2022 - the year when everything went back to normal. In a way. Kind of? I mean, politically things in this country are just fine. What perfectly normal country having a perfectly normal year doesn’t have 3 prime ministers within 3 months. Well, probably perfectly normal countries that don’t have prime ministers for one, but still.
Okay so things are still a bit weird out there (and this post isn’t a platform for me to have a dunk on the current political mess in the UK). Covid is still a thing and tours are still being cancelled or postponed for a number of reasons (the term 'unforeseen circumstances’ has done some heavy lifting this year). That said in terms of gigs, for the most part 2022 has been as normal as it can be. This is the first one of these posts since the end of 2019 where I am writing about a full calendar year and I have not forgotten what a privilege it is to be able to write it. Even if that thought does sometimes fall from my mind when trying to make travel plans for gigs!
The purpose of this end of year post is to talk about the live music I’ve been to over the calendar year and talk about my favourite gigs and festival sets. As with previous ones of these lists (ignoring 2020 for probably obvious reasons) I will start with the festival sets and move onto the gigs. Both lists are top 10s, and there will be a smattering of honourable mentions. For the festival sets, I will likely reuse words from previous posts because of reasons (the main reason being I am lazy af). One small point of note - I have decided to include the Damnation preshow, called Damnation Festival Presents: A Night of Salvation, in with the festival sets. This isn’t the first day of the festival, it is a pre-festival gig. However, it is in the same venue and on one of the same stages as the festival itself, and isn’t a normal gig in the conventional sense. Therefore, I have concluded it is a small festival in and of itself, under the Damnation header. If this justification causes any consternation, feel free to write to your MP/Congressperson/political representative. Or don’t - I’m not too bothered either way.
2022 - the year when everything went back to normal. In a way. Kind of? I mean, politically things in this country are just fine. What perfectly normal country having a perfectly normal year doesn’t have 3 prime ministers within 3 months. Well, probably perfectly normal countries that don’t have prime ministers for one, but still.
Okay so things are still a bit weird out there (and this post isn’t a platform for me to have a dunk on the current political mess in the UK). Covid is still a thing and tours are still being cancelled or postponed for a number of reasons (the term 'unforeseen circumstances’ has done some heavy lifting this year). That said in terms of gigs, for the most part 2022 has been as normal as it can be. This is the first one of these posts since the end of 2019 where I am writing about a full calendar year and I have not forgotten what a privilege it is to be able to write it. Even if that thought does sometimes fall from my mind when trying to make travel plans for gigs!
The purpose of this end of year post is to talk about the live music I’ve been to over the calendar year and talk about my favourite gigs and festival sets. As with previous ones of these lists (ignoring 2020 for probably obvious reasons) I will start with the festival sets and move onto the gigs. Both lists are top 10s, and there will be a smattering of honourable mentions. For the festival sets, I will likely reuse words from previous posts because of reasons (the main reason being I am lazy af). One small point of note - I have decided to include the Damnation preshow, called Damnation Festival Presents: A Night of Salvation, in with the festival sets. This isn’t the first day of the festival, it is a pre-festival gig. However, it is in the same venue and on one of the same stages as the festival itself, and isn’t a normal gig in the conventional sense. Therefore, I have concluded it is a small festival in and of itself, under the Damnation header. If this justification causes any consternation, feel free to write to your MP/Congressperson/political representative. Or don’t - I’m not too bothered either way.
So without any further delay, the lists themselves.
FESTIVALS
Honourable Mentions
Alexisonfire - Slam Dunk Festival 2022 - “The chance to see Alexisonfire had passed me by until this festival, so I knew I had to take this chance and I'm glad I did because they were superb and every bit deserving as one of the festival headliners. Them clashing almost directly with Dropkick Murphys was not fun for me, and I feel like there was no wrong choice there - I am pleased to say Alexisonfire didn't make me regret my decision to see them” New Words - I’m still mad about that clash with Dropkick Murphys!
