2024 - it was a year! It has actually been a relatively eventful one for a variety of reasons that I won’t bore you with here (and probably because if I write them all down in full detail, I’ll probably end up self-referring myself to the local mental health services again) but it has also been a year with plenty of cool gigs. I ended up going to 42 gigs in 2024. Most of them are ones I go to on my own, because sadly I am lacking in gig friends. I am actually lacking in friends generally to be honest, but the sad state of my own affairs isn’t why we are here.
Live music, it turns out, is still the best. Although, admittedly it is only the best when people behave themselves at gigs. Looking over my notes, I’ve been to a number this year where I’ve noted that people didn’t. Live music is the best, people are the worst. Also looking over my notes, I’ve seen I’ve moaned about bar prices a lot. As I write the end of this paragraph, I was at the O2 last night for Slipknot and pints started at £8.95. Most seem happy to pay it, I just couldn’t bring myself to do it.
If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it. I will do what I’ve done for the last few years and start with my favourite festival sets and then go on to write about my favourite gigs. The festival list effectively got wrapped up at the beginning of October following the Night Currents festival (a small local festival to me). As it happens, all 3 festivals I went to this year were Portsmouth based. Looking to correct this next year with a visit to Slam Dunk and Damnation. In terms of orders, honourable mentions for festivals are done by first the festival (chronologically) and then alphabetically. Gig honourable mentions are just listed chronologically.
FESTIVALS
Honourable Mentions
Body Crisis (Icebreaker Festival) - Body Crisis were crushingly good, which is all the more impressive when you consider there are only 2 of them! Great headlining set by them.
Seething Akira (Icebreaker Festival) - SA closed out the event and they were really bloody good. It was nice to see them largely unencumbered by sound problems after their set at Takedown last year was hampered by problems. Their set was a great final act of the festival for me.
Razorlight (Victorious Festival) - Had a good spot for Razorlight, which was cool. They have a lot more songs that I know than I thought! Their set got the festival off to a very good start for me.
The Pigeon Detectives (Victorious Festival) - I didn’t know much of their stuff but it didn’t matter. I thought they were really good. They do play the Wedgewood Rooms here every now and then, and I may well take myself along next time on the basis of this set. Job done I guess!
Arxx (Night Currents Festival) - Arxx are a band I’ve tried and failed to get into before, so I wondered if I would enjoy their set. As it happens, they were one of my favourite bands of the day. Ace.
Coach Party (Night Currents Festival) - Coach Party were the second band on the line up who I had seen before. Last time I saw them I really enjoyed the gig, partly for the band and partly for the company. This time, the company wasn’t there. The band were still good though.
TOP 10
10 - aAnd? - Icebreaker Festival
Old Words - aAnd? were a band I went into blind and mainly wanted to see them as they are playing Takedown festival later in the year, and I thought by seeing them here, they may help me solve a clash at Takedown as I would have seen them recently. As it happens, they blew me away here, and now if I can, I will see them at Takedown as well.
New Words - Takedown got cancelled, which was a damn shame. Glad I made the choice to see aAnd? here, though.
9 - Loose Articles - Night Currents Festival
Old Words - Loose Articles were my favourite band that played the Edge stage, and one of my favourites of the day.
New Words - This event, as I write this part of the post, happened a month ago. I don’t have any new words. Sorry!
8 - Congratulations - Night Currents Festival
Old Words - Congratulations were one of two bands on the line up that I had seen before, so I knew they would be good. I was right, they were!
New Words - See above, it was a month ago!
7 - IDLES - Victorious Festival
Old Words - Idles are a really good band and the band who basically sold me a Friday ticket. I am pleased to report I really enjoyed their set. Their London headline show earlier in the year for me was noticeably better, but I think that is to be expected. This was still a very good set.
New Words - They didn’t play I’m Scum. Would it have been higher if they did? Hard to say but probably. I am a basic man, I like bands to play my favourite songs of theirs live.
6 - Snow Patrol - Victorious Festival
Old Words - I really enjoyed Snow Patrol’s set. I only know 2 or 3 songs, but the rest of it was really good as well. Potentially could have enjoyed more but people around me were chatting throughout.
