At Hare n Hounds Kings Heath on Tuesday i saw my first gig of the year that didn't involve family or "Weird on Purpose". Maquina were great, Portuguese krautrock! Support from Futumche!, psychedelic post-punk from Cov.

There's lots of great Soft Machine footage out there, but this in particular is amazing, filmed at Ronnie Scott's in April 1969 - just listen to the sound that Ratledge and Hopper conjure from 5:30. You can be sure that Hugh Banton for one was listening... www.youtube.com/watch?v=kt5g...

At the always excellent monthly Weird on Purpose gigs at Hare and Hounds Kings Heath. Only £5 for 3 bands. First up was some excellent synth noodling from Cries from the LTN

Hare n Hounds Kings Heath for Weird on Purpose. Next couple of bands were Otherless - rock but quite cross genre, and then Ollie Cook with their excellent psychedelic country rock

At "Weird on Purpose" alldayer, supposed to be 6 bands for £6, but one and half bands not turned up. Don't know why. Guy from Jazzcat did a good job on his own. Then Gingham who were an excellent Shoegazey band. Would see again and I'm sure I will

Finished 4-5 after day 1 at UK Open Scrabble.

Playing in the UK Open Scrabble in Reading. Lost the first 3 then beat the number 1 seed!

Last Saturday night at Flapper in central Birmingham - Maruja. Really good. Second time seeing them this year. Great mosh pit, even though I'm too old to get involved now

They Might Be Giants, Rock City Nottingham. Great. Absolutely packed

Main act tonight, Hibushibire. Absolutely stunning

Black Helium, great psychedelic rock support act tonight at Castle and Falcon. Would see again

A pint of Slipway in The Art of Brewing, St Ives. Very nice pint.