(no subject)
Ahem,
2008.
For music, 'twere great!
My live shows of the year! There were a lot:
1. Sigur Ros at Werchter
Because it was accompanied by a beautiful sunset and the setlist was perfect. They opened with Svefn-g-englar! Alex and I were together and separated from the others. We kept having to put sunglasses on "to hide the emotional response". The best bit, though - the happiest moment of the year, in fact - was when, during an utterly euphoric, life-affirming Gobbledigook, when it was raining confetti, we turned around and saw the guys - who were all grinning broadly and warmly.
2. Radiohead at Werchter
Because I really NEEDED this to be good. To all intents and purposes, the Manchester show was quite probably the worst day of my life. This, however, was so perfect that not only did it more than make up for the horrors of the previous week, it also reaffirmed Radiohead's untouchable status as my absolute favourite band of all time. They played really late at night and, with the exception of Just, focused upon their darkest, moodiest and most brooding of numbers. Thrilling dark ambience, everything was right in the world again.
3. Nick Cave in Dublin/Manchester
I chose both because I cannot decide upon which one was superior. Without a doubt, Manchester had the better setlist and overall performance, but Dublin was an adventure. An adventure with Dan! In a castle, one of the finest weekends of my life so far.
4. Van Der Graaf Generator at RNCM
As twenty-first birthday presents go, this will stick in the mind forever. Seated, crystal clear sound - you could sit back and let it all wash over you - focusing upon every single little nuance in turn - bliss. Also, a brutal version of Lemmings rearranged with overdriven guitar instead of horn parts - brutal.
5. R.E.M at Werchter
Finally. "Orange Crush" was probably the best opening to any gig this year.
6. Liars/Deerhunter/High Places at Club Academy
Unbelievably unmissable lineup, confirmed that if music has a future worth caring about, it can be found across the Atlantic. I got to talk to Bradford Cox about my favourite bands! They're all such wonderful, wonderful people, and their music owns my mind.
7. Stereolab at Club Academy
This was only the other day. But it was the first live show I've attended since that 2006 Animal Collective Leeds set which felt like a revelation. I was thrilled and left genuinely excited about music, once again. Sorely needed after a run of gigs all-but-ruined by appalling crowds.
8. Vampire Weekend at Werchter
First band watched in earnest, and it was a party. The most joyfully exuberant crowd of the year, and I felt very involved and very, very happy.
9. Animal Collective at Brudenell Social
The last time I saw them I was sorely disappointed by the lack of recognisable material. However, in the interim I realised that so mind-bendingly brilliant were their demented jams that it simply didn't matter as to what they played. So, this time, in an intimate, sweaty little venue in Leeds, having enjoyed the unbeatable hospitality of Laura, Arron and Nikki, and having entered with no preconceptions at all, I was, once again, mesmerised. And they played Grass. Argh!
10. British Sea Power at The Ritz
My first ever gig at The Ritz! I was far from disappointed. As a result of the deferential crowd and the foliage/picnic hampers dotted about, it felt more like an event than a simple live show. And it was! Every single time I see them I'm astounded once again by the huge amount of beautiful SONGS (SONGS! As in, "choons"!) they have under their belt. It's such that they can play anything at all and it will be amazing. As a result, every time I see them a song jumps out live which was previously bypassed by me on CD. This time it was The Land Beyond. How do they do it...I'm awestruck.
And now, my fourth annual CD of the year! Favourite tracks which, in turn, highlight my favourite albums!!!
1. John Fairhurst - Dawn
2. Autechre - Altbizz
3. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Night of the Lotus Eaters
4. Guillemots - Cockateels
5. Vampire Weekend - M79
6. Black Kids - I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You
7. The Whigs - Right Hand on My Heart
8. R.E.M - Mr. Richards
9. MGMT - Time to Pretend
10. Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal
11. Elbow - Mirrorball
12. Spiritualized - Soul on Fire
13. Sigur Ros - Gobbledigook
14. Animal Collective - Water Curses
15. Coldplay - Strawberry Swing
16. British Sea Power - Open The Door
17. Keane - Playing Along
18. The Hold Steady - Slapped Actress
19. Clinic - Memories
Okokok it's populist, and it contains Keane AND Coldplay (shut up) - but it really, really, really, really really doesn't matter one iota. It was an amazing year.
Ahem, HERE'S TO ANOTHER GOOD ONE - NEXT YEAR.
2008.
For music, 'twere great!
