Went up to London last night (it's been a while) to meet up with Ellie as she had complimentary tickets to the Music For Youth Schools Prom 2006 (in fact we were in one of the Music For Youth boxes). This was my first visit to the Albert Hall, a magnificent building but not the greatest acoustics, I have to say, certainly for the rockier acts. The evening was compered by Richard Stilgoe, Howard Goodall and Lisa Duncombe, and was hugely enjoyable with a wide varierty of music on show.

Highlights included the taiko drummers (a form that swept me off my feet at the Japan Expo in L.A in 1985), the vacuum-tube bass sounds provided by Mixed Up (a troupe who bashed kitchen sinks and shopping trolleys), Sur-Taal (sitar, and I love the sound of a drone), and the City of Belfast Youth Orchestra who really stood out. The evening ended with Land of Hope and Glory and flag-waving, not my strong-point, but I joined in, of course.