What were your favourite gigs of the year? Please list them and talk about them if you fancy.
I went to 17 million gigs this year and this is my top 10. The top two are far away my favourites. My top 3 to top 20 could all be very interchangeable. I couldn’t be bothered to type all the way and do a top 20 or 25 etc.
1. Diana Ross at The O2.
Went with my Dad. The concert was rescheduled due to the pandemic and really thought it wouldn’t go ahead. A lot of my Sunday mornings as a kid was spent listening to Diana Ross as my Dad’s routine was to put on her records whilst he had breakfast on Sundays. A brilliant performance by Ross and an even better day out with my Dad for a concert that I never thought would take place.
2. Goldfrapp at The Royal Festival Hall.
Originally due to take place on the last Sunday of March 2020. Covid content: I ended up working at the lab overnight that weekend and it was then that I first really saw the numbers/levels on blood tests due to Covid and what this bastard respiratory virus was going to do. Worried and scared going home at what I’d seen and remembered that that was the evening that I should have seen Goldfrapp if the world hadn’t turned itself upside down.
Can’t speak for Goldfrapp or anyone else in the audience but it felt like a celebration that this gig finally happened. I’ve seen Goldfrapp many times and they rocked as always. My top two gigs of the year were really personal ones and both were amazing.
3. Self Esteem at EartH.
A very hot day and this gig worked perfectly. She’s always on form and this was The Best that I’ve seen her. Got to say a quick hello and a handshake with one of the backing performers.
4. Amyl and The Sniffers at York Hall.
Energy, energy and energy. It’s Amy’s currency and better knockout performance than probably any price fighter tournaments held here.
5. Belle and Sebastian at Rough Trade East
More of a Belle and Sebastian day for me. The new album was average but went for the album signing in the morning and got a print signed that I’ve had for 15 years. Had a chat with Stuart about The Shop Assistants. A huge band for me and one of the soundtrack bands of my 20s.
6. Suede at The Electric Ballroom.
Went to both shows and the second one probably just nudged it as we got So Young, Animal Nitrate and Metal Mickey. Didn’t think 30 years ago that this band would still be going, producing damn good albums and Brett would have more energy than a man half his age on stage.
7. Sudan Archives at The Electric Ballroom.
Went to this one earlier in the week. My album of the year and she’s a hell of a performer. Loved the party atmosphere that she created for the whole of the show.
8. Sugababes at Hammersmith Apollo.
Hate The Apollo. But ⅔ of the band went to my old high school and always have had a soft spot for them. A brilliant reunion.
9. Torres at The Bush Hall.
Her album Thirstier was and is an absolute stunner. Don’t Go Puttin Wishes In My Head is a track that I’ve found hard not to listen to at least twice on repeat when I’ve had the album on. A delayed concert again but worth it.
10. Breakup Haircut at The Cavendish Arms.
Swapped a few emails with the band just before the pandemic and they seemed like a lovely bunch. Really great to see them live again after two years with an album that made my top 5 of the year. Just a great fun pop rock band.
Worst gig of the year: Mitski at The Roundhouse. Just some jumping around on stage for some reason and the kids in the audience were screaming throughout. It was like if David Cassidy got on stage or something. Shitski.