New Words - Not a whole lot to add. When I was at the O2 for Texas the following month (might be mentioned later…), I saw an advert for Snow Patrol playing the dome in 2025. I haven’t got a ticket and doubt I’ll go (I suspect it is not cheap) - but I am sure it would be a good time.
5 - Currls - Icebreaker Festival
Old Words - Currls were one of the reasons I bought a ticket, and they were one of my favourite bands of the day. It is nice when something like that happens! Also, Currls were LOUD (my earplugs did all they could!) They were moved to earlier in the day on the morning of the festival which caused a slight rejig of what I was going to see, but it didn’t impact anything too badly.
New Words - Nothing new to say about this set. I’m seeing Currls again in a few weeks (from when I type this). There might be more about them, but right now I genuinely don’t know. (Editors Note - there isn't. The gig was good, but Currls were on first and my enjoyment got progressively lower as the night went on).
4 - Fatboy Slim - Victorious Festival
Old Words - Southsea Common became a nightclub because of Fatboy Slim and it was so good. I didn't have it in me to stay for the whole shebang, but I stayed for most and it was a lot of fun!
New Words - Genuinely what would have made this better would have been watching it with pals. I enjoyed it, but I reckon this being a shared experience would have made it even better. I’d go see him again but only with pals.
3 - Lottery Winners - Victorious Festival
New Words - Nothing much to add. They were one of my favourite bands of the festival, and one of my favourite festival sets of the weekend. There was basically a cigarette paper between them and Biffy Clyro (spoilers) for 2nd and 3rd. I was also pleased to enjoy their set, for reasons that may reveal themselves later on.
2 - Biffy Clyro - Victorious Festival
Old Words - Biffy Clyro are excellent live. One of the many things I’d like to do if I could go back in time is give my 2011 self’s head a wobble (for many reasons, but for not overly caring about Biffy at the time being one). Their set list for this show wasn’t as much to my tastes as the two headline tour shows I’ve been to, which is fine. I still had a lovely time watching them down the front. Admittedly, there was a point where I wondered if three people I was standing near would talk throughout the entire show (why do people do this?!), but thankfully they moved on (and I did smile when I saw one of them getting told off for trying to start a mosh pit with people who were not receptive).
New Words - I wasn’t going to mention this, but after the festival I saw an old friend on social media, who didn’t go, moaning about the setlist (nothing from their first three albums). Biffy Clyro played 3 nights in London, at which they played the first three albums as well as B sides from the albums and other songs…and unless it wasn’t publicly mentioned, they didn’t attend. Weird. Looking at some of the set lists, I wish I had!
1 - Soft Play - Victorious Festival
New Words - Soft Play, what mate? Still hoping for a second leg to be announced. It could be that they are going to be on festival stages again in the summer…I guess we shall wait and see. A headline show in Portsmouth or Southampton though…please and thank you.
GIGS
Honourable Mentions
Bat Sabbath - The Joiners, Southampton. January - I arrived as Acid Throne were on stage, and they were alright. Bat Sabbath was a bit of fun. The sound was a bit off to start (I heard almost no vocals for Children of the Grave and I was at the front). It got better as the show went on though. Show ended with Cancer Bats playing Pneumonia Hawk, which was lovely. I would like a Cancer Bats headline tour now please and thank you.
Lottery Winners - CHALK, Brighton. March - First gig with my then new partner (EDIT: and last). Our tastes in music didn’t overlap that much, so it was nice to find a gig where it did. We missed the opening act but got in for Crystal Tides, who are a local band (to me), who I had never seen before. They were very enjoyable, so I will definitely try to see them again (Update - they are playing a sold out show in Portsmouth next year, which I’ll be at). Lottery Winners, when I saw them previously, were excellent live. The same was true of this gig. It was great to see them play longer and they were a lot of fun. Honestly, the main reason why this is an honourable mention and not a top 10 gig is because I had a pang of sadness when thinking back to this gig, as it was part of a great day in Brighton with that now ex-partner. I enjoyed the day and the gig, but it has fallen down the list of things I enjoyed due to events entirely out of control of the gig.
