My Favourite Albums Of 2017

This year has definitely been an interesting one musically, with women in particular releasing many of the best albums of any genre. That wasn't reflected well enough in the end of year polls, in my opinion, but it certainly is in my list. I actually included a couple more men in my first draft before realising that in my heart these were the albums that won me over more than anything else this year regardless of gender.

My Favourite Movies Of 2017

1. Brigsby Bear
2. Logan
3. Get Out
4. The Meyerowitz Stories
5. Wonder Woman
6. Paterson
7. Star Wars: The Last Jedi
8. Lady Bird
9. I Don't Feel At Home In This World Anymore
10. Hidden Figures

Merry Christmas!

Best Gigs Of 2017

Out of all the shows I went to this year the two most memorable were touched by death and that's what will forever define them in my mind. There was the first night of Eddie Vedder's two shows at Hammersmith where Chris Cornell's death hung over everything like a huge black cloud. Cornell's suicide affected me more deeply than other celebrity deaths for many reasons so to experience that shared grief with other fans and also to witness Vedder's first public acknowledgement of it was very moving and cathartic and I will never forget it.

Mark Lanegan at Koko

Mark Lanegan
Joe Cardamone
Duke Garwood
Koko, 12 December 2017

Once again I venture out into the cold, dark, winter night to see Mark Lanegan, my 19th time seeing him live no less. It's actually been five years since I saw him, the last time when his excellent album Blues Funeral came out and he's been oddly prolific since then so there are a lot of Lanegan tunes I've yet to experience live.

Elvis, Carl Perkins and Blue Suede Shoes

I wrote about the history of one of the greatest songs in rock 'n' roll history, Blue Suede Shoes, over at Rebeat Magazine. You can read it here!

Big Thief at Islington Assembly Hall

Big Thief
Katie Von Schleicher
Islington Assembly Hall, 10 November 2016

I wish I had discovered Big Thief when their debut album, Masterpiece, was released last year and had caught them in a slightly smaller venue (not that the Islington Assembly Hall is big - it's around 800 capacity) because I have a feeling their quietly intense music would be absolutely amazing in a more intimate atmosphere. That said this was still a spellbinding show and showcased what a fantastic singer and guitarist frontwoman Adrianne Lenker really is.

My Name Is Prince exhibition

I went to see the new Prince exhibition today after I got tickets as a birthday gift. It's being held at the O2, the same place (although different venue) where I saw Prince live ten years ago at his famous sold out 21 night-run at the O2 Arena. The two shows I saw there were incredible and made me appreciate just what an amazing performer Prince was.

First Aid Kit at Shoreditch Town Hall

First Aid Kit

Van William

Shoreditch Town Hall, 1 November 2017

I've never been to Shoreditch Town Hall before but it's a beautiful place not far from Old Street station that normally hosts plays and orchestral concerts. It's not the smallest place I've seen First Aid Kit play but it's certainly the loveliest. The last time was back in 2014 before their third album Stay Gold was released and, true to form, this intimate show also precedes a new album, Ruins, which is out in January.

Alessi's Ark at Paper Dress Vintage

Alessi's Ark

Sam Ashton

Paper Dress Vintage, 25 October 2017

"I've finally got a new album out," Alessi Laurent-Marke tells us tonight, with a beaming smile. "I took my sweet time, didn't I?" She isn't wrong: it's been four whole years since her last album, The Still Life, came out. During that time she left her record label, briefly dropped the Ark from her name and then reconsidered and got back on the Ark. She's also recorded her fourth album, Love Is The Currency, self-releasing it on her own label (Zooey Records - like her very first EP), which is what tonight's show at this very unique venue is celebrating.

Shannon McNally at The Islingston

Shannon McNally

The Islingston, 19 October 2017

Despite being a recording artist for over 15 years now, Shannon McNally has never toured the UK so I was super excited when this surprising London date popped up. She has just released her eighth album which is maybe a little more notable because country legend Rodney Crowell is at the helm but McNally has had a somewhat choppy history in the music industry which probably accounts for the fact that she's never attained the success she deserves, so never been able to tour in Europe.

Goodbye Tom Petty

Thank you for everything, Tom. :(

Courtney Marie Andrews at Bush Hall

Courtney Marie Andrews
Joana Serrat
Bush Hall, 4 September 2017

It's always worth the long journey over to Shepherd's Bush for the lovely intimate atmosphere of the tiny Bush Hall. The sound is always great here, it's easy to have a good view of the stage and the audiences tend to be warm and friendly. The perfect place to see acclaimed country/folk singer Courtney Marie Andrews then, whose album, Honest Life, has been a real joy to me this year.

Lana Del Rey at Brixton Academy

Lana Del Rey
Dermot Kennedy
Brixton Academy, 24 July 2017

Before this concert Lana Del Rey didn't feel real to me. It's not a question of authenticity (plenty of great artists have changed their names and created stage personas) it's just that she's always seemed something dreamed up by David Lynch: a mysterious singer of torch songs with old Hollywood movie star looks and a string of doomed romances to sadly croon about. This show, announced just the week before to promote her new album Lust For Life, proved that she is indeed the real deal in every way.

