I almost didn’t do one this election. I was simply tired. Tired of the propaganda. Tired of partisanship. Tired of a process which takes close to two years, when it should only need six weeks. Tired of candidates who, for the the third election in a row, have me thinking, “These two are really the best their party could find?” But the historic nature of last night’s result felt like it deserved to be marked: for Trump regained the position of President, becoming the first person to do so since Grover Cleveland in 1892. Americans don’t like losers, especially in politics, and when you lose an election, you’re typically done. But Trump is hardly your typical politician, is he? And this was certainly not your typical election either.

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Footprint Center, Phoenix
October 29th, 2024

The latest in our ongoing series of “Guess We’d Better See Them Before They Die” concerts, brings us what is intended to Jeff Lynne’s farewell series of shows, the appropriately named “Over and Out” tour. As ever, you’re never quite sure whether to believe an artist when they say they’re quitting. But with Lynne turning 77 next month, and never a particular fan of playing live (he basically didn’t for two decades), it’s credible this could be the last chance to see him. If so, Phoenix was his final performance in America. It wasn’t originally intended that way, but the concert was rescheduled from October 21st due to illness, pushing it to the end of the tour dates.

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Arizona Financial Theater
July 3rd 2024

Our latest venture into the world of geriatric pop took us to the Venue Formerly Known as the Dodge Theater in downtown Phoenix for a gathering of 80’s greats, Okay, for some loose definition of “greats”, revolving around, “People you might have heard of.” Possibly. Well, I was fairly stoked anyway, finally getting to see Thomas Dolby, a mere 43 years after Europe and the Pirate Twins became one of my earliest exposures to synth-pop. It still kicks ass now. Unfortunately, in an equally throwback spirit, a couple of members of his crew tested positive for COVID, forcing Mr. Dolby to drop out. Oh, well, sure he’ll be back around in another 43 years. I’ll only be one hundred and one.

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If I’d known I would end up living in Arizona, I should have studied Spanish at school, rather than French and German. Where I sit is about 180 miles from the Mexican border, and it heavily influences the local culture, from food through music (as we can hear if we open our windows on a Saturday night) through to lucha libre. But despite the relative proximity, my sole experience of Mexico had been a couple of days in Rocky Point. That resort bears about as much similarity to the “real” country, as Taco Bell does to authentic Mexican cuisine. However, inspired by YouTube videos – and I freely admit, that might have been a mistake – we ventured deep into the interior of Mexico, to the town of Sayulita. For a visit, but perhaps with a view to permanent residency, if we liked it.

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This year, Eurovision snuck up on me. One moment, I was “It’s not until May?”, but my next thought was, “This weekend?” All I’d really heard about it was the obligatory political fuss: this year, spinning the Wheel O’ Controversy landed on “Gaza.” Some were complaining about Israel being allowed to take part, given the situation there, but the organizers weren’t having any of that. I would not be surprised to see some kind of demonstration during Saturday’s final though.

It’s also the fiftieth anniversary of probably the most iconic Eurovision moment: Abba winning with Waterloo. Given this year’s event is taking place in Sweden – hey, what are the odds? – nor would I be at all surprised to see Abba show up, despite strenuous denials from the group. But that’s all in the future at the time of writing. What follows is in alphabetical order, and based entirely on the music videos for each entry, as presented in the official Eurovision playlist.

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