Well Gav said he did not buy many new records but his fave gigs of 2021 were ....

1. Bears Den: Hackney Church
A perfect location for this band, amazing accoustics in beautiful surroundings. Socially distanced, sitting and it just worked perfectly.

2. White Lies: PowerHau
Hot steamy night on the first day of what we then thought would be the start of some normality.

3. Bombay Bicycle Club: Islington Assembly Hall
The chance to see BBC in a small venue - wow. This was their ‘trial’ after so long in isolation before their appearance in APE. As always, a great performance and absolutely no ‘rust’ to a polished, jumping night.

4. Slow Readers Club: Electric Ballroom
Had wanted to see them for a few years and this didn’t disappoint. Energy from start to finish.

5. Viagra Boys: Camden Electric Ballroom
The kind of band you just need to see live, lead singer may have put a few pounds on over lockdown but it didn’t stop him putting on, as always, a banging evening.

6. We Were Promised Jetpacks: Village Underground
Lost track of how many times I’ve spent them and it was great to see them in this lovely, intimate venue with great acoustics performing a few tracks from their great new album.

7. Too Many Zooz: Xoxo
A great venue for this bunch of mad New Yorkers and loved Leo’s new green mullet.

8. Specials: Troxy
I had seen them the night before in the Roundhouse and it was ‘ok’ at best. However, for some reason they really came alive in the Troxy and a gave us hugely memorable evening.

9. Elbow: Apollo
Guy Garvey - always has the crowd going and this night was no different. Anecdotes, stories and great sing-along tunes.

10. Ocean Colour Scene - Roundhouse
Lead singer may not have aged too well but he still has that voice plus the night had added surprise with the appearance of Paul Weller for a few tracks. Great last gig of the year and likely for some time given everything happening :-(