Sugababes - Victorious Festival 2022 - “Sugababes were the Saturday afternoon special guest and they were great in that position. They had a 45 minute set and it was pretty much packed with bangers. You love to see it”
Stereophonics - Victorious Festival 2022 - “This was one of the sets I was most looking forward to listening to over the weekend and they were really good. They played everything I knew and they sounded really good. I saw some people suggesting they looked as though they were phoning it in, but I didn't get that impression just from listening, though I did note there was minimal crowd interaction”
Irist - Damnation Festival 2022 - “First band on the main stage and goodness me, Irist were excellent. I was on the barrier for this set. I really liked their 2020 album and EP earlier this year, so it didn't surprise me that I really liked this set”
Converge performing ‘Jane Doe’ - Damnation Festival 2022 - “I mean, this was superb. Never seen Converge live before and they are an excellent live band. I was super tired as they were playing Jane Doe which no doubt hampered my enjoyment - but I want to take nothing away from the band themselves, they were very good. I definitely want to see them live again, that's for sure” New Words - This definitely would have been top 10 if I wasn’t dead tired at this time.
Top 10
10. The Bronx - Slam Dunk Festival 2022
Old Words - I love seeing The Bronx live, and this set was another example as to why. I have been looking forward to seeing them for a while, but especially after the Every Time I Die tour with them was cancelled. They had about 40 minutes on stage and rammed it with the best of their back catalogue and played pretty much everything of theirs I love as well as some others as well - what isn't to like about this. The Bronx thanked Dropkick Murphys (as well as Pennywise and I think Hot Water Music) for lending them equipment as all of theirs was lost after they travelled from New Zealand to do the festivals. Impressive they were able to be so impressive live with unfamiliar equipment.
New Words - The Bronx on a festival bill for me is always a selling point. This set was further justification of that conclusion. I very much want them to do a club tour in the UK again, because they were superb when they played the Wedgewood Rooms (editors note: that gig was in 2013?! Fucks sake…). The day I am posting this post, The Bronx have been announced as special guests to Rancid in London and Manchester. Phwoar!
9. Green Lung - Damnation Festival 2022
Old Words - Green Lung I think were in the first announcement and I knew I wanted to see them pretty quickly after listening to their latest album. This was tested only when it was announced they would clash with Wolves In The Throne Room, but I decided to stick with Green Lung and I am glad I did. They had a superb set. I won't be able to see Clutch (whom they are supporting) later this year and that makes me sad. Would definitely consider seeing a headline show off the back of this though.
New Words - Not much to add really. I wonder if a headline tour will be announced for the new year once they've supported Clutch. Fingers crossed!
8. At The Gates performing ‘Slaughter of the Soul’ - Damnation Festival 2022
Old Words - I headed to the main stage about 5 minutes before At The Gates were due to take to the stage, and pretty much was at the barrier off to the left of the stage - close to the spot I had for Irist but not the exact spot. I wondered whether this would be wise considering how tired I was feeling at this point, but it turned out to be fine - any mosh pit activity wasn't near me and I'm perfectly okay with this! I really enjoyed At The Gates, and seeing them playing this album in full was a lovely time. They played the album, and finished with a song from their first album post-reunion. No complaints from me!
7. Cancer Bats - Slam Dunk Festival 2022
Old Words - I could almost copy/paste some of the stuff from what I wrote about The Bronx here, because I love seeing Cancer Bats live. They are one of the bands I've seen the most live (this being the 16th time of seeing them live, though one of those is questioned by some as to whether I should count it). This was the first time seeing Cancer Bats since the pandemic kicked off, and in that time they had a fairly significant line up change (Scott Middleton left) and released a new album, which I liked but definitely need to listen to again. The band did have a new guitarist on stage (I remember her name being Kate but not her surname), and I don't know whether she is now in the band full time or just for this tour. The guitar tone differed as a result, because of course it would, but Cancer Bats were still incredible live - and that was excellent to see. Nice appearance from George Pettit of Alexisonfire for Pneumonia Hawk as well.
