Best Gigs Of 2019

I didn't go to as many shows this year but it was definitely quality over quantity as there were still so many memorable moments. 

Ex Hex at Village Underground

Ex Hex

Rattle

Berries

Village Underground, 29 May 2019

I arrived at Village Underground way too early but at the very least was surprised to find the band outside doing a photo shoot against a very cool graffiti background. (Edit: I found the actual photo on this blog!) I'd love to say I went up to the band and told them how awesome I thought they are and how much Mary Timony has meant to me over the years but sadly I chickened out and just watched as they posed and looked effortlessly cool. Still, maybe it's better I didn't make a fool of myself and the show itself certainly made up for it.

Best Gigs Of 2015

This definitely wasn't a prime year in gigs for me but it was nice to finally see a few reunited acts live for the first time, most notably The Replacements and Sleater-Kinney, and of course the incomparable Christine McVie back singing with the Mac. You would think that the Fleetwood Mac shows would be my absolute favourites (they were certainly the gigs that cost the most, probably as much as the rest combined) but seeing and hearing McVie singing Everywhere and You Make Loving Fun, although undoubtedly thrilling, was slightly overshadowed by finally seeing The Replacements and the pure ramshackle, joy of their show. Other than my usual fare of alternative and classic rock, I also got to experience some heartwarming pure country shows (Sturgill Simpson and Kacey Musgraves) and even a pop concert, albeit a rather unusual one (the fantastic Marina & The Diamonds). I can't imagine I'll go to many more pop gigs in the future but I do hope next year has some more country in store for me.

Ex Hex at Scala

Ex Hex

Jacuzzi Boys

The Wharves

Scala, 2 November 2015

On the stairs of the venue before the show I saw Mary Timony, alone and heading for the doors. I wanted to shout out "Mary, I love you!" or just get her autograph, but sadly I timidly shuffled past, head down thinking "Don't bother her!" and "Never meet your heroes!" In some ways Timony looked like just another woman at the show but she also radiated a certain unattainable cool and maybe it's for the best that I didn't break that spell. Certainly, on stage she's a guitar goddess, effortless and fun, a total rock star, in fact, let's face it, Mary Timony couldn't be cooler.

Ex Hex at Oslo Hackney

Ex Hex
Princess
Oslo Hackney, 10 February 2015

A few years ago I saw Wild Flag, Mary Timony and Carrie Brownstein's all-too brief collaboration, live and felt myself reverting to a teenage girl, it was so great to see women rocking out, looking and sounding so cool. Although the band only lasted for one album I think it was something of a revelation for Timony, who finally, after years of making weird, angular and interesting alternative rock in bands such as Autoclave, Helium and solo - with medieval sounds, prog rock and folk as much an influence as punk - found the fun in making short, poppy punk tunes. Ex Hex is even the name of one of her solo albums but this time round she has her own all-girl band to share the experience (namely bassist Betsy Wright and drummer Laura Harris). It seems she didn't want the Wild Flag experience to end and so created her own equally brilliant band, making the best album of 2014 with Rips.

Ladies And Gentlemen, The Fabulous Ex Hex

The new Ex Hex video for Don't Wanna Lose, which pays tribute to the awesome 1982 film Ladies And Gentlemen, The Fabulous Stains, is one of the greatest things I've ever seen.

My Favourite Albums Of 2014

As the years go by I do seem to be more and more drawn to female artists but I do think that the girls of late have been releasing records way more innovative and musically interesting than the boys. Not that there hasn't been amazing records from male artists too.