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23rd October 2011

My Ten Most Memorable Gigs

borntohula's top ten gigs

It’s that time. The time where I carry out the self indulgent top 10 gig list! I expect the list to change over the coming month as I’ve got Ryuichi Sakamoto, Wye Oak, Turin Brakes and Pure Reason Revolution (last ever gig!) lined up. Naturally all the links point to live videos of the bands (albeit they’re mostly not from the described gig itself). I’ve excluded multiple entries from the same band to keep it interesting (ie Queens of the Stone Age). You’ll see this list updated throughout the year (those greyed out were former top 10).

  1. Gabby Young and Other Animals (Koko 2011)
    • An absolute eye opener on what a live performance can be. See my review. Most Memorable Moment? The whole thing, but a special mention must go to the performance of Two By Two which gave me those special tingly things down my back.
  2. Queens of the Stone Age (Roundhouse 2011)
    • My beloved Queens playing Self Titled in full? I found the largest space available at the Roundhouse (behind the speakers on the right) and just went mental. Most Memorable Moment? Losing it to the intro of The Bronze. Or if you ask my sister the bit where Josh Homme waved at her.
  3. Ryuichi Sakamoto Trio (Royal Festival Hall 2011)
    • The first time I’d experienced live music of this genre. Some wonderful moments. See my review. Most Memorable Moment? The crescendo during Merry Christmas Mr Lawrence that made my spine tingle so much I nearly ended up in A&E.
  4. Mastodon (Brixton Academy 2012)
    • Metal isn’t dead! Though in most cases it just sucks now. A gig that showed the best (Mastodon) and the worst (Dillinger) of the genre. Read my review.
  5. Lilly Wood and the Prick (Victoire 2 (France) 2010)
    • A gig that was a total punt whilst visiting Simon & Marie in France. Glorious pop songs in a venue with brilliant acoustics. BANG. ON. I’m not sure if they’ll ever come over to the UK (yet they’re songs are all in English) but if they do please check them out. Most Memorable Moment? Hearing Down the Drain for the first time with a crowd that was thoroughly into it. And when Simon attempted to scythe down half the crowd by accident.
  6. Supergrass (Reading Fez 2006)
    • Not the festival but a small venue that has since been replaced with Sakura. I always found Supergrass to be looked down upon from the BritPop era. Not sure why as they’re songs still stand up unlike a lot of others. Most Memorable Moment? An acoustic version of St. Petersburg.
  7. Charles Bradley (XOYO 2011)
    • Some real soul. It’s what we need more of today. See my review. Most Memorable Moment? All together now: “I believe, I believe in your love”
  8. WarPaint (BarFly 2010)
    • Due to the band’s sound and their temptress line up, it’s easy to get lost in their music. You’ve seen it before but this lot do it really well. Most Memorable Moment? The opening riff of Elephants and a joke about a kid in a swing I can’t remember.
  9. Foo Fighters (MK Bowl 2011)
    • The Foo Fighters machine will keep on rolling. I loved the production on the new album as it brought that raw, non-compressed sound. I wasn’t originally going until my buddy Greg said he was desperate to go. Scarlet Mist to the rescue. Very surprised at the quality of the sound at the MK Bowl. Most Memorable Moment? Pretender/My Hero/Everlong/This is A Call. Me and Greg owning an acre of land due to our random dancing throughout the entire thing.
  10. Muse (NEC 2006)
    • Ah Muse, a band I don’t really connect with anymore but they always put on a good show. Probably my last intense ‘mosh’ before moving on to just acting silly. Most Memorable Moment? New Born and ripping the skin off someones hand when attempting to grab a sparkly balloon.
  11. Mini Mansions (BarFly 2011)
    • A solid album that doesn’t amaze but works well as a whole. The song Monk is their biggest and best track as it hits you in the face straight away. There’s a brilliant cover by the band Revolver. Most Memorable Moment? Monk and a brilliant support act performance by Houdini
  12. Them Crooked Vultures (Hammersmith Apollo 2009)
    • The album takes a while to absorb so give it a chance if you skipped over. Live they’re as good as you’d expect with a line up of John Paul Jones, Josh Homme, Dave Grohl and Alain Johannes. Amazing if none of those names meant anything to you. If they didn’t you should check them out at least for the sake of rock and roll. Most Memorable Moment? John Paul Jones bringing out a technicoloured bass and Josh Homme doing another of his queer dance routines during Interludes with Ludes
  13. Primus (Brixton Academy 2011)
    • A band I needed to see live. Lots of jamming which I didn’t quite get on with, but they’re brilliant musicians and have a unique sound. Most Memorable Moment? Too Many Pupupupupupuppies!

 


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