New Words - I saw Cancer Bats later in the year after this set. I’m sure I’ll try to see them again.
6. We Lost The Sea - Damnation Festival 2022
Old Words - Seriously, this band just ran away with the festival this weekend. The second set I didn't enjoy as much as the first (note - erm, spoilers) but only because the first will be a part of future conversations about the best festival sets I've seen. Let it be known, I bloody loved both and this was very good. Truthfully, I'm not as familiar with We Lost The Sea outside of Departure Songs, so I believe this was mostly made up of material from their latest album Triumph & Disaster (not a complaint). Another great set from a great band. I think these shows were their UK debut shows - not sure if they will ever come back but I hope they do!
5. Insanity Alert - Damnation Festival 2022
Old Words - Party thrash probably isn't for everyone, and I understand that. In small doses though, I unashamedly love it. And I loved this. It was fun, it was silly, it had someone in an inflatable Pikachu costume in the circle pit. The stage patter included comments about, amongst other things, the royal family and cleaning Ikea toilets - all the key topics. Insanity Alert are a lot of fun live. I could imagine one of their shows being absolute carnage in a small club and I am now willing for that to happen (I'm picturing it in the Joiners in Southampton, which would be a hell of a good time).
4. Ithaca - Damnation Festival Presents: A Night Of Salvation 2022
Old Words - Ithaca were one of the main draws to me buying a ticket and I am pleased to report I thought they were great. I loved They Fear Us (released earlier this year) and the material from that album sounds massive live. An excellent way to kick off the night for me.
New Words - Definitely want to see Ithaca again. They were so good.
3. The Interrupters - Slam Dunk 2022
Old Words - I saw The Interrupters for the first time at Slam Dunk 2019, and from that moment I was completely sold by them. This set almost felt like a victory lap for them because it was another excellent set. The new songs, which I must say I was nonplussed by initially, sounded really good live, and the rest sounded great because it is. Singalongs, dancing, great music, it was all there. A lovely time was had by all.
New Words - Their London show in September clashed with Cancer Bats, so decided to go to the latter instead. Hopefully will get to see them again, because it is always fun. They are doing a co-headline tour of USA/Canada with Frank Turner. That not being a UK tour is a real shame.
2. Electric Callboy - Slam Dunk 2022
Old Words - Before the festival, I couldn't decide whether to see Electric Callboy or Streetlight Manifesto. After speaking with a few people, all of whom recommended Electric Callboy, I decided to see them. Listened to some of their stuff before the festival and thought they were decent, but not much more. I think it took maybe a minute of their set for me to realise my original assessment was wrong and they were outrageously fun. Even with a drum track (due to the drummer being unwell), the band are superb live. Fun is the best word I can use to describe them. Their set was my favourite of the day, which is not something I would have predicted before arriving. Still, I agree with the thoughts of YouTube & radio host Tom Campbell in saying I'd rather be happy than right. I was wrong here, but I was definitely happy while they were on stage.
New Words - I bought a ticket for their Brighton show, but then it got postponed and I couldn’t make the new date, which was a damn shame. I’m eyeing up their London show, but I’m unsure because there is an ice hockey tournament on at the same time. There is a Portsmouth date in October 2023, and that is a must.
1. We Lost The Sea performing Departure Songs - Damnation Festival Presents: A Night Of Salvation 2022
Old Words - Spoilers, you know how I mentioned earlier I can now write the bit of my end of year blog about festivals? Because I've decided to include these sets in that consideration, this will be number one. We Lost The Sea came to my notice when they were announced for the main show and I saw the festival organiser confirm he had tried to book them to play this album for it. Based on that, I gave it a listen and it is superb. Live? I mean it is somehow even better. It just had that feeling of a special show. The album is close to 70 minutes long and has 5 songs on it. One of the songs is over 23 minutes long and at no point did the album feel like it was dragging. It was the best set of the weekend for me - I didn't predict that beforehand, which somehow made it even better.
