MegaSack DRAW - This year's winner is user - rgwb
We will be in touch
Got tickets today for Richard Ashcroft at Cardiff Castle next July.
It’s going to be a lads ‘n’ dads day out with a mate and our sons.
Halestorm at the NEC whateveritscallednow in Brum last Sunday night. Taken me a few days to recover.
Fantastic. Never anything less than 110% from Lzzy Hale. What an amazing voice.
They had a band called Bloodywood as a support - so much energy. The mosh pit for a support band was intense (I diligently took a few steps back, as my glass back can't handle that sort of thing these days). I've never seem anything remotely like them - Indian Nu-metal band. Insane. 
Volume crept up to 112db!
tbh, I was pretty flabbergasted.
i haven’t experienced that kind of sonic assault since seeing nomeansno at kingtuts back in 2001?
I was less than impressed with the pair of Magicshine Monteer 40,000’s shining into the audience. I had to make a detour to actually see the band.
but I’d happily see them again.
Had a few gigs over the past couple of months.
Last Dinner Party - album launch, good music but didn't like the venue - the Level in Notts is a bit squashed and weird low ceilings around the edge
Omega Nebula - awsome energetic funk / dub - the older crowd were bouncing
JayaHadaDream - up and coming grime - a bit like Little Simz
English Teacher - fantastic as usual, great to see them in the bigger Rock City
The Wailers - played lots of old hits. They still got a couple of the original members and they looked to be having the best time.
Off to see Pet Needs tomorrow for some bouncy punk in Bristol
First night of Dirty Three’s first UK tour in a long time at Glasgow last night.
Completely brilliant.
Regretted not asking Warren Ellis if he knew the history of the venue - the Classic Grand, formerly a mucky films cinema - I think he would enjoy that detail.
Cryptopsy are playing at Glasgows ‘Slay’ (Glassford St), Tue Jan 20, 2026.
Sheer sonic brutality may ensue 😂😂😂
Wolfsbane supporting The Almighty last night at Rock City.
Blaze Bailey is always good value, and I think there were more Wolfsbane T shirts in the crowd than everything else combined.
Had to retreat to the back after about 20 mins of Almighty - just too loud so close to the front to the point where the guitar is pretty much lost. Much clearer when at the back. Good gig, good atmosphere... but got to say, given the choice I'd take last week's Halestorm show every single time offered. Sorry Ricky !!!
Jesca Hoop at Twyford Church, Winchester. Lovely venue and sat on the balcony for a better view. Not really familiar with her, other than her historic association with Shearwater, one of my favourites. Very distinctive guitar playing and songwriting , clear and impressive voice in both tone and range. Stage presence at times a little diffident but not lacking warmth. Nice evening.
First night of Dirty Three’s first UK tour in a long time at Glasgow last night.
Completely brilliant.
Regretted not asking Warren Ellis if he knew the history of the venue - the Classic Grand, formerly a mucky films cinema - I think he would enjoy that detail.
I was there too - been tempted to replicate his suggested Back in Black work out ever since. What a guy: clearly having an absolute ball.
How have i never heard of the Dirty Three before?? love me a bit of Warren Ellis.
The Almighty at the Barrowlands last night, with Wolfsbane like robertajobb mentioned. Wasn't going to go to this (went to the last 2 years) but we got cheap tickets at the last minute.
Weirdly I've never seen or even listened to Wolfsbane in like 35 years of being a metal/rock fan, I only knew Blaze from when he was in Maiden but what a voice, and such a talented set of players. Honestly thought they should tone it down a notch, there was basically no time when they weren't all absolutely shredding and it got a bit much, like "I cannot hear this epic bass playing because of the epic guitar and epic drumming" But I like this sort of unapologetic "this is what we do" thing.
Which of course is also why I love the Almighty, I mean Ricky Warwick is pretty much a walking cliche and it'd look absurd on most people but it's so from the heart. They were literally the first band I ever saw under my own steam in 94 and still pretty great. And still got that weird metal/punk/cock rock disconnect, "This is a song entirely about my penis" "This is a song about fighting the man" "This is a song about religion being evil" "Yeah this one's about my penis again" No new songs, no new schtick, about 45 minutes of Ricky shouting WILD! and us all going AND WONDERFUL!. Class. No Crucify though, and no Just Add Life Stuff 🙁
Also always nice seeing parent and child teams, case the kids at their shows they'll have kids of their own and these singalong songs will be our scriptures
Saw Kula Shaker (Again…) at The Sugarmill in Stoke on Sunday. A shorter set of some rarely played songs. The Charlatans this Sunday and BRMC on 13 December.
Bizarrely @Northwind, I have been mountain biking with Blaze. He was a strictly wheels on the ground type of rider.
Went to Lacuna Coil a weekend or so back, 3rd? time seeing them, great bit of gothic metal, supported by an American band, Nonpoint, entertaining!!!
