Welcome to my 2024 end of year roundup. It's been a funny year for several reasons, and this is going to be a shorter post than usual, but rest assured that my annual songs of the year series of posts will be coming soon.
Gigs
I didn't go to many gigs this year, in fact, the only gig I did get to was Helen Mccookerybook and David Lance Callahan at the Tallyrand in Levenshulme in April. I could have gone to see Allie X play at Gorilla and, while I did consider going, in the end I ruled it out because I wasn't that keen on the new album.
Album of the year
The Last Dinner Party, Prelude To Ecstasy
Perhaps the most hotly anticipated debut album of the year, nay decade. And they did not in any way disappoint.
A tight, highly atmospheric album of glam rock inspired melodramas and anthems which satisfies on every level.
Event of the year
Florence + The Machine, Symphony of Lungs at the BBC Proms, Royal Albert Hall.
It goes without saying that I would have loved to have attended this concert, but as it was taking place in the early days of September on a weekday, I had absolutely zero chance of getting the time off work. I'm not sure I could have afforded the ticket, hotel and coach or train fares anyway. Luckily the BBC broadcast it twice, once live on Radio 3 and secondly about a month later on BBC2, where this unique 'Symphony of Lungs' could be appreciated in its full sumptuous sonic and visual splendour. It's being released on vinyl and CD in March, so naturally I have it on pre order.
Books I've read and loved this year
Tamora Pierce, Tortall: A Spy's Guide
Tim Mohr, Burning Down The Haus
Paul Hanley, Sixteen Again
Oliver Postgate, Seeing Things
Kirk Field, Rave New World
Lizzy Stewart, Alison
Chris and Jenn Sugden, High Vaultage
DBC Pierre, Vernon God Little
John Green, The Fault In Our Stars
Top 5 Detective TV Show themes
5) Sister Boniface Mysteries
4) Death in Paradise
3) Mrs Sidhu Investigates
2) Whitstable Pearl
1) The Turkish Detective
Articles I've found interesting/enjoyable this year
How the rental crisis is threatening the UK's music scenes by Laura Molloy (NME)
I am facing my second no-fault eviction in two years. Renting is broken by Ruby Lott-Lavigna (Open Democracy)
The Death of Shame by Jonn Elledge (The Newsletter of (Not Quite) Everything)
After 14 years of dead ends, here are three ways Labour can rejuvenate UK public transport by Jonn Elledge (The Guardian)
295 Days Gone by Jonn Elledge (The Newsletter of (Not Quite) Everything)
Fad's Army by Jonn Elledge (The Newsletter of (Not Quite) Everything)
I, for one, will mourn Twitter by Jonn Elledge (The New Statesman)
multi-storied #36: The idyll by Samanth Subramanian (multi-storied)
Memoir Draft: Chapter 1. Going into Care by Matt Taylor (Underclass Hero)
'Blue Plaque' at Walthamstow Tesco honours lettuce that outlasted Liz Truss by Martin Belam (The Guardian)
Songs of the year will begin on the 10th of December
