I just realised I never actually posted up what gigs blew my mind in 2012 and feel like I need to do so. After all I saw a lot of bands play live. I went to 30 Gigs and 6 Festivals in 2012. In 2011 I got to 42, so I’m in decline in the gig stakes. But I did only go to 2 Festivals that year.

My 2012 Gig/Festival List

January - 2

• DRY THE RIVER, Clock Opera & Rae Morris (XOYO) - 23/01
• CHILDISH GAMBINO (City Arts & Music Project) 25/01

February - 5 (7)

• BLUEY ROBINSON & Ava Leigh (The Garage) - 03/02
• BRAND NEW, The Xverts & I Am The Avalanche (Roundhouse) 12/02
• THE JEZABELS, Dry The River, Kai Fish & Hey Sholay (Koko) - 22/02
• ALABAMA SHAKES (A random hall near The Boston Arms) - 24/02
• NOEL GALLAGHERS HIGH FLYING BIRDS (The O2) - 26/02

March - 1 (8)

• LAURA MARLING, Timber Timbre & Pete Roe (Hammersmith) - 07/03

April - 4 (12)

• FRANK TURNER, Billy Bragg, Dan Le Sac & Beans On Toast (Wembley Arena) - 13/04
• COACHELLA FESTIVAL (Indio, CA, US) - 20-22/04
• TRIBES (Shepherds Bush) - 27/04
• BOMBAY BICYCLE CLUB, Lianne La Havas & Rae Morris (Alexandra Palace) - 28/04

May 3 (15)

• ALABAMA SHAKES & Palma Violets (Electric Brixton) - 03/05
• THE xx (Battersea Arts Centre) - 18/05
• KATE MCGILL, Orla Gartland & Lauren Aquilina (Barfly) 31/05

June 6 (21)

• FIELD DAY FESTIVAL (Victoria Park) - 02/06
• 2:54 & Gross Magic (Scala) - 07/06
• BLINK 182, The All-American Rejects & Twin Atlantic (The O2) - 09/06
• THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM (Koko) - 11/06
• BLOC PARTY (The Garage, Glasgow) - 19/06
• RADIO 1 HACKNEY WEEKEND (Hackney Marshes) - 24/06
• HOP FARM FESTIVAL (Tonbridge) - 29/06-01/07

July - 3 (24)

• MORRISSEY (Porto Antico, Genoa, Italy) - 08/07
• LATITUDE FESTIVAL (Henham Park) - 12-15/07
• PALOMA FAITH (Somerset House) - 17/07

August - 2 (26)

• OF MONSTERS AND MEN (Electric Ballroom) - 22/08
• READING FESTIVAL (Richfield Avenue) 24-26/08

September - 3 (29)

• GLEN HANSARD (Union Chapel) - 04/09
• PERFUME GENIUS (Union Chapel) - 06/09
• KING CHARLES (Koko) - 27/09

October - 2 (31)

• THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM (Brixton) - 15/10
• THE GASLIGHT ANTHEM (Brixton) - 17/10

November - 3 (34)

• DRY THE RIVER (Shepherds Bush) - 01/11
• M83 (Brixton) 08/11
• BEN HOWARD & Brother and Bones (Brixton) - 30/11

December - 2 (36)

• XFM WINTER WONDERLAND (Brixton) - 17/12
• MUMFORD & SONS & Mystery Jets (The O2) - 18/12

So what were my favourites from that lot? Taking Festivals out of the equation and focusing solely on gigs I could propably pinpoint 5-6 amazing nights that blew me away. There were also 1-2 very under-whelming gigs too where bands just didn’t quite live up to the hype for me.

Letdowns of the year:

1 (and the only one really). Perfume Genius (Union Chapel). Adored by critics. On the basis of seeing him play his last song or two of his Latitude set and sounding pretty strong Stevie & I got tickets to see him at Union Chapel. A short 50 minute set later (it felt like double that…) and I wondered really what all the fuss was about. Just found it really rather boring to be honest. From the short songs, to his voice, to the interaction with the crowd. It was all just a bit rubbish sadly. Talented no doubt, but just not enough substance or even wit to hold an audience just yet.

Top 5 Gigs of 2012.

Worthy mentions go to The Jezabels & Alabama Shakes who both put on excellent shows this year when I saw them play. Oh and Frank Turner, his Wembley gig was just brilliant.

5. Dry The River (Shepherds Bush) This was my first gig inside Shepherds Bush where I’ve found myself seated on the 1st floor, rather than on the ground floor in the cramped standing area. It was much more enjoyable up there too. It may have been like the 10th time I’ve seen Dry The River in the space of just over a year but I still got goosebumps and felt incredibly moved by his voice. Something that doesn’t happen very often for me these days. They just have an amazing presence live and continue to get better and better. If the second album is as good as the first they could really go on to great things in the music world.

