Getintothis’ contributors offer their end of year selections
Taking a look and listen back at 2016’s best bits, Getintothis scribes and snappers offer their opinions on the last 12 months and who they hope to see shine in 2017.
Well, what can we say that hasn’t already been said about the apparent shit storm that’s been 2016? We’re exhausted, quite frankly.
On the grand scale there’s been political turmoil in every corner of the globe, it seems. Activism is enjoying a resurgence along with extremism on both the left and rightI . If Brexit left many disillusioned with society then celebrity businessman Donald Trump becoming president of the United States equalled devastation.
In entertainment it also seemed the number of deaths that occurred this year were part of some curse of biblical proportions. The BBC in particular have released (up to December 14) forty-two obituaries for famous musicians, actors and TV personalities.
David Bowie, Prince, Leonard Cohen, Sir George Martin, Victoria Wood, Alan Rickman, Muhammed Ali, Fidel Castro – even Paul Daniels! The list is as long as it is varied and by summer folk cried out on social media to lock up your national treasures, lest the curse of twenty-sixteen befall them. In reality it hasn’t been that unusual. As the medium of popular entertainment ages, so do its icons.
Let us reassure you that there is no curse. Yes, we’re knee deep in austerity, we have a Conservative government, the biggest refugee crisis since WW2, a US government creeping back to the right and forty-two dead celebs on our hands, BUT it wasn’t all bad. Honestly.
As for the bigger picture, the Paris climate change agreement came into force last month, a serious acknowledgement of global warming, the need for greener societies and a step in the right direction. In the same vein it was 2016 that saw the first round the world trip of a solar powered aeroplane.
In medicine rapid cancer screening was introduced that could save tens of thousands of lives a year. This year too, UK medical trials cleared a British man of HIV, proving a cure for the disease is a realistic possibility in our lifetime.
Closer to home the Hillsborough inquest was brought to its conclusion, finding the 96 who lost their lives in the atrocity victims with no blame. This twenty-seven year battle was not only a victory for the families of the 96 or even the city, but for social justice generally and a signifier of people power in the face of oppression.
In the arts we saw Liverpool festivals run a-mock at this year’s UK Festival Awards. Speaking of festivals, we did alright didn’t we? It seems, in Liverpool at least, that every season is festival season.
And there’s the music! Shed loads of it. Enough to fill a Top 100 list and then some: A plethora of innovative sounds. There’s been a cacophony of spine tingly live music experiences, right here in your own back yard.
Us good lot at Getintothis have therefore compiled some of our favourite sights and sounds of 2016 (as well as our worst) and as always we invite you into the dialogue. So, relax, breathe, stay woke, have another Quality Street and have a read. Everything is going to be alright. Janaya Pickett
King Gizzard live in Manchester
Shaun Ponsonby – Getintothis features editor
Top 5 Albums of 2016:
Shaun Ponsonby – Hums Christmas Classics For You (what?)
Wildhood – Vert
David Bowie – Black Star
King Gizzard & The Lizard Wizard – Nonagon Infinity
The Suffers – The Suffers
Top 3 Tracks of 2016:
Charles Bradley – Ain’t It A Sin
Ezra Furman – Teddy I’m Ready
Queen Zee & The Sasstones – Sass or Die
Top 5 Gigs of 2016:
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band at Etihad Stadium, Manchester (Getintothis review)
George Clinton & Parliament – Funkadelic at O2 Academy, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Gregory Porter at Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool
The Cure – at Manchester Arena (Getintothis review)
Cage The Elephant at O2 Academy, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Event of 2016
Shaun says: “Nothing. The whole year was shit. Although, meeting Brian Wilson was pretty cool.”
Music Tip for 2017
Shaun says: “Prince will nonchalantly show up at the Grammys to present “Best New Artist” and not even acknowledge his supposed death.”
The Mysterines
Jake Marley – Getintothis writer and Jukebox columnist
Top 5 Albums of 2016:
Childish Gambino – Awaken My Love
Warpaint – Heads Up
Deap Vally – Femejism
Let’s Eat Grandma – I, Gemini
The Coral – Distance Inbetween
Top 3 Tracks of 2016:
The Growlers – Night Ride
Alexandra Savior – Mystery Girl
Anteros – Ring Ring
Top 5 Gigs of 2016:
Black Honey at Y Not Festival
The Coral at Liverpool Sound City (Getintothis on Sound City)
Let’s Eat Grandma at Arts Club, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Warpaint at Grand Central Hall, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Deap Vally & The Velveteers at Invisible Wind Factory, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Event of 2016
Jake says: “Y Not Festival – Only bad thing is I ruined a fair bit of my wardrobe, top weekend though. So many great sets and turned me on to a few more emerging bands to keep an eye on. Great lineup and a truly stunning setting. I’d go again next year in a heartbeat.”
Music Tip for 2017
Jake says: “Trampolene – Right up there with the best live bands in the country and I say that with conviction having been to hundreds of gigs. There’s are always hugely memorable, as our the lyrics and melodies. Jack Jones is the wordsmith of the past, present and future. You say, I say Trampolene. We all scream for Trampolene.