Sylosis - Engine Rooms, Southampton. April - A pet peeve of mine is if a venue posts stage times and then the bands don’t stick to them. This might seem like a trivial matter, and it is, but I left work early to make sure I could get in for the first band, and I didn’t need to. Whilst I was slightly annoyed when I got there, that didn’t last too long. Harbinger opened up the show and I really enjoyed their set. I will have to keep an eye out for them in the future. Burner are a crushing band, and this was reflected in their set. Sylosis absolutely smashed it! Lovely.
Frank Turner - Staggeringly Good, Portsmouth AND The Brook, Southampton. May - I am including two in one entry for honourable mentions, If this annoys you, know it doesn’t annoy me. This was part of a successful attempt to break the world record for number of recognised gigs in 24 hours. Portsmouth was gig 13 and Southampton was gig 15 of 15. The gigs were short, but fun!
Palm Reader - The Joiners, Southampton. July - At this point, this was my 9th Joiners/JoinersLive promoted gig of 2024. As I walked into the venue, the guy who checked the ticket list looked at me after I said my name and said “sorry bud, one day I’ll remember it”. The fact he recognised me/my name suggests I may be going there too often, oh well! I, The Mapmaker opened this show, as they were meant to do in 2022 when Palm Reader headlined the Joiners. They were cool, and I enjoyed them more on this night than when they supported Holding Absence at the Wedgewood Rooms. Love Is Noise were decent, and better than decent in places. At a recent Joiners show (GEL, but for one of the support bands), someone engaged in overenthusiastic hardcore dancing and this happened again at the prompting of LIN. I am not a fan anyway, but this person really went for it and seemed to annoy a number of people, to the point after one song both a member of the crowd and security came and had a word (the crowd member was less of a word and more of a shout by the looks of it!). Palm Reader are an excellent band, and this was arguably the best time I’ve seen them live. This was such a good show by them, and I am sad it will be the last one. That said, what a way to go out. The rest of the tour will no doubt be amazing.
Green Lung - Papillon, Southampton. August - Papillon is an impressive venue. Second visit to it, and the first visit for something a bit heavier. Iress opened this show, and they were good. I had listened to their new album the day before and enjoyed it, so it was cool to see some of it live. Green Lung are an excellent live band. It was because of this I wasn’t overly concerned about seeing them at a headline show for the second time within 9 months. The set list was largely the same as the previous show but in a slightly different order, which is fair enough.
Pet Needs - The Joiners, Southampton. September - This gig was effectively a “make good” show. Earlier in the year, Pet Needs played the Joiners, but Johnny was ill in bed and couldn’t make it, so his brother George (the band’s guitarist) took over lead vocals. It was ace, and certainly a unique one in the story of Pet Needs. Shed opened the show. I enjoyed their set. Hopefully I will hear more from them in the future. Pet Needs were really good. They are a very good live band, so this wasn’t too much of a surprise, but still. It was a “make good” show, for which they definitely made good.
Bob Vylan - Guildhall, Portsmouth. October - This gig had potential to be a date, and then it wasn’t. I wasn’t sure if I was going to bump into that person at this gig, which meant I was feeling slightly awkward throughout the night. That did take away some of my enjoyment of the show (I don’t blame her for this, she isn’t to blame because I felt awkward). Anyway, CLT DRP opened and I enjoyed their set. Hyphen was the main support and they were superb! A London show in December was mentioned on stage, which sadly I can’t make. I absolutely would if I could though. Hate Yachts, Not Dingys. Bob Vylan, as usual, was bloody great. Really good fun. The new stuff was great live, and the older stuff still sounds ace.
Skindred - Guildhall, Portsmouth. October - This turned out to be a more boozy affair than I originally planned! My head was sore afterwards. This was a halloween gig as well, which meant more than a few costumes were involved. RedHook were good fun. Dream State were decent enough. As December Falls were cool. One of my pals really likes them, and he seemed to have an ace time so that’s cool. Skindred were Skindred. You already know they were superb live. The schtick doesn’t change, if it ain’t broke etc.
