It takes me nearly as long to reach Clapham Junction as it took me to get home from Bristol. I always seem to be stressed on Fridays and end up nrunning late; and always, like tonight, arrive in perfect time. This is a nice venue, an ex-cinema and ex-bingo hall with proper lights. I mean proper as in on a par with the Academy, miles better than the Barfly or even the Bull & Gate. Everyone is relaxed, even though the drinks are ar nightclub prices it seems a top venue.

The second support band are on when I arrive, quite good in their own way, but not really to my taste. There are acouple of other photographers there; One seems more casual than me with just some sort of Canon with a 50mm lens. The other has two Canons, both with massive zooms. He looks more like a weight lifter than a photographer. He has a quaint style of ducking as he moves around, as if he may block someones view, or there might be a sniper in the balcony trying to pick him off. Ironically he isn't as tall as the stage so the ducking is a unneccessary (and no sniper in the balcony tonight, although one can never be too careful in south london). I think he's probably a professional photographer, but not one who usually shoots bands. He doesn't seem to anticipate pictures, just watches and takes the occasional shot from the wrong side of the stage (shooting through the smoke).

The first support band were called the Truth and were quite fresh to me. I'm hopeless at pigeon-holing bands into gendres but the remind me (slightly) of The Pop Group. Sort of dub style. I took a copy of their demo cd and am enjoying it.

The Lovebirds are splendid. It's been a while since I saw them. This large stage really suits them, Lucy prances and dances from back to front and side to side. Last time I saw them was at the 12 bar where moving your elbows is a challenge when there is a 4 piece on the minute stage. An excellent night.