“The Mysterines – Merseyside’s worst kept secret. This one’s closer to home but a band I’ve backed from pretty much unknowns since a tip off from The Sundowners last year. They’ve got recordings to back up their wild live sets due out next year and they sound mega. They closed this year supporting The Coral, next year the planets aline.”
Dinosaur Jr at Arts Club
Paul Higham – Getintothis writer and albums editor
Top 5 albums of 2016:
Lambchop – Flotus
Hannah Peel – Awake But Always Dreaming
Cavern of Anti-Matter – Void Beats / Invocation Trex
Jenny Hval – Blood Bitch
C Diab – No Perfect Wave
Top 3 Songs of 2016:
Lambchop – The Hustle
Hannah Peel – Conversations
Dinosaur Jr. – Love is…
Top 5 gigs of 2016:
Arab Strap at Barrowland Ballroom, Glasgow
Swans at O2 Ritz, Manchester (Getintothis review)
Steve Reich and Bill Morrison at Edge Hill Station, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Dinosaur Jr. at Arts Club, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Three Trapped Tigers at Buyers Club, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Event of 2016
Paul says: “Liverpool is fortunate to play host to so many great and varied festivals, it becomes exhausting just trying to keep up. Sound City out-performed initial expectations and in Floating Points we witnessed one of the best sets all year, Liverpool Music Week provides a timely tonic on those dank and dark wintry nights of late October and early November, while Liverpool Psych Fest is rapidly becoming the unstoppable juggernaut against which all other urban music festivals should be judged.
“Yet for me one event stood out – if not necessarily for the right reasons. In a year overwhelmed by death and sadness, the protracted demise of All Tomorrow’s Parties has been but a barely-reported footnote. Many will rightly point to the financial calamities that have left fans and performers out of pocket and shout good riddance. Yet to see an event that has meant so much to so many draw its desperate last breath in the ignominious and inauspicious setting of Prestatyn Pontins was almost the saddest event in a year of unspeakable sadness.”
Music Tip for 2017
Paul says: “If there’s been one Liverpool band I’ve enjoyed seeing get better and better over the last 12 to 18 months it has been Rongorongo – 2017 looks like being a big year for Mick and the lads. The Mysterines have also announced themselves as prodigious talents and well look to make waves in the new year.
“Elsewhere, Her’s have been mightily impressive as has the emergence of Ohmns and Fuss. It all goes to show that the next generation of Liverpool artists (apologies to those unnamed – there’s too many to mention) are ready and waiting to break through to the other side.”
Blossoms
Helen Rabbitt – Getintothis writer
Helen says: “Compiling this list is basically choosing a favourite child…you don’t want to do so but it has to be done so here goes:”
Top 5 albums of 2016:
Blossoms – Blossoms
TLSP – Everything You’ve Come to Expect
Catfish and the Bottlemen – The Ride
Red Hot Chilli Peppers – The Getaway
Kings of Leon – Walls
Top 3 Tracks of 2016:
Two Door Cinema Club – Gameshow
The Last Shadow Puppets – The Element of Surprise
Gabrielle Aplin – Miss You
Top 5 Gigs of 2016:
Adele at Manchester Arena
Maccabees at O2 Academy, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Foals at Manchester Arena
Blossoms at O2 Academy, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
The Last Shadow Puppets at Olympia, Liverpool (Helen says: “…yeah I adore this duo) (Getintothis review)
Event of 2016
Helen says: “Y NOT FESTIVAL – Catfish and the Bottlemen followed by Noel Gallagher as a Saturday headliner. INCREDIBLE.”
Music Tip for 2017
Helen says: “To 2017 itself, please don’t take anyway anymore musical geniuses because this year broke us too much. Keep the talent alive!”
Peaches live at Liverpool’s Invisible Wind Factory
Vicky Pea – Getintothis social media editor, photographer and writer
Top 5 Albums of 2016 : (Vicky says: “the order changes in relation to weather, mood, time of day and intoxication“)
Radiohead – Moon Shaped Pool
Iggy Pop – Post Pop Depression
Whitney – Light Upon The Lake
Wildhood – Vert
David Bowie – Blackstar
Top 3 Tracks of 2016:
David Bowie – Lazarus
Whitney – No Woman
Trudy and the Romance – Baby I’m Blue
Top 5 Gigs of 2016:
Kamasi Washington at Way Out West Festival, Gothenburg (Getintothis review of Way out West)
Peaches at Invisible Wind Factory, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Whitney at Gorilla, Manchester and at Way Out West Festival, Gothenburg (Getintothis review)
Brian Jonestown Massacre at O2 Academy, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Swans at The Ritz, Manchester
(Vicky says: “Honourable mentions to George Clinton, Fucked Up, Bruce Springsteen“)
Event of 2016
Vicky says: “Strange Waves 2016 at Manchester’s The Ritz featuring King Gizzard & Lizard Wizard, The Parrots, The Wytches (would also be #1 gig of the year but didn’t want to double up)” (Getintothis review)
Music Tip for 2017
Vicky says: “Even more deaths. Brace yourselves.”
The Magnetic North
Edward Feery – Getintothis writer
Top 5 Albums of 2016:
Kate Jackson – British Road Movies
“The former Long Blondes frontwoman returned with ten tracks co-written with Bernard Butler, a cinematic record that married the arch, literary indie of her old band.”