GIGS
Not so fun fact - for this list, I’ve been making notes throughout the year to serve as an aide-mémoire when it came time to write it. That document came in at just under 5900 words…! (somehow, this one is longer) Anyway - the lists. Honourable mentions are in chronological order and the top 10…well that should be self explanatory when it starts.
Honourable Mentions
Frank Turner (Duo Show) - The Brook, Southampton. Wednesday 16th March
This was a brief little run to celebrate the release of Frank’s excellent new album FTHC. The gig was a 14 song, hour long set which was mostly made up of the new album (8 of the 14 from FTHC), but had some hits in there as well. I don’t tire of seeing Frank Turner live and I also like the duo show set up; it was my second time seeing it and I hope to see it again in the future.
Bob Vylan - The Joiners, Southampton, Thursday 19th May
A nod to Grove, who opened the show. I thought I was going to miss them due to travelling up to this gig after work, but I didn’t - I am pleased about this as they were decent. However, them not being on earlier, plus the stage set up being a bit more elaborate than the 2021 tour may be part of the reason why this gig is being listed here rather than in the top 10. It seemed as though the stage set up took longer than planned, or there were technical issues (or perhaps a bit of both) which meant Bob Vylan took to the stage a bit later than I expected/hoped. I enjoyed the show but it did mean there was a bit of clock watching to make sure I could make the train I needed to make. Bob Vylan’s set, in and of itself, was superb. It was my 3rd time seeing them and I thought they were excellent all three times. Needing to leave this one early, and missing the stage invasion at the end, was a shame. I am hoping for another tour in 2023 - would love to see them at the Wedge.
Volbeat - O2 Academy Islington, London, Saturday 21st May
Busy week this one! This was my first visit to Islington Academy since 2014, which I worked out while writing this and it came as a surprise to me. The venue hadn’t changed much but I decided to venture up to the balcony/mezzanine level for the first time to watch the gig and this was a great plan until I got a beer between Benediction and Volbeat and lost the spot I had with a good view. This meant I didn’t see a whole lot during the gig, but this was my 11th time seeing Volbeat so that’s not the end of the world. Benediction, as mentioned, opened the show and they were good. Who doesn’t like a bit of death metal on a Saturday afternoon? Well, most people probably. I don’t mind it though. Volbeat’s sound was a bit off (vocals too low in the mix for a fair bit of the gig) which was a shame but that aside they were really good. The new stuff sounded great and the rest of the set was really good as well. The set was 18 (19 if you include the brief Ring of Fire cover and I don’t) songs long, and 15 of the 18 were from the last 4 albums. It isn’t a complaint, because they didn’t play anything that was bad, I just personally prefer some of the older songs. No matter though, Volbeat were great. I had planned to see them again in London this month, but it didn’t work out.
Eagles - Hyde Park, London, Sunday 26th June
For the purposes of these lists, I decided to keep BST events in the gig list rather than festivals as BST itself is kind of billed as a festival, but really they are a series of big gigs. In this case, I went to BST to see Eagles, rather than going to the BST festival itself to see a multitude of bands with an overall headliner. I had originally planned to get in a bit earlier but circumstances meant I couldn’t. This isn’t a sentence of regret though because the undercard wasn’t exactly worth rushing in for. The main support was Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, which was a treat for me as I am a bit partial to a bit of Led Zeppelin. The set was excellent musically and the vibe was very laid back. I’d heard someone say before that Robert Plant looks very relaxed and happy performing with Alison Krauss and this band and from what I saw, I would agree with this assessment. I would love him to just say “fuck it” and do one more Led Zeppelin tour (I dread to think how much tickets would be or how hard they would be to get) - but if he doesn’t want to do it, and would rather do these gigs where he is happier performing…probably better to do what makes you happy really. Eagles were celebrating their 50th year anniversary since releasing their first album with this tour, and that is a lot of music to cover. This was a best of show, to the point I can’t think of anything else that could have been added to this set. I liked the nods to some of the band members' solo material as well. The whole set was excellent. Joe Walsh had an excellent line about much preferring being 20 in the 70s rather than being 70 in the 20s. He did, on one song in particular, sound in his 70s - which is fair enough as he is. Other than that one point though, the gig was superb. The final song featured special guest John McEnroe…which was unexpected but very cool! Weirdly, not the last time that name will appear on this blog (spoilers).
