And from Southampton, Nigel lists his musical highlights of 2021
Albums
1. Wolf Alice- Blue Weekend
One of the finest rock albums for a while and one which I think it will become a classic over time. It is full of well written tunes and differing styles which grow with each listen, a sign of a very fine album
2. Robert Plant & Alison Krauss – Raise the Roof
3. Black Country New Road- For the first time
4. Dry Cleaning- New Long Leg
5. Weather Station – Ignorance
6. The Lathums- How Beautiful Life Can Be
7. Field Music- Flat White Moon
8. Julien Baker – Little Oblivions
9. Little Simz- Sometimes I might be Introvert
10. Arlo Parks – Collapsed in Sunbeams
I would have included Katy J Pearson’s – Return album as one of my 2021 favourites but it was released in November last year and Ali actually ( fair play ) included it in his top 10 last year.
Festival Sets
After the fallow year of 2020 I was privileged to be able to attend two three day festivals and saw many unique sets. These were my favourites
1. Johnny Greenwood- EOR Garden Stage
This was unique and probably never to be repeated live showcasing of his soundtracks. World class playing from the ensemble he put together. Hearing the House of Woodcock from Phantom Thread played live was an unforgettable moment. A Classic festival performance.
2. Chemical Brothers – Latitude Obelisk Arena
3. Joel Culpepper – Latitude Alcove
4. The Comet is Coming – EOR Woods Stage
5. Little Simz – EOR Woods Stage
6. Katie J Pearson – EOR Tipi
7. Arlo Parks – EOR Garden Stage
8. Anna B Savage- EOR Garden Stage
9. Gwenno ,live soundtrack to Bait film- EOR Big Top
10. Mabel – Latitude Obelisk Arena
Gigs
1. Idles – 1865 Southampton 17/09/21
Originally an outstore promo for the release of Ultra mono Idles treated it as a normal full on gig. Guitarist falling backwards from the balcony onto the crowd below after crowdsurfing the length of the venue playing made this an I was there moment.
2. This is the Kit – Railway Winchester 7/11/21
3. Laura Marling (Solo) – Hexagon Reading 16/10/21
4. Wolf Alice- Joiners Arms- Southampton 29/09/21
5. Lump – Shacklewell Arms,London 19/08/21
6. The Lathums – 1865 Southampton 8/10/21
7. Squid- 1865 Southampton 4/10/21
8. Self Esteem – Joiners Southampton 16/11/21
9. Steve Hackett( Seconds Out Genesis revisited )- Mayflower Southampton 11/10/21
10. The Specials ( Unplugged) – The Engine Rooms Southampton 5/10/21