The Ragamuffins – Over On The Shipping Forecast
“Clitheroe’s finest have operated under the radar for far too long, but their latest long-player showed just how far they’ve come as a band.”
Ralegh Long – We Are In The Fields
“Long’s brittle, wavering vocals make for a beguiling contrast with the pocket symphony of his music, in particular Jack Hayter’s pedal steel. A delight.”
The Magnetic North – The Prospect Of Skelmersdale
“This psychogeographical outfit went to Skem for their second album and turned out one of the year’s gems. A mix of ghostly electronica, chiming folk-rock and the gentlest tinge of Transcendental Meditation helped explore the story of West Lancashire’s infamous New Town, and the distance between the dream and the reality.”
Adrian Talens – Poly Bridge OST
“It feels almost perverse to nominate an album of classical guitar instrumentals written for an indie game about wacky engineering feats – but fuck it, if this year’s taught us anything it’s that playing by the rules gets you nowhere fast.”
Top 3 Tracks of 2016:
Rose Elinor Dougall – Stellular
“RED’s career has moved in fits and starts since the release of her debut solo album ‘Without Why’ in 2010. The title track from her new LP, out in January, showcases a development of the lovely and lovelorn sound of that first record into something more driven and urgent.”
The Westerlies – A Nearer Sun
“The opening track from the American brass quartet’s self-titled sophomore effort is a sublime moment of stillness in a crazy, crazy year.”
Harbottle & Jonas – We Shall Overcome
“Closer and title track of the West Country duo’s latest album, all chiming guitars and heart-tugging strings, with a stirring and fitting sentiment for the times in which we find ourselves.”
Event of 2016
Edward says: “It feels both morbid and clichéd to mention the death of David Bowie, but coming right at the top of the New Year it was a harbinger of the mad bad craziness 2016 was about to unleash on us”.
Music Tip for 2017
Edward says: “Rose Elinor Dougall – Stellular
It’s been a long time coming, but Dougall’s second solo record promises to be something very special. With any luck, this will be her springboard to stardom in her own right”.
The Coral
Del Pike – Getintothis film editor
Top 5 Albums of 2016:
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Skeleton Tree
David Bowie – Blackstar
Cat’s Eyes – Treasure House
The Coral – Distance Inbetween
Charles Bradley – Changes
Top 3 Tracks of 2016:
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Distant Sky
Cat’s Eyes – Be Careful where you park your car
Radiohead – Burn the Witch
Top 5 Gigs of 2016:
Savages at Albert Hall, Manchester
Michael Head at Sefton Park, Liverpool International Music Festival (Getintothis review)
GoGo Penguin at Arts Club, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Heaven 17 / BEF at O2 Academy, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Elvana at Arts Club, Liverpool
Event of 2016
Liverpool Music Week
Music Tip for 2017
Del says: “Look no further than The Shipbuilders and RongoRongo.”
RongoRongo
Banjo – Getintothis writer
Top 5 Albums of 2016:
Nick Cave – Skeleton Tree
Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool
The Anchoress – Confessions of a Romance Novelist
Fred V & Grafix – Oxygen
Kooky & Damoon – GIT Mix
Top 3 Tracks of 2016:
Kooky & Damoon – There She Flies
Paul Draper – Feeling My Heart Run Slow
Fred V & Grafix – Ultra Violet
Event of 2016
“Too many, all bad.”
Music Tip for 2017
Banjo says: “Paul Draper finally releasing his 1st solo album, Aphex Twin playing live again and the sun shining at Glastonbury”.
Savages
Tom Adam – Getintothis photographer
Top 5 Albums of 2016:
Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool
Michael Kiwanuka – Love and Hate
She Drew The Gun – Memories of the Future
Savages – Adore Life
Car Seat Headrest – Teens of Denial
Top 3 Tracks of 2016:
David Bowie – Lazarus
Sunflower Bean – Wall Watcher
Estrons – Drop
Top 5 Gigs of 2016:
Cage the Elephant at O2 Academy, Liverpool
Wolf Alice at Arts Club, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Savages at Open’er Festival, Poland
Pharel at Open’er Festival, Poland
Dilly Dally at Liverpool Sound City
Event of 2016
Sound City
Music Tip for 2017
Tom says: “You should have an eye on bands and artists like – Maggie Rogers, Vant, Pixx, Amazons, Dua Lipa, Billie Marten, Mothers, Dreamwife, Abattoir Blues, Pink Kink, Vryll Society, Estrons, Let’s Eat Grandma, Cabbage and Yak.”
John Carpenter at Olympia
Adam Lowerson – Getintothis Deputy Editor
Top 5 Albums of 2016:
Christine and the Queens – Chaleur Humaine
Bon Iver – 22, A Million
David Bowie – Blackstar
D.D Dumbo – Utopia Defeated
Kendrick Lamar – untitled unmastered.
Top 3 Tracks of 2016:
D.D Dumbo – Walrus
Christine and the Queens – iT
Hooton Tennis Club – Katy Anne Bellis
Top 5 Gigs of 2016:
Christine and the Queens at O2 Apollo, Manchester (Getintothis review)
LCD Soundsystem at Primavera Sound, Barcelona (Getintothis review)
John Grant at Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Super Furry Animals at Festival No 6, Portmeirion (Getintothis review)
John Carpenter at Olympia, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Event of 2016
Primavera Sound, Barcelona
Music Tip for 2017
Adam says: “The Mysterines.”
