The 2021/2022 season has been an exceptional one for rock shows in Paris. Obviously, any time the Stones roll through town, you know it's going to be something to remember.
This season was also notable for the fact that it marked the return of live music after the pandemic effectively shut down the world for the better part of two years. And if the virus is still around, still dangerous, we have learned to live with it.
Our last gig before the cancellations and lockdowns was Tenacious D in February 2020, and then we didn't set foot in a concert hall until September 2021 for Robert Jon & the Wreck. But between the Robert Jon gig and today, we have attended 34 shows in almost every possible genre, from Metal to Jazz, Pop, Blues, Progressive Rock, Punk Rock, Americana... Some of them were old favorites that we'd already seen a bunch of times, and others were first times for us.
Singling out one show would be impossible and unfair, so here's a quick recap of every show we've been to. Apologies to opening acts, but we're only featuring the headliners here. Click on the titles to access the full articles.
Our first gig in a year and a half, and to say that it was emotional would be an understatement. Robert Jon & the Wreck are a classic rock band in the best sense and they deserve all the success they've got coming to them.
Even though the band was formed over thirty years ago, this was Little Caesar's first Paris show, so this really was an event not to be missed.
Blues Rock behemoth Popa Chubby never disappoints. It had been nearly 17 years since we last saw him live so it was past time to get our fix.
Neo-Prog group the Pineapple Thief played a killer set in support of their latest album
Versions of the Truth.
Gary Lucas revisited his long and storied career at this Paris jazz club, with an emphasis on his time playing guitar and writing songs alongside the late Jeff Buckley.
Ex-Genesis guitarist and prog-rock legend Steve Hackett played a long, sprawling set consisting of the entire Seconds Out live double LP played in full and in sequence, as well as some excerpts from his solo career.
JJ Wilde played the small Parisian venue as part of her first European tour promoting her new album
Ruthless.
Our last gig of 2021 was Murray Head playing his 1976 record
Say It Ain't So in full.
