2018: The Gig Round-Up

As 2018 draws to a close, you're going to see (hopefully) a lot more content from me reflecting back on this year. The first lot of this little saga is this one: 2018's gig round up. I love a good gig, don't you? And 2018 has been the year of gigs for me. I've been to 8 - and for some, that might not be a lot, but that's pretty impressive for broke little me. I've managed to zip here, there, and everywhere to see some A* performances and had some truly memorable nights. So here we go, ladies and gents; I'm going to be ranking my 2018 gigs from least best to the ones that well and truly rocked my socks off. So starting of with number 8...

8. DON BROCO - 26th April @ O2 Academy Oxford 

Bit of a no-brainer, this one. Don Broco have been one of my favourite music discoveries of the year, and their album, Technology, is definitely up there with one of the best releases of 2018. So it's no surprise I was super duper excited to see them live in Oxford. I mean, that would've been the case, if the venue hadn't flooded and Don Broco could have actually performed. I'm not actually sure why the venue flooded, but rumour has it that someone had a bit of pre-show nerves and the toilet blocked, flooding the back of the venue. Oh well, at least I have some stories. 

7. THE FRONT BOTTOMS - 24th February @ Portsmouth Pyramids Centre 

This gig coming second-to-last shows how bloody brilliant my gigging year has been. My buddy Emma is a massive fan of The Front Bottoms, but while they're definitely not my fave, some of their songs have managed to sneak their way into some playlists - Vacation Town was a holiday highlight, Peace Sign is on all my girl power playlists, and Grand Finale is one of my faves if I fancy a good cry (but also just a fabulous song). Despite feeling a bit sick after a questionable veggie burger from Burger King and one of the support acts making me feel very anxious, the gig itself was a lot of fun. You could tell the band really enjoyed playing there, which is always nice to see, and the atmosphere from the crowd during their ecstatic pop-fuelled hits was contagious. I enjoyed this one way much more than I expected to. 

6. ONLY THE POETS - 11th September @ Southampton Heartbreakers 

Again, Only the Poets are one of my favourite musical discoveries of the year, after seeing them as a support acts for Coasts (more on that later). I spoke about more of their music in this post, but Emotional remains to be one of my top finds of the year - if you need a good song to sing with a hairbrush in front of your mirror, you're welcome for this recommendation. I love a small gig: as much as seeing world-famous acts in huge arenas gives me a massive thrill, there's something about an intimate gig, and being face-to-face, with the band that's just so special - especially when you're 99% sure the band you're seeing will hit the big time soon, which I'm sure will happen for Only the Poets. The best part of the night was when lead singer Tom jumped into the crowd to sing one of their more emotional numbers and stood right in front of my and my friends. Tom is also a lovely person, who I managed to speak to after their set. Definitely look out for this lot - they have some great songs with an energetic stage presence to match. 

5. BLOSSOMS - 11th December @ O2 Guildhall, Southampton 

Blossoms are a band I've been following since I heard At Most a Kiss many moons ago. I didn't have to think too hard about seeing them live in my uni city - lots of people have bigged up their live performances, and they definitely didn't disappoint. While it was nothing particularly special or unlike anything I've ever seen before, there were little added touches that boosted this gig above the rest. Firstly, the audience atmosphere was amazing - probably mostly because Emma & I seemed to be the only sober people in the room. But Tom played an acoustic mini montage of a few songs, like Don't Look Back in Anger and Last Christmas just before the encore, which had people on shoulders and everyone in the room singing at the top of their voice. This also built up hype for the last four songs, which we all had a great little dance to. The lighting show was also really great for a smaller venue, and coming out to the incredible percussion of Black Skinhead by Kanye is always gonna be a winner in my book. The final performance of Charlemagne sealed the deal for me - it may not have been the highlight of the year, but it was definitely a lovable gig. 

