Gigs of 2008

2008 has provided some of the greatest musical moments of all time.

Matt Shultz of Cage The Elephant jumping into the Water Rats audience and forcing us face to face with a real rock ‘n’ roll band.
The whole crowd carrying on singing for at least two minutes after Glasvegas had left the Leeds festival stage.
Twickenham outfit Narration turning a Lincoln pub into the centre of the rock cosmos.
Biffy Clyro actually bringing a tear to my eye at Download with the most emotionally-charged performance of the year.
Dave McPherson covering Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince.
The Killers making me realise I knew every single word to every single one of their songs. And that despite me never having put on an album of theirs.
LostProphets playing the mainstream V Festival but still provoking the most thunderous reaction of the weekend.
Lovefoxx from CSS parading an array of staggering outfits.
An unsuspecting Exit Ten playing to one of the biggest crowds of the Download weekend.
Gavin Rossdale playing a small solo gig to fans wondering whether he’d actually play any Bush material. First song? ‘Machinehead’. Cue The Underworld’s foundations collapsing.
The Blackout breaking out from an emo/rock scene where it’s difficult to see the stars for the clouds. The Blackout are real stars and it was impossible to be at their Dublin Castle gig and not have fun.

My top shows of the year are listed below with some links to YouTube footage. Much of it’s not exactly relevant to the gigs in question, but it’s still good!

1. Cage The Elephant – Water Rats – February 6th
2. Narration – Dublin Castle – September 9th
3. Glasvegas – Leeds Festival – August
4. Biffy Clyro – Download Festival – June
5. Lost Prophets – V Festival – August (Video 1, Video 2)
6. The Killers – Leeds Festival – August
7. Gavin Rossdale – Underworld – June 11th
8. Dave McPherson – Water Rats – November 4th
9. The Blackout – Dublin Castle – February 26th
10. CSS – Reyjavik Arts Museum – October 18th (Nothing on YouTube represents the magic of Lovefoxx & CSS live. Forget about the video. Just go see them play.)
11. Exit Ten – Download Festival – June
A special mention too has to go to the girl who was pulled out of the crowd during Avenged Sevenfold’s show at Leeds Festival. The band were dismal but the cameo role by this fan was brilliant. The emotions pouring out of her were tangible no matter how far from the stage you were standing. And that, after all, is what it’s all about. Heart and soul. Maybe you had to be there! But check it out here.