Vryll Society
Lily Corke Butters – Getintothis writer
Top 5 Albums of 2016:
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard – Nonagon Infinity
Fat White Family – Song for our Mothers
Cate le Bon – Crab Day
David Bowie – Blackstar
A Tribe Called Quest – We Got it From Here, Thank You for Your Service
Top 3 Tracks of 2016:
HMLTD – Is This What You Wanted?
The Vryll Society – La Jetee
Tame Impala – Confide in Me (cover)
Top 3 Gigs of 2016:
Pink Kink & HMLTD at EBGBs, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
King Gizzard and the Lizard Wizard at Gorilla, Manchester
The Vryll Society at Invisible Wind Factory, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Event of 2016
Liverpool International Festival of Psychedelia
Music Tip for 2017
Lily says: “New bands need to focus less on their likability to the generic audience, and more on their individual sound because nothing is more boring than the same thing you heard last week. Have a mince pie, it’s December so we’re allowed”.
Nick Ellis
Paul Fitzgerald – Getintothis writer and Lost Liverpool columnist
Paul says: “Such a good, and strange year for music in the city. None of these are in any kind of order, and by the time you open this mail, I’d have changed my mind on all of it, but here goes”.
Top 5 Albums of 2016:
Lemon Twigs – Do Hollywood
Pavo Pavo – Young Narrator In The Breaks
C Duncan – The Midnight Sun
Ben Watt – Fever Dream
Bon Iver – 22, A Million
Top 3 Tracks of 2016:
Nick Ellis – My Old Flame
Zuzu – Get Off
BadBadNotGood – Time Moves Slow
Top 5 Gigs of 2016:
Michael Head and The Red Elastic Band at Sefton Park, Liverpool International Music Festival
Cabbage at Liverpool Sound City
Kris Drever at Philharmonic Music Room, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Cage The Elephant at Leeds Festival
Explosions In The Sky at Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Event of 2016
Paul says: “Different Trains by Steve Reich, at Metal, Edge Hill Station. A stunning performance of this classic minimalist piece, with film by Bill Morrison. An undeniable coup for the city, in the most perfect of venues and location, which added an extra immersive quality to the piece. Beautifully performed and devised as an event, it was a real ‘where you there’ moment”.
Music tip for 2017
Paul says: “Cabbage will enter the stratosphere, almost certainly with their shirts off, and wrapped in microphone leads”.
Mugstar at The Albert Hall, Manchester
Andy Sunley – Getintothis photographer
Top 5 Albums of 2016:
Kikagaku Moyo – House In The Long Grass
Mugstar – Magnetic Seasons
Broken DC – Astragal
Lorelle Meets The Obsolete – Balance
Psychic Ills – Inner Journey Out
Top 3 Tracks of 2016:
Minor Victories – Cogs
King Gizzard And The Lizard Wizard – Rattlesnake
Brian Jonestown Massacre – Government Beard
Top 5 Gigs of 2016:
Brian Jonestown Massacre at O2 Academy, Liverpool
Let’s Eat Grandma at Arts Club Loft, Liverpool
Dinosaur Jr at Arts Club, Liverpool
Parliament / Funkadelic at O2 Academy, Liverpool
Low at Epstein Theatre, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Event of 2016
Liverpool International Festival Of Psychedelia.
Andy says: “I told Steve Davis that I’d enjoyed watching Kikagaku Moyo. He went and bought the album!”.
Music Tip for 2017
Andy says: “Lilium“.
Clean Cut Kid
Craig MacDonald – Getintothis Festivals editor, deputy news editor and writer
Top 5 Albums of 2016:
Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool (“It will probably be on many people’s list I imagine. A return to form that few expected.”)
Bon Iver – 22 Million (“Visionary stuff from Justin Vernon.”)
The Magnetic North – Prospects Of Skelmersdale (“A masterpiece. Utter magnificence that shows a band capable of something truly brilliant.”)
Sunflower Bean – Human Ceremony (“From the first moment I heard them, I fell in love.“)
YG – Still Brazy (“There has been some outstanding hip hop records this year, but this still tops the lot for me.”)
Top 3 Tracks of 2016:
Radiohead – Burn the Witch
Clean Cut Kid – Pick Me Up
She Drew the Gun – Poem
Top 5 Gigs of 2016:
AC/DC at Etihad Stadium, Manchester (Getintothis review) (“Axl Rose proved he was more then up to the task.”)
Kano at Arts Club, Liverpool (Getintothis review) (“One of the most energised gigs I’ve been too.”)
Cream Classics at Anglican Cathedral, Liverpool (Getintothis review) (“A triumphant celebration in a stunning location.“)
Blossoms at O2 Academy, Liverpool (Getintothis review) (“In what would have been Viola Beach’s homecoming show, this was one of the most emotional shows I’ve witnessed. Blossoms also proved they are rightly the biggest band in the UK right now too.”)
Lying Bastards at Black Lodge Brewery, Liverpool (Getintothis review) (“brilliant set from each act, topped off with a break neck set from the bastards. Class.”)