Gone a bit mental on tickets, everything is on sale!!!
Fatboy slim, on Brighton beach July next year
All points East to see Twentyone Pilots, Ren, Nova Twins, Wunderhorse.. August next year
And just grabbed Evanescence supported by Poppy at the O2 in September 😀
Saw Bad Omens with The Ghost Inside and Bilmuri supporting. Not fully my jam, but a good evening had with friends.
A few of us got presale tickets for Jimmy Eat World at Piece Hall next summer. Very much looking forward to that gig!
Just got tickets to see Pigs x 7 next May.
Saw halestrorm 24th November. They were excellent. She has a great voice.
Going to see Sabaton this Friday at co-op arena. Looking forward to it as I've always missed them when they used to be on at the academy.
Then seeing Black Rebel Motorcycle on 12th December.
Lots more gigs to book as well.
Porridge Radio at Koko in Camden last night.
their last performance in London, managed to pick up a resale ticket otherwise I would never have got to see them. A beautiful performance and a beautiful venue that was ideal for them.
Ritzy and Rhydian, The Joy Formidable, doing an intimate semi-acoustic gig in Bristol earlier this evening. Bloody good it was, nice to not have crowd barriers, and to be able to talk to the band, which was part of the point of the tour. New material and a full tour next year.
Xiu Xiu coming to Brighton again in January. Love those crazy bastards, so got tickets for that. Don't like seated gigs, but I do like the Attenborough Centre where they're playing. 🙂 Man/Woman/Chainsaw is the day before. Gonna be a good week 🙂
Blimey, just seen a description of what I just bought tickets for...
"ERASERHEAD XIU XIU is a new live concert with accompanying film that uses field recordings, concert specific homemade instruments, organ, modular synths, vocals, flashlights, electrical interference and elements of musique concrete to express the bizarre emotionality, conflicted sexuality, relentless darkness and singularly unsettled moonscape of this most incredible of midnight masterpieces.
The original sound design and score by Alan Spelt and Lynch serve as guide wires to Xiu Xiu's sonic expansion of how they have been affected by them as fans and musicians. The original film gives birth to Xiu Xiu's visual lens through which to be baffled and pummeled by the band's imaginary unused auxiliary footage."
Interesting! 🤔
And still got that weird metal/punk/cock rock disconnect, "This is a song entirely about my penis" "This is a song about fighting the man" "This is a song about religion being evil" "Yeah this one's about my penis again" No new songs, no new schtick, about 45 minutes of Ricky shouting WILD! and us all going AND WONDERFUL!. Class.
this made me laugh, but you're spot on.
they all looked like they were really enjoying the gig, and I actually think of the three years at the barrowlands, this year was a better performance and crowd.
see you next year....apparently. we'll see what comes.
Had some great seats in the Barbican to see Gogo Penguin last night, hadn't heard any of their output at all beforehand and still can't decide if they are my thing but my god they were impressive, oddly enough I think I might prefer a recording rather than live performance.
Top tip - avoid their support act at all costs, wife put her earplugs in & I made a valiant attempt at going to sleep.
Wolf Alice at the O2 with my daughter last night, didn't have the highest expectations as a bigger venue etc and first gig I have paid to attend in about 15 years, but to be honest was blown away.
The sound was great where we were and my god can Ellie sing! I am regretting not taking my plugs today.
Off to see Million Dead (and deus furioiouxiouxues and the Meffs) in about 1 hour at QMU. Quite excited! Slightly worried it might all be curious frank turner fans rather than rabid old hardcore psychos but then I'm probably a bit too old and brittle for that sort of shenanigans these days. I mean I'm having a mild sulk about how crap parking is round there, that's not very hardcore.
Last minute decision to see Divorce at Papillon in Southampton tonight. I was oblivious to their existence but a mate said they were all over 6 Music. Obviously not paying attention then
Asked the wife, but she said she wasn’t interested… am I missing a subtext here?
vd, Divorce, she’s a lucky lady! 🤣
Saw Divorce ("we want Divorce!" Lousy name for a band) with friends and a v into it audience maybe a year ago. They're clearly talented musicians and ambitious as a band. Not my thing fwiw, but what surprised me about the gig (and perhaps shouldn't have as it's far from unusual for bands to beef up their sound a bit - those earpieces aren't just monitors) is how much it was being run off the keyboard player's laptop, to the extent when the pixie bass player (think Mia Farrow in Rosemary's Baby) put her bass down to sing, her bass carried on playing...
Syd Minskey recommended, if you can catch him on this little tour.
Great gig. Really liked Divorce - crap name agreed. Support were very good. Curiosity Shop. Think Fleet Foxes, Aztec Camera, Grizzly Bear. Acoustic guitars x2, stand up bass and harmonium/keys. Excellent musically.