Slipknot - The O2, London. December - As of the morning of this gig (yesterday morning, as I write this words), I wasn’t going to this gig. However, seeing the cheap resale tickets had basically sold me on going. I picked up one in the gods and took myself off to that London. Bleed From Within were excellent. They always have been whenever I’ve seen them, but seeing them on a big stage was very cool. I am quite tempted to go and take myself off to see their London show next October. Slipknot were great. It was cool to see them play material exclusively from their first album. I skipped off during Scissors, which was the final song as I am not a massive fan of the song, but I stayed for a bit of it and beat the crowd. I gave into FOMO, and I am glad I did.
Which only leaves…
The Top 10 - My Favourite Gigs of 2024
10. Baroness - The 1865, Southampton
Baroness were outrageously good. They played a full headliner-length set, which may seem unremarkable however they played an hour long set the night before at Arctangent festival and I would have expected something similar here, but we got a full set closer to 90 minutes. Very good band who are also very good live. What more is there to want? KEN Mode were on about 20 minutes after doors opened, which was a nice surprise. They were also really good. I was basically on the barrier for this one, which was also ace.
9. KT Tunstall - Lafayette, London
A midweek jaunt to London? It has been a minute since that has happened! When this gig happened, I was very happy to be in London but not paying London bar prices. My cheapest pint was £7.50. KT Tunstall was excellent as ever. The setlist was effectively fan requests and classics, what more is there to want?! This show was put on almost as a celebration of KT being awarded another Ivor Novello award, this time for Outstanding Song Collection, and I am glad that it was. Murdo Mitchell opened up the show and was on stage when I arrived. He was very good, and had a fun stage presence as well.
8. Apocalyptica - Royal Albert Hall, London
I don’t go to the Royal Albert Hall very often, so when I do I am always impressed by it. That said, I wasn’t impressed with the bar prices. I was sober as a judge! The Raven Age opened the show. They were okay, but truthfully they didn’t do a whole lot for me. Bang average! Apocalyptica were very good. They were touring in support of their '...plays Metallica Vol 2' album. The Vol 1 album is what introduced me to the band (like with a lot of people I imagine). The reason I went because the combination of that band + those songs + that venue sounded appealing, and it really was worth it! I had an idea in my head how this gig would be, and it was exactly as good, if not better.
7. Laura Jane Grace & The Trauma Tropes - Engine Rooms, Southampton.
Buds. opened this show and they were very good. Last time I saw them, it wasn’t with their bassist, so it was good to see the full band this time. Also, I learned after the gig that the bassist is also in Wonderlux, who I saw earlier in the year supporting HotWax. Fun. Pet Needs were the main support, and I have grown to really like Pet Needs. This was the third time I’ve seen them this year and they do appear to always be great live. Laura Jane Grace & the Trauma Tropes were superb. The first half of the set ws all solo material (including a whole bunch which will be released on an album next year). The second half was largely made up of Against Me! material. I really enjoyed the first half (and am already looking forward to that new album) and loved the second half.
6. Texas - The O2, London
£9.50 for a pint of Camden Hells is daylight robbery. I know it, you know it. Stop it O2 venues, that is silly. KT Tunstall was the only support act, and honestly the main reason why I decided to get a ticket. I like Texas, but I am a bigger fan of KT. Anyway, her set was a lot of fun. Texas were excellent. They are a great live band, played a great set list, and had a great show to compliment it all. Basically, it was ace.
5. Idles - Electric Brixton, London.
This was an album launch show in conjunction with Rough Trade Records, so it was just Idles on the bill. There was a genuine concern, briefly, that I may not make the show. I managed to get on an earlier train after work, but due to some trespass on the line in the London area. Thankfully it wasn't too bad. Idles were superb. A really great setlist, heavy on TANGK (which given it was an album launch show for that album, this makes sense). They played I’m Scum, and that will always make me smile.
