Band of Horses @ Koko

It's hard to believe that it was just a year ago that Band of Horses came onto the scene and into my life. All I can say, is that probably more than any other band I've ever seen, these guys make me regret, almost despise the fact that I was never musically inclined as a youngster. I'm greener than the Hulk with envy that I can never be like Band of Horses. Why oh why did I never want to be a musician or in a band when I was younger? Naively and sheep-like, opting for a cricket bat or golf club instead!? My years of standing disinterestedly on the third man boundary have long since past and golf I'm afraid is a sport that will seemingly forever create more pain than joy for me. Silly, silly me…If I have one piece of advice for any youngster out there, it would be for them just to consider learning a musical instrument, do it for yourself and nobody else. Because that's the difference between music and sport.

Lead singer Ben Bridwell however, seems to be fully aware of this gift and (almost on my behalf) seems to relish and devour every second on that stage. He is the lightning conducter through which the bands music flows. It is infectious and very satisfying to see someone clearly revelling in what he was born to do. The next best thing to doing it yourself I guess.

Anyway, so as you may have guessed they were really good. Perhaps in a few years time when they have a deeper pool of songs to draw from they'll be BRILLIANT. Support band MGMT were also the find of the season for me and I wouldn't be surprised if 'Time to pretend' doesn't make them a household name in the very near future.

The 2008 Brit Awards

'Punk' themed afterparty

Rihanna featuring The Klaxons

Kylie

Ribena

Leona Lewis

Sir Paul McCartney

Robyn and I were fortunate enough to be invited to last nights Brit Awards by the same guys I went to Dublin with in December last year. Now I'm not being fussy, because I was still fired up to be going, but it wasn't the best line-up I've ever seen at the Brit Awards. It was more mainstream pop than the rock 'n roll of recent years but it was still superb and an honour to see artists like Paul McCartney, Kylie Minogue, Leona Lewis, Rihanna, The Kaiser Chiefs, The Klaxons, Mika, Mark Ronson and that Winehouse bird everyone seems to love. It was hosted by the Osbournes, who were surprisingly good but it's fair to say that Sharon dominated proceedings with what's really become a fairly predictable routine of unwitty, potty mouth comments riddled with layer upon layer of sexual innuendos.

What more can I say really, other than it was sort of but not quite, just like a normal concert but with an awards show thrown in amongst it. And then of course the added advantage of seeing a number of different acts on one night. What I will say however, is that the atmosphere and lighting was WAY better than your average gig and the sheer size of the place and amount of people crammed into the joint was sublime.

I'd love to say I rubbed shoulders with the the Foo Fighters, got Sarah Harding and Cheryl Cole's(Girls Aloud) numbers, bounced a few ciggies with the Arctic Monkey's but unfortunately I didn't! It will still go down as I night that neither of us will forget in a hurry.

Introducing Gareth Liam Clark!

Lauren and Gareth

On the 23rd of December my brother Murray and his wife Lauren had a bouncy baby boy! His name is Gareth and he reluctantly made his way into this world 4 days behind schedule. Weighing in at a sizeable 3.9kg and sporting more hair than Sebastian Chabal! (the French rugby side's back-rower) Robyn and I were lucky enough to meet him when we were home, although between all the feeding and sleeping he was doing (note I didn't say crying because he hardly cried at all) I'm not sure he'll remember us too well! Nevertheless he is a very cute little guy!

To Lol and Muz, congratulations again and well done for bringing Gareth into the world! Robyn and I both look very fwd to seeing the three of you again soon!