We don’t get to as many gigs now we’ve hit middle age and have a child to look after, but this just makes the ones we do get to all the more special (and a million thank you’s to our ever-supportive families).
Here are the Top 5 performances – in no particular order – we have been to over the past 12 months.
Hope of the States, London Tufnell Park Dome, 6 December 2024
A hugely important band to us, this was a show we never thought would happen. Following 18 years (!) away and with the epic new 12-minute single ‘Long Waits in A&E’ going down a storm, the Chichester band returned fully re-energised and in great spirits (sometimes, quite literally with all the seance themes around this tour). From the moment the visuals cracked up with the now distorted quote from the David Gordon Green-directed George Washington film, everything just felt… right.
‘The Black Amnesias’ still sounds like the world collapsing, ‘Black Dollar Bills’ doesn’t fail to send shivers down your spine and those closing words of ‘Enemies/Friends’ – ‘Come on, people, keep your friends close, your enemies won’t matter in the end’ – still resonate and inspire, possibly even more so in today’s turbulent climate. Throw in four – FOUR – new songs that slotted seamlessly into the set (‘Every single love song is a ghost story for someone’, indeed) and there’s a lot to be hopeful for.
Liam Gallagher, London 02, 10 June 2024
Shortly before Oasis-mania took over the world again, Liam Gallagher took ‘Definitely Maybe’ on the road in a solo tour. Decorating the stage like the iconic album artwork and delving deep into the B-sides and rarities – ‘Cloudburst’ and ‘D’Yer Wanna Be a Spaceman’ standing out for us – there was a real celebratory feel in the crowd.
Liam was on top form throughout, relishing singing some of these songs for the first time in 30 years and his voice was on point throughout – boding well for the comeback shows with his older brother in 2025. Also, you haven’t seen anything quite like a full arena bouncing along to a song about lasagne…
Read our review of Liam Gallagher’s Definitely Maybe gig at the O2 Arena.
Into It. Over It. – Kingston Fighting Cocks, 24 July 2024
Into It. Over It’s Evan Weiss has been quite open about the fact he was never sure if the band would make it over to the UK again… But we’re so glad he and his bandmates did. Over for a performance at 2000trees Festival and a nationwide tour, it came to an end at one of his favorite venues – The Fighting Cocks in Kingston.
There’s a lot of history – and even more love – between Evan and Banquet Records and this was a proper sticky, sweaty club gig with a set list accurately described as ‘All bangers’. Following stellar support from Sweet Pill and Tangled Hair (both of whom had members guest during the II.OI. set), even a number of technical issues couldn’t take away from the celebratory tone and all those beautiful songs. Plus, there was a beautiful moment where bassist Matt Frank interviewed Evan like he was on a chat show.
Bleachers – London Kentish Town Forum, 19 March 2024
BleachersWe first saw Bleachers at Glastonbury Festival 2014, a sparsely-attended gig that Jack Antonoff often recalls when talking to passionate sold-out crowds made up of people who look like ‘Bikers who fell out of rainbows’. Since then, they’ve become an ever-important band in our life – we had the first dance at our wedding to ‘Wake Me’ – and they’ve never disappointed in the live setting.
Jack knows how to command a crowd and the sheer enthusiasm of his band mates, whether it’s through dual drumming or sax-offs, makes a Bleachers gig just a joyous occasion. There is now dancing in the crowds, people singing their hearts out and a kinship between band and fans that truly means something.
Biffy Clyro – ‘A Celebration of Beginnings: ‘Blackened Sky’/‘Infinity Land’’, London Shepherds Bush Empire, 20/22 October 2024
Biffy ClyroBiffy Clyro brought their first three albums back for three shows in London and three in Glasgow in October – and ended up playing something ridiculous like 78 different songs over each run. We couldn’t make ‘The Vertigo of Bliss’ show due to finances, tiredness and simple demand but it sounds like that was just as exhilarating as the two we did go to.
‘Blackened Sky’ brought back memories of Biffy playing Aldershot’s West End Centre and supporting every band going while also appearing at seemingly every festival, with ‘27’, ‘57’ and ‘Justboy’ all inspiring huge singalongs. ‘Infinity Land’ found Biffy embracing the weirdness – complete with crowd guitar noises. A special shoutout to Mike Vennart, Biffy’s live guitarist, who was loving every moment. That Biffy played festival-length sets full of hits, newer album tracks and rarities after the album sets has to be commended. Does any band give as much to their fans at every gig as them?
BONUS GIG: The Xcerts/China Bears – Guildford Boileroom, 17 August 2024
The XcertsIt wouldn’t be a Spectral Nights end-of-year round-up without The Xcerts, would it? Let’s add one more.
Another band enjoying a newfound freedom with the agit-pop sound of ‘Learning How to Live and Let Go’, The Xcerts played a summer tour of smaller venues in towns they hadn’t visited for a while. This time they were joined by our friends China Bears – who had just released their fantastic album ‘Participation Trophy’.
This was a night packed with anthemic indie-rock singalongs, and some interesting banter, especially from The Xcerts’ Murray Macleod when he suggested the crowd recreate a certain scene from Blade… But back to the music, these are two bands that deal in the big feelings in songs that pack a punch. We’ll see The Xcerts again early next year for the ‘There Is Only You’ anniversary shows and China Bears in much bigger venues shortly.
China BearsWhat were your favorite gigs of 2024?
As ever, thanks to all the bands, promoters, agents, crowds and workers who make these things possible.