Event of 2016
Craig says: “Coldplay playing Viola Beach at their headline set at Glastonbury. For all the shit that has happened, we found something good in the most unlikely of sources. Great tribute”.
Music Tip for 2017
Craig says: “Both Pink Kink and Youth Hostel seem destined for big things, but I think that The Mysterines are set to blow up into something very special. If Psycho Comedy are not on Iggy‘s radar, I’ve done something wrong”.
Public Service Broadcasting
Mike Stanton – Getintothis writer and Unknown Pleasures columnist
Top 5 Albums of 2016:
Phono Ghosts – Solar Dream Reel
The Pattern Forms – Peel Away The Ivy
Lost Idol – Chrome Machine Tales
1991 – No More Dreams
Xeno & Oaklander – Topiary
Top 3 Tracks of 2016:
High Tides – Malibuds
SALT RUSH ft. Mark Peters – Cascades
Marsheaux – Now You Are Mine
Top 5 Gigs or 2016:
John Grant at Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Saul Williams at 24 Kitchen Street, Liverpool
Public Service Broadcasting at O2 Academy, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Ryoichi Kurokawa at Philharmonic Music Room, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
VHS Head at DROP the DumBULLS, Liverpool
Event of 2016
Emotion Wave
Music Tip for 2017
Mike says: “Bryde – Woozy blues dynamic with an injection of towering guitar-riven melancholia”.
She Drew The Gun
Rick Leach – Getintothis writer
Top 5 Albums of 2016:
The Magnetic North – Prospect of Skelmersdale (“A record to treasure forever. The more you listen to it, then the more you get out of it.”)
Tchiakovsky – Symphonies 1,2 & 5 Vasily Petrenko (cond) / Royal Liverpool Phiharmonic Orchestra (“This is just staggeringly good. The first of Petrenko’s recordings of Tchiakovky’s Symphonies and if the rest are as good as this then we are in for a treat. If you want to hear music that will amaze and move you then you can do no better that this.”)
Emma Pollock – In Search of Harperfield (“This kind of crept under the radar. A future classic.”)
Swans – The Glowing Man – (“And as the Two Ronnies might have said, “And it’s goodnight from Swans.”)
Transcendental – Daniil Trifonov plays Franz Liszt (“The most difficult piano music ever composed and rarely played in full because of its sheer complexity. However, Daniil Trifonov knocks it out of the park.”)
Top 3 Tracks of 2016:
She Drew the Gun – Poem
Clean Cut Kid – Pick Me Up
Nonkeen – Chasing God Through Palmyra
Top 5 Gigs of 2016:
Kamasi Washington at Glastonbury Festival (Getintothis review)
The Magnetic North at Central Library, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Swans at O2 Ritz, Manchester (Getintothis review)
Brian Wilson at Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Clean Cut Kid at The Magnet, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Event of 2016
Rick says: “Christine & the Queens at Glastonbury; a stellar performance mixed with the collective embarrassment & shame of watching a European artist play the day after the Brexit vote”.
Music Tip for 2017
Rick says: “NYTCLUB – watch this lot soar in 2017! Pure pop!”
Louis Berry
Peter Goodbody – Getintothis photographer
Top 5 Albums of 2016:
Leonard Cohen – You Want it Darker
Imarhan – Imarhan
Kings of Leon – Walls
Josefin Ohrn + The Liberation – Mirage
Primal Scream – Chaosmosis
Top 3 Tracks of 2016:
Lying Bastards – Head to Tokyo
Josefin Ohrn + The Liberation – The State I’m In
Louis Berry – Restless
Top 5 Gigs of 2016:
Steve Gunn at Philharmonic Music Room, Liverpool (Getintothis review) (“That guy knows how to play guitar and take us driving down a long straight road.”)
The Veldt at Liverpool International Festival of Psychedelia (Getintothis review) (“The only non-headliner to get an encore and so well deserved for their blistering set.”)
Amanda Palmer at Central Library, Liverpool (Getintothis review) (“Her enthusiasm was really engaging.”)
Josefin Öhrn + The Liberation at Liverpool International Festival of Psychedelia (“Mesmerising.”)
Louis Berry at Mersey River Festival, Liverpool (“Just brilliant.”)
Event of 2016
Peter says: “It has to be PZYK Fest. It’s 2 days of insanely good music and a discovery process that keeps on giving.”
Music Tip for 2017
Peter says: “Pretty obvious, I know, but Clean Cut Kid and Louis Berry have to make a mark”.
Cabbage
Chris Burgess – Getintothis writer
Top 5 Albums of 2016:
J-Zone – Fish-N-Grits (“A superb return from the only Mumford that has ever mattered. New York’s finest took a masterful swipe at millennial rap.”)
Boris with Merzbow – Gensho (“Tokyo drone-rock outfit Boris team up with noise musician Merzbow and make an unholy, ethereal and simply exquisite racket.”)
Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds – Skeleton Tree (“An album that is equal parts sombre, harrowing and prophetic. Cave and the band have made better albums, but none as affecting.”)
Kyle Craft – Dolls of Highland (“A world away from the chillwave landfill that seems to have blighted music over the past few years, Craft’s carnivalesque glam rock feels immensely refreshing.”)
