade afternoon gig at the Notting Hill Arts Club. It's a strange venue; to me it doesn't really tick many boxes, the drinks are fairly expensive and no draught beers, the lights are usually dim, the space itself is a bit bizarre, it's the only place I have ever been asked for id (although I am retired). But somehow I still like the place and have enjoyed quite a few good evenings there.

It's quite busy today (and hot as it's no longer freezing outside). I quite enjoy the Disappearers, before Underground Railroad. Underground Railroad are doing largely new songs from their soon to be released new album. These days I go to see so many bands who I know and see often that finding a band who I don't really know doing a good set is rather fun.

So we are all finished by 7.30 although I had no other gigs in my diary.