From a gig perspective, 2025 was fantastic. Here are my lucky 13 of the year:
1st Feb: John Grant / Big Special
6th Mar: Alan Sparhawk / Circuit Des Yeux
22nd Apr: Mark Eitzel
13th May: Andy Bell (Erasure) / Hifi Sean & David McAlmont
9th Jun: Little Simz
9th Jul: Josh Rouse / Later Youth
24th Sep: Billy Nomates / Cirquemily (Emily Sadler)
30th Sep: Edwyn Collins / The Hanging Stars
10th Oct: Robert Forster & His Swedish Band
18th Nov: Water From Your Eyes / Morgan Garrett
24th Nov: The Sabres Of Paradise
8th Dec: The Charlatans
Click on the links to read all about my experiences. I've not reactivated any of the related Dubhed selections on this occasion, instead opting for a brand new 20-song session.
Sequenced in chronological order of when I saw them, the whole thing kicks off with Shithouse by Big Special, who set the bar impossibly high for all the support acts to follow, though pretty much all of them rose to the challenge. Charlie Noordewier and Later Youth were especially good.
As for the headliners, John Grant, Hifi Sean & David McAlmont, Billy Nomates and Robert Forster were on my wish list for a long time, whilst Mark Eitzel, Andy Bell and Little Simz were completely unexpected and completely brilliant.
Bernard Butler, Norman Blake, James Grant and Josh Rouse sold me their vinyl at the merch stand, signed it for me and proved to be lovely blokes to chat with.
Water From Your Eyes were a revelation. Speaking of which, Edwyn Collins brought tears to my eyes, as did Alan Sparhawk. And the previously unimaginable thought of seeing The Sabres Of Paradise reform and play live was hugely emotional.
Another first to end the year, with an exceptional show from The Charlatans.
I already have a clutch of tickets for 2026 and, if this year is anything to go by, it's going to be bloody brilliant.
1) Shithouse: Big Special (2024)
2) Black Belt (Dungeonesse Remix By Jenn Wasner): John Grant (2013)
3) Megaloner: Circuit Des Yeux (2025)
4) Can U Hear: Alan Sparhawk (2024)
5) Nothing And Everything: Mark Eitzel (2017)
6) Celebrate: Hifi Sean & David McAlmont (2024)
7) Put Your Empathy On Ice: Andy Bell (Erasure)
8) Lion: Little Simz ft. Obongjayar (2025)
9) Dear Diazepam (Live At Deep Litter Studios, Devon): Charlie Noordewier (2025)
10) The 90s: Butler, Blake & Grant (2025)
11) Arcane Love: Later Youth (2025)
12) My Love Has Gone: Josh Rouse (2005)
13) Moon Explodes: Billy Nomates (2025)
14) Ava: The Hanging Stars (2025)
15) Nation Shall Speak Unto Nation: Edwyn Collins (2025)
16) Good To Cry: Robert Forster (2025)
17) The Mirror: Morgan Garrett (2025)
18) Playing Classics: Water From Your Eyes (2025)
19) Wilmot (Edit): The Sabres Of Paradise ft. Wonder (1994)
20) For The Girls: The Charlatans (2025)
..and by my calculations I was at 5 of those with you! Not a dud gig in there!!
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