Best gig of 2013

[matt49]

So what was the best gig you went to this year? And why was it so good?

____________________

"Gig" implies rock, pop etc, not classical or jazz. (It'd be interesting to have separate threads for those, but I think the response might be thin.)

"Best" implies one choice only, not a list of the good gigs you've been to.

 

[Macspur]

To be honest, only been to a couple this year, but out of the two, it has to be Emily Barker and the Red Clay Halo... a small

intimit theatre in Kent.

Beautiful vocals, great musicianship and made me aware of another singer/songwriter within the band... Gill Sandell.

I bet I can guess what yours is Matt!

Mac

www.macsmusic.blogbubble.net

 

[mikeparker59]

saw the Czech Phil in St Davids Hall Cardiff in March :boohoo: and Brit Floyd same venu in Novemeber :rockout: , obviously very different genres of music. As much as I enjoyed Brit Floyd and even got a few goosebumps as I never got to see the real thing and thought damn these guys are actually good musicians and too good to be called a tribute group. However you are still listening to amplified music and the sound mix was a bit off on some songs, in that the music drowned out the vocals.

For me it also made me realise St David's Hall as a venue is more suited to classical music. So I have to say the Czech Phil did it for me, music that was really played live so you hear the instruments, rather than played live then amplified so you hear the speakers!

Still hope Brit Floyd come to Wales again nexxt year. I'll be there!

 

[stevee1966]

My favourite of 2013 was Rush - Clockwork Angels Tour in Sheffield.

Been around 20 years since i last saw Rush and my hopes and expectations for the show were met on all levels. A great mix of old and new songs over a 3 hour set, a great stage show (lighting and screen projections) and the new material being enhanced by the inclusion of a string ensemble for the second half of the set (Clockwork Angels album has taken me a while to get into, and i'm still not agreeing with most of the ultra positive reviews i've read about it, but 'live' the songs just went up several levels).

Lifeson, Lee and Peart are all getting on a bit now, but they can still put on an incredible show.

What i'm looking forward to in 2014 is Nine Inch Nails in Cardiff in May. Always been a fan but have never seen them live.

 

[Covenanter]

Ignoring the bit about "not classical":

Evgeny Kissin playing Tchaikovsky Piano Concerto 1 with the LSO under Michael Tilson Thomas this Wednesday at Symphony Hall here in Birmingham. Simply stunning playing - I don't often stand at the end of a performance but I just had to.

This was followed by a standout performance of the Prokofiev Sympony No 5.

By a distance the best concert of the year although Benjamin Grosvenor playing Saint Saens the week before was also rather special.

Chris

 

[matt49]

To be honest, only been to a couple this year, but out of the two, it has to be Emily Barker and the Red Clay Halo... a small

intimit theatre in Kent.

Beautiful vocals, great musicianship and made me aware of another singer/songwriter within the band... Gill Sandell.

Cheers, Mac.

I'd love to hear Emily and her band live.

As it happens, I was prompted to start this thread by a dog's breakfast of a gig at the Hammy Apollo last night. To be fair, it was a charity gig, with lots of short sets and under-rehearsed musicians and impromptu "happenings". At one stage we had Lily Allen and Robbie Williams duetting backed by Chris Martin on acoustic quitar. Well ...

It's a funny thing about Coldplay. I liked Parachutes when it came out. Since then, meh. Now I associate their music with Christmas, I think because there's something rather churchy about it (think 'Fix You'), so I was pleased to hear them last night. Martin isn't great as a front man. He's a big lad and lurches about the stage, manic one moment, feigning exhaustion the next. But I do rate the drummer, who gives the up-tempo tracks great propulsion. Some of the stuff from 'A Rush of Blood ...' was pretty good.

We were also treated to Ricky Gervais in character as David Brent trying to do a Spinal Tap. It was dire. He was lucky the audience was in a good mood, otherwise he might not have made it through his set.

Made me want to think about good gigs.

:santa:

Matt

 

[Macspur]

Sounds like a right hotch potch there Matt

I know what you mean about Coldplay, especially their last album...

The whole David Brent thing makes me cringe.

I'll let you know if I hear of anymore Miss Barker gigs.

Mac

www.macsmusic.blogbubble.net

 

[BigH]

Sounds like a right hotch potch there Matt

I know what you mean about Coldplay, especially their last album...

The whole David Brent thing makes me cringe.

I'll let you know if I hear of anymore Miss Barker gigs.

Mac

www.macsmusic.blogbubble.net

She has a couple of nights next Feb I think, 1 in London and other in Stroud?

 

[DIB]

Hardly been to any gigs this year so I will have to say Richard Thompson and band at Salford 's Lowry Theatre (again). Notable for me in that I managed to get front row seats and saw the great man really up close, and it was fantastic.

Also, the Matt Schofield Trio at The Band On The Wall in Manchester, quite simply the best blues guitarist out there IMO.

.

 

[Macspur]

Sounds like a right hotch potch there Matt

I know what you mean about Coldplay, especially their last album...

The whole David Brent thing makes me cringe.

