I'm at the northern tip of the UK mainland. I've just walked into 'The Last House' in John O'Groats, which since 2019 has been home to a new brewery, bar and visitor centre. 

Amidst various bottles of beer and related merchandise there's a screen showing a video of the local area with music playing that has my ear. This is how I got to hear John O'Groats local band Neon Waltz and learn via a promotional postcard that NME called them "Scotland's coolest new gang" in 2015 and their 2017 'Strange Hymns' record being nominated for Scottish Album of the Year.  

My first thought was they reminded me of Explosions in the Sky, but that was instrumentally. All the songs I've listened to are more vocal, but this track sounds more like what I first heard. 

'Perfect Frame' from 'Strange Hymns'. Bit of a psychedelic video happening too. 

* YouTube has more videos and a new LP is due in September. 

 

Same flower, different butterfly, TN35 4AT

Hydrangea plant, Red Admiral (left), Peacock (right) butterflies. Taken in our garden. July 2023

   

Ever since moving down to the Sussex coast I've seen more 'live' music than I've managed in ages. The local scene here is very active. 

But today I'm away back to London for the only performance in England on their 2023 World Tour for the Red Hot Chili Peppers. Courtesy of my son who got the tickets for this evening's stadium event. So along with over 60,000 fans I expect the band will be heard more than seen and if the setlist info is anything to go by this track from 1999 will be part of the show. 

This video is a classic of it's time and is the band's most watched on YouTube. 'Californication' >

   

Last weekend the BST Hyde Park concerts in London concluded, penultimately with Billy Joel, who'd played a set full of crowd pleasing 'Greatest Hits'.

I checked the setlist and his encore began with this classic. You've probably seen the video before, but worth another spin, given the nature of history and it's ability to repeat itself. As one person comments: "As an US History student I understand this song and realize we have not changed at all in 70 years".

Billy Joel's 'We Didn't Start the Fire' (lyrics and history) ... 'But we tried to fight it' 

NB: the visuals start with the vocals at 32 seconds in >

  F O O T N O T E  

Just a few hours after posting this track I came across a new version by Fall Out Boy who've created an update of 'We Didn't Start the Fire' - running from 1989 to 2023. With new lyrics and the chorus line reads: 'But we're trying to fight it' (click here to view) 

  

Amazingly after nearly 380 'Friday Music Spots' these guys have yet to feature. Though one of their best known songs did make an appearance in 2018 as FMS#135 (click link).  

Simon & Garfunkel are therefore long overdue. So without further ado from The Concert in Central Park in 1981 here is 'American Tune' > Art, you in the mood ?

FYI: 'The Concert in Central Park' has had a few recent outings on the Sky Arts channel.