ArrGee wrote:

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I wouldn't know. Missed it through illness thanks to all the "heroes" at work who never take a day off sick yet insist on making the rest of us ill.
Lost weekend for me

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 That is an absolute bug bear of mine too. "I have maintained a 100% attendance record this year" starts appearing on people's performance reviews.  Yes, but you caused 3 other people to take time off because you wouldn't keep your germs to yourself. How is that being a team player?

Tango wrote:

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Have only discovered Brixton Academy this year but it's great for getting close to the front without getting completely mashed by the pit, which is nice for a big, lively gig. Still a lot of middle-aged bloody noses coming out of it, mind...

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I suspect The Damned wasn't as crowded as it gets for some gigs there as it didn't sell out.  Happy Mondays played to a bit less than capacity a few years ago which made it far more enjoyable.

Still next March, The Stranglers play there, so expect something pretty similar.  I am holding off on getting a ticket for that (doubt there will be an issue cos they didn't sell out last time) as I may end up in Dublin that weekend for the football and The Rats (so much for my M25 rule).    I seemed to have missed the initial sale for the football, but ideally want to find a cheap flight before I commit.  And who knows, by then the summer festival dates will have been announced.  Shame they won't be going back to Brentwood.

ArrGee wrote:

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Tango wrote:

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Have only discovered Brixton Academy this year but it's great for getting close to the front without getting completely mashed by the pit, which is nice for a big, lively gig. Still a lot of middle-aged bloody noses coming out of it, mind...

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I suspect The Damned wasn't as crowded as it gets for some gigs there as it didn't sell out.  Happy Mondays played to a bit less than capacity a few years ago which made it far more enjoyable.

Still next March, The Stranglers play there, so expect something pretty similar.  I am holding off on getting a ticket for that (doubt there will be an issue cos they didn't sell out last time) as I may end up in Dublin that weekend for the football and The Rats (so much for my M25 rule).    I seemed to have missed the initial sale for the football, but ideally want to find a cheap flight before I commit.  And who knows, by then the summer festival dates will have been announced.  Shame they won't be going back to Brentwood.

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Killing Joke there a few weeks ago was definitely pushing capacity, but as most of the crowd were ancient and stoned off their faces it wasn't exactly rowdy...

That Stranglers tour with the Ruts looks pretty good, I'm sure I'll end up there. Beginning to wonder if a real Rats tour is at all likely in the foreseeable but I can only really afford one festival trip a year and Rebellion will always win that battle.

suss wrote:

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 Went to last ever Carter USM gig there and got in early enough to get on barrier. Possibly closest I've come to passing out at a gig. Completely crushed from the off, with head routinely battered by crowd surfers.

 Was 'fun' for an hour then I started feeling faint and luckily forced my way back to get out of the crush. Retired upstairs to sit for rest, and realised why it was rammed downstairs. Looked like 50% of seats (bearing in mind it was sold out about 3 time overs) had vacated...hmm wonder where they all went?

Wouldn't have missed it for world though Brixton is probably closest recognised venue to my house and always been great, for Carter and Pogues in particular.

 

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Straight down the middle did look chaotic last weekend but not quite that bad! They do seem particularly unrigorous in checking seated/standing tickets, though. 'Cause of the shape of the auditorium (and having the toilets at the corners of the stage, I suspect) at least you can get down the front and not get battered if you stick to the sides a bit. Bet The Pogues there was quality.