Drug Church/Angel Du$t - The Joiners, Southampton, Saturday 2nd July
Anxious opened the show. Their set was very enjoyable. I thought it was cool that the family of one of the band members (Dante) had flown over just for this gig. Not sure if it was because of the family (I didn’t know how many of them there were) but the room was packed for them, which was cool. Angel Dust and Drug Church both played for about 40 minutes, which was a little bit longer than their respective Outbreak Festival sets. Angel Dust’s set was also very enjoyable. The frontman (who was off to the side of the Joiners stage) was entertaining between songs when it was called for, including jokingly (I assume!) suggesting Dante had spent the entire tour on drugs to try and get him in trouble with his visiting family. Drug Church were my band of the night. This could have been predicted as they are the band I had listened to the most. The songs from Hygiene (their new album) just sounded massive live and in the venue it was absolute carnage; I’m not sure I’ve ever been at a gig with so many stage divers!
Bloodywood - The Joiners, Southampton, Saturday 13th August
Going to a sold out gig in a small room during a heatwave in the UK? Arguably this was not my smartest move. It was a sweaty affair, and that was just walking to the bar to buy a beer! Lake Malice opened and they were fun. Not sure how to categorise them, but they were enjoyable all the same. Wondered if people were staying away due to the heat, but the room got packed just before Bloodywood came on stage, so perhaps they were just coming in when they absolutely had to. I enjoyed Lake Malice, but I can’t fault anyone for taking this action! Bloodywood were excellent. Very lively show in a very hot room. A show I would have jumped around more for were I not already sweating buckets simply by being stood in the packed room. They played for about maybe 55 minutes, which is a bit on the short side but it was so warm I wasn’t complaining. Many of the in-between song speeches were quite uplifting, which was cool.
Cancer Bats, The Joiners, Southampton, Saturday 3rd September
Witch Fever was the main support. They were ace again live. They referenced the 2021 show at the Joiners (supporting Bob Vylan) when someone shouted misogynist abuse at the singer - I had wondered before they came on if it would be mentioned. It was good that it was because that shit needs to stop. Cancer Bats were quality as per. They dragged me out of mosh pit retirement, again! The setlist was essentially an extended version of the one they played at Slam Dunk earlier in the year. That was good and so was this.
Hayseed Dixie - The Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth, Tuesday 18th October
First time seeing Hayseed Dixie since they played Victorious Festival in 2015. Much too long of a time period between Hayseed gigs! Briefly caught the end of These Wicked Rivers, the support band, who were fine but truthfully I wasn’t heartbroken to have missed most of their set.
Hayseed Dixie were excellent. They were on for slightly over 2 hours on stage and the time flew by. It was all pretty damn fun, and that is all you can ask for from a gig like this really!
Conjurer - Green Door Store, Brighton, Sunday 30th October
First visit to the venue for this gig. It is a unique venue and I like it. I don’t like paying £6.60 (without cup deposit) for a pint, but who does, really? My earplugs were worth their weight in gold for this gig as it was LOUD with a capital LOUD. Sugar Horse opened, and it gave me questions about their set at Bad Pond Festival. I enjoyed that set, don’t get me wrong - but this one seemed noticeably better. It was abrasive (in the best possible way). Tuskar were next on and I very much enjoyed their set. I liked their album earlier in the year and they played a lot from it, so that was nice. Conjurer just seems to get better every time I see them live. Just a crushing live act.
