As it’s been such a strong year for albums, then it should follow that there’s also been such a multitude of fantastic live events too, and the list below proves this. It could honestly have been a Top 30 this year, such was the high standard, but I’ve somehow narrowed it down to just the 10. And next year is shaping up to be one of the best already too, as much as there is to be sad about the live scene (ticket prices, venues closing etc), we should enjoy what we have.
10. Ricky Spontane – Sotto, Liverpool
Legendary Liverpool band, formed in the 1990’s, who now play so infrequently that every time they do, the gigs become something of an event. This year’s was no exception, with loads of material from exceptional debut album Spontane Time (wish they would get it on Spotify!), the gig was an autumnal delight. Hopefully, it won’t be as long until they are back in town again.
9. Miles Hunt – Irish Club, Warrington
This was the first gig of my year, and it set a very high watermark, with one of music’s most underrated frontmen regaling us with acoustic renditions of his solo material, as well as choice cuts from the immense Wonder Stuff back catalogue. It’s a great regret of mine that I couldn’t make their December tour, from the looks of it they are still in fine form.
8. Sultans Of Ping – O2 Ritz, Manchester
Another band who play sparingly these days, the Sultans were welcomed as returning heroes by a packed Ritz crowd on a summer’s Saturday night. A one-off UK gig celebrating 30 years of their debut Casual Sex In The Cineplex, they are a much stronger live outfit than they were back in the day, it would just be good if they would play more often.
7. Art Brut – Yes, Manchester
And speaking of bands that haven’t been seen for a while, Art Brut were also back in town, in support of their recently released Greatest Hits album, so it was wall-to-wall bangers all evening. Another great frontman in the shape of Eddie Argos, they are always something special live, and that night was no exception.
6. Sprints – Grand Central Hall, Liverpool
The first gig on their latest tour, Sprints were an absolute sensation. Having seen them support IDLES earlier in the year, the live show had really progressed, with even time for some new material. Even the usual reticent Liverpool crowd were enjoying themselves at this one, it felt like a hits show, even after just one album.
5. Kingmaker – Retro, Manchester
It had been almost 30 years since I had last witnessed Kingmaker live, and was a bit concerned that it wasn’t going to be as great as I had remembered, especially as the vocalist was now different. Those fears were soon allayed as they roared through a set made-up of singles and a select few B-sides, so good to have them back.
4. Red Rum Club – Grand Central Hall, Liverpool
Having seen them just the eight times this year, it was difficult to pick out just one of their gigs, however, their appearance at Liverpool Sound City Festival was the highlight, it was a lap of honour gig as they had just hit the Top 10 with their breakthrough album Western Approaches, which seemed to give them the confidence to fly through this teatime set of both new and old.
3. Girls Aloud – M and S Bank Arena, Liverpool
The theme of returning bands continues, with this bolt out of the blue, no-one was really expecting them to ever tour again after 10 years away, but this lavish extravaganza which also served as a tribute to the late Sarah Harding, was an absolute delight, with so many great singles all in one place, with so much ‘show’ going on alongside the music, just a joy.
2. Pet Shop Boys – Co-Op Live, Manchester
Even though it was the third time I’d seen exactly the same show, it didn’t lose any of it’s specialness. A glorious two hour run through just a small chunk of their huge catalogue of hits, there’s no lulls whatsoever, and it serves as a reminder why they are the greatest singles band that that this country has ever produced.
1. IDLES – Leeds/Frankfurt/Halifax/Dublin/Liverpool/Manchester
Bit of a cheat with this one, but couldn’t decide which of the six was any better than the others. The finest band in the country today playing most of the album of the year (Tangk) and a selection of their first four other albums. The setlist was perfect (although I was unlucky to not see them any of the rarities they would occasionally play, Heal/Heel, The End, Well Done et al), they were always 100% in every performance (especially in Dublin, where drummer Jon seemed to be playing through immense pain), in total they played over 110 gigs, it really was their year.