I'll let you know if I hear of anymore Miss Barker gigs.

Mac

www.macsmusic.blogbubble.net

She has a couple of nights next Feb I think, 1 in London and other in Stroud?

Yes, you're right Big H. Just checked the homepage and Emily and the band are on at Kings Place London on Sat 15 Feb... not sure exactly where that venue is.

Mac

www.macsmusic.blogbubble.net

 

[BigH]

Sounds like a right hotch potch there Matt

I know what you mean about Coldplay, especially their last album...

The whole David Brent thing makes me cringe.

I'll let you know if I hear of anymore Miss Barker gigs.

Mac

www.macsmusic.blogbubble.net

She has a couple of nights next Feb I think, 1 in London and other in Stroud?

Yes, you're right Big H. Just checked the homepage and Emily and the band are on at Kings Place London on Sat 15 Feb... not sure exactly where that venue is.

Mac

www.macsmusic.blogbubble.net

Seems to be Kings Cross.

 

[matt49]

I'll let you know if I hear of anymore Miss Barker gigs.

Mac

She has a couple of nights next Feb I think, 1 in London and other in Stroud?

Yes, you're right Big H. Just checked the homepage and Emily and the band are on at Kings Place London on Sat 15 Feb... not sure exactly where that venue is.

Mac

Cheers, BigH and Mac (or should that be Big Mac?).

Funnily enough I was at King's Place this evening (eating, not listening). As BigH says, it's just by King's Cross.

:santa:

Matt

 

[Clarkey_71]

Being a father of young children, my gig attendance is very few and far between these days.

That said, I did catch The Who performing Quadrophenia at the O2 which was superb.

it was more than just a gig. I thought it was a real event. The performance was of of course incredible, but the accompanying visuals were just incredible. Keith and the Ox also put in an appearance. Sounds corny but it was very well done, very respectful and added to the show.

i wasn't lucky enough to see the original line up but I have managed to see the band 25+ times since 89. The Quad shows may have been their swansong but with the 50th anniversary in 2914, WHO knows!!!!!!

 

[nick12]

Sparks @ Union Chapel

Burt Bacharach @ Royal Festival Hall

 

[letsavit2]

Rudimental Brixton academy.

 

[BIGBERNARDBRESSLAW]

The Quad shows may have been their swansong but with the 50th anniversary in 2914, WHO knows!!!!!!

Ummm...I don't think they'll make it til then. 😉

 

[Sleepaphobic]

Alice in Chains.

Energy was insane (I lost my coat in a pit as well as both my contact lenses) and they really sounded better live. Also got to see ghost for the first time too as they were supporting. Good times.

 

[Philim]

Ocean colour scene @ 02 academy birmingham

Brilliant home town gig.

 

[Sorreltiger]

Emma's Imagination and Chris Wood had me transfixed at the Musician, Leicester - c 40/50 in the audience and exquisite sound at this wonderful venue.

On a larger scale (De Montfort Hall) , Caro Emerald was great live (hugely better than on the rather sterile CDs), but gig of the year has to be Jools Holland, whose playing was astonishing.

 

[BigH]

Have not been to any gigs this year, missed Beth Orton at Cambridge. Next year will see Scott Hamilton (Jazz) and try to see afew more, prefer the small venues now.

 

[Pedro2]

Fleetwood Mac at Manchester Arena in October. Highlights were Buckingham's guitar and a magnificent rendition of 'Tusk'. They gave over 3 unbroken hours of solid good music and still obviously enjoy performing. The set was put together well and the balance between loud and soft handled with care - despite an arena setting, you could here a pin drop at times within a couple of songs. Some thought had gone into this gig ..... unlike the gig referred to in the OP's.

 

[Clarkey_71]

The Quad shows may have been their swansong but with the 50th anniversary in 2914, WHO knows!!!!!!

Ummm...I don't think they'll make it til then. 😉

Classic typo!!!!!!! :rofl:

" Hope I die before I get old, but not that old"!!!!!! :rockout:

 

[DIB]

Have not been to any gigs this year, missed Beth Orton at Cambridge. Next year will see Scott Hamilton (Jazz) and try to see afew more, prefer the small venues now.

I inherited a Scott Hamilton CD from my late father-in-law, The Concord Jazz Heritage Series, he was a big fan of his, a very fine saxophonist.

We played the track "Tonight I Shall Sleep With A Smile On My Face" at his funeral, lovely stuff.

.

 

[richardw42]

I ended up with a pair of Muse tickets I wasn't that bothered about.

I went and it was a brilliant show (visually as well)

Smaller ones. Manic Street Preachers at Colston Hall, Bristol. A lot of between song laughs and you can tell they think a lot of the place.

 

[deafinoneear]

Soundgarden wins hands down for me. Just like they never went away. All the reasons why they split still evident as was the tension between them. It all added up to provide an edgy ,memorable gig.

Most disappointing , probably Steve Winwood at Colston Hall. I really love the guy but just couldn't cope with all the overlong jazz-infused intro's and a group of musicians disappearing up their own backsides. I really should have gone home after the support act. !