NOFX: First Ditch Effort (“Probably won’t make it to many people’s ‘best of’ lists, but I’m glad Fat Mike decided to get his arse in gear and make another decent record.”)
Top 3 Tracks of 2016:
DJ Shadow feat. Run The Jewels: Nobody Speak (“Killer Mike, killer production and killer video. This is the song I’ve played the most this year, an instant hip hop classic.”)
Charles Bradley: Changes (“Bradley seems to pull off the impossible, turning the worst Black Sabbath song into a soul classic that almost acts as eulogy to 2016.”)
The Growlers: I’ll Be Around (“Stomping, snarling and with a huge chorus. Nothing new, probably a bit dumb, but goddamn it’s fucking great.”)
Top 5 Gigs of 2016:
Chris says: “I probably didn’t get to enough to have a top 5, sadly. Peaches was a bit good though”.
Event of 2016
Chris says: “As counterintuative as it may seem, it has to be Donald Trump‘s election. Think of all the great music that we’ll get in reaction”.
Music Tip for 2017
Chris says: “The rise and rise of Cabbage shows no signs of slowing down, so I imagine they’ll rule the roost in the next 12 months”.
Steve Mason
Matt Yarwood – Getintothis writer
Top 5 Albums of 2016:
Whitney – Light Upon The Lake
Cavern of Anti Matter – Void beats / Invocation trex
Steve Mason – Meet the Humans
Nicolas Jaar – Sirens
Parquet Courts – Human Performance
Top 3 Tracks of 2016:
Whitney – No woman
Bon Iver – 8 (circles)
Car Seat Headrest – Drunk Driver / Killerwales
Top 5 Gigs of 2016:
Belle & Sebastian at Green Man Festival, Wales
Dinosaur Jr. at Albert Hall, Manchester
Whitney at Green Man Festival, Wales
Martha Gunn at The Castle Hotel, Manchester
Dan Bettridge at Gullivers, Manchester
Event of 2016
Matt says: “Either the mass stage invasion as Belle and Sebastian closed out Green Man Festival or Martha Gunn and Willie J Healy playing a back-to-back blinder at the Castle Hotel as part of Off the Record”.
Music Tip for 2017
Matt says: “Dan Bettridge – has the makings of a song writer of real quality“.
Mark E Smith
Will Neville – Getintothis writer
Top 5 albums of 2016
David Bowie – Backstar
Soft Hearted Scientists – Golden Omen
The Goon Sax – Up To Anything
Bob Mould – Patch The Sky
The Parrots – Los Niños Sin Miedo
Top 3 tracks of 2016:
Martha – St Paul’s (Westerberg Comprehensive)
Chook Race – Hard To Clean
The Fall – Wise Ol’ Man
Top 5 gigs of 2016:
The Chills at Philharmonic Music Room, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
John Grant at Philharmonic Hall, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Ian Prowse at Liverpool One Bridewell
Meilyr Jones at Leaf, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Dinosaur Jr. – Arts Club, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Event of 2016
Will says: “A sad series of musical demises, with the most devastating for me being the sublime Leonard Cohen“.
Music tip for 2017
Will says: “Local 80’s 4AD-enthralled act Her’s and garage punkers Little Triggers.”
Jamie T
Jessica Borden – Getintothis writer
Top 5 Albums of 2016:
The Coral – Distance Inbetween
(“the return that everybody had been anxiously waiting for, the darker and heavier guitar riffs and psychedelic melodies paired with the incredible lyrics and stories told made this steal the year at the beginning of March.“)
Jamie T –Trick
(“Released in September and even with half of the year gone, this was the exact explosive energy needed from this album, the return of the indie rock with high paced tracks and lyrics which hit a core of society and personal levels made this album incredible and the perfect development of Jamie T’s music.“)
Clipping – Splendor & Misery
(“An alternative hip hop concept album following a survivor of a slave uprising in space named Cargo 2331 and the computer that falls in love with him…granted this sounds possibly insane. The distortion of tracks and the perfect sound effects combined with the rap narration and gospel singing makes this album an incredible and strong concept album.“)
David Bowie – Blackstar
(“His twenty fifth studio album and the precursor to the first of many heart breaking moments of 2016. Blackstar showed Bowie on top form and creating his incredible music delving into the concept of life and death through his art.“)
The Kills – Ash & Ice
(“The return of the band marks also the return of incredible guitar-led alternative rock. This album has the love of guitar mixed with electronic synths and Mosshart’s writing leaves this album as a new peak for The Kills.“)
Top 3 Tracks of 2016:
Beyoncé – Don’t Hurt Yourself (“Teaming up with Jack White was some kind of magic.“)
Iggy Pop – Gardenia (“The return of Iggy Pop with Josh Homme in tow for Gardenia shows his true icon status.“)
The Coral – Holy Revelation (“The guitar and psych laden track provides an incredible overview of the album.“)
Top 5 Gigs of 2016:
The Stone Roses at Etihad Stadium, Manchester (Getintothis review) (“Being able to see the Manchester legends with the incredible support of The Coral while dancing in the rain with my favourite person is the perfect description of the best gig experience.“)
The Coral at Liverpool Sound City (Getintothis review) (“Even with equipment failing, lights blowing up and myself being unbelievably ill, nothing could stop how amazing The Coral were at their homecoming show.“)
The Kills at Terminal 5, New York City (“The first gig of a slightly crazy solo trip I took in September, where The Kills showed their power and incredible stage presence to a packed venue.“)
Bruce Springsteen at Etihad Stadium, Manchester (Getintothis review) (“The iconic musical hero took to Manchester again this year to bring his 3 hour sets to the UK even with a strange mid June appearance from Father Christmas.“)
Jamie T at Olympia, Liverpool (Getintothis review) (“As a huge fan being able to see this gig at the postponed date was unbelievable and the raw passion that comes from his fans, himself and his band is on a whole other level.“)
Event of 2016
Jess says: “With the majority of memorable moments of this year being the passing of incredible artists all gone too soon. Sound City at Bramley Moore Docks had to be the event of 2016, not only showcasing incredible new artists but also bringing icons of the music scene to Liverpool and paying their respects to artists such as Prince and Bowie through art and music”.
