So it’s that time of the year to reflect on what was another great year for live music. The stats of the year are over fifty gigs, including two festivals, 48 new artists, 9 new venues and some very special moments. The list below is based on the calendar and not any other specific order and I have summed the show up in one sentence. What makes a great gig, it’s that strange alchemy of sound, lights, performance, my state of mind, who I am with and a unknown special sauce. The list below might not have bene necessarily the best musically but these are the ones I enjoyed the most.
I am not including the two festivals in this list, Americana Fest the mini two day extravaganza in multiple venues across Hackney. Twelve sets across those two days and some great new artists. Our Glasto substitute, the Black Deer Festival in deepest Kent celebrating all things country and Americana. It was a super mix of established artists and the introduction of some new ones too, set in the beautiful Black Deer Park and the weather gods were very kind to us too.
Bonny Light Horseman
A sublime night of harmonic perfection in the atmospheric setting of the Union Chapel. Full review here.
Jesse Malin
A revelatory show celebrating the anniversary of his finest recorded album that has been made even more poignant with his current health issue. Full review here
Ryan Adams
A completely biased review as he remains one of my favourite artists but he more than backed this up with a funny, engaging solo acoustic show. Full review here.
The Black Keys, Spoon
It’s a back to their roots with a scuzzy blues show ably supported by another of my favourites Spoon. Full review here.
Thus Love
Superb new band delivering a barnstorming punk tinged rock and roll show at 100 Club. Full review here.
Emily Scott Robinson
A delicate beautiful performance in the intimate Slaughtered Lamb that struck every emotion. Full review here.
Josh Rouse
Another celebratory show taking in arguably his best album ‘1972’ that built on the memories from seeing this first time around twenty years ago. Full review here.
49 Winchester
A blow away the cobwebs of the finest country rock on a Sunday night with a smile that didn’t leave my face. Full review here.
Robert Finley
A faultless blues show from this rejuvenated performer. Full review here.
Divorce
Are they the finest new band out there, they make a very strong case with this fantastic set. Full review here
That’s the top ten, bubbling under were fine sets from Nation of Language, Flaming Lips, Zach Bryan, Chuck, The Boss and Young Fathers who produced some memorising moments.
Bring on 2024 which has already ten gigs on the slate.