4. Frank Turner & The Sleeping Souls - The 1865, Southampton
Ben Brown opened this show and I enjoyed his set. He has a fun stage presence and his music is good- there isn’t much more you could ask for there, really! The main support was The Meffs, and I also enjoyed their set as well. They are a 2-piece punk band, and hearing them cover The Prodigy was unexpected but it worked really well. Frank Turner and his band were, as per, on top form. The room got very sweaty very quickly after he started, and you could definitely tell the show was sold out - but these are no bad things. Alongside the band being great, the setlist was also excellent. There was a moment towards the end of the set with one of the new songs being played (Somewhere Inbetween) where Frank looked really emotional when playing it. In short, I had a lovely time yet again seeing Frank Turner live.
3. Metallica - Civitas Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid (Sunday)
The first band on was Ice Nine Kills, a band who recently played my home town and I didn’t go. I didn’t go, despite recommendations from pals, as I had never listened to them and it wasn’t cheap. I figured I would just see them here and that would do me. With the benefit of hindsight, I got that wrong. They were good, and their show was cool (even in that setting) - I reckon it's even better at their own show. The main support were Five Finger Death Punch, a band who are probably going to headline Download at some point. Truthfully, I had thought they were fine but nothing remarkable - proper “meat and potatoes” metal. I was wrong, they are much more than that. They were very good, probably my favourite of the non-Metallica bands over the weekend.
Metallica again came out hot for this show, starting with Whiplash, For Whom The Bell Tolls and Ride the Lightning. Following this was The Memory Remains, a song that is always fun in a stadium. The first two of the new songs followed, Lux Æterna and Too Far Gone?, which were cool. After the doodle (whatever), the next highlight for me was The Call of Ktulu, which was very cool. Not long after this was Inamorata - this song is from their latest album and is over 11 minutes long. Hearing it live though didn’t get boring. The show closed with Fight Fire With Fire (which, while incredible - no pyro during this song felt wrong), Moth into Flame, One and Enter Sandman. It was another excellent set and capped off an excellent weekend for me in the Spanish capital. The Sunday gig was on at the same time as Spain played England in the Euro 2024 final, and people were live streaming the game in the stadium. When I next go to Wembley Stadium, if I am able to send a message via Whatsapp, I’ll consider that a win. The infrastructure in place around big gigs in the UK when it comes to this is poor by comparison.
2. Korn - Gunnersbury Park, London.
Second visit to Gunnersbury Park for live music. It really is a good spot for an open air gig, though I think it would probably need a hotel stop I think. The travel could be a bit tight. I got a bit nervous about travelling this year so I grabbed a hotel near the park late (Doubletree by Hilton, spoiled me!). The gig! First note, Denzel Curry pulling out on the day was a bugger as I was looking forward to seeing him live. A real shame. Loathe were on form, which I was pleased to see. They need to release their new album sooner rather than later though. Wargasm were up next and…they aren’t for me. People did seem to enjoy them and that is fine of course. I wasn’t impressed though. The main support ended up being Spiritbox, who had a really good set (well, it seemed good, but I went in not knowing them and left impressed). Korn were on top top form. I really enjoyed their set, to the point it made me rue not having seen a full set of theirs earlier. One of the best gigs of the year without doubt, and I can easily see why they are now headlining festivals next year. They will smash it headlining Download.
1. Metallica - Civitas Metropolitano Stadium, Madrid (Friday)
The stage was an “in the round” stage, meaning there was no perfect place to be stood (unless you were in the “Snake Pit”, which unfortunately I wasn’t). Mammoth WVH were the first band on and they were good. I enjoyed their album last year, so I was pleased to be able to see them live. Architects were the main support, and I was conflicted about this. They got themselves into some trouble when one of the band members retweeted something transphobic, which prompted people to look into their likes (and the people the other band members were following). This caused trouble as they had cultivated an inclusive fan base, so to discover they weren’t what they preached was problematic for some of their online fan base (how it impacted the fans at large, hard to say). My guess is either not at all, or this story didn’t make it to Spain as they got a really good reception during this show, aside from once which was an intentional bit of crowd baiting. Sam, the lead singer, wore a Spain football shirt for most of the set. For the last song, he took it off to reveal an England one (relevant for the football final on Sunday). As they left the stage, the song that played them off was Three Lions, which I found funny. Anyhow, their set was good, mostly made up of the album that took them to No1 in the UK charts. There were also two new songs in there, which fit in quite well.