Viola Beach supporting Best Coast
Jackie Lees – Getintothis writer
Top 5 Albums of 2016:
Viola Beach – Viola Beach (“This self-titled album is THE one that has stood out for me this year, heart-breaking because there will never be a follow-up.“)
Band of Horses – Why Are You OK
The 1975 – I like it when you sleep, for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it.
Grouplove – Big Mess
Money – Suicide Songs
Top 3 Tracks of 2016:
Hannah Scott – Hurricanes
Priestley – Horizon
Olly Thornton – Lost
Top 5 Gigs of 2016:
Band of Horses at Albert Hall, Manchester (“Just brilliant!“)
Martha Gunn & Caro at The Castle Hotel, Manchester (Off the Record event) (“Brighton based Martha Gunn blew us away at the Off the Record festival, definitely ones to watch.“)
Priestley at Warrington Festival, Bank Park Warrington (“Loved these guys and have seen them twice since, once at the Musician for Homelessness gig at The Magnet and again when they headlined at The Jacaranda last week. They never disappoint and are always uplifting.“)
Indigo Sky at The Live Room, Manchester (“This band are sadly no more and are now in the process of reincarnating as Hollows.“)
Jess Lees at Woodfest, Wales (“This one is a little obscure but while attending this event, my singer/songwriter/sound equipment geek daughter wandered over to the sound engineer to inspect his desk only to find him anxious because the opening act hadn’t turned up, he laughingly said, ‘can you sing?’ and the next thing she was up on stage opening the festival. Definitely one of my best gigs of the year.“)
Event of 2016
Jackie says: “Off The Record, inaugural music industry conference and festival, Manchester”.
Music Tip for 2017
Jackie says: “Martha Gunn“
Stone Foxes
Nathan Scally – Getintothis writer
Top 5 Albums of 2016:
Chance The Rapper – Colouring Book
Jamie T – Trick
Childish Gambino – Awaken My Love
Bowie – Blackstar
Deap Vally – Femijsm
Top 3 Tracks of 2016:
The Stone Roses – Beautiful Thing
Blossoms – Charlemagne (“don’t get the hype but damn that tune is catchy“)
Black Honey – Hello Today
Top 5 Gigs of 2016:
Louis Berry at Leaf, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Stone Foxes at Maguires Pizza Bar, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
The Stone Roses at Etihad Stadium, Manchester (Getintothis review)
The Enemy at O2 Ritz, Manchester
Cabbage at The Magnet, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Music Tip for 2017
Nathan says: “Cabbage, gonna be everywhere after an already huge year.”
Perc and Truss smashing Kitchen Street
Ste Knight – Getintothis dance editor
Top 5 albums of 2016:
SNTS – Losing Sight
Audion – Alpha
Scuba – Fabric 90
Illum Sphere – Glass
Umwelt – Days of Dissent
Top 3 Tracks of 2016:
Odette – Divine Line
Pan Pot – Sleepless (Stephan Bodzin mix)
Red Rack’em – Wonky Bassline Disco Banger
Top 5 Gigs of 2016
Peaches at Invisible Wind Factory, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Mr C at Beat-Herder Festival, Lancashire
Daniel Avery at Williamson Tunnels, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Perc and Truss – 24 Kitchen Street, Liverpool
Nick Ellis – The Scandinavian Church, Liverpool (Getintothis review)
Top Event of 2016
Beat-Herder Festival
Music Tip for 2017
Ste says: “Odette. We’ve been making a bit of a fuss about Holland’s next big thing, and we feel we’re justified in doing so. Her live sets are blissfully tripped-out freaky house-fests, with totally on-point mixing skills throughout. Her productions are equally impressive, and her back catalogue is growing at a terrifying rate. Definitely keep your eye out for Odette, because pretty soon Nina Kraviz and Magda will be begging to warm up for her”.
Steve Gunn
Neal McGrath – Getintothis writer
Top 5 Albums of 2016:
Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool
Michael Kiwanuka – Love & Hate
Heron Oblivion – Heron Oblivion
David Bowie – Blackstar
Steve Gunn – Eyes On The Lines
Top 3 Tracks of 2016:
Radiohead – Desert Island Disk
Michael Kiwanuka – Cold Little Heart
David Bowie – Lazarus
Top 3 Gigs of 2016:
Steve Gunn at Philharmonic Music Room, Liverpool
The Stone Roses at Etihad Stadium, Manchester
The Headhunters at The Jacaranda, Liverpool
Event Of 2016
The GIT Award
Music Tip for 2017
Cabbage
Human League
Top 5 Albums of 2016:
Glass Animals – How To Be A Human Being
A Tribe Called Quest – We Got It From Here….