4. COASTS - 25th April @ Engine Rooms, Southampton 

This was definitely a gig I didn't expect to love as much as I did, and the only reason it's not higher on the list is because they're not one of my favourite acts of all time. Not only was this the night I discovered Only the Poets, but it was one of the nicest closing nights to my first year at uni. I think I had two weeks left as a fresher by that point, and it was so great to dance like a crazy person to Coasts' bubbly pop tunes and forget about all the deadlines for one night. Just listening to them in your room doesn't have the same kind of effect - many of their songs sound similar, but are usually upbeat with pounding choruses and impassioned lyrics. Seeing them live is a whole new experience. Because many of the songs are so sprightly, the energy and atmosphere was insane, with the highlight being when inflatables were thrown into the audience during Oceans and someone was crowd surfing in a dingy. Now the band have released dates for their farewell tour, and I'm gutted I won't be able to make it to any of them, but if you do have the chance I'd HIGHLY recommend it.

3. FALL OUT BOY - 31st March @ The O2 Arena, London 

I've been a fan of Fall Out Boy since hearing Dance, Dance sat in the back of my family's old Renault Scenic (who's name was Delilah, by the way). I must've been about 6, and I was hooked on that song. Watch out for the edgy kid. Fast forward thirteen years later, and I was seeing them live in one of my favourite venues. You can read my full live review here, but I think it can be summed up pretty neatly in three words: theatrical, vibrant, loud. The performance united fans, younger and older alike, to see all of their best songs - and some of their newer material, which arguably definitely isn't the best - put to a dazzling show, with lights and pyrotechnics galore. In terms of the visuals, this gig is definitely a winner - when you see Fall Out Boy, you're guaranteed to be in for quite a spectacle. The band's energy was there as well, with Pete and Patrick particularly running up and down the elongated bit of stage pretty often. I may have only seen them the once, but I've already decided: you can't go to a Fall Out Boy gig without it being a memorable one. 

2. GEORGE EZRA - 17th August @ Newmarket Racecourse 

I've been to quite a few of Newmarket Racecourse's 'Newmarket Nights' events, which is when an act performs after a day at the races, and seeing George Ezra there in August may be the best one so far. I just love George Ezra - what's not to love about him? He owned the stage - even though it's just him, his band, and a guitar, no fancy-smancy lighting or visuals - had some great stories to tell, and has one of the most engaging male voices on the scene right now. His timeless tunes bought a massive crowd - one I was lucky enough to be right at the front of - and everyone was signing their lungs out. They may not be the most masterful songs, but their definitely inviting. It was just a man and his guitar singing heartfelt hits into the night - does that not sound like the loveliest summer's evening ever? 

1. FLORENCE AND THE MACHINE - 25th November @ The Brighton Centre 

I think this one can be summed up by the fact I cried on three separate occasions. Firstly, the Brighton Centre is a brill venue - seeing a huge act like Florence and the Machine in a venue that, granted, isn't hugley up-close-and-personal, but doesn't reach O2 Arena type heights is a pretty special thing imo. Secondly, oh my goodness gracious me are Florence and the Machine the best. I have loved Florence and the Machine for years and years and years, so when my mum told me (thanks mum) that they were touring, I had no hesitation in paying the slightly hefty ticket price. Florence herself is enchanting on stage, spinning and twirling every which-way in her beautiful long dresses. Her audience interaction was also very touching, especially in the build up to Patricia where she spoke about the issue of toxic masculinity, and during Dog Days Are Over, in which she encouraged everyone to hug the people next to them, tell them you love them, and put our phones away during the final chorus of the song - which was a 2018 highlight, not just a gig one. It was just the most magical night. There's something about seeing your favourite artists live, doing what they do best, that's just...je ne sais quoi. I can't explain it. Which isn't great when you want to be a writer. But I am now the proud owner of a Florence and the Machine tea towel, which isn't going anywhere near my grotty student kitchen :) 

2018 has been a stellar year for gigs, and just music in general. I've already got a fair few gigs lined up for next year, so 2019 promises to be just as good as these past few months - if not better! 

From, 

Eleanor