Music Monday: Gigs Of The Year

Kicking off 'Blogmas' this year is my top five gigs of the year. I've seen some pretty amazing bands in 2014 but one gig in particular outdid them all. Though I'll admit it was pretty hard choosing the rest!

So here you are, my top five gigs of the year..

• 5. The Enemy - I watched the trio from Coventry at a local venue - small, sweaty and spectacular. There was just something about singing 'We'll Live And Die In These Towns' along with another couple of hundred local people around you. Controversial statement coming up here but I'd go as far as saying they are one of the most amazing live bands around. The louder the better.

• 4. The Libertines - Back in July I jumped on a train down to London and was all set for a day in Hyde Park watching live music. The Libertines headlined for 'British Summer Time' and if I'm honest with you this gig could of been a little higher up the list if it wasn't for the shambles of organisation on the day. Some of my favourite bands playing across three stages. Sadly, these said stages were just a little too small for the crowds it had attracted. However, seeing The Libertines back together was truly something special to witness. 

• 3. Arctic Monkeys - Another trip to London but this time the stage was set at Finsbury Park. First let's talk support acts - amazing. An unreal line up of Royal Blood, Miles Kane and Tame Impala. With Mr Kane edging it for me out of that lot. I did find something a little strange about the atmosphere for the 'Monkeys' though - like a lot of people who were in attendance were just there for a few odd songs they heard on the radio one time. Despite this and some idiot thinking it was hilarious to urinate up my leg I can safely say Arctic Monkeys know how to put on a show. And who got to see Miles Kane sing a The Last Shadow Puppets tune with Alex Turner? I DID!

• 2. The Courteeners - I know they're my favourite band and all that so it's no real surprise to see them clock in at number two but hand on heart I can say that was the best show I've seen the band put on. The new album that came out in the summer has been stuck on repeat for months so I was like an excited child to hear the new songs live. And of course the old favourites sounded as perfect as ever. Also, two words for you - Liam Fray. *hearts in the eyes emoji*

• 1. Kasabian - I'll be honest here in the days upcoming to this gig I was massively unsure. The support acts that had just been announced were nowhere near as good as the rumours (which was probably why I sat in the pub until they were over with). I don't know why I had any doubts though, There was a reason I'd been so desperate to see this band live for so long. In my opinion there is no better live band out there today. So it's no shock that I'm overly excited to see them again in the middle of this month in Manchester. 

So there we have it - Kasabian won it this year for me.

Have you seen anyone live this year I haven't mentioned?

Any bands worth checking out?

Lifestyle - Two gigs in one week & Update!

A bit of a mixed post today but so far on my blog I haven't touched on any lifestyle really. So on Monday straight after work I ventured off to see Beady Eye at Wolves Civic Hall. I hadn't been to the venue before and I really liked it, totally different to anywhere else I'd been before. So now some of you might be like "wait, who are Beady Eye?" Basically, they are Oasis but without Noel Gallagher. Now a lot of people don't like him but personally I love his arrogant attitude but to see Liam Gallagher, my male hero was so amazing. I was really expecting him to not sound very good as he is knocking on a bit now but I was proved wrong and it's one of the best gigs I have ever been to.

Me and my best friend Zoe got to the barrier (why on earth do security stand in such stupid places though?!)

Then on Wednesday night it was off to Birmingham to see Arctic Monkeys at the LG Arena. Now if you are a bit clued up in the music world then you might know that originally this gig was cancelled very last minute. I was due to see them on Halloween but getting half way down the motorway to see they had cancelled wasn't leaving me very impressed. So they had a lot to live up and they certainly didn't let me down. A little young Irish band The Strypes were supporting them but after queueing for the shuttle bus from the car park and then for a few drinks it meant we only caught the last few songs (luckily I saw them back in July on their own tour though!) Back to the arctics anyway, oh my they were bloody brilliant. I do think it could be the best gig I have ever been to, certainly worth the wait. Everything about it, the atmosphere, the set list.. Everything. 

Managed to get a few pretty looking pictures as well on my phone!

Now for the next bit.. If you have read my blog before and remember it you might notice I've given it a little makeover. I was never really happy with it originally so I redesigned it and now I'm pretty happy, for now anyway. Along with my new blog design I've decided to make both a Twitter and Instagram pages for my blog. Most simply because I want to keep my personal ones separate from my blogging bits and bobs.

You can find my Twitter page HERE and my Instagram page HERE.

And don't forget I am going to be blogging everyday of December so following me on a few platforms will let you know when my posts go live or will be going live as well!

So what have you been up to lately?

Music Tag

I really wanted to get a post out there after a stressful week of moving house while fitting in other pre-booked events. I've got so many posts planned but my camera is in a box somewhere and I'm still not unpacked completely. Music is one of my biggest passions and this looked the perfect tag for me to have a crack at..

Image Source: We Heart It.

Favourite band/musician of the moment - The Courteeners. A 4 piece band from Manchester.  I've seen them live twice this year as well as the frontman Liam Fray at his own acoustic show. Excited to see them again in December as well!

One band you always come back to - Oasis. Who else? I might not listen to them for a week or two but I always come back to them, all time favourite band.

Favourite movie soundtrack - 500 Days Of Summer. One of my favourite scenes is when Tom is walking to work while Sweet Disposition by The Temper Trap is playing away. 

What is/are your favourite song(s) of all time? - Okay there is a LOT to choose from but a few are in no particular order: Arctic Monkeys - 505, The Courteeners - The Opener, Oasis - Live Forever, The Verve - Lucky Man, Amy Winehouse - Tears Dry On Their Own.

Most embarrassing song on your iTunes - I can't bring myself to delete Olly Murs' first album even though I never listen to it and always skip it on shuffle. My inner 6 year old self still loves S Club 7, no shame.

Top 3 Played Songs on your iTunes - 1. Arctic Monkeys - Mardy Bum, not surprised - a classic! 2. The Courteeners - Are You In Love With A Notion?, obsessed with these lyrics. 3. Noel Gallagher's High Flying Birds - AKA.. What A Life, one of my feel good songs. 

Favourite gig you have attended - I've been to at least 30 gigs and a few festivals here and there so it's so hard to choose my favourite. I'm going to say V Festival '13 just because I saw so many one of my favourites in one weekend!

Most underrated musician in your opinion -  There's a really top singer/songwriter Danny Mahon from Manchester, I really love his stuff. Alistair Sheerin as well.

Favourite quote or song lyric - I could list so many lyrics so I'll go with a quote from the main man Noel Gallagher himself: "Everything's gonna be fine. Stay optimistic. If there's dark clouds coming, they'll leave again. They always do". 

I tag everyone and anyone who reads this!