French motorik-psychedelic uber-hipsters the Limiñanas in Glasgow tonight - absolutely brilliant, I love this hot streak of ace gigs I’m in at the moment!
Took Tyred jr the younger who was excited (well a 17 year old’s approximation of excited) at the sight of their 12-string Jag and got the roadie to take photos of the pedal boards for him at the end.
Tour announced today for Howling Bells, an Australian band who relocated to the U.K. Their singer, Juanita Stein has been working as a solo artist, but the band are back together and playing Bristol next March, so keeping my eyes on ticket sales.
Terrific band, Juanita has an excellent voice, and they write great songs.
Dara O Briain at Brighton Dome tonight
Porridge Radio tonight at St Luke’s. Last performance together apparently.
EDC Thailand in Jan. So many acts though, can only commit to one day..... But which day??? Goldie and Hedex, Nina Kraviz on Friday? Sara Landry and Sub Focus on Sat.... Or Deadmau5 and Brennan Heart and Angerfist on Sunday? Argh..... I'm thinking Sat!!! Bit of a thing for Sara Landry or "the dj with boobs" as my wife calls her. I hadn't noticed.
Oh and the Streets in March playing outdoors and the whole of "A Grand Don't Come for Free" tour!!!
The always wonderful Thea Gilmore, at Strange Brew, Bristol.
Beans on Toast in Reading last night was a great evening
Caribou Saturday night in Cardiff, first time I'd seen him live, was really good
Double-header weekend - Friday was James Yorkston doing a solo show in Glasgow on of random selections from his near 25-year back catalogue, was really nice.
Saturday was Californian shoegaze from Mo Dotti at the Old Hairdressers, pretty decent. They sure love a wah-wah pedal!
The always wonderful Thea Gilmore, at Strange Brew, Bristol.
Our record label put out her second album 🙂
Stereolab at swg3 last night. They sounded great, but were a bit dull, which together with a subdued crowd added up to a pretty average spectacle.
The always wonderful Thea Gilmore, at Strange Brew, Bristol
@CountZero - She's absolutely bloody fantastic live. We've seen her loads of times, but the Christmas gigs are always something a bit special. We missed the Manchester gig this time, unfortunately
Mogwai, in the Glasshouse, Gateshead, Feb.
Hoping for brilliant sound as it's a fantastic venue.
Wolf Alice at the Hydro in Glasgow was a fantastic gig. Great stage show, amazing selection of songs and super loud.
Amy MacDonald later this week, also at the Hydro. It should be another cracking gig.
Matt Berninger at Concorde2 Brighton. Good but a little one paced, just keyboard and acoustic guitar. Threw in a few National songs, including Slow Show. Nice venue and if you arrive at the right time, the parking is free. Otherwise you can get stiffed for£30+ as I found out a few gigs back
2026 gigs coming thick and fast. Just got Resident Instore tix for PVA in Brighton. Lovely
Got tickets for Howling Bells, and an email arrived saying that Beat had announced a gig at Eventim Apollo, on opening the link, it appeared that tickets were already available so one was very quickly acquired.
I was expecting them to be playing somewhere like the O2, but the Apollo will do nicely, if it’s good enough for Kate Bush…
Anyone unfamiliar with Beat, it’s Adrian Belew, Tony Levin, from the most recent incarnation of King Crimson, Steve Vai, and Danny Cary from TOOL, playing songs from King Crimson’s 80’s albums Discipline, Beat and Three Of A Perfect Pair.
Looking forward to June! 😁
I saw the Skids on Saturday. (Lemon Tree, Aberdeen) Support was by Malfunction
It was a short set (70mins) but it was crammed with the/(my) favorites and a Clash cover.
Richard Jobson never stopped all night, and looked pretty broken by the end.
Excellent!
I have a single spare ticket for NMA/Terrorvision/Paradise Lost (Bradford Live, Upper Circle, Row B) going spare for tomorrow night. DM me with an offer (£42.50 full price) if you are interested.
I saw the Skids on Saturday. (Lemon Tree, Aberdeen) Support was by Malfunction
I thought their support was the Au Pairs? (Well Lesley Woods and backing band anyway) One of my best gigs of all time was the Au Pairs, with 2 amazing support bands back in '81. Was tempted to see them when I heard they were touring again but didn't want to tarnish the memory.
Finally bit the bullet and bought Mogwai/Forest Swords tickets for Feb. £42 a lot of dosh for a support! so hope Mogwai keep us entertained after the "main event" 🙂
Saw Inspiral Carpets at Shepherds Bush yesterday, Ilast saw them in 1991.
The singer (Stephen I think) took a couple of songs to warm up and we had a slightly shorter set than some of the other tour dates, maybe because his voice was going a bit.
