2023 is done, so it’s time to look forward.
We already have some tickets booked, so here are the gigs we’re most looking forward to this year.
Say She She – As soon as year hear some bands, you know they’re going to be great live. That’s why I didn’t hesitate to buy tickets for Say She She once I’d properly listened to their album Silver earlier this year. The sprung floor of the Ritz in Manchester is made for dancing. And so we shall come March, even if it is on a Sunday night.
James Spearing
Taylor Swift – A basic choice from a self-proclaimed basic bitch whose most played artist of 2023 was Taylor Swift. It’s hard to explain just how much of a big deal the Eras Tour is, I’ve never been this far from a gig and felt like I already know pretty much everything I’m going to see and hear so far in advance. A cultural megaton of an event, it’s not a surprise to anyone who has been paying attention but it’s so much more than a tour. This is the moment I can say I’m quite scared about how feral the Swifties are going to be; the standing area is going to be a chaotic experience, but to be there and witness the pop event of the decade will be worth it.
Sam Atkins
Young Fathers – My gigs for next year are all about crossing some of my favourite artists off the list. First up is Young Fathers. Doing their US tour for last year’s Heavy Heavy. The past few tours have always fallen when I’m out of town. I can’t wait to see their forcefully energetic music live. Their recorded music is trying to capture the essence of live music: spontaneous, vibrant and unpredictable. And though they do an amazing job, it always feels like there might be a little bit missing relative to the live show. Hopefully actually seeing them perform in real life will live up to my expectations.
Matt Paul
Fever Ray – I watched Fever Ray’s Glastonbury set on my couch this summer, and even from there I was transfixed. The songs from their Radical Romantics album sounded as good live as they do the record. The choreography and costumes were inspired. And Karin Dreijer commands the stage in an electrifying way. I made a promise to myself to experience their show in person if and when they announced a UK tour. I am very much looking forward to being there in the dark and the smoke in March.
Tom Burrows
Nadine Shah – Anyone who follows Nadine Shah’s career closely will know that, just a couple of years ago, there were two separate traumatic incidents shared on Twitter. At the time, this made music unimportant – it was clear that Shah was in a situation where she needed love and support. And luckily, she got them.
As a huge fan of not only her music, but her live performances and her general personality on stage, it is exciting to know that she is again in a place where she feels ready to release music. Her new album will be out in February. As pumped as I am to hear those ten or eleven new songs, the thing that really fills me with anticipation is the idea that at some point this year I am sure to stood in a packed room watching one of my favourite artists be an absolute warrior on the stage.
Fran Slater
Elkka – I saw Elkka play a late night DJ set at Bluedot back in July and it was one of the best things I saw all year. With an album due in 2024, and hopefully tour soon after, then what could top that set but Elkka herself, this time playing her own music? Let’s just say I’m very excited for both the album and the gig.
James Spearing
Mitski – Another artist that I love that I am yet to see live (I don’t count the one time I could hear them echoing across central park). Mitski’s introspective alt/indie rock on last year’s My Love is All Mine made it onto my favourite album shortlist. At this point with 7 albums under their belt of varying styles and themes, they’re gonna have a huge range of absolute classics to rattle through. Plus it’s at the beautiful Beacon Theatre, which I’ve only had the chance to see a book reading at. I can’t wait to hear it full of moody guitars.
Matt Paul
Oneohtrix Point Never – When I’m asked “what music do you listen to?” I give the annoying (but true) answer, ‘all sorts’. But even then, Oneohtrix Point Never’s synth-based experimentalism stands out as unlike a lot of other stuff I listen to. It’s not particularly catchy, there are few hooks, and sometimes, when I feel like I’m wading through an album (like this year’s Again) I ask myself: do I actually enjoy his music?
I’d say it’s more of a fascination that I have with it. I discovered him through the critical acclaim around 2011 album Replica, and I’ve long found his use of samples and his knack for locating the uncanny in a piece of sound to be greatly intriguing. For an example, take the incredibly sinister ‘Sleep Dealer’ which is formed from the music in a late 80s Wrigley gum ad. Having stepped into composing for films in recent years, god only knows what I’m in for at New Century in April but I can’t wait.
Tom Burrows
The National –
The only gig tickets I’ve already purchased for 2024 are for the band I’ve seen more times than any other. Before the pandemic kicked in, I was routinely seeing them two to three times a year, but I have only actual seen them once since 2020 – and that was at the terrible Manchester venue Depot Mayfield, where warm beer costs £8 per small can and you can only hear the music if you stand on one foot and do a little war dance.
Crystal Palace Park in July, then, feels like my real return to seeing the boys on stage. That is exciting enough. Add to that the fact that their latest album, Laugh Track, was my favourite of 2023 and they’re being supported on the day by This is the Kit, Kevin Morby, and more, and I am basically giddy.
Fran Slater
Picky Bastards 