Metallica were on stage about ~40 minutes later. Well, their intro package started about then and I would be lying if I said I wasn’t emotional about this. I hadn’t seen Metallica since before the pandemic (excluding the live online show), and actually the last time I saw them was good but certainly not one of the better times I’ve seen them (highlighted by the fact they played Frantic, a song I have wanted to hear live for quite a while before the show…and it wasn’t obvious they were playing it until they got to the bridge - sound was not their friend). On top of that, I had booked these tickets in December 2022, so it had been a long wait for this show. The show opened with Creeping Death, Harvester of Sorrow and Cyanide, which was a nice way to get the show started. Then it happened - they played King Nothing - and I got emotional again. Before setting off to Spain, I had one song on my wishlist for one of the shows and it was King Nothing, so I was delighted to hear it live. After a couple of new songs (the title track of 72 Seasons and If Darkness Had A Son), and the Rob/Kirk doodle (which…whatever), they played The Day That Never Comes, which came as a surprise to me (though probably shouldn’t have done if I looked at some of the other setlists). The next highlight, and something that prompted me to send the song title in all caps to a friend back home was Orion. It wasn’t the first time I’ve seen it live, but whenever it is played, it feels like a treat. The set after this ended on Nothing Else Matters, Sad But True, Battery, Fuel, Seek and Destroy and finally, Master of Puppets. I'm not sure I really need to say this, but I had a lovely time, and Metallica’s set was bloody ace!
And at close to 5000 words later, is 2024 - a year in live music. See you again next year? I suspect I’ll be here. What does 2025 currently have in store for me I hear you screaming (in my head, you're just a voice inside my head)?
Booked
Jason Manford - O2 Guildhall, Southampton
Better Lovers - Electric Brixton, London
Bullet For My Valentine / Trivium - The O2, London
Ithaca - O2 Islngton Academy, London (Their last show 😭)
Frank Turner and the Sleeping Souls - Alexandra Palace, London (Show 3000, and my first visit to Ally Pally)
Zeal & Ardor - Engine Rooms, Southampton
Crystal Tides - Guildhall (The Box), Portsmouth
2 Promoters, 1 Pod - Bush Hall, London (live podcast, and also my first visit to Bush Hall)
Avantasia - Roundhouse, London
Takedown Festival Friday - Guildhall, Portsmouth
Red Roses v Scotland - Women's Six Nations. Welford Road, Leicester
Make Them Suffer - Engine Rooms, Southampton
Bury Tomorrow - Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
Slam Dunk Festival - Hatfield House, Hatfield
Outbreak Festival - Victoria Park, London
Red Roses v Australia - Women's Rugby World Cup. AMEX Community Stadium, Brighton
New Zealand v Ireland - Women's Rugby World Cup. AMEX Community Stadium, Brighton
Women's Rugby World Cup Final and Bronze Medal Match - Twickenham Stadium
An Evening With The Fast Show - Guildhall, Portsmouth
Damnation Festival 2025 - BEC Arena, Manchester (20th anniversary).
To Be Confirmed (ie, might be booked, might not)
Dry Socket - Edge of the Wedge, Portsmouth
New Years Day - Engine Rooms, Southampton
CVC - The Old Fire Station, Bournemouth
Hayseed Dixie - Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
Oh My God, It's The Church! - Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth OR Touché Amoré - Engine Rooms, Southampton. Gigs clashing is just rude, frankly.
Congratulations - Edge of the Wedge, Portsmouth
Rivers of Nihil - Engine Rooms, Southampton
Raging Speedhorn - The Joiners, Southampton
Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs Pigs - Wedgewood Rooms, Portsmouth
Incineration Festival - Various Venues, Camden London
Dara O'Briain - Kings Theatre, Portsmouth
Bleed From Within - O2 Forum, London
I am sure more will be added as the months go on as well. My wallet is already crying.