Setlist

1. Shield Your Eyes
2. New Ceremony
3. History Book
4. Demons
5. Weights & Measures
6. No Rest
7. Bible Belt
8. Lion’s Den
9. Shaker Hymns (encore & unplugged)

4. Glen Hansard (Union Chapel)

I love Glen Hansard way too much. He just seems like a really genuine good guy. He writes beautiful music, and of course starred in a fabulous film in Once. I hope one day I can see him play as part of The Swell Season but for now I’ve had to live with just Glen on his own. And I don’t mind that so much to be honest. His new album was great, and he puts on one hell of a live show. Union Chapel was the most perfect backdrop for this occasion too. The Frames songs were probably my favourite but there was a good music of all sorts thrown in on a fabulous night in London and one of my favourite and definitely the most passionate and heartfelt gig of the year.

Setlist

1. The Storm, It’s Coming
2. You Will Become
3. Love Don’t Keep Me Waiting
4. Low Rising (Swell Season)
5. Seven Day Mile (The Frames)
6. Talking With The Wolves
7. Bird of Sorrow
8. Leave (Swell Season)
9. In These Arms (Swell Season)
10. Back Broke (Swell Season)
11. Astral Weeks (Van Morrison cover)
12. High Hope
13. When Your Mind’s Made Up (Swell Season)
14. Philander
15. This Gift
16. Fitzcarraldo (The Frames)
17. Song of Good Hope
18. The Night They Drove Old DIxie Down (The Band cover)
19. Drive All Night (Bruce Springsteen cover)

3. Morrissey (Porto Antico, Genoa) I think a big part of me choosing this comes down to the destination and the gig venue. But in all honesty it was a fabulous night. I had a great time listening to great music, out on a pier in a sunny foreign land with the girl that I love. Not much can beat that right? 

Setlist

1. Shoplifters of The World Unite (Smiths)
2. You Have Killed Me
3. You’re The One For Me, Fatty
4. Everyday Is Like Sunday
5. When Last I Spoke To Carol
6. Alma Matters
7. Black Cloud
8. Still Ill (Smiths)
9. I’m Throwing My Arms Around Paris
10. Ouija Board, Ouija Board
11. Scandinavia
12. Meat Is Murder (Smiths)
13. Let Me Kiss You
14. To GIve (The Reason I Live) (Frankie Valli cover)
15. People Are The Same Everywhere
16. One Day Goodbye Will Be Farewell
17. Last Night I Dreamt That Somebody Loved Me (Smiths)
18. I Will See You In Far-Off Places
19. Speedway
20. How Soon Is Now? (Smiths) (encore)

2. The xx (Battersea Arts Centre)

Sadly I don’t have a setlist available for this one. I remember they opened with Angels. All the new songs seamlessly fit in with the old. It was a special show. Part of their first run of shows in around two years and infront of only around 500 people. And despite the annoying people in the crowd around us, I came out yearning so much more. Strangely enough I haven’t really got into the new album. I do think seeing them at Coachella is going to be maybe the highlight of the whole weekend though.

1. The Gaslight Anthem (Koko). I saw Gaslight play numerous times in 2012. Koko was my favourite. The setlist was just fantastic. Brian jumped off the balcony into the crowd. I was in a great drunken mood. The fans around me were all just as passionate and NOT annoying for once. Stevie & I don’t remember all that much from that night, but we do remember it being one of the greatest gigs we had been to.

Setlist

1. Great Expectations
2. We Came To Dance
3. Casanova, Baby!
4. Old White Lincoln
5. The Diamond Church Street Choir
6. 45
7. I’da Called You Woody, Joe
8. Angry Johnny And The Radio (ft. Jesus Christ - Brand New cover)
9. Even Cowgirls Get The Blues
10. Old Haunts
11. Drive
12. Blue Jeans & White T-Shirts
13. Film Noir
14. Wherefore Art Thou, Elvis?
15. Wooderson
16. Senor And The Queen
17. House Of The RIsing Sun (The Animals cover)
18. American Slang
19. Here’s Looking At You, Kid
20. The Backseat
21. She Loves You (encore)
22. Biloxi Parish (encore)
23. The Queen Of Lower Chelsea (encore)
24. The ‘59 Sound (encore)
25. Baby O’Riley (The Who cover) (encore)

Union Chapel - 4th September 2012

1. The Storm, It’s Coming
2. You Will Become
3. Love Don’t Leave Me Waiting / Respect (Aretha Franklin cover)
4. Low Rising (The Swell Season)
5. Seven Day Mile (The Frames)
6. Talking With The Wolves
7. Bird Of Sorrow
8. Leave (The Swell Season)
9. In These Arms (The Swell Season)
10. Back Broke(The Swell Season)
11. Astral Weeks (Van Morrison Cover)
12. High Hope
13. When Your Mind’s Made Up (The Swell Season)
14. Philander
15. This Gift
16. Fitzcarraldo (The Frames)
17. Song of Good Hope
18. The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down - with John Smith - (The Band cover)
19. Drive All Night (Bruce Springsteen cover)

Was a really good show. Definitely up in my top 5 of the year. Glen knows how to charm a crowd and kept everyone well entertained in between songs while sending them into raptures during his passionate performances.