But it was a great fun gig. The crowd enjoyed it and we even managed a bit of a jump around for the last 4 or 5 songs.
I'd forgotten how powerful some of their songs are. Sackville was immense.
(I think I) finished off 2025's gigs last night upstairs at the Doublet bar with a brilliant intimate show by Jacob Yates.
An acoustic guitar, an electric, a double bass and a reel-to-reel tape machine alongside Jake's spectacularly dark songwriting. He does not play out often enough.
Occurred to me that this thread may be a reliable source to remind myself of who I've been to see this year - I always have total recency bias and struggle to recall who I've seen throughout the year as a whole. Surely time for a Best {whatever} In 2025 thread...
- I always have total recency bias and struggle to recall who I've seen throughout the year
I enter all mine in concertarchives.org
I just bought a ticket for Anna von Hausswolff on 28th January at Electric Brixton.
It was originally at Islington Assembly Rooms and sold out too quickly for me to get a ticket. It has subsequently been moved to Brixton so more people can appreciate the Gothic melodrama!
Just booked for Glasvegas acoustic on the 30th, entirely because Mull Historical Society are supporting, and because we've had a pretty good track record with these "night before hogmanay" shows. Saw Glasvegas once before and they soared to the dizzying heights of alright so I guess that's something to aim for. But I do love a bit of MHS
Kataklysm, Vader, and Blood Red Throne are playing 4 gigs in the UK Feb 2026.
‘One of my best gigs of all time was the Au Pairs,’
Same here, Ad Lib Club Nottingham. Ceiling was about 6’6” high. Played there a few times and accidentally put my guitar through the plaster taking it off. Great venue and they were really powerful. Saw The Only Ones there too and that was another memorable night.
Not tempted by the recent comeback tour though.
Miki and Olly, of the Miki Berenyi 3, at the Exchange in Bristol, earlier this evening, playing a gig I went to back in May, except it didn’t happen due to an injury. Better late than never, it was a great evening! 😁
Saw New Model Army/Terrorvision/Paradise Lost at Bradford Live (great venue, crap toilet facilities). It was a great night – Tony (vocalist with Terrorvision) was bonkers - jumping around the stage like a teenager, whilst Justin from NMA was his usual menacing self. A bargain at just £42 for the most expensive tickets.
I saw BRMC at the O2 in Leeds on Saturday night. It was clearly billed as a run-through of 'Howl', which has just turned 20. This is mainly an accoustic LP so surely the crowd have come to listen to it being playsed live? Nope, the place was full of ****s just chatting to their mates, to the point that the singer told them to STFU. The second half of the set was more of the electric stuff and that seemed to get the crowd more interested. I should have known better for a December Saturday in Leeds...
Saw Madness supported by Squeeze last friday the Leeds Arena, The PA for Squeeze was terrible, which was a shame. Madness was top drawer. Highlight was watching many pensioners take inadvertent selfies whilst trying to work their phones.
Saw Madness
Still not a pensioner but makes me feel very old when I realise it was 46yrs since I saw them supported by Tenpole Tudor & John Otway...
Was lucky enough to get some free tickets to Ice Nine Kills at the Motorpoint in Notts last Wednesday. I was aware of of them but not necessarily a fan of them.
Safe to say that both I and the 16 metal head are now fans. Tremendous show, particularly if you like Horror Films as each song was a homage to particular film with actors, gore, big video screens and pyro.
Creeper and The Devil Wears Prada were decent in support.
Tonight, a slight change of pace, we're off to see Clutch in Brum.
2025 comes to an end on Friday... 26th gig of the year will be the lovely Hotel Lux at Kola. 26 gigs! that's my all time highest in a year.
Osees in Leeds, in July, tickets bagged.
Only playing 3 gigs in England next year.
Forgot how much was spent on tickets, Printing out receipts as the tickets are not available for son’s birthday.
Morrissey at O2
MBV at Royal Albert Hall
Pixies round the corner from the house
and almost a gig 28 Days Later Live at Hammersmith
And I will probably be getting a pair of tickets for Download for MY birthday gift, like last years pair for Reading festival to see no bands I would ever have on a playlist.
I reckon I spent more on travelling into and staying in London than I did on tickets. Not been able to afford to do that previously, so that's what boosted the numbers. Going to cut down on the London gigs next year - it's only 70odd miles away but a pain to get in and out of. And London gig-goers are worse than anywhere else for talking throughout the main band. Just not worth the effort!
Cara Dillon’s Christmas concert at the Cheese & Grain, not far from their house!
not far from their house!
Alert! Man that has previously been noted for obsessively photographing woman at gigs now moving onto "I know where they live".
...Saw Cara and her husband in concert in the summer at a wee local venue... cracking singer and both great musicians..
Kate Rusby tomorrow at Cambridge Corn Exchange. Christmas will then begin in earnest.