Blood Orange – Freetown Sound
Kanye West – Life of Pablo
Jagwar Ma – Every Now & Then
Top 3 Tracks of 2016:
Midland – Final Credits
Kanye – Fade
Red Rack’em – Wonky Disco Banger
Top Gigs of 2016:
Peaches at Invisible Wind Factory, Liverpool
Fatima Yamaha at Festival No. 6, Portmeirion
Human League at Bestival, Isle of Wight
Slick Rick at Mantra Festival, Manchester
Event of the Year
Jimmy says – ” Slick Rick coming to the Uk wasn’t a jaw dropping gig in terms of classic performance, but just his mere presence was life defining for his acolytes, myself included. Massive shout out to Evol’s finest hour to date as well with Peaches, electrifying.”
Music Tip for 2017
Jimmy says “2016 has been the weirdest year I can ever remember, so fuck knows what the next one will bring. Kanye getting in bed with Trump. everyone dying all on top of a dodgy political situation means we really don’t know what will come. Fingers crossed the next summer of love is incoming though…”
Meilyr Jones
Cath Bore: Getintothis writer and arts diarist
Top 5 Albums of 2016
Bendith – Bendith
This Welsh language collaboration between Carwyn Ellis of Colorama, and Plu – Elan, Marged and Gwilym Rhys – is little known. It makes me sad that many people won’t get to hear it or give it a listen, because it’s not sung in English. On Agati Records, the album carries rich themes of home and kinship, the sibling harmonies of the Rhys’ family are a total joy. An EP is due in 2017.
Scott Walker – Childhood of a Leader OST
As a young man in the 1960s, Scott Walker sang of those trapped, and pushed into the shadows – the suburban housewives under the chemical cosh, the hidden loneliness of people. In 2016, aged 73, on this film soundtrack, he reflects on the frightening increase in fascism happening now, all around us. As ever, he holds up a mirror to things we don’t want to see or think about, but need to.
Meilyr Jones – 2013
Exquisite chamber pop, 2013 is the most romantic and emotional album of the year. It won the Welsh Music Prize 2016, you know. Have I mentioned that at all?
Georgia Ruth – Fossil Scale
Sad and beautiful songs, the best combination of all. Some bloody gorgeous records coming out of Wales at the moment.
Blossoms – Blossoms – Neither cool nor trendy, but I can’t stop listening to it. The heart wants what the heart wants.
Top 3 Tracks
Spinning Coin – Albany – scratchy lo-fi Glasgow pop.
Anna Meredith – Taken – dramatic, bold, fabulous.
Bat For Lashes – In Your Bed – Bat For Lashes: because everyone feels like this at some point.
Top 5 Gigs
The Nectarine No. 9 – Islington Mill, Salford
Davy Henderson, ex of Fire Engines, Win, and currently a Sexual Object, played a rare show outside London and Scotland, to coincide with the re-release of The Nectarine No. 9’s Saint Jack album from 1995, originally out on Postcard. The man, as Irvine Welsh says, is a genius. ‘Yeah, baby!’
Bendith – Sacred Trinity Church, Salford
One of just three shows from Bendith, and the only one outside of Wales, held in a tiny Salford church on a dark and windy October night. Performed with a string quartet, harps, Marxophone and cello, the album was played in its entirety. It made me go a bit religious, and I won’t be getting over it anytime soon.
Meilyr Jones – Round Chapel, Hackney
Closed show with orchestra and choir, back In May. A celebration of the 2013 album, it was the perfect setting. Each time he performs songs from 2013, they sound different and take on new meanings, there are so many textures and layers to explore. But this was extra special.
Anna Meredith – Liverpool Central Library
The Scottish Album of the Year 2016 winner played to a small but thrilled audience. A night when Liverpool had too much cake, gig wise, and too many made the tragic choice of going elsewhere.
Trudy & The Romance – supporting Honeyblood at O2 Academy.
Seen these loads of times, but this particular night they were simply ace. I’m loving the cheeky, and slightly camp, calls and responses in the new songs – Sandman, and My Baby’s Gone Away. They did an exceptional Billy Fury cover at O2 Academy. They suit bigger venues. More of it, I say.
Event of 2016
Cath says: “Meeting Peter Guy for the first time, and Skeleton Coast Festival – A day and night of new bands and more established artists, held in a converted school in Hoylake, Wirral. Not a duff band among them, and all for £20″.
Music Tip for 2016
Cath says: “Rory Wynne and Spinning Coin. Manchester-based Rory Wynne is 17 years old and one of the best young lyricists in the UK right now. Still working on his craft, there’s even better to come. New single out next year produced by The Coral’s James Skelly, Rory will support Blossoms on their UK tour in Spring 2017.
Spinning Coin, from Glasgow, have just come off tour with Teenage Fanclub and recorded their debut album over the summer. Produced by Edwyn Collins, it is out next year. Dreamy, and deceptively political, guitar pop”.
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