Biffy Clyro - The O2, London, Saturday 12th November
Architects were the support band and they had a very good set. Their new album material sounded better live than when I listened to the album. Biffy Clyro are just excellent live. The set was fairly similar to the one I saw last year (the one that was my favourite gig of the year). And they were arguably as good if not better in the bigger room. Enjoyment wise, it was hampered by someone who initially sat in our row, who then dropped down a row and then stood up in front of me for big chunks of the gig. Could still hear everything fine, but I couldn’t see much, which was a shame. I considered trying to look for the image of Otto from The Simpsons saying “Sit down, you’re ruining it for everyone!” but then I didn’t. If you are reading this, you can if you like.
Palm Reader - The Joiners, Southampton, Sunday 27th November
This was an eventful night! Saw someone get knocked off their motorbike before the gig (they were up and walking almost immediately but still not ideal). After the gig, I heard some shouting and it was clear someone was unhappy with someone else. They were across the road from one another, until they weren’t and one crossed the road and lamped the other guy at least twice. Not fun to witness. Anyway, regarding the gig - Hummune opened the night, and they were decent. Blanket were the main support act and they were very good. I had wondered before the show if I would appreciate them more this time round (I previously saw them support Zeal & Ardor and thought they were decent). I did like them a lot more this time round, and I think that is due to listening to more types of music than I did then. Palm Reader were excellent. The singer, Josh, said he was struggling with his voice after a run of gigs - but from where I was standing I don’t think this overly detracted from the gig at all. Palm Reader are a very good live band, and I look forward to the next time I will see them live (possibly Takedown Festival).
Currls - Edge of the Wedge, Portsmouth, Monday 28th November
Originally bought the ticket as the support was Weekend Punks and Congratulations, and gave Currls a listen and thought they were decent. Then both Weekend Punks and Congratulations had to pull out. As it happens, Currls released a very good EP and so I was still happy to go. It was a good decision as Currls were very fun. I hope they’ll come back again soon, as I’d go again!
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Okay, I know that was a lot of honourable mentions (and indeed, a lot of photos!). I don’t tend to go to gigs that I don’t end up enjoying so this list involves hard decisions! That I can assure you is absolutely not a complaint (or indeed, if it is a complaint, it is a positive one - I am not seeking sympathy at all!)
Top 10
10. Idles - O2 Academy Brixton, Monday 17th January
Witch Fever opened. This was my second time seeing them (I first saw them opening for Bob Vylan in Southampton) and they were good again. Seemed to get a good response from what I could hear, which is also good. Some opening acts get swallowed by that stage, but they didn’t, which was cool to see. Self Esteem sounded massive. I said at the time I wouldn’t be surprised if in a few years she has a significant slot at Glastonbury, if not headlining it. Self Esteem will definitely be a superstar. I had a lovely time seeing Idles in Portsmouth in 2021, but this night just felt bigger. The new material sounds great live. The main highlight of the night for me was them playing I’m Scum, which made me very happy! It was such a good gig overall though and it was my first one of 2022. The year started off strong!
9. Behemoth/Arch Enemy - O2 Academy Brixton, London, Sunday 2nd October
This gig was originally scheduled to take place in October 2021, and was one of the last ones for me in 2022 that originally bit the dust due to Covid-19 touring complications. As for the gig, Unto Others opened the show and they were fine. They didn’t blow me away, but I didn’t dislike what I saw either. Proper meat and potatoes metal. Carcass were the special guests for the show and they proved they are still an excellent live band. I enjoyed the set though there were a couple of my favourite songs of theirs that didn’t make the cut sadly.
Arch Enemy were the first of the two coheadliners and they smashed it. I was initially a bit put off when I learned the set was almost half made up of their new album (that I thought was fine, but that is all) but live those songs sounded big, alongside everything else they did, for that matter.
Behemoth closed the night and they, like Arch Enemy before them, were excellent. Truly a great co-headline gig. The last few times I’ve seen them, there has been barely anything from The Satanist played, and the same was true of this evening, which is a shame. The set was still very good though.
8. Tool - The O2, London, Tuesday 10th May
This was my first visit to the O2 for a gig since the pandemic. It was nice to be in the area of the venue with the pre-gig buzz in the air. No AllOnTheBoard board for Tool though, which is a shame but I completely get it!