His cover of Van Morrison’s Astral Weeks is always a favourite of mine live and it was definitely the highlight of the night. Fans were on the feet by the end of that song in applause. Something I haven’t seen from a mid-set song at Union Chapel before. With a full band behind him it all sounded pretty immense. I wonder if he was influenced at all by Bon Iver. At Latitude it was worth noting that Glen got some of the backing members of Bon Iver to help him out on some tracks and was impressed at how easily they picked up things, as well as how it turned out. I haven’t seen Glen live before this year so perhaps he has always toured with that many members in his band but it seemed a little different than what I expected. In a good sense that is.

He played ‘When My Mind’s Made Up” which was another highlight for me having not seen him perform that live before. I was hoping he would play ‘Say It To Me Now’ but I wasn’t left at all disappointed by his set selection throughout the whole of his 110 minute (or about that?) set.

The support Hannah Cohen put on a decent show as well. She’s wrote a few real slow and haunting tracks that showcased her voice wonderfully well and weren’t too dissimilar to Imogen Heap. I think that was where she was best suited and when she tried to up the tempo she perhaps lost her way a bit and sounded pretty average at times. I should state by average I mean in the sense of an up-and-coming singer/songwriter, not the average Joe (or Josh) like myself. But she had an interesting look to her, pretty, tall, slim, model-like and looking lovely in a nice long dress (Stevie & I both agreed on that one).

Overall I had a pretty great night. I’m back to Union Chapel tomorrow to see Perfume Genius live. I was a little under-whelmed when I caught him at Latitude but I think this setting should suit his style and I look forward to it! I’m about to finally write up my Reading 2012 review and tally the votes from you guys as to who you thought were the best at Reading/Leeds this year so keep a look out for that in the next hour or so.

As part of the iTunes Festival this Sunday at the Roundhouse. Would have prefered some other ones but it’s not the worst one to win I suppose.

It will be like the third time I’ve seen him and I haven’t paid or genuinely attempted to see him once haaaaa.

Also got two gigs next week on the 4th and 6th September that I’m really looking forward to. Seeing Glen Hansard & Perfume Genius at Union Chapel. I think Glen will be in the reckoning for my gig of the year. I can already see it being perfect. Such a great venue after all. A venue that should suit Perfume Genius pretty well too.

Then finally have King Charles @ Koko at the end of the month. A gig I’m looking more and more forward to as time progresses and I get more into his music. He was brilliant at Reading after previously impressing me greatly at Latitude and as such I’m starting to think he has a great future ahead of him. I could see a high NME slot next year at Reading and even potential headliners of that stage in a few years. Everyone seemed to be having the time of their lives in that tent when he was on and his songs are all so catchy and easy to listen to. That coupled with the fact he has his rather obscure look that will be sure to attract attention and I think you have a winner.

At least I have three gigs to look forward to this week!

GLEN HANSARD @ Rough Trade, London

GLEN HANSARD - Leave (Live in Iceland)

I can’t wait to see Glen Hansard play at Rough Trade on Tuesday! He was awesome live at Latitude. This song in particular was a personal favourite. Just watch this performance, in particular from the 1:45 point. Just listen to the passion in that voice! Unbelievable man.

I’ll probably feel very emotional when I get to see him play a full set at Union Chapel in September! 

So excited to be heading here tomorrow morning. I wish I was there today but to save money Stevie and I have decided to catch a lift up to the Festival tomorrow morning with my friend Simon who is just going up for the day. Hoping that Chris, Emily and the others can save us a spot to pitch up our tent with them.

As much as nothing may ever beat my first experience of Coachella in terms of a Music Festival this I’m hoping will run it close. The line up is just brilliant this year, in particular on the Friday and Sunday.

I’ve been planning this morning who I’m going to see after finding the set times online. Obviously things may change and I doubt I’ll get to see them all but there is so many acts I want to see that I doubt I’ll be disappointed in the slightest.