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers + Stevie Nicks at Hyde Park

Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers
Stevie Nicks
The Lumineers
Hyde Park, 9 July 2017

After a couple of years away, I'm finally back to vast and beautiful Hyde Park, scene of many legendary concerts for me, some sun drenched and some rain soaked, but all filled with great memories. This year's has to have one of the best ever line-ups, even though it's just two artists I'm interested in, but those two - Tom Petty and Stevie Nicks - have been two of the most important in my life and I've dreamed for years of seeing them live together.

Eddie Vedder at Hammersmith Apollo (Night 2)

Eddie Vedder
Glen Hansard
Hammersmith Apollo, 7 June 2017

After the emotional nature of last night's show I really didn't know what to expect of Eddie's second night in London. Thankfully it was less sombre: I think a weight had been lifted from his shoulders after his difficult tribute to his friend Chris Cornell during the previous show. Obviously there were still sad moments but it was clear Vedder was using his music as a tool to heal tonight.

Eddie Vedder at Hammersmith Apollo (Night 1)

Eddie Vedder
Glen Hansard
Hammersmith Apollo, 6 June 2017

Wow, this was one sad but beautiful show. Ever since I heard about Chris Cornell's suicide these Eddie Vedder shows became so much more important to me. Not only because of the strong connections between Chris Cornell and Pearl Jam and the fact that Eddie was one of his best friends but because I knew I would be among fans who felt the same way. Whether Eddie chose to say anything about it or not, I knew - we all did - that his death would weigh heavy over these performances. It was a way for us fans to mourn together led by someone who knew and loved him well.

Seu Jorge at the Royal Albert Hall

Seu Jorge - The Life Aquatic/Tribute To David Bowie
Family Atlantica Duo
Royal Albert Hall, 30 May 2017

It's always an awe-inspiring sight approaching the impressive Royal Albert Hall but this time as I got nearer I spotted a number of people sporting the "Steve Zissou" red beanie hats and I knew I was among my people.

Farewell Chris Cornell

This one hurts so much. Chris Cornell and Soundgarden were such a huge part of my teenage years and I never stopped following his career. I saw Soundgarden live seven times back in their hey day from the tiny Camden Underworld to the huge Reading Festival. I was then lucky enough to see them twice when they reunited in 2012, which I wrote about on this blog. I also saw Chris solo twice, once on his first ever solo tour in 1999 and then at the Astoria in 2007, where his voice still amazed me. His music has just meant so much to me over the years, it's so sad to think I'll never hear his voice live again and my heart goes out to his poor family. I wanted to go see him last year for his acoustic show at the Royal Albert Hall and now I'm even sadder that I didn't. The above clip of one of my favourite Cornell songs, Seasons, is from that show. A brilliant songwriter, an incredible voice and, by all accounts, the loveliest man. This is such a huge, huge loss and far, far too soon.

Buckingham McVie

We've all been waiting for a new Fleetwood Mac album for 13 years now and a new one with Christine McVie involved for far longer (1987's Tango In The Night is the last with the full Rumours line-up in fact). Sadly, although Christine, Lindsey Buckingham, John McVie and Mick Fleetwood, have all been in the studio together recording new material, Stevie Nicks declined to be involved. Everything from disagreements with Buckingham, writer's block to disillusionment with record sales these days (Stevie's own lame excuse) have been suggested but at the end of the day I guess no one really knows the truth. Thankfully though, Lindsey and Christine got tired waiting for Stevie and have decided to release the album sans Stevie as Buckingham McVie (they could have released it as Fleetwood Mac really given Say You Will was an all-but-one-member album too). The first track, In My World, is classic Lindsey with a nice little sampled grunts that seem to be a homage to his classic Mac track Big Love. Can't wait for the rest of the album, out on 7 June, and hear Lindsey and Christine's wonderful harmonies once again. I have a feeling Stevie may regret her decision not to join in on this one.

Holly Macve at St John On Bethnal Green

Holly Macve
Will Stratton
St John On Bethnal Green, 6 April 2017

I've never actually been to St John On Bethnal Green before but this is my fifth church, at least, I've been to in London for a gig. It makes sense to make use of them in this way, the concerts must provide a much needed stream of revenue for the churches plus the sound and the atmosphere is always fantastic especially for acoustic shows. Of the ones I've been to, St John has to be the least impressive and definitely the gloomiest of them all, something not helped by the drab and slightly creepy grey paintings of the crucifixion behind the altar and around the church. It is quite a contrast to the beautiful stained glass and warm feeling of the Union Chapel but once seated in my pew at the front there was a nicely intimate atmosphere as support act Will Stratton took to the altar-turned-stage.

Margo Price at Islington Assembly Hall

 

Margo Price
Jeremy Ivey
Islington Assembly Hall, 19 January 2017

Margo Price is such a country queen. It actually boggles my mind that she missed out on a nomination at the CMAs for her debut album Midwest Farmer's Daughter, which I think was easily one of last year's best albums of any genre. Clearly plenty in London agree because tonight's show is sold out and nicely, quite diverse too.