Gorillaz at Leeds arena last night. A very special gig. Particularly enjoyed thousands of people singing along to Mark E Smith. A great night.

Two-child limit scrapped as historic Bill to lift 450,000 children out of poverty becomes law Historic legislation to end the two-child limit has become law, putting 450,000 children on a pathway out of poverty in the final year of this Parliament.

While this Labour government has had plenty of disappointing moments, this really is huge. Campaigners and experts have always told me this is the quickest and most effective way to immediately reduce child poverty. It took too long to get here but this is big.

Some pics from Franz Ferdinand show at Newcastle City hall last night. Great tunes and great front man. A lively and enjoyable night.

Some pics from another epic show from mogwai, this time at the glasshouse gateshead.

It's Mogwai time.

Some pics from Maximo Park at Newcastle City Hall last night. Seen Maximo countless times but this 20th anniversary show was up there with the best I've seen. A real raucous crowd. Enjoyed it a lot.

Art Brut. Been a long time since I've seen these. On good form supporting Maximo Park tonight.

A few pics of the end of Stealing sheep at the cluny2 newcastle. This was one of the most fun inventive shows I've seen in a long time. They creatively used the tiny stage and the costume changes were clever and fun.

Gig number 2 of the year tonight. Stealing Sheep at the cluny newcastle. It's been a while, I last saw Stealing sheep supporting villagers way back in 2013.

Midlake at fire station Sunderland. Enjoyed that. A good start to the gigging year. Here's some pics.

Finally time for the first gig of 2026. Off to Fire Station in Sunderland to see Midlake.

Thanks as always for doing this.

Continued. 10 - Everybody Laughs - David Byrne. Thanks for doing this as always.

Just in time 1, Spike Island - Pulp. 2, Bonnet of Pins - Matt Berninger. 3, Allbarone - Baxter Dury. 4, Taxes - Geese. 5,- I dont know how i made it - The Waterboys. 6, Achiles- Divine Comedy. 7, Hit my head all day - Dry Cleaning. 8, Afterlife -Sharon van etten. 9, Hiding in plain sight - Manics.

You're Not Supposed To, live like it's 2006 all over again, from our 20th Anniversary show at the Fire Station in Sunderland last month.

Watch the full video here 👉 youtu.be/cyaiE88riwk

Field Music were magnificent last night at the homecoming gig at the fire station in sunderland. A real treat to hear some of their very early stuff. They seemed to enjoy it. A cracking night out.

Gig time. Trip to sunderland to see Field Music at the Fire Station. Great group but been a while since i've seen them live. Should be a cracker.

Enjoyed kathryn joseph show last night at cluny 2 newcastle. Cracking little venue. Great voice and funny as well.

Time to get out for a gig. First trip to the cluny newcastle for a while. Kathryn joseph tonight, should be a treat.

The lovely eggs at newcastle uni. Lively stuff.

Gig night. On way to catch The lovely eggs at newcastle uni.

Some pics from John Grant at boilershop newcastle last night. Magnificent as always.

He was fantastic as always.

It's John Grant time again. Off to Boiler shop in Newcastle to catch him. Last year in Sunderland he was great, similar again will do.

Got Nick Cave tickets for Brighton next year. Need Pixies tickets for York tomorrow for a nice double to look forward to in 2026.

Some pics of Du Blonde's excellent set at Last train home festival in darlington yesterday. A cracking festival.

Dilletante very good at Last Train home festival yesterday.

Last train home festival, we've struck gold. Lawn Chair. Magnificent stuff.

At Last train home festival in Darlington. Looking forward to catching Dilletante and Du Blonde later and hopefully some new favs before them.