My Favourite Albums Of 2016

Some of the greatest albums this year were some of the saddest and certainly inspired by death: David Bowie, Leonard Cohen and Nick Cave, all very different but heartbreaking records. I didn't include Cave on my list because I actually found his album Skeleton Tree, recorded in the aftermath of his son's death, the most difficult to listen to, proving I suppose that death is hardest for those left behind. A lot of my favourite albums this year were definitely dark, because I guess that was my mood in 2016, but I think some were hopeful too. These days I'm finding less solace in music but I am hoping that 2017 will be different.

My Favourite Movies Of 2016

1. Hunt For The Wilderpeople
2. I, Daniel Blake
3. Captain Fantastic
4. The Revenant
5. The Love Witch
6. Finding Dory
7. Mustang
8. Certain Women
9. The Witch
10. Ghostbusters

Merry Christmas!

Best Gigs Of 2016

I didn't go to as many gigs this year but there were still plenty of highlights for me from some old favourites, a few legends and some acts, new and old, who I had never seen before. Probably the most unusual was film director/composer John Carpenter at Troxy, whose mix of electronic soundtracks and visuals was pretty incredible. Meanwhile, Bat For Lashes' themed show showcasing her concept album The Bride was theatrical, warm and brilliant; Margo Price made me fall in love with her thanks to her no-frills traditional country and Low brought their Christmas record to life for me in ways I didn't expect. On top of that I got to meet Greg Dulli, one of my heroes, and to see Neil Young play with his new band, Promise Of The Real,  featuring Willie Nelson's sons. Not bad at all. I hope 2017 has lots of good things in store too.

10. Lush at the Roundhouse

9. Cyndi Lauper at Hammersmith Apollo

8. Greg Dulli at the Union Chapel

7. Neil Young & Laura Marling at the O2 Arena

6. Angel Olsen at Koko

5. Warpaint at the Roundhouse

4. John Carpenter at Troxy

3. Bat For Lashes at the Union Chapel

2. Low: A Christmas Performance at Union Chapel

1. Margo Price at The Scala

Low at the Union Chapel

Low: A Christmas Performance
Harkin
Erik Koskinen
Union Chapel, 6 December 2016

What could be better for getting into the Christmas spirit than a trip to church to hear some Christmas tunes? Of course the fact that it's the wonderful and cosy Union Chapel and the Christmas tunes in question are courtesy of the bleakly beautiful Minnesotans Low makes it all the more special. Low's 1999 Christmas EP is easily one of my favourite Christmas records ever: even better than the best of Sufjan Stevens' festive releases and right up there with Elvis' Christmas albums. Yes, it's that good. I had never seen Low before this but the location and the fact they were playing this fantastic EP just before Christmas made this show absolutely irresistible to me and one of my most anticipated of the year. And I wasn't disappointed.