I may have made it difficult for myself by starting this last year. I’ll need to come up with one more band, album or gig I’m looking forward to next year. Mind you, judging by the sheer volume of amazing new music that is out there, it shouldn’t be too much of a challenge. So here is my list of music related stuff I’m looking forward to next year so far…
In no particular order, but I’ve got quite an easy place to start.
1. Sacred Noise
One of the bands I’d listed in my 22 for ‘22 are back in for my list of great hopes for 2023. I lost track of how many times I saw this remarkable band in 2022, from their first steps into live performance in Bloc+ earlier in the year through to a triumphant support slot with Millie Manders and the Shutup in the Hug and Pint in November. The band have honed their live performances over the year, they just getting better and better both musically and in their accomplished performances. I look forward to many more gigs in 2023, and to hear the fruits of their studio recording sessions.
2. Water Machine
If you follow my social media accounts or Singles Round Up blogs, you’ve probably already heard me rave about this lot, even before I’d seen them perform or heard any recorded output. Since then they’ve released 4 tracks on a “demo tape” (reviewed here), and I’ve already got two dates in the diary to see them live in January alone…
3. Brenda
A wee link to Water Machine, with Florede being a member of both bands. I only managed to see Brenda live once in 2022, so plan to rectify this in 2023, and look forward to the fruits of the bands recording sessions.
4. Junk Pups
A band who surprised me this year by being so much better than I expected. With a vocalist whose voice belies their young years and a talented bunch of musicians, they blew me away in Mono. Their two singles two date have been superb, and I am reliably informed, there are more, and even better songs coming. If you don’t know them, you may already have seen them… they appear in the drama Mayflies on BBC Scotland in a cameo as The Shop Assistants. They are playing with Lloyds House again in January in King Tuts.
5. Brontes
Another band who appear again from my 2022 list, I am finally going to break my Brontes duck in January in King Tuts and am expecting great things from a band that promise much in their singles to date and in feedback I’ve heard from live performances this year.
6. Tina Sandwich
Having seen Tina wow the King Tuts crowd in one of my all round gigs of the year in an all star support line up for Pizza Crunch, Her two singles to date have lived up to that performance, so I look forward to seeing the Brontes gig even more considering Tina Sandwich is part of the support line up.
7. Suede
Having seen them countless times since their first King Tuts gig way back in the 1990s, I can honestly say I’ve never seen a bad gig by Brett and co. In fact, I think they get better and better with age. Daughter number one will be attending the Glasgow gig and seeing Suede for the first time so they better live up to expectations…
8. His Lordship
A life affirming gig in McChuils and two stunning EPs (one of covers and one original material) put His Lordship firmly on the map this year. They are playing Stereo in April and this is shaping up to be one of the gigs of the year. Come on The Courettes and Duncan Reid and the Big Heads, get back to Glasgow, your reputation(s) as the best live band on the planet are being challenged…
9. Self Esteem
One day I will see Self Esteem live, having missed two gigs now due to work. Barrowland in April better be good. Oh, and she was robbed for the Mercury Music Prize…
10. Blue Aeroplanes
Two things. Last Night From Glasgow have re-released the immense album Swagger. What’s not to love? AND they are releasing Blue Aeroplanes new album in 2023, with a live gig to mark its launch. Try stopping me from being there.
11. Fiires
I very nearly got to meet Andy in person in December, maybe next time I’m in Wolverhampton… as it stands, he’s not content with being in the brilliant Turning Black Like Lizards, and I’m excited for Fiires debut release in 2023.
12. Spyres
With a brilliant EP towards the end of 2022, Spyres are set to excite Glasgow music fans at their biggest headline gig to date in St Lukes.
13. Collars
If someone fancies making my 2023, bring Collars to Glasgow. That is all…
14. Big Girls Blouse/The Best Bad Influence
Double bill! Both bands playing in January. If you’ve never seen me rave about The Best Bad Influence – where the fuck have you been? The best young rockabilly band in the world. And Big Girls Blouse! Finally going t9 see one of Glasgow’s most talked about bands live.
15. The Filthy Tongues/The Hedrons/Countess of Fife
What a bill! Two brilliant gigs from the support bands in 2022, and I can’t wait to see In These Dark Places live…
16. Carol Hodge
My namesake! Did the set in 2022 – solo, with Crass and The Carol Hodge band… New album Vertiginous Drops is one of her best… order NOW. You won’t be disappointed. Hoping for lost more live dates.
17. Scottish Faultlines
How could I not include the lovely Hugh Haggerty? He only started releasing music in 2022, and played his debut gig supporting Spare Snare in the Hug and Pint. His songs so far have been sublime, how can such beauty contain such seething rage in some cases? I look forward to much more!
18. Soft on Crime
there have been loads of new Irish acts I’ve been loving in the last few years, thanks mainly to Dimple Discs and FIFA (not the fucking hideous football organisation with no morals whatsoever). Soft on Crime have impressed me recently and with an album due early next year, I have high hopes for them.
19. The Beat/Bow Wow Wow
I’ve never managed to get to a Beat gig yet, so what better one to be my first than with Bow Wow Wow (Annabela’s one – not the imposters) who were amazing last time I saw them. I love new music, but I love the old stuff too….
20. Nekromatix
I’ve had a ticket to see this lot for what seems like forever, hopefully it will actually happen in 2023…
21. Panic Shack
Brilliant singles and EP and a band with what feels like a really riotous attitude to everything. Looking forward to seeing them in 2023.
22. Young Fathers
One of Scotland’s best ever bands, why do they not appear in all the “lists”? New album Heavy Heavy is high on my list of must have albums for 2023 already.
23. Jo Jo and the Teeth
Fantastic and exciting young band, not only have they got a superb album in their own right, they are Andy Blades backing band in the “new” Eater. Hoping for a Scottish Date?