FRIDAY

12:30-13:10 // GIVERS (Obelisk Arena)

14:25-14:55 // CATE LE BON (Lake Arena)

14:50-15:20 // KINDNESS (i Arena)

15:50-16:35 // GLEN HANSARD (Obelisk Arena)

16:55-17:40 // THE ANTLERS (Word Arena)

17:30-18:00 // DAWES (i Arena)

18:30-19:30 // JANELLE MONAE (Obelisk Arena)

19:30-20:15 // LANA DEL REY (Word Arena)

20:30-21:15 // TUNE-YARDS (i Arena)

21:30-23:00 // BON IVER (Obelisk Arena)

Bands I want to see that I’ll be most likely be missing due to complete clashes: Amadou & Mariam, Polica, Chairlift, Destroyer, The War On Drugs, Alt-J, Metronomy.

The main highlights for me are Bon Iver, Lana Del Rey & Glen Hansard. Givers and The Antlers will also be awesome on what looks like an amazing day of music.

SATURDAY

13:30-14:10 // SMOKE FAIRIES (Word Arena)

14:25-15:05 // LIANNE LA HAVAS (Word Arena)

15:20-15:50 // OF MONSTERS AND MEN (i Arena)

16:00-16:30 // THEME PARK (Lake Stage)

17:15-18:00 // MICHAEL KIWANUKA (Obelisk Arena)

19:30-20:10 // DJANGO DJANGO (i Arena)

20:00-21:00 // LAURA MARLING (Obelisk Arena)

20:25-21:25 // SBTRKT (Word Arena)

21:30-23:00 // ELBOW (Obelisk Arena)

The Saturday isn’t quite as strong for me and will probably see me having more of a chilled day overall. The only annoying thing is that Django Django, Laura Marling and SBTRKT are all crossing over. Three acts I’d want to see a lot and I will probably end up checking out bits of all three and trying to catch the majority, if not all of the SBTRKT set. I’m not sure whether I’m going to see Elbow or The Horrors headline but at the moment I’m edging towards seeing Elbow as I haven’t seen them live yet.

The biggest highlight for me on Saturday will be getting to see Of Monsters And Men live for the first time.

SUNDAY

12:00-13:00 - LANG LANG (Waterfront Stage)

13:00-14:10 - RUFUS WAINWRIGHT (Obelisk Arena)

14:30-15:15 - ALABAMA SHAKES (Obelisk Arena)

15:40-16:40 - EDWARD SHARPE & THE MAGNETIC ZEROS (Obelisk Arena)

16:35-17:15 - ST VINCENT (Word Arena)

17:45-18:20 - KING CHARLES (i Arena)

18:55-19:55 - M83 (Word Arena)

20:00-21:00 - BEN HOWARD (Obelisk Arena)

22:00-23:00 - WILD BEASTS (Word Arena)

On the final day of the Festival I will sadly most likely end up missing acts like Daughter, Other Lives, We Are Augustines & Perfume Genius because of clashes later in the day. However it looks like an awesome  end to the Festival with some great bands playing on the Sunday.

Highlights for me will be M83, Ed Sharpe & the amazing Ben Howard. I’m also really looking forward to seeing St Vincent & King Charles for the first time.

If you’re going to/are already at Latitude this weekend then let me know if you have any recommendations for who I could/should try to fit in and see. Open to checking out acts as long as they don’t clash with my “must-sees” (those in BOLD). I’m pretty sure my weekend won’t be completely the same as what’s listed above as there is a fair amount of us in the group but whomever I do end up seeing I’m sure it will be a brilliant weekend. Just hoping it doesn’t rain too much!

After looking at releases and my list last year I’m already starting to formulate what this years end of year list will look like.

There are still lots of albums to be released including from personal heavyweights in The Gaslight Anthem, The Tallest Man On Earth & The xx. I think Mumford & Sons will also be releasing their second album late this year. I’d like to know when Of Monsters and Men will release their album in the UK too. It went to number 6 in the US and sounds amazing from what I’ve heard thus far.

There are also scheduled to be releases by The Hives, Jukebox The Ghost, The Killers, Passion Pit, Lupe Fiasco, Bloc Party, MGMT, Friends, Temper Trap, Glen Hansard, Nas, Phoenix, U2, The Joy Formidable & The Walkmen (out today I think).

In terms of albums I’ve listened to thus far this year and enjoyed. Tribes would be right up there as my most listened to so far this year; Dry The River too. Others worth mentioning include Alabama Shakes, Perfume Genius, The Maccabees, Chairlift, Polica, First Aid Kit, Lana Del Rey, Fanfarlo, Beach House, Pond & The Shins - though in no particular order just yet.

Could well turn out to be a pretty good year for new music! If you have any albums in mind that have been released this calender year, or are scheduled to be, let me know and I’ll give them a listen.

future gigs. part 3/3.