At the end of 2021/start of 2022 I posted a blog about 22 bands/gigs/records I was looking forward to in 2022. I thought I’d have a quick look back on this before I consider the 23 for ’23 blog…
The Courettes
I’m not sure I can say anything about The Courettes that I’ve not said before. Their gig in McChuills certainly did not disappoint and with an album of B-sides and outtakes from the wonderful Back in Mono album to keep us going until the next album proper, the hardest working band in music ticked the boxes once again. Fabulous. Until the next time…
The Courettes – McChuills – The Courettes – Back in Mono (Outtakes & B Sides)
Run Into the Night/Jemma Freeman and the Cosmic Something
I had been looking forward to the double header from the Glasgow duet and the remarkable Jemma Freeman and her band for ages, and with good reason. Both bands played a blinder, it certainly wasn’t my first time seeing Run Into the Night, but it was my first experience of The Cosmic Something and boy was it a joy to behold. Run into the Night ended the year on a high with a support slot at a sold out Electric Six gig, and have a special gig in January supporting The Subways in King Tuts while Jemma Freeman and the Cosmic Something released a tremendous sophomore album in Miffed …. review to follow ASAP.
Run into the Night/Jemma Freeman & the Cosmic Something – live
Brontes
2022 was another superb year for live music. So much so that their were often several gigs I could potentially have attended on a single night. Regrettably this meant, despite them playing loads of gigs in 2022, I have STILL yet to catch Brontes live. I’m sure there will be many more opportunities based on the feedback I’ve heard from those who made it along. And with two cracking singles in First Hand Arrogance and Groove, there are great things still to come.
First Hand Arrogance (Singles round up February)
Bob Vylan
Bobby and Bobbie aka Bob Vylan continued towards world domination with their powerful second album The Price of Life, and I was lucky enough to witness their triumphant gig in Glasgow’s Oran Mor before they went on to tour the US.
Bob Vylan – live – The Price of Life
Tulsaqueen
After a long wait, Tulsaqueen finally treated the world to her wonderful debut album, paired with a couple of rare gig outings. Looking forward to more from Tulsaqueen and in her other guises as part of Curdle and Dorothy Hale in 2023
Los Bitchos
A stunning album and a phenomenal early 2022 gig in Stereo from Los Bitchos sealed their place in my top bands of 2022, and to round things off nicely, a wee Christmas treat too in the shape of festive single Los Chrismos
Los Bitchos – Let the Festivities Begin review
St Dukes
I realise as I write this, I have been exceedingly remiss in not reviewing the glorious self titled debut album from St Dukes. Having been impressed by their singles and by their support slot with Lola in Slacks in 2021, the album lived up to my hopes. I will need to rectify things with a belated review…
Keeley
Ireland’s KEELEY fronted by the engaging Keeley Moss continue to go from strength to strength, while always shining a light on the tragic tale of German backpacker Inga Maria Hauser. KEELEY followed up their initial stunning EPs with an equally stunning album this year. With a further EP, Totally Entranced released later in the year (and one which I have still in my “to be reviewed” pile)
Monica Queen
The only Queen this nation requires proved this to be the case with an album in Stop That Girl that cannot fail to move the listener. That unique vocal and the unique partnership with guitar virtuso Johnny Smillie helped create an absolute joy of an album to behold, and one which quite possible contains the most affecting song of the year in What is Home? Try listening to that one without melting into a pool of uncontrolled emotion…
Earl of Hell
After being blown away by their single Blood Disco, I was glad to report that Earl of Hell delivered on the promise of that song with their Get Smoked EP. I hope I actually get to witness the Earl of Hell live experience in 2023
The Bluebells/Sister John
Another phenomenal joint headline gig in the CCA with one of the best encores I’ve ever witnessed… Then a joint single with The Bluebells covering Glasgow’s a Rainbow and Sister John doing Young at Heart. A moving Returned From Sea anniversary gig in the Glad Cafe from Sister John and that is just scratching the surface of what they did this year… New music coming from The Bluebells…
The Bluebells/Sister John live – Sister John Returned from Sea (live)
Self Esteem
What is it going to take for me to have to see this incredible act live? Missed a Self Esteem gig in Glasgow for the second time due to work. I have my ticket for next year….
Poster Paints
Carla J Easton and Simon Liddell released their debut album to great acclaim, and like Brontes, the band have played several gigs this year – none of which I managed to get to. I’ve got a lot to try to do on 2023 already…
Jill Lorean
I was sure I’d reviewed Jill’s emotional rollercoaster of an album This Rock, but judging by the fact I can’t find it, I would suggest I have overlooked this one. Jill’s performance of Black Dog in Some Great Reward record shop earlier this year had me in tears, such was the raw emotion in the song.
Katherine Aly
Releasing her debut album Shadows are Made of Light Too in 2022 Katherine Aly cemented herself as one of Scotland’s great singer/songwriter hopes, and closed out the last part of the year with a Summerhall support slot with Honeyblood’s Stina Marie Claire.
Katherine Aly album review – Live in the Hug and Pint
PinkFiz
Having first come to my attention with her cracking single Did I Ask?, Pinkfiz has continued to impress this year with two more singles In Your Knees, and the latest 318. Not sure if she’ll venture this far north for gigs, but we can always hope.
Sacred Noise
I don’t know if I would count myself as Sacred Noise biggest fan, but I’ve certainly done all I can to champion them in 2022. The band have worked hard in 2022, from playing their first gig in Bloc+ through to supporting Millie Manders in the Hug and Pint in November, and getting better and better with each performance I see (possibly 6 times I’ve seen them this year?). They go straight into my hopes for 2023 too with the fruits of their studio recording sessions due to be released…
Sacred Noise Live Sacred Noise live Sacred Noise live
Pizza Crunch
A magnificent EP in That Serene Age and an equally impressive gig in King Tuts made my inclusion of Pizza Crunch in my list of hopes for 2022 well deserved.
Pizza Crunch EP – Pizza Crunch live
Spyres
With a brilliant EP (Dear Diary) out in August – on my to review list (I know – I sound like a broken record… but its been a busy year – thats my excuse and I’m sticking to it) and a massive headlone show coming in February, Spyres are really hitting their stride just now.
Turning Black Like Lizards
I almost met up with the band’s frontman in Wolverhampton a couple of weeks ago, but a fire in the city and road closures put paid to that. 24 Hours was a belter of a single and we have more to look forward to in 2023 including new band Fiires (oh the irony)
Big Girl’s Blouse
Another band (alongside Brontes & Spyres) that I somehow never managed to get to see live in 2021, despite them playing several gigs to great acclaim, I shall make a New Years Resolution to put that right in 2023…
Wet Leg
How can I put this kindly? Thier singles promised much, but Wet Leg did nothing for me in 2022. Despite plaudits from every corner of the music industry, I found their album to be entirely lacking in tunes, and their live show to be entirely lacking on passion or emotion. I left their gig feeling nothing. 21 out of 22 ain’t bad…