My live shows of the year! There were a lot:
1. Sigur Ros at Werchter
Because it was accompanied by a beautiful sunset and the setlist was perfect. They opened with Svefn-g-englar! Alex and I were together and separated from the others. We kept having to put sunglasses on "to hide the emotional response". The best bit, though - the happiest moment of the year, in fact - was when, during an utterly euphoric, life-affirming Gobbledigook, when it was raining confetti, we turned around and saw the guys - who were all grinning broadly and warmly.
2. Radiohead at Werchter
Because I really NEEDED this to be good. To all intents and purposes, the Manchester show was quite probably the worst day of my life. This, however, was so perfect that not only did it more than make up for the horrors of the previous week, it also reaffirmed Radiohead's untouchable status as my absolute favourite band of all time. They played really late at night and, with the exception of Just, focused upon their darkest, moodiest and most brooding of numbers. Thrilling dark ambience, everything was right in the world again.
3. Nick Cave in Dublin/Manchester
I chose both because I cannot decide upon which one was superior. Without a doubt, Manchester had the better setlist and overall performance, but Dublin was an adventure. An adventure with Dan! In a castle, one of the finest weekends of my life so far.
4. Van Der Graaf Generator at RNCM
As twenty-first birthday presents go, this will stick in the mind forever. Seated, crystal clear sound - you could sit back and let it all wash over you - focusing upon every single little nuance in turn - bliss. Also, a brutal version of Lemmings rearranged with overdriven guitar instead of horn parts - brutal.
5. R.E.M at Werchter
Finally. "Orange Crush" was probably the best opening to any gig this year.
6. Liars/Deerhunter/High Places at Club Academy
Unbelievably unmissable lineup, confirmed that if music has a future worth caring about, it can be found across the Atlantic. I got to talk to Bradford Cox about my favourite bands! They're all such wonderful, wonderful people, and their music owns my mind.
7. Stereolab at Club Academy
This was only the other day. But it was the first live show I've attended since that 2006 Animal Collective Leeds set which felt like a revelation. I was thrilled and left genuinely excited about music, once again. Sorely needed after a run of gigs all-but-ruined by appalling crowds.
8. Vampire Weekend at Werchter
First band watched in earnest, and it was a party. The most joyfully exuberant crowd of the year, and I felt very involved and very, very happy.
9. Animal Collective at Brudenell Social
The last time I saw them I was sorely disappointed by the lack of recognisable material. However, in the interim I realised that so mind-bendingly brilliant were their demented jams that it simply didn't matter as to what they played. So, this time, in an intimate, sweaty little venue in Leeds, having enjoyed the unbeatable hospitality of Laura, Arron and Nikki, and having entered with no preconceptions at all, I was, once again, mesmerised. And they played Grass. Argh!
10. British Sea Power at The Ritz
My first ever gig at The Ritz! I was far from disappointed. As a result of the deferential crowd and the foliage/picnic hampers dotted about, it felt more like an event than a simple live show. And it was! Every single time I see them I'm astounded once again by the huge amount of beautiful SONGS (SONGS! As in, "choons"!) they have under their belt. It's such that they can play anything at all and it will be amazing. As a result, every time I see them a song jumps out live which was previously bypassed by me on CD. This time it was The Land Beyond. How do they do it...I'm awestruck.
And now, my fourth annual CD of the year! Favourite tracks which, in turn, highlight my favourite albums!!!
1. John Fairhurst - Dawn
2. Autechre - Altbizz
3. Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds - Night of the Lotus Eaters
4. Guillemots - Cockateels
5. Vampire Weekend - M79
6. Black Kids - I'm Not Gonna Teach Your Boyfriend How To Dance With You
7. The Whigs - Right Hand on My Heart
8. R.E.M - Mr. Richards
9. MGMT - Time to Pretend
10. Fleet Foxes - White Winter Hymnal
11. Elbow - Mirrorball
12. Spiritualized - Soul on Fire
13. Sigur Ros - Gobbledigook
14. Animal Collective - Water Curses
15. Coldplay - Strawberry Swing
16. British Sea Power - Open The Door
17. Keane - Playing Along
18. The Hold Steady - Slapped Actress
19. Clinic - Memories
Okokok it's populist, and it contains Keane AND Coldplay (shut up) - but it really, really, really, really really doesn't matter one iota. It was an amazing year.
Ahem, HERE'S TO ANOTHER GOOD ONE - NEXT YEAR.