Let’s get onto my second half of the year with my favourite gigs:
July:
The Flaming Lips Performing “The Soft Bulletin” / Dinosaur Jr. performing “Bug” / Deerhoof performing “Milk Man” @ Alexandria Palace, London
This was an incredible night. Three awesome bands performing their most well regarded albums and a crowd who loved every second. Deerhoof and Dinosaur Jr were both excellent, but the heartbreaking performance from The Flaming Lips playing the likes of Waitin’ For Superman and Feeling Yourself Disintegrate was spellbinding.
Death Cab For Cutie @ Manchester Academy
I was very disappointed with DCFC’s album this year, but fortunately they were still excellent live when they passed through. Nearly 2 hours with barely a pause, it was heart warming indie bliss.
Bright Eyes @ HMV Institute, Birmingham
A trip to my homeland on my mates birthday to see his favourite active band was always going to be a good one. Bright Eyes were about 10000000 times better than on their last trip to Brum (a really rather dismal gig in the summer of 2007), Conor seemed happy, they played a host of classics and new material and where slightly manic at times.
Tramlines festival @ Various places around Sheffield
A trip to Sheffield for another festival. No time to go onto individual bands but the highlights: Brontide, Johnny Foreigner, The Futureheads, Ash
August:
Ghost Outfit @ The Castle Hotel, Manchester
Unfortunately, I don’t a decent photo of this gig, but Ghost Outfit were loud and wild, exactly what you want.
September:
Kurt Vile and The Violaters @ Sound Control, Manchester
A gig I went to without knowing a single note of Kurt Vile’s music. It was a good choice as it was an evening of psychedelic and acoustic wonder. I was hooked throughout and very happy I made the decision to go out.
Let’s Buy Happiness @ Roadhouse, Manchester 
The relaunch night of Underachievers Please Try Harder featured an incredible performance by up and coming indie rockers Let’s Buy Happiness. I’d seen them 18 months previously and proceeded to miss all their gigs since. This night was amazing, with their murky indie sound filling the room.
The Subways @ Manchester Academy 2
I’d been 3 years since I’d last seen The Subways, and it was worth the wait. They were energetic and wild, with the crowd even wilder than they were. I was bounced around the front rows all gig and loved every second.
October:
We Were Promised Jetpacks @ The Deaf Institute, Manchester
A memorable gig due to its bumpy start (“I’ve spilt Jack and Coke on my amp…”) but despite the minor hiccup they rocked out and played their hearts out. Let’s buy Happiness excelled again as their support band.
The Joy Formidable @ Manchester Academy 2
Their last UK tour of the year and they really put their all into it. The Joy Formidable came, saw and conquer Manchester all over again with a mind blowing performance. And yes, there was an epic piss up at the after show party including some interesting anecdotes I can tell if you ask.
Ash performing “Free all Angels” @ Manchester Ritz
You might have gathered I quite enjoy album play through gigs and Ash doing Free All Angels was certainly up there with the most awesome ones. It was all the more sweeter that Charlotte Hatherley had rejoined for the run of gigs, + playing a selection of hits for a second set added up to one hell of a gig.
Chokebore @ Le Machine du Moulin Rouge, Paris
I’ve been to a lot of gigs this year, and there were loads which were so incredibly awesome. If I were to choose one gig though it’d be Chokebore. I made another trip to Paris for a a gig that captivated me, moved me, rocked out, and had moments of pure beauty. Seeing a room silenced by the sheer power of a song like Police is something that can’t really be described. The crowd was so responsive they came out for an unplanned second encore (they had to figure out what to play onstage). Basically, incredible. You have to see this band live if you have the chance.
November:
The Electric Soft Parade @ The Deaf Institute, Manchester
ESP were the first band I went to see live and it’d been 4 years since they last toured. My expectations were high and I wasn’t disappointed. They played a host of classic tracks and their new material was pretty ace too. They’re still natural funny entertainers and I can’t wait to see them again.
The Smashing Pumpkins with Ringo Deathstarr @ Manchester Apollo
This was a revelation of a gig. Ringo Deathstarr were awesome as support for starters (though most Pumpkins fans didn’t appreciate them). Then the pumpkins themselves turned up, and even though Billy is the only original member left, they were awesome. After some sound issues, they dived into Starla and didn’t let up. Rarities and classics ensued, with the new tracks played sounded excellent at times. It made up for an average gig in 2008 and makes me excited to see them again.
Constellations Festival @ Leeds University
Probably the best city festival I went to all year, though it was based in one venue. Again the highlights: Dutch Uncles, Islet, Stephen Malkmus & The Kicks, Ringo Deathstarr, Wild Beasts.
Wild Beasts @ Manchester Cathedral
This was very special. The cathedral made for a brilliant venue for Wild Beasts minimal sound. It sounded awesome echoing around the room and the band themselves were putting more energy into the gig than some bands do to careers. Sublime from start to finish.
December:
I Break Horses @ The Soup Kitchen, Mahchester
A hazy night of electronic shoegaze. I was surprised there were 5 people onstage when I thought the band was a duo, but their live sound was great. There were lots of layers and a hazy atmosphere. Perfect.
Amplifier @ Manchester Academy 3
My last gig of the year was one of the best. Amplifier were coming down from an awesome year, the set was phenomenal, and the performance was one of the best I’ve ever seen them do. The perfect way to end a year in gigs.
That’s it, I think that’s all the lists I can be bothered to do. Happy Christmas and new year people.