Brass Against opened and they were really good fun. A set of mostly covers but their unique take on them made it worth seeing. Tool were incredible. The setlist contained almost none of my favourite songs of theirs, but we got Undertow, Sober and Hooker With A Penis, as well as the best of the new album. The lights and visuals were incredible, in my view. Seeing Tool indoors has long been something I’ve wanted to do, and it was as good as I hoped it would be, if not better. The only way it could have been even better would have been the setlist being more to my casual-fan taste (selfish, I know!)
7. Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls, O2 Guildhall, Southampton, Friday 14th October
Mash P, a friend of Frank Turner from Sierra Leone, opened the show. It was a fun way to start the show. He seemed really very happy to be there, which was cool to see. Truckstop Honeymoon came on and played the last song with Mash P and then did their own set. They are a husband/wife duo band, but Miss Katie had laryngitis which meant she could barely talk, let alone sing. Bit of a shame but not a whole lot that can be done about that. They were still good given these limitations. Pet Needs were the main support and they were very good. Their new material sounds good live. Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls - Rather fond of them live and this gig gave no reason to change that. Superb setlist, superb performance. Wondered if Frank’s voice might give way at one point (end of a long tour and all that) but all was well. Great show
6. Run The Jewels - O2 Academy Brixton, London, Thursday 2nd June 2022
Left later from the hotel than I originally planned because I was slow to get ready. This worked out in my favour as I got to the venue later and the support wasn’t on by the time I arrived.
DJ Cutmaster Swiff did a DJ set (clue in the name really). 40 minutes of great hip hop mixed up, good times. Run The Jewels were just superb. The set flew by and was awesome from start to finish. I thought it was going to be a really short gig at one point as I wasn’t sure if they would do an encore - you think I’d learn by now that bands/acts tend to give warning when the first walk off is it.
5. Evanescence/Within Temptation - The O2, London, Monday 14th November 2022
This gig was the last one in my diary that was originally booked in 2019 that was due to take place in 2020. It is unbelievable still to think about this and how long the gig took to eventually happen.
Veridia opened the show and I caught the last two songs of their set. I listened to their album before and I was nonplussed by it. Live, what I heard was decent.
Within Temptation came on as the first coheadliner and…give them everything now. Their show was incredible. Everything about it was spot on - songs chosen, stage show…everything was great. Even Sharon den Adel having a sore throat/cold didn’t spoil anything about the show (from a fan’s perspective). Honestly, that show could have easily been a festival headline set.
I am in a fortunate/privileged position to say there are few big bands I want to see live that I haven’t been able to so far. Evanescence are one of those few and were a draw to this gig. I very much enjoyed their set…but it wasn’t as good as Within Temptation and at points felt like a bit of a comedown. The setlist for me had a lot of their material I’m not as familiar with, which is a shame but not the end of the world as what they played was good. They were very good, but yeah, I wish Within Temptation had closed the night.
4. Zeal & Ardor - Electric Brixton, London, Sunday 13th November 2022
Heriot were due to support on this tour, but had to pull out of the last 3 gigs due to illness, which is a shame. In their place for the last two shows was Lake Malice. I gave them a listen to check them out and thought they were fine. It turns out my memory properly let me down as I saw them in August supporting Bloodywood. No matter though. Last time I wrote that I enjoyed them, and I would say I definitely enjoyed them more this time round.
Zeal & Ardor were superb. I saw them in 2018 and it was my 4th favourite gig of a swamped year for great gigs. This is another swamped year for great gigs and it will certainly be in the conversation. Heavy on their new album which is fine because their new album is ace.
