PADDY CONSIDINE'S MOONLIGHTING, AN UNEVENTFUL BRITS AND PETER, BJORN AND JOHN MOVE ON

SO THE Brits grew up? There was less silliness (bar James Corden), less rock ‘n roll and no irreverence – but is that what we want, or do we prefer the spectacle?
Don’t we watch these things for car crash moments, drunk speeches and offensive egotistical rock stars? Still, good to see Laura Marling and Mumford & Sons win awards, shame The XX were overlooked.

• Feeling Gloomy won’t let up with the “can’t miss” events. This time brooding Irish hardman Paddy Considine (of Dead Man’s Shoes, Hot Fuzz etc) and his band Riding the Low play the 02 Academy Islington (Feb 26). All I know is they describe themselves as “lo-fi, raw guitar rock with the fat cut out”.



• Don’t forget the Camden Crawl’s essential preview night CC Tips with Spectrals, Paris Suit Yourself, Patch William and Frontiers at The Bull & Gate (Feb 24).

• When your big hit turns up on Homebase ads, it's getting a bit old. And "whistling song" Young Folks was conspicuous by its absence when Peter Bjorn and John previewed new album Gimme Some to a crammed Old Blue Last in Shoreditch recently. Maybe they're sick of it, but probably not the royalties. Some good new songs though. See if it’s resurrected when they play The Lexington (Feb 23).

• It was the venue for Joy Division's first London show, a Stranglers live album, and has hosted everyone from Madness and Ian Dury to countless indie hopefuls. Now the Hope and Anchor, Upper Street, is getting a major makeover, reopening later this month. Just hope they don't get rid of the atmosphere along with the musty smell of faded glory.

• The Union Chapel’s free Daylight Music events are fast becoming the highlight of the weekend. This week see Chris T-T, Model Village and Padriag Whelan from midday.

BRITS, WIGS, TRIPS AND FLIDS (Liam - that's you)

NEITHER N-Dubz nor Alexandra Burke won a Brit this year so unless Lady Gaga or Jay-Z have some secret north London connections, we’re pretty much done here. Instead, here’s what I noticed.

• The Brits evoked anger in a lot of people this year, you only need to follow Twitter to see. There was room for some hearty pop but some real questions about how out of touch it has become remain. Case in point – Best Album of Last 30 Years category was a travesty - Dido/Duffy - seriously?
I'm still struggling to comprehend how they made it into the top 10. Bearing the competition in mind, Oasis' What's the Story Morning Glory was the only possible winner.
However, if there had been a credible top 10 selection I doubt this would've been the case.

• Too much Spice Girls stage time.

• Success stories were nutty Lady Gaga and boy band JLS. Major fails from Jonathan Ross dressing as Dizzee, and from poor selection of award-givers in Sam Fox and Alan Carr.

• Jay-Z, Dizzee, Florence and Cheryl put on a fine show – I wasn’t looking at the screen so didn’t notice any miming – though Mrs Cole appeared angry about something.

• Robbie, growing in confidence, still has the look of a post-haircut Sampson in his eyes – a broken man who’s lost his power. Yet the difference is, Robbie looks grateful.

• Angry again Liam Gallagher dissed his brother by omission, swore onstage and chucked his award and mic into crowd. Cue urgent appeals during ads for mic to be returned or one of the performers will not be able to sing – sincerely.

• Kasabian’s Tom Meighan momentarily forgot his swagger as he bounded onstage, promptly falling flat on his face. He looked tempted to throw his award into the crowd but couldn’t bring himself to part with it.

• Lady Gaga disappointed Courtney Love and Geri Halliwell by not singing something they knew - how thoughtless.

• Lily Allen appeared to wear at least three wigs – a brown bob for the red carpet, a Dynasty-esque Joan Collins one for her opening performance of The Fear and a big old ginger Vivienne Westwood/Cilla one to collect her award. The reason for the ginger one? So the camera couldn’t pick out her disappointed expression if she lost, which she didn’t.

• Ellie Goulding was so taken aback with her Critics’ Choice award she looked like she was going to crumple in front of us.

• I still love Kasabian.

BRITS - N-DUBZ v ALEXANDRA BURKE AND MORE

LESS than a week to go until the Brits and we’ve got Islington’s Alexandra Burke (Bad Boys) and Tinchy Stryder with Camden’s N-Dubz (Number One) battling it out for Best British single.
They’re up against Alesha Dixon, the nation’s darling Cheryl Cole, poor eclipsed Joe McElderry, JLS, La Roux, Lily Allen, Pixie Lott and Taio Cruz. On the merits of pure pop singles I’m thinking it’s between our two and old Cheryl for Fight For This Love.
What's more concerning is the Brits' shortlist for top album of the last 30 years - some dubious choices in there ie - Dido.
Can Did really be credited as having made one of the top 10 albums in the last three decades? So much is missing - The Smiths, The Stone Roses, Elton John, need I go on? Suggestions on a postcard here.....
Follow me @roisingadelrab for live Twitter updates on all the action from Earls Court on Tuesday

• I went to the www.easyeartraining.com launch at Islington’s Union Chapel on Monday. If you’re learning to play an instrument, sing, or produce bands, this one’s for you.

• The Chemical Brothers play their first gigs in nearly 18 months at the Roundhouse on May 20-21. Tickets from www.gigsandtours.com

• OK, it’s not strictly north London, but Bon Jovi’s residency at the O2 Arena has to be mentioned, especially as Kid Rock’s joining them on June 25-26.

• Ant and Dec, along with Spaced actor Simon Pegg, were in the crowd at Leddra Chapman’s gig at the Jazz Café on Saturday.