Top 10 GIGS OF 2012

In 2012 I managed to average seeing over a gig a week, so have seen a lot of live music throughout the year - here are my top 10 picks of 2012 - did you make it to any of these:

#10:  Graham Coxon - 19th April @ Sound Control
#09:  Toy - 10th April @ Soup Kitchen
#08:  A Place to Bury Strangers - 16th September @ Ruby Lounge
#07:  Amon Tobin - 19th May @ Academy 1
#06:  The Barr Borthers - 3rd May @ Soup Kitchen
#05:  Savages - 24th July @ Deaf Institute
#04:  Alabama Shakes - 12th November @ Academy 1
#03:  The Stone Roses - 29th June @ Heaton Park
#02:  We Are Augustines - 4th March - Night & Day Cafe
#01:  The Beach Boys - 28th September - Wembley Arena

I couldnt find any good quality clips of the Wembley show, but here is a trailer for the DVD from the same 50th Anniversary tour to give you an idea of how good these old men from California were - it was a true delight to see the Beach Boys still nailing those harmonies and delivering some FUN FUN FUN - which is why has to be my gig of the year!!!

GIG: ALABAMA SHAKES

Review by John Cooper

Alabama Shakes live at the Manchester Academy 1 - 12.11.2012

After this gig selling out quickly, I didnt think I would have chance to see Alabama Shakes this time around, however one man's misfortune of feeling rotten on the day was to my delight as I was offered his ticket. (Sorry Jon - but I'm so glad you were ill!). As a band, I would say Alabama Shakes were a decent soul/blues band who delivered a good lively set, however when you throw in a front woman like Brittany Howard, all of a sudden they are transformed into something else - a fantastic band with a really soulful voice.... and wow what a voice! I wouldnt even be afraid to compare her to the great Janice Joplin. The Academy was absolutely packed & the band came on at 9pm and were done by 10.20pm, but I loved absolutely every minute of it, and from the looks of the people around me - so did the rest of the Manchester crowd. I'm sure next time they come back they will be playing the Apollo or even bigger!

For anyone who doesnt know what they sound like, you should definately check out the below video: