Kevin Morby at Rough Trade East

Kevin Morby
Rough Trade East, 24 March 2026

My first time seeing Kevin Morby and not only was I lucky enough to catch him play a super intimate show at Rough Trade East, where he gave us a lovely preview of his upcoming album Little Wide Open, but he was also joined by his "better half" (his words!) the equally wonderful Katie Crutchfield of Waxahatchee, who sang with him on three songs.

Best Gigs of 2025

I went to so many great gigs this year, it was actually really hard to choose a top ten this time! I had to leave out great shows from artists like Margo Price, Tift Merritt, Pearl Charles and Wet Leg, to name but a few, even the fantastic Thurston Moore show where he brought out his beautiful dogs and I got to pet them! But of course, once again, the year was all about seeing MJ Lenderman again, twice! And both shows were mind-blowingly good. 

Waxahatchee at Hammersmith Apollo

Waxahatchee

Merce Lemon

Hammersmith Apollo, 11 June 2015

Katie Crutchfield and her incredible band returned to London for their biggest show to date at the historic Hammersmith Apollo and wow, did she manage to fill the grandiose venue with beautiful sounds and such good feeling!

My Favourite Albums of 2024

My top albums of 2024:

 

MJ Lenderman - Manning Fireworks

Waxahatchee - Tigers Blood

Kacey Musgraves - Deeper Well

Mary Timony - Tame The Tiger

St. Vincent - All Born Screaming

Kim Gordon - The Collective

Laura Marling - Patterns In Repeat

Jack White - No Name

Gillian Welch & David Rawlings - Woodland

Sturgill Simpson (as Johnny Blueskies) - Passage Du Desir

Kim Deal - Nobody Loves You More

Sierra Ferrell - Trail Of Flowers

Best Gigs of 2024

This year really was all about MJ Lenderman for me. Not only did I see him with his other band Wednesday finally (their last album ruled 2023 for me), but I also saw him doing his first ever UK solo show all by himself at Rough Trade East (and got to meet the man himself) and saw him twice with his incredible backing band The Wind at the fantastic intimate shows at The Garage. 

Waxahatchee at The Forum

Waxahatchee

Anna St. Louis 

The Forum, 25 July 2024

I'm happy to say that seeing Waxahatchee almost ten years after the first time was an absolutely delightful affair, everything about this show was lovely, from the cool, appreciative and kind audience to the joyful performance, Katie Crutchfield's incredible voice and her killer band.

My Favourite Albums Of 2020

13. Tanya Donelly & The Parkington Sisters

12. Bonny Light Horseman - Bonny Light Horseman

11. Courtney Marie Andrews - Old Flowers

10. Isobel Campbell - There Is No Other...

9. Laura Marling - Song For Our Daughter

8. Waxahatchee - Saint Cloud

7. Ren Harvieu - Revel In The Drama

6. Fiona Apple - Fetch The Bolt Cutters

5. Phoebe Bridgers - Punisher

4. Greg Dulli - Random Desire

3. Margo Price - That's How Rumors Get Started

2. Neil Young - Homegrown

1. Kathleen Edwards - Total Freedom

Waxahatchee at the Electric Ballroom

Waxahatchee
Girlpool
Pinkwash
Electric Ballroom, 10 June 2015

A few years ago I was bemoaning how few new female rock bands there appeared to be. After the riot grrrl revolution of the 1990s it felt like there should be so many more. Turns out they were all hiding away praticising or releasing cool little indie records. This year I've been lucky enough to see quite a few of them, most clearly influenced from that golden era in the 90s (and a even a couple actually from that time) and tonight was yet another kick-ass line-up full of talented women, it was inspiring to see.

My Favourite Albums Of 2013

Even though I've always been partial to female musicians, whether they are singers, songwriters guitarists, or rockers, this year more than ever it was the girls who dominated by iPod and stereo. There's even a few that I've failed to include that I truly loved: Alessi's Ark's lovely third album The Still Life; Caitlin Rose's fun follow-up to her debut, The Stand-In; Juliana Hatfield's underrated collaboration with Nada Surf's Daniel Caws, Minor Alps; Speedy Ortiz's 90s style alternative rock; Lissie's joyful pop; Mazzy Star's long-awaited comeback and Laura Marling's elegant and beautiful Once I Was An Eagle. I really wanted to include them all but a few of those annoying boys just couldn't be ignored so unfortunately it isn't an all-girl end of year list (but almost). These are my 10 favourites. Well, right at this minute anyway...