Best Gigs 2005

Josh Rouse @ The Rescue Rooms

Fave 5 Gigs of the Year

1. Pernice Brothers @ The Rescue Rooms - Not my favourite band, but just a fantastic gig. Didn't really know too many songs apart from the most recent album. The whole thing was stripped down and acoustic and I was transfixed for an hour and a half. Discovering Grudge rounded off the evening.
2. Embrace @ Rock City - Shepherds Bush may have been the comeback but this one was truly special. Standing on the balcony, basking in the success of a number one album and a warming feel of being there all the way through.
3. Richmond Fontaine @ The Maze - My interest in Americana / Alt-Country has dipped over the course of the year as so many of these 'Great' records Uncut et al bang on about are incredibly similar and somewhat dull. 'Post of the Wire' is quite average but they were incendiary, with a Husker Du influence beaming straight through in an amphetamine rush.
4. The Killers @ Rescue Rooms - In the cold light of day the album was only average but this was a scorching. Middle of summer, too much alcohol, 50 minutes of pure indie-pop anthems plus a great drinking session afterwards with some good friends. This was what gigs are all about.
5. Ryan Adams @ Rock City - This was shambolic, he was in a state, it was borderline farce, 'The Drugs Not Working' was 'ironic' but I saw him. Ryan Adams brought me back to music when I had given up, properly given up, the passion came back, so to see him was great.