105 THE BIG DISH, Just William, London Marquee, Tuesday 26 July 1988

Took the train up to the Marquee again - am I becoming a regular? Support Just William were just crap, but The Big Dish were a lot punchier and in your face "live", than the mellower, more considered and polished pop of their first LP "The Swimmer" would suggest. Commented on this to guitarist Brian McFie, after a fine show which sadly omitted my favourite Big Dish song "Reverend Killer" but was nevertheless full of sparkling pop. Hipsway vocalist Graham Skinner was also there, no doubt taking notes...

109 THE BIG DISH, Stars Of Heaven, London University Of London Student Union, Friday 14 October 1988

Took the train up for my first visit to ULU for nearly 2 years, popping in to visit my American student friend Sue, who's boarding around the corner from the venue. Missed openers The Wood Children as I was eyeing up student girlies in the bar (!), but caught Stars Of Heaven, who played a not unimpressive but not particularly original set of guitar pop.

The Big Dish were once again strident and powerful "live", somewhat at odds with the mellower, more considered and well-constructed guitar pop of their studio output. I bopped down the front and almost choked on the copious amounts of dry ice emitted during the encores!