Let there be music

by Rick Johansen

As autumn arrives, at least I have the prospect of loads of nice music to listen to. Not just the recent, and many, additions to my record collection with oldies by The Beatles, Here We Go Magic and Prefab Sprout to newbies from the likes of Bob Vylan, Fontaines DC and Foster the People, but also the welcome return to my life of live music. Although these days I have to wear ear protectors at some shows doe to my increasing DEAFNESS (no need to shout) and tinnitus, you just can’t beat a live show. Most exciting of all, I am looking forward to returning to the former Bristol Colston Hall, renamed Bristol Beacon, for the first time since its renovation.

In terms of live venues, the Beacon is about as big as I like it – 1800 sitting, 2100 standing – so we will only get mainly Championship and League One level acts, but that’s fine. Seeing Jordan Rakei later this month and Jason Isbell in November will do just dandy for me. But then I’ve got Terry Reid (who turned down the chance to be lead singer for Led Zeppelin), Eddie Chacon (Charles and Eddie), Been Stellar, Lack Of Afro, Michael Head and, maybe, Nilűfer Yanya if I am lucky, all in small, or even tiny halls. Best of all, with the possibly exception of Terry Reid, these artists are all making new music. What is the point in carrying on without making new music?

I make such a fuss about wanting to hear new music all the time, you’d think I’d eschew the opportunity to see a heritage act, probably at vast expense, but, no. I can be as inconsistent as the next man or woman. I’m hoping for, and am indeed expecting, tours by rock legends the Doobie Brothers and Toto in 2025. I have seen both bands live and they are simply brilliant and while the bands and musicians in the bands still make new music, live shows are for the hits. While Oasis are not fit to clean the boots of the Doobies and Toto, I concede that having a pop at Oasis for churning out the old songs reeks of hypocrisy. Guilty, m’lud. Oasis aren’t as good as the Doobies or Toto. Facts, see?

It’s worth repeating one of my favourite lines. My best friend always says, “There is no such thing as bad music” (no, I won’t do my “except Queen” joke again) but I say that we live in the best time ever for music. Along with all the great music that’s being released today – and trust me, there’s loads of it – we’ve got much of the music that’s ever been created. From The Beatles to Been Stellar. In all of history, we live in best time ever for music.

I wouldn’t say that I live for music because that would be just plain stupid, just as saying you live for football or your holidays is just plain stupid. But without music, my life would not be as rich as it is now because, I’m sure like you, I feel music can affect lives almost like nothing else. And that’s why I love it so very much.

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