Wot, no Bob Dylan?

My favoutite gigs of 2009

10 Scott Mathews Birmingham Town Hall
Wolverhampton's own. What a gifted songwriter he is! Likes to tune his guitar a lot.

9 Christy Moore Birmingham Symphony Hall
I'd rather see him at De Barra's in Cork, but the souless Symphony Hall it was. Christy called the gig 'satisfactory' on his website. Was it the venue or crowd that he didn't like?
He did Missing You I'm glad to report.

8 Echo And The Bunnymen Wulfrun Hall Wolverhampton
Been listening to a lot of late era Bunnymen. Check out the tracks Stormy Weather, Shroud Of Turin or Parthenon Drive. They were spot on when I saw them, and played a great crowd-pleasing set. A moshpit full of forty-somethings re-living their youth. And me.

7 Mike Sanchez Wolverhampton
Last winter's treat in a snowy club in the arse end of town. Just him and his hot rocking pianer - It was glorious!

6 Morrissey Symphony Hall
Always great to see the Pope of Mope. The set sagged in the middle but I'll be back for more the next time he's around.















5 Alele Diane Birmingham Town Hall
She didn't let me down! Been listening to her for the past year, and it was a delight to see her.



4 Jerry Lee Lewis Paradiso Amsterdam
The Killer rocks on! A solid hour of Memphis boogie and a wired crowd in the building where they first legally sold pot in Amsterdam. Wouldn't have missed it for the world!









3 Imelda May Birmingham Town Hall
Stunning band, amazing girl, just one wonderful night. More proof rock & roll is the best music for putting a smile on 'yer boat.

2 Fleet Foxes Wolverhampton Civic
Beauty of music laid bare on the day Jacko died. These guys are pure magic, I was so impressed.

1 Public Image Limited Birmingham 02
Okay, perhaps not the most musically rewarding but for many personal type reasons it was my favourite. Partly because it was an 'event' gig - their first in nearly 20 years. And also because PiL were the soundtrack to my mid eighties, so there's a bit of history there.
And as far as PiL gigs go, this tour was probably the best they've done, the sound was amazing, very intense. They did a lot of Metal Box songs and they sounded superb.
Been wearing the T-Shirt ever since, and I never buy gig T-Shirts.
Anger is an energy, apparently!