Second visit to Electric Brixton, and first since the lockdowns. I wasn’t a massive fan of the venue I seem to recall last time (very sticky floor situation). They seem to have done something about that since and it was nicer as a result. I won’t ever care for paying £6+ for a can of beer though (even if it did lead to a fun conversation about my pronunciation of Budweiser)
3. Pearl Jam - Hyde Park, London, Friday 8th July 2022
For this gig, I had a ticket for the front section of the arena with its own entrance. This is not something I am used to so this in and of itself built up excitement ahead of the day. A few days before this gig, I hurt my back. This was a distraction throughout the day, but I am thankful it didn’t ruin it for me. Due to travel reasons, I didn’t get in until about halfway through The Murder Capital’s set, which is a shame as they sounded bloody great on that big stage. They very much made me regret not seeing them in Portsmouth when they were at the Wedgewood Rooms - the gig sold out before I could get a ticket, and would have taken my 2020 gig total to 11. White Reaper, I thought they were very enjoyable. I liked what I heard before the gig and their set reinforced this. Cat Power, I have to be honest I wasn’t overly looking forward to their set before going as I’d listened and wasn’t overly keen. I enjoyed their set, so maybe I will go back to them and give them another go as a result. Pixies playing this sold me a ticket essentially. I mean, Pearl Jam obviously did but I’m not sure I would have gone if not for them. I was meant to see them in Chicago and they were one of the bands I was looking forward to the most. I am pleased to report they were ace.
Pearl Jam - Pearl Jam are incredible live, and this night was no exception to this rule. I loved the setlist and really, I would have only wanted to add songs (Yellow Ledbetter and Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town mostly), and this made me want to head again the next night in the hope they would play them (they did, dang it!) They closed out on Keep On Rockin In The Free World, a Neil Young cover…and they were joined on stage by John McEnroe to play it! If you would have told me at the beginning of 2022 I’d be typing John McEnroe’s name not once but twice in this blog…I would not have believed you!
2. Hella Mega Tour (Green Day, Fall Out Boy, Weezer) - London Stadium, London, Friday 24th June
The only downsides to this gig is that it clashed with Pet Shop Boys at Electric Ballroom which I was on the guest list for, and Dave (who I bought the tickets with in 2019) missed out because he had covid. Boo-urns!
Arrived during Amyl and the Sniffers and they were alright, I guess! I can’t help but feel the US leg (which had The Interrupters open) got the better of the two opening bands here. Alas!
I’ve heard that Weezer can be hit and miss live. This was my third time seeing them and I’ve had a 100% hit rate, which is nice. Island In The Sun was slightly spoiled by technical problems but only slightly as the improvisation for the song worked as well! In terms of the three main acts, Weezer got the gig off to a belter of a start. Fall Out Boy were excellent. Only seen them once before and this one, without a shadow of a doubt, was my favourite. They played a pretty much perfect set list for my tastes, and were bloody ace while doing it. Green Day - What can one say about Green Day live? They are one of the best live bands doing it, and this night was no different. I finally got to hear Good Riddance (Time of Your Life) live, which was a big plus for me.
1. Creeper - Engine Rooms, Southampton, Tuesday 15th March
This gig is number one because it has been the benchmark all year when I’ve been thinking of this list. About the gig itself, I had the afternoon off work so I had no rush to arrive, and then had my train cancelled which meant I was still late! I caught the last two songs of James and the Cold Gun, which was fun. Vukovi were the main support and they were also good. Their last song was their most well known one (shocker) which was great, but the rest was also really good. Creeper were incredible. I’d heard this was the case but it was my first time seeing them live and can confirm. For someone like me, who was late to the Creeper party, the setlist was damn near perfect. The song choice was spot on and the band appeared to be on top form. Iit felt like a massive event, even though it was in the Engine Rooms (which is not a massive venue). I bloody loved it, and I definitely want to see them again. I was gutted to miss their Roundhouse show on my birthday in November (it was the same day I flew to Manchester).
And that, as they say, is that. 2022 in live music is in the books. Confirmed for 2023 so far (all being well) is another Frank Turner headline show, KT Tunstall, Pixies, Takedown Festival, Pigs x7, Pulp, Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band and Blur. Giving thoughts to booking tickets to see The Ocean, Left To Die (cheeky bit of Death, why not eh?), Rancid and Electric Callboy. I am sure there will be others as well. 2023 already looking pretty decent, it has to be said.
