Buddy Guy Hits Britain!

5:39 PM GMT 06/12/2007

Buddy Guy, Chicago's surviving king of the blues, will head to our fair shores next year for three shows in London, Manchester and Birmingham.

He'll play:

London Shepherds Bush Empire (June 24)
Manchester Bridgewater Hall (25)
Birmingham Symphony Hall (27)

Tickets are priced at £27.50 and go on sale on Saturday, December 8.

For more info head over to www.buddyguy.net.

We also suggest you check out Guy's explosive performance from the ensemble Festival Express tour of 1970.

In the meantime, here's the man with the Stratocaster tearing things up in Texas.

Posted by Ross_Bennett at 5:39 PM GMT 06/12/2007

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Uh? I can't find details anywhere!

Posted by John at 9:47 PM GMT 08/12/2007 Report Abuse

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Why do all the big names play the Bridgewater Hall in Manchester? It's a classical music venue, and has such a genteel atmosphere. The Apollo is as big or bigger, and has atmosphere. The Bridgewater feels like an exhibition; at the Apollo you can get down and enjoy the music, it's not as clean.

I guess they have more money, and are more efficient than other bookers; fair enough, but I'm really put off going to see performers who 'put on a show' there - because you can feel that they're not really welcomed by the building, which always stays clean and respectable, which really flattens the atmosphere.

It's a good venue - but one for quieter performers - Donovan was great there for example, very intimate. But it gobbles up all the big gigs, barring those that go to the even more souless MEN Arena, or whatever it's called now, ie whoever's sponsoring it at the moment. Now that really is a concrete block of a building without character.

I know it's pointless performers tying their hands behind their backs and taking less money to play in more atmospheric venues - but the whole prestige stadium feel of these gigs, makes me feel that there's no grwoth left in the music presented there - it's an exhibition, not something to energise you, and fill your dreams.

I know the money's important, but these venues putting on gigs are killing the goose to get the golden egg. This desire to work with souless corporate moneymakers nearly killed music in the 80s. I didn't support it then - what'd be the point, it emaciates performances - and I don't support it now.

Posted by Martin Cooper at 2:40 PM GMT 03/02/2008 Report Abuse

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I agree with John. I enjoyed Buddy's performance at the Bridgewater last night but felt it wasn't the right sort of venue for him and his band: far too formal. I had wondered at first whether it was the sheer size of the place but I don't think it was: seeing BB KIng at the Hallam Arena a couple of years ago the size was no problem and we just seemed like a very large group of friends watching friends on stage. Not so last night. I'll think twice about going to the Bridgewater for similar gigs in future.

One gripe about last night. I was disappointed to see that some people couldn't be bothered to hear Foy Vance in the first half of the show: seemed discourteous (and also they missed hearing a good musician).

Posted by Mary at 4:47 PM GMT 26/06/2008 Report Abuse

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RE: Mary

Sorry, for John re Martin!

Posted by Mary at 4:48 PM GMT